Oakland Raiders fans aka "The Raider Nation". Always an interesting bunch
http://www.iventa.com/management/images/kidrock/018-RaidersFans.jpg
http://espn.go.com/media/nfl/2001/0105/photo/s_raiders_i.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/pictures/2001/01/10/raiders-ryder.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2001/01/07/sp_raiderfan.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2000/10/30/raiders3.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2000/10/23/raiders2.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2000/10/23/raiders-fans.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/pictures/2001/01/10/raiders-fielder.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/pictures/2001/01/10/raiders-head.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2001/01/15/raiders-wheatleyhug.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2001/01/15/raiders6.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/pictures/2001/01/10/raiders-dog.jpg
http://www.tailgating.com/Tour%2004/Images/Oakland%20Raider%20Nation.JPG
http://www.theexecutioner.net/fan25.jpg
http://www.theexecutioner.net/fan14.jpg
http://www.theexecutioner.net/fan5.jpg
http://www.theexecutioner.net/fan4.gif

Kind of ironic if you follow the NFL
http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news96/9vike16.l.jpg

U of Texas fans
http://mkness.home.texas.net/texas_soccer/photos/Fans/fans_03.jpg
http://mkness.home.texas.net/texas_soccer/photos/Fans/fans_01.jpg
http://media.theinsiders.com/Media/College_Football/14388_fans_8670.JPG
http://i.cnn.net/si/2003/sioncampus/10/02/sioc_road_trip1007/lg_texas.jpg
http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/images/photo_galleries/2001_02/torchlight/images/torchlight_04.jpg
http://www.brianbehrend.com/photos/archives/texas-ou/HPIM0675.jpg
http://img69.echo.cx/img69/9081/98274752yjwnibph0xl.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Even Lance Armstrong took out time to Hook em'
http://image02.webshots.com/2/1/51/56/45315156aWGvRw_ph.jpg

Here's a college tradition for big upsets; tearing down the goal posts. In one famous incident, Texas Tech fans ripped down a goal post and rammed it into the Texas A&M fans.
http://greenvilleonline.com/hoss/photos/2003/12/26/1590.jpg
http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/football/college/img6620129.jpg
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Oct-08-Sun-2000/photos/fans.jpg

Oakland Raiders fans aka "The Raider Nation". Always an interesting bunch
http://www.iventa.com/management/images/kidrock/018-RaidersFans.jpg
http://espn.go.com/media/nfl/2001/0105/photo/s_raiders_i.jpg
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/pictures/2001/01/10/raiders-ryder.jpg



I think it's a bit stupid to dress so much out, because it's a football match not a carneval. You don't see painted faces and all that very often anymore in european club football, only in national team football. But the real football fans are the club fans not the national team fans.

@ Rantanamo

Waahahaahahaah, those Raiders fans are hilarious. And I thought that Dutch national team supporters were already pretty stupid with their carnival-like outfits.

It looks like a bad GWAR rip-off... :)

I think it's a bit stupid to dress so much out, because it's a football match not a carneval. You don't see painted faces and all that very often anymore in european club football, only in national team football. But the real football fans are the club fans not the national team fans.

That's just their style for some reason. Don't know why. Every team's fans seem to have their own thing in the NFL.

baggies fans are the greatest ...followed closely by texans....was fortunate enuff to go to kyle feild and have a right old ding dong watching a local rival match...i think it was aggies vs tech not sure tho it was 5 years ago.

Wow, international recognition of one of our rivals. The Aggies are indeed very loud and have their weird Aggie traditions in order. If you want to hear constant yelling, chanting, and cheering all game, go to Kyle Field. Just don't step on the field or you'll get chased with a sword, LOL.

http://img230.echo.cx/img230/7880/218335038gpvxlufs8yx.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Despite all of that, consistency and tradition, I do think we(Texas) have a bigger, better fanbase. Every college thinks that, LOL

Which stadium takes the cake for being crunk?

Ofcourse my vote is for Beaver Stadium, the Whiteout S Zone Zombie Nation of Happy Valley".
http://naproom.mu.nu/pics/beaver-stadium-lg.jpg

2nd Largest stadium in the nation, where we always have 110,000

The whiteout against OSU
http://gallery.gopsusports.com/Images/Gallery/football/2005-10-08/aerial1sm.jpg

ESPN College GameDay at Happy Valley
http://gallery.gopsusports.com/Images/Gallery/football/2005-10-08/2sm.jpg

Zombia Nation
http://gallery.gopsusports.com/Images/Gallery/football/2005-10-08/WhiteOut.jpg

http://gallery.gopsusports.com/Images/Gallery/football/2005-10-08/WhiteOut2.jpg

The Lion's 4thqtr performance
http://gallery.gopsusports.com/Images/Gallery/football/2005-10-08/TheLionsHammeredtheBuckeyes.jpg
In the last 2 weeks he has performed "Thriller" and the Napoleon Dynamite dance

http://gallery.gopsusports.com/Images/Gallery/football/2005-11-05/fans3.jpg

Beaver Canyon always the seen of celebration (has also hosted 2 riots)
http://blogs.centredaily.com/photos/uncategorized/img_2434.JPG

Paternoville is the tent city where students camp out to get in the front row for the student section when the gates open (Joe Paterno shows up with pizza's to feed the kids)
http://blogs.centredaily.com/photos/uncategorized/img_2078.JPG

http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2005_10_31_paternoville/images/01paternoville_3201.jpg

http://image61.webshots.com/61/0/69/73/473706973XBHTYi_ph.jpg

Players vistit after practice
http://image52.webshots.com/52/0/69/84/473706984HyaeQp_ph.jpg

Media loves it
http://image64.webshots.com/64/0/98/57/473709857rERhGC_ph.jpg

Running down the streets of downtown State College
http://blogs.centredaily.com/photos/uncategorized/img_2398.JPG

Voted #1 Tailgating in the Nation by Sports Illustrated
http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2005_09_10_tailgates/images/01tailgate_2931.jpg

http://slog.cstv.com/pennstate/osu_tailgate2small-thumb.JPG

http://mtimages.collegesports.com/pennstate/Carl%2520Tailgate-thumb.jpg

Also the #3 team in the country
http://mtimages.collegesports.com/pennstate/osu_post_lindsay-thumb.jpg

110,000!!!!!!!!!!!

Man that is MASSIVE!

Sorry, I just saw that Notre Dame is written Notre Same

Sorry, I just saw that Notre Dame is written Notre Same
I didn't even notice. I vote Camp Randall. I wouldn't have before the expansion, but now it's awesome.

wtf? Is college football like college students football teams? 110k? Far out!

i have to vote for Michigan not much bigger than Penn States, i think they get like over 111,000 but not exactly but the white out there is mighty immpressive

Whats a white out?

Americans must really love their football.

Whats a white out?

everyone wears white shirts and jumps around

I love college football! The atmosphere is so much better than the NFL.

I think the team with the best atmosphere is Michigan. YOU CANT COMPETE WITH THE BIG HOUSE!

Just for pure atmosphere, its gotta be LSU, Tennessee or Ohio St. Florida in the 90s probably topped them all.

G!oRgOs,

NCAA (collegiate) athletics are more popular than professional sports in most parts of the States. Nearly every university in the nation has a NCAA team, although only 119 play Division One american football, which has a much higher talent level than other divisions. (Other sports are played, but american football is, by far, the most popular.)

The 119 Division One teams are divided between 11 conferences (8-12 teams per conference), set primarily by TV audiences and revenues. Schools of similiar size, popularity, and geographic region are usually in the same conference.

The rivalries and talent in NCAA sports creates an environment that is unparalleled in the United States and is truly unique worldwide.

Most US universities have both intramural and NCAA teams. Intramural teams are similiar to Club overseas. NCAA is actually closer to professional sports, although the athletes are not paid and must be enrolled in the university.

I hope that explains it. NCAA sports is a way of life over here. Some arenas (such as Louisiana State University's in Baton Rough, LA) have been known to get so loud during a game that they register as earthquakes on Richter scales miles away. It's that intense.

Florida, LSU, Ohio State are my picks.

Kyle Field can get quite loud, but the Aggies haven't had much to cheer for the past several years, so the environment has fallen off significantly.

LSU is just insane. Especially night games. You can't beat 90,000 drunk cajuns when looking for fans. Those guys get nuts and are LOUD.

Florida and OSU are both insane as well and can be some of the loudest in the nation at the right time.

Never been to Happy Valley.

My vote goes to LSU.

The Big House isn't loud at all, not because the fans aren't loud, but because the stadium doesn't hold sound in. It's size is impressive however.

The Big House is a joke, I see some people need to see a game in Happy Valley

Bizarre traditions Americans have. Who would have thought University sports would be so popular.

You would be fortunate to get 10 people to watch a Uni sporting contest in Oz.

Just thought i'd get some stadium pics in here of some of the last few posters' votes:

Louisianna State University Tigers aka "Death Valley"
Baton Rouge, Louisianna
cap. 91,600

http://www.collegegridirons.com/sec/tiger151.jpg

http://www.wilddogdigital.com/images/best%20of%202002/Game%206/Game%206%20036%20copyweb.jpg

http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/SEC/LSU/aerial.jpg

After a BIG WIN its tradition to tear down the goal posts
http://www.swampgoddess.com/travels/images/lsu-1.jpg

Some of the craziest drunken fans in America:
http://espn.starwave.com/media/ncf/2004/0928/photo/g_lsu_i.jpg

http://espn.starwave.com/i/page2/photos/040716lsu.jpg

http://www.lsu.edu/highlights/free/fans1240.jpg

University of Florida Gators aka "The Swamp"
Gainsville, Florida
cap. 88,548

http://virtualtour.ufl.edu/images/stadium1.jpg

http://www.skylinepictures.com/SMITH%207.jpg

http://www.collegegridirons.com/sec/images/benhill102.jpg

http://unscripted.us/photos/Home_of_Gators_600x450.jpg

http://www.campuscofc.org/assets/images/bhgstad.JPG

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/fsu/galleries/m-footbl-112903/stadium-112903-lg.jpg

Fans to the Gator Chomp
http://www.chem.ufl.edu/~reu/main/activities/2003%20poster%20session/pictur6.jpg

http://www.mcquone.com/tricia/UF/gator_chomp.jpg

Bizarre traditions Americans have. Who would have thought University sports would be so popular.

You would be fortunate to get 10 people to watch a Uni sporting contest in Oz.
Thats what im so confused about...im looking at those jam packed stadiums and im like wtf?
Its really odd too me. Anyway, Its good that its so big. Does the whole university go to the games?

Things that have to be understood about college sports:

- The level of play is very high. These are the ahtletes that will soon be in the NFL, NBA, MLS, MLB and Athletics(athletes from all over the world attend American universities to compete in the NCAA, especially in track and field). This is not ordinary amatuer athletics. World records fall each year.

- The level of tradition is huge. Most sports that are known as "American" were born and first played at universities. Football was played at Universities long before the NFL was even a notion. The larger and older universities have had over a century to build huge fan bases and keep storied traditions. You even see this in the uniforms. You have teams like Penn St, Texas or Michigan that wear very basic uniforms that have been pretty much unchanged for decades except for small details. Its almost a beautiful simplicity.

- Because of the large size of the United States, regional rivalries and pride have been grown. Fans cheer for their home state colleges growing up. They usually attend one of those universities as do family members. It becomes a passion and way of life growing up. Wherever you go around the world, you attended that University. Its life. People fly the flags of their university at their homes, and have window stickers showing off their university. Much different than professional team allegiances.

- Related to the above. Fan bases are grown over time. The large stadiums are simply a reflection of growing a fan base over decades. Tradition is of utmost importance for college football, so you simply don't see new stadiums. The old ones are expanded. Modern amenities and luxury boxes are usually fitted in somewhere to please the wealthy alumni. Have to remember that you have fans for life that come to games in addition to the large student populations that attend. You have sellouts every week at these huge stadiums because of this. This isn't like the rest of the world where you have huge stadiums that are rarely filled. These babies are filled for every game. You have schools like Ohio St, Michigan, Tennessee or Penn St that average over 100,000 fans for each game. Not just the big ones.

I can see why all of this might be strange to those outside of the US. It really is unique, but is absolutely great. I guess the continental nature of the US's geography helps create this situation. States are almost like countries in size on other continents. You end up with states like Oklahoma and Texas or Missouri and Kansas that have past disputes really hating each other on the football field or basketball court. I'm not saying its global like world cup, but that's the best thing to compare it to, or even the olympics. Its very regional in nature.

Well said

^^Thanks for the information. It's sad that there's nothing comparable here in Germany. The feeling of togetherness must be great. I really envy you guys... At least for that :)

I lived in Columbus, Ohio for a while with my then girlfriend, as a Brit who supports a 4th tier English Football team that averages 5000 a game to learn that 110,000 people turn up to watch the university play (osu) really boggled my mind, i asked my GF if we could go to a game she laughed and said fat chance! there is a 2 year waiting list for tickets! :eek:

what about the crowd in USC/OU/Auburn...

Things that have to be understood about college sports:

- The level of play is very high. These are the ahtletes that will soon be in the NFL, NBA, MLS, MLB and Athletics(athletes from all over the world attend American universities to compete in the NCAA, especially in track and field). This is not ordinary amatuer athletics. World records fall each year.

