My guess is that WVU @ UCF and maybe CMU @ EMU (at Ford Field) both might draw crowds larger than capacity crowds at other MAC stadiums.

If CMU @ EMU draws 32K, that is more than the capacity of all but a couple MAC stadiums.

I'd guess that say 40K+ for WVU @ UCF is a reasonable prediction.

Miami @ Marshall could be a very large crowd but as a mid-week game it might not sellout.

I'd guess that in '06 Wisconsin vs. BG at Cleveland Stadium will set the all-time MAC home game record.

The clinker on CMU/EMU is both teams have new coaches, etc. and excitement is high.

The excitement in Ypsi has never been higher.

IF EMU has a turnaround season, then they could draw a surprisingly large crowd to F.F.

emu steve Wrote:I'd guess that in '06 Wisconsin vs. BG at Cleveland Stadium will set the all-time MAC home game record.

Maybe.

I'll bet Central Florida-West Virginia is the record holder heading into that game.

It will not be the largest crowd in the MAC, but I'll venture the Akron-Kent game draws close to 30K. It drew 29K last year at Akron.
The game is on a Thursday night, both teams have new coaches, the Zips will be back for revenge, and it's the last year for the Cribbs/Frye air show.

Should Kent win the Akron game and greet Marshall the next week with a winning record, I predict Homecoming at Kent ( which is the Marshall game) draws 20K or better.

Both turnouts would be big improvements for the Flashes.

For all the yak coming out of Huntington, the MAC home game record will be held by UCF, not the Herd, as both leave for C-USA.

Some irony here.

I'll guarantee, no money guarantee, but guarantee that the BG/WI game will out draw the Marshall home game record.

FlashFan Wrote:It will not be the largest crowd in the MAC, but I'll venture the Akron-Kent game draws close to 30K. It drew 29K last year at Akron.
The game is on a Thursday night, both teams have new coaches, the Zips will be back for revenge, and it's the last year for the Cribbs/Frye air show.

Should Kent win the Akron game and greet Marshall the next week with a winning record, I predict Homecoming at Kent ( which is the Marshall game) draws 20K or better.

Both turnouts would be big improvements for the Flashes.

I could be wrong, but I thought the game drew closer to 20k in Dix Stadium.

Kit-Cat Wrote:I could be wrong, but I thought the game drew closer to 20k in Dix Stadium.

You're wrong. 28,000 in the Rubber Bowl. I was there.

bobcatbythelake Wrote:

Kit-Cat Wrote:I could be wrong, but I thought the game drew closer to 20k in Dix Stadium.

You're wrong. 28,000 in the Rubber Bowl. I was there.

Did I say Rubber Bowl or Dix Stadium?

Yes I knew it drew 28,000 and change in the Rubber Bowl.

What is the single game attendance mark...38,000??

Mike the Knight Wrote:What is the single game attendance mark...38,000??

36,852 - Navy @ Toledo (2001)

I would think UCF has a pretty good chance of eclipsing that mark. An upset win over Wisconsin to open the season, coupled with the first chance to see O'Leary and West Virginia coming in ranked pretty high should give us a shot of surpassing 40,000. I just hope we can consistently draw big crowds this year.

Mike the Knight Wrote:I would think UCF has a pretty good chance of eclipsing that mark. An upset win over Wisconsin to open the season, coupled with the first chance to see O'Leary and West Virginia coming in ranked pretty high should give us a shot of surpassing 40,000. I just hope we can consistently draw big crowds this year.

Wow! That's pretty optimistic!

Why, what do you think is realistic Essency?

Mike the Knight Wrote:Why, what do you think is realistic Essency?

I don't think we have a "good" chance at beating UW. That's pretty much what I disagreed with. Our second game still would have a lot going for it though. Ya never know, we MAY beat that record, but I've anticipated that record going down a couple times already so I'm a little gun shy. Given our new attendance counting practices, I'll predict a draw in the mid-30k range.

Got ya...actually, I wasn't implying we would beat UW either...that would be great, but probably a big stretch at this point. Regardless, can't wait for September!!

Top MAC Home Crowds for 2004:

1) WVU/UCF (37K)
2) Miami/Marshall (35K)
3) CMU/EMU in Detroit (34K)
4) Temple/Toledo (33K)
5) Syracuse/Buffalo (31K)
6) BG/Toledo (29K)
7) Toledo/NIU (28K)
8) BG/NIU (27K)
9) Troy St/Marshall (26K)
10) Toledo/Miami (25K)
10A) Boston College/BSU (24K)

Vandelay Wrote:Top MAC Home Crowds for 2004:

1) WVU/UCF (37K)
2) Miami/Marshall (35K)
3) CMU/EMU in Detroit (34K)
4) Temple/Toledo (33K)
5) Syracuse/Buffalo (31K)
6) BG/Toledo (29K)
7) Toledo/NIU (28K)
8) BG/NIU (27K)
9) Troy St/Marshall (26K)
10) Toledo/Miami (25K)
10A) Boston College/BSU (24K)

I'll just predict the Herd crowds.

Stick's predictions of sure to go wrong on...

1. Troy State 35K (Herd record)
2. Buffalo 33K
3. UCF 31K
4. Miami 28K
5. Western Michigan 24K

Average 30K (Herd record)

Here's my disclaimer...

Based on none of the games having TERRIBLE weather and Marshall remaining a factor in the MAC East race until the season's end.

OK...I'll take the bait...here's my lame attempt at guessing UCF attendance for 2004...

West Va. 38,000
NIU 30,000
Akron 28,000
Ohio 32,000
Kent St. 22,000 (Tues. Night)

5 game avg. of 30,000

If we win 2 of our first 3 (Wisconsin, West Va., Penn St.,)...I could see NIU being even higher...on the other hand, if we go 0-3, we'll probably draw 20,000 for NIU. If we stay in the race (doubtful IMO) we could draw more for Homecoming (Ohio) and the Tues. night tilt with Kent.

I'll admit, a lot of my optimism is based on pure hope that the community is ready to embrace UCF/O'Leary this year...we shall see!

I'll play:

Southeast Missouri: 22,000
Ball State (homecoming): 23,000
Eastern Michigan: 16,000
Western Michigan: 22,000
Marshall: 28,000

Season average: 22,200

I'm assuming we are in contention right up until the Marshall game and weather is reasonable.

Vandelay Wrote:Top MAC Home Crowds for 2004:

1) WVU/UCF  (37K)
2) Miami/Marshall  (35K)
3) CMU/EMU in Detroit  (34K)
4) Temple/Toledo  (33K)
5) Syracuse/Buffalo  (31K)
6) BG/Toledo  (29K)
7) Toledo/NIU  (28K)
8) BG/NIU  (27K)
9) Troy St/Marshall  (26K)
10) Toledo/Miami  (25K)
10A) Boston College/BSU  (24K)

I don't know why, but I always seems to agree with Vandelay...

I don't think I disagree with any number you put up.