{"id":716369,"date":"2026-01-30T11:29:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T11:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/716369\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T11:29:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T11:29:29","slug":"my-college-football-season-on-road-celebrities-a-cockroach-a-beer-with-captain-picard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/716369\/","title":{"rendered":"My college football season on road: Celebrities, a cockroach, a beer with Captain Picard"},"content":{"rendered":"

There comes a time in every sportswriter\u2019s life when you realize life on the road<\/a> is not all it\u2019s cracked up to be.<\/p>\n

For me, that time occurred several years ago.<\/p>\n

After covering\u00a0a night game at The Swamp<\/a>\u00a0and filing a couple of columns from the press box, I returned to\u00a0my hotel<\/a>\u00a0in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, around 3 a.m.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

As I entered the hotel room, I realized I was not alone.<\/p>\n

A cockroach juicy enough to feed a family of four was waiting for me inside.<\/p>\n

He was quick. I was quicker. RIP.<\/p>\n

Anyway, I\u2019m pleased to report I made it through this college football season<\/a> without spotting any hotel room roaches, although I did smash a roach in an\u00a0SEC press box<\/a>\u00a0after it fell from the ceiling and landed atop my work station.<\/p>\n

The speedy critter probably could\u2019ve written a better lede than I did that day, but I didn\u2019t give him the chance. Splat! He didn\u2019t make it to kickoff.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Other than a handful of flight delays, my top life-on-the-road complication occurred in Atlanta, where I got sealed out of\u00a0my hotel room<\/a>\u00a0after the SEC championship game<\/a>. With the door malfunctioning and my possessions trapped inside, a marvelous off-the-clock maintenance man came to my rescue and crowbarred the door open.<\/p>\n

Enough about the lowlights, though. Here are my superlatives from my season\u2019s travels that took me to 15 college football games:<\/p>\n

1 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

A fan jumps over a burning object after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate as Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

A fan walks by as Beatrice Burton and Collin Monesmith kiss for a photo in downtown Bloomington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans fall as they celebrate as Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans carry a stop sign near campus in downtown Bloomington Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans take a street sign as they celebrate after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate as Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate as Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans take a stop sign as celebrate after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

The fire department extinguishes a burning object after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans light an object on fire as they celebrate after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Police bring firefighters to the scene after fans light an object on fire as they celebrate after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

19 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Law enforcement officials clear the street after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

20 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans climb a building in downtown Bloomington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

21 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans congregate near a couch on fire in downtown Bloomington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

22 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate in downtown Bloomington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

23 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate in downtown Bloomington Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

24 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

A fan climbs a street pole in an attempt to take off the street sign in downtown Bloomington Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

25 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate in downtown Bloomington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

26 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans climb a tree in downtown Bloomington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

27 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans congregate near a couch on fire in downtown Bloomington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

28 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans climb a tree in downtown Bloomington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

29 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

A fan celebrates in downtown Bloomington Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, after the Indiana Hoosiers won the College Football Playoff national championship against Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

30 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Jacob Douglass reacts as Indiana scores against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

31 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate as Indiana\u2019s Charlie Becker makes a catch as Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

32 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Matthew Clark reacts as Indiana\u2019s Charlie Becker catches a pass as Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

33 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

(From left) Indiana fans Clark Stanley, Jack Stanley and Haylie Lackey celebrate after Indiana scores a touchdown against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

34 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

A fan reacts as Miami\u2019s team appears on the screen before Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at The Upstairs Pub in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

35 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans reacts as Indiana enters the field before Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at The Upstairs Pub in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

36 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans react as Indiana scores a field goal as Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at The Upstairs Pub in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

37 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans react as Indiana breaks up a pass as Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

38 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Max Cooper, an Indiana University student, stands to sing along with Pitbull before Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at BuffaLouie’s in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

39 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Bridget O\u2019Brien paints before Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, along East Kirkwood Avenue in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

40 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Chairs are passed through the crowd before Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at BuffaLouie’s in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

41 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

The crowd waits before Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at BuffaLouie’s in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

42 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

The crowd waits before Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at BuffaLouie’s in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

43 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Bridget O\u2019Brien paints before Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, along East Kirkwood Avenue in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

44 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Jackie Figura, an IU student, reacts as Indiana turns over the ball during Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at The Upstairs Pub in downtown Bloomington. Figura said she and her friends arrived to the bar at 9 p.m. the previous night to wait in line.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

45 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans react as Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at The Upstairs Pub in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

46 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

People wait in line before Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, along East Kirkwood Avenue downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

47 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans react as Indiana scores a touchdown against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Hut in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

48 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans celebrate as Indiana\u2019s Charlie Becker makes a catch as Indiana and Miami face off in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Nick\u2019s English Pub in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

49 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

A sign sits as Indiana faces Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Kilroy’s on Kirkwood in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

50 \/ 50<\/p>\n

See the mayhem as Hoosier fans celebrate Indiana’s CFP championship<\/p>\n

Fans surround a burning object after Indiana defeats Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in downtown Bloomington.<\/p>\n

Best game day atmosphere<\/p>\n

Miami at Texas A&M<\/a>, College Football Playoff first round.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Kyle Field is a college football mecca. It\u2019s worth visiting on any game day. It\u2019s particularly spectacular on a sunny December morning created for playoff football. As \u201cPOWER\u201d played on the sound system and flames shot into the sky from the pyro machines, the Aggies ran out of the tunnel behind the south end zone, and\u00a0the stadium shook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0I wrote that day<\/a>:\u00a0The scene at Kyle Field set a high bar for heaven to clear.<\/p>\n

