Impressions from W. Lafayette
Today I made my first trip to West Lafayette for the game - and it will most likely be my last. No reason to go back, as game day there packs all the excitement of taking a senior citizen to a grocery store, the post office, then to a doctor appointment. Purdue is the most antiseptic, boring, sterile game day I have ever experienced. The campus was dead before the game, the frats and student housing were quiet, even the Purdue superfans in the tailgating lot outside the stadium were going throught the motions.
Besides for the stadium being 75% full, there were many more M fans than you might expect. The rain made everyone miserable, so I won't comment on the noise or the traditions, because sitting in the rain for three quarters will maketh cranky anyone. EDIT: I take that back. At one point I counted three choo-choos on the field; one blow-up, one large, and one small. Add the big drum, the cutesey names they have for the twirlers and flag girls, and it was certainly annoying.
Ross-Ade stadium is an odd mixture of a new press tower and a seriously outdated seating area. Aside from the tower, this is the stadium of a moderately successful FCS school, or a big Texas high school stadium.
The campus is nice enough; big, midwestern state school with masive buildings, handsome landscaping, and nice quad areas. I was taken with the feeling of "space" on campus - much room between buildings, wide streets on campus, nothing too flashy, just a solid campus. I will probably forget it in two days.
The city was nothing special, the immediate off-campus area reminded me of East Lansing. Bars, sandwich shops, the things you expect to see on a Big Ten campus. None of that magic fun feeling you find in our Dear Old Ann Arbor town, Madison, or even State College.
The fans were resigned to an unpleasant fate of returning to a B10 also ran. In six or seven hours on campus, only one dickish remark from a Purdue fan. Most of their fans seemed too senisble to talk trash, even after a 2 year winning streak over us. I don't think the students and alumni really feel that administration has made a true commitment to field a competitive football program. For all the anguish in AA the last few years, I will take our fan's level of commitment and passion over what I witnessed in WL today.
Go Blue from a seriously rainsoaked, cold, misearble M fan from California.
November 13th, 2010 at 6:44 PM ^
...is depressing. Good thing we won the game.
November 13th, 2010 at 6:51 PM ^
Well at least you saw our best defensive effort of the season....
November 13th, 2010 at 6:55 PM ^
The defense was really quite good, and I was elated at the effort and proud of how they stepped up. But the Purdue offense was putrid. From the south end zone it seemed they were playing an extremely limited playbook, like if they just installed the offense system a few weeks ago. If not for the turnovers, and had the weather been decent we would have rolled.
November 13th, 2010 at 7:04 PM ^
I think one of Roy's reasons for switching to Michigan was that Purdue was kinda boring.
November 13th, 2010 at 7:07 PM ^
Per AnnArbor.com (http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/roy-roundtree-remains-at-the-center-of-the-renewed-purdue-michigan-football-rivalry/):
The problem, of course, with such a neat and tidy selection process is that it could not account for one small consideration - Roundtree didn’t really like Purdue.
“It was kind of boring to me when I took my visit there,” he said.
November 13th, 2010 at 7:09 PM ^
All I can remember are three things:
-The terrible call on the pick at the end of the game (no way in hell Curry was on the 1 when he came down with it)
-A really strange fan who intentionally ran me as I was walking out, who then offered an obviously difficult "congrats" to me on our "huge rivalry" win.
-Purdue fans in general being absolutely oblivious on when to cheer in the game other than TDs. Stuff like MIchigan with the ball on 3rd and 6, stopped for no gain, no cheers. Then the PA announcer yells "4th down Michigan!" and everyone goes bananas.
Edit: To the OP, and every other tough-as-nails Michigan fan who endured those conditions, I heart you. Strong work.
November 13th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
nothing compared to UM-PU in the mid 90s (1995 I think) or even Northwestern a couple years ago.
November 13th, 2010 at 9:35 PM ^
makes me cold just thinking about it...oddly, 'Bridge of Sighs' starts looping around in my head as well...
