OT: Independence Bowl Crowd Observation

[Big Hoss]

We went to the Independence Bowl yesterday (something I will never do again unless SMU is playing in it). The number of fans wearing LSU gear almost outnumbered the UGA fans. It was the most bizarre thing ever. Some of them were tailgating in full force, with huge Winnebago coaches, LSU tents, chairs, flags, etc.

I've always thought it was stupid to see people wearing a jersey/shirt of a team that isn't playing in that game (college or pro), but this was so over the top it was comical. I guess that is why the Independence Bowl is still going strong, though, because the stadium was sold out and the parking lots were chocked full of fans (even if they weren't pulling for either team).

[smupony94]

I love college football so much if I was near a game I would go

[ponyte]

How many Aggie fans were there? I personally didn't think A$M had earned a bowl spot. Not surprised that A$M got blown out.

[Big Hoss]

How many Aggie fans were there? I personally didn't think A$M had earned a bowl spot. Not surprised that A$M got blown out.

A little over half the crowd. Georgia fans numbered about 10k-12k, I guess?

I thought they would have a better showing, given how they played Texas, but they just handed the game to the Dogs - blocked FG, blown punts, INTs, kickoff TD return....it was an absolute mess.

The upside is that the cluster f*&# that was parking had me walking from a mall 2 miles away through a neighborhood that I thought I might get shanked in, so there's that. We left early so that we could catch one of the shuttle busses back before the 2 hour line started to build up.

[Sonic]

As a Shreveport native, I can attest to the love we have for the Tigers and college football in general. The I-Bowl has held up well because LSU fans want to root for the conference (not necessarily the team playing in the bowl). That's why they wear their LSU gear, but cheered for Georgia. Plus, why go out and spend money on a random school's gear that you will never wear again? Glad everyone got home safe, bc that neighborhood surrounding the stadium is a very, very dangerous one.

[RGV Pony]

didnt the I bowl lose the SEC tie in and next year itll be wac vs ACC or something?

[jazztexans]

I Bowl no longer has an agreement with SEC and Big 12. They will now have Mountain West (think 4) vs. ACC (think 6). With MW they could possibly get TCU or Air Force (Barksdale AFB here) to help with getting fannies in the seats.

BTW, as a S'port resident wearing LSU gear, sadly, is a Shreveport thing when going to the bowl game. I am an LSU and SMU grad and if an SEC team wins I could careless. In fact, how can I cheer for teams in the SEC I dislike like Ole Miss, Ala, Ark. etc. I have NEVER understood this. And I could NEVER EVER support a UT team...it's not in my blood. When I see UT gear at a Tx. A&M vs. GA game it's no difference...silly, idiotic and just plain stupid. Go to the bowl game and enjoy the game without having to show your SEC colors or Big 12 colors. Esp. thousands of LSU gear. Makes me sick.

[OC Mustang]

Was there with the nephew and oldest son (the youngest said we were nuts for standing around in the cold to watch anybody but SMU with Margus Hunt).

UGA fans grossly outnumbered. But drunk and loud. Aggies were typical, except the end, when they all bailed en masse. B-52 flyover was BOSS. Looked like it was coming straight at us on the deck, and then peeled up and out. Wow.

All-in, it was a nice time. However, is much more fun with a whiskey. Too bad I didn't have.

(edit) - Oh, it was REALLY cool to have as many folks talking up SMU on the big win. I heard "they crushed Nevada" and "wow, that team was MUCH better than anybody thought" and "man, I wish the SWC was back". So cool! Was soooo cool!

[tristatecoog]

Was there with the nephew and oldest son (the youngest said we were nuts for standing around in the cold to watch anybody but SMU with Margus Hunt).

UGA fans grossly outnumbered. But drunk and loud. Aggies were typical, except the end, when they all bailed en masse. B-52 flyover was BOSS. Looked like it was coming straight at us on the deck, and then peeled up and out. Wow.

All-in, it was a nice time. However, is much more fun with a whiskey. Too bad I didn't have.

