(06-15-2016 11:41 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(06-14-2016 01:58 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  That sounds like a really high number, but who knows? I'd expect something closer to 38k. I hope it's a big crowd.

That would still be +/- a sell-out with the east upper deck tarped.

The stadium is 70k with all seats... now more like perhaps 57 losing the north ez permanently... and about 45 with both upper decks but neither end-zone. I'm guessing that each upper deck is 12,000 or so (I think it actually seats slightly more than the lowers)?

I find it hard to believe that we'd block off 50 yard line 'premium' seats (given that we've had the opportunity to do so for years now) but it wouldn't surprise me if we tarped outside the 20's... both upper AND lower. The corners at Rice are better than the 30's at some larger stadiums, but they aren't better than inside the 30's at Rice

Condense the crowd and improve the atmosphere.

More than anything, those ugly, empty seats in the upper east deck drain a lot of energy from the stadium. I had a brief e-mail conversation with Tanner and JK about it last season and they agreed. A nice tarp would at least appear more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The "fan tarps" I'm referring to are actual photos of the home team's fans taken on game day. They're virtual fans. It makes the place look like it's sold out. Sure, there should be a small section on the 50 for Baylor people, but it wouldn't have to big at all. For UH, just remove the entire tarp. I can't think of any other games where they would have to be removed, and I don't think we'll average over 30k actual butts in the seats anytime soon. The tarps would provide some "theater." It would make the stadium feel a little more full and lend itself to a better atmosphere.