Hard to believe, considering how loud and intimidating our fans are.
I think we can tie this thread together to what OUCountry is saying. The crowd just isn't into it.
We have such great success at the Convo because the crowd makes it a very hostile environment. At Peden, the crowd just sits and enjoys the sun until after the 110 performs. Then they head to the bars. It doesn't matter if it's a one-point game or a 40-point game. [/QUOTE]Pretty much. And this is why, if I'm Schaus & staff, I want to know WHY, and try to take steps to transfer that level of excitement shown to the 110 and basketball into Peden for the football team.
[QUOTE=Monroe Slavin] Fan expectations beat down after so many years of no MACC.
Can we be surprised at the lack of enthusiasm?
It ain't gonna change without meeting the goal: MACC.
Those of you who want to argue that MACC is not the goal. Forget it. See the poll in which about 70% of about 55 respondes (which is a lot of responses on this site) said MACC is #1.
And, it's the main point of the program and being in the MACC. The recent post on this board are generally swinging that way.
I'm not 100% on board with this, but I'm not 100% disagreeing either. The expectation for success probably keeps butts in seats and gets more butts in seats. Fun to watch and winning creates more enthusiasm. As was said elsewhere, the 1 1/2 years where TT was the QB were pretty exciting years to watch, and the building was, let's just say, a little louder. Getting to Detroit should be the goal, and I believe it is. But getting really close and being really fun to watch while doing so could accomplish the same thing with regard to home field advantage.
But there are other factors worth considering:
Time of the game. I harp on this all the time, I know, but why not schedule at minimum, one night game during the warmer months? The home opener, on the student side was HOT. Night game(s) solve that. If not night, why not 3-4pm instead? Why are we married to 2pm kickoffs and tip-offs?
Beer & food. I've never been one to say we'd sell more tickets to anything if beer was sold. That being said, it can't possibly hurt, and that's just my opinion. Some might actually come, or stay longer with that in mind. Food is a bigger issue. I left a game a little early this year because I wanted something more than popcorn, Snickers, or a hotdog. I know the facilities aren't there for that stuff right now, but it could be made to become the goal to have those things.
What's done during the "dead time". TV timeouts aren't going away. What happens that could be more fun inside the stadium could be changed, and is within the control of Ohio Athletics to work with. Done right, there have to be some things that could be done to improve the atmosphere and therefore home field advantage.