Just before the delayed kickoff...........ESPN Sportscaster and filmcrew follow Referee into the OSU locker-room to explain to Coach Riley that each team is going to be allowed 15 minutes to warm up. Umpire wanted to explain the exact protocol (exit from tunnel) for each team and assure Coach Riley of the equal warmup time on field. Referee, Coach Riley and some "Representative from LSU" (had a navy blue jacket with LSU logo) were being filmed live on National TV as Referee explained to the coach what was going to go down.

When Coach Riley repeated what the Referee said to be clear he understood, which was..... "O.K. each team exits locker-rooms and gets a 15 minute warmup on field...........and then He (the Referee) will notify each Coach at end of 15 minutes....... TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE YOUR TEAM TO YOUR RESPECTIVE BENCH/SIDELINE, AND WE WILL START THE GAME/KICKOFF. NO RETURNING TO LOCKER ROOM." Game has been delayed enough. Start immediately after warmup!!

LSU Representative had been just listening, but then stepped in nice/polite to clarify/add/inform one change to Coach Riley and Referee. While being filmed/heard live on National TV........."At end of 15 minute warmup OUR TEAM (The Tigahs) WILL NOT BE SIDELINED IMMEDIATELY FROM FIELD. Coach Saban will Lead Team (THE TIGAHS) THROUGH THE CHUTE....... WITH OUR BAND ON FIELD.... PLAYING (Dahn....... Dahnt... Dahn....... Dant! ) Running toward and to Tigahs Bench as crowd goes wild."

Referee said clearly..........NO YOU WON'T. NO BAND ON FIELD. WE START THE GAME IMMEDIEATLY AFTER WARMUP. LSU Representative was cool, said nothing and telecast switched to sportscasters in press box. It was clearly a tense moment, however. Ref had nixed LSU's plan. Nothing was said further about the Ref "correcting" and nixing the traditional pre-kickoff entrance of the Tigahs and the Golden Band from Tigerland!!

I was very interested and concerned to see what would happen. Especially since the "showdown" in the opposing teams locker room, with the Referee clearly exerting his power to dictate exactly what/how the teams would do and how game would start.

YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED. AS USUAL, BAND RE-GATHERED ON FIELD.....THE TIGAHS RAN THROUGH CHUTE BEHIND ST NICK.......TO THE TRADITIONAL SOUNDS OF...........DAHN..............DAHNT...DAHN.......DANT!!! AND THAT CROWD WENT WILD. No one vetoes Tigah stadium tradition!!!

No one has mentioned this little "exchange" with the Referee before game. It was way cool when TV returned from commercial to see THE TIGAHS running through chute with band playing on field!!!