LSU Fans Tell Appalachian State, "Not In Our House!"

Every season produces a college football national champion, and every championship is always followed by yet another season. 

Fans often watch the follow-up season of the national champions to see if they start as strong as they finished, or if they just fall flat.  Sometimes they start off with a strong opponent, sometimes not.  In some cases we could even see a rematch of the national championship game.

But on August 30, 2008, we will get to see the rarest season opener in recent memory—a battle between two champions.

The LSU Tigers finished a roller coaster season by winning the BCS National Championship for the second time in five seasons.  The Appalachian State Mountaineers won the FCS National Championship for the third consecutive time last year.

So much for "cupcake" openers.

In 2007, Appalachian State shocked the college football world by pulling off an upset of the Michigan Wolverines in the nation's largest stadium, "The Big House."  In 2008, they will travel to the nation's rowdiest stadium, and the undisputed "most feared road playing site in America," a place known affectionately as "Death Valley."

Though Tiger Stadium houses approximately 15,000 fewer fans than Michigan, you would never be able to tell by the decibel level.

When the Drum Major of the "Golden Band from Tigerland" approaches midfield and tosses his staff into the air, he summons the ghosts of Tigers from the past, and their spirits suddenly become visible in the contrast between bright lights and purple sky.

The entire band, in unison, then points toward the student section (which by this time has long since passed anything resembling rational behavior) and proceeds to blast out four of the most famous notes in college football, "Daaaah Dah Daaaaah Dah!"

92,000 fans, most of whom have been properly lubricated throughout the day, come completely unglued.

Now, the original words to go along with that measure are "Hold-That-Ti-Ger."  But this year, in anticipation of upset-minded Appalachian State, the words have been changed to "Not-In-Our-House."

In fact, LSU fans have reportedly made T-shirts bearing the new slogan especially for this game.  Whoever created the shirt probably didn't figure on a picture of it ending up in the Appy State locker room.  Mountaineer quarterback Armanti Edwards made sure it was displayed for the whole team to see.

Edwards said he wouldn't be intimidated by Tiger Stadium, and he probably won't.  The junior has shown unwavering poise and focus during his incredible career.  But he should, however, feel very good about the fact that he has the undivided attention of one of the most rabid fan bases in the nation. 

His only reported fear is that of flying.  The trip to Michigan last year was his first time on a plane, and the trip to Baton Rouge will be his second.

"They said we had to fly," said Edwards.  "Just like Michigan."

Well, one thing is for certain—this isn't Michigan.  Welcome to Death Valley!

A short video outlining the upcoming champ vs. champ match up can be seen here.

Brian Scott can be reached at [e-mail]