This week's Cocktail Thursday post was not an easy one. I could have called it the "Post Cocktail Party Hangover Cocktail Thursday." I considered both bleach and hemlock, but decided to save those for the open bar after the Auburn game. Really, this season has taken a toll on me, as it has all of you. And while I would like to take this weekend's game for granted, I just can't force myself to do it.
This matchup with Idaho State worries me a little, and I'm not just saying that because I'm an avowed pessimist. I mean, I am an avowed pessimist, but there are legitimate reasons to be worried about how the Bulldogs will come out and play on Saturday. Our coaches have spent as much time responding to questions about Todd Grantham's charades skills as they have helping their charges get over a soul-crushing overtime defeat at the hands of their biggest rival. We're in the 10th game of a grueling 11 game march, and in case you didn't notice the game played in Jacksonville on Saturday was pretty physical. While we don't have a lot of guys out injured, we have a lot of walking wounded. We also have our highest ranked opponent of the season coming up next week and a I-AA squad on the schedule this week. The reasons to go Admiral Ackbar on this one are legion.
That doesn't mean I anticipate a Bulldog loss. Instead I expect a sluggish first half effort with some mental mistakes and a lack of effort that the Bengals may or may not be able to make us pay for before the 'Dawgs eventually pull away. That is of course the opposite of what we'd like to see at this point in the season (starters rested after halftime and younger guys/backups getting some experience). But we're all used to getting exactly the opposite of what we were after by now, aren't we?
So this week I want to make sure that, for once during the 2010 season, you each get exactly what you're expecting. That's why this week is a reader's choice week on Cocktail Thursday.* Tell us in the comments what you'll be imbibing, whether alcoholic or not. Beer, wine, liquor or liqueur, it doesn't matter. Inquiring minds want to know.
Until tomorrow . . .
Go 'Dawgs!!!!
* Though if you're in the market for a suggestion for the contest against the Idaho State Bengals you could go with a Bengal: Mix 1 and 1/2 ounces of brandy, 1/2 ounce of cherry schnapps, 1 ounce of triple sec, 1 ounce of pineapple juice and a dash of bitters in a cocktail shaker over ice, then strain and serve. But that's just a suggestion. No pressure.