- The level of tradition is huge. Most sports that are known as "American" were born and first played at universities. Football was played at Universities long before the NFL was even a notion. The larger and older universities have had over a century to build huge fan bases and keep storied traditions. You even see this in the uniforms. You have teams like Penn St, Texas or Michigan that wear very basic uniforms that have been pretty much unchanged for decades except for small details. Its almost a beautiful simplicity.



okay, okay.. College Football is way below NFL level. Some players are good (and make it to NFL) but most are too average. Feats that you can acheive in college football would be impossible in NFL (holds true for any other league).

I'd have Texas A&M high on the list along with the likes of LSU, Florida, Penn St. Right now the team isn't doing well but when they are there isn't a tougher place to play. Plus the military aspect helps in the tradition (think Army-Navy game).

I have had season tickets for Penn State for the last 4 years and have been going to the games since I was 2. I think most of you will know we were in a slump the last few years and now we have made an amazing return to the top led by our super freshmen, defence, and michael robinson. But really I think our record is due to our stadium, there has never been such excitement here (since 1986). If anyone was at the OSU game this year they can verify it is the most wild stadium (esp. outside) in the country.

Turn up the sound, this video summarizes Penn State football

For non-American's who are interested in learning about CFB please watch the whole video, you will see what "Happy Valley" is like.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1282191490392530314&q=%22Penn+State%22

okay, okay.. College Football is way below NFL level. Some players are good (and make it to NFL) but most are too average. Feats that you can acheive in college football would be impossible in NFL (holds true for any other league).

Way below because of age and experience. The really good teams are really good though, and the quality of play is higher than one would expect if they knew nothing of college sports.

I lived in Columbus, Ohio for a while with my then girlfriend, as a Brit who supports a 4th tier English Football team that averages 5000 a game to learn that 110,000 people turn up to watch the university play (osu) really boggled my mind, i asked my GF if we could go to a game she laughed and said fat chance! there is a 2 year waiting list for tickets! :eek:


Or you could become a buckey :)

People shouldn't really be amazed by the level of support for college football in the US.

Firstly, you have to remember the size and population of the country - not far short of 300 million. Remember too that there are only 32 NFL teams (28 until recently). Compare that to say, England, where there are 92 league football (soccer) teams for a population of 50 million. Clearly, the USA needs more than just the NFL to satisfy demand.

Secondly, as has been pointed out, the level of play in American college sports is very high indeed. Most of those involved are on sports scholarships and many hope to, and will, progress to the professional ranks when they leave college. NCAA is the recognised route to a career in sport in the US. By contrast, in Britain (and, I imagine, in continental Europe) in the vast majority of cases, university sports are undertaken by normal undergraduates who have no intention nor hope of ever becoming professional sportsmen and women but whose future careers will include doctors or lawyers or biochemists or journalists or bankers......or piss artists.

Thirdly, NCAA receives huge media coverage, both in the written press and on TV, with many games being screened live. By contrast, other than the University boat race (which is only really televized out of tradition and because it is one university event in which top class sportsmen do compete) no one in Britain knows or cares what happens in university sports because the British media isn't the slightest bit interested.

LA Is the only city with 2 major universities. USC is currently number one three years running, and they pack the house every weekend with 92,000 fans. USC has a great tradition and a very very large following.

UCLA is also turning it around and has a solid team with good fans. UCLA averaged around 70,000 this year and will surely soon fill up the rose bowl more often as the program is headed in the right direction.

One weekend this season, UCLA and USC both had a gam on the same night and over 170,000 Angelinos were watching Live College football at the same time!

This weekend is the big game between the two at the collesium, and tickets are going for 600$ a pop as the cheapest ticket. According to soem ticket brokers, this game will gross more money than any other game this year, NFL or college. (notre Dame - USC is second)

Here is a link to the average football attendance for the 119 universities participating in Division One. The average attendance per game is the 5th column from the left.

You'll notice the following:

4 universities average 100,000+ per game
4 universities average 90,000-100,000 per game
7 universities average 80,000-90,000 per game
6 universities average 70,000-80,000 per game
9 universities average 60,000-70,000 per game
12 universities average 50,000-60,000 per game
16 universities average 40,000-50,000 per game
19 universities average 30,000-40,000 per game
11 universities average 20,000-30,000 per game
29 universities average 0-20,000 per game

Games are about once a week for about 14 weeks during the fall (September-December)

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/Internet/attendance/IA_AVGATTENDANCE.pdf

i voted penn state. mt dad went there and i have a couple friend that went there. the atmosphere is unbelieveable. if you plan on driving to the saturday game, it is best to leave before thursday because you can spend literally 2 days in traffic waiting to get into the parking lot. i know some people that start to drive up there from delaware on tuesday for the saturday games (normally a 4 hour trip) because the traffic gets bad by wednesday night.

you can spend literally 2 days in traffic waiting to get into the parking lot.

That sounds boring, why not take the train? ;)

There isen't one, it's the United States

My vote goes to LSU for their crazy fans. Those Cajuns sure know how to get really drunk and loud at a football game, especially at night. Texas A&M is also extremely loud with the 85,000+ in the stadium waving white towels over their heads and when they start to chant and sway back and forth you would think the stadium is about to topple over.

While not the best atmosphere in nation, Oklahoma is probably one of the best and should be included on your list. One of the all time winningest programs in college football (7 national championships) and consistently ranked in the Top 10 (until this year) OU games in Norman are quite the experience. Penn State may rule tailgating but OU does it just about as good and the 84,000 that pack the stadium are usually pretty loud.

Oklahoma and Texas have one of the best rivalries in the nation played at the Cotton Bowl every year in Dallas with the fans split down the middle. It's a great atmosphere where fans and students from each university go to Dallas for an entire weekend of partying, drinking, and going to the fair all centered around the football game.

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
http://www.your-oklahoma-tickets.com/graphics/stadium1.jpg

At night
http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/large/oklahoma-8620.jpg

Oklahoma vs. Texas (Red River Rivalry) - Oklahoma fans in red, Texas fans in burnt orange
http://www.texasdrums.com/albums/album21/aax.sized.jpg

ou sucks

Seriously OU is shit

Will anyone be going to a bowl game?

I picked up my Orange Bowl tickets last week (under the impression we would get to see Marcus Vick). Should be fun to watch us rape FSU but it is a shame we won't get a chance to prove ourselves as atleast #2.

I will be at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego for Oklahoma vs. Oregon.

WHERE IS VIRGINIA TECH IN YOUR LIST????

Thought about VT but I was disappointed by their fans during the Miami game, Lane Stadium is also small.

I had to vote for the Big House even though I go to Notre Dame. That stadium just reverberates with the screaming of 111,000 fans, and the entire city stops for game day.

Although, Notre Dame stadium, which has a reputation for mild-mannered fans, held its own in the USC game this year. On that 4th and 9 play it was LOUD.

Oh, and for the unparalleled Notre Dame Irish football tradition, check out this video:
http://www.nd.edu/aboutnd/about/sights/asx/nd/irish_lan.asx

there needs to be more pics in this thread. i''d like to see more of Lane Stadium. That place gets NUTS!!!

^
http://www.hokiepages.com/wallpaper/images/football/2003/lane1280.jpg

http://www.hokiepages.com/wallpaper/images/football/2002640.jpg

http://www.chartertn.net/nonprofit/vtalumni/images/Students-VTvsMiami2003.jpg

Sorry but I don't think Lane can compare to Beaver or the Swamp

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, UF (The Swamp)

http://www.gatorzone.com/insidefootball/images/facilities/swamp/6.jpg

http://www.gatorzone.com/insidefootball/images/facilities/swamp/7.jpg

Gator Chomp
http://www.gatorzone.com/insidefootball/images/facilities/swamp/9.jpg

http://unscripted.us/photos/Home_of_Gators_600x450.jpg

http://www.skylinepictures.com/SMITH%207.jpg

There isen't one, it's the United States

Don't they have any kind of passenger train services in the USA? Are the railways only used for freight? If so when did they stop the passenger trains? Is it because they wouldn't get enough customers, that would be hard to believe. You'd think the USA would be the ideal place to have super-fast trains, quicker than the bullets in japan.

passenger trains exist but only in super urban areas. state college,PA and alot of these bigger colleges are not super urban and are several hours from urban areas. the quantity of cars made passenger trains virtually obsolete in the past 50 years in most of the US.

Other places in the world don't have nearly the domestic airline network that we have either. So basically people fly instead of taking the train. Look at the world's busiest airports lists and see how many US airports are on there.

The train station in state college from the 30's is now a parking lot and bus terminal, people fly and drive.

Other places in the world don't have nearly the domestic airline network that we have either. So basically people fly instead of taking the train. Look at the world's busiest airports lists and see how many US airports are on there.

Yep, according to www.world-airport-codes.com, 17 of the 30 busiest airports in the world are located in the US.

People just fly or drive more here, and its often much cheaper to do than taking trains. Although, on the east coast there are some very cheap bus routes (the so-called "Chinatown" buses). I took a bus from Philadelphia to New York City for only $10.

Thanks for the information guys. I had a fague idea they didn't use trains much in the USA. I wouldn't mind getting trains in the UK but they're so damn expensive for basic service.

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
http://www.your-oklahoma-tickets.com/graphics/stadium1.jpg


Every time I see one of those "irregular" college stadia I always try and imagine how big it would be if they filled in the gaps... :)

they probably will fill in the future as the alumni bases grow. Consider them works in progress.

Yes the thing about College stadiums is they are always being added on to.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7395758391128830910&q=Texas+tech

Very true. College stadiums are very rarely torn down. They simply add on to them as needed. For instance, the University of Texas stadium in Austin has undergone numerous renovations, like many NCAA ballparks, arenas, and stadiums:

Past:
http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/Big12/Texas/pictures/24.jpg
http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/Big12/Texas/pictures/27.jpg

Current:
http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/Big12/Texas/pictures/16.jpg
http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/Big12/Texas/pictures/danbury.jpg

Future:
http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/Big12/Texas/pictures/7.jpg
http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/Big12/Texas/pictures/29.jpg

I've never taken a train in my entire life...to anywhere.

As far as I know, there are no high speed lines in the US, which is why nobody takes trains.

If you need to get somewhere fast in the US, you fly.

For instance, travel from Houston, TX to Dallas, TX (386 km) only costs 45 euros each way and only takes 1.25 hours.

It's cheaper and faster, per kilometer, to fly than take trains in the US. This is why few trains exist and why few are under consideration. There are more subways and passenger train lines in northeastern US, but that's because large towns are closer together there.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7395758391128830910&q=Texas+tech

LOL!

I've never taken a train in my entire life...to anywhere.

As far as I know, there are no high speed lines in the US, which is why nobody takes trains.

If you need to get somewhere fast in the US, you fly.

For instance, travel from Houston, TX to Dallas, TX (386 km) only costs 92 euros each way and only takes 1.25 hours.

It's cheaper and faster, per kilometer, to fly than take trains in the US. This is why few trains exist and why few are under consideration. There are more subways and passenger train lines in northeastern US, but that's because large towns are closer together there.

Wow,that's an expensive flight! Aren't there any low-cost airlines?

Sorry, the 92 euros was a roundtrip price...it's closer to 40-50 euros each way. I don't know what a high speed rail would charge, but they probably wouldn't be able to go much cheaper.

That video was hilarious.

GOOOOOO RAAAAAAIDDDDDDEEEERRRSSSS!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7395758391128830910&q=Texas+tech

:hahaha:.

Very true. College stadiums are very rarely torn down. They simply add on to them as needed. For instance, the University of Texas stadium in Austin has undergone numerous renovations, like many NCAA ballparks, arenas, and stadiums:

http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/Big12/Texas/pictures/29.jpg

What's the "final" capacity going to be?

I believe it's in the 110,000 capacity range, but I could be wrong.

Here's another great example:

Oklahoma State's Boone Pickens Stadium:

1940s:
http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/Old_Lewis_Field/08-21-2004.The_Stadium_Around_1947_or_1948_with_the_Team_Playing_a_Game.630-409.jpg

1950s:
http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/Old_Lewis_Field/02-12-2005.Aerial_View_Approximately_1947_48.563-409.jpg

1960s:
http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/Old_Lewis_Field/02-12-2005.Aerial_View_Approximately_the_1960s.563-449.jpg

1980s - 1990s:
http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/Old_Lewis_Field/06-16-2003.2003_Photo_of_the_South_Stands.300-200.gif

http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/Old_Lewis_Field/06-16-2003.View_From_the_Stands_In_the_Mid_90s.350-229.jpg

Current:
http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/2004_Photos/09-10-2004.Boone_Pickens_Stadium_From_the_Southwest.820-589.jpg

http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/2004_Photos/09-08-2004.Looking_Straight_South_At_Phase_I.813-543.jpg

http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/2004_Photos/09-08-2004.Inside_of_the_Stadium_Looking_Southeast.813-543.jpg

FUTURE:

http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/2003_Future_Images/06-16-2003.Looking_Southeast_From_the_Seats.852-480.jpg

http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/2003_Future_Images/06-16-2003.Inside_Lewis_Field_Looking_West.852-480.jpg

http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/2003_Future_Images/06-16-2003.Great_Areal_View_Looking_North.852-480.jpg

http://www.osustadiumpics.com/EZAlbums/2003_Future_Images/06-16-2003.Another_Aerial_View.852-480.jpg

Neyland Stadium Through the Years:

1921:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-1921.jpg

1929:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-1929.jpg

1939:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-1938.jpg

1948:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-1948.jpg

1962:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-1962.jpg

1972:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-1972.jpg

1976:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-1976.jpg

1987:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-1987.jpg

1996:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-1996.jpg

2005:
http://utsports.collegesports.com/facilities/images/neyland_04-2005.jpg

Any future plans for expansion at Neyland? The place is already huge, but I notice they averaged over 103% of capacity this year (especially impressive cosidering the team only went 5-6).

