USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
2012 D1 BCS thread
- Thread starter MadTownSioux
- Start date
- Status
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
One I thing I notice in your comments is that marching bands are never mentioned. To me, that's a large part of what makes the college atmosphere superior to the NFL, particularly the BT bands. I'm sure the SEC bands do well; you can't really tell one way or another from most telecasts. But the OSU Marching Band is a big deal here. The pre-game "skull session" routinely fills St. John Arena, former home of Buckeye Basketball. In other words, we get the equivalent of a D-1 Basketball sellout to see the band practice its halftime show. On the field, Script Ohio is introduced as "The Greatest Tradition in College Band History." While I don't have enough information to prove that's true beyond any doubt, I believe it.
Point: None of my comments are based on "product of the field." It's easy to back champs, more difficult otherwise. For me, the most impressive endorsement comes from bronconick. If Ole Miss tailgating is actually second to none, that's really saying something.
Overall, I suspect there's some apples and oranges comparisons going on here. If a fan is completely indifferent to the Marching Bands, then maybe the BT loses a strong selling point. Conversely, SEC strengths may appeal to some but not others. IIRC, Florida/Georgia is "The World's Biggest Cocktail Party." Personally I don't go to football games to drink cocktails. But for someone else, maybe that makes FLA/GA the greatest rivalry in sports. Viva la difference.
Still disagree on BT vs. NFL, but that does put your strong endorsement of the SEC into context.
Not a bad set of games at all; you certainly have a basis for your opinion. Question: Did you stick around for the 5th Quarter at UW? That's a fun and impressive tradition. It's been a while since I've attended a game in Madison, but I presume that it's still going strong.FWIW, the B1G games I saw were Michigan @ State (2005 - OT game), State @ Michigan (2004 - 3OT game), Random U (I think it was Ball State...but I don't really remember) @ Wisconsin (2005), and State @ Ohio State (2005).
I've interacted with SEC fans; including the LSU fanbase that came to Ohio Stadium back in the '80s -- and who went home losers. Their arrogance and intensity was duly noted. So I can guarantee you I won't be shocked or otherwise blown away. But you've piqued my curiousity about SEC home games, and will try to make it to one eventually. Like Biddco, I have a long wish list of sports travel and only limited ability to act on it.And it's not just tailgaiting and eye candy (which are significantly better), but inside the stadium (from the fans in the crowd, to the product on the field) is also significantly slanted towards the South. Try a game out there, and I think you'll be blown away. Just remember, bigger stadiums do not equal better experience.
One I thing I notice in your comments is that marching bands are never mentioned. To me, that's a large part of what makes the college atmosphere superior to the NFL, particularly the BT bands. I'm sure the SEC bands do well; you can't really tell one way or another from most telecasts. But the OSU Marching Band is a big deal here. The pre-game "skull session" routinely fills St. John Arena, former home of Buckeye Basketball. In other words, we get the equivalent of a D-1 Basketball sellout to see the band practice its halftime show. On the field, Script Ohio is introduced as "The Greatest Tradition in College Band History." While I don't have enough information to prove that's true beyond any doubt, I believe it.
Point: None of my comments are based on "product of the field." It's easy to back champs, more difficult otherwise. For me, the most impressive endorsement comes from bronconick. If Ole Miss tailgating is actually second to none, that's really saying something.
Overall, I suspect there's some apples and oranges comparisons going on here. If a fan is completely indifferent to the Marching Bands, then maybe the BT loses a strong selling point. Conversely, SEC strengths may appeal to some but not others. IIRC, Florida/Georgia is "The World's Biggest Cocktail Party." Personally I don't go to football games to drink cocktails. But for someone else, maybe that makes FLA/GA the greatest rivalry in sports. Viva la difference.
bronconick
Yep, still here
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
The Big Ten bands are better, but they're so large that they don't travel anywhere even in conference. Most SEC games have both bands in attendance. That's something the Big Ten could do better. Maybe Penn State can't go to Nebraska, but Michigan doesn't bring theirs to Purdue, for example.
The Big Ten bands are better, but they're so large that they don't travel anywhere even in conference. Most SEC games have both bands in attendance. That's something the Big Ten could do better. Maybe Penn State can't go to Nebraska, but Michigan doesn't bring theirs to Purdue, for example.
