I'll be there but a large part of me is bummed out about it.
Trip has been talked about for a while and this was the weekend that worked. Bringing my cousin and brother-in-law who have never been to campus. Want to show them around and bring them back after the upgrades. Excited about that part.
What doesn't excite me is the field product and therefore attendance and specifically atmosphere. One is WVU and the other UT. Both used to thousands upon thousands, even in a down year. When we go to WVU games we scream for every first down. "WVU, first down". Stand and scream during defensive third downs. Stand the entire 4th qtr. My last two home games at MT, if I were to scream anything, literally every player and Chip in the booth would be able to hear me. ESPN probably pumps in audience sound during games.
My chance to show two of my best friends my college and not expecting a ruckus atmosphere. Kinda sucks. Makes you not ashamed of the school. Never on that. But definitely ashamed of the football program and what it has become. Going to focus on the good things and just hanging out. Trying out beer garden, be my first Raider Walk, and hoping to tailgate some even if it's sandwiches in Greenland lot. Lol. Also going to be meeting Lee and some of his team in person. (Really can't say enough about him)
It's honestly really sad what the football program has become and the, to me, low standard that has been set as acceptable. Visiting Nashville has become the highlight and the game something to do, instead of the other way around. A D1 FBS football game should always be a highlight. I breathe college football. Sadly at my alma mater it isn't right now.