I don't know how they could make the place any bigger...

Some of the people voting obviously haven't spent much time in the actual stadiums. Michigan, for example, is comparatively quiet. Not an intimidating atmosphere at all.

To me the Swamp at Florida has an edge over most of the others. Wild and loud as hell.
For a stunning visual experience, nothing comes close to Tennessee.

Some of the people voting obviously haven't spent much time in the actual stadiums. Michigan, for example, is comparatively quiet. Not an intimidating atmosphere at all.


I voted for Michigan, and I've been to a Notre Dame game at the Big House. It's just a matter of opinion... sure the big house might be a bit quieter (not by much) but the poll is "best college football atmosphere", not "loudest stadium." The Big House is an amazing experience.

A loud stadium is a big part of the atmosphere for me, but that may be something other people don't consider very important.

I voted for LSU, because nothing's louder than 92000 drunk cajuns, but Kyle Field in College Station would probably be on the top of the list if I didn't weigh volume so much. I've always been very impressed with their simutaneous cheers, motions, swaying, etc. It's really one of a kind. I also have several Aggies in the family, and despite how much I hate them, I've always respected the atmosphere A&M has for a football game.

I have noticed a declining trend in that type of Aggie support the last several years however. They've had two losing seasons in the last three and the new A&M fans seem to be much more fickle than they used to be...

Kyle Field:

http://www.tailgatershandbook.com/images/tams2.jpg

http://www.jeffiscool.com/pictures/aTm/aTm4.JPG

After 9/11:

http://www.chron.com/content/news/photos/01/09/23/a&m.jpg

these photos are great. more more more. i love to see the transformations.

Kyle Field's expansion over the years:

http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/122-365low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/123-368low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/124-371low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/125-374low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/129-386low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/137-410low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/138-413low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/139-416low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/144-431low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/145-434low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/146-437low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/186-557low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/147-440low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/182-545low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/156-467low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/190-569low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/160-479low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/164-491low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/176-527low.jpg
http://cushing.tamu.edu/collections/images/Libraries/imagelibrary/200-599low.jpg
http://sports.tamu.edu/sports/facilities/images2004/full/kylefield.jpg

FUTURE EXPANSION TO 115,000:

http://www.theeagle.com/aandmnews/photos/091804kyle1.jpg
http://www.theeagle.com/aandmnews/photos/091804kyle2.jpg

I wonder, as college stadiums keep expanding, will the others expand just for bragging rights? Say Kyle Field does expand to 115,000, then will Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State try to expand?
Another reason I voted for the Big House... they've been so big for so long. 85,000 by the 1920's, and by the 1950's crowds were over 100,000.
Also, for those of you from outside the US who are just finding out about how huge college football stadiums are, try this link: http://www.collegecharlie.com/stadiums.html

a few pics of Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas

http://www.collegegridirons.com/big12/images/jones160.jpg
http://www.collegegridirons.com/big12/images/jones161.jpg
http://donniehtx.tripod.com/main1.jpg

^ That facade is beautiful. It reminds me of Florida State's Stadium.

^
http://www.collegegridirons.com/acc/images/doak100.jpg
Doak Campbell

http://www.fsukxaz.com/Images/FSU02.jpg

Ok so all you Texas fans! Sure you have the scoreboard.. and perhaps a MNC in sight but UT still sucks! Don't ever forget 63-14 and 65-13 and 7 national titles compared to 3. Oh and your stadium is named after a former Sooner great and Oklahoman! Go figure!

OU has one of the greatest programs ever in college football. Arguably, it is considered in the top 5 along with Notre Dame, Alabama, USC, and Michigan.

While the atmosphere isn't as near as rowdy as SEC stadiums, it still holds in own in terms of tradition. It does get pretty loud for huge games though.

The University of Oklahoma has the biggest stadium in the Big XII and is one of the largest stadiums in college football. Capacity is 82,112 yet it packs more(just like other stadia in CFB)than it seats. This year against Texas A&M with 84, 963 attending. Only about 10,000 of these are actual college students attending with the rest being alumnus and close followers - this just proves how loyal some fans are. As for 2003, four of the first ever season ticket holders from the 1920s are still attending games. The stadium is situated on the campus and in these pictures you will see how much growth has occured in not only the stadium but around the campus as well.

Although it was just renovated and expanded, plans are to enclose the endzones, remodel the press box, and connect the two upperdecks. It also would look more aesthetically pleasing to enclose the bowl... Rumors estimate the capacity could reach upwards to 120,000 ish.

Throughout the years:

1928
http://soonerstats.com/images/oms/1928.jpg

1940
http://soonerstats.com/images/oms/1940.jpg

1967
http://soonerstats.com/images/oms/1967.jpg

1976
http://soonerstats.com/images/oms/1976.jpg

2005
http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics2/0/KW/KWZMCMABXUWWWTC.20051122002115.jpg

http://soonerstats.com/images/oms/2003.jpg

http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics6/400/NW/NWDHKCSMUPZBUNW.20040920201309.jpg

http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics14/400/LT/LTJYWDWNPDEGORD.20040920201348.jpg

http://members.tripod.com/jjtaylor_72/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/outsidememorialstadium.jpg.w300h272.jpg

http://www.myweb.cableone.net/andrews05/OMS3.jpg
Atmosphere:
Pregame show with the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band
http://bands.ou.edu/photos/pride%202005/TCU/images/IMG_1128_JPG.jpg
http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics8/400/IU/IUEQNLJTHIBUFON.20051002024939.jpg

http://www.myweb.cableone.net/andrews05/oklahoma.bmp

http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics6/400/YY/YYFTXOAYKXUVEOQ.20031103150307.jpg

http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics7/400/LL/LLJFZOYBFYBIHFT.20031103150739.jpg
http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics6/400/MX/MXPUBLXTKRNCYIY.20031013184609.jpg

Considered the best rivalry in CFB(along with Michigan Vs. Ohio State) is the Red River Rivalry - Oklahoma Vs. Texas. This is where things get CRAZY. You have old women cursing, fights... you name it.. it's all there. The atmosphere is amazing.

The game is held in Dallas, Texas - halfway between Norman(OU) and Austin(UT). The stadium is split on where loyalties lie with Texas fans to the north endzone and Oklahoma fans to the endzone. It is also at the sight of the Texas State Fair which makes things ever more crazier - just a sea of orange and red.

Classes are canceled the day before the game so that it gives students and alumni to party the entire weekend. It is said that millions of dollars are filtered into the Dallas economy just for this one special event.

And while the Cotton Bowl is a piece of crap - there's not a place that can replace it for the Red River Rivalry.

If any Texas fans can help me out and put more pictures up to show the signfigance of the rivalry - it is well appreciated!


Permanently painted on the campus@ OU.
http://www.ou.edu/student/rufnek/Images/Pictures/street.jpg

Cotton Bowl:
Notice the split in orange and red.
http://www.myweb.cableone.net/andrews05/outexas.bmp
http://home.austin.rr.com/drewmary/ou2002/crowd.jpg

Pretty neat! Texas fans, if you could add more pictures to show the intensity of the rivalry!

This is all you need to see ............

POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR SOOOOOOOOOOONERS!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/cottonbowl.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/BP.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/RT.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/rod.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/vince.jpg



BTW, there's a whole thread about it here. (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=267137)

Oooh how the whorns forget!

Seriously? Both teams were ranked in the top 25 yet Texas failed to live up to the hype for FIVE YEARS IN A ROW. Meanwhile, Texass is gloating about their 2005 win over the worst, unranked OU team in years!

2000

http://tuckfexas.com/photos/photos/29.jpg

2003

http://tuckfexas.com/photos/photos/28.jpg

http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics4/400/EX/EXWGPFBOBLOYZHQ.20031013184741.jpg

Let's not hijack a valuable thread with some sort of redneck Red River shootout, we all know the Sooner's suck and UT is going to get crushed by USC.

Why is someone from Penn St talking smack about Texas and OU?

Oh its on...

Penn St. fan still sour from OU's win over #1 Penn St in 85' for the national title? HAHA. Poor Paterno...and Poor Penn St. I used to think Penn St. and their fans were class but not anymore.

You think calling us rednecks offend us? K sure whatever... HAHA.

Last time I checked, Penn St. didn't have any really nationally known rivalries. Jealous about Michigan and Ohio State? Two programs better than the mighty Penn St.

Why would a Penn State fan talk trash about Texas? Texas plays in the Big 12, they have played one good team all year (who we beat), sorry but Texas does not deserve #2 over PSU, they would have lost at least one game if they played in a respectable conference.

P.S. - A majority of PSU fans are class, it is just us younger ones that are arse's.

just one question, do all the players in these college teams go to that college? like every day normal college students?

Yes, they are required.

Yes they do. Some seniors may have graduated the year or semester before the season though or may be graduate level students. But you must be enrolled in your respective University.

As for the Penn St crap, YOU LOST. WE DIDN'T OK. There's no evidence your conference was all that great either. Your argument is that you lost to Michigan(A lesser Texas team beat a better Michigan team last year in the Rose Bowl) and beat a team that we beat? Every year such arguments can be made. We really don't know. You act as if you were slighted. Sorry, but #1 and #2 went undefeated wire to wire. Why don't you argue that you should be ahead of USC. The PAC-10 wasn't all that great itself.

The Big 10 wasnt all that hot itself this season either. In fact, the major big 12 teams owned the major big 10 teams this season.

Is a Penn St. fan suggesting they would beat Texas? HA.

just one question, do all the players in these college teams go to that college? like every day normal college students?

i'll add to the responses that yes, they are students and most (about 99%) get full scholorships to their universities that they play for. This is considered "payment" for the 3, 4, or 5 years they spend at their universities, as they cannot receive payment in order to keep their amateur status. Thus, the 117 (i think 117, it may be 119) Division One college football programs try to out-do each other by recruiting these high school seniors (last grade in High School before college) around the country. It really IS an amazing system, having hundreds of coaches flying around the country, sometimes driving hours to small towns to watch a friday night high school football game, and have an in-home visit with some 6 foot, 3 inch 310-pounder and his folks in Nacadoches, Tx, for example.

Big time programs are constantly trying to out-do each other by building bigger stadiums, improving weight rooms, having the hottest girl on campus host the recruits on their visits to the university (i think this is now banned), taking em out to dinners, etc.

Some programs, like Notre Dame, Texas, Miami, Florida State, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Michigan, Ohio State and others practically sell themselves. They literally cherry-pick the players that they want, instead of begging. Of course when all of those schools are competing for the services of the #1 ranked quarterback in the nation at the same time, all the tricks are pulled out.

Those pictures with the split of orange-red right down the middle are great. Thats one thing I don't like about Notre Dame stadium- we don't have a unified color. All of the students were wearing green during the Willingham era, and now it's supposed to be yellow... but Notre Dame stadium is usually just a mish-mash of blue, gold, green, yellow, white, and black.

i'll add to the responses that yes, they are students and most (about 99%) get full scholorships to their universities that they play for. This is considered "payment" for the 3, 4, or 5 years they spend at their universities, as they cannot receive payment in order to keep their amateur status. Thus, the 117 (i think 117, it may be 119) Division One college football programs try to out-do each other by recruiting these high school seniors (last grade in High School before college) around the country. It really IS an amazing system, having hundreds of coaches flying around the country, sometimes driving hours to small towns to watch a friday night high school football game, and have an in-home visit with some 6 foot, 3 inch 310-pounder and his folks in Nacadoches, Tx, for example.

Big time programs are constantly trying to out-do each other by building bigger stadiums, improving weight rooms, having the hottest girl on campus host the recruits on their visits to the university (i think this is now banned), taking em out to dinners, etc.

Some programs, like Notre Dame, Texas, Miami, Florida State, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Michigan, Ohio State and others practically sell themselves. They literally cherry-pick the players that they want, instead of begging. Of course when all of those schools are competing for the services of the #1 ranked quarterback in the nation at the same time, all the tricks are pulled out.

oh so its like on the movies how the coaches are sitting in a small house with their caps on at the table talking to the kids parents? lol

Watch the movie Johnny Be Good. That's a super exaggerated version of recruiting, though its probably accurate for the 80s. The 80s are known for wild recruiting and lots of cheating.

Watch the movie "The Program" to see about college football. It is of course far too Hollywood, but it shows how big college football is and how the players are students and all. Can anyone think of anymore college football movies?

Watch the movie Johnny Be Good. That's a super exaggerated version of recruiting, though its probably accurate for the 80s. The 80s are known for wild recruiting and lots of cheating.