Best pregame sight<\/p>\n

Ohio State pregame beer die.<\/p>\n

While creeping along the skinny streets toward Ohio Stadium, I soaked up scenes of tailgaters enjoying morning beverages on a gorgeous Week 1 Saturday in Columbus before\u00a0Texas visited Ohio State<\/a>. College football was back, and so were cold ones on game day.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

As revelers played\u00a0beer die<\/a>\u00a0games on front lawns, it gave me great hope for the future of our country when I saw several college-age students hoist a die high into the air, before it went splish-splash into a plastic cup. Drink!<\/p>\n

I would\u2019ve loved to have stopped and played a game, but duty called.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Lee Corso puts on the Brutus helmet as he makes his final pick sitting between Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Lee Corso puts on the Brutus helmet as he makes his final pick sitting between Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Lee Corso arrives on the set of ESPN College GameDay for the Ohio State vs. Texas game.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Lee Corso kisses a Buckeye helmet on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Fans hold signs in support of Lee Corso on the set of ESPN College GameDay before the Ohio State-Texas game.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Fans hold signs in support of Lee Corso on the set of ESPN College GameDay before the Ohio State-Texas game.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Kirk Herbstreit talks to Lee Corso on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns game.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Ohio State coach Ryan Day presents Lee Corso with a helmet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Lee Corso prepares for his final show on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Lee Corso, middle, talks to Kirk Herbstreit, right, and Nick Saban on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

The Ohio State Marching band spells “Corso” before the game.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Lee Corso puts on the Brutus helmet as he makes his final pick sitting between Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Lee Corso walks across the field prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Pat McAfee hugs Lee Corso.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 14<\/p>\n

Lee Corso makes epic final ‘College GameDay’ pick at Ohio State vs. Texas<\/p>\n

Fans hold signs in support of Lee Corso on the set of ESPN College GameDay before the Ohio State-Texas game.<\/p>\n

Best Friday hike<\/p>\n

Natchez Trace delivers tranquility.<\/p>\n

The day before a game, I try to find a scenic hike or walking trail in or around the city where I\u2019m staying. Getting a few miles in on Friday makes me feel ever so slightly better about the calories I’ll pile up in the press box the next day.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

One of my favorites to hit on a fall Friday is the\u00a0Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail<\/a>, just north of Tupelo, Mississippi. I park at the Chickasaw Village Site and set out from there. I logged more than three miles on a September visit this season, the day before covering LSU-Ole Miss<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best Friday night out<\/p>\n

Pool with Captain Picard.<\/p>\n

I found myself in Austin on Halloween on a Friday night before\u00a0covering Vanderbilt-Texas<\/a>\u00a0the next day.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not a huge Halloween guy, and I didn\u2019t pack a costume, but I couldn\u2019t pass up the opportunity to see Austin in action.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

I wanted nothing to do with Sixth Street on Halloween, so after enjoying some enchiladas for dinner at\u00a0El Alma<\/a>, just south of the Colorado River, I ventured to\u00a0Frazier\u2019s Long & Low<\/a>\u00a0for a beer, served by a bartender dressed as Poison Ivy. A man dressed as Captain Picard from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” grabbed the barstool next to me and invited me to join him for a game of 8-ball.<\/p>\n

We teamed up against another duo. I didn\u2019t let down Captain Picard and sank a few shots. We smoothly cleared our balls off the table without too much trouble, but we failed to pocket the 8-ball, and our opponents stole the victory.<\/p>\n

Runner-up finish:\u00a0A stop at the\u00a0Blue Canoe<\/a>\u00a0in Tupelo is mandatory when covering a Mississippi game. I paid my respects and enjoyed a burger and a brew the night before covering LSU-Ole Miss. As a band\u2019s live music filled the establishment, I watched on TV while Virginia fans stormed the field following a Friday night overtime win against Florida State<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Best press box meal<\/p>\n

Georgia<\/a> serves a feast.<\/p>\n

Georgia did it up right for its pregame press box meal before a mid-November game against Texas. The menu that night included roasted turkey with gravy, the best stuffing I\u2019ve ever had, macaroni and cheese and green beans. Facing some tough caloric decisions, I skipped the Hawaiian roll, but I won\u2019t deny grabbing a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert.<\/p>\n

Some might say the pregame meal outperformed\u00a0the game<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Brush with celebrity<\/p>\n

Alright, alright, alright.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not unusual to see Matthew McConaughey on the sideline before a Texas game, but I also brushed right past him in a hallway while I motored to the Longhorns<\/a>\u2019 postgame news conference.<\/p>\n

McConaughey was graciously posing for a photo with a young Texas fan celebrating his birthday.<\/p>\n

The birthday boy did not ask for a picture with me.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0This column first published in our\u00a0SEC Unfiltered<\/a>\u00a0newsletter<\/a>, emailed\u00a0free\u00a0to your inbox. Want more commentary like this?\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0our newsletter on SEC sports.\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Strange but cool press box sighting<\/p>\n

A legend enjoys a dog.<\/p>\n

Lee Corso made his final \u201cCollege GameDay\u201d appearance before Texas-Ohio State, then made a stop at the press box, where I watched him eat a hot dog, including the bun, with a knife and fork. Respect.<\/p>\n

As Costanza would say: How do you eat it? With your hands?<\/p>\n

Blake Toppmeyer<\/a>\u00a0is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at\u00a0BToppmeyer@gannett.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow him on X\u00a0@btoppmeyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football season on road means celebrity, roaches, good food<\/a><\/p>\n