I went to the UAB game this year, haven't been to any others so far. It seems like the crowds have been calm, almost uninterested. What's worse is that the games have been closer than expected (excluding Miami), and you would think that would increase crowd noise/participation. I would have guessed the non-conference games to have an improved atmosphere (compared to previous years) due to Urbans arrival and the students being around for the entire season. Similar topics have been discussed, but I have a couple of questions:
1. Did the students showing up prior to the season minimize their excitement?
2. Is the post season ban causing fans to be less interested?
Just curious to see if people agree about the crowd and their thoughts on the two questions
Typical noon game atmosphere... Just wait until this weekend.
We discussed this ad-infinitum prior to the UCF game, and it's largely the result of boring opponents at noon games--fans just don't get that worked up for C-USA foes (I mean, at least most MAC schools are from the same state), even when they play close--because we're generally more disgusted with our own team's performance and partly because we've been conditioned to always know the outcome of such games: the better team (read: OSU) will evenutally pull away and win (ask any Michigan fan if they were ever expecting to lose against Appy State, right up until the game-winning kick was blocked).
For what it's worth, a writer from the SF Chronicle mentioned that the press box was shaking on every Cal third down, and a Cal fan mentioned that "We'd have to win 5 titles, in a row" to enjoy the kind of atmosphere that OSU does at home. I can personally attest that the Cal game's crowd had sufficient enthusiasm/volume; while it wasn't a night game, it was damn fine.
This opinion will change after this Saturday...nothing beats the shoe at night
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
Hodge - You hit the nail on the head.
I took a non-OSU friend to Purdue 2 years ago (49-0 I think) at noon. I was really excited to show him a good time and it was a little bit of a dud. Somehow I got him to come back to the Wisconsin game (we live in NJ/DE so it's a big trip) and now he gets it. Our seats are right behind where Devin Smith caught the ball.
That said, best atmosphere game I have ever been to was USC, unfortunately our seats are right behind where Joe McNight scored the winning touchdown. The place went silent on the walk out.
Going this weekend, very excited to see OSU take out the nightmare team of the 90's.
Look at who we were playing. Throw out those first four games. This weekend is going to nasty. Campus is already pumped for Saturday night! The tailgating has already started.
It's hard to get people excited about noon, unranked, out of conference games.
The 'Shoe will be insane this weekend. Top 25 matchup with Nebraska? It's going to be loud, really freaking loud. I've got a buddy coming up from NC, who's only ever been to NC State games. He's about to experience what it's like to watch real football in a real football stadium.
I attended the UCF game and while the crowd wasnt loud all the time, during key moments they were plenty loud. I don't think we'll be reading any articles or comments after this weekend about the shoe not living up to standards.
I know there's a game saturday, and my ass will be there.
The shoe at night and the shoe at noon are completely different things.
I don't doubt the atmosphere will be great this weekend, no question in my mind about that. I just don't understand why the crowd seems to have issues getting up for non-conference games. I understand there isn't a rivalry, but the games still mean a lot. Should/can the OSU athletic department make a decision to play more night games, or is that part of the TV deal with ABC/ESPN/BTN?
Glad to hear the comments about the Cal game. Also glad to hear the crowd got loud at times for the UCF game.
"Michigan and "huge mistake" are synonymous"
-Mark Titus
Its a shame we don't have more night games. The stadium atmosphere is unbelievable
Donky -
10 hours of tailgating helps. For noon games I have to set an alarm clock.
Need I say more?
Don't we have like 2-3 night games this season?
Because I couldn't go for three. -Woody-
I agree with BTWRESTLE, the noon start time has to be the biggest factor here... seems that whenever we get into a close game with a noon start time everyone just gets pissed that we are struggling instead of getting loud (at least I do)...
Im not sure who to petition about this, but we need to stop with these noon kickoffs... against UAB and Miami I understand, but UCF and Cal should be 3:30 starts...
We have 3 night games, but only one is at home.
Also, with the drop of MAC schools and increase of better non conference opponents, I think we can expect some more early season night games (isn't VT coming up in the next few years?). September night games are the best, because it's so much warmer than october (mostly)
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
I remember the first night game I attended at the Shoe was the 1990 game vs USC. I remember sitting in C deck with my dad watching that storm roll in. The great energy in the stadium that night combined with the storm is something I'll never forget! Not the desired outcome, but still very memorable.
"Michigan and "huge mistake" are synonymous"
-Mark Titus
I really hope we have no more noon kickoffs this year (home or away), I just can't ever get into the game that early for some reason
I really don't understand why we don't play the majority of the Big Ten home games at night, or at least 3:30. I don't care about the lights, OSU can afford the freakin' money, especially the football department.
USC, Iowa (3:30 or night, I forget), and Wisconsin each year for the past 3 years I was at and the atmosphere was 100000x better than any of the other games I've been to.
Don't give up... Don't ever give up.
1) Students would have paid a lot extra just to go to that game, so there was a smaller amount of them.
2) Not at all, but you have to remember that less students + less time to get drunk + more older people with families = quieter Shoe.
Just ask Wisky how loud we are when students have time to wake up.
yeah..honestly...everyone have fun at the night game this weekend. Going to be one of those games you remember.
"Winter is coming" - Urban Meyer
Agree with first post...I've been to 12 starts (a lil week at times), 3:30 starts can be a bit more loud and crazy, and after last years trip to Wisky game...WOW is all I can say. It was Loud as loud can be and I couldn't hear my buddy beside me almost through out the entire game. I have a feeling that Neb is in for a loud ass game Saturday night. Wish I had tickets...