Watch the movie "The Program" to see about college football. It is of course far too Hollywood, but it shows how big college football is and how the players are students and all. Can anyone think of anymore college football movies?

HS rather than College but 'Friday Night Lights' is pretty good. Shows a bit about the recruiting I suppose.

ive seen that, good movie.

i'll add to the responses that yes, they are students and most (about 99%) get full scholorships to their universities that they play for. This is considered "payment" for the 3, 4, or 5 years they spend at their universities, as they cannot receive payment in order to keep their amateur status. Thus, the 117 (i think 117, it may be 119) Division One college football programs try to out-do each other by recruiting these high school seniors (last grade in High School before college) around the country. It really IS an amazing system, having hundreds of coaches flying around the country, sometimes driving hours to small towns to watch a friday night high school football game, and have an in-home visit with some 6 foot, 3 inch 310-pounder and his folks in Nacadoches, Tx, for example.

Actually they get a $1,000.00/month check for an apartment etc... they can spend it however they want though. Also they get great tutors and at certain schools they don't have study as hard as your average student and only show up for tests.

having the hottest girl on campus host the recruits on their visits to the university (i think this is now banned), taking em out to dinners, etc.

lol go Buffs.....

Raymond James Stadium - Tampa, Florida, USA
home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (American Football)

:) :cheers:
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/27/bucs_sb_030127/images/gal-fans-react-4x.jpg

that last picture is classic. just pure 100% classic. I remember when that pic went around the internet for months. I loved it to. fuck the raiders.

A few new Beaver Stadium pics for you

http://image02.webshots.com/2/4/4/42/94240442ZsteKr_ph.jpg

http://image24.webshots.com/24/4/1/58/94240158SwXhNQ_ph.jpg

The Wave

yeah................

Penn State sucks.

What is someone from Norman, OK doing on a forum like this?

Hmm, I guess you're still sour from the ass beating that OU gave your team and grandpa Paterno a while back in the Orange and Sugar bowls. I suppose you aren't old enough to remember that either. Of course, all this recent success is nice, but I guess it's made Penn St. fans cocky.

Have you even been to Norman, Oklahoma before? Typical response from someone who hasn't. Trust me, i've heard much worse.

How can you leave out the Colluseum_USC and Rose Bowl-UCLA. USC-UCLA is the best intracity rivalry in the country. You know where the excitment will be come BSC championship time. Plus you can't beat the huge USC marching band in full battle regalia, the horse running around the stadium and the rose bowl does have the best parade in the country.

i think if USC or UCLA could actually sell out their stadiums once in a while, he might have included it. LA has some of the most fickle and by far, the country's worst sports fans. They couldnt get rowdy at a Jessica Simpson/Jessica Alba double sided dildo party.

i think if USC or UCLA could actually sell out their stadiums once in a while, he might have included it. LA has some of the most fickle and by far, the country's worst sports fans. They couldnt get rowdy at a Jessica Simpson/Jessica Alba double sided dildo party.

LMAO :hahaha:

a Jessica Simpson/Jessica Alba double sided dildo party...

oh oh ohhhhhhh

I feel dirty

i think if USC or UCLA could actually sell out their stadiums once in a while, he might have included it. LA has some of the most fickle and by far, the country's worst sports fans. They couldnt get rowdy at a Jessica Simpson/Jessica Alba double sided dildo party.

you couldnt be more wrong, but im sick of typing the same stats over ans over. people have some dumb sterotypes stuck in their head that they refuse to overcome. USC has sold out every game this year and i think all but one last year. UCLA, a program that was in the shitter a couple of years ago averaged over 70,000 a game. One weekend there were 175,000 Angelenos watching College football at the same time. On to other sports. The LA Kings sell out most games and average around 99 percent capacity the last three years, the Lakers sell out almost every game and are at 98% capacity, the Clippers average 17000 a game, the Dodgers, with one playoff win in the last 18 years had the second highest attendance last year and drew 3.6 million fans, were the first franchise in baseball to surpass 3 million fans for a season and have done it a record number of times, and no other franchise is even close. The Angels dre 3.5 million lst year and guess what LA is the only metro EVER to have 7 million plus for baseball, and both teams combined ahve drawn over 6 million 3 years running, the only metro to draw 6 million until NYC joined the group this year. The LA Galaxy averaged the highest attendance in the MLS again this year and for every year of its existance and the UCLA Briuns basketball team will average over 10,000 per game as they do every year. the only teams that dont draw well here are the USC basketball team, which will change next year with the new arena and the Ducks who are at roughly 15000 a game.

You have to admit there are a ton of bandwagon USC fans. 68k in the early 2000s to about 90k now. Something definitely wrong there! Also, UCLA couldn't even fill up half the Rose Bowl when Oklahoma came to play. There were about 20,000 Sooner fans there and probably only 40,000 UCLA fans.

University of Washington For sure when the football team is good!

you couldnt be more wrong, but im sick of typing the same stats over ans over. people have some dumb sterotypes stuck in their head that they refuse to overcome. USC has sold out every game this year and i think all but one last year. UCLA, a program that was in the shitter a couple of years ago averaged over 70,000 a game. One weekend there were 175,000 Angelenos watching College football at the same time. On to other sports. The LA Kings sell out most games and average around 99 percent capacity the last three years, the Lakers sell out almost every game and are at 98% capacity, the Clippers average 17000 a game, the Dodgers, with one playoff win in the last 18 years had the second highest attendance last year and drew 3.6 million fans, were the first franchise in baseball to surpass 3 million fans for a season and have done it a record number of times, and no other franchise is even close. The Angels dre 3.5 million lst year and guess what LA is the only metro EVER to have 7 million plus for baseball, and both teams combined ahve drawn over 6 million 3 years running, the only metro to draw 6 million until NYC joined the group this year. The LA Galaxy averaged the highest attendance in the MLS again this year and for every year of its existance and the UCLA Briuns basketball team will average over 10,000 per game as they do every year. the only teams that dont draw well here are the USC basketball team, which will change next year with the new arena and the Ducks who are at roughly 15000 a game.



riiiiiight. average home attendence for usc football this year was 90,812, in a stadium fit for 92,000. These are the so-called "two time" defending champs. They couldnt even average capacity, where schools like michigan, ohio state, oklahoma, texas, tennessee, etc. actually averaged ABOVE capacity. But keep trying. Its not a secret that LA fans are of the "what have you done for me lately" variety. For example, test the attendence of the Clippers according to seasons past. Now that they are decent, they get some good attendence. Why? Because LA fans are full of shit ... i'm sure some laker "fans" have switched allegiences now that the Clips are better.

I wont even embarass you with UCLA attendance in relation to their stadium size.

riiiiiight. average home attendence for usc football this year was 90,812, in a stadium fit for 92,000. These are the so-called "two time" defending champs. They couldnt even average capacity, where schools like michigan, ohio state, oklahoma, texas, tennessee, etc. actually averaged ABOVE capacity. But keep trying. Its not a secret that LA fans are of the "what have you done for me lately" variety. For example, test the attendence of the Clippers according to seasons past. Now that they are decent, they get some good attendence. Why? Because LA fans are full of shit ... i'm sure some laker "fans" have switched allegiences now that the Clips are better.

I wont even embarass you with UCLA attendance in relation to their stadium size.

How can a team draw above capacity?

standing room etc..... benches and not chairs

the only reason USC should be mentioned is the sweater girls :)

standing room etc..... benches and not chairs

So the capacity can be viewed as more of a flexible figure? 100,000 really means 105 or 110k? Interesting.

college figures are kind of crazy. Officials count EVERYBODY in the stadium, from fans, to players, staff, service workers, and media members. if you are a big time school playing big time games every week, there is a likelyhood of getting a few hundred extra people in attendence with extra media and, say, security, etc.

The Univ of Texas' official stadium capacity is 80,084, but averaged somewhere around 83,000 this year.

The benches are marked just like any normal seat back chair. You buy a ticket with row and number, etc, and there is a minimum width of each ticket's place which is due to fire code. So the actual seating capacity is not flexible. the attendance varies from the figures above. The bigger the game, the more media and security, the more people are stuffed into the luxury suites. There are still firecode numbers though. Its not like this is an unruly situation.

Capacities are higher also because they love to squeeze people in. Usually student sections seats are on a first come, first serve basis. For example, Oklahoma, usually allots 8,000 seats for students but about 10 thousand students show up. It doesn't really matter where you are seated because if you are a student, you WILL have to stand up the whole game. Capacity for Oklahoma Mem. Stadium is 82,112 but we got up to 84, 943 for the A&M game, while the average was about 84,000.

The benches are marked just like any normal seat back chair. You buy a ticket with row and number, etc, and there is a minimum width of each ticket's place which is due to fire code. So the actual seating capacity is not flexible. the attendance varies from the figures above. The bigger the game, the more media and security, the more people are stuffed into the luxury suites. There are still firecode numbers though. Its not like this is an unruly situation.

Thats a much better kind of regulation than we have in the UK. pre-Taylor we had stadiums with huge standing room only areas that clubs would let in pretty much anyone who showed up. There were huge amounts of under-reporting of crowds becasue there usually were limits for a given section but they would be ignored when the opportunity arose. In fact the Inland Revenue (less pleasent version of your IRS) would use aircraft taking pictures over stadiums to get an idea of just how much tax was being evaded.

One recently demolished stadium, Maine Road used to look like this in the 1920's;
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries/images/streetview/xm67846.jpg

and hold 85,000 fans.

It ended it's days looking like this

http://www.soccerstadiums.homestead.com/files/MaineRd.jpg

When a full house was 35,000.

So the capacity can be viewed as more of a flexible figure? 100,000 really means 105 or 110k? Interesting.

just whats comfortable in a stadium, the other stadiums like the big house, happy valley etc has fans packed in like sardines even when their teams aren't a defending national champ. The Rose bowl doesn't fill up like this and when USC isn't a national title contender they are several thousand below the capacity....

riiiiiight. average home attendence for usc football this year was 90,812, in a stadium fit for 92,000. These are the so-called "two time" defending champs. They couldnt even average capacity, where schools like michigan, ohio state, oklahoma, texas, tennessee, etc. actually averaged ABOVE capacity. But keep trying. Its not a secret that LA fans are of the "what have you done for me lately" variety. For example, test the attendence of the Clippers according to seasons past. Now that they are decent, they get some good attendence. Why? Because LA fans are full of shit ... i'm sure some laker "fans" have switched allegiences now that the Clips are better.

I wont even embarass you with UCLA attendance in relation to their stadium size.


So out of all that, you come back with that and you say LA fans are not good fans. The clippers have had decent attendance the last few years and they have always had their core group. The Lakers are still averaging 99% capacity. You say LA fans are "what have you done for me lately" fans. Really? the numbers prove you wrong. What have the Dodgers done lately? what have the Kings done lately? the Lakers? and people switching allegiences? dont try to pass that off as an only in LA trait. that happens everywhere. The Nets had no fans whatsoever for how any years and all of a sudden, for a couple years, all the Knicks fans had J Kidd jerseys on. UCLA has never been known as a powerhouse football program and drawing 65,000 - 70,000 is not bad, considering the last few years of this program.

Also, i dont know of any LA stadium that oversells tickets, its just not common practice here. 56,000 is the stated capacity for Dodger Stadium, but it does not hold that many. 92,000 may be the stated capacity for the Coloseium, but it doesnt hold that many. Same with the Rose.

USC-UCLA is the best intracity rivalry in the country. You know where the excitment will be come BSC championship time.

I'm grant you that. But when it comes to the rest California rivalry, one could easily make an argument that Cal-Stanford beats SC-UCLA.

I would have to agree with you that USC's (and LA) fans are of the "What have you done for me lately" variety.

Want proof?

Here are the last several years of USC football and the corresponding attendance figures:

1999: 6-6; 57,339 average
2000: 5-7; 57,515 average
2001: 6-6; 57,744 average
2002: 11-2; 66,853 average
2003: 12-1; 77,804 average
2004: 13-0; 85,229 average
2005: 12-0; 90,812 average

Now, I understand that USC is a smaller school, and therefore depends on locals to fill in the crowd. And of course, locals aren't gonna go pay big money to see a 5-7 or 6-6 team play. Nevertheless, many other large schools in tiny towns average their maximum capacity year in, year out, despite the results on the field.

For example, Texas A&M, who is in the little town of College Station, Texas (population of approx. 67,890), has averaged a minimum of 76,000 a year for the last 6 years. Their stadium capacity is just over 80,000. In that time frame, their record is only 45-38.

Like I said, I understand that USC is a small, private school, but there is no point in trying to compare it to the massive state schools like Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio State, A&M, Florida, FSU, Penn State, etc, etc...

There just isn't a comparison.

If USC were to go back to having several years of 5-7 or 6-6 records, the attendance would drop right back down to the 60,000 mark. LA fans want results. Win, and they will come. Lose, and they won't.

There isn't anything wrong with that. In fact, it makes perfect sense. It's just that a lot of schools in this nation have sold out fan bases win or lose. Of course, for the most part, they are large schools, so that makes sense.

It's just a senseless debate, I guess.

of course. Thats true of any big city. there are plenty of other things for average fans to do. But the Dodgers, Kings, Lakers are proof that not all of LA fans are like that.

of course. Thats true of any big city. there are plenty of other things for average fans to do. But the Dodgers, Kings, Lakers are proof that not all of LA fans are like that.

yes, but we're talking about the ROWDIEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL ATMOSPHERES, remember?

