WKU Football: Ranking The Non-Conference Road Trips Over The Next Decade #1–7
With the 2018 football season almost a week away, WKU fans will once again get the pleasure of hitting the road and experiencing some big…
With the 2018 football season almost a week away, WKU fans will once again get the pleasure of hitting the road and experiencing some big time road environments across the nation.
Since the Toppers started playing paycheck games in the early 2000’s, fans have had the pleasure of visiting some of the best environments that college football has to offer from Lincoln, Nebraska to Death Valley in Baton Rouge to Blacksburg, Virginia and between the Hedges in Athens, Georgia.
WKU fans have had the chance to experience some big time football that you just can’t witness while traveling in Conference USA or the Sun Belt. With the non-conference schedule pretty much set for the next six seasons let’s rank the road trips that WKU fans will get to experience starting next week in Madison, Wisconsin.
Yesterday we discussed the #14-8 road trips on WKU’s future schedule. Today we’ll get down to the top destinations starting with a trip up I-65 to Louisville.
7. at Louisville (September 15, 2018 & September 26, 2020)
Quick disclaimer: I am a Louisvillian and also a season ticket holder for UofL due to proximity. I will be pulling hard for WKU when they play each other like any dual fan alum of Western Kentucky should. With that in mind, I am going to give as much of a non biased as I possibly can and try to give WKU fans that haven’t experienced a Louisville road trip an accurate description of the environment.
When the Tops travel up I-65 north during the third week of the season this year, they’ll resume a series that hasn’t been played since Willie Taggart quarterbacked the Tops to a 63–34 shootout loss during then Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium’s inaugural season in 1998.
During UofL’s ascent from Conference USA to the ACC and WKU’s ascent from 1-AA to Conference USA, the two instate rivals that had played 31 times previously stopped playing each other. Luckily for WKU and their fans, the Tops will once again get to prove our mettle with the start of a three game series and show the rest of the state just how far the Hilltoppers have come.
That resumed rivalry storyline and easy trip for all of the WKU fanbase helps keep the Louisville road trip in the top half of our rankings.
In terms of road experience, UofL is very different from several schools on this list. Unlike the Auburn’s, Wisconsin’s & Alabama’s of the world, UofL doesn’t have the long tradition and history that many of its Power 5 brethren have on the list, having just emerged in football over the past 25 years.
The Cardinals have a relatively young fan base compared to the blue bloods. The newly rechristened Cardinal Stadium is as much of a professional experience as it is collegiate; from the concrete parking lot tailgating to the sometimes overboard corporate sponsorships, it definitely won’t have the same feel of going to a land grant university in a college town.
With that being said, WKU’s first trip will fall on just the second game of the almost-finished stadium expansion (see picture above from 55,000 to 60,000 seats) and Cardinal Stadium is very nice with all chairback seating and updated video boards and now reduced priced menu items at their concession stands. The tailgating and game experience will obviously be fun with the mixup of two Kentucky fanbases but Cardinal Stadium just is too NFL-like to have it any higher on this list.
In terms of things to do while in town, Louisville has as much to offer as anywhere on this list. If tailgating isn’t your scene, Churchill Downs fall meet starts the same weekend of the game and you can catch some world class thoroughbred racing right down the street from the stadium prior to the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Other attractions worth checking out while you’re in Kentucky’s largest city include The Louisville Slugger Museum, The Muhammed Ali Center, Whiskey Row Distillery tours and the Highlands bar/restaurant strip. While you may not get the intimate collegiate feel when traveling to Louisville for the game, the resumed rivalry definitely puts it towards the top of the wish list for statement wins.
6. at Alabama (September 16, 2023)
Tuscaloosa would normally be much higher on the list, but this will be the Tops fourth trip to Tuscaloosa since 2008, lessening the uniqueness of this road trip.
This is the definition of a paycheck game for the Tops, with them earning $1.9 million dollars to be an easy win on Bama’s schedule. While they haven’t completely embarrassed themselves losing by an average of 32.33 points, they haven’t been competitive in any game against the juggernaut Tide either.