November 13th, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^
Michigan/NW 2006 was incredibly poor weather as well. I think we won 20-6. I know for sure that we won (obviously, as no losses until The Game). I would imagine that's why none of us look at that game with the same degree of contempt as the '08 version.
November 13th, 2010 at 11:22 PM ^
That one was bitterly cold. I don't think it snowed or anything, but it was just really, uncomfortably cold. It seems like it's always the first or second week of November when these types of games happen - and then it gets a little better, weather-wise, for the Game.
November 14th, 2010 at 11:16 AM ^
I've been to every home NW game since '06, all of them have been miserable. '08 obviously being the worst, but I've stayed through the end for all of them.
November 14th, 2010 at 1:36 PM ^
It's kind of funny to say you've been to "every home NW game since '06." There's been two of them.
November 13th, 2010 at 7:13 PM ^
was at the game today, and I have to agree. Even Indiana fans were more pompous. Seeemed to me the fans were resigned to looking forward to bball season, and who can blame them? The South endzone was probably at least 80% Michigan fans, and total the stadium was likely about 50/50 if you take away the student section. Overall the fans weren't into it, and I didn't even get one "dickish" comment in the two hours tailgating with some friends from Purdue in their tailgating lot.
November 14th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^
spent 20 minutes lamenting the loss, took two calls and then started talking about how it was going to be a rough basketball season for 30 minutes
November 13th, 2010 at 7:14 PM ^
I was there and I agree, seeing the stadium only 75% full was pretty surprising. Plus, I'd say at least 35% of the people there were Michigan fans. Way to stick it out in the rain, wolverine nation. Good work.
November 13th, 2010 at 7:17 PM ^
Yeah. It really sucked. Also, I must correct Brian on the front page - it wasn't really a monsoon. All day it was mostly a light rain, but damn was it cold and miserable.
November 13th, 2010 at 7:37 PM ^
I've never been there personally but watching the game at a local bar here in Vegas I got the impression that football didn't seem like a big deal. I'm probably wrong by saying that but my buddy next to me sat there saying... Wow.. That stadium looks like a piece of s@!t
November 13th, 2010 at 7:49 PM ^
I read that last line as "that stadium looks like a piece of salt."
November 13th, 2010 at 7:42 PM ^
I was first row in section 107 with a Michigan flag. Did anyone see frickin' Purdue Pete try to take it? Anyway, the rain basically shut anyone up in terms of trash talking.
November 13th, 2010 at 9:41 PM ^
I saw you!!! I was trying to figure out how that flag was even being tolerated there. Nice work!
November 13th, 2010 at 8:03 PM ^
and I agree with everything you wrote. Those sorry ass Purdue sons-a-bitches walked in the stadium and believed they had no chance. The whole atmosphere was shit as well. Thank God for the Maize and Blue.
November 13th, 2010 at 8:13 PM ^
My brother's a Purdue alum and he'll tell you this is 75% true. He constantly complained that the big thing to do for townies on a Saturday night was to go to Wal-Mart. Make a date night of it. He loves Purdue and wishes he could have picked up the entire school and the bars part of town and moved it anywhere but West Lafayette. I think the general attitude of the fans and students is that Purdue football is either bad or unexpectedly good and when it's the latter they'll fill the stadium and really get into it and when it's the former they'll just do their Breakfast Club thing and go through the motions and wait til basketball season.
November 13th, 2010 at 8:23 PM ^
I will say that Harry's Chocolate Shop bar looked fun.
November 13th, 2010 at 8:17 PM ^
...than we're giving credit for here. Granted, Purdue is having a terrible season...terrible! Add that to an ugly ugly day while losing to a mediocre Michigan team, and I think the Purdue fans have good reason to be found in a full-blown depression.
I was at a game in W. Lafayette about 5 or 6 years ago and found the fans to have quite a bit more zip. A little trash talk, a real buzz in the stadium and on campus... overall a fun and dare I say, electric game day experience.
