Among the lease importatnt things that COVID impacted, Following the Compass got really weird. A very good Alabama basketball team got their game against Arkansas in just after the 2020 Super Bowl, AKA pre-Covid, and then it got odd. South Alabama basketball saw their game postponed all the way to January 2021, which meant that the 2020 second game came after the first 2021 game. South Alabama beat Flagler College, while the New York Giants, still in a crowd limited stadium, played the Dallas Cowboys in East Rutherford.
The Giants upended Cowboys, which helped to give the division to Washington Football Team. It wasn't a really big deal in the grand scheme of things, but Washington was the last real threat to Tom Brady's Super Bowl run. The Giants don't look much better this year, though at least Saquon Barkley is back.
The other team was the Colorado Rapids. The Rapids were one of the surprises of the MLS season, putting together an unexpectedly solid season and earning the #1 seed in the Western Conference of the MLS playoffs. OK, by solid, I should have said "exceptional, especially for a team many thought would be an also-ran". The game I drew was their road engagement with Real Salt Lake. I didn't go, because of a family surgery around that time, but Colorado was unceremoniously dumped by RSL. The Rapids historically have had a tough time playing in Sandy, Utah, and it was no exception in October, as they lost 3-1. Also, the Rapids faced a white hot Portland Timbers squad that bounced Colorado without a victory in the postseason. Not very good under my watchful eye.
But that was 2020 and 2021. I think 2022 is going to be a bit more normal. In fact, I think I'm as locked and loaded for at least the first game as I can be. The first team I drew was the University of North Carolina's football team. I pulled their basketball team a few years ago, and watched them play Tulane in Chapel Hill. This time, the Tar Heels will be on the road, playing in state rival Appalachian State on September 3rd. If I can get tickets, I will be there, but the in state game at a smaller stadium over Labor Day weekend might be tough. I'm going to try.
UNC looks good next year, thanks to a strong defense, while Appalachian State always punches above their weight, and will be tough at home. I'm hoping to be in Boone, NC for this one.
The other game will probably be easier to get tickets for, but falls in a tougher travel period. I drew game 13 on the schedule for South Carolina - Upstate. That would put the game somewhere in late December 2022, likely after Christmas. In the past, they have played teams like VMI or local non D-1 schools on the last weekend of the year. Since this will be next years schedule, I will probably have to wait until next fall to know for sure if attendance is even feasible, but USCU is near Spartanburg, and is just the type of small school I love visiting. They don't have a long track record, and especially not one of success, but they are in the Atlantic sun which is a fun conference in general.
I really hope to get to these games. I just hope travel is a better possibility in 2021.
