LSUtah
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Best MAC Gameday Experience
Hey everyone - I've been on the realignment board for awhile but first time here. I just recent relocated to the Cleveland area from SLC, and wanted opinions on a good MAC team and/or rivalry to go see. I went to college at LSU and went to a lot of Utah Utes games in SLC, but excited to see new venues. Obviously there are a few programs within driving distance, so looking for suggestions...
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07-24-2015 11:22 AM |
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Dawgxas
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-24-2015 11:22 AM)LSUtah Wrote: Hey everyone - I've been on the realignment board for awhile but first time here. I just recent relocated to the Cleveland area from SLC, and wanted opinions on a good MAC team and/or rivalry to go see. I went to college at LSU and went to a lot of Utah Utes games in SLC, but excited to see new venues. Obviously there are a few programs within driving distance, so looking for suggestions...
I'm sorry, probably still better than Baton Rouge. I know you went to LSU, but here's a suggestion TRY THE MAC BOARD
(This post was last modified: 07-24-2015 11:36 AM by Dawgxas.)
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07-24-2015 11:35 AM |
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NIU007
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
I would say NIU of course but DeKalb is a pretty good hike from Cleveland so I'll let the Ohio school fans respond. There are quite a few.
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07-24-2015 01:18 PM |
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ilovegymnast
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
I would check out both the Kent-Akron and Toledo-Bowling Green games. If you don't care about division then I would suggest a Mount Union game. They are usually lopsided in MUs favor. Also Youngstown State should be interesting to watch with the hire of Bo Pelini.
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07-24-2015 01:24 PM |
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HuskieJohn
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
Here are my picks for you with considering driving distance.
As far as game day experience goes I can only say I hope you have nice weather (no rain/sleet and its above freezing) on game day because its a big determination if people show up to tailgating or at all, especially with the weeknight games and we get that weather a lot in the late Fall.
9/12
Marshall at Ohio
9/19
Cincinnati at Miami
10/10
Miami at Ohio
11/3 (Tuesday)
NIU at Toledo
11/17 (Tuesday)
BGSU at Toledo
11/27 (Friday)
Kent St at Akron
(This post was last modified: 07-24-2015 01:48 PM by HuskieJohn.)
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07-24-2015 01:47 PM |
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Boca Rocket
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-24-2015 01:47 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote: Here are my picks for you with considering driving distance.
As far as game day experience goes I can only say I hope you have nice weather (no rain/sleet and its above freezing) on game day because its a big determination if people show up to tailgating or at all, especially with the weeknight games and we get that weather a lot in the late Fall.
9/12
Marshall at Ohio
9/19
Cincinnati at Miami
10/10
Miami at Ohio
11/3 (Tuesday)
NIU at Toledo
11/17 (Tuesday)
BGSU at Toledo
11/27 (Friday)
Kent St at Akron
11/27(Friday)
WMU@Toledo will be a better game/gameday experience than Kent State@Akron.
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07-24-2015 02:17 PM |
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HuskieJohn
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-24-2015 02:17 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote: (07-24-2015 01:47 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote: Here are my picks for you with considering driving distance.
As far as game day experience goes I can only say I hope you have nice weather (no rain/sleet and its above freezing) on game day because its a big determination if people show up to tailgating or at all, especially with the weeknight games and we get that weather a lot in the late Fall.
9/12
Marshall at Ohio
9/19
Cincinnati at Miami
10/10
Miami at Ohio
11/3 (Tuesday)
NIU at Toledo
11/17 (Tuesday)
BGSU at Toledo
11/27 (Friday)
Kent St at Akron
11/27(Friday)
WMU@Toledo will be a better game/gameday experience than Kent State@Akron.
Eh...black Friday games have so much taken out of them because most of the students are at home. Yes it should be a more hyped game but I think being in Cleveland going to an actual rivalry game within 1hr drive would be of more interest...plus I already recommended 2 games at Toledo.
Man nice to have 3 good conference games but sucks to have them all in Nov and on a weekday/night.
(This post was last modified: 07-24-2015 02:55 PM by HuskieJohn.)
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07-24-2015 02:54 PM |
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huskiebob
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-24-2015 02:54 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote: (07-24-2015 02:17 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote: (07-24-2015 01:47 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote: Here are my picks for you with considering driving distance.
As far as game day experience goes I can only say I hope you have nice weather (no rain/sleet and its above freezing) on game day because its a big determination if people show up to tailgating or at all, especially with the weeknight games and we get that weather a lot in the late Fall.