There just really is no point comparing LA college football to the schools listed in the poll above. When there is a tier 2 list, i'm sure USC will be included.

Never been to USA and I must say I am IMPRESSED with college football atmosphere! crowds are massive!

how many games does the team play on home field in one season? when is the season - is it autumn like NFL or..?

How bout those crazy badger fans.
"Jump Around" tradition. After 3rd quarter they play the song and students go crazy. They had to ban it for 2 years after complaints. Make the stadium shake, and adults felt 'uneasy'
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8976984069901635798&q=Wisconsin+Badgers
lol

I saw that movie "Friday Night Lights". Liked it alot, and the music was awesome too. Anybody got more good football movies? I know of Rudy and The Longest Yard and all.

I saw that movie "Friday Night Lights". Liked it alot, and the music was awesome too. Anybody got more good football movies? I know of Rudy and The Longest Yard and all.

Is the second 'Longest Yard' any good?

Never been to USA and I must say I am IMPRESSED with college football atmosphere! crowds are massive!

how many games does the team play on home field in one season? when is the season - is it autumn like NFL or..?

5-7 games and yes all football is played during the fall in America at any level. It is practiced year round but the leagues are only in the Fall.

I saw that movie "Friday Night Lights". Liked it alot, and the music was awesome too. Anybody got more good football movies? I know of Rudy and The Longest Yard and all.

Any Given Sunday is pretty good.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146838/

I saw that movie "Friday Night Lights". Liked it alot, and the music was awesome too. Anybody got more good football movies? I know of Rudy and The Longest Yard and all.

Some of my favorites are:

Remember the Titans(High School)
Radio(High School)
Varsity Blues
The Program(College)
Friday Night Lights(High School)
The Waterboy(College, but a big time comedy. Really love it)
Any Given Sunday(Pro)
Wildcats(High School)
Johnny Be Good(High School and college recruiting process)
Jerry McGuirre(Pro)
Rudy(College)
All The Right Moves(High School)
Necessary Roughness(College)

I'd recommend:
Remember the Titans
Friday Night Lights
The Program
The Waterboy(prepare to be ROTFLMAO)
Rudy

Thanks Rantanamo, I've seen some of the movies on that list, but most are new to me. I'll check 'em out.

@Iain, I've only seen the Longest Yard featuring Adam Sandler, and I thought it was an okay movie. One of Sandler's more serious movies, if you will :p

I would have to agree with you that USC's (and LA) fans are of the "What have you done for me lately" variety.

Want proof?

Here are the last several years of USC football and the corresponding attendance figures:

1999: 6-6; 57,339 average
2000: 5-7; 57,515 average
2001: 6-6; 57,744 average
2002: 11-2; 66,853 average
2003: 12-1; 77,804 average
2004: 13-0; 85,229 average
2005: 12-0; 90,812 average

Now, I understand that USC is a smaller school, and therefore depends on locals to fill in the crowd. And of course, locals aren't gonna go pay big money to see a 5-7 or 6-6 team play. Nevertheless, many other large schools in tiny towns average their maximum capacity year in, year out, despite the results on the field.

For example, Texas A&M, who is in the little town of College Station, Texas (population of approx. 67,890), has averaged a minimum of 76,000 a year for the last 6 years. Their stadium capacity is just over 80,000. In that time frame, their record is only 45-38.

Like I said, I understand that USC is a small, private school, but there is no point in trying to compare it to the massive state schools like Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio State, A&M, Florida, FSU, Penn State, etc, etc...

There just isn't a comparison.

If USC were to go back to having several years of 5-7 or 6-6 records, the attendance would drop right back down to the 60,000 mark. LA fans want results. Win, and they will come. Lose, and they won't.

There isn't anything wrong with that. In fact, it makes perfect sense. It's just that a lot of schools in this nation have sold out fan bases win or lose. Of course, for the most part, they are large schools, so that makes sense.

It's just a senseless debate, I guess.

This is a problem of all small private schools that play in big cities (see Boston College, Miami, Pitt...). You could argue that USC has the most consistent fan support of any of them. Miami made the inexcusable sin of losing 2 games this year and their attendance dropped by like 30%.

Hows this for "what have you done for me lately?"

Miami's attendence the last few years:
2002-3: 69,539 (12-1 record)
2003-4: 58,135 (11-2 record)
2004-5: 59,134 (9-3 record)
2005-6: 45,310 (9-2 record)

Raymond James Stadium - Tampa, Florida, USA
home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (American Football)

Our team's only been around since 1976, but we have good fans. Our fanbase extends all around the world and lage groups of followers (other than being all around America) can be found in England, Germany, Amsterdam, and Japan. We're probably not as crazy as some of the established football clubs in Europe, but we're among the best in America. The fans here in Tampa Bay are rowdy as hell and faithful til the end!

"YO HO, YO HO, A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME!"



First of all; don't even think about saying you've got groups of followers in Europe.
Second; Just because Amsterdam's won the NFL Europe Bowl, doens't mean we love American Football.
Third; I'm from Amsterdam and never heard of you.

Well I figured I'd show 2 of the stadiums on this list that haven't been represented yet: Clemson and UGA.

I'm a Clemson student and have always been an avid UGA fan. I had the opportunity to go to the Georgia - South Carolina game this past fall, and it was great. The tailgating scene was awesome, and once we got inside the stadium I was really impressed. The fans at UGA are absolutely crazy singing songs about the "Drunk, obnoxious Georgia fans" and constantly barking "GOOOOOO Dawgs! Sic 'em woof woof woof woof woof!", it was a ballsy time for sure. Here's a few pics that I took from the game.

Needed to get a picture of myself 'Between the Hedges'
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/P1010063.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/Picture076.jpg

Sanford Stadium can hold 92,000 screaming fans, but usually they get about 94,000 a game
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/Picture094.jpg

The game winning TD against South Carolina....Go Dawgs!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/gamewinningtd.jpg

Now time for my favorite: Clemson University.

Death Valley's capacity is about 81,000, but we have fit over 86,000 fans in here before for Bowden Bowl (In case you don't know what Bowden Bowl is, our coach, Tommy Bowden, is the son of Florida State's coach, Bobby Bowden and each year we play each other). This year we nearly broke a sound record for stadium noise when we played the University of Miami...we ended up losing in Triple OT but it was definitely the best day of my life, truly amazing. Here's some pics:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/deathvalley2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/ClemsonStadium.jpg

"The 25 Most Exciting Seconds in Football" the running of the Hill. I don't exactly know why they do this, I believe it has something to do with a war tradition of some sort, but it's an awesome time of getting fired up for fans and players alike while waiting for the cannon to fire.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/Hill.jpg

The Sea of Orange
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/orange.jpg

This pic was taken of the hill right after we made a last second field goal to beat Texas A&M 25-24 in our season opener. I'm actually standing about ten rows behind the guy who is holding up the big orange fence on the right hand side.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/Crowd.jpg

Here's a rendering of the addition we're putting on our stadium, The WestZone project:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/westzone.jpg

And a construction pic taken awhile ago, it's nearly finished now:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/tmac9wr/DeathValley.jpg

RUDY RUDY RUDY!!!!!


I still find it amazing that a college team in the US can sell out 80K-100K a game.

^^ College Football is the best sport in the USA, no doubt. The fact that stadiums sell out 80,000-100,000 a game is a testament to how amazing this sport truly is. There is nothing more exciting than getting caught up in the atmosphere of a great college football town. Before the game I walk from my room to whatever party/tailgate I'm going to. Walking through the middle of town with open beers in front of state police officers and catch up on scores by walking up to strangers tailgates and ask them what's happening so far in the games across the nation. Most people will have TV's with satellites hooked up to the back of their SUV's or pickup truck.

If you haven't had the opportunity to make it to a bigtime college football game in your life, try to make it a point to do so--I promise you will not be disappointed. Beyond the game, there is just something in the air. There is a passion that goes with college football that can't be carried over into the professional level. The rivalries, the wild fans, the fight songs, the chants, and the giant collesium's that they play in can't be matched by the NFL. The NFL has good teams that play each other and call each other their rivals...but they don't compare to what college has to offer. Ohio St.-Michigan, Florida-Florida St., Texas-Oklahoma, Georgia-Florida, Florida St.-Miami, Auburn-Alabama, Clemson-South Carolina, Notre Dame-USC, and dozens of other rivalries are the highlight of every fans season.

Speaking of which, today is Signing Day! If you're not from the USA, then you probably don't know what Signing Day is. It's the one day of the year when all the top high-school football players in the nation officially sign with whatever college they decided to go to for the next season. Most of the sports networks are completely filled with shows talking about who went where and what teams did the best recruiting. How did everyone's team finish up? Clemson finished up at #14 in the nation for recruiting by Rivals.com, and snagged the #1 all-around running back in the nation (#3 by CSTV.com) CJ Spiller (#8 player overall according to Rivals.com) along with one of the top DL's, Ricky Sapp (#18 overall by CSTV.com). We also got a recruit coming from a military prep school who plays wide receiver and was clocked at running the 40-yard dash at 4.126!!!! He was dubbed "The fastest player on the East Coast" by Rivals.com. We finished up #21 in the nation for actual football rankings, but look for us coming up big next season. Clemson should do very very well. Can't wait for the fall!!!
"C-L-E-M-S-O--N!" "Go Tigers! Fight like hell baby, and win!"

^^ College Football is the best sport in the USA, no doubt. The fact that stadiums sell out 80,000-100,000 a game is a testament to how amazing this sport truly is. There is nothing more exciting than getting caught up in the atmosphere of a great college football town. Before the game I walk from my room to whatever party/tailgate I'm going to. Walking through the middle of town with open beers in front of state police officers and catch up on scores by walking up to strangers tailgates and ask them what's happening so far in the games across the nation. Most people will have TV's with satellites hooked up to the back of their SUV's or pickup truck.

If you haven't had the opportunity to make it to a bigtime college football game in your life, try to make it a point to do so--I promise you will not be disappointed. Beyond the game, there is just something in the air. There is a passion that goes with college football that can't be carried over into the professional level. The rivalries, the wild fans, the fight songs, the chants, and the giant collesium's that they play in can't be matched by the NFL. The NFL has good teams that play each other and call each other their rivals...but they don't compare to what college has to offer. Ohio St.-Michigan, Florida-Florida St., Texas-Oklahoma, Georgia-Florida, Florida St.-Miami, Auburn-Alabama, Clemson-South Carolina, Notre Dame-USC, and dozens of other rivalries are the highlight of every fans season."

Its a shame that its pretty much totally overshadowed by the NFL outside the US(in my experence anyway) as really it matchs up alot better with what soccer fans hold in esteem. A team should be inseperable from its local community with rivarlys streching over the decades and support passed down though the generations.

Yea exactly, I think that when you see how wild soccer fans are in Europe, college football fans/atmospheres would compare a lot better to them than NFL fans/atmospheres.

I would have to agree with you that USC's (and LA) fans are of the "What have you done for me lately" variety.

Want proof?

Here are the last several years of USC football and the corresponding attendance figures:

1999: 6-6; 57,339 average
2000: 5-7; 57,515 average
2001: 6-6; 57,744 average
2002: 11-2; 66,853 average
2003: 12-1; 77,804 average
2004: 13-0; 85,229 average
2005: 12-0; 90,812 average

Now, I understand that USC is a smaller school, and therefore depends on locals to fill in the crowd. And of course, locals aren't gonna go pay big money to see a 5-7 or 6-6 team play. Nevertheless, many other large schools in tiny towns average their maximum capacity year in, year out, despite the results on the field.

For example, Texas A&M, who is in the little town of College Station, Texas (population of approx. 67,890), has averaged a minimum of 76,000 a year for the last 6 years. Their stadium capacity is just over 80,000. In that time frame, their record is only 45-38.

Like I said, I understand that USC is a small, private school, but there is no point in trying to compare it to the massive state schools like Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio State, A&M, Florida, FSU, Penn State, etc, etc...

There just isn't a comparison.

If USC were to go back to having several years of 5-7 or 6-6 records, the attendance would drop right back down to the 60,000 mark. LA fans want results. Win, and they will come. Lose, and they won't.

There isn't anything wrong with that. In fact, it makes perfect sense. It's just that a lot of schools in this nation have sold out fan bases win or lose. Of course, for the most part, they are large schools, so that makes sense.

It's just a senseless debate, I guess.

Definitely agree with the Los Angeles talk (or bashing). Neither USC or UCLA deserve to be mentioned in a "best college football fans" or "best college atmosphere" talk. Their college football fans don't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as any of the football teams listed here.

BaylorGuy was talking about College Station's small population of 67,000 and still managed to average 80,000 fans. The town of Clemson, SC has a town population of about 10,000 and student population of 15,000--yet we averaged 80,000 fans a game! That means if every single student goes to the game (which they do) and every single citizen of town goes to the game (which probably 95% do), there is still 55,000 people truckin on down I-85 to come see the Tigers play in Death Valley. And we still average at least 75,000+ in our bad seasons.

Bottom line: LA doesn't know what it means to be apart of a serious football atmosphere.