I wasn't there for 3-9, but I imagine our last couple games felt pretty depressing and the game day atmosphere must have been at least a bit dampened. Anyway... I hope Purdue can dig out of this hole... for the sake of the conference!
November 13th, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^
I spent the drive out of town switching back and forth between the IU and Purdue post game shows. There is a sense of despair and resignation that both won't be able to get to the next level: IU to a bowl, Purdue to BCS level. The facilities are improved but really just the bare minimum required to field a team in the B10. They can't get the serious recruits that will lead them from the rut and it will get worse when Nebraska busts in.
I want them to be better because it feels better to beat a good team. As douchey as both D'antonio and Sparty Brahs are, I am pleased they are doing well this year. I want IU and Purdue to be competitive and I don't see how they will get there.
November 13th, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^
I hear ya! I'm hoping teams like IU and Purdue don't limit their focus to just one of the two major sports. As much as I like to tell my Sparty buddies that we (UM) don't really care about BBall (just to get a rise out of em), the truth is, we do care. And... I hope we never stop caring. It would be a shame to see the B10 become a conference full of half-hearted schools... focusing on one or the other, while the lesser of the two is drop kicked into Lake Michigan.
November 13th, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^
It's funny you say Purdue looks like a typical Big 10 state college - I think MSU is the quintessential big state school - pretty in parts, but absolutely forgettable. I've only been to a couple of B10 cities, but I guess I'll cross West Lafayette off the list.
As for the fans, I kind of felt bad for them going into the game, since they had to withstand nasty weather, a 3rd or 4th-string QB, a horrible, sub-2008 offense, and shots of Danny Hope's mustache being covered with wet snot all game. The fact they stuck around in any numbers is commendable.
November 13th, 2010 at 9:12 PM ^
I wouldn't say it was pretty, just...nice. Like an Mariott in the suburbs is nice. Like an airport lounge is nice. Like, well you get the idea. Nice. Just forgettable.
November 14th, 2010 at 9:18 AM ^
So annoying on a big campus like that when you are trying to find places because you are there for a conference.
November 13th, 2010 at 8:43 PM ^
Was in attendance getting rowdy in the endzone
November 13th, 2010 at 8:52 PM ^
My son is a sophomore in a frat there. Unlike Ann Arbor, on football Saturdays they party away from the frats in a big field set up for tailgating. We went there and had a great time and it was very crowded with students.. With all the Purdue injuries they feel their team has no hope (no pun intended).
The weather was fine until game time when the rain started. I disagree with a previous comment, it became very heavy during the first half. Combined with a strong wind it became a really uncomfortable experience.
However, since the game was close until the very end much of the crowd stayed including probably all of the M fans (hey we almost all traveled a long way for it and wanted to see if RR would make a scene with DH at the end - lol). My son stayed behind at the tailgating having fun with his friends rather than suffer through an expected loss in horrible weather without alcohol in the stadium. If you were a PU student where would you be under those circumstances? I was surrounded by nothing but nice PU and M fans.
Yes, there were lots of M fans that were very vocal. Then again, we have a much more exciting football team (sometimes in an ugly way).
November 13th, 2010 at 8:58 PM ^
I was in the endzone right under the scoreboard. I didn't like how they only had one video board. Purdue is definitely the most lame gameday experience of the places I have been (MSU, PSU, OSU, ND, IU, Purdue, Mich) . I agree with all of your points, and the campus did seem nice.
November 13th, 2010 at 8:59 PM ^
with the MMB back in '79 and '81. One word: BLEAK.
November 15th, 2010 at 9:04 PM ^
November 13th, 2010 at 9:01 PM ^
I was there too. Regardless of it being a completely miserable day from a weather perspective, West Lafayette just sucked. It was a depressing place and the fans weren't that great (as a M fan on the road, I hope the home fans actually give me shit since it means they care). I agree with the OP that there is no reason to go back. It was just lame.