9/12
Marshall at Ohio
9/19
Cincinnati at Miami
10/10
Miami at Ohio
11/3 (Tuesday)
NIU at Toledo
11/17 (Tuesday)
BGSU at Toledo
11/27 (Friday)
Kent St at Akron
11/27(Friday)
WMU@Toledo will be a better game/gameday experience than Kent State@Akron.
Eh...black Friday games have so much taken out of them because most of the students are at home. Yes it should be a more hyped game but I think being in Cleveland going to an actual rivalry game within 1hr drive would be of more interest...plus I already recommended 2 games at Toledo.
First of all, the gameday experience is better at Toledo than it is at Akron. More importantly though, why would you watch two doormats when you can watch two good football teams?
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07-24-2015 07:45 PM |
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MaddDawgz02
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
NIU @ Toledo gameday experience in Toledo is not so electric it seems to me. It has more energy in Dekalb
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07-24-2015 08:09 PM |
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Bull_In_Exile
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-24-2015 11:22 AM)LSUtah Wrote: Hey everyone - I've been on the realignment board for awhile but first time here. I just recent relocated to the Cleveland area from SLC, and wanted opinions on a good MAC team and/or rivalry to go see. I went to college at LSU and went to a lot of Utah Utes games in SLC, but excited to see new venues. Obviously there are a few programs within driving distance, so looking for suggestions...
Well in terms of proximity there is the wagon wheel game. Akron / Kent is an old rivalry and they are a hop skip and a jump away. Same for Bowling Green and Toledo. A few hours from you and the Glass Bowl is a nice venue.
I'm rather happy to see what Danny White is doing with Buffalo Game Days.
The first thing he noticed when he got to Buffalo was a bland game day experience and has spent the past couple of years adding some flash. He came from the SEC so he know what he wants.
http://www.ubbulls.com/sports/fball/2015...03244hm8zp
Quote:Back for its third year, the popular Tailgate Concert Series begins two hours prior to kick-off as fans will be entertained by award-winning national acts of all genres this season.
Prior to the Bulls' September 5 matchup with Albany, the husband and wife duo of Thompson Square will kick off the festivities at Stampede Square. Thompson Square has produced numerous hits including, "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" and "If I Didn't Have You", which have reached number one on the Country charts.
On September 26, singer/song writer Eric Paslay will take to the stage before UB football's matchup with Nevada. Paslay's hit "Friday Night" reached number two on the Country charts and he has written numerous number one hits including "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" by Jake Owen, "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" by the Eli Young Band and "Angel Eyes" by Love and Theft.
KC and the Sunshine Band will rock the stage with memorable timeless classics such as, "That's The Way (I Like It)", "Shake Your Booty" and "Get Down Tonight" for Homecoming Weekend on October 3. By the end of their run in the 1970s, the band had collected an impressive three Grammy Awards and nine Grammy nominations, and had sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Next up on October 24, the up-and-coming country stars Old Dominion will perform in front of the home fans. The band has opened for numerous national country stars including Kenny Chesney. Members of the band have helped write multiple top-10 hits including "Chainsaw" by The Band Perry, "Wake Up Lovin' You" by Craig Morgan and "Say You Do" by Dierks Bentley.
Rumourz, tribute to Fleetwood Mac, will perform on November 11 before the Bulls take on Northern Illinois. The concert series will conclude on November 27, as local favorites Strictly Hip will return to the concert stage once again before the Bulls' season finale against UMass.
A special VIP ticket has been created for the Tailgate Concert Series. The VIP, front of stage tickets for the concerts start at just $32 per game. Not only will fans get a VIP credential for a front row seat to the concert access, but they will also get a ticket to the game. A limited number of tickets will be available starting on Wednesday, March 25 at the Alumni Arena Ticket Office.
All concerts begin two hours prior to kickoff at Stampede Square adjacent to UB Stadium. For ticket information contact the Alumni Arena Ticket Office at 1-877-UB-THERE or go online to http://www.ticketmaster.com.
Among the other additions to the home-game experience were an enhanced “Walk to Victory” by the football team, interactive fan activities, giveaways and the broadcast of a live radio pregame show courtesy of CBS Sports Radio THE FAN 1270 AM in Stampede Square. - See more at:
http://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/campus...WnuwV.dpuf
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07-24-2015 08:23 PM |
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perimeterpost
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
I'll second the recommendation for the Marshall @ Ohio game, it's one of the better G5 rivalries. The two schools are only about 90 miles apart and share a lot of history given the proximity and Marshall's two stints in the MAC. The two teams first met in 1905 and play for a trophy (the Battle of the Bell), Ohio leads the series 32-20-6 but Marshall has won 10 of 14 since 1997.