(edit) - Oh, it was REALLY cool to have as many folks talking up SMU on the big win. I heard "they crushed Nevada" and "wow, that team was MUCH better than anybody thought" and "man, I wish the SWC was back". So cool! Was soooo cool!

OC, sounds like you wore your SMU gear to the game. It sounds odd that all those folks wear LSU stuff but it makes sense. It also sounds like the Indy Bowl may not have as much support next year. It's somewhat like the Armed Forces Bowl and TCU's support. Their season ticket holders get the option to buy a bowl ticket for $20 with each season ticket.

[PonyFanBCLA]

Glad you went to the game and sorry to hear it will be the last one you go to unless the Ponies are playing. Now that bowl moves to a ACC / MWC matchup going forward that isn't likely to happen in the near future. What you witnessed was the hometown crowd showing up for a college football game. Shreveport is in the middle of a college football void with only one D1 (I know it isn't called that anymore) program within a two hour drive. However, there are some extremely loyal and vocal fans in the area and the area has produced more than it's fair share of stellar collegeiate and professional athletes. People here are football crazy and LSUs success has much to do with that. The majority of fans in the Shreveport area are LSU fans but there are a significant number of Arkansas and LA Tech fans here as well. It is no surprise that you saw more LSU gear around the stadium. When SMU beat the crap out of Arkansas in Independence Stadium (how good would Dante Womack be in this offense) there were close to 40K in attendance and I bet most of them were wearing purple and gold and cheering for the crimson and white (SEC fans - I just dont get that)

What the I-Bowl lacks in prestige it more than makes up for in community support and making the teams feel welcome. The I-Bowl had a legitimate sellout this year. Very few of the other games played so far can say that. In fact, according to boxscores of the games played to date (I haven't seen the one for the Orlando game tonight but it should be one of the largest when it is released), the Independence Bowl is ranked third in attendance. Only the bowl games in Charlotte, with UNC as a participant,(they only drew 700 more) and the Music City bowl, with Kentucky playing, have had larger turnouts and . Considering many of the bowl games have been played in much larger cities (all but Honolulu are 1MM+ in population) than Shreveport (pop 385K) I think it speaks volumes for the level of support the community gives the game. It is the 12th oldest bowl in existence (11th if you count consecutive years) and it is one of the few bowls to operate without either a major title sponsorship or ESPN ownership and continue to remain viable. It is truly a throwback to what college football bowl games were all about and it is a shame that some choose to dog the bowl (not anyone on this forum) for its stupid "weed whacker" sponsor it had for years and because of where it is played.

[Big Hoss]

So let me clarify my points, in hopes to set the record straight (maybe):

I think it's absolutely awesome that the community supports the bowl like they do. It's also great that they go all out to make the teams feel welcome. I just find it odd that so many fans wore not just one LSU item, but looked like they cleaned out their closets with every piece of LSU regalia they could find. I did assume they at least some of them would likely pull for Georgia, due to the SEC tie in.

The main reason I wouldn't go to the bowl again is because of the parking situation. We hit Shreveport almost 2 hours before gametime, but by the time I got into the stadium, it was the end of the 1st quarter. In order to get to our car using a shuttle vs. risking walking through the bad neighborhood you mentioned (again), we had to leave at the end of the 3rd quarter. So I only caught 2 quarters of the game for a 7 hour roundtrip drive.

I hope the bowl continues to be successful, even with a change in conference tie-ins.

EDIT: Regarding buying another team's gear, I would suggest wearing something of the same color of the school you are supporting for that specific game, or maybe just go with neutral clothing. But everyone is entitled to do as they wish, just as I am entitled to make fun of them if so inclined.

[OC Mustang]

@tristatecoog...Had my SMU cap on. First thing folks see. The rest of me had thick coat on. Friggin' chilly out at the game...I couldn't take my flask as I had my 12 year old son and 13 year old nephew. Not gonna go there with them around. So...I was cold...but stylish in my 9 year old SMU beat up baseball cap.