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
Can't resist making a couple more quick points...
Along the same lines, louder doesn't necessarily equal a better experience. If the crowd consistently plays the role of 12th Man well, that gets high marks. But if crowd is just filled with idiots shouting at random, loudness earns no points. Being fully engaged with the game on the field is what counts. Personally, if an opposing fan is knowledgeable about both the sport and his team, that adds to my gameday experience. He's not a cheerleader? That's not a problem; if anything it's a plus. How this latter point applies to SEC teams in their home stadiums, I don't really know. Hence the request for stories.
Again, differing criteria may be one reason for the diverging viewpoints. "Best Party" and "Loudest Stadium" are by no means irrelevant to me, but they aren't my top priorities either. FWIW.
Can't resist making a couple more quick points...
Agreed; seating capacity, by itself, doesn't prove much. However sellouts vs. empty seats makes a big difference. And if you're consistently filling a large stadium, that does speak to the fanbase's level of commitment. Admittedly most of the teams in both leagues pass this test.... remember, bigger stadiums do not equal better experience.
Along the same lines, louder doesn't necessarily equal a better experience. If the crowd consistently plays the role of 12th Man well, that gets high marks. But if crowd is just filled with idiots shouting at random, loudness earns no points. Being fully engaged with the game on the field is what counts. Personally, if an opposing fan is knowledgeable about both the sport and his team, that adds to my gameday experience. He's not a cheerleader? That's not a problem; if anything it's a plus. How this latter point applies to SEC teams in their home stadiums, I don't really know. Hence the request for stories.
Again, differing criteria may be one reason for the diverging viewpoints. "Best Party" and "Loudest Stadium" are by no means irrelevant to me, but they aren't my top priorities either. FWIW.
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
I've lived all over the country and been to all kinds of sporting events, and I've never seen anyone who rivals the true "fanatics" of SEC football.
This point was ingrained on me in 1988, when I was a high school junior in East Tennessee. UT started off that season 0-6, and their 7th game of the season was against 3-3 Memphis. Very nearly 90,000 people showed up in the freezing, pouring rain to cheer on their 0-6 team in a non-conference game against an irrelevant opponent.
I've lived all over the country and been to all kinds of sporting events, and I've never seen anyone who rivals the true "fanatics" of SEC football.
RaceBoarder
Waiting for the Snow to fly...
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
Agreed... Being in Knoxville for the start of the 2009 season was a whole new experience compared to what I was used to up here....
Agreed... Being in Knoxville for the start of the 2009 season was a whole new experience compared to what I was used to up here....
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
sorry for losing link but read article today that 2 different statisticians estimate odds of Ala, KSU, Ore and ND all remaining undefeated at less than 5%.
Didn't get into methodology, no idea if that is just straight odds of 4 teams winning all of their remaining games or if it considered they are all 8-0 so far...which would tend to indicate they have a greater chance of winning 16-18 more games this year than a random 4 teams.
Including conference championships, they collectively have to play something like 8 or 10 ranked opponents, odds that somebody(s) gets tripped up in there someplace may not be as low as 5% but they probably are lower than we'd think.
Certainly each fanbase figures their chances of remaining undefeated are 100%, so the Alabama fans would say there is a 400% chance they all stay undefeated.
sorry for losing link but read article today that 2 different statisticians estimate odds of Ala, KSU, Ore and ND all remaining undefeated at less than 5%.
Didn't get into methodology, no idea if that is just straight odds of 4 teams winning all of their remaining games or if it considered they are all 8-0 so far...which would tend to indicate they have a greater chance of winning 16-18 more games this year than a random 4 teams.
Including conference championships, they collectively have to play something like 8 or 10 ranked opponents, odds that somebody(s) gets tripped up in there someplace may not be as low as 5% but they probably are lower than we'd think.
Certainly each fanbase figures their chances of remaining undefeated are 100%, so the Alabama fans would say there is a 400% chance they all stay undefeated.
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
They used to. Bucky's band used to have to stay with billets because they were banned from hotels in the Ann Arbor area.
They used to. Bucky's band used to have to stay with billets because they were banned from hotels in the Ann Arbor area.
