Die Macht » hat is regarded as one of the most passion

A vacation that consists of stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Miami is always going to provide you with some highlights but, like the last time I travelled to the U.S, it was a small-ish town in Louisiana that stole the show.In 2014, I embarked on a similar sports-thirsty holiday with teammate Tom Lynch. Our final stop was Baton Rouge in the heart of college football country. With a population of around 200,000, Baton Rouge is very similar to many of Australias large rural towns like Townsville or Cairns in far North Queensland. However, the LSU Tigers dont reside in far North Queensland - they live in Death Valley!Baton Rouge is home of Louisiana State University - a mighty college that competes in the southeastern conference of NCAAs collegiate football. Its basketball team has seen players like Australias No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Ben Simmons, the legendary Shaquille ONeal and before him Pistol Pete Maravich go through its doors.Aside from Simmons, LSU has an ever-growing Aussie contingent among its ranks with three boys from Down Under having played for the Tigers football team. Brad Wing started the trend and is now enjoying a promising career in the NFL with the New York Giants. Rockhamptons Jamie Keehn followed Wing to Baton Rouge and just last season, he graduated after four years in the Bayou. The latest addition to the squad is South Australias Josh Growden, a former Greater Western Sydney AFL player, who battled injury before packing his bags for Louisiana.The game we were in town for just happened to be among the biggest in world sport annually. When LSU and Alabama get together, fireworks ensue, both literally and figuratively. Tiger Stadium holds just over 100,000 people and whilst there were a tick over 102,000 in the house, the noise the crowd made felt like 102,000 jet aeroplanes.Games like these attract people from far and wide.NFL alumni like Patrick Peterson, Kevin Minter and Tyrann Mathieu were on-hand to see their beloved Tigers in action. Mathieu, like many before him, was presented on the field during a time-out after making a $1 million donation to the university.But there were a few more recognisable faces inside Tiger Stadium.Newlyweds Rory and Belinda Sloane called in from New Orleans and despite being anything but gridiron addicts, told us they had the time of their lives. Adelaide club doctor Marc Cesana and his partner Tara also caught the game. Doc is a huge college football fan and he had stops in South Bend and Tuscaloosa before Baton Rouge. Three more iconic college towns you will not find.NCAA football is a brief season, just 12 regular season games meaning the crowd only gets six opportunities to see its team at home. Trust me when I say this, they make all six a party worth remembering. Camper vans fully decked out in LSU purple and gold park in the adjacent streets, BBQs are stoked up and the southern food is cooked to perfection - food and drink is available to all.?If you are here for a good time, youre in the right place.Jamie and his American girlfriend Helen were kind enough to take myself, Hannah, Rory and Belinda to a few tailgates - something all sports fans must experience. It was tent after tent after tent of endless food, drinks, entertainment and excitement as the hours counted down before their Tigers took to the field. Jamie estimated that as the players arrived roughly three hours before the kickoff, 150,000 people would have been surrounding the stadium, all partying like there was no tomorrow.You just asked yourself - 150,000 people does not go into a 102,000-seat stadium - great math, you are correct. At every LSU home game, there are always tens of thousands who come for the party but dont have a ticket to the game. Its truly a mind-blowing event to see live.The match ended up 10-0 in favour of the unbeaten Crimson Tide of Alabama but even me, a now avid LSU fan, could hardly care less. The game day experience was something none of us will ever forget and it is something we all want to experience again.I must say an ENORMOUS thanks to Jamie Keehn who looked after Hannah and I all weekend. He took care of Lynchy and I in 2014 and he came though with the goods again. Josh Growden also deserves a mention, we had the pleasure of sitting with his parents for the game and theyre extremely lovely people who hail from Clare in South Australias wine region. Its a small world.A popular hashtag used by fans of the team is #ForeverLSU - I can say that after two games in person, I am an LSU man forever!#GeauxTigersOur final night was spent in LA watching another famous sports team, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Kobe-less Lakers put in a stellar performance despite 39 points from my man Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. Staples Center is a remarkable arena and it was a stellar way to cap off an amazing and memorable holiday.Thanks to ESPN Australia and those people I thanked above for making it all happen and thanks to everyone who engaged with me on social media. I had a such fun bringing the games back to you as I did watching them.Well, we are literally just touching down in Adelaide. Time to go see the dog and get ready for pre-season but never fear, it will soon be time to start planning another U.S sporting extravaganza. Shoes Black Friday Deals 2020 .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Cheap Shoes Black Friday . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. https://www.cheapshoesblackfriday.com/ . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Discount Shoes Black Friday . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Wholesale Shoes Black Friday . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human.Mark Warburton believes Rangers and Celtic are ready to put on a show for the watching world on Sunday. Glasgows big two will renew hostilities at Hampden in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup, live on Sky Sports 2 from 11am.The match will be screened live round the globe, with millions set to tune in to see what is regarded as one of the most passionate clashes in world football. But Warburtons side have clinched promotion back to the top flight on the back of some cavalier football and he thinks the days of blood-and-thunder Old Firm scraps are over.He said: Our focus is to go there and hopefully we have a good open game of football. Thats what we want.We hope its a real spectacle for the fans watching.There will be a global audience and were going there looking to play, looking to get on the ball, looking to enjoy possession, looking to be positive when we go forward. So will Ronny and his team.We know were up against a really strong team. Theyre the Premiership champions. We respect them. Kenny Miller says thhe Rangers squad are looking forward to the Old Firm derby after a successful season Both teams have been visited by police officers this week, reminding them of their responsibilities to law and order.ddddddddddddBut Warburton has backed his men to keep their cool amid the white-hot atmosphere.He said: The guys are prepared. Part of their preparation is recognising the importance of this game, so theyre fine.Ive got no concerns about them letting their emotions get the better of them in such a big atmosphere.Dont miss Rangers v Celtic in the Scottish Cup, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 11am on Sunday. Rangers manager Mark Warburton says Celtic are clear favourites to win Sundays Scottish Cup semi-final Also See: Sky Live: Rangers v Celtic Warburton: Derby just the start Hampden pitch looks excellent WATCH: From fan to Hampden ' ' '