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
Here is the remaining schedule and known kick-off times:
10/6 Nebraska - 8pm
10/13 @Indiana - 8pm
10/20 Purdue - Time TBA
10/27 @Penn State - 6pm
11/3 Illinois - Time TBA
11/17 @Wisky - Time TBA
11/24 THE GAME - 12pm
Michigan at noon is the saddest thing attached to THE GAME. An OSU/Michigan night game would be the most ridiculous atmosphere I've ever seen (and I was at OSU/USC 3 years ago). I was bored at the Michigan home game 2 years ago. It felt like we were playing Indiana (probably due to their awful team, but still).
Don't give up... Don't ever give up.
I don't understand why Michigan is at noon either, I remember in 2006 it was a 3:30 kickoff and it's been noon ever since, it sucks
Noon for the THE GAME, is terrible, I understand why they do it...but really, the atmosphere for a night game for THE GAME, would be AMAZING!
It's a tradition, I guess. Has been at noon for a long long time now.
A night The Game would be a spectacle. Who knows, we might get that soon. Meyer loves to make things more exciting.
Well, we're going to have to fight the Big Ten for that one. As far as I know, the Big Ten doesn't permit night games in the month of November...I, for one, would love to see that changed; a Michigan game under the lights would be the epitome of awesome.
I honestly believe that the Big Ten's been pigeonholed into the noon/3:30 timeslot more than any other conference, and that has gone a long way toward the Big Ten's relative irrelevancy over the past few years.
Seriously. Noon kicks for The Game just don't do the job. Noon games should be nerds vs gophers or something like that. Like a warm up game for the fans before the main act takes center stage. The Game is not a warm up act. Nor should it ever be scheduled as such. It deserves the spotlight of an afternoon or primetime time slot. period.
I know there's a game saturday, and my ass will be there.
What is the reasoning behind the B1G not allowing night games in November, anyone know?
I believe the major reason is the threat of inclement weather.
We've debated the talks of moving The Game up to October due to the eventual (likely recurring) meeting in the B1GCG one 1-2 weeks after the regular season meeting. I personally don't think it would change anything, but it would give them an option.
I don't know about Smith, but Dave Brandon refuses to have Sparty or OSU play at the Big House at night for fear of an inability to control the crowd.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
They will never play a night game in November, B1G policy I believe. Now if The Game ever moves to earlier in the season (probably will happen if we see too many back to backs with The Game and Conf Champ) then we will see it as a night game. But I agree is should be 3:30
Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite
Matt Barkley was quoted as saying that the Shoe was the loudest atmosphere he's ever been in. I was there that night and on U$C's final game winning drive that stadium was the absolute loudest thing I have ever experienced, had we intercepted Barkley or something the explosion probably would have been loud enough to crack the concrete supports
"You're pissed because we went after a committed guy? Guess what, we got 9 guys who better go do it again," said Meyer. "Do it a little harder next time."
What's the best game you guys have been to in the Shoe? Atmosphere wise that is
For me It was the 2006 OSU Michigan game hands down. The Shoe was rockin that day.
Greg Jennings "I put my team on my back"
I was at the UAB game and I thought it was a pretty good showing. Everyone in my section was up and cheering most of the game.
2009 USC, 2005 Texas, 2009 Iowa. I missed last years Wisconsin game (I'm an idiot and planned a trip that weekend).
For half of the noon games, because of my part-time job, I've had 5 hours of sleep before the game started. That's not fun. However, I consider myself of the 1% that stands start to finish and is always loud from start to finish. I wish everyone else had the enthusiasm I had-- not to say that no one else does, but sitting and being uninterested describes a high school or NFL observer. You'd think that the best team (as far as performance against competition) in a football-crazy state would have the craziest fans, right?
Also, President Gee told Block O to not yell obscenities during the games because it pisses off the alums in club seating. That's REALLY gonna help the reputation that the 'Shoe is a tough venue, right? RIGHT?
/Duff'd It
Saturday night will be rocking. I haven't been to a night game yet that wasn't. The crowd will be well "juiced", and I hope the team will be as well(although on a different kind of "juice";])
Ohio Stadiums atmosphere isn't even that bad compared to alot of places on noon games. I was at the Mich St game this weekend and our stadium was louder for UCF and Cal IMO. I was in the upper deck and could hear braxton clap all game except for a couple third downs. I really wasn't that impressed. The Shoe is a great venue even for noon games and its one of the best for night games . Saturday will be awesome.
@NOVA BUCKEYE, it that really true about Gee telling Block O to tone it down?
Maybe I would take the people in the club seats more seriously if they actually showed up for games before the second quarter. Saturday will be my first 'big' game, but at every other one that I've attended there's always hoards of empty club seats until well into the game, what the hell is up with that?
I am in club and cannot stand the people I sit around save for one lady who actually knows her shit and gets a little fiesty. They all act like they know everything there is to know about the game and they are obnoxious to listen to. They don't get rowdy at all.
Damn good seats though.
My Experiences in the 'Shoe where the atmosphere was electric
1. Ohio State vs M*ch*g*n, 2006 (3:30pm)
2. Ohio State vs USC, 2009 (8pm)
3. Ohio State vs Texas, 2005 (8pm)
4. Ohio State vs Wisconsin, 2011 (8pm)
5. Ohio State vs Iowa, 2009 (can't remember... Either 8 or 3:30)
Night game atmospheres are amazing. And the 3:30 kickoff in 06 for The Game made a huge difference. It was fun with winning the game when it was dark.
Would love if the MIchigan game was at night.