Goal: To thoroughly experience gameday at every FBS college football stadium. STADIUM COUNT: 113/134
Central Florida is a young program compared to its college football peers. Fielding its first team in 1979, the Knights grew into an FBS (Division 1) team in 1996. The city of Orlando has embraced UCF football and the fan intensity is proof.
It’s the War on I-4, and the budding rivalry between UCF and USF could not hold more importance. The winner would go to the American Conference championship game. Above that, UCF enters this game undefeated and looking for a New Year’s Six bowl game. This is Orlando’s football team, and with all at stake today, Spectrum Stadium became one of the most electric environments I have experienced.
Continue reading “Game 267: South Florida @ #15 Central Florida”
Toledo and Tulsa opened their playbooks to the “Defense Optional” chapter. The consequential offensive torrent made for a thrilling game for casual fans, but a frustrating one for invested supporters – lots of groans hovered over The Glass Bowl on this Saturday night, but the final celebration belonged to the home fans.
Hurricane Irma had canceled, postponed, or relocated games for all the college football teams in the state in Florida, except for Florida Atlantic. The Owls traveled to Madison the day prior to the game and two days prior to the storm making landfall. The team felt more comfortable doing so since the University of Wisconsin offered to house and take care of the team as the storm passed through. Needless to say, a football game was not the main concern for Florida Atlantic.
Continue reading “Game 258: Florida Atlantic @ #9 Wisconsin”
Memphis, Tennessee:
Home of the Blues, Home of BBQ, and Home of the Tigers!
With few professional sports to root for, the Tigers are the tune of the town. While not situated in the wilds of the SEC, Memphis fans have that same southern charm mixed with fervent attitudes for their team.
A blistering hot day in southwest Tennessee had Liberty Bowl patrons wiping brows and seeking hydration. The Memphis Tigers were set to host Kansas, a team from a power five conference – although the term “power” is used loosely, as the Jayhawks have not won a road game since 2009.
Nippert Stadium possesses a charm that few stadiums can match. Built in 1915, it has maintained an old-world appeal with its classic early-century brickwork and wrought-iron entryways. Sandwiched amongst a variety of campus buildings, Nippert Stadium offers some of the most unique surroundings in college football. This venue proves, however, that charm can be intertwined with modern architecture. An 86 million dollar project completed in 2015 includes an impressive four story pavilion including press and luxury box seating.
This is not the same Temple that I watched lose 65-0 in Madison ten years ago. This program has progressed from whispers surrounding the termination of the football program to last week’s first defeat of rival Penn State since 1941. Suddenly, Cincinnati had to be on high alert.