Top 5 ACC Road Trips
By: Roy Philpott
What is it that makes an ACC road trip so great?
That’s a great question, and one that has many answers.
For today’s blog, I decided to try and wrap my arms around what makes a great road trip during football season in the ACC.
Is it the venue? The restaurants or bars? The fans? How about how well your team typically plays?
To different people a great road trip is a combination of things. For me, it’s about the quality of game itself combined with what else the city has to offer. For the most part, I’ve determined there are good and bad fans just about everywhere so I’ve eliminated that in constructing this list.
Having covered the last 57 consecutive Clemson games, here are my thoughts on the top five road trips for Clemson fans to take in the coming seasons:
#5. MIAMI – I’ll be the first to admit that the Orange Bowl is nothing to get excited about. In fact, it may be the most overrated venue in the history of sports. Sure, I recognize the historical significance of the games played there: Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary pass in 1984, the Super Bowls, the National Championship games. But Miami doesn’t make the list because of the stadium. The Orange Bowl needs a renovation in the worst way and that’s putting it nicely. Miami makes this list because of the city itself. There’s something for everyone- from resorts to fine dining to South Beach. If you can’t find something to do here … well then I don’t know what to tell you.
GRADES: Stadium – D, City – A, Team – B, Atmosphere – C
#4. BOSTON – I’ve said many times that Boston College has no business being in the ACC and I still feel that to this day. It’s too far away. I understand the importance of television markets. I understand academics, but this union of the northeast and the rest of the ACC is nothing short of odd. That being said, I have no problems visiting Boston once every two years as part of Clemson’s Atlantic Division schedule. Fenway Park, the oldest restaurant in America- the Oyster House and everything else the city has to offer is more than the average fan can take in just a weekend trip. The two drawbacks here are the location of the campus and the stadium. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, which is a 20-25 minute drive from Boston or a quick ride on the “T.” Also, there isn’t much going on near the campus and the stadium is small. Finally, BC pumps in this annoying rhythmic beat throughout the stadium during the game to help generate excitement for the fans. I’d rank this trip much higher if it weren’t for that annoying drum beat. I’m still bitter nine months after the fact.
GRADES: Stadium – C, City – A, Team – B, Atmosphere – C-
#3. ATLANTA – From a Clemson perspective, this is a great trip to make because it’s only two hours away. Bobby Dodd Stadium, while not the largest venue in the conference, has the Atlanta skyline as a backdrop and offers seating that makes you feel you are on top of the action. In addition, Clemson fans are always well represented in the stands because of the close proximity and the rivalry that exists between the two schools. I may be the only person in America that thinks The Varsity is overrated, but you can find plenty of other places to go after the game. Twisted Taco in Midtown, Neighbors in the Highlands, or Fado in Buckhead are three of my favorite establishments.
GRADES: Stadium – B, City – B+, Team – B-, Atmosphere - C
#2. CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – This may surprise some, but Chapel Hill, for a small town, offers plenty to do and is situated in a beautiful part of the country. Franklin St. has several establishments worth visiting, including “Top of the Hill” and “He’s Not Here.” And remember, we’re not talking about basketball. Clemson doesn’t go to Chapel Hill to lose football games. Kenan Stadium is picturesque during the fall, and looks even better after a Clemson victory.
GRADES: Stadium – B, City – A, Team – C, Atmosphere - C+
#1. BLACKSBURG, VA. –The atmosphere at Lane Stadium is outstanding. Within the ACC, only Clemson and Florida State compare. Virginia Tech, of course, has been one of the best teams in the conference since joining the league in 2004 so you know the quality of competition is going to be at an elite level. Furthermore, Blacksburg is a small town that comes alive during the fall, much in the same way Clemson does. And somewhat surprisingly, it’s a short drive from the upstate- less than four hours if you’re willing to book it. Hey, where else can you buy a turkey leg at a football game? Simply put, Virginia Tech is what college football is all about.
GRADES: Stadium – A, City – C, Team – A, Atmosphere - A
What is it that makes an ACC road trip so great?That’s a great question, and one that has many answers.
