Maybe 30,000?

I love love love college football. I love love love watching young athletes try to make it big! While I was in college, I tried to attend all kinds of sporting events. Hey, why wouldn't I they were all free (well except for the football games, which were $7). If I had to pick, I would probably choose to attend a college event over a pro game any day. However, I realized this past weekend that my love for college football all stems from being a Florida Gator. The Swamp is the most amazing place to take in a football game...I take that back, any stadium in the SEC is a great place to watch football. The fans make the game, they create and keep the loudness a true factor in the game. Fans can honestly make or break an experience. Saturday, I realized how blessed I was to call the Swamp home.

I attended a game at Folsom Field the home of the Colorado Buffs. I can't make up enough excuses to truly believe that the fans bleed their team colors like we do in the Swamp. The student section was about 90% empty at kickoff and did eventually fill in but still not full by game's end. We had fantastic seats on the 16th row near the end zone. That section would have been packed if we were in the Swamp. At any given moment Iowa State's fans were louder that the CU fans. It was really pathetic when the jumbo-tron said make noise and I could still carry on a conversation without yelling. Dempsey reminded me that this wasn't the SEC!

I am thrilled I got to take in a college game this year. Looking up and seeing the Flat Irons looming behind the jumbo-tron, with the sun shining down...it was hard not enjoy the moment. The company was great, easy conversation and then moments of silence...typical afternoon for Dempsey and I. As we strolled into Boulder the morning of the game, their was no traffic or congestion to deal with, parking was easy (and free), it was a rather different experience then anything I had ever experienced before. Tailgating seemed as if it was a foreign concept to these people...I invite them all to a real school to see how it is done! We struggled to find food, but settled on burritos and a six pack of Alaskan Amber's winter ale. We had a few beers before the game (I think it should be illegal to attend a game without at least 1 drink in your system). We sat on the soft green grass watching the fans stroll into the stadium. Since the Iowa State fans were few and far between, I decided I would count them. It took me almost an hour to get to 110 fans and then I gave up.

Colorado pulled out a win on the last play of the game...Unfortunately, I was secretly cheering for Iowa State (well probably no so secretly, but I was trying). The Colorado fans were just weird. At one point, their was a fan that was waving his keys as they were losing (really, why on earth would you do that), you are LOSING! Oh, well his team pulled out the win, and they jingled his keys yet again. I am not sure that he understands the message of jingling keys. Ralphie was pretty cool to see, I am pretty thankful that I don't have to run with him. :)

Next up AirForce. I'd like to take in a game their just to compare. I am sure it will be even less like the Swamp, but at least it helps me appreciate being a Florida Gator. Although, I am not sure my friends would agree that I actually need help appreciating my love for the Gators.