Heartland College Sports takes on 2017 Big 12 championship game
As you approach AT&T Stadium off I-30 while heading down Collins Street, the finger prints of Jerry Jones can be seen from the moment your eyes set sight on the building. The enormity of the stadium hits you, along with the design, shape and style. It looks like something from the 22nd Century with the glass exterior and the oval-sized, spaceship-looking build.
The car was packed with fellow Heartland College Sports contributors Derek Duke and Cam Brock. We had to make a pit stop in Lot 1 to pick up our media credentials and then loop our way back around to Lot 7 for media parking. From there, it was a decent hike to Lot 10 where my buddy, and noted West Virginia fan, Ryan, had set up a spot for the HCS tailgate. The three of us carried over 100 Coors Lights, coolers, ice, an HCS banner, and our personal items as myself and Derek would be covering the game for the website in the press box.
Despite the temperatures only the 50’s, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a few beads of sweat dripping down my back by the time we arrived in Lot 10 and set up in the ideal spot: right next to a Porta John and directly next to where the fans would be walking into the stadium.
It was only 9 a.m., but there were still thousands of fans already tailgating and walking around the outskirts of Jerry World with their Bloody Mary’s, bottles of liquor and/or beer. After getting everything set up with the banner, beers on ice, and music, we were ready to go.
After announcing on Twitter and Facebook where we were set up, it was great to meet some TCU and OU fans who we could talk about the site and Big 12 football with, along with getting to learn more about them personally.
Eventually, we were joined by another HCS contributor Matthew Postins, who also brought a copy of his 2017 College Football Ameica Yearbook to share with fans.
But things began picking up aggressively within an hour or so of kick off. There were two reasons for this: 1) fans began trickling into the stadium and our set up was right next to the walkway where folks walked by. 2) We were right next to the Porta John, which always brings a high level of clientele prior to sporting events.
Our Coors Lights began flying out of the coolers and we had nearly 75 HCS koozies that people were eating up. Some had heard of us, such as one guy who grabbed a beer and koozie, complimented the podcast, and went on his way. But then of course, some had no idea who we were, but were excited at the prospect of an independently owned and operated Big 12 digital media outlet that defends the conference on a national level.
Of course, some just wanted a free beer. We accommodated as best we could.
I will make this observation: TCU fans were more interested in the free booze than Oklahoma fans. My theory was that TCU fans thought it might be a long game and wanted to numb the pain a bit more, while OU fans wanted to be coherent and remember the return of the Big 12 championship game. But hey, that’s just me guessing, and is far from a scientific study.
Additionally, about 45 minutes before kick off, a gentleman in a golf cart came by and said we had to take down the HCS banner that was hanging from the trunk of the car. It was some typical Jerry Jones, no promotion policy. Hey, if you’re trying to promote and indirectly make money, and Jerry isn’t getting a cut, he wants no part of that on his property. Typical, right?
The Big 12 welcomes Heartland College Sports.
Regardless, about 15 minutes later, the banner was back up. Come find me, Jerry!
We wrapped up the tailgate around 11:15, as the game was set to kick off in 15-20 minutes. Derek and I made our way into the press box, which was far more crowded than I expected. It wasn’t that I didn’t expect a good showing, but I knew a lot of the national writers would be at the SEC and Big Ten championship games, so I expected a slightly lesser turn out. But I was wrong.
Also, while I had to give Jerry Jones a hard time for his promotional policy, I will compliment him for the pregame and halftime spreads in the press box. It was highly recommended by a couple of media members I try the macaroni and cheese. I’ll tell you what, it lived up to expectations. Throw in a diverse salad and a quality turkey sandwich and now it’s time for kick off.
Most of the game was spent taking notes, tweeting, and thinking about post-game storylines. As the second half went along, it was clear that this was OU’s afternoon and the Sooners would become back-to-back-to-back Big 12 champs. Check out our game recap here.
With about five minutes left, media members could begin making their way down to the field, which we promptly did and were able to get on the field right as the final seconds were ticking away and Oklahoma began celebrating its 2017 Big 12 championship.
Amid all the chaos, there was the Big 12 trying to set up the stage to present the trophy, camera men knocking into people to get the best shots, players, along with their friends and family looking for each other to celebrate, and an ecstatic team hooting and hollering as they knew they unofficially punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff for the second time in three years.
Oklahoma Sooners 2017 Big 12 champions
As Lincoln Riley, Baker Mayfield and several other Sooners joined Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby on stage, I happened to be standing near Bob Stoops. He could not have looked happier. Smiles, high fives, hugs, you name it. This was not a man who appeared to regret a single thing about his decision to abruptly retire in June and hand the reins off to Riley.
Following the ceremony, we shot back to the Cowboys interview room where press conferences would be held, starting with TCU and then shifting to Oklahoma. Gary Patterson and his players were disappointed, naturally, but Patterson made sure to note multiple times how proud he was of this team and loves the direction of his program. As he should.
Conversely, Lincoln Riley, Baker Mayfield and company were excited, but measured. It was their third-straight Big 12 title, but as Mayfield noted, their work isn’t done yet, saying, “The reason I came back was to play for a national title.”
Well, he’ll get that chance as OU heads to the Rose Bowl for the College Football Playoff and a semifinal meeting against Georgia.
After working up a couple of articles and firing them out, it was time to make our way back to the parking lot, where Ryan and Cam had the postgame tailgate winding down. What kind of shape they were in, God only knows.
A short trip down the block to Buffalo Wild Wings hit the spot as I finally got to enjoy a beer after a long day, but one that I considered very successful, both personally, and for Heartland College Sports.
All in all, it was an awesome day as I enjoyed meeting and getting to know many of you as we continue to build Heartland College Sports into the best Big 12 media outlet, that happens to be a grassroots movement, individually owned and operated, into a household name across the Big 12 conference.
So, with the 2017 football season in the books: Thank you. But stay with us as the quality and quantity of offseason content is not going to dip one bit.
