Goal: To thoroughly experience gameday at every FBS college football stadium. STADIUM COUNT: 113/134
This was supposed to be a preview of the ACC championship game. Then, Miami disintegrated. Clemson is a Notre Dame meltdown from being undefeated, but their ACC title hopes and national title hopes (while faint) are still pulsating.
Continue reading “Game 327: Miami @ #9 Clemson”
Blustery conditions in Evanston became the best defense for Northwestern. It stifled the Buckeye passing game. The Wildcats took advantage of the home weather and with the wind behind their backs, they managed to score first thus stunning every onlooker. Along with struggles in the passing game, Ohio State also stumbled when working to move the ball on the ground. The 21-7 Buckeye victory urged many critics to ask the question, “What’s wrong with Ohio State?”
The answer is – nothing. The question is flawed because the Buckeyes are unfairly being compared to the juggernaut that they have created.
Friendliness comes to mind when mentioning Penn State and Beaver Stadium. Happy Valley is a joyous place for the home team, and outside of a few conference rivals, it’s a welcoming spot for visiting fans, as well. Perhaps it’s because Nittany Lion fans know that wherever these fans came from, they must have traveled a tremendous distance. State College, Pennsylvania is hidden in a valley amongst the Allegheny Mountains and the famous Mount Nittany. Lion fans arrive days before kickoff parking their RVs in the many open grass lots around the 100,000+ seat arena. Tailgating at Penn State is tops in the Big Ten conference. Fans start early and celebrate late.
Continue reading “PENN STATE – BEAVER STADIUM”
Known as the greatest show in sports, the white out at Penn State is a dizzying display of school spirit. Typically, invites are reserved for traditional powerhouses such as Michigan or Ohio State. On this night, Minnesota would be making its first trip into the lion’s den for the famed white out. As it often has in the past, the decibels reached such deafening digits in Beaver Stadium that the Gophers were unable to get the snap off on their first offensive possession. Being forced to function with a backup quarterback set the Gophers with an additional disadvantage.
Continue reading “Game 325: Minnesota @ #14 Penn State”
Denton, Texas is situated just 40 miles from Dallas – home of the North Texas Eagles – better known as the North Texas Mean Green. UNT is relatively new to the major college football scene, and they have adapted remarkably. They joined FBS in 1996 and a few years later came a sparking new stadium. The traditions that color gameday in Denton are phenomenal making the home of the Mean Green a colorful thread in the fabric of college football.
Continue reading “NORTH TEXAS – APOGEE STADIUM”
The pregame Mean Green March that welcomed the team into Apogee Stadium ignited a fantastic day of scoring and celebration for the home team. The Green Brigade was provided many opportunities to strike up the fight song as North Texas won its eighth straight Conference-USA game and surged to 3-0 in league play.
Continue reading “Game 324: Louisiana Tech @ North Texas”
Dallas is a big professional sports town. But, a traditional college gameday experience still pulsates through the town. SMU has had its home in Dallas since 1915. A history of incredible triumphs and a notable devastating setback have led to the modern day in which the stunning home of the Mustangs lights up on Saturdays – Gerald J. Ford Stadium. A blend of traditions, old and new, have made this a memorable spot to visit.
Continue reading “SMU – GERALD J. FORD STADIUM”
A quarterback’s offensive show, a visit by a former President, and a 50-yard trail of feces defined this game.
Continue reading “Game 323: Navy @ SMU”
A week of turmoil ended blissfully for the Badgers, while Northwestern has now found themselves in a free fall.
In a stunning move six days prior to this game, the Badgers fired their successful head coach, Paul Chryst. Overall, Wisconsin has maintained a strong level of winning consistency. However, victories in the critical games have been a daunting hurdle, such as Big Ten title games or regular season games against Ohio State. When former Wisconsin head coach, Bret Bielema, brought his Illini into Camp Randall and decimated the Badgers, that became the final nail. Paul Chryst was on the chopping block.
Continue reading “Game 322: Wisconsin @ Northwestern”
Occasionally overlooked as it sits 10 minutes from Michigan’s “Big House” and 35 minutes from the metropolitan area of Detroit, Rynearson Stadium is a jewel off the campus of Eastern Michigan University. This home of the Eagles is situated in the quaint, yet vibrant college town of Ypsilanti – a great setting for gameday.