Top 3 college atmospheres.

[CaptainCrunchies]

I recently took a road trip through the plains and got a chance to meet some really cool people who enjoyed college football in places I didn't think they would.

This brought me to a thought of who has the best atmospheres in the country, excluding Iowa here is my list.

1. Tennessee
You won't find a much prettier place in the fall than Knoxville. They have Gatlinburg near by which has rafting and mountain hiking. Fans are knowledgeable and welcoming as well.

2. Wisconsin
Madison is full of raging maniacs who will curse the ground you walk on during the game. The stadium is old and carries an old time feel when the fans get on the opposing team much like a European football match minus the maiming They are the kings and queens of the tailgate folks.

3.Ohio State
What can I say here positively. Huge fan base in a city larger than most college town, but it is very much a college city. On game day most fans are welcoming and will invite you to tailgate. Stay away from the crazy bald dude painted in ohio state colors... He's actually pretty nice. Good bars up and down.

Alas none compare to Iowa when it comes to fan behaviour and overall gemeday experience. They'll catch up

 

[coreyzbizkits]

Was not impressed with the atmosphere around Camp Randall last year. We got in to go to the Hawkeye Huddle, and I was prepared to see a bunch of tailgates around the stadium. I'm sure I must have been in the wrong place, but it was pretty quiet a few hours before the game around the stadium.

 

[Hicksy87]

Have not seen many places better than an LSU Home game in Baton Rouge on a Saturday night. The place rocks especially when the band kicks off with Whose that Tiger up before everyone enters Tiger Stadium.

 

[Freyvet]

Was not impressed with the atmosphere around Camp Randall last year. We got in to go to the Hawkeye Huddle, and I was prepared to see a bunch of tailgates around the stadium. I'm sure I must have been in the wrong place, but it was pretty quiet a few hours before the game around the stadium.

And the WI students didn't show up until after halftime

 

[Packer54]

Have not seen many places better than an LSU Home game in Baton Rouge on a Saturday night. The place rocks especially when the band kicks off with Whose that Tiger up before everyone enters Tiger Stadium.

This....

 

[spbc7]

Atmosphere depends so much on time and opponent. A person who experiences a night game against ISU is going to have a totally different opinion of Iowa's atmosphere compared to the person who experiences an 11am kick against Miami(OH)

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

And the WI students didn't show up until after halftime

Maybe they all just packed really tightly together close to the field to make it seem like they weren't there.......like our students do I'm just sayin.............

 

[pink shizzle]

LSU had the best atmosphere I've seen. Tennessee's was also very impressive despite their team having a poor record.

 

[bravelittletoaster]

Was a student at Iowa when we had game day in 2006 I think it was. Most jacked I've ever seen a town/stadium for a game. Want game day again this year soooo bad. Against Michigan at night perhaps? i have been to every stadium for a game in the big west. Close between camp Randall and Kinnick, but I am very biased so it's gotta be Kinnick. Would love to go to a LSU night game tho

 

[BubsFinn]

I've never been, but I have it on good authority that Ole Miss has a terrific game day experience.
Of the non-Iowa ones I've been to, my top three would be
1. Air Force - It's a small stadium and you really get a feel for what college football was like before it got too big. Watching the cadets march into the stadium then break into a dead sprint for the seats is pretty cool. Plus they always have the best flyovers and parachutists.
2. Texas - Having half the stadium shout "TEXAS!" and the other half reply, "FIGHT!" is impressive. When they play The Eyes of Texas, everyone sings along.
3. West Virginia - It's been a couple decades since I was in Morgantown, but those hillbillies know how to party.

 

[Iowa Hog]

Was not impressed with the atmosphere around Camp Randall last year. We got in to go to the Hawkeye Huddle, and I was prepared to see a bunch of tailgates around the stadium. I'm sure I must have been in the wrong place, but it was pretty quiet a few hours before the game around the stadium.

I went to the Wisconsin and Iowa game last year and was surprised how dull the crowd was. I sat near the Wisconsin student section and most did not seem interested in the game, if they were Iowa would have lost because they played most of the game in front of the students but they did not make enough noise to distract our QB. Wisconsin used to be a fun place, but last year I think the students were down because of getting slaughtered by Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, and then starting the season doing badly against Alabama.

 

[spbc7]

I went to the Wisconsin and Iowa game last year and was surprised how dull the crowd was. I sat near the Wisconsin student section and most did not seem interested in the game, if they were Iowa would have lost because they played most of the game in front of the students but they did not make enough noise to distract our QB. Wisconsin used to be a fun place, but last year I think the students were down because of getting slaughtered by Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, and then starting the season doing badly against Alabama.

Beathard completed 9 passes for 77 yards. We scored 10 points. I don't think noise would have really affected the outcome of that game.

Side note: that game was the least eventful game I have ever been to. Run, run, incomplete pass, punt. Lather, rinse, repeat. We won and there was only like three times I really cheered throughout the game. Other than being closer one game closer to the end of Stave's career, the Wisky fans had nothing to cheer for lol

 

[CaptainCrunchies]

That was one of the most unappealing games for either fan base. Iowa won the game to salvage the afternoon. On the flip side Wisconsin fans were coming off an Ohio State walloping , their coach leaving for Oregon State and an Alabama whooping.