P.S. Don't think I'm saying that USC and UCLA aren't good teams, because that's obviously not true, but it would be better to see them get better support in front of a rowdier crowd.

P.P.S. Someone mentioned the Miami fans are similar to LA fans. Attendance records may show similarities, but I will tell you that when the Canes came to Clemson this year, they made some noise! They defintiely have a core group of die-hard fans, lots of yelling wars in downtown Clemson on Friday night.

Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis (for University of Minnesota)

Under Construction, 1924
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf046/pf046459.jpg

Game in 1925
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf046/pf046600.jpg

1930 outside
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf046/pf046602.jpg

1955
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf042/pf042974.jpg

It was torn down in 1992, though they first began building the aquatic center in the place of the field. I couldn't find a picture.

They (the Gophers) have played in the Metrodome (a little ways off campus) since 1982.

The new proposal:
50,000 seat stadium on campus. It'd be expandable to 80,000+.

http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/wallpaper/gophersback_800.jpg

http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/wallpaper/inside_800.jpg

http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/wallpaper/entrance_800.jpg

How come Alabama gets no props???

Ok I have collected a series of videos to prove Beaver Stadium shits on anything else especially in Ohio or Michigan

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=973311799033721177&q=penn+state&pl=true

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2598444503347122216&q=penn+state&pl=true

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6492830260688121315&q=penn+state&pl=true

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8355632382341409227&q=penn+state&pl=true

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3363474923296263482&q=penn+state&pl=true


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8355632382341409227&q=penn+state&pl=true

Nice, but Alabama still kicks ass... :)

Just out of curiosity, how come I hear Zombie Nation in pretty much all of the PSU vids? And I've heard it in a lot of other sporting events as well. Kind of weird to me since while I was in the US not a whole lot of people liked my trance stuff, more of the band-stuff. Or is this just an exception to get crazy 'n all? :D

My Top 5 rivalries in College football(no order):
Texas vs Oklahoma
Michigan vs Ohio State
Alabama vs Auburn
Florida vs Florida State
Army vs Navy

Just out of curiosity, how come I hear Zombie Nation in pretty much all of the PSU vids? And I've heard it in a lot of other sporting events as well. Kind of weird to me since while I was in the US not a whole lot of people liked my trance stuff, more of the band-stuff. Or is this just an exception to get crazy 'n all? :D

It has become a tradition at Beaver Stadium over the last few years. The beat of the song is played throughout the stadium while the crowd chants and jumps through most of the game, this is in cooperation with the "whiteout" which has everyone dresses in all white.

Beaver Stadium definitely seems to be an awesome place, I'd definitely love to get up there someday. I remember watching the Penn State-Ohio State this past season and wishing I was there, it looked like that place was rockin.

The TV broadcast can not even compare

Just out of curiosity, how come I hear Zombie Nation in pretty much all of the PSU vids? And I've heard it in a lot of other sporting events as well. Kind of weird to me since while I was in the US not a whole lot of people liked my trance stuff, more of the band-stuff. Or is this just an exception to get crazy 'n all? :D

Zombie Nation needs to die a very ghastly, fiery death. Ugh. Talk about dorky and overplayed in American sports. You can't go a timeout without hearing that shite!

One of the best College Traditions is Wisconsin's Jump Around and their 5th quarter.

I personally enjoy the half stadium chant "Texas" while the other half chants "Fight", as well as Bevo, the Longhorn on the field
http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/images/img/img0069.gif

... oh and cheerleaders in chaps!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pom.jpg

Boy, she's got a nice bevo... :)

Check that, she's got a PAIR of nice bevos... :)

Zombie Nation needs to die a very ghastly, fiery death. Ugh. Talk about dorky and overplayed in American sports. You can't go a timeout without hearing that shite!

One of the best College Traditions is Wisconsin's Jump Around and their 5th quarter.

I personally enjoy the half stadium chant "Texas" while the other half chants "Fight", as well as Bevo, the Longhorn on the field

Ha ha ha, its funny, I go to Wake Forest University and at basketball games we play zombie nation all the time, we also play jump around and this one fat fan dances like an idiot during the song, it happens every game, they even put him on the jumbotron so everyone can watch him dance around. Also, just about every school has their own version of the half stadium chant, we do one half saying "WAKE" and the other "FOREST." Probably our most unique tradition is that our mascot rides into our football and basketball games on a motorcycle, the mascot on a motorcycle is used alot in the pros but not college. Funny how so many of these so called traditions seem to be so similar from school to school.

Groves stadium isnt a very wild place and certainly no where near the intensity of other stadiums, but theres nothing I love better than spending a saturday afternoon there cheering on the Demon Deacons. As far as the wildest atmosphere in college football, I know LSU's tiger stadium has quite a reputation. I really want to see a game there.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/bdogg187/groves100.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/bdogg187/deaconmoto.jpg

Here's a clip from the Miami-Clemson football game last fall...it compares the sound of what is broadcasted on tv and an on-field camera. We came 2 decibels short of tieing LSU for the sound record.

http://ia300141.us.archive.org/1/items/noneDVcrowdnoisecomparisonbetweentvandfieldlevelcrowdnoiseWMV/comparison_between_tv_and_field_level_crowd_noise.WMV

Husky stadium no doubt of the University of Washington!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d7/Husky_stadium.jpg/300px-Husky_stadium.jpg
http://www.4malamute.com/images/stadium.JPG
http://4guysandablog.com/photos/d/629-1/IMG_1310.JPG

:
... oh and cheerleaders in chaps!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/pom.jpg


:master: :master: :master: :master: :master: :master: :master: :master:

a proof that a girls doesnt have to be half naked to be sooooooooooooooooooo sexy

I go to most games at Michigan and love the place to death, but it is not one of the crazier atmosphere's in college football. It can be under the right circumstances like the comeback, multiple overtime win against MSU or beating Ohio State to finish 11-0. But it is usually pretty subdued and the stadium does not hold sound very well. Still, a crowd of 111,750 is a pretty impressive sight to behold.

My most hated rivals have a pretty big stadium as well and it definately holds in the sound. I have to admit that when Ohio State beat us to finish undefeated a couple years back...that was an amazing scene to be a part of. There were 105,000 people in the game and another 300,000 out tailgating and bar hopping around the stadium. Unbelievable!

Penn State is a fun stadium to go to. Fortunately, I've never been there for a Penn State win...they haven't beaten us for awhile!

I'm going to the OSU/Texas game this fall, so I'll get back to you on Austin.

Wisconsin has a great setting for college football. Notre Dame is full of tradition. Pac Ten football(which is the West Coast big schools) is nothing like the Big Ten or SEC or even ACC for that matter. Although, Oregon has got a pretty cool stadium and scene. It is just a different scene out there at the other schools I've been to. But, most of those schools don't have the history of the East coast and Midwest schools.

I would have to say my vote goes to Michigan Stadium or Ohio State Stadium on the day of the ultimate rivalry game in any sport/any league/any country every year. The tension and excitement of this game is unmatched. It is the highest rated football game year in and year out for television ratings. Both schools have enormous alumni bases and complete state support for that game. This game actually divides families...including my own. There is simply nothing like it.

If I had to choose a place that is crazy all the time no matter who the opponent is...I'd have to go with LSU. The sound there is as loud as it gets.

One side note, if you ever get a chance I highly suggest going to the Rose Bowl game. The setting, the parade, the views, and usually a pretty good football game takes place. Great experience.

I have to vote for the University of Wisconsin, my alma mater. Camp Randall was built in 1917 and has around 80,000 seats. Oh.. and the f*ckin place gets buckwhile!!!

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ferrugia/Stadium%20fisheye.jpeg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/Bucky_Badger_football2_01.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/marching_band_trumpets99.jpg

Ron Dayne pwning Penn State.
http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/Football_Dayne_run.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/fball_fans_Barry05_21416.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/fans_football_painted01.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/RB2000_band_pregame_1.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/Marching_Band_major_50yd00.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/football_action_blur04_8185.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/fans_football_crowd_0h01.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/football_fans_fifth04_7851.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/Alvarez_ftball_fans05_18219.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/fans_football_crowd_cheer01.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/fans_football_Bucky92.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/fans_football_crowd_waves01.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/fans_football_painted1_00.jpg

http://photos.news.wisc.edu/photos/fans_football_sea98.jpg

Here's a clip from the Miami-Clemson football game last fall...it compares the sound of what is broadcasted on tv and an on-field camera. We came 2 decibels short of tieing LSU for the sound record.

http://ia300141.us.archive.org/1/items/noneDVcrowdnoisecomparisonbetweentvandfieldlevelcrowdnoiseWMV/comparison_between_tv_and_field_level_crowd_noise.WMV

Shame they lost that game, I cant stand Miami.

Ive been to Memorial Stadium a few times, twice for Carolina Panthers games, and in 1993 for homecoming against East Tenn. State. Id like to go back, maybe next time Wake Forest takes the trip to Death Valley. You know, Groves Stadium's noise and homefield advantage isnt anywhere near what Mem. Stadium is, but the Tigers always seem to have a lot of trouble when they come to Winston-Salem. ;)

"How come Alabama gets no props???"

I'm not sure. Bryant Denny Stadium is plenty impressive enough on game day to be included amongst the above list. I wish I knew how to post pictures. I'll post some links if I can find some good ones.


Here are a few:

www.collegegridirons.com/sec/images/bryantdenny100.jpg (http://www.collegegridirons.com/sec/images/bryantdenny100.jpg)

www.collegegridirons.com/sec/images/bryantdenny102.jpg (http://www.collegegridirons.com/sec/images/bryantdenny102.jpg)

www.collegegridirons.com/sec/BryantDennyStadium.htm (http://www.collegegridirons.com/sec/BryantDennyStadium.htm)

Bryant Denny is currently undergoing a North endzone expansion that will bring capacity to approximately 92,000 (92,158 to be exact). Here are a few shots:

From the outside:

i2.tinypic.com/x5qy6r.jpg (http://i2.tinypic.com/x5qy6r.jpg)

i3.tinypic.com/x5qv5d.jpg (http://i3.tinypic.com/x5qv5d.jpg)

Now from the inside:

i2.tinypic.com/x5r19u.jpg (http://i2.tinypic.com/x5r19u.jpg)

Expansion coming along nicely. The DKE house in the foreground looks like it's about to be swallowed up though. Kind of like the big fish being eaten by the bigger fish in the food chain pictures.

s42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/bamamobile/Stadium%20Photos521/ (http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/bamamobile/Stadium%20Photos521/)

Question regarding the stadium upgrade - taking into account the DKE house in the foreground picture and the cost of the total upgrade compared to the increase in capacity, could you explain to me why Americans are so fat?

How many fat scottish does it take to collapse a stairway?

Bonus question, how many will die?

BWHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

2,752 is the number it takes to collapse two stairways!!!

Glasgow is the heart attack capital of Europe.
Too many deep fried Mars bars.
Try grilling them instead.

It's celtic fans than make this stat true. They can't afford proper food, and so steal Mars Bars and fry them!!

Someone posts pictures of a stadium and all you can say is something about Americans being overweight? You're a :weirdo: dude

Oh come now... the mecca of college football is Lincoln, Nebraska. Home to the nation's longest sell out streak... dating back to 1962!! Look out in 2006... the new Husker AERIAL attack is hitting full stride!

Memorial Stadium, with this years addition of over 6,000 seats... capacity is well into the 80,000 range.

Here's a photo from a SPRING scrimage game!! :P

http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/football/spring/pic7.jpg



Other photos...

http://www.collegegridirons.com/big12/images/memneb150.jpg

http://www.collegegridirons.com/big12/images/memneb103.jpg

http://www.collegegridirons.com/big12/images/memneb102.jpg

Oh come now... the mecca of college football is Lincoln, Nebraska. Home to the nation's longest sell out streak... dating back to 1962!! Look out in 2006... the new Husker AERIAL attack is hitting full stride!

Memorial Stadium, with this years addition of over 6,000 seats... capacity is well into the 80,000 range.

Here's a photo from a SPRING scrimage game!! :P

http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/football/spring/pic7.jpg



Other photos...

http://www.collegegridirons.com/big12/images/memneb150.jpg

http://www.collegegridirons.com/big12/images/memneb103.jpg

http://www.collegegridirons.com/big12/images/memneb102.jpg


Glad you made it onto the stadiums board. That spring game pic is freaking awesome. Can't wait to play NU up in lincoln this year. That should be a great game. BTW, i gave your stadium lots of props in another thread about "US stadiums without roofs", and posted those 3 other pics you showed here.

Thanks there fellow Big 12.

No offense... but I'm glad you're going to be short a certain QB and running back! ;)
Same goes for our trip to Southern Cal!

(oh, who am I fooling... you guys are going to just re-load)

Some picks of Autzen.

http://www.goducks.net/images/facilities/That%20new%20pic%20of%20Autzen.%20-%20www.ezboard.com.jpg
http://www.cs.uoregon.edu/~tomb/aviation/photos/autzen.jpg

The Fog at the 2005 Civil War
http://www.keener.org/photos/uncategorized/picture014.jpg
http://www.collegegridirons.com/pac10/images/autzen153.JPG
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~rgriesin/Autzen.jpg

Some picks of Autzen.

http://www.cs.uoregon.edu/~tomb/aviation/photos/autzen.jpg



Autzen is badass. How many people fit in there now?

