The strike is over.
No, your favorite television shows aren't returning anytime soon. But your daily UTR coverage is!
Like many of you, I've been enjoying the lazy days of December, patiently counting down the days till Tempe. Well, the wait is almost over. The Hoosiers depart for Tempe at 8:30 tomorrow morning and the UTR crew will follow three days later.
Outside of "Merry Christmas," the most common phrase overheard in Bloomington over the holidays had to have been, "I'm going to Tempe!" Countless people have detailed their itineraries to me and its quite obvious Hoosier fans are ecstatic for the Insight Bowl.
Here are a couple of things that should have you particularly excited if you're making the trip:
n The Block Party. Taking place at the Mill Avenue District and Tempe Beach Park, the New Years/Insight Bowl party should be a night to remember (or one to try and remember). Running from 4:00 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. (yeah, right) the organizers estimate 100,000 people in attendance. In addition to the Barenaked Ladies, about 40 other local bands will be performing.
n Sun Devil Stadium. I only mean a certain amount of disrespect when I say I'm happy the Insight Bowl isn't being played in Memorial Stadium. Sun Devil Stadium, on the other hand, holds 71,706 fans and should be the perfect stage for the Hoosiers and Oklahoma State. Both teams can expect perfect conditions playing on Bermuda grass and in 65-degree weather. If you aren't impressed by Sun Devil Stadium yet, remember the 1996 Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys was played there.
n Oklahoma State's defense. Coming off a five-week rest, its hard to predict how the two teams will play. But if history means anything, expect a huge passing day out of Kellen Lewis. In their six losses this season, the Cowboys are giving up 35 points a game. Their worst defensive performance came early in the season during a 49-45 victory over Texas Tech. TT's quarterback Graham Harrell threw for 646 yards against the Cowboys, the third most in major college football history.
n Any press conference involving Mike Gundy. I hate to snitch, but Kirby said he was going to ask Gundy in a press conference how old he was. If Kirby's life is spared, this could be the funniest thing I've witnessed since I watched my friend (sober) sprint into a parked car (mine). This could also lead to the biggest meltdown since...well, you know.
(On a side note, I've watched the Gundy press conference 100x and it still gets me. I will continue link this until I die. Outside of the Bob Knight/Sam Carmichael golf instructional video, this is the funniest sports clip I know of.)
n Trooper Taylor. Gundy was left with a coaching vacancy after Larry Fedora, previously the offensive coordinator, took the head coaching position at Southern Mississippi. Replacing Fedora is Tennessee's Taylor, who was serving as the Volunteers wide receiver coach before taking the position. "Troop" previously worked with Gundy at Baylor in 1996. Gundy said he isn't sure who will handle the play-calling duties on game day, but I'm all for giving power to people named Trooper. And I thought Billy Lynch was a good name.
n Tailgating Unfortunately, I won't get to take part in any of the festivities, but tailgating plans have been in the works ever since bowl selection day. If you aren't already in the know, check out Peegs' Tailgating Board or search "Insight Bowl" on Facebook if you're looking to meet up with other Hoosier fans. If you can't access these forums just holler and we'll try and provide the specifics.