For today’s blog, I decided to try and wrap my arms around what makes a great road trip during football season in the ACC.
Is it the venue? The restaurants or bars? The fans? How about how well your team typically plays?
To different people a great road trip is a combination of things. For me, it’s about the quality of game itself combined with what else the city has to offer. For the most part, I’ve determined there are good and bad fans just about everywhere so I’ve eliminated that in constructing this list.
Having covered the last 57 consecutive Clemson games, here are my thoughts on the top five road trips for Clemson fans to take in the coming seasons:
#5. MIAMI – I’ll be the first to admit that the Orange Bowl is nothing to get excited about. In fact, it may be the most overrated venue in the history of sports. Sure, I recognize the historical significance of the games played there: Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary pass in 1984, the Super Bowls, the National Championship games. But Miami doesn’t make the list because of the stadium. The Orange Bowl needs a renovation in the worst way and that’s putting it nicely. Miami makes this list because of the city itself. There’s something for everyone- from resorts to fine dining to South Beach. If you can’t find something to do here … well then I don’t know what to tell you.
GRADES: Stadium – D, City – A, Team – B, Atmosphere – C
#4. BOSTON – I’ve said many times that Boston College has no business being in the ACC and I still feel that to this day. It’s too far away. I understand the importance of television markets. I understand academics, but this union of the northeast and the rest of the ACC is nothing short of odd. That being said, I have no problems visiting Boston once every two years as part of Clemson’s Atlantic Division schedule. Fenway Park, the oldest restaurant in America- the Oyster House and everything else the city has to offer is more than the average fan can take in just a weekend trip. The two drawbacks here are the location of the campus and the stadium. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, which is a 20-25 minute drive from Boston or a quick ride on the “T.” Also, there isn’t much going on near the campus and the stadium is small. Finally, BC pumps in this annoying rhythmic beat throughout the stadium during the game to help generate excitement for the fans. I’d rank this trip much higher if it weren’t for that annoying drum beat. I’m still bitter nine months after the fact.
GRADES: Stadium – C, City – A, Team – B, Atmosphere – C-
#3. ATLANTA – From a Clemson perspective, this is a great trip to make because it’s only two hours away. Bobby Dodd Stadium, while not the largest venue in the conference, has the Atlanta skyline as a backdrop and offers seating that makes you feel you are on top of the action. In addition, Clemson fans are always well represented in the stands because of the close proximity and the rivalry that exists between the two schools. I may be the only person in America that thinks The Varsity is overrated, but you can find plenty of other places to go after the game. Twisted Taco in Midtown, Neighbors in the Highlands, or Fado in Buckhead are three of my favorite establishments.
GRADES: Stadium – B, City – B+, Team – B-, Atmosphere - C
#2. CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – This may surprise some, but Chapel Hill, for a small town, offers plenty to do and is situated in a beautiful part of the country. Franklin St. has several establishments worth visiting, including “Top of the Hill” and “He’s Not Here.” And remember, we’re not talking about basketball. Clemson doesn’t go to Chapel Hill to lose football games. Kenan Stadium is picturesque during the fall, and looks even better after a Clemson victory.
GRADES: Stadium – B, City – A, Team – C, Atmosphere - C+
#1. BLACKSBURG, VA. –The atmosphere at Lane Stadium is outstanding. Within the ACC, only Clemson and Florida State compare. Virginia Tech, of course, has been one of the best teams in the conference since joining the league in 2004 so you know the quality of competition is going to be at an elite level. Furthermore, Blacksburg is a small town that comes alive during the fall, much in the same way Clemson does. And somewhat surprisingly, it’s a short drive from the upstate- less than four hours if you’re willing to book it. Hey, where else can you buy a turkey leg at a football game? Simply put, Virginia Tech is what college football is all about.
GRADES: Stadium – A, City – C, Team – A, Atmosphere - A
posted by Roy Philpott @ 3:59 PM
16 Comments
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16 Comments:
Roy, I agree with you in terms of ACC road trips with exception to VaTech. Although what you mentioned is true, you left out that the fans are nasty and rude. I would not rate them as high because of this. But, considering what is left in terms of road trips, it would be the only "have-to" destination among the schools.
