BCS bowls feature the top teams in the nation and often produce some of the most exciting games with the most talented athletes in college football. I have only been to one BCS Bowl and I can say with certainty that being there in person is FAR better than watching the games on TV. 

Granted you can't Tivo back to see what you missed while getting another drink, but you can look anywhere on the field, even where the cameras aren't looking. Having your team win their most historically significant game ever helps too.

My favorite BCS Bowl, the only one I have been to, is the 2009 Sugar Bowl. This is the story of that day.

I drove from my staging area in Crestview Florida to New Orleans and got there about 6 hours before the game.I remember wishing I had some of those little Utah Utes flags to put on my car windows to go with all the Alabama Crimson Tide flags I saw on that leg of the trip.

I checked in to the hotel, ate dinner and went to park at a parking lot I had scouted out on Google Earth. It had to be somewhere that I knew I could find from the stadium or anywhere on Bourban street regardless of my state of intoxication. A long walk to sober up and get away from the traffic was a significant part of this plan.

I planned on enjoying the game. If that failed I planned on drinking away the memories on Bourbon street.

Anyways. It took about an hour to walk to the stadium and I enjoyed watching the bright Utah red and deep Alabama crimson make a sea of red converging on the Super Dome from all directions. The two colors, though similar to a casual observer, were like oil and water, each forming pockets of excitement. The excitement grew as I approached the stadium as the weight of the moment began to present itself.

Then, at the foot of the stadium I decided to relax. I didn't want to waste this time leading up to the game on anxiety and futile consideration of what is going to happen. I decided to relax and absorb the moment between then and kickoff. I enjoyed a new stadium I had never been to, found my seat, found the nearest bar, got a drink, and enjoyed the pregame atmosphere.

Now, I am not a Utah season ticket holder. I had not written a letter requesting to be put on the waiting list for general admission tickets to the Sugar or Orange Bowl when Utah made bowl ticket requests available a few weeks before the season ended. I waited until I heard Utah had tickets left and that Alabama's ticket office was directing fans to the Utah ticket office by a link.

I also didn't request to be near the Utah faithful, but chose a section that was reminiscent of the view I had as a child at RFK stadium. The result was that I was surrounded by Alabama fans in Utah's corner of the upper deck.

"So you think ya'll gonna beat us tonight?"
"Well, were about to find out, one way or another."
"I guess your right about that."

I remember pregame Alabama was business like while Utah was hyped up. I remember that while the coin flip was going on, off camera the Utah line was doing some drills and the Alabama kicker took one last practice shot at the field goal in front of the Utah end zone. That kick bounced off the upright leading to chants of "Louis" in homage of Utah's clutch kicker.

Then kickoff came and the butterflies set in. We stopped Alabama and then drove right down the field, making it look way to easy to score. On one side I had confident congratulations on the other side I had expletives. In between was tentative celebration. If we kept catching punts on the rebound from our helmets it was going to be a long night. An interception, short field and Matt Asiata up the gut got us up by 14. More congratulations, cut with there is still a lot of time, and more expletives. In between was a little more confident celebration.

I knew Alabama did not have an offense to score at will against Utah. A month before the season, while Alabama was still #1, I had them pegged as the top 5 team Utah matched up against best.

Then we did it again, and with four minutes left in the first quarter the tentative left the celebration. I had a feeling Alabama could right the ship and stop the bleeding, but they could never overcome that lead. Not without a few bounces of the ball in their favor.

I sat stunned in my seat at what I had just witnessed. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that was possible. "Unbelievable!" was the word I used to describe the moment. "You got that right!" was what the congratulatory fan to my right had to say. Glares from the silent but ready visible distraught fan to the left.

Alabama got a good return on the kickoff and was able to score a field goal to put points on the board on the first play of the second quarter. Their defense finally found answers to our offense and forced our first punt of the game. Alabama then put together their first sustained drive and then missed a field goal.

They stuffed us and Alabama would get the first of the fortunate bounces they would need to pull close with a punt return for a TD to close the lead to 11. Alabama fans became more confident that they were about to turn the tables and Utah fans remained confident that any reservations they had were ill founded.

Two short drives from deep in each teams own territory to mid field ended the half. With the pent up excitement I took to an activity I used at old RFK to burn the excess energy built up from being confined to one seat for an entire game. I walked around the stadium in the concourse. Unlike those childhood memories, this time the coke was spiked.

Utah got the ball for the start of the second half and immediately fumbled the ball away, giving Alabama their second good bounce and a short field, despite facing a 15 yard penalty carried over from the end of the first half. Alabama quickly scored a touchdown to bring the score within four points. The anxiety began to build, but I consoled myself in the fact that we have been on the QB all night and they have yet to have a sustained drive. But Utah needed to level the momentum in a hurry. Alabama was one bounce away from the lead, Utah was (essentially) on the road, and time was starting to get short.

Utah answered with a sustained drive for a TD and a 28-17 lead. Alabama would follow with a drive that moved the ball but ended with another missed field goal. This sent the expletives home, as the Alabama fans began heading for the doors. Utah's next drive stalled out.

Alabama took the ball to the fourth quarter where they began with a punt pinning Utah at the one yard line. Utah got out of the hole but not much further. They traded short drives after that, before Utah recovered an Alabama fumble, giving them a short field. That play sent the Alabama fans streaming for the exits, even the congratulatory ones.

Utah moved the ball, opening up some room with a lateral down the sideline, and got a field goal that at this point appeared insurmountable. An interception a few plays latter would seal the deal.

As Utah was downing the ball to run the clock out the PA announcer stated that it was against New Orleans law for fans to enter the playing field and that any violators would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The ten or so mounted police in riot gear taking the field in front of the Utah student section added emphasis to this plea, one that Utah fans headed.

We were ecstatic, continuing to cheer and chant for our team until we were calmed down so the trophies could be presented. After the stadium closed there was only one place left to go. After a trip to my car to drop off my stadium souvenirs, it was time to take a trip to Bourbon street. It was like oil and water again. Two groups together in the same place, but keeping a respectful distance.

I remember seeing someone in Utah red taunting Alabama fans. I asked them why they were going to represent Utah like that, and they admitted to being LSU fans.

After a Hand Grenade (too much lime for my taste), a few other beverages, a meal, and a couple trips up and down Bourbon street I decided to head back to the hotel and finally see what ESPN and the internet chatter was saying.

Apparently Alabama fans had a backup plan too. Every time I hear "Sweet Home Alabama" I am fondly reminded of that night on Bourbon Street.