The 2018 Season Is Upon Us!

It's time for the members of B-REP Nation to start preparing physically and mentally for the 2018 Rutgers football season, where hopefully we can at least scratch out a .500 season and a bowl game, and regain a measure of respectability in NCAA football.

The team previews suggest we'll be able to defend the pass, while the defensive line and uncertainty at quarterback and wide receiver are the wild cards to whether we can make the above a reality.

Book O'Tickets

Disappointingly, several members of the Nation who asked me cannot put their entire retirement-savings account and free cash on Rutgers on the "Over 9.5" wins wager at Monmouth Park, since we're prohibited from wagering on the Scarlet Knights under the new sports-betting law. Alternatively, however, the Giants "Under" is probably a winning proposition. Or we double down on 50-50s.

As everyone's enjoying the fleeting moments of summer, our tickets arrived late last week, which means the home opener vs. Texas State is fast approaching.

We'll have 5 extra tickets for that one, with Team Hobo still away on family vacation and hiking in Acadia National Park on Bill's birthday. Festmeister Skurat will bring everyone's ticket packages, the grill and whatever else to accommodate the opening-game tailgate, where hopefully it's not oppressively hot like in '17.

The home schedule -- all Saturday games -- is pretty accommodating to those of us who find September to be one of the best months for beach-going, and that don't want to freeze their tails off in that late-November scenario we've been in several times. 

Kickoff times and regional food/tailgate cuisine ideas:

• Sept. 1: Texas State, 12 p.m.
• Sept. 22: Buffalo, TBA
• Wings
• Beef on Weck
• Sponge Candy
• Sept. 29: Indiana, TBA
• Shapiro's Deli -- Corned Beef, Pastrami
• Cinnamon-swirl pancakes
• Oct. 6: Illinois, TBA
• Black Dog BBQ/Burnt Ends - Smoked Brisket, Ribs, etc.
• Oct. 20: Northwestern, 12 p.m.
• Oktoberfest
• Maxwell Street Polish
• Sheboygan Brats
• Lucky's Sandwich Co.
• All served with tomato, fries and vinaigrette cole slaw 
• Nov. 10: Michigan, TBA
• Maize and Blue Awning Sandwiches
• Krazy Jim's Blimpie Burger
• Adam Richman's visit
• Nov. 17: State Penn, TBA
• Baby's Burgers
• Prison Food

Here's looking to a great season, and another year of memories with the B-REP Nation crew!

The sun sets on another Rutgers football tailgating season!

A stunning sunset did little to inspire the Scarlet Knights on this day. 

BREPNation convened for the final time in the overflow black for a Thanksgiving themed tailgate spread. The turkey casserole was as a great idea, and enjoyed by all. Guest stars at this week’s tailgates were the BRES grandmother and grandfather, and JC’s friend Dana.  Unfortunately, it was not a good day for the Knights as they finished the season 4-8. 

Are these guys playing harmonica or shotgunning beers? 

The Holobowski relatives 

BRES, as usual, shunned pants for the cold weather. Some Rutgers pants for Christmas would be great gift idea. Even after buying 250 tickets as a group of 10, we still couldn't win the 50/50!

Alexa makes an appearance - one quad is better than none!

Eric makes an new friend - RU Fan since 1869

Dana and his RU brick 

Thank you very much for the 2017 season BREPNation.com tailgaters! You have inspired us for the last magnificent 7 tailgates. You have excelled in your corn hole competitions. You have shared your emotions with us and the whole RU world. You have celebrated victory with dignity, and accepted defeat with dignity. 


I declare the 2017 Rutgers tailgating season closed. In accordance with tradition, I call upon the youth of the world (and BREPNation.com) to assemble 9 months from now in the overflow black parking lot of Piscataway to celebrate with us the 2018 Rutgers football season!

Time to put the bags away 'til next year

250 numbers - I'm still checking!!!

Honoring the flag during the national anthem  

A Happy Thanksgiving to All...and 1 Game Left

Well, Rutgers laid an egg in Indiana, so we're relegated to a "play for pride" and spoiler-role type game vs. Michigan State on Saturday. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.

I already know that Shane's interested in going and figure Kaitlyn will be as well.

If people are up for tailgating, I'll offer to make Firehouse Turkey -- basically a casserole that includes turkey, stuffing, pepper jack cheese and cream soups. It was a big hit in our last Derby party (but with chicken) and is a great leftovers dish.

Since we're doing about 40 lbs. of turkey for Thursday, I'm figuring to have ample supplies.

If others have different ideas, please try to chime in before Thursday.

Everyone be safe and enjoy their families!

Its a Party in Piscataway!

After turning down a shot at the Scarlet lot, the BRepNation crew descended on our usual secondary black area lot to set up shop. Battling through a tough week with a bad cold, torn ACL, and a flood ravaged basement, our fearless leader, the BRES father, 

Have you seen this boy?

turned out to host despite being listed as doubtful on the injury report, with a rare appearance from the BRES Mother. Unfortunately we were down a few from our usual crew, with BRES under the weather and sis home hitting the books.

 BRES Father and BRES MOTHER gutting it out

If the fist fits, wear it!

Don't worry, you'll beat her next time! 

The boys from the Asbury 'hood 

   As usual, the corn hole action was hot and heavy with Mother beating son in Witkowski clan action. Sharon's 'holing continues to improve after attending here fifth game of the year. Several newcomers got involved, including Hunterdon County Glen, Lawyer Bob, and Cousin Kyle's buds. With the great subs, salads and desserts, the Yuenglings were flowing. DL jr ably filled in to cover the BRES duties again. Please remember to tip your BRES! The tailgate was also treated to the IPod spinnings of DJ BREP, a new tradition sure to continue.