The latest 7 game series started in 2009 and is currently tied 3-3, this year's game will be the tie breaker before the series takes another break until 2019. Ohio has a small stadium and tends to sell out in the warm months, with it being the season opener and against a popular opponent that will bring a lot of fans it will be sure to sell out, so if you're considering going you'll want to reserve your tickets soon.
Athens, OH is a picturesque college town and Ohio's campus is one of the best in the country, in my very biased opinion. Well worth the drive.
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07-24-2015 10:34 PM |
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Sultan of Euphonistan
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
Akron/Kent State is an intense game but this year I would skip it.
It has nothing to do with the quality of play either because it will still probably be intense for the wagon wheel.
The problem is the date of the game. It is on Black Friday which is death even to power conference teams in terms of support. That late in the year, in the cold, and it is black Friday will make that a very hard sell for people to go even for that game.
I will say though if you want a good basketball game go see Kent State/Akron. There is a reason that ESPN2 always shows that game at the end of the year.
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07-24-2015 11:00 PM |
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Boca Rocket
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-24-2015 08:09 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: NIU @ Toledo gameday experience in Toledo is not so electric it seems to me. It has more energy in Dekalb
@NIU Tues 11/11/14 Attendance 8,462
@Toledo Weds 11/20/13 Attendance 21,974
@NIU Weds 11/11/12 Attendance 17.813
@Toledo Tues 11/01/11 Attendance 19,004
@NIU Tues 11/09/10 Attendance 18,470
@Toledo Sat 10/17/09 Attendance 17,012
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07-25-2015 09:05 AM |
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RedandBlackAttack
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Re: RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-25-2015 09:05 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote: (07-24-2015 08:09 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: NIU @ Toledo gameday experience in Toledo is not so electric it seems to me. It has more energy in Dekalb
@NIU Tues 11/11/14 Attendance 8,462
@Toledo Weds 11/20/13 Attendance 21,974
@NIU Weds 11/11/12 Attendance 17.813
@Toledo Tues 11/01/11 Attendance 19,004
@NIU Tues 11/09/10 Attendance 18,470
@Toledo Sat 10/17/09 Attendance 17,012
2013 at Toledo was probably that packed because NIU was undefeated and had Jordan Lynch with a hope of another BCS bowl. Every NIU game in 2013, whether it was home or away, was pretty electric.
For 2014, did you see the weather for that game in DeKalb, or no?
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07-25-2015 12:43 PM |
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Bull_In_Exile
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-25-2015 12:43 PM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote: (07-25-2015 09:05 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote: (07-24-2015 08:09 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: NIU @ Toledo gameday experience in Toledo is not so electric it seems to me. It has more energy in Dekalb
@NIU Tues 11/11/14 Attendance 8,462
@Toledo Weds 11/20/13 Attendance 21,974
@NIU Weds 11/11/12 Attendance 17.813
@Toledo Tues 11/01/11 Attendance 19,004
@NIU Tues 11/09/10 Attendance 18,470
@Toledo Sat 10/17/09 Attendance 17,012
2013 at Toledo was probably that packed because NIU was undefeated and had Jordan Lynch with a hope of another BCS bowl. Every NIU game in 2013, whether it was home or away, was pretty electric.
For 2014, did you see the weather for that game in DeKalb, or no?
At NIU Electric during a lynch led BCS run brings in 17,679 fans for the home game against WMU which was the week following Toledo.
The week before the Toledo game that electric atmosphere brought in 18,290 for the game against Ball State.
NIU plays great football but fans in Dekalb don't come out in any special way for the team.
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07-25-2015 01:58 PM |
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Boca Rocket
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-25-2015 12:43 PM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote: (07-25-2015 09:05 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote: (07-24-2015 08:09 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: NIU @ Toledo gameday experience in Toledo is not so electric it seems to me. It has more energy in Dekalb
@NIU Tues 11/11/14 Attendance 8,462
@Toledo Weds 11/20/13 Attendance 21,974
@NIU Weds 11/11/12 Attendance 17.813
@Toledo Tues 11/01/11 Attendance 19,004
@NIU Tues 11/09/10 Attendance 18,470
@Toledo Sat 10/17/09 Attendance 17,012
2013 at Toledo was probably that packed because NIU was undefeated and had Jordan Lynch with a hope of another BCS bowl. Every NIU game in 2013, whether it was home or away, was pretty electric.
