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The atmosphere was electric for the Penn-State Auburn game in Auburn, Alabama.
It was the first time that a Big Ten team ever played in Auburn. Penn State played great and won 41-12, but the campus was just as impressive as Penn State's victory.
I have never seen tailgating like that on the Plains.
Unlike most schools, people are allowed to put tents everywhere -- including on the lawn in front of the president's house. But at the end of the day, there was no trash anywhere.
The campus is beautiful, and the downtown is right off the campus and filled with cool bars and restaurants and the famous Toomer's Corner.
It could have been a movie set of the perfect college town.
The large fraternity houses are just north of the stadium and had huge pre-game parties. I even got a picture with the most famous mascot in the country -- Aubie.
The historic 88,000-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium is located in the heart of campus and the crowd, at least in the beginning of the game, was the loudest stadium I can remember.
A war eagle named Independence flies into the stadium and lands on the 50-yard line to start the pre-game festivities, and the Auburn band is fantastic.
Hedges -- yes, hedges -- surround the field and the school's navy blue and burnt orange colors created a beautiful portrait with the green grass of the field and the blue sky.
The student section was enormous and, most of the students wore jackets and ties -- a southern tradition.
But what impressed me most about Auburn was how friendly all the fans were to the Penn State fans. It felt like a thousand people asked me if I was having a good time and not once did I hear anyone heckle a Penn State fan.
It was so surreal -- like in The Chevy Chase movie Funny Farm (his best movie by the way, about a sportswriter.).
When I was walking back to my car, a half dozen people offered me a ride, and Auburn fans were buying drinks for Penn State fans all weekend.
It would be a great idea if Ohio State fans came down to Auburn and took some notes.
I wish Penn State played at an SEC school each year. I have attended games at Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and now Auburn and had a great time at all four.
Ira Kaufman
New York City
Franklin should alter
stance on scheduling
Every time I want to like James Franklin, it seems he has to say more than necessary, and it makes me cringe.
Saturday's post-game comment about future SEC opponents really upset me.
So I know coaches are criticized for not always saying what they're really thinking, but this was one he should have just said we'll see, blah blah blah and went on.
This desire to only play non-con pasties confirms the need for 10 conference games.
Oh, and the desire to become elite like Ohio State, look at the current upcoming and opponents that OSU has scheduled home-and-away series -- Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Washington and Notre Dame.
Franklin obliviously didn't get updated on Big Ten teams playing premier SEC opponents.
I'm not a season ticket holder, but if I were, I'd be complaining to athletic department about future non-conference scheduling.
Dave Dillen
Altoona