The ladies enjoying the game - Make some noise on 3rd down !!!! 

Chris makes an appearance!!!

After two weeks on the road, the next and last home game for the Scarlet Knights is November 25th against Michigan State - See you there!

Retreat Yields Huge Benefits

Clearly, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights were a more relaxed squad without the excessive booing and heckling of Chris Skurat, Basil Kmech and Scott Fitzgerald, who were absent from Saturday's 14-12 win vs. Purdue but missed by their compadres in B-REP Nation.

It was the second-straight B1G victory for a Rutgers squad that could be 4-3 and two games away from bowl eligibility but instead is 3-4 and may have a few more wins in it yet fall short of the requisite 6-6 record to qualify. It's not the 2007 squad but they're playing hard and clearly an improvement over Chris Ash's debut season. It was nice getting a conference win and in nail-biting fashion.

BREP Photobomb

The weather in Piscataway was fantastic again -- sunny and mid-70s and extremely comfortable inside the stadium.

BREP Nation
Thurmanator

In the black lot, the B-REP Nation was a bit lighter than usual but still represented well, serving up a fantastic spread highlighted by our rendition of the Thurmanator -- big burgers with 3 kinds of cheese at once, plus bacon, ham, pickles, banana peppers, sauteed onion, tomato, lettuce, ketchup and mayo...if you did it right. 

Jennifer's anti-cheese, but the Labue family made amends by bringing the glazed crumb cake again from Mueller's. It also was good seeing Tom and Dave's dad. Younger brother Roy couldn't make it again, as he's busy getting paid to teach students how to kick someone's ass.  

The Tinton Falls Scotts -- dad and son -- made it safely with Evan, who was slotted in as the substitute BRES for the absent orienteerer Shane but ultimately replaced by Dave's eldest, who was quick on his toes and reportedly a capable replacement in answering to BREP's rants and expedient requests for a cold Yuengling. I'm not sure he cleaned out Larry's wallet on concessions like Shane, but it was a job well done! (We're not sure that BREP was aware that Evan is extremely fast on his feet -- to the point where he has already broken freshmen running records at MRHS.)

Schaefer City!

Great to see Fred & Suzanne!

As it was homecoming weekend, our Section 121 crew was visited by Sam-Beth and Chrissy-John, as well as Fred and Suzanne Simon, who were eager to discuss the finer points on bourbon, among other things.

In the end, it was another example of why we deal with the tragedy of Rutgers football...it's more about the friendships and camaraderie.

As most of you are aware, we meet again in two weeks...at Rutgers Stadium for the Maryland game. Fortunately, the Yankee Stadium idea went kaput. We hope to have details shortly on how parking passes and tickets will work out.

Anyway, our game at Michigan kicks off on Saturday at noon.

We meet at the Burk's house for their Halloween party at night; looking forward to it!

A proud Jen after her 4 bag ringers on one turn!

John/Chrissy & Sam/Beth 

The chef snacking on some bacon 

Purdue Tailgate and Roll Call

Nothing says breakfast like a
pound-and-a-half artery blocker

Fresh off our first B1G win of the season, we meet this Saturday morning, say 9 a.m. at Wal-Mart, for pregame festivities ahead of RU's noon kickoff vs. Purdue.

As we skipped the Ohio State food theme to accommodate Festmeister Skurat's outstanding Oktoberfest celebration, my proposal this week is to keep it simple, but gluttonous and tasty at once -- the Thurmanator hamburger -- since Indiana doesn't have real food! (The alternative is Papa John's takeout from one of Payton Manning's franchises.)

If someone has another idea, please pass it along...but NOT late Friday afternoon after everything's been purchased.

I'm offering to pick up all of the burger supplies -- buns, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, banana peppers, bacon, cheddar, onions, ham, mozzarella and cheddar. I have a few minutes to kill between work and picking Shane up at MAST at 645 p.m., so it's no problem.

And it's sorta late notice, as this week -- like all others -- has gotten away quickly.

If we're cool with this theme, maybe one of you can do tots or fries for the side. Dessert and chips welcome too, and let's go BYOB -- alcoholic and N/A -- to keep things simple.

The Hobo crew is Bill, Kaitlyn and her friend Erin this weekend. Kathy was going to join us, but volunteered to drive Shane to Pa. for his first day of competitive "Orienteering."

We'll need a substitute servant this week, so let's see if Evan's ready to answer the call.

Roll call below, please.

Pre Ohio State Tailgate: Oktoberfest 2017!!! High calorie food, heavy beer & sweet liquor to lessen the pain??

Friends:

Festmeister here.  I am looking forward to a treat this Saturday as the Big10 gods have granted us a 730pm kickoff which means optimal tailgate conditions.  The weather is looking iffy, with some potential afternoon rain, in addition with cooler temperatures at night (which is much welcomed in my opinion after miserable sauna like conditions for Morgan State).

Oktoberfest is on the menu for our tailgate, and as Bill mentioned in his blog, I will assume the role as point man. I will handle the majority of the food, so folks can just chip in cash. Here is what I am planning to bring:

-Beer bratwursts, rolls, beer & butter onions, sauerkraut, mustard

-Tray of sauerbraten with option to serve on potato rolls.

-Tray of German spaetzle (potato pasta pan fried in butter) with side of gravy

-German cucumber salad

-Bottles of Jagermeister, Barenjager, Asbach Uralt brandy

-Table, German decorations

If other can divvy up the following (if wanted)

-German potato salad (I can also order from German restaurant)

-Potato pancakes w/sour cream & apple sauce. (I can also order from German restaurant)

-Beer, some German selection would be nice!

-Soft drinks

-Desserts

-Utensils, plates, napkins, etc.

Can't wait to celebrate my favorite time of the year with my good friends!  Prost!!

Chris