For 2014, did you see the weather for that game in DeKalb, or no?
I defended your attendance on the CUSA Board and explained it was the longest subzero cold snap in November since 1903. I would have gone to the game but kept my family home.
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07-25-2015 05:56 PM |
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inductchuck16
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-25-2015 12:43 PM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote: (07-25-2015 09:05 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote: (07-24-2015 08:09 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: NIU @ Toledo gameday experience in Toledo is not so electric it seems to me. It has more energy in Dekalb
@NIU Tues 11/11/14 Attendance 8,462
@Toledo Weds 11/20/13 Attendance 21,974
@NIU Weds 11/11/12 Attendance 17.813
@Toledo Tues 11/01/11 Attendance 19,004
@NIU Tues 11/09/10 Attendance 18,470
@Toledo Sat 10/17/09 Attendance 17,012
2013 at Toledo was probably that packed because NIU was undefeated and had Jordan Lynch with a hope of another BCS bowl. Every NIU game in 2013, whether it was home or away, was pretty electric.
For 2014, did you see the weather for that game in DeKalb, or no?
I drove 4+ hours to Dekalb with my girlfriend and watched that entire game in your cold, dreary stands. Next excuse, please.
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07-26-2015 03:02 PM |
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Rocket A
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-24-2015 11:22 AM)LSUtah Wrote: Hey everyone - I've been on the realignment board for awhile but first time here. I just recent relocated to the Cleveland area from SLC, and wanted opinions on a good MAC team and/or rivalry to go see. I went to college at LSU and went to a lot of Utah Utes games in SLC, but excited to see new venues. Obviously there are a few programs within driving distance, so looking for suggestions...
I would recommend one of the Toledo non-conference home games.
Toledo draws well, especially early in the year, Iowa St on Sept 19th or Arkansas St on Sept 26th, should provide good crowds and decent atmosphere.
The problem with Toledo's best conference games vs NIU, WMU, & BGSUcks, is that they are all in November. NIU & BGSUcks on weeknights, & WMU on Black Friday.
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07-26-2015 06:44 PM |
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Rocket A
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-26-2015 03:02 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote: (07-25-2015 12:43 PM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote: (07-25-2015 09:05 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote: (07-24-2015 08:09 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: NIU @ Toledo gameday experience in Toledo is not so electric it seems to me. It has more energy in Dekalb
@NIU Tues 11/11/14 Attendance 8,462
@Toledo Weds 11/20/13 Attendance 21,974
@NIU Weds 11/11/12 Attendance 17.813
@Toledo Tues 11/01/11 Attendance 19,004
@NIU Tues 11/09/10 Attendance 18,470
@Toledo Sat 10/17/09 Attendance 17,012
2013 at Toledo was probably that packed because NIU was undefeated and had Jordan Lynch with a hope of another BCS bowl. Every NIU game in 2013, whether it was home or away, was pretty electric.
For 2014, did you see the weather for that game in DeKalb, or no?
I drove 4+ hours to Dekalb with my girlfriend and watched that entire game in your cold, dreary stands. Next excuse, please.
We were there too, plus we tailgated before the game!!!
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07-26-2015 06:45 PM |
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Boca Rocket
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RE: Best MAC Gameday Experience
(07-26-2015 06:44 PM)Rocket A Wrote: (07-24-2015 11:22 AM)LSUtah Wrote: Hey everyone - I've been on the realignment board for awhile but first time here. I just recent relocated to the Cleveland area from SLC, and wanted opinions on a good MAC team and/or rivalry to go see. I went to college at LSU and went to a lot of Utah Utes games in SLC, but excited to see new venues. Obviously there are a few programs within driving distance, so looking for suggestions...
I would recommend one of the Toledo non-conference home games.
Toledo draws well, especially early in the year, Iowa St on Sept 19th or Arkansas St on Sept 26th, should provide good crowds and decent atmosphere.
The problem with Toledo's best conference games vs NIU, WMU, & BGSUcks, is that they are all in November. NIU & BGSUcks on weeknights, & WMU on Black Friday.
To drive a couple hours from Cleveland, early on the morning of Black Friday for a couple hours of tailgating, the game, some postgame festivities, check into a hotel, go watch some FB in a Sports bar sounds like a good way to spend part of the holiday weekend. No way would you catch me shopping- especially when you do alot of it anytime online.
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07-26-2015 07:19 PM |
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