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
but they did a nice post-game show. Interestingly, Cal also brought a band earlier this year, but IIRC they were a smaller Pep Band. Very understandable given the great distance traveled. Not sure if we're planning to reciprocate at next year's rematch in Berkeley.
Also, for the Ohio State/Michigan game, I think the road team usually has its band along. At least that's what I remember occurring in a normal year.
Some do. Our most recent home game provides an example. Purdue's band was here, World's Largest Drum and all. Wisconsin's Band has been here in the past, though not at last season's game. Not sure if they were billetted or if they stayed in more conventional lodging,
but they did a nice post-game show. Interestingly, Cal also brought a band earlier this year, but IIRC they were a smaller Pep Band. Very understandable given the great distance traveled. Not sure if we're planning to reciprocate at next year's rematch in Berkeley. Also, for the Ohio State/Michigan game, I think the road team usually has its band along. At least that's what I remember occurring in a normal year.
If that's really true -- both bands, every game -- that's impressive. Advantage, SEC.
Agreed that flying an entire Marching Band is expensive, if not cost prohibitive. And State College to Lincoln would almost certainly require a flight. But inside the two divisions, each of the other 5 schools should be doable by bus. I'm not going to mapquest every possible combination, but virtually all of the intra-division trips can be done in 10 hours or less. Madison to State College? No. But that might be the only exception.
state of hockey
He fixes the cable?
Don't forget the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl! Well, when they manage to win six games, that is.
Spartanforlife4
Generic Catchy Message
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
They go for rivalry games. MSU/OSU/UM all travel to the other's stadiums. Honestly with the home bands being piped through the speakers now there's almost no point in the visitor's bands being there except for pregame and halftime. I went to MSU at UM and hardly got to hear MSU's band because UM blasted their's through the speakers. I know we do it at MSU too. I almost don't see the point anymore.
They go for rivalry games. MSU/OSU/UM all travel to the other's stadiums. Honestly with the home bands being piped through the speakers now there's almost no point in the visitor's bands being there except for pregame and halftime. I went to MSU at UM and hardly got to hear MSU's band because UM blasted their's through the speakers. I know we do it at MSU too. I almost don't see the point anymore.
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
It's based on predictions from the various rating systems, I believe, so it is taking into account their performance to date.
It's believable to me. Even if you gave all four teams a 95% chance of winning every remaining game (and I think we can agree that, in aggregate, it's lower than that), they would only have a 40% chance of going undefeated. The 5% chance of winning adds (or in this case, multiplies) up.
sorry for losing link but read article today that 2 different statisticians estimate odds of Ala, KSU, Ore and ND all remaining undefeated at less than 5%.
Didn't get into methodology, no idea if that is just straight odds of 4 teams winning all of their remaining games or if it considered they are all 8-0 so far...which would tend to indicate they have a greater chance of winning 16-18 more games this year than a random 4 teams.
Including conference championships, they collectively have to play something like 8 or 10 ranked opponents, odds that somebody(s) gets tripped up in there someplace may not be as low as 5% but they probably are lower than we'd think.
Certainly each fanbase figures their chances of remaining undefeated are 100%, so the Alabama fans would say there is a 400% chance they all stay undefeated.
It's based on predictions from the various rating systems, I believe, so it is taking into account their performance to date.
It's believable to me. Even if you gave all four teams a 95% chance of winning every remaining game (and I think we can agree that, in aggregate, it's lower than that), they would only have a 40% chance of going undefeated. The 5% chance of winning adds (or in this case, multiplies) up.
Proud2baLaker
Master of Science
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
Bringing up the "which place has the best gameday atmosphere" thing again briefly. When I was first reading through the posts and someone said big crowds are not always better I immediately thought of Autzen Stadium aka The Autzen Zoo. Their largest crowd ever is barely over 60,000. But many say that is is easily the loudest stadium in the country thanks mostly to the way it was built and that the crowds are so close to the field. One writer from Michigan said this after Oregon upset then 3rd ranked Michigan in 2003 at the Zoo:
Just an interesting thought about crowds and what not.
Edit: Just saw Autzen has the record for highest decilbe level recorded at a college football game at 127.2 decilbels. Officals at Oregon say that any future expansions will trap more more noise.
