RFI -- 2010 College Football Games/Venues
You need to take in a game at ND with Lou Holtzshsh in attendance.
Regardless of the weather forecast.
I wish I had a boat so I could have sailed away from the 6 turnovers.
I went down to South Carolina/Clemson last year at Williams-Brice with my wife (she's a Gamecock), sister-in-law and brother-in-law. It's a good atmosphere but doesn't hold a candle to Michigan Stadium. Columbia is a good college town but it really depends where you go (Five Points is sweet). I also went to UGA/Tennessee at Neland Stadium in 2007 -- Knoxville is a great time and Neland is a great venue. There was a bar outside of Neland that my buddy and I went to that sold $5 Big Gulp Bud Light's that you could take to-go. Also, SEC/ACC country = cocktail dresses. Enough said.
If anyone here ever has the chance to go to a Clemson-South Carolina game, make sure you go when its at Clemson, NOT USC. Columbia is fun but Williams-Brice Stadium is an absolute dump. Michigan Stadium will blow away either one of the stadiums but Death Valley's atmosphere is top notch. That place gets so loud you can barely hear yourself think at times.
I agree with Williams-Brice. I wouldn't call it a dump but it's in very poor shape. The place definitely needs a face lift. Location wise it's in a bad spot as well -- tucked away from campus so most students go to the bars for tailgate or tailgate in an entirely different area.
I felt the same way. Tailgating around Williams-Brice is awful. There simply isn't the correct parameters to effectively organize.
I don't know what it is but there is just something about that stadium that I absolutely hate. Most of it stems from the erector set looking lights. I just think the whole place looks...crappy.
Reminds me of a huge high school stadium from the 1980's. Metal seats, old concrete.
I went to a Vandy/UGA game in Nashville last year. Pretty meh atmosphere for a game, but Vandy has a cool, old stadium that they renovated recently. While the football would likely be nothing special, I highly reccomend the nightlife and the bars on Broadway.
in Tallahassee (back when Florida wasn't winning every game). Wasn't impressed with the stadium atmosphere but the pre game tailgating was rather enjoyable.
I saw UF/FSU at The Swamp last year. Awesome atmosphere. Much louder and more electric than the Big House. The stadium is much more vertical. It's a lot easier to see since the row in front of you is much lower, even with everyone standing. The tailgating scene is pretty massive as well. I recommend taking in a game at The Swamp if you get a chance.
in the Swamp in 1994 back when Terry Bowden was coach for the Tigers.
Florida was ranked #1. Auburn was also ranked pretty high (in the AP. They were on post season ban so I don't think they could be ranked in the coaches). Auburn edged out Florida in a great game. Unfortunately, we went to the bar after the game and watched Penn State beat Michigan in another great game. Penn State was ridiculous that year. (12-0 only to get hosed out of the NC).
You are right, great atmosphere. However, you quickly grow tired of Florida's chants. I doubt much has changed so I'm sure you know what I mean.
Enjoy that.
To OP, Harvard-Yale, hands down.
I live in Cambridge and have been wanting to go to Harvard Stadium for that game for a while. But the game is always on the same weekend as UM-OSU, and the past few years it has been at Harvard, it has been played at the exact same time even.
A Saturday night game at LSU is a sight to see. Try to make it to the Alabama-LSU game on Nov. 6th if you can.
I recommend Georgia vs Georgia Tech. This year it's in Athens. Good tailgating scene, Athens party scene is AWESOME. Very, very inexpensive drinks. Very, very attractive females. The only downside is that this game is typically during Thanksgiving weekend. This makes it sort of easy to scoop up tickets, but it's still Thanksgiving weekend.
A&M vs. Arkansas in Arlington. With the dome, all the sound is kept in and it is nuts.
Serious props to this board for mentioning the Clemson-Carolina rivalry. I grew up in South Carolina, and this rivalry is as nasty as it gets. I know everyone says this about in-state rivalries, but the only reason this one isn't up there with Auburn-Alabama, FSU-Florida (90s) and UT-A&M is that both teams haven't sustained any long term national prominence.
So you should definitely check out this game if you have a chance. It happens to be in Clemson this year, which is an outstanding college football environment.
For the Pageantry...
Army / Navy game, while it is not great football. It is worth it for the spectacle of the game.
Would be an awesome game to attend. It is on October 2nd and October is the best month as far as weather goes in Alabama.
But if you haven't seen Western v. Central, I highly recommend it. They really don't like each other.
U of Washington - Jake Locker vs. Nebraska
UCLA - Rose Bowl...nuff said and oh it may be awhile
U of Oregon - Autzen Stadium ...lots of gangsters in Nike gear and really loud
Nothing like making a tailgate connection on a yacht to Husky Stadium. Take rain gear just in case and stay sober enough to get up the ramp. Or travel to Eugene to see Cap'n Comeback lead his Cardinal against the Ducks.
| Sat, Oct 02 | Stanford | Eugene, Ore. | 8:15 PM | ESPN |
Either trip would be well rounded by an excursion down the Pacific Coast Highway with lots of fresh seafood along the way.
I had a great time with Longhorn fans at the rose bowl, even after our devastating loss. Just compliments back and forth all the while drinking plenty of booze. I'd love to go see Texas play.
The Iron Bowl is in my opinion the most intense rivalry in college football after UM/OSU. Alabama upgraded their stadium, and it looks pretty sweet from what I've seen.
1) Beaver Stadium - Penn State - Night game. My favorite stadium in the country other than Michigan Stadium. Yes I'm actually a little jealous...
2) Tiger Stadium - LSU - Loud as shizzz. Night game is the way to go.
3) Autzen Stadium - Oregon - Loudest stadium in the nation.
4) Lane Stadium - Virginia Tech - Enter Sandman at night is the way to go. Day time you don't really get the full affect.
5) Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Florida
6) Ohio Stadium - Ohio State - As much as I hate them, I do enjoy their stadium.
7) Memorial Stadium - Nebraska - Hope you like the color red...
8) Kyle Stadium - Texas A&M - Origin of the 12th man but unfortunately they aren't what they use to be.
Too many stadiums to count though (Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Clemson, etc...).
Top Rivalries (besides UM/OSU who is clearly #1):
Auburn/Alabama - Iron Bowl
Texas/Oklahoma - Red River Shootout
Florida/Georgia
Army/Navy - Even though they both suck
Two stadiums with ridiculous views are LaVell Edwards Stadium (BYU) and Michie Stadium (Army).