If you watch 13 News Weekend with any regularity you know I do a Grid Iron Forecast during college football season. And I frequently expose a bias for Texas A&M, since I earned my Meteorology degree from that university. Their football games aren't on local TV much, but I do make a point to don my Aggie gear and watch when they are. Otherwise, another Saturday game staple is Penn State because my boyfriend is a graduate. In fact, he's from a Penn State family. How enthusiastic? Well, on a return trip to campus his sister and her family knocked on Joe Paterno's front door. Not the front door of his office--of his house. (True to reputation he was very nice.)

A&M had a so-so season that ended with the coach's departure. But we beat Texas (which redeems a lot) and did well enough to earn a berth in the post-season. So the bowl bids came out and we're going to the Alamo Bowl! Not a marquee game, but it's in Texas and that'll be fun to watch. My focus on this was fairly myopic, so it wasn't until a few days later that I found out who we'd be playing. Penn State, of course.

So what was to be a carefree night of nostalgic TV viewing suddenly took on greater significance. Someone suggested we make a bet on the outcome, though I nixed the idea of painting our apartment the school colors of the victor. I'm realistic enough to know that my team is the underdog. But I'm still hopeful...and it should be an interesting night at home.