Bringing up the "which place has the best gameday atmosphere" thing again briefly. When I was first reading through the posts and someone said big crowds are not always better I immediately thought of Autzen Stadium aka The Autzen Zoo. Their largest crowd ever is barely over 60,000. But many say that is is easily the loudest stadium in the country thanks mostly to the way it was built and that the crowds are so close to the field. One writer from Michigan said this after Oregon upset then 3rd ranked Michigan in 2003 at the Zoo:
Just an interesting thought about crowds and what not.
Edit: Just saw Autzen has the record for highest decilbe level recorded at a college football game at 127.2 decilbels. Officals at Oregon say that any future expansions will trap more more noise.
Last edited:
MavHockey14
New member
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
FWIW, games are very loud at Iowa as the white sideline chalk is seven yards from the first row of fans. Crazy.
Pgb, are you a season ticket holder? I may try and make Iowa's game out there next year..
FWIW, games are very loud at Iowa as the white sideline chalk is seven yards from the first row of fans. Crazy.
Pgb, are you a season ticket holder? I may try and make Iowa's game out there next year..
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
This year, yes; I'm a season ticket holder. It's been great.
Regrettably this was a one year opportunity.
Next year things will be back to normal. Translation: Attending about half the games, getting tickets from multiple sources, with much legwork required. In terms of time, energy and $$ spent on Football Saturdays, my normal set-up is a pretty rational compromise. But in my heart of hearts, I'd much rather be at the stadium for the full slate of games.
The normal gig does have one significant plus: Over the years I've sat in a wide variety of locations; I feel like I know Ohio Stadium really well.
This year, yes; I'm a season ticket holder. It's been great.
Regrettably this was a one year opportunity.Next year things will be back to normal. Translation: Attending about half the games, getting tickets from multiple sources, with much legwork required. In terms of time, energy and $$ spent on Football Saturdays, my normal set-up is a pretty rational compromise. But in my heart of hearts, I'd much rather be at the stadium for the full slate of games.
The normal gig does have one significant plus: Over the years I've sat in a wide variety of locations; I feel like I know Ohio Stadium really well.
MavHockey14
New member
This year, yes; I'm a season ticket holder. It's been great.
Next year things will be back to normal. Translation: Attending about half the games, getting tickets from multiple sources, with much legwork required. In terms of time, energy and $$ spent on Football Saturdays, my normal set-up is a pretty rational compromise. But in my heart of hearts, I'd much rather be at the stadium for the full slate of games.
The normal gig does have one significant plus: Over the years I've sat in a wide variety of locations; I feel like I know Ohio Stadium really well.
Well, ill possibly be in contact with you for rip with tailgating questions, tickets if I dont receive them from U of I, etc!
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
Be glad to hear from you. I assume that you'll have trip questions, not "rip questions." While we plan on winning every game at Ohio Stadium, we certainly hope that none of our visitors actually have to "r.i.p."
Getting tickets at Ohio Stadium can be quite an adventure. As I'm sure you recall from other threads, I have an ongoing interest in how tickets are sold/seats are assigned at major sports events. Now you know how at least some portion of that interest got started.
Be glad to hear from you. I assume that you'll have trip questions, not "rip questions." While we plan on winning every game at Ohio Stadium, we certainly hope that none of our visitors actually have to "r.i.p."
Getting tickets at Ohio Stadium can be quite an adventure. As I'm sure you recall from other threads, I have an ongoing interest in how tickets are sold/seats are assigned at major sports events. Now you know how at least some portion of that interest got started.
bronconick
Yep, still here
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
Denard out. Can't throw.
Well, worse than usual.
Denard out. Can't throw.
Well, worse than usual.
Re: 2012 D1 BCS thread
I was a little concerned- but it seems as if the team practiced a lot with a different quarterback this week. Nice to see more of the offense actually be forced to play, and doing reasonably well.
Denard is a great guy- but Gardner sure throws the ball better.
I was a little concerned- but it seems as if the team practiced a lot with a different quarterback this week. Nice to see more of the offense actually be forced to play, and doing reasonably well.
Denard is a great guy- but Gardner sure throws the ball better.
- Status