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Greetings, sport fans.

Now it's that time of year where Friday nights aren't normal nights, Saturdays are ritually set aside for millions of families tailgating, and on Sunday afternoons, men gather in their favorite colors to holler at a television screen.

The sport is the king of sports in the South. It is football. Those of us who are enthusiasts of the game are barring down with the statistics, jerseys, tickets and schedules of our favorite teams from junior high to the professional ranks. Every year, we have high hopes for our teams. We become like weathermen -- prognosticators of the season's ending.

This year, here in Mississippi, we have more to look forward to. In case you have not already found out Mississippi State University will be playing Jackson State University. I don't have to tell you how historic this game is going to be. The largest traditional university in the state is playing the largest HBCU in the state. And though this has some civil relevance, the implications for the immediate future are huge.

I asked around when I initially got the news about this game, after all the University of Southern Mississippi is playing Alcorn State University also. One of the frequent answers I got was that officials wanted to keep more money in state. This sort of makes sense, but if that was the case, this should have happened a long time ago. At any rate, the move should have nothing but positive results for all sides involved.

First what few people besides JSU alumni know is that the Tigers have some of the most loyal fans in their conference. They nearly sell-out their home-opener every year regardless what the forecast for the season may be.

In fact, I was told by someone who works at Jackson State that their share of the tickets sold out in just two weeks. So knowing the type of money that is generated in today's sports, this decision may have to do with a monetary decision. I talked to a security person at state who is also a former professional football player who said that MSU was trying to increase their opening attendance.

If you read State Senator Chassaniol's candid article on tourism last week, you can easily understand the impact that this one weekend will have on tourism in the state. I was just in Eupora last week, and they said most hotel/motel rooms in town are booked for that weekend.

I can't speak for MSU alumnus, but I can tell you JSU will have folks from all over the country. Can you imagine what may be the case in Starkville and Columbus? Imagine the restaurants, service stations and even a few of the retail shops increase in business for that weekend. Trust me, if this turns out to be a frequent game, this will always be the norm. I'm not saying it will replace the "Egg Bowl,” but a season opener that generates revenue for not only the teams involved, but local businesses, is simply a no brainer.

The exposure for Jackson State University to be playing a team from one of the premier college conferences in Division One football is tremendous. Yet, the exposure to black college football will be enlightening for many who have not seen a HBCU football game.

The pageantry, the fans and those bands; man, those bands are incredible. They don't just perform -- they put on a show. Some may be turned off by this, but imagine learning current popular songs that have, in most cases, far more complicated musical notes and chords than traditional marching songs, and you are dancing and marching at the same time. Many band members are in just as good a shape or better than a lot of the football players.

Finally , it is my belief if this continues, relationships with folks who otherwise had no reason to come together will forge a further understanding of each other and their cultures. I'm really having a positive vibe about the whole thing. Regardless of the final outcome of the score, I truly believe that we will all win.