This is what you get when the founder of Nike is your #1 alum ... unfortunately, you also get these uniforms

http://espn.go.com/i/media/pg2/030919neworegon.jpg

and this mascot:

http://www.blowsion.com/visuals/ducks/detail/newduck6.jpg


yikes. UO needs a throwback season, pronto!

and this mascot:

http://www.blowsion.com/visuals/ducks/detail/newduck6.jpg



Best mascot ever.

Always thought Autzen and the O Ducks are freaking awesome

I am making the trip to Oregon this September for the OU-UO game. I cannot wait! My two previous encounters with Duck fans - most recently the Holiday Bowl in December - have been pleasant and i'm sure it'll be the same up in Autzen this fall. You guys have an amazing fanbase for school not known for its football. There must've been 7,000(Owen Fiel seats 84,000 +)of you guys at Owen Field in 04'. Not only did you guys sell your allotment but there were many Duck fans scattered throughout the stadium that day. Quite the trip from Oregon to Oklahoma.

Can you tell me where the visitors are going to be seated in the stadium? It looks small but rather intimidating.

Here's a photo from the 04' game. Oregon has great fans.
http://www.soonerfever.com/coppermine/albums/oregon_2004/Oregon_27.JPG

If you look at the scoreboard from the field the visitors are seated to the left between the scoreboard and the big pressbox. It'll be fun to have Oklahoma coming to town in September. A lot will be on the line for both sides. The place should be pretty rockin.

I think Autzen seats like 54,000 but they always cram in around 60,000.

I love this thread - from this Outsiders perspective (Aussie) CFB pwns NFL

UT BEATS FLORDIA 30 to 28 !!! (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=736845632&n=2)

This isnt my video but this is an example of how crazy the fans get!!! VOLS FOREVER!!!

Shame they lost that game, I cant stand Miami.

Ive been to Memorial Stadium a few times, twice for Carolina Panthers games, and in 1993 for homecoming against East Tenn. State. Id like to go back, maybe next time Wake Forest takes the trip to Death Valley. You know, Groves Stadium's noise and homefield advantage isnt anywhere near what Mem. Stadium is, but the Tigers always seem to have a lot of trouble when they come to Winston-Salem. ;)

Yea unfortunately we lost there this year too. We go there again next year but I expect a different result, Ivan Maisel's preseason Top 25 came out and we're #11, hopefully we'll be able to fulfill our teams possibilities this season.

I love this thread - from this Outsiders perspective (Aussie) CFB pwns NFL

huh?

huh?

I think he's trying to say that College Football is better than the NFL. I agree.

I think hes saying that from his...Australian? perspective, College Football is Much better than the NFL. I would have to agree, I love the Tennessee Titans and go to all there games but the emotion of SEC football(excluding vandy and kentucky) is just amazing. I will probably get called out for this but i dont think the other confrences are close to the Big Ten and SEC. Im sorry but going throught either one undefeated is nearly if not impossible. When UT went without a loss in 98 it took some pretty lucky plays to get there. Going undefeated in the pac 10 etc. is not the same. Almost all the big players in the Big Ten and SEC have AMAZING college football atmospheres. GOD I CANT WAIT TILL FOOTBALL SEASON!!!

I agree with you about that but I also might include the ACC. I'd rank the SEC first with the Big 10 and ACC tied for second. The past couple of years have been off years for the big 3 (Virginia Tech, Miami, Florida State) but they're usually all ranked in the top 10. Along with that get ready for Clemson (I know, I know maybe a little bit of a biased remark but it isn't without reason). As I said in a previous post we're preseason ranked #11 and we have been recruiting like crazy, I read an article on Collegefootballnews.com that said "The drama is over and Clemson is on the verge of being a powerhouse once again like it hasn't been since the late 1980's". Not saying we're necessarily gonna win the nat'l championship this year, but keep your eyes open.

What I like about the ACC and SEC is that a lot of our teams share states and are rivals. Florida-Florida St, Clemson-South Carolina, and Georgia-Georgia Tech are always great games. Along with that Georgia and Clemson are somewhat rivals since we play every 4 years and are only about an hour and a half away from one another.

Concerning the conferences it's tough to leave out the Big 12 because Texas-Oklahoma-Nebraska are usually always up there too. The SEC is by far the toughest conference though, it's basically impossible to match up to the Florida, Georgia, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee combo. All 6 of them are all consistently top 10 teams.

The only conference that isn't as impressive is the Pac-10, there's always teams with good records but then when bowl season comes you'll see teams like Oregon who go 10-1 lose to a team that's either barely ranked or not ranked at all (i.e. vs Oklahoma last year). Anyway, sorry for rambling I just can't wait for football season and I will talk about it any chance I get.

I personally love the FSU-UF rivalry. Florida State's atmosphere is great. The Miami-FSU rivalry is also extraordinary.

This thread is making me so anxious. It's one thing to be a fan of a team but to be a student at a university is another.

This thread is making me so anxious. It's one thing to be a fan of a team but to be a student at a university is another.

Yea I totally hear ya on that one. The fall is just such an amazing time on campus because it's all just a buzz waiting for Saturday.

This thread is making me so anxious.

Sorry, could't resist :)

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060104/060104_young_hmed_11p.h2.jpg

http://images.ibsys.com/2006/0105/5860782_240X180.jpg

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/C/07/85/18/image_1718857.jpg

Sorry, could't resist :)

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060104/060104_young_hmed_11p.h2.jpg

http://images.ibsys.com/2006/0105/5860782_240X180.jpg

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/C/07/85/18/image_1718857.jpg


It's all good. Things will be back to norm come the first weekend in October :)

http://media.theinsiders.com/Media/Other/112_scoreboard.jpg.JPG
http://photos.newsok.com/show_image.php?tn=0&nuvc=0&p=52616e646f6d4956c1a8c82ed8d2e9e91f94760ac4bd130a

You want to talk about the past?

56-39-5

As in 56 wins, 39 losses, and 5 ties.

Wake me up when you go on a 17 game win streak and make this series respectable on OU's part. It's not likely with your O line. :)

Hook 'em.

National Champs, playa!

You want to talk about the past?

56-39-5

As in 56 wins, 39 losses, and 5 ties.

Wake me up when you go on a 17 game win streak and make this series respectable on OU's part. It's not likely with your O line. :)

Hook 'em.

National Champs, playa!

Hmmm, we'll talk about the past then. Most of those 56 wins came prior to 1950. Tell me this, were you alive in 1950? Since then the series is pretty even and i'm willing to gauge that the series became heated during this time span. Better yet, do you remember when Texas won their titles in the late 60s/early 70s with former Sooner great DKR? Oh the irony, they even named the stadium after Him! Yeah, that's right he's an OKLAHOMAN. Do you forget that Texas was one of the last teams to integrate African Americans into its squad? That's what Texas had to pride itself for years! You guys were due; it's been 35 years so I can't knock on that. I'll let the important stuff do the talking:

National Championships:
Oklahoma 7
Texas 4

Conf Championships:
Oklahoma 37
Texas 28

Heismans:
Oklahoma 4
Texas 2

Bowl Victories
Oklahoma 24
Texas 22

P.S. I believe 06' will be a defensive battle - a la 2001. Your thoughts? BTW, I haven't spoken with Texas fans on the issue of the game going to a home and home/The Dump AKA Cotton Bowl. What's your take on that? And just recently, ABC approached the idea of having this year's game at night for its Prime Time schedule. I believe both schools turned down this idea for obvious reasons with the fairgrounds not being the best of areas to be at close to midnight after the game. It would make for an incredible atmostphere though.

^^^This is gonna get ugly, lets try and not get into a fight and get this thread closed.

National Championships:
Oklahoma 7
Texas 4

Conf Championships:
Oklahoma 37
Texas 28

Heismans:
Oklahoma 4
Texas 2

Bowl Victories
Oklahoma 24
Texas 22


Major NCAA infractions:
Oklahoma 6
Texas 0

Clean program there, that got you all of those bowl wins. It also got you a rap sheet of paying players to leave the Texas borders, cars, cocaine, and firearms under the rube Barry Switzer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/boz.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/sunvevo/ou.jpg

Hmmm, we'll talk about the past then. Most of those 56 wins came prior to 1950. Tell me this, were you alive in 1950? Since then the series is pretty even and i'm willing to gauge that the series became heated during this time span. Better yet, do you remember when Texas won their titles in the late 60s/early 70s with former Sooner great DKR? Oh the irony, they even named the stadium after Him! Yeah, that's right he's an OKLAHOMAN. Do you forget that Texas was one of the last teams to integrate African Americans into its squad? That's what Texas had to pride itself for years! You guys were due; it's been 35 years so I can't knock on that. I'll let the important stuff do the talking:

Ahhh ... the famous "since 1950" arguement that every okie has long since memorized and perfected to suit their psyche.

P.S. I believe 06' will be a defensive battle - a la 2001. Your thoughts? BTW, I haven't spoken with Texas fans on the issue of the game going to a home and home/The Dump AKA Cotton Bowl. What's your take on that? And just recently, ABC approached the idea of having this year's game at night for its Prime Time schedule. I believe both schools turned down this idea for obvious reasons with the fairgrounds not being the best of areas to be at close to midnight after the game. It would make for an incredible atmostphere though.

My prediction ... 100% chance of Bomar being laid out all over the field, UT's Defense is far and away better than OUs Oline, i mean FAR AND AWAY. Peterson may be hurt by the 2nd weekend in October behind that line.

UT's OLine is a solid veteran squad and much better than OU's Dline, which will open up J. Charles all day long.

UT's receivers are the spotlight of the team next year, and with a rookie QB, that, and the running game will be no prob.

UT wins going away in 2006. :)

My vote:

~ Beautiful Beaver Stadium ~ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Ls8_9Faxk)
http://naproom.mu.nu/pics/beaver-stadium-lg.jpg

maybe not the best gameday atmosphere inside the stadium because its an older bowl and the fans arent as rowdy as some of the SEC schools or Ohio / Penn State, but lets stop with these "home of college football". There is only one home of college football and its South Bend Indiana (the college football hall of fame is there for a reason). Home of the University of Notre Dame, who has the most consensus national championships in NCAA history, tied for the most Heisman Trophy winners, home of the most College Football Hall of Famers, most All Americans, NFL Players, ect.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/nd/nonsport/facilities/stadium-450w.jpg

Here is the stadium you left off the list and its evolution.

Bryant-Denny Stadium
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e74/2004PontiacGTP/Bds_night_aerial_cropped.jpg

1929 (capacity 12,000)
http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/fls/8000/images/7379.jpg
1946 (31,000)
http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/fls/8000/images/7380.jpg
1961 (43,000)
http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/fls/8000/files/facilities/bryantdenny/1961.jpg
1966 (60,000)
http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/fls/8000/images/7381.jpg
1988 (70,123)
http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/fls/8000/images/7382.jpg
1998 (83,818)
http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/fls/8000/images/7383.jpg
2006 (91,138)
http://www.rolltide.com/fls/8000/files/facilities/bryantdenny/bryantdenny2006.jpg
http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/pics14/400/EK/EKDKCEQNRJIRAFL.20060822201650.jpg

Word is that the University of Alabama is already working on an expansion design in the South end zone to reach a capacity of 100,000 since every game since 1988 has sold out.

Bizarre traditions Americans have. Who would have thought University sports would be so popular.

You would be fortunate to get 10 people to watch a Uni sporting contest in Oz.

The reasons for this is that pro sports in America are capped at roughly 30 teams, whereas we have so many cities in thisw country, that the college teams just take the place of the pro teams in certain areas. if every city has a pro team like England has, then college sport wouldn't be as popular.

Yes, I always felt that college sport fills the void that the lack of an NFL Division 2, 3, 4 etc. presents.

I'm sure the purists would argue that there's more to it than that and I'm sure there is but fundamentally, it stands to reason. I know there is a minor league for baseball beneath the major league (or MLB). Given the existence of essentially a second professional tier within this sport, it seems to me not uncoincidental that college baseball is nowhere near as strong as college 'football'*.

* sorry, I'm English. I have to do that when I'm talking about the american sport that is clearly not soccer.

The Alabama stadium expansion highlights once again that it's an incredibly strong part of the sports market over there. Where else in the world are so many 100,000+ capacity venues being planned? Good on them for maintaining their popularity.

Yes, I always felt that college sport fills the void that the lack of an NFL Division 2, 3, 4 etc. presents.

I'm sure the purists would argue that there's more to it than that and I'm sure there is but fundamentally, it stands to reason. I know there is a minor league for baseball beneath the major league (or MLB). Given the existence of essentially a second professional tier within this sport, it seems to me not uncoincidental that college baseball is nowhere near as strong as college 'football'*.

* sorry, I'm English. I have to do that when I'm talking about the american sport that is clearly not soccer.

The Alabama stadium expansion highlights once again that it's an incredibly strong part of the sports market over there. Where else in the world are so many 100,000+ capacity venues being planned? Good on them for maintaining their popularity.