By the time this game rolls around in 2023, Nick Saban might finally be retired and WKU could easily be on their third coach since 2018 so it’s really hard to project anything more than the status quo in this one. Luckily, Tuscaloosa is a great place to visit as a traveling fan.
My experience during the 2012 game was great. Local bars such as Gallettes and the Houndstooth are worth checking out before or after the game and Dreamland Bar-B-Q definitely should be on your to-do list. The history of Bama and their campus also can’t be understated. Seeing the gorgeous quad along with the statues of their national championship winning coaches is something every college football fan should take in during their lifetime.
It may not be the most rocking atmosphere at Bryant Denny Stadium when WKU travels there in six seasons but you never know what might happen, Just ask Louisiana-Monroe in 2007.
5. at Michigan State (October 2, 2021)
While a trip to East Lansing isn’t as hallowed of a trip to Ann Arbor, the opportunity to experience a new and unique road trip destination in one of the Big Ten’s better towns makes the trek to Michigan State one to look forward to.
Surprisingly only a seven hour drive from Bowling Green, East Lansing is located right next to the Michigan state capital (Lansing). Michigan State has been a top-tier Big Ten program for the past decade, winning three conference titles and averaging nine wins a season under coach Mark Dantonio. This has transformed the little brother Ag school to one of the Big Ten’s best.
Spartan Stadium seats 75,000 fans and is located right in the middle of MSU’s campus, right next to the Red Cedar River. By the time the Tops travel to face the Spartans, fall should be in full swing in central Michigan. The foliage and the on-campus grass parking should make for a classic Big Ten tailgating experience.
Michigan State has a large and beautiful campus and apparently has a botanical gardens that is worth checking out while close to the stadium. Outside of the campus you’ll find your usual college bars and restaurants to take in the full Michigan State experience. With East Lansing’s central location you’ll have plenty of time to sample some of Michigan’s best craft beers at their local bars. This all stacks up to a classic college road trip to a new destination that should provide a memorable experience for WKU fans making the journey.
4. at Arkansas (November 9, 2019)
After 12 years of travel through college football, I contend that Fayetteville might be the most underrated road trip in the SEC (I've been to seven of the 14 SEC stadiums). Located in the Ozark Mountains in the northwest corner of the state, the University of Arkansas is a remote gem definitely worth your time.
When I visited during the 2008 season (my roommate was from Little Rock) I had a blast. The journey is a haul, taking eight hours and 45 minutes from Bowling Green, but when you get there you’ll experience a fan base that is knowledgeable and nice.
Reynolds Razorback Stadium is a 72,000 seat stadium that was recently renovated. Arkansas fans tailgate around the stadium and you’ll get plenty of views of the surrounding mountains. With the game being in early November there should still be plenty of fall foliage to enjoy. If you’re wandering around before the game you can go see Tusk, Arkansas’s live razorback mascot right near the stadium.
Besides the stadium experience, the campus is gorgeous and the bars districts very enjoyable. Be sure to check out Dickson Street if you go, Farrell’s Lounge and Doe’s Eat Place are two of the better restaurants to check out. Fayetteville also has alot of outdoor activities to take in while in the area including hiking & Lake Fayetteville. You can even visit the corporate headquarters of Walmart in nearby Bentonville while you’re in the area. With the game being in just year two of the Chad Morris era, the game might even be competitive for WKU. A winnable paycheck game in a fun picturesque location adds up to a great time even if you’ll have the calling of the hogs stuck in your head afterwards.
3. at Army (September 11, 2021)
On the surface, a trip to the mid-major United States Military Academy wouldn’t normally register as a top road trip to your average football fan. But the location, history and date of this match-up might make it the most unique on this list.
WKU has only visited West Point once during the 2013, escaping New York with a 21–17 win during Bobby Petrino’s lone season. While a small segment of the fan base went to that trip, the Tops second trip will occur on a date of added significance being played on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
West Point is obviously a patriotic place but the emotions tied with the infamous attacks will be on a whole nother level on a campus just 60 miles up the Hudson River from ground zero.
