Anyone can buy $5 tickets for a Northwestern-Illinois tilt in late November, but there are obvious reasons that ticket is less than the price of a hot dog at the meaningless game.
Despite numerous neutral site money-hungry games, there remains a host of big-time college football games in big-time college football towns this season. Any visit to a college town on gameday will surely produce an irresponsibly perfect experience, but it is even better when saving a few bucks for other fall festivities.
Take a peek at a few options for budget-friendly visits to college football towns this fall if you’re looking for an awesome time:
LSU Tigers at Florida Gators: Saturday, October 11th
Gainesville, FL
Gator fans are far beyond patience…they’re flat out pissed after three of the last four seasons produced 19 total wins and will increase their Fire Muschamp chant if the fourth-year head coach does not record at least seven victories in 2014.
Projected between the No. 3 and No. 5 slots in the SEC East Division by most analysts, this October home game against a likely top 10 LSU team could dramatically turn Muschamp’s fortunes in the beautiful college town of Gainesville.
Last-minute tickets will run you into the high $90s or low $100s therefore a 2-night stay at the Gainesville KOA Campground or Ranch Motel & Campground will be required for the budget-conscious travelers. Be sure to stop by the Salty Dog Saloon and DO NOT leave this college town without grabbing a slice at Satchels Pizza.
This year will be one of the cheaper times to visit The Swamp, assuming the Gators get it together by 2015.
Oregon Ducks at Oregon State Beavers: Saturday, November 29th
Corvallis, OR
Oregon will be a top five preseason team and their schedule sets up perfectly for another run at the elusive perfect season when they meet the feisty beavers in the annual Civil War. This end-of-year matchup rolls in Corvallis, one of the most underrated college towns in America.
The passionate diehards are in abundance and a visit from the hated Ducks transforms the typically cute and friendly town of 55,000 into a pot of flowing animosity, creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere for any college football junkie.
Tickets will run you into the low $100s for obvious reasons but a hotel just off campus is only $58 before taxes (per Hotwire.com), leaving plenty of cash to blow at Harrison’s or Squirrel’s Tavern.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Wisconsin Badgers: Saturday, November 15th
Madison, WI
Despite a plethora of Wisconsin “bros” and “bruhs”, Madison lives up to its billing as an epic college destination, especially on gamedays and especially when new rival Nebraska rolls into town.
The Huskers should enter 2014 as a fringe top 25 team while Gary Andersen’s Badgers will likely carry a top 10 ranking into their opener. Tickets have been dropping for this mid-November contest throughout the summer and should hover around $65-70 by midseason.
Madison is littered with bars and restaurants for every crowd including Dotty’s Dumpling Dowry, Jordan’s Big 10 Pub or Ian’s Pizza. Drink up because you’ll be able to book a nearby hotel for under $100 per night for Friday and Saturday.
Photo Courtesies: Daily Peninsula, College Sports Madness, & Oregon Daily Emerald