Yes there's no NFL division 2, 3, 4, etc. but a big reason for the popularity is the fact that these schools represent the area...in pro sports you can have people drafted from all over the country and world, but in college football you have kids that mostly come from the area that the college is in. It's a display of your best athletes against another areas' best athletes. Along with this, a great deal of the fanbase are students and alumni. People have more than just a casual interest in these teams b/c they have devoted time and money into the university that they attended. Hell I go to a school in a very rural area in the Northwest part of South Carolina....the closest city to us is about 45 miles away and is only around 70,000 people...yet our stadium averaged about 81,500 fans per game this past year....the country is just different on Saturdays, it's something that needs to be experienced to be understood.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/dj54557/ut.jpg

^^ ugliest cheerleader uniforms in the nation

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/dj54557/OU-UTCottonBowl.jpg

with the finest women in the nation squeezed oh so tightly in them

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/dj54557/ut.jpg

Mmm, yes, I believe that was the case when I was there... ;)

two words: "chap girls"

Texas 28
ou 10

ou 42
Boise State 43

boise freakin state ...bwahhahahahahaha!

http://www.wkrn.com/files/images/ap/sports/2007/01/fiesta_bowl_football.jpg

I can't believe that this OU vs. UT e-fight started all the way back in 2005!!! Can't we all just get along. I guess not. My vote for best college atmosphere goes to "The World's largest outdoor cocktail party" The Florida/Georgia game at Jacksonville's ALLTEL Stadium.

i thought it goes back to like wat 1929!!!

lol

OU Sux. That's why we can't get along

Good point.

I'm not saying its the best in the country or anything, but how did the University of Washington's Husky Stadium not even make the poll? The atmosphere is pretty insane there. Loud as heck and there's tons of tradition. They have one of the best bands in the country and you can drive your boat to the game and tailgate on Lake Washington. Should have at least been on the list.

Ah yes, congrats on your impressive victory over 6-6 Iowa in the Alamo Bowl. :rofl:

Where were you on December 2nd Horns? Not in Kansas City winning a Big 12 Championship. Nice meltdown at the end. Thanks!

Texas sucks.

Ah yes, congrats on your impressive victory over 6-6 Iowa in the Alamo Bowl. :rofl:

Where were you on December 2nd Horns? Not in Kansas City winning a Big 12 Championship. Nice meltdown at the end. Thanks!

Texas sucks.

How 'bout them Broncos?

LOL! You're gonna talk bowl smack when you lost to a mid-major, lol? Not to mention we've handed it to OU pretty good the last two seasons. Its 1:PM CST and OU still sux!!

Fans storming the field and tearing down the goalposts in 1988 after clinching the division championship. If you notice in the picture, the north posts are already down and being carried by the fans. They will eventually be passed throughout the stands, then cut up and sold for charity.

http://www.emkayusa.com/misc/bills1988posts.jpg

http://lastrow.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/agony-of-defeat.jpg

http://lastrow.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/ou-crying-kid-2.jpg

http://www.nakofan64.net/images/hellraisers.jpg

well it seems no one has said anything here for a while...lets bring it back

id have to say Virginia Tech needs to be on the list...Rivals said it was the hardest place to play in the country, ESPN had it at the second scariest place to play in the country
CSTV had it at number three, and also said it might be the loudest stadium in college
you cant discard it because of size, its bigger than oregon
you want to see the blacksburg bounce, the hokie pokie, stick it in and key play, you gotta have lane stadium
i know people will disagree that its the best but it at least needs to be on the list

http://cstv.collegesports.com/bestof/category.php?cid=8

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=feldman_bruce&id=3044646

http://www.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1014&CID=444097

and believe me, the fans are nuts...http://youtube.com/watch?v=i4xwZ6GH2VY

Has to be Texas A&M. That school is soaked in more tradition then every school in the SEC combined.

Has to be Texas A&M. That school is soaked in more tradition then every school in the SEC combined.And that statement is soaked in some thick egomania or is rich with delusion. I'm not discounting the Aggie atmosphere, but Bama, Tennessee and LSU each match, if not surpass the A&M in the tradition category. (And this from an ACC fan!) Especially considering that Arkansas has "switched sides," as it were, and what Florida has now established as a tradition for more than 15 years of prosperity, it should be easy for anyone to see why the SEC is the best conference going for football, in large part because of all the tradition the league has. Bear Bryant, The grove, Rocky Top, Saturday nights at Tiger Stadium...

Toot your horn all you want, but please, do it sober! ;)

Has to be Texas A&M. That school is soaked in more tradition then every school in the SEC combined.

Too bad none of that is a winning tradition.

Yeah nothing against Kyle Field, but it has gotta be behind The Horseshoe, Tiger Stadium, Bryant-Denny, DKR, the Swamp, probably Nebraska, Rocky Top, Camp Randall and Autzen.
I'm not really biased, I'm Gophers fan, so I am pretty used to some of the worst atmosphere (hopefully that will change with the new stadium) in college football. Just from what I have seen of Aggie games I was far from blown away. I'd have to say from personal experience the Horseshoe is clearly on top, but I haven't been to too many of the "great" stadiums of College football. Wisconsin and Texas are also a ton of fun.

Go to UT vs A&M at College Station, and it will blow your mind. I almost jumped the UT ship

still no love for Lane Stadium??

whats going on here?

Go to UT vs A&M at College Station, and it will blow your mind. I almost jumped the UT ship

LOL

Yeah, those 60K in an 80K stadium really fire up the milkmen cheerdorks.

http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/2650773.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934A2752006EF5F0ED1090698C0A3B5D4B5A5397277B4DC33E

still no love for Lane Stadium??

whats going on here?

I've never been there, but heard it's somewhat overrated. It's also substantially smaller than most on the list, so it's not going to be near as physically impressive as the Ohio Stadium, Beaver, Neyland, Tiger, Michigan, DKR, ect.

From what I have seen on TV, its probably near the bottom of the atmosphere list, until I see it in person I couldn't say for sure. Lane stadium is probably great, but this is for the best out of 117 programs, many very storied ones in there with huge loyal fan bases too. Places like Columbus, Madison and Austin on gameday are just unreal.

I've never been there, but heard it's somewhat overrated. It's also substantially smaller than most on the list, so it's not going to be near as physically impressive as the Ohio Stadium, Beaver, Neyland, Tiger, Michigan, DKR, ect.

From what I have seen on TV, its probably near the bottom of the atmosphere list, until I see it in person I couldn't say for sure. Lane stadium is probably great, but this is for the best out of 117 programs, many very storied ones in there with huge loyal fan bases too. Places like Columbus, Madison and Austin on gameday are just unreal.

So even when a bunch of respected sources rank Lane in the top three its still not good enough? I mean, Rivals.com had them at #1! Its not overrated, its just new to the whole best college stadium conversation. Give it time, people will start to realize just how good it is in Blacksburg. Im sure that Columbus, Madison, and Austin are great, and im not saying that Lane Stadium is better. Im simply saying that it deserves to be included in the discussion.

Lane Stadium deserves more credit than it receives...

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I went to the Texas-Nebraska game this past year. I had a great time and they certainly love football, but the atmosphere wasn't as good as I hoped. I thought it was ok. It seems to me Lane Stadium (haven't been there) is much more raucous than DKR.

So even when a bunch of respected sources rank Lane in the top three its still not good enough? I think this is a case of a grand, nebulous topic and your voice coming off too strongly. Just realize this is a matter of tastes and opinions and don't let it get to you.

During and since graduating Georgia Tech I've been to near every ACC and SEC stadium, plus a few outside those conferences. Lane and Clemson's memorial are easily the most raucous in the conference and among the best in the land, but are often overlooked in the national scale because they lack the size or tradition of many others. But I've also found much of these things are tough to grade on average. FI, LSU's Tiger Stadium is the best I've seen... at night. During the day the mood was much more tepid, especially as it wasn't a big game that day. Conversely, many places like FSU, Tenn and UGA are much better for an afternoon game than under the lights as their fans grow more surly by the hour. (Again, just my opine.)

Again, it's just such a nebulous topic. By atmosphere are we talking about crowd intimidation or overall fan experience? UVA and UNC will never have the most raucous crowds, but comparably speaking they have great facilities in great locations and provided me as a visiting fan a wonderful day of football. (Even in losses.) Whereas Tiger Stadium's impressive stature belies some rather awful facilities behind those stands. Then you factor in rivalry games (which raise the crowd appeal), accommodating pregame festivities, having traditional architecture, etc. Doak Campbell and the Swamp can be downright knee-buckling for rivalry games, much less so for scrimmages against Sisters of the Poor.

I'd say most of what's listed in the poll should be lumped into a top tier and then leave it at that. I can't find a reason to single one of them out as perpetually better than the others. :cheers:

I will offer this, however, of places I've been:

Wildest interior decorating - The Swamp
The large pieces of orange wall visible amidst the stands is something only a college football fan could love.

Wildest student section (good way) - Camp Randall
Loud, involved, coordinated, fun.

Wildest student section (uh...) - LSU
Loud, obnoxious, pious, prone to throwing drinks...

Wildest scene - Neyland Stadium
By the river, specifically, as the Volunteer Navy makes for a grand and unique experience in college football.

Wildest architecture - Bobby Dodd @ Grant Field
Thanks to limited funds, lack of vision and poor mgmt, the oldest on campus digs in 1A are now the most funky (read: abysmal) in terms of structural design. Sadly.

Wildest location - Mississippi State
Starkville. Mississippi. Need I say more. Well, yeah - Bring clean water and sanitizer.

If you're not wearing red the folks in the student section at Camp Randall don't have much of a problem throwing drinks, or anything else handy

It's LSU and its not even close baby!!

LSU vs Florida (http://youtube.com/watch?v=OlsUzb47q64&feature=related)

LSU vs Florida 2 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=0N1iUV-yIIY&feature=related)

LSU vs Auburn (http://youtube.com/watch?v=kKKiaHvPZmA)

LSU. Why is A&M on the poll and not UT?? A&M doesn't even sell-out their games

LSU. Why is A&M on the poll and not UT?? A&M doesn't even sell-out their games

I dont know...i was down there when Virginia Tech beat them and it was ok i guess, but for the amount of people that were there i wasnt impressed

I dont know...i was down there when Virginia Tech beat them and it was ok i guess, but for the amount of people that were there i wasnt impressed

You are crazy man. When those paratroopers came down with the VT and LSU flags the stadium was electric.

LSU. Why is A&M on the poll and not UT?? A&M doesn't even sell-out their games

Texas has a large stadium but the atmosphere sucks. It is pretty quiet for such a large stadium. Maybe this new enclosure of the endzone would help it.

A&M has the 40,000 students at every game doing all of those chants which creates a unique atmosphere.

i was down there when Virginia Tech beat them and it was ok i guess, but for the amount of people that were there i wasnt impressedWhich game are you referring to? I thought Texas had only played Virginia Tech once and Texas lost in the 1995 Sugar Bowl in the Superdome. We played the Hoos (UVA) in Austin earlier that same year but won that one.

In any case, if your visit was before 1998, I wouldn't be surprised that that was your reaction. Mack Brown's arrival in 98 made a night to day difference in the culture and atmosphere before, during, and after games. Before 1998, half of the crowd wouldn't even be wearing orange and I would be very surprised if the stadium was full. It was so bad that one of the first things he did was instill the "Come Early, Be Loud, Stay Late, Wear Orange" mantra with the Longhorn faithful.

I still think there's room for improvement, but compared to back then it's light years ahead. I hope that the stadium expansion helps bottle some of that noise in too.

He's referring to VT vs A&M.

I hope that the stadium expansion helps bottle some of that noise in too.It will. The previous iteration was too vast to capture the noise. When UT eventually finishes the bowl it will be even better.

He's referring to VT vs A&M.


my bad, I didn't know VT and A&M ever played

A&M has the 40,000 students at every game doing all of those chants which creates a unique atmosphere.This is your benchmark - Volumes of students. Texas, OSU, Florida, UGA... By and large your larger football programs are your massive schools. Conversely, places like Georgia Tech are trying to compete with total enrollments under 20k. To say nothing of Rice, Wake Forest, etc.

I went to the Texas-Nebraska game this past year. I had a great time and they certainly love football, but the atmosphere wasn't as good as I hoped. I thought it was ok. It seems to me Lane Stadium (haven't been there) is much more raucous than DKR.

When the team basically SUCKS for 3 quarters only to start playing in the 4th, that will affect the crowd. I've seen games at Lane where the crowd was uninspired and bored creating a terrible atmosphere for the game. Not to mention that Texas was mediocre in 07.

When the team basically SUCKS for 3 quarters only to start playing in the 4th, that will affect the crowd. I've seen games at Lane where the crowd was uninspired and bored creating a terrible atmosphere for the game. Not to mention that Texas was mediocre in 07.

You must have gone to a William and Mary game then or something...some shitty game

Lane Stadium is never quiet or uninspired when it counts

Not many teams are quiet and uninspired when it counts, you know you've got crazy fans when they have started pregaming at 9 am for an FCS team, anybody will make a lot of noise for a top 25 or big rival.

You must have gone to a William and Mary game then or something...some shitty game

Lane Stadium is never quiet or uninspired when it counts

A Miami-Va Tech game. The Crowd was out of the game by the 2nd quarter. This game was in 2005 when Miami blew them out on their home field.

A Miami-Va Tech game. The Crowd was out of the game by the 2nd quarter. This game was in 2005 when Miami blew them out on their home field.

There was a reason for that you should know that. I walked out of that game too, it really wasnt worth it.