Somewhere amid the cornfields of the midwest lies Champaign, Illinois. It’s a great college town with mounds of enthusiasm and passion for their team. On gameday, tailgating takes place in open fields where music blasts, games are played, and footballs are tossed. You might even catch the band performing a quick drumline or “Oskee Wow Wow” before they make their march into Memorial Stadium.
Game 302: Nebraska @ Illinois
The opener for Nebraska and Illinois has already been billed as a must win for each team. The Illini don’t have many expected wins on their schedule and need to take advantage of every opportunity they have. Nebraska head coach Scott Frost cannot afford to lose any games that the Huskers are expected to win or his seat will continue to boil.
Continue reading “Game 302: Nebraska @ Illinois”Game 301: #2 Ohio State vs. #8 Wisconsin
For what will be a blip in the annals of college football history, Wisconsin looked to have Ohio State strangled at halftime. The Badger offense looked undaunted by the two time defending Big Ten champ, and leaped to a 21-7 halftime advantage. But, like many of their previous contests, Wisconsin looked competitive, but not quite enough.
Continue reading “Game 301: #2 Ohio State vs. #8 Wisconsin”TENNESSEE – NEYLAND STADIUM
The smoke off the mountains welcomes visitors to Knoxville. These massive natural structures highlight the beauty of this vibrant Tennessee town. The Tennessee River that runs along Neyland Stadium adds to this picturesque venue and is the site of a tradition known as the Volunteer Navy. Here, a bevy of boats of all sizes line up along the river side to engage in pregame tailgating. Neyland Stadium is one of only a few stadiums accessible by boat, and Vol fans have turned this into one of college football’s most unique traditions.
Game 300: Vanderbilt @ Tennessee
Few things are more deflating for a passionate fan base than a season opening home loss to a lowly regarded non conference opponent – especially when expectations are on the ascend. This defined Tennessee’s forgettable start to 2019 as they dropped a decision to Georgia State. Such a loss can drape a dark fog over the remainder of the season, leaving a gloomy residue on every pregame tailgate and every playing of the fight song. But, the Volunteers didn’t allow their eventual 1-4 start to dictate the remainder of the schedule. We were fortunate to stroll into Knoxville with Tennessee on a four game win streak and the orange and white faithful infused with a resurgent spirit.
Continue reading “Game 300: Vanderbilt @ Tennessee”INDIANA – MEMORIAL STADIUM
Due to basketball’s domination in the state of Indiana and a shortage of winning seasons in the past decade, the Hoosier football program is starving for attention in the Big Ten. However, they have all the ingredients in Bloomington to be successful. John Mellencamp, an IU alum, donated a beautiful practice facility and the campus itself is very attractive. Memorial Stadium is hard to miss on campus. It’s old-fashioned press box and extremely high facades seem to go right up into the sky. Recently, Memorial Stadium has undergone a facelift with world class weight lifting facilities and added seats that closed both ends of the stadium. All these pieces make Memorial Stadium primed to be a cauldron of excitement.
Game 299: #14 Michigan @ Indiana
The Hoosiers have been winning the games they should win. In the competitive Big Ten East, it’s forgivable to lose to Ohio State, Penn State, and even Michigan State during their struggle saturated season. Indiana won all their non conference games, beat the lower echelon conference teams, and consequently have secured a bowl bid. With all this, though, wouldn’t it be nice to topple conference heavyweight, Michigan?
Spotlight on Bloomington for Indiana’s opportunity.
OKLAHOMA – MEMORIAL STADIUM
The Sooners have been playing football before Oklahoma became a state, and with each passing decade, their championship legacy has been unwavering. Conference titles, national championships, and Heisman trophies are a regular part of conversation amongst the fan base, and this has created a tradition in Norman, Oklahoma that strengthens the college football world.
Continue reading “OKLAHOMA – MEMORIAL STADIUM”Game 298: Iowa State @ #4 Oklahoma
During Oklahoma’s last home game, their famed Sooner Schooner toppled during its pregame ride out onto the field. Since then, the football team has also seemed to be riding on a wobbly axle. The following week, the Sooners took their first loss of the season at Kansas State. Iowa State’s arrival in Norman would offer up another speed bump in their season.
Continue reading “Game 298: Iowa State @ #4 Oklahoma”TULSA – H.A. CHAPMAN STADIUM
Tulsa may not be woven as tightly into the fabric of college football’s landscape like some Power 5 conference schools. Even in their own state, they often get eclipsed by the Oklahoma Sooners or Oklahoma State Cowboys. However, Tulsa is a city that should not be overlooked when it comes to building a fan base that exudes its own unique passion for the team and town.
Continue reading “TULSA – H.A. CHAPMAN STADIUM”