College Football Preview Road Trip Preview 2.0

By Andrew Musur on August 13, 2015

If you missed my first article describing my plans to take a road trip across the country during this upcoming college football season, you should read it now! My goal going into next season is to visit as many schools as I can.

I want to experience the different atmospheres surrounding some of the best college football programs in the country. In my first article I focused on Big Ten schools, but this article will take a look at some other potential destinations for my road trip.

University of Mississippi

Stadium Name: Vaught–Hemingway Stadium

Capacity: 60,580

I have had friends tell me that Oxford, Mississippi is home to the largest tailgate in the nation. Thousands of Ole Miss fans gather every Saturday in “The Grove” to back up their beloved Rebels. Ole Miss has one of the most devoted fan bases in the entire country. I have heard countless stories of how much fun tailgating at Mississippi is and how electric the stadium gets on game day.

I actually had a trip set up to head down to Oxford last season when the Rebels took on their rival, Mississippi State, for the Egg Bowl. Unfortunately, my plans did not pan out as the game was a couple of days after Thanksgiving. Although the trip never came to be, I have always held onto the dream of visiting Oxford one day.

Ole Miss was one of the most talked about teams in the country last season, and they open this year ranked as the 15th best team in the country. The Rebels will have a lot to prove as they take on the Crimson Tide of Alabama during the third week of the season. It would be a long trip down to Mississippi, but it would be well worth it.

Southern Methodist University

Stadium Name: Gerald J. Ford Stadium

Capacity: 32,000

Putting SMU on my road trip list might surprise quite a few people, as the Mustangs have been anything but a good team as of late. SMU last made a trip to a bowl game in 2012 when they finished 7-6, winning the Hawaii Bowl. Although the Mustangs have had some miserable years recently, that doesn’t mean the atmosphere surrounding their football team is a joke, too.

I have a few buddies that currently attend SMU, and from what they have told me about “The Boulevard” makes me want to make the trip down to Texas.

It is unfortunate that SMU doesn’t have a quality football team, but the fan support surrounding their team has not faded. The SMU students love their cruddy football team, and a visit on a fall Saturday in Dallas, Texas can prove that to me. Pony Up!

Texas A&M University

Stadium Name: Kyle Field

Capacity: 102,500

Don’t get me wrong — I would love to make the trip down to Texas twice this fall, but unfortunately, I know I will only have one opportunity to get down there. If I am not attending a SMU football game, you can catch me at the fourth biggest stadium in the country: Kyle Field.

Texas A&M is known for their large crowds and even louder fans. Many think the Aggie fans were nicknamed the “12th Man” because of their enthusiasm and loudness. But actually the “12th Man” nickname traces its legend to a game in 1922 against Centre College, with the Aggies running out of reserves. Spectator E. King Gill, a former football player, was asked to suit up and stand at the ready if the team needed him in addition to the 11 players on the field, according to dallasnews.com.

The number 12 is iconic for Aggie fans, so sorry Seattle, but Texas A&M is the true home to the 12th Man. A trip down to College Station for a SEC game would be almost impossible to pass up. Gig ‘Em!

Notre Dame University

Stadium Name: Notre Dame Stadium

Capacity: 80,795

I will point out that I am not close to being a Notre Dame supporter, but I have had the privilege to travel up to South Bend for a game. Although I may not be a fan of the Irish, there is no denying that they know how to back their team up.

I visited Notre Dame my senior year of high school as they took on Wake Forest on senior day. The game was a blowout, but the tailgates and atmosphere surrounding Notre Dame football is something I will never forget. Irish fans love their team. I even had the opportunity to participate in the iconic fan pushups after the Irish scored their first touchdown.

Notre Dame Stadium was rocking when I was there for a game against a below-average Wake Forest team, so I can’t even imagine what it would be like if I visited this season when they take on their rival, USC. USC is currently ranked at number 10 in the 2015 preseason poll and the Irish are slated one spot behind them.

The two play in the middle of the season on October 17th when a meeting of two undefeated teams could play a pivotal role in deciding who will be in the College Football playoff. The only problem I have with visiting Notre Dame again is that I would rather visit a different school for the first time instead of going to South Bend for a second time.

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I am extremely excited for the college football season to get underway, and I know this will be a one-of-a-kind experience regardless of where I end up going. This will be a great opportunity to go outside of my comfort zone as a journalist and report from places all across the country.

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