They had a second coach leave in less than three years for a middling SEC program and a tailpipe sucking PAC 12 program. What does that say about the athletic department?

With all those things I can see why the fans were less than optimistic. It was an ugly game and Iowa wasn't considered anything special going into that game. Say Iowa has another great season and our next trip we'll see a more hyped crowd.

Watch how they get up for Ohio State this year.

 

[Niko13]

bump

 

[Pepperman]

I've never been, but I have it on good authority that Ole Miss has a terrific game day experience.

I have heard the same. My friend has been all over the SEC and he said it is one of the best, as well as South Carolina. He liked Texas a lot as well.

Notre Dame is apparently about to re-do their stadium's electronics and join the 21st century, but I've heard many people say it is great to see a game there as it is now. Bleachers, small scoreboards, not much (if any) in the way of replays, "sound system" is a guy on a microphone, band makes all of the music... apparently it is like stepping back in time.

 

[Douglas C. Neidermeyer]

I attended the Iowa vs. Colorado game back in the 90's ......Boulder/Folsom Field was a neat experience.

 

[DrVenkman]

One of my favorite game day experiences was at Soldier Field in 2007 for Iowa/ N Illinois. It was an unreal day down on Lake Michigan and the Iowa tailgate was incredible. Was a stunning setting with a big crowd and everyone was anxious and excited for the debut of future all American QB: Jake Christensen.

The game was a bit ugly, but a win and still one of my most memorable Iowa games.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

I had the chance to attend an Oregon night game few years ago. Very fun experience to say the least. Got up went to a bar with few friends to watch the Iowa game at 9am west coast time and were about the only people there till half. Then took a small break before tailgating in a picturesque area surrounded by tall evergreen trees. Funny thing is everyone in our area had some microbrew type beer and looked at us weird drinking our bud light. However fans were very friendly and kept offering us some of the local beer to try out. Stadium isn't that big but gets really loud.

Big 10 wise best I've been to is Michigan. Great college town with a nice fan base and good tailgating. However unlike Oregon's stadium I was surprised that the Big House wasn't as loud as I thought it would be.

 

[SigMaintHawk]

Have not seen many places better than an LSU Home game in Baton Rouge on a Saturday night. The place rocks especially when the band kicks off with Whose that Tiger up before everyone enters Tiger Stadium.

Haven't been to Baton Rouge, have always heard that Clemson was pretty impressive..

Not the topic of this thread, but one of the worst places I've watched a game is Miss State(Starkville)..those cowbells are quite annoying.

 

[Pepperman]

Big 10 wise best I've been to is Michigan. Great college town with a nice fan base and good tailgating. However unlike Oregon's stadium I was surprised that the Big House wasn't as loud as I thought it would be.

I also really enjoyed that stadium. Of course, it was 2010 and we beat them (Forcier ALMOST got them back in it) but the crowd noise didn't impress me either. Granted, once Forcier came in and started throwing bombs, the crowd perked up but 20% of the stadium had already left.

The people there were just superb. I will always go out of my way to be nice to Michigan fans for how they treated me that day - even post game, they were coming up to congratulate us and ask what I thought of the stadium, etc.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

2. Wisconsin
Madison is full of raging maniacs who will curse the ground you walk on during the game. The stadium is old and carries an old time feel when the fans get on the opposing team much like a European football match minus the maiming They are the kings and queens of the tailgate folks.

I just dont get this reputation Wisconsin has at all. Its not a wild/crazy scene inside or outside the stadium in Madison. Sure for big games it would be more ramped up(Ohio State, etc.........), like anywhere else would be.

 

[Quintana]

best post game atmosphere: MetroDump November 16th, 2002.

 

[hoks2415]

I've been to Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue and Iowa State. I'll rank the stadiums strictly in terms of crowd noise.

1) Iowa State - Shockingly Iowa State was the loudest and I don't think it was even close. I do know that it's only like this one game a year.

2) Michigan - Always heard it didn't get loud but we went after the renovations and it must have made a big difference because I thought it was pretty loud.

3) Michigan State - Went to the night game in '09 and it was rocking, but the 5-10,000 Iowa fans made their fair share of noise.

4) Minnesota - Very nice stadium and really like the area around the stadium. The "We Hate Iowa" chant was loud and clear throughout the game.

5) Wisconsin - Went for the 11am game in '09 and it felt like a morgue. I'd like to get to a night game there because I'm sure it would be a lot different. I did love Madison and the stadium was charming.

6) Purdue - Iowa generated about 90% of the crowd noise. The entire town, including the campus and football stadium is a cesspool. The only road trip I will never make again.

 

[73chief]

Ole Miss

 

[MadToxicologist]

One part of game day that Wisconsin gets right is their band which I think is one of the more entertaining bands in the Big10 - their band director is a true showman. Their "shout" at the end of the third quarter can rev the crowd to another level. The "fifth" quarter is well done also.

