Patrick Spears

Here I am tailgating at the Alabama-LSU game in Tuscaloosa earlier this season. Some people are upset about the BCS National Championship selection rematch between Alabama and LSU. This years BCS point differential between #2 Alabama and #3 Oklahoma State was the smallest in the history of the new BCS format at 0.009. With all factors considered I think the BCS made the right selection though. Alabama and LSU have played like the top 2 teams in college football all season. All other contenders for the #2 spot lost by a margin greater than the 3-point Alabama loss to LSU to teams of lesser ranking and records. But there are more questions and issues amongst fans besides the title game. I think college football fans would all like to see some type of playoff format even if it is a hybrid BCS-Playoff system. Would you like to see a playoff system? Do you think Alabama will be able to pull out the big win in the title game or will LSU be too strong?

I walked up the stairs just under an hour before the early event opening, to a line of hundreds that stretched past Z Gallerie almost reaching Cafe Nineteen on the corner. Even with the cold weather the line was about what I expected with all of the hype online. Everyone waited and anticipated 8 AM. Once the clock struck 8 a mass of people were let in. I was amongst the third batch of people allowed in. There was complete chaos and pandemonium inside. There were supposed to be rules and restrictions (such as a 15 minute time limit to shop and a limit of one purchase per item), but that protocol wasn’t followed after the heavy crowd charged into the store. Every piece was snatched off the rack within a few minutes. Some people told me they  had camped out since the afternoon before. With this knowledge and the length of the line I stood in I was pleased to still be able to get a few pieces I liked. Donatella Versace did a great job designing both the men’s and women’s collections with high quality all the way down to the hangers and bags. Resale prices have at the minimum tripled, but if you still want any pieces check eBay. Rumors are already circulating that Tom Ford will be designing next years collection. Only time will tell…