ACC Gameday

By Southern Pigskin Staff
SouthernPigskin.com

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1. Clemson – There is Orange everywhere. Paw prints dot streets, flag and banners hang from light poles, buildings are dowsed in orange garb, if they aren’t orange already, and fans in orange shirts, shorts, headgear, even overalls, flood the campus. Then there’s the stadium. Memorial Stadium, better known around college football as Death Valley, juts out of the ground like a mountaintop with two towering side structures eying the playing field and stands as a testament to one of the best football programs and most rabid fan bases in the south. The most daunting venue in the ACC, Death Valley is an 80,000-seat paradigm of pandemonium. As if the fans needed any help, the structure of Memorial Stadium only adds to the madness. Noise has nowhere to go, making on-field volume levels beyond ridiculous. It’s like sticking your head in a tin bucket, then beating it with a hammer. To quote former Florida State quarterback Chris Rix, “Florida was loud in the Swamp. But the loudest, not only stadium, but the loudest place I have been around in my life was definitely Death Valley. I was yelling at the top of my lungs in that first series, and I couldn’t even hear what I was saying.” The rubbing of Howard’s Rock and the pre-game run down the hill has been labeled as, “the most exciting 25 seconds in college football,” and is one of the game’s proudest and most recognizable traditions. One aspect of Clemson gameday that separates the Tigers from other schools is the tailgaiting. These fans begin early and do so in mind-boggling numbers on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. On gamedays, Clemson becomes the third largest city in South Carolina. While passionate and at times overbearing, Tiger fans are generally regarded as gracious hosts by league visitors. Recent renovations to the WestZone have added new amenities to the facility.

2. Florida State – Few venues anywhere match Doak Campbell Stadium, one of college football’s most amazing facilities. Located just a few miles from the state capitol building, Doak is not only the largest stadium in the ACC (82,300), but the most unique as well. The steel frame of the stadium has been covered with brick, giving the venue an imposing, but majestic feel. We aren’t talking about just a few bricks, either – Doak Campbell Stadium is the largest continuous brick structure in the continental United States. Upon first glance, the site almost looks more like a massive castle than a football stadium. Inside, the most amazing pre-game tradition in the game today is performed a few minutes before every kickoff. Chief Osceola, the FSU mascot, darts onto the field on his horse Renegade, riding out to midfield where he spikes a flaming spear into the Seminole logo. Then, it’s time for football. Florida State fans show up to Doak Campbell in overwhelming numbers and, with help from the Marching Chiefs, partake in the warchant, or tomahawk chop, all game long. Few teams have had as much success at their home stadium as Florida State; the ‘Noles went almost ten years without losing in Tallahassee, going unscathed at home from mid-November of 1991 to early November of 2001. The brick design of Doak Campbell, combined with the surrounding brick structures on campus, really set this venue apart. On gameday, a mammoth statue of Chief Osceola riding his horse Renegade welcomes you to FSU football. Chief Osceola is holding his flaming spear (literally) high in the air. On the other side of the stadium, there is a larger-than-life statue of legendary coach Bobby Bowden. Right above the statue is a stained glass window of Bowden, a feature that is one of the five largest glass windows in America.

3. Virginia Tech – Though Lane Stadium might not have quite as much long-term tradition as some of the other venues in the conference, it makes up for what it may lack in history in sheer chaos. Regarded as one of the toughest places to play nationally, Lane Stadium is home to some of the more relentless and passionate fans in all of college football. The Hokie faithful travel with the best of them, tailgate with the best of them and get out of control with the best of them. During big games especially, the scene in Lane Stadium can look and feel more like a rock concert than a football game. Pound-for-pound, Virginia Tech fans are the toughest, and the loudest, in the ACC. The venue itself has undergone a massive facelift. Before the start of the 2002 season, the school enclosed the stadium with an 11,120-seat addition – the latest improvements have pushed capacity to 66,223. A 2006 project added a new press box and state-of-the-art suites. One neat thing about a Saturday in Blacksburg is that since school colors virtually coincide with the look of fall, gameday atmospheres have an almost-harmonious feel. Don’t mistake that accord for serenity, however. When the Hokies rush onto the field to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” you’ll know never to make that mistake again. Tech’s entrance sends the stands into a frenzy and creates an intimidating scene for visitors. Though Lane Stadium has evolved and changed over the years, one thing has not; the fervor of those in attendance.

