Goal: To thoroughly experience gameday at every FBS college football stadium. STADIUM COUNT: 113/134
Auburn is nicknamed “The Loveliest Village on the Plains” taken from a line in the poem “The Deserted Village” by Oliver Goldsmith. The university is lovely and far from plain as it is home to some of the most incredible traditions and one of the best gameday atmospheres in college football.
Continue reading “AUBURN – JORDAN-HARE STADIUM”
Mercer @ Auburn
Concern had been brewing on The Plains as the 2022 season neared. A painfully mediocre 2021 campaign was followed by a loss of many players through the transfer portal, the loss of key members of the coaching staff, and negative allegations against head coach Bryan Harsin causing Auburn to launch an internal investigation.
Lord, have Mercer.
Continue reading “Game 317: Mercer @ Auburn”
“Out in the west Texas town of El Paso, there is a team that they call the Miners.”
This eclectic border town is home to the University of Texas El-Paso. Originally founded as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, UTEP’s nickname of Miners is a perfect fit. The school has embraced its Miner identity with a swagger-filled mascot (Paydirt Pete), pickaxe icons that engulf campus, and a historic stadium carved into the mountains.
Continue reading “UTEP – THE SUN BOWL”
A sold out Sun Bowl highlighted the anticipation for UTEP’s home opener against instate foe, North Texas. This is Coach Dana Dimel’s 5th year leading the Miners and expectations are soaring. The Mean Green come in with much to prove, as well. In many ways, this game was setting up to be a pickaxe in the road forcing the winner and loser on alternate paths.
Continue reading “Game 316: North Texas @ UTEP”
The foundation of college football culture is constructed on small campus towns that swell to ten times their size on gamedays. Locations like Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Norman, Oklahoma attract most of the spotlight. But, more impressive are the dots on the map that are typically less hyped, but emit the same passion and pageantry as universities that are consistent gridiron thoroughbreds. Hattiesburg, Mississippi qualifies as one of these special campuses. Located one hour from both the Louisiana and Alabama borders, the University of Southern Mississippi is an underrated hot spot in college football that deserves more of that spotlight.
Continue reading “SOUTHERN MISS – M.M ROBERTS STADIUM”
Neither the Golden Eagles or the Panthers experienced the seasons they had imagined. Southern Miss lost three quarterbacks to injury, and in their most recent game, they rotated four quarterbacks that weren’t even listed at that position on the depth chart. Florida International entered this contest with one win and disgruntled head coach, Butch Davis, coaching in his final game while carrying accusations of a complacent and non-supportive athletic department. The game certainly did not garner national interest, but the passion was palpable as each team filed in to play their final battle of the season.
Continue reading “Game 315: FIU @ Southern Miss”
Located in Mobile, South Alabama is one of the youngest college football programs in the FBS. Established in 2009, the Jaguars were tenants of Ladd-Peebles Stadium for its first ten years of existence. Now the proud residents of the sparkling new Hancock Whitney Stadium, South Alabama is rapidly establishing the gameday traditions that make college football so special.
Continue reading “SOUTH ALABAMA – HANCOCK WHITNEY STADIUM”
Coastal Carolina – the darlings of 2020. The Chanticleers launched their program to relevancy with an undefeated regular season and finish in the nation’s top 15. They emerged in 2021 as a favorite to win the Sun Belt and rode the 2020 wave deep into the season. Losses to Appalachian State and Georgia Southern upended their run, but a ten-win season was still on the line as they ventured into Mobile to face South Alabama. The Jaguars lay waiting, eager to upset the Chanticleers and become bowl eligible.
Continue reading “Game 314: Coastal Carolina @ South Alabama”
Starkville, home of Mississippi State, has been nicknamed StarkVegas. Originally, the moniker stuck as a sarcastic insult toward a town viewed as small and sleepy. But, the rise in Bulldog athletics has transformed the name into a badge of honor. Coincidentally, gamedays in Starkville are an outstanding event when this town with old southern charm becomes a cauldron of cowbell cacophony.
Continue reading “MISSISSIPPI STATE – DAVIS WADE STADIUM”
Hail State or Hotty Toddy?
This is the 118th meeting between Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
This is the 94th meeting played for the Golden Egg trophy.
This is the 30th meeting played on Thanksgiving night.
A New Year’s Day bowl is on the line for the Bulldogs.
A New Year’s Six bowl is on the line for the Rebels.
These two teams split the last 20 meetings.
The stage is set.