November 13th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^
I lived in West Lafayette for my last 2 years of high school. It actually is a pretty decent little midwestern town. Campus is nice, well organized, and has enough to do.
The football atmosphere is pathetic. I went to several games and never ever saw the stadium sold out. Unfortunately I was there the year OSU won the nat'l title and beat purdue on a 4 down 40 yard TD pass. Ugh.
While the football sucks, the basketball stadium is actually a decent crowd. They are pretty into the games and the student section does a nice job. They care much more about basketball then football.
November 14th, 2010 at 3:44 PM ^
for all of the "lame" "boring" "apathetic" comments that can be made about Purdue football, they can make the same comments about Michigan basketball.
We still have much work to do there.
November 13th, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^
Both at Purdue and IU a lot of kids will go tailgating and get drunk and then not even go to the game. Those really are exclusively basketball schools, though. Epsecially IU. There just isn't the same excitement about football that you have at Michigan. I don't know how it is at other schools but about half of my high school class either goes to Purdue or IU. If you wanted to make someone mad you'd be better off saying something about Robbie Hummel, not Dan Dierking.
I was at the IU game, though,and the atmosphere was phenomenal. I sat in the student section and when IU tied it near the end, it was defeaning. Hemingway's jump ball at the five yard line created just as much silence, though, which was a memorable contrast. I'm sure with better weather the experience would have been better in all facets. But no matter what, football is going to take a back seat when it's the first week of college basketball.
November 13th, 2010 at 10:18 PM ^
It looked on TV like when the rain started many of the Purdue fans headed for the exits. Was that the case or were people just on the stairs anyway?
November 14th, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^
Purdue had a ton of tvs on the concourse that people went to watch it on. because they allow re-entry also, it might have been a case of retreating for dryer areas. stadium only lost 10-15% due to weather i would guess. place was only 2/3 full (if that) anyways.
November 13th, 2010 at 11:05 PM ^
The Purdue fans in that area took off during halftime. It really started pouring during the 2nd quarter. The Purdue student section in the Northeast corner was the only part of the stadium that was really filled up and they stuck around for most of the game. Can't really blame (too much) most Purdue alumni fans for leaving early. The team is missing so many players due to injury that their offense is a complete joke.
One other thing I wanted to say is that it kind of sucked that most of the action in the game went the other direction. We got to see Vincent Smith's touchdown and James Rogers interception, but that was pretty much it.
I'll also add that I heard some "Fire DickRod" jackasses during the turnover frenzy in the 2nd half, but mostly people were pretty positive. Go Blue!
November 14th, 2010 at 9:49 AM ^
you might have been next to me because i had to explain to several guys how "fire RR" didn't make sense
November 14th, 2010 at 12:57 PM ^
I was sitting in the South endzone too, and it definitely sucked having most of the action on the other end of the field. I was sitting in the first row above that blacktop walkway that goes through all the endzone sections, and it was definitely the worst game-viewing experience I've ever had. I knew I was going to have bad depth-perception in those seats, but the non-stop stream of people walking in front of me was frustrating as hell. (A Purdue fan behind me actually asked me to sit down early in the game -- not confrontationally, but still -- when there was clearly no way in hell I could see without standing up. Thank God he left as soon as the rain started).
On top of that, the main reason why I picked those seats (to get on TV during PAT's and FG's) ended up being for naught, because the stupid BTN was showing a camera angle from behind the endzone for all of the kicks. Whatever though ... we won.
November 13th, 2010 at 11:33 PM ^
The bathrooms at their stadium are very poorly designed. Embarrassing for an engineering school. And the big drum is just dumb. I hate that fucking thing. The choo choo they drive around looks like something hand-sewen down by the rednecks down in Tennessee. Everything about Purdue is very amature-ish. And why do they use Bill Cowher as their mascot?