I've been a fan long enough to remember a packed Rent. The end of the Temple game was incredible. Imagine if the stadium was in its old form for that runback...
I really want to think that the stadium crowd issues are not entirely on UConn's football quality - judging from the mediocre crowds i'm seeing across college football (besides the Michigans and Ohio states of the world), even if we were going 7-5 every year and bowling, we lack the brand/tradition that brings 40-50K people consistently. it's unlikely to happen, even if we start winning.
This is a different time and generation of kids, than 2004.
IMO - Because we are not a brand name that draws crowdds in football, the only way to bring those types of crowds consistently in 2024, is if we had an SEC or B1G conference schedule, which we will never have. Personally I don't think even an ACC or Big 12 schedule would consistently crack 30K average attendance at the rent, in this generation.
also let's keep in mind that the medicore crowds across college football are in ON-CAMPUS stadiums. Just a nugget for those desparate to put a stadium in Storrs.
All this to say, I still think UConn football is doing the right thing - there is no point in playing Michigan, OH State, Tennessee, etc... at this point. Make a schedule that gives us a shot, invest in NIL to get the studs we need who don't care what team they play for, do better than last year, then rinse and repeat, until we get the invite to elevate ourselves financially to a place where we have a friggin shot to reasonably compete against the top 25 schools. No more payday beatdown games - leave that to UMass.
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EDIT - I know we're playing Ole Miss soon. not a fan of that, but maybe we'll do better than I fear.