4. Georgia Tech – Looking for an inimitable and distinct college football setting? Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field is dripping with history and tradition. First and foremost, the stadium is the oldest on-campus facility in all of FBS college football. Grant Field was built in 1913 and it’s been catty-cornered amongst Atlanta skyscrapers ever since. Georgia Tech isn’t home to the biggest stadium, though recent expansion has pushed capacity to over 56,000, but you can’t place a limit on much else. From the right seat in Bobby Dodd, you can see most of Atlanta; from any seat, you can see the city skyline. It’s rare scene, one unlike any other in college football. Georgia Tech fans are knowledgeable and refined. Tailgating is more high-class, though a trip to The Varsity is never beneath them, and the whole atmosphere simply has a more polished, professional feel. The pre-game entrance of the Ramblin’ Wreck, a restored 1930 Ford Model A, sends the Georgia Tech band into a rendition of perhaps the most famous fight song in college football and sets the stage for the team’s run onto the field. With so many great teams and legendary names having played at Grant Field, it’s tough not to get caught reminiscing. Better bring your best game, too. The Yellow Jackets once beat an opponent 222-0 at this field. Georgia Tech has won 17 conference championships on the hallowed grounds.

5. NC State – Carter-Finley Stadium has recently emerged as one of the premier football facilities in the south. Upgrades to the Murphy Center, a stunning athletic building located in the south endzone, have been the focal point of facility expansion. In recent years, NC State has constructed facilities that can compare favorably to just about any school around. With the aforementioned Murphy Center earning high praise and recent improvements to the press box and luxury suites being implemented via Vaughn Towers, Carter-Finley now has stately feel to it, much more so than it did in years past. Wolfpack fans don’t fit the typical Carolina mold. They aren’t quiet and tailgate with reckless abandon. Safe to say, Raleigh can be a hostile place to play if the circumstances insist. State fans show up in droves hours before sunrise for big games, flooding the vast area around the stadium with hopes of claiming the prime spots. The scene close to kickoff quickly turns into a sea of red, both outside the stadium and in it. Though the venue itself holds just under 60,000, Carter-Finely routinely outdoes itself, serving as an intimidating atmosphere for opponents and an emotional sparkplug for the home team. Despite its modest capacity, few stadiums in the conference get louder. State fans hold nothing back.

6. North Carolina – Many who travel and know college football have named Kenan Stadium one of the more beautiful places to watch a football game in the country. A sky-blue standout in a sea of tall trees and lush surroundings, few venues in the game can match the Tar Heels’ home in terms of scenery, attraction and overall appeal. The setting is welcoming and warm, a reflection of the stunning campus in Chapel Hill. Labeled in the past as a wine and cheese crowd, Carolina fans can get chaotic when they need to but often chose to relax and enjoy themselves. Who can blame them? Kenan Stadium itself is a striking facility, one that has seen a lot during its 80 years of service to the North Carolina football program. Fans tailgate in style before entering the stadium, with the mass of Carolina-blue garb almost always matching the scene up above. Kenan Stadium is one of the conference’s larger venues with a capacity of 60,000. Before or after the game you can make the short trip down to Franklin Street, arguably the most famous hotspot in the ACC. Those in attendance are treated to afternoon of splendor and beauty – oh, and football, too.

7. Virginia – A turn-of-the-century 86 million dollar renovation project molded Scott Field from a nice place to watch a football game into a true sight to see. Located near Monticello Mountain on one of the most picturesque campuses in the United States, the Carl Smith Center is a first-class facility on many fronts. Capacity has now reached 61,000, construction and stadium style is unique to the school and area history and luxury suits and technology are now state-of-the-art. On the field, the diamond endzones have become a trademark of Cavalier football, as has the midfield “V” fit with dual sabers right below. A Virginia football Saturday is an interesting mesh as nicely-dressed students combined with proud alumni and your typical crop of rowdy fans to create an atmosphere unlike many others. For rivalry games, many fans spill over onto the north endzone hill, increasing capacity and giving the venue the sense of a complete bowl stadium. The University of Virginia’s campus, widely-regarded one of the most beautiful in the nation, serves as a multi-mile tailgating option for fans. Even the most gridiron-oriented football fanatic can get caught up in the historic sights and sounds around the stadium. Bedlam and disorder almost seem out of place at a place of such high esteem, but it always manages to find an outlet on select days in the fall.

