USF fan's perspective on UTLII (Spoiler: It's Glowing)

Yeah, this doesn't feel like the right meme...

Why were you even there?

Considering the amount of vitriol spewed at us by other fanbases it is nice to see an outsider with a positive view of Michigan fans. 

They were different because the games were different. In 2011, the crowd was taken almost entirely out of the game for almost 2 quarters. In 2013, the crowd was in the game the entire time, and I would guage that even the alumni were standing for at least 50% of the plays. However, 2011 had a crazier finish so the stadium was more electric at the end - so it depends what would you rather have, consistently electric or dead then KA-BOOM.

UTL 1 was definitely more electric. It got pretty loud on Saturday but nothing will compare to two years ago. 

Halftime show this year was much better, and the pregame flyovers were better as well.

I was extremely disappointed in the post game celebration, the chicken dance song was played which was funny for 15 seconds, then it kept being played for 3 minutes which pretty much killed the buzz.

UTL 1 will never be topped IMO.

But I figured that there was no way that II could possibly be better as a football game. It wasn't - there's no way to match 2011 in terms of energy and excitement, or volume for that matter. Where we were yelling plenty this time, in 2011 we were yelling and had the car keys out a la SEC. I do think that the overall production - and I've worked a lot as an arts presenter - was better this past Saturday, though. Everything was tighter this year, like the USF guy says - they had something going on that was substantive during every media timeout. That part was noticeable.

I missed a great video-doc piece like they did with Kanye West's "All of the Lights" in 2011 - that was very, very classy and well-done and they didn't have it this time. I also liked the video intro in 2011 better than this year, if only because it was a lot more fresh then.

No comparison on the half-time show.

but Mark Harmon didn't cry like Desmond did - will never forget that either.

For UTL I there was a better atmosphere in the stands towards the end of the game and afterwards. The end of that game was just pure chaos, though. After the game a lot of people stayed in the stadium to dance and enjoy the experience. I'm pretty sure some people rushed the field.

UTL II was clearly the better overall experience, though. Much better game throughout, and Michigan went all out to put together a great gameday experience. I'll never forget the ending of UTL I, but I'd say I had more fun at UTL II.

...but that's what people said about the Miami Hurricaines when they hired Howard Schnellenberger.  It's also what people used to say about Boise State, etc.  

used to give tickets away by the thousands, just to make it look like people were watching Michigan Football.

Michigan has only had 2 night games in history and Brandon made this one a "Super Bowl lite" sort of affair.  I am sure when MSU played ND at night it was an electric atmosphere and fun as heck to be there.  Yes a smaller stadium and less of a traditional program but still I am sure all who went to that type of game had a hell of a time.   This USF writer had just come back from experiencing MSU vs USF after a 1 hour delay due to weather, and watching a day time game, between perhaps 2 of the bottom 5 offenses in college football.  It was dreadful for anyone to watch, much less be there.  I am sure 20K fans either did not come back from the weather delay or after watching that offensive (pun intended) display by both teams for more than 20 minutes.   There are plenty of fantasitic atmospheres found in Madison, Happy Valley, Columbus, et al.   But this guy was comparing apples and oranges on that particular night.

I always assumed that Sparty was somewhat comparable in terms of its game experience

Back in my day (early 1980's and again in the early 1990's) I experienced both.

In this case it's a comparison of a noon game and a night game.  And that's apples vs. oranges.  Night games have a different feel about them because of the night surrounding the lit-up stadium.

In terms of stadium settings -- Spartan Stadium is in the middle of MSU's campus, which itself is quite separate from the town of East Lansing.  It's very much a "on-campus" experience.  Michigan Stadium's surroundings are more "college town" like.  Both are preferable to a professional stadium set in the middle of an ocean of parking lots.

In terms of the stadiums themselves -- well, Michigan is bigger, of course.  Spartan stadium has the sideline upper decks with relatively smaller endzone seating.  One of the things that makes Michigan Stadium feel so big is the fact its a big bowl that goes on an on all the way around.  I've never been to Ohio State's stadium, but it holds 100K+ and my guess is it doesn't feel as big as Michigan Stadium.  Ditto Penn State and Alabama.

But again, the biggest thing is the noon vs. night factor.  Switch the roles and have MSU play a big game against a big rival at night up in East Lansing and compare it to Michigan playing noon against a non-conference cupcake and the MSU night game would come away feeling "more electric."

Now, all that said ... Michigan made certain the UTL II night was extra special.  So it's not just that it's a night game ... it's that it was a night game amped up.

While it's definitely not not proof, you're a billion rows up on the opposite end of the field. I'd look for a better position in the stands before calling it "downright" quiet for that play.

is to bother the pre-snap signals that the QB is calling to the line and receivers.  After the snap - NO crowd is loud ....

Go Blue!