Not too much to argue with except I'm throw UVA in at #6. The stadium is nice though they do pump in a lot of music. Tailgating is average to poor. Charlotte and that part of VA are pleasant to visit in October though.
NC State has the feel of a really well attended minor league baseball game. The stadium is very JV.
#1 roadtrip OOC - Texas A&M. The Aggies do football right hands down.
So basically you're saying they all suck.
BTW Clemson and Death Valley is what college football is all about.
I don't know about anyone else....but DUKE is hands down the best place to see a football game. 700 in attendence, cheerleaders that look like leap frogs, and not a soul in the stadium not paying more attention to their Blackberry than the football game itself. Oh yeah, the Frozen Snow Cones painted Duke Blue kick major Ass!
Go Dook Football...Live Forever!
Pretty good Roy. As a VT fan, I would choose CU and FSU as my top 2 road trips b/c the fans and atmosphere are great, and the competition is top-notch. UNC is also a nice setting, and especially peaceful during the game! Good work.
Hey man, I am the rare breed of Virginian that roots for both VT and UVA, so needless to say I was both thrilled and saddened by your selections. Can't argue with Chapel Hill(a beautiful stadium and town, underachivening team...though not for long I suspect), but I've got tpo say that Charlottesville certainly bests UNC and is a close second to UVA. At UVA, the town is just spectauclar, stadium is nice as well....just a great environment. And though UVA hasn't been at its mid 90s level for awhile, it will return to this level and the fan support will swell.
Overall though, good review.
FYI - Tech joined the ACC in 2004.
Speaking of "unique" perspective, I'm from Charlottesville, VA and am a Clemson graduate. I went to the Clemson/VT game last year and was shocked by the similarity in atmosphere to death valley. I am in no way a VT fan but any self respecting Virginian who has been to that polished piece of crap called Scott stadium, would never rate their wine and cheese BS fans as any kind of experience worth taking in as an ACC fan.
I am a VT fan all the way. I love Lane Stadium. I am looking forward to my second trip in close to 30 yrs to Death Valley. I have great memories of my last visit.
Going to a Virginia Football game is like going to a funeral.
The Touchdown song reminds me of a cracked out Vaudeville act in Paris.
I live in Richmond and have been to many UVA games including during my high school years as it was close to Charlottesville.
Go Tigers!
To the comment "With the exception of Virginia Tech" If you calling being on your feet, being loud and into the game for 4 quarters rude, then you have no idea what college football is about. From the moment you hear Metallica's "Enter Sand Man" till the end of the game you cannot beat the VT Atmosphere. Why do you think ESPN chooses to do so many game days there.
I have to admit that as a VT alum, I slightly agree with the poster that said VT fans are rude. However, it's honestly not the majority of fans. I remember going back as an alumni and sitting in the student section only two years after I graduated, I was astounded by the trash that was coming out of some of these students' mouths.
The rude fans are the students that don't know anything about college football yet. It's deplorable, and embarrasses the school. But, there are students like that at probably every school.
And by the way, if you ever want to be surrounded by the purity of college football, make the trip to College Station, and drink yourself away at the Dixie Chicken! My fiancee's an Aggie, and I was fortunate to be there when VT played A&M, and I swayed with the crowd and went to Midnight Yell. All of which were unbelievable experiences!
Now that the Hokies are not playing WVU anymore you can expect their student fan base to become much more civil ;)
that drumbeat at BC drove me crazy, especially cause they would mic their band and stuff, stupid ideas, I don't think it should be allowed
I went the the BC game for my 16th bday present last year. It was the worst atmosphere that I have ever seen for a football game. The fans don't even care about the game, most dont even arrive in the stadium until the first quarter is over...then theres that ANNOYING drum beat...The city was nice though.
I am a Clemson alum who was at the Va. Tech. game last year and it was a great atmosphere for college football. The Va. Tech. fans were great hosts and I can't wait to host them. I saw more rude Clemson fans than I did Va. Tech. fans.
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