The Last Utah Game - and Noise

Submitted by Casa Grande on

Well, living life "abroad" (6-7 hours away from A2), a lot of my M viewing is on the TV. But the last game I was able to physically attend was the last Utah game a few years ago. I took a friend who had never been. We made it a big deal. We had a blast, but as I recall the score was a little too close for comfort. (10-0 right?) *(Edit: I looked it up it was 10-7)

I also remember that despite that, the crowd noise wasn't exactly what I would have called intimidating. Loud? Certainly. Imposing? Not really.

I think it was the combination that the fandom couldn't believe this wasn't a blowout and the fact that it was probably one of the nicest days you could ask for. Sunny skies, temps in the 75-80 degree range with no humidity that day. Early season game and everyone was sort of mellow. Just really happy to be there and soaking it all in.

I just hope that the fandom that goes to this Utah game makes it so loud that those guys will want to get back on the bus after warmups!

I know added noise is one of the factors taken into consideration on the new addition to the stadium. The shape of the suites will bounce all of the noise back onto the field. After being at two M vs OSU games in C-bus, I can tell you their old shack gets pretty freaking loud. Of course it is basically a sound chamber with the roof over the top sections and the added "enclosure" of the U shape. Sound pops around a lot in there. It's pretty jarring to the ears.

BTW, I took a guided tour of Ford Field. They designed all of these baffles and sound reflectors in the roof so that the stadium is loud but on the field, the players can hear each other very well. I was shocked! I'm sure the fans COULD possibly mess with the NFL players to a degree but I was really blown away at how good you could hear from one side of the field to the next.

Anyhow, if you go, save your voices for about a week so you can BOOM Utah out of the box. GO BLUE!

medals

July 18th, 2008 at 11:38 AM ^

I cannot believe that tickets still remain for the Utah game. GO TO THE GAME, FOLKS. Do you know how freaking amped the atmosphere is going to be? Seeing RR and co. run out of the tunnel for the first time. It is going to be bananas.

imafreak1

July 18th, 2008 at 11:59 AM ^

I have no distinct memory of the first Utah game. I looked it up to remind myself and realized I probably repressed the memory. After a heart rending loss to ND (which I certainly remember) Michigan rolled up 22 first downs but only 10 points on Utah (gah stop with the kicking and the missing FGs Lloyd just stop.) I must have wanted to kill myself. This one probably comes up big for the Navarre haters and didn't happen in his first season.

hat

July 18th, 2008 at 8:01 PM ^

IIRC, in that game we scored 10 quick points, then tried to set an NCAA record for most consecutive possessions ending in turnovers or missed field goals. Ugly, ugly game.

hat

July 18th, 2008 at 8:03 PM ^

If there are tickets available, that has nothing to do with a lack of demand on Michigan fans' part. We have a waiting list for tickets that's thousands deep. When tickets come available for individual games, that means that the visiting team didn't sell its allotment and has returned the remainder to us.

Casa Grande

July 19th, 2008 at 4:18 PM ^

You're right about the returns, but they hold a certain number of single-game tickets for fans like me who could never do the season ticket thing anyhow.  They'll sell them no matter what.  I'm doing everything I can to see if I can get there this time.  Hope so!

 

TorontoBlue

July 18th, 2008 at 11:22 PM ^

flying into Metro friday nite from Toronto, meeting my son flying up from Atlanta, we can't wait to usher in the RR era. we will tee it up Sunday at Moose Ridge to celebrate the return of winning football in the Big House!

Kal

July 21st, 2008 at 2:39 AM ^

I will be there and be extremely intoxicated somewhere in the student section. I also hope to remember past the first half, but thats a long shot considering I actually remember both the Oregon and App State games too vividly and decided it'll be in my best interest to keep a flask handy just in case....