 

[Scherrman]

I've been to Ohio State and I was not impressed with the overall atmosphere. The stadium is amazing and the crowd there was fantastic but everything before and after the game wasn't impressive. I didn't think the area was that great for tailgating and it didn't compare to Iowa City.

Madison is a fantastic place for a game. Amazing atmosphere.

Michigan was pretty awesome and enjoyed the tailgating.

Minnesota at the Metrodome was a pile of crap. Tailgating was alright. Atmosphere was only decent because it was mostly Hawk fans.

 

[DrVenkman]

Overall worst experience was Destruction in the Desert. That loss to ASU coupled with the incredible electrical storm that ruined tailgating and delayed the start was by far the worst I can remember. Plus that Sundevil stadium sucked.

 

[pink shizzle]

My first ever game was the 2004 Iowa vs. Wisconsin game and the atmosphere was incredible. I was surprised the following year at how tame the Wisky crowd was.

 

[eyeohuh]

I've heard great reviews about Ole Miss and "the grove" for tailgating. I think LSU/Texas A&M would be awesome too for the stadium experience. Clemson has a badass entrance I would love to see in person (Like Georgia @ Clemson 2013)

 

[Suterman]

Wisky's reputation as a raucus crowd is due primarily to the jump around between the 3rd and 4th Quarters. It is extremely impressive, loud and visual. Take that away and the Wisconsin experience is pretty pedestrian. Penn State has a pretty darn good atmosphere. Illinois, Indiana, Purdue and Northwestern are all horrible.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Wisky's reputation as a raucus crowd is due primarily to the jump around between the 3rd and 4th Quarters. It is extremely impressive, loud and visual. Take that away and the Wisconsin experience is pretty pedestrian. Penn State has a pretty darn good atmosphere. Illinois, Indiana, Purdue and Northwestern are all horrible.

In N'Western's case doesn't help that half of the teams in the Big 10 have more fans than they do at their games. Plus they are playing in a stadium that is an old piece of crap.

 

[PCBHAWK]

I attend a Florida game each year with some friends. The fans are awesome and very welcoming. Every tailgate I stumbled upon was generous with food and drinks. The bars close to the stadium were cool too.

 

[J_Heater]

I attend a Florida game each year with some friends. The fans are awesome and very welcoming. Every tailgate I stumbled upon was generous with food and drinks. The bars close to the stadium were cool too.

You ever go to the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. That seems like a fun and crazy game to go to each year.

 

[hawkhorn]

Nothing beats a Hawkeye game at Kinnick when the leaves are turning!!!
I've been to a lot of stadiums across the country including Michigan, Texas, Cotton Bowl, Rose Bowl, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Stanford, Cal, Alamo Bowl, etc.
Texas vs. OU is an incredible scene. I went to the Texas at Ohio State game several years ago and I never saw a bigger bunch of white trash losers in my life than Ohio State fans. They make Badger fans look like choirboys. I will say Ohio State's stadium is the most intimidating I've ever seen, college or pro. Michigan wasn't intimidating at all but I think that's changing with Harbaugh.

 

[CaptainCrunchies]

I had the unfortunate experience of calling European football soccer while in an English bar. Those dudes and ladies turn rabid when it comes to their clubs.

I watched fights on YouTube where an entire bleacher collapsed, I think it was in Mexico City. Never been to one personally but that would be intimidating.

 

[CaptainCrunchies]

Nothing beats a Hawkeye game at Kinnick when the leaves are turning!!!
I've been to a lot of stadiums across the country including Michigan, Texas, Cotton Bowl, Rose Bowl, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Stanford, Cal, Alamo Bowl, etc.
Texas vs. OU is an incredible scene. I went to the Texas at Ohio State game several years ago and I never saw a bigger bunch of white trash losers in my life than Ohio State fans. They make Badger fans look like choirboys. I will say Ohio State's stadium is the most intimidating I've ever seen, college or pro. Michigan wasn't intimidating at all but I think that's changing with Harbaugh.

It's funny you say that about Buckeye fans because I've been there in 09 and 12 and met several cool people. There's a share of idiots like everywhere but I just avoid them. I don't go to away games looking for trouble, I just like the experience.

That being said I think it's time we beat those guys in the championship game. I hope to end their playoff run this year while punching our ticket.

 

[PCBHAWK]

You ever go to the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. That seems like a fun and crazy game to go to each year.

No, but my friends have been talking about it. Half of my friends are Gators and the others are Bulldogs. Its a huge rivalry and I hear the game has an incredible atmosphere
.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Nothing beats a Hawkeye game at Kinnick when the leaves are turning!!!
I've been to a lot of stadiums across the country including Michigan, Texas, Cotton Bowl, Rose Bowl, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Stanford, Cal, Alamo Bowl, etc.
Texas vs. OU is an incredible scene. I went to the Texas at Ohio State game several years ago and I never saw a bigger bunch of white trash losers in my life than Ohio State fans. They make Badger fans look like choirboys. I will say Ohio State's stadium is the most intimidating I've ever seen, college or pro. Michigan wasn't intimidating at all but I think that's changing with Harbaugh.

All I know now that they are allowing beer sales every where in the horse shoe for this coming season will make their fans even more intolerable than they already are if that's possible.