8. Maryland – Byrd Stadium has been the home of Maryland football since 1950 and experienced a resurgence under the tenure of former head football coach Ralph Friedgen. The facility is one of unique build, with an imposing triple-deck reaching far into the sky and highlighting the horseshoe on one side and modest stands with a press box on the other. Because of the encompassing rise, sound echoes in from the top of Byrd Stadium, resulting in many headaches for the visiting team. Byrd Stadium, despite its slight capacity, does get remarkably loud. Terrapin students, viewed by other fans in the conference as overzealous and relentless, play a key role in that intimidation. They are clever and have various cheers and traditions that keep things interesting all game long. Testudo, a bronzed-version of the school mascot, eyes the field from the tunnel and serves as a rallying point and good luck charm for the team right before kickoff. With Under Armor having adopted the football team, the fans and players have taken on the slogan used by the apparel company, “We Must Protect This House!”. The stadium name was officially changed to Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium in 2009 after the completion of a $50 million expansion project.

9. Miami – The move from the old Orange Bowl to Sun Life Stadium represented the end of an era in college football. Sure it was outdated, but the history, tradition and intimidation (for big games) of the Orange Bowl could not be matched. It was what college football is all about. While Sun Life Stadium is a nice facility, Hurricane games have an odd feel to them. Playing in a multipurpose professional venue that houses the Miami Dolphins and Florida Marlins, the site just don’t seem like home to “The U”. Stadium capacity is over 75,000 and for big games it certainly can get loud, but it isn’t like what it used to be. This setup has the vibe of a college basketball team playing in a versatile civic center. Again the facility itself is nice and the crowd can get loud, there is no doubting that. This stadium does have some tradition as it houses the Orange Bowl Game and has hosted Super Bowls. Maybe the program and the venue will grow closer in the coming years. The new Orange Bowl just will never be the same as the old one.

10. Wake Forest – Because Wake Forest has one of the smallest enrollments of any Division One School, the university is limited in terms of the size of facilities it can offer. But BB&T Field has undergone a significant transition, a six-phase plan that has completely remade the look. Prior to the 2005 season, nearly 90,000 bricks were added. In 2008, Deacon Tower was completed, which improved the press box and suite seating. The location of BB&T Field is a charming one, creating an attractive setting for an afternoon out. Many fans often enjoy themselves on the hill in the south endzone, tailgating during the game with a perfect view of the action just below. Because of sheer numbers alone, the Demon Deacons are sometimes close to being outnumbered by visiting fans at some of their home games. Needless to say the 2006 ACC Championship revitalized the fan base and added a new level of excitement to the venue. Major facility upgrades have added style to the venue, a transformation which has given the stadium a very impressive look.

11. Boston College – Compared to other venues, Alumni Stadium is a little undersized at 44,500, but it’s a niche stadium with its own special attraction and charm. Boston College has been playing football at the facility for almost 50 years – and you can see that history around the stadium. Posters of former great players and great moments line the interior walls and Boston College flags and banners dot the surroundings. Inside, fans huddle together, often braving frigid weather, in what becomes a close, but energetic college football setting. The renowned student section stands out, in part because of their fervor, in part because of their bright yellow shirts that designate them from the alumni and others. The campus and area around the stadium is atypical of most league schools and serves as a tourism and sightseeing spot for visiting fans. Alumni Stadium, while captivating in a sense because of its unique atmosphere, does not have a lot of space for tailgating meaning games don’t always seem like an all-day event like they do at other schools.

12. Duke – The scene at Wallace-Wade Stadium has been described as depressing, disheartening and dull. With attendance often struggling to peak at 20,000, and sometimes flirting with the double-digit thousand mark for low-profile outings, home games in Durham just don’t have a big-time college football feel right now. The high point for Wallace Wade Stadium is often when North Carolina or NC State come to town – and bring thousands of fans with them. Those are just about the only times when the stadium is pushed towards capacity. The venue itself actually has some history, having hosted the Rose Bowl and been the home to seventeen conference championship teams. Going to a game now, you just can’t tell.

Pick Six
Loudest Stadium - Lane Stadium, Virginia Tech
Most Impressive Facility - Doak Campbell Stadium, Florida State
Most Tradition - Bobby Dodd Stadium, Georgia Tech
Best Tailgaiting - Memorial Stadium, Clemson
Best Fans - Clemson
Most Underrated - Byrd Stadium, Maryland