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Boom, boom-boom-boom—
The noise rolled on; the heat, blazing.
AT&T Stadium was packed to the brim with not a single seat to spare. All ninety thousand seats were sold out, heralding the new football season's start in the most grandiose and raucous fashion.
Historically, the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm and the USC Trojans had no deep-seated rivalry, mainly because the two schools were quite a distance apart. In their hundred-year history, they had faced each other only seven times, the last encounter being way back in 1985, with the Crimson Tide Storm prevailing.
If it weren't for this "Cowboy Kickoff Classic," neither team would have found themselves under the spotlight together.
So, what was it that drew such a massive audience?
"East vs. West."
On the North American continent, a full-scale rivalry showcased itself between the East Coast, led by New York, and the West Coast, spearheaded by Los Angeles. They competed in various aspects including culture, politics, and economy, a fierce, vibrant, and comprehensive rivalry that mirrored the "North vs. South" in its craftsmanship but was even more exciting.
The Trojans, representing the West Coast, embodied the elite, the white-collar workers, the middle class.
The Crimson Tide Storm, representing the East Coast, stood for the blue-collar workers, the laborers, the general public.
Such a collision, such an opposition, in the mere eight years since the "Cowboy Kickoff Classic" began, was unprecedented.
The topic ignited interest on all fronts.
Then there were the fan bases of both teams, along with countless football fans from NCAA and NFL, eagerly welcoming the new season. This is what led to the scene at hand.
Unlike the warm-up match at Bryant-Denny Stadium, which was Crimson Tide Storm's home ground—with the entire town turning out in support of their team—today's venue was neutral territory. Every side brought their best efforts to the field, not only supporters of the two teams but also countless neutral fans showed up.
And so, the atmosphere became charged—
"Go, Trojans, go!"
"Roar, Tide!"
A back-and-forth battle, head-to-head.
If you listened closely, you could hear the voices of all the fans in the stadium, each cheering for their team, creating an overwhelming wave that clashed and swirled above the massive AT&T Stadium. Amidst it all, a grand and powerful passion began to burn.
Although AT&T Stadium was slightly smaller than Bryant-Denny Stadium, today, here was where it all began:
The first official game.
The starting point of the new season.
The noisier, the more excited; the tenser, the more thrilled; the more turbulent, the more focused—Li Wei loved this burning sensation. He had fallen in love with the taste of competing on a stage of a hundred thousand people.
Haha!
Zhu Zhu was on the verge of bursting into laughter. This scrawny, unimpressive figure was supposed to replace Derrick Henry?
The Crimson Tide Storm must be insane, Saban must have gone senile, trying to use a smoke bomb to divert attention should at least involve someone presentable.
Zhu Zhu couldn't help himself, his smile bloomed fully, and he completely relaxed, turning to his teammates, chatting and laughing, his mood brighter than the June sun.
"Ladies and gentlemen, audiences around the world, the first game of the NCAA 2016 season is about to kick off, with the defending champions Alabama Crimson Tide Storm facing the USC Trojans."
"During this offseason, both teams have gone through some adjustments. From what we've seen on paper, the Trojans have finally changed quarterbacks, with Hayden choosing redshirt freshman Danord. Based on the information we have now, he's the only noteworthy newcomer. Can the Trojans find their offensive firepower again?"
"Meanwhile, the defensive group of the Crimson Tide Storm remains outstanding, which is Saban's biggest basis for contending for the championship this season. Of course, their already weak offensive group took a further hit with Derrick Henry turning pro, and the starter to replace Henry is a new face."
"He was once... uh, sorry for the pause, I'm checking the information, a mixed martial arts fighter?"
"Oh, God."
"Despite the running joke that football is like boxing, football is not about getting into a fight. Saban is making a mixed martial arts fighter the starting running back, Jesus Christ, this might be Old Nick's biggest gamble since coaching the Miami Dolphins."
In the studio, there was laughter—
Clearly, coaching the Miami Dolphins is still a "black spot" in Saban's career, a not so pleasant and even humiliating experience.
Experience tales at M V L
But now, it seems people have found a fresh topic to discuss.
"The game is about to start."
"The Trojans, who won the coin toss, have chosen the field position, which means the Crimson Tide Storm will be taking the offense first."
"So now we'll get to see just what kind of offensive strategy Old Nick has prepared. Maybe we'll finally get a Rocky in football too?"
On the field, the offensive group of the Crimson Tide Storm had already taken the stage, huddled in a circle, with Offensive Captain Cam Robinson speaking—
In football, the captain isn't that important; he doesn't necessarily have to be the core of the team, often playing the role of bringing the team together.
So, the offensive captain isn't necessarily the quarterback.
Robinson is an offensive tackle, and a left tackle at that. Since Hertz throws right-handed, the left side is the blind side. That's why the blind side tackle is even more crucial; he must provide the quarterback with full support and make the quarterback dare to turn his whole back to him.
That's Robinson's position on the team.
"Hey, guys, our goal isn't just the Trojans, it's the championship. And the Trojans are just the first step."
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