Theme Revealed: 9/14 Akron

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Let's make pizza together in this thing...

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I've been practicing knocking out Naples-quality pies all spring in the KettlePizza, and I will continue to do so throughout the summer.  I've made some modifications to my setup and I think I've got it down.  It's a labor of love...and massive piles of fresh mozzarella.  Anyway, this little contraption turns out a badass pizza in less than two minutes, so there should be no problem feeding the crowd.

9/14/13 Akron
Kickoff: Noon
Theme: Pizza Party

Early kickoff means pizza for breakfast?  Yep, it's just like college.  We'll do a couple of breakfast pies early (bacon and egg, etc) before moving into some traditional (pepperoni, mushroom, etc.) topped ones later in the morning.  We'll do some crazy ones too I'm sure.  I'll bring the dough and a plethora of meats and cheeses, but we'll definitely open it up to the masses to bring your own toppings.  Unlike Kramer's place, I'll be the only one sliding it in to the oven.  The damn thing gets about 3X as hot as the turkey frier oil.  

We will have some sides too I'm sure, likely pastas and salads, and maybe a keg of beer is in order?  Pizza and beer...sounds like a plan.  Bonus points to whoever can get us an arcade size Ms. Pac Man or Galaga to perfect the ambiance.

Also, following the tailgate, I am tentatively officially announcing the first annual UMTailgate Aprés Tailgate.  Why?  Partially because I always wanted to but never had the opportunity, and partially because I'm getting married to our cakemaker over the summer and we want a chance to celebrate with everybody.  Obviously, it will be limited to our tailgate members and their guests only, and will take place at our home following the game.  Not exactly sure what it will entail, but there will be food...and football games on the tv.  Details to follow at a later date.

Theme Revealed: 9/7 Notre Dame

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President Brandon will attempt to recapture the atmosphere from the glorious night that happened just two years ago as we bid adieu to (The Chickens of) Notre Dame and the series that has kept us from having a cool home-at-home for the better part of 25 years.  

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Who am I kidding?  We're not scheduling anything cool.  We need more home games against conferences you have to look up on the internet!  Feed the machine.  Feed the machine.  Feed the machine.

9/7/2013 Notre Dame
Kickoff: 8pm
Theme: Catfish, Smoke, and Pickles

 They say you can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning, so yes, this tailgate will start in the morning.  It's gonna be a long one.  Frydaddy Frank left me a voicemail that said Reuben Egg Rolls will be making a triumphant comeback.  I'm not sure if he was drunk, but I plan to hold him to it.  That will be lunch I think.  Dinner will have a fried catfish component and a moment of silence for Lennay Kukua.   Also, I'm really in to this cookbook by Edward Lee.  He has this restaurant in Louisville where he adds Asian influences to Southern cooking.  I'm not saying that there's going to be any Asian influenced Southern food, and I guess I'm also not saying that there's not.  What I am saying is that the name of the book is Smoke and Pickles, which I find to be a novel concept.  There will be some smoked stuff (smoked brisket breakfast hash?)  and some pickled stuff (fried pickles?, bloody marys?).

Anyway, bring your invisible girlfriend and come on down.  We'll be there from dawn til dusk til dawn.  

 

Theme Revealed: 8/31 Central Michigan

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Instead of one giant 2013 themes post I thought I'd spread stuff out this year because as you all know I get paid on a per-post basis here at UMTailgate.com.  I kid, I kid...I do it all for the love.  

Also, a more usable (maybe) calendar feature will be available at the top of the page under the 2013 tab that lets you add things to ical or google calendar.  I added that because the Godfather likes to be organized.

And finally, the 2005 season has been added to the marquee...and 2004 is almost complete...which leaves just four seasons 2000-2003 before the entire history of the tailgate is finally once again available on the site.

Without further ado, the home opening tailgate theme is.... 

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8/31/13 Central Michigan
Kickoff: 3:30pm
Theme: Luau

The much sought after (by me at least) 3:30pm opener kickoff will either give us time to get our feet wet or kill us where we stand....it can go either way, not unlike Goody.  Regardless, dig your leis out of the closet, slap on your favorite Tommy Bahama, and plan on a pork-based menu that will feature pork belly breakfast hash and then either a whole damn pig or a shit-ton of ribs.  The luau theme last appeared two seasons ago for the home opener against Western, and first appeared nine years ago in 2004 for the opener against Miami of Ohio in what was Chad Henne's first start.