Is MICHIGAN'S Attendance Record In Jeopardy Tonight?

Submitted by MaizeMN on

I just saw a promo for the Tennessee/VT game tonight touting the "largest venue" angle. I figured it was some deluded SEC homer spouting off, until I realized the game is being played at Bristol Motor Speedway.

We all know the Big House is the largest FB venue in the world and 25th largest venue overall.  In terms of non car/horseracing type venues it ranks 2nd, behind Rungrado in Korea (150,000).

As far as attendance goes, MICHIGAN holds the modern era record for attendance at 115,109 for its 2013 game against ND (Won 41-30) The Tennessee single game record is 109,062 in 2004 against Florida. Neyland's capacity is listed at 102,455.

 It seems like Tenn. has been trying for the attendance record for several years, first with stadium expansion at Neyland and now, a gimmick game at a racecar track. They are hoping for 150,000 people tonight. 

Top 5 Attendance Averages 2015 (College Xpress):

Michigan: 112,252

Ohio State: 105,330

Alabama: 101,722

Texas: 100,884

PSU: 96,730

Tennessee: 89,965 (8)

Gimmicks aside, it's obvious where attendance is strongest. You can build a bigger stadium, you can move your game to a race track, you can drop turkeys from helicopters a la Les Nessman, but there is only one BIG HOUSE.

GO BLUE!

MGoBoard
Football

Tater

September 10th, 2016 at 11:13 AM ^

UT has finally found a way to "game" the system.  Every time they enlarge their stadium, Michigan enlarges theirs.  So UT finally found a way to set an attendance record that can't be broken in a real football stadium.

Basically, it all goes back to one truth: you can't spell "butthurt" without "UT."

Joined: 08/13/2008

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Bo Glue

September 10th, 2016 at 9:37 AM ^

Some people buy blocks and resell them. That's how these events sell out so often (even at the Big House). They're taking a gamble. It doesn't mean every seat will be filled, just sold.

That was blatantly obvious during some of the bad years when they reported...dubious six figure attendance.

Joined: 04/02/2012

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Njia

September 10th, 2016 at 9:18 AM ^

Yes, Michigan's single game record will be broken. No, it doesn't mean anything because a couple of "meh" teams had to go to a NASCAR track to do it. 

Joined: 09/15/2009

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MaizeMN

September 10th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^

And admittedly, have been preoccupied with some other issues (health) as of late. Apologies if this has been discussed ad nauseam. I suspect the mods will delete if that is the case. I do however, try to stay abreast of the site content and am probably one of the more rabid MICHIGAN alums when it comes to athletics, academics and all things MICHIGAN.

Joined: 01/28/2012

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Boglehead

September 10th, 2016 at 9:24 AM ^

My Brother in law is a UT alum and going to the game. He says it is going to be miserable. Terrible traffic, horrendous sight lines, and high heat. He and his friends are basically just going to say they went.

Joined: 08/24/2015

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JayMo4

September 10th, 2016 at 9:44 AM ^

I'm a Cavs fan going back to the 80's.  I am thrilled that they finally won it all.  You would have had to pay me a considerable amount of money to go anywhere near Cleveland on that day. 

I wore a Cavs shirt the day after game seven.  That felt good enough for me.

Joined: 04/19/2013

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1VaBlue1

September 10th, 2016 at 9:29 AM ^

Who cares?  When anyone talks about the largest football stadium, the world thinks of the Big House.  Not some NASCAR race track.  This is a one-off gimmick, a good one, but a gimmick nonetheless.  

I've been to Bristol many times.  It's a GREAT place to watch a fun race, but I can't imagine it will be remotely fun as a football field.

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