While you may not get the typical tailgating experience of visiting your average college town you probably will get something much more special. Visiting Army is all about experiencing the military pageantry that can only be found at the service academies. Fans that arrive three hours before the game can see the Cadet Review on “The Plain”. West Point is also located on the site of several forts used in the Revolutionary War and the campus just teems with History.
On top of the uniqueness of the campus, Michie Stadium is one of the most historic venue’s in the country. The Black Knights have a rich history with three national championships and three Heisman trophy winners that played in 38,000 seat stadium. Located right next to the Lusk Reservoir, it is about as picturesque of a stadium that you can find in America (see above). Army’s football program has also taken a major step towards relevance and is coming off back to back bowl appearances for the first time since 1985. As long as they can keep their coach, Jeff Monken, then they should easily stay competitive thru 2021.
Most WKU fans probably won’t drive the 13 1/2 hours it takes to get to New York from Bowling Green. The trip trip to West Point also gives you the chance to visit New York City with endless things to do and experience there. Visiting a unique and historical campus on an important anniversary with the potential for more adventures in iconic New York City makes this a can’t miss trip.
2. at Auburn (September 24, 2022)
When you think of classic college football experiences, Auburn definitely ranks in the top tier. The Tigers have traditions galore from War Eagle, to the rolling of Toomer’s Corner, to the Tiger Walk you’ll be getting the full big time college football experience when you travel to the middle of Alabama.
Despite being in a town roughly the size of Bowling Green, the Tigers regularly pack the 87,000 seat Jordan Hare Stadium. Before the game you’ll get to see a golden eagle fly over the stadium (above). Auburn, Alabama revolves around their university and the university revolves around their football teams.
Despite the fact that WKU has twice traveled to the Plains (2003 & 2005, prior to their FBS transition), this game should offer the quintessential SEC experience. The Tigers have the tradition and history to measure up with most schools in college football. Legends from Bo Jackson to Cam Newton graced the sidelines and their fans are courteous and smart. With Auburn its all about the collegiate experience. On-campus tailgating with a classic feel make it worth the journey.
If Auburn takes care of business against WKU, you’ll get to see the trees Toomer’s Corner, in the heart of the town square, rolled in toilet paper by the Auburn students (if not, it will be worth it regardless). Getting to see the pageantry and tradition of the Plains tied with a very manageable drive (5 hours 45 minutes) gives Auburn the runner up spot on our list.
at Wisconsin (August 31, 2018)
Coming in first place on our countdown is the Tops trip to Madison a week from today. Wisconsin is probably the best of both worlds when it comes to a college road trip; you get the collegiate feel of a big land grant state university but you get an experience that is still fun and willing to embrace newer traditions.
Madison is regularly rated as one of the best college towns with the University of Wisconsin rated as one of the best party schools annually as well. Located in the same city as the Wisconsin state capital, you’ve got several areas to visit while in town.
This will be the Tops second visit to Camp Randall Stadium (2001 while 1-AA). Like most WKU fans, this will be my first trip there. The 80,000 seat stadium is located on the southern edge of campus in downtown Madison creating a mix of traditional tailgating with bar hopping. According to Bucky’s 5th Quarter, State Street and University are area’s worth checking out around the stadium.
When in the game, Camp Randall Stadium is annually ranked as one of the best atmosphere’s in the Big Ten. The big tradition that we’re all looking forward to experiencing is the playing of Jump Around between the third and fourth quarters. The tradition started in 1998 it is probably the coolest newer tradition in college football.
Besides the football and tailgating, Madison is an amazing city, located on three lakes. It has several breweries including New Glarus & One Barrel Brewing and interesting things to check out such as the Wisconsin state capital and The Terrace. Fans making the 8 1/2 hour drive will have plenty of time on Friday to soak it in as the game doesn’t start until 8 PM Central time. Getting a long day of tailgating, beer, brats and experiencing the Big Ten’s best on opening weekend will definitely be a memorable experience even if WKU doesn’t cover the 34.5 point spread.
What do you think of our final rankings? Where we spot on or way off base? Let us know with a comment on twitter or facebook. We’ll be in Madison next weekend kicking off the 2018 WKU football season in style!