🏈 Question for 2016

[UAgrad93]

Even though I was a walk on, I never got to make the trip to Oxford or to Knoxville. I have yet to step on either campus. Which game should I take in this fall for my annual "Road Trip"? I'm not a drinker, so the bar scene afterwards is of no interest.

 

[OldPlayer]

Knoxville's stadium isn't really close to anything. Downtown is boring and it's a healthy hike to their version of the strip.

Ole Miss has a better tailgate situation, IMO. I'm sure the atmosphere will be charged as they will try to get 3-in-a-row over Alabama. I'd pick Oxford over Knoxville this year.

 

[MacLittle13]

I have always wanted to go by boat to an Alabama Tennessee game at Knoxville. I think that would be amazing. Get several boats together and cruise to Knoxville and back.

 

[BamaFan334]

I personally don't think either is much different than the other in regards to outside the stadium. A lot of people partying and tailgating well. Ole Miss may be a little more organized when it comes to The Grove and their spreads, but in Knoxville it felt like more of a back yard cookout type atmosphere. The Grove is pretty cool, and a lot like The Quad if you ask me. Being next to the Tennessee River with the boats pulled up and tailgating was pretty cool to see. We even got invited on multiple boats to have some drinks and food while walking around. I felt like there was more room in Knoxville than in Oxford. In Oxford everything felt more crunched, atleast to me it was. I went to both years ago, so my memory of them has faded a hair, but I think Knoxville would be fun for you.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

I'd say Oxford simply b/c I'd get sick from all the puke orange....

 

[UAgrad93]

I'd say Oxford simply b/c I'd get sick from all the puke orange....

That was actually what I told my wife when she asked! She wants Knoxville because it will be cooler than that mid September trip.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

The whole "road trip" experience is much better in Knoxville if you have a few days. Stay at a cabin in the Smokies, and its a short drive no the day of the game (an hour or so depending on where you're staying). You can stop at Ye Olde Steakhouse on the way (if it's a night game), and grab some good grub. Going to Ole Miss is ok too, but not nearly as fun, IMO. If you know someone on the Grove with nice setup, the experience is better, otherwise, the Grove is just a more crowded Quad. You'd probably have a better game viewing experience in Oxford, but I've sat in several places in Neyland (high up at times), and as long as I'm with Bama fans, it never bothered me... it was always fun. Also, in terms of when the games are, the weather is MUCH nicer when we play Tenn, IMO... and if you like such things as fall foliage in the mountains, the game usually comes at pretty much the perfect time.

 

[bamachine]

Been to Knoxville several times, Oxford only once. To me the Grove was overrated. It is just a more cramped version of the Quad. About the same amount of hot lasses to be found in both Oxford and Tuscaloosa. They are crammed together more in Oxford. If I had to choose one over the other, would go with Knoxville, as they are actually one of our main rivals and IMO, the biggest rival. Hell, we didn't play AU for 40 years. The stadium looks much better after the renovations, still not as nice as BDS. I know VH stadium also got an expansion, renovation since I was there last, they were just starting it then. Pics from both below. The VH pic is from the game where TR broke Senquez Golson's ankles, happened right in front of us.

 

[Bamabww]

Been to both in the late 80's thru the mid 90's and we were definitely treated worse in Knoxville. Walking to the stadium with my wife, and two kids, one 7 and the other 4, was a real eye opener. More than one group of tailgaters shot us a bird when we walked by. The trip out was much worse. It was fun.

Having said that, I'd go to Knoxville. But remember they expand their stadium by reducing the space for each seat.

 

[bamachine]

My seats were as high as you go go in the stadium, I barely was able to get tix through Tide Pride, I was sitting right under the UT Jumbotron in that pic. The other two times I went, I got tix from Vol fans on the street for face value. never been treated bad in my three trips but they are kinda afraid to poke the bear right now. They did give Kiffin a rousing welcome though. The gate I went in, should say ramp I walked up, was right by the visiting team entrance.

My one trip to Oxford is somewhat soured by the fact that one or a group of their fans threw a pumpkin at my car, on the way out.

 

[planomateo]

@uagrad93, you making the USC game this year?

College Station is a good experience, easily the best away game experience I've ever had. I didn't make it last year to check out the stadium due to my oldest having band marching competitions during 4-5 weeks of football season.

 

[UAgrad93]

@planomateo, passing this time Matt. We would have if we didn't sort of get suckered in to the Wisky game last fall. I say suckered because the place we reserved for the Natty game, when I thought we would handle tOSU, they claimed was non refundable and was good for another date up to a year. I'm trying to take my wife to one road trip during the regular season and then Title game. We have had pretty good luck with every trip not in New Orleans!

 

[bamachine]

Fingers crossed, I have never been in attendance for a road loss. They should just give me tickets and fly me to all the road games. I am going to try and get tix for the USC game but right now, on my order form, I do not have enough points. If they come back later and offer them, will get them or if I can get them near face. I am done paying double/triple face for any games. Did that for the Bama-UT game at the Rose Bowl and for Bama-LSU in NOLA.

 

[utstnx]

I say Knoxville hands down. I went a few years ago to UT. The stadium is older but the way it is set up was really impressive how big it is. Fans were actually not bad either. Also went to the up the Bama UT game this year and it was the loudest game i have ever been too. Bryant Denny was rocking. With UT on the upswing being the only team other than the Ole Miss debacle to actually give Bama a run and come close to winning.....Neyland will be rocking and im sure everyone will be jacked up for that game.

 

[UAgrad93]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I believe we will be in Knoxville in October.

 

[bamachine]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I believe we will be in Knoxville in October.

May see you there, if I can't get tix to USC, UT will be my road game this year.

 

[BamaFan334]

Let's go to Baton Rouge together! The wifey and I are planning that trip.

 

[OldPlayer]

Let's go to Baton Rouge together! The wifey and I are planning that trip.

LSU is charging $125 per ticket for Alabama fans

 

[bamachine]

LSU is charging $125 per ticket for Alabama fans

If true the conference office should censure them for that. Face should be the same for everyone, Sure, certain games may be more than others but not based on home/visitor.

 

[OldPlayer]

If true the conference office should censure them for that. Face should be the same for everyone, Sure, certain games may be more than others but not based on home/visitor.

I don't know what the charge is for anyone else, but my ticket order form from Alabama gives the $125 price. I know Alabama will charge varying prices depending on the game. A while back, LSU stated that Alabama fans were going to be placed high and far from the action at a premium price.