Goal: To thoroughly experience gameday at every FBS college football stadium. STADIUM COUNT: 108/134
I have always loved a good upset. It’s part of the unpredictable excitement of college football. It’s a little harder when it’s your team on the losing end of that upset. But, if there is one thing that I have learned on my travels around the country, it is a growing appreciation for the successes of other teams. BYU earned the right to celebrate today.
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”
Texas is one of those iconic places filled with symbols, tradition, and history – it’s like no other. Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium is cavernous, towering, and imposing. Fans gather outside this arena to watch their Longhorns arrive a few hours before kickoff all to tune of “Texas Fight.”
Continue reading “TEXAS – DARRELL K. ROYAL TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM”
The gridiron duel between Kansas State and Texas turned out to be as evenly matched as anticipated. After a few years of instability at the head-coaching position, loyal Longhorn fans are slowly getting rewarded for their perseverance.
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.
Central Iowa is home to the beautiful state capitol, fields of corn, and Iowa State University. The surroundings along the twenty mile drive north of Des Moines offer little suggestion that college campus life lies just ahead. When cutting off toward Iowa State, it isn’t long before a stadium jumps into view. The campus is a few football tosses away. Lincoln Way is the main drag with the Campus Bookstore and several quaint hangouts. On gameday, parking lots are full and tailgating is in full force right from the highway exit. The party starts early as a flurry of activity permeates the perimeter of Jack Trice Stadium from first class tailgating to the team walk that attracts fans, the band, and Cy the Cyclone mascot. The band scurries over to the Alumni Center to perform their Step Show – the fight song, chants, and cheerleaders continue the festivities as fans anticipate kickoff.
No matter how much a team is struggling, it’s tremendous to see how much a visit from a top 5 team can ignite fan support. Jack Trice Stadium’s surroundings filled with anticipation for what Cyclone fans would hope could be an upset. Of course, history wasn’t exactly on its side as Iowa State’s record against top 5 teams rests at 1-54-2. Nevertheless, the chance is enough to generate optimism.
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.