The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Mountain Division Stadiums

With no Mountain West football this fall, we are going to be analyzing different components of the athletic departments within the conference. When analyzing stadiums, we are looking at a couple of different factors, including atmosphere, stadium appearance, and view from the stadium.

The Good:

Maverick Stadium

Probably the best scenery in the conference, Maverick Stadium offers a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains. The atmosphere at a Utah State game is a bit of a tossup. When the team is good or they are playing teams like BYU and BSU, the atmosphere is great. When the team is struggling, the stadium is usually empty. Recent updates have given the stadium a really nice ambiance, making it one of the better stadiums in the Mountain West.

Albertsons Stadium

If we are rating solely on appearance alone, Albertsons Stadium would land in the “Bad” or “Ugly” category. But Boise State football games have the best fan experience in the conference. Pregame tailgating, ribbon boards, large video boards in both end zones, and the noise. The views from the stadium are also great. You can see the surrounding foothills and you can experience Table Rock lit up at night.

Boise State University

Falcon Stadium

This is one of my favorite stadiums in the country. There is something special about Falcon Stadium. The views are pretty solid, but the atmosphere is where it is really at. The energy that the Cadets in the stands bring is second to none. Also, seeing the home and opposing teams come together after the game for the Air Force Alma Mater is pretty amazing.

War Memorial

War Memorial is just a cool, classy stadium. In the second half of the season, the Cowboys have one of the best home field advantages in the country. The weather is unpredictable, and the loyal fan base always seems to show up. Laramie is a unique college town. The stadium views are solid, but not spectacular. But I would give the stadium experience a solid “Good” ranking.

Canvas Stadium

The newest stadium in the Mountain West is completely dazzling. The appearance of the stadium is amazing, and the views are spectacular. The only real issue with Canvas Stadium is the atmosphere. It isn’t necessarily a lack of effort; Canvas Stadium has a lot to offer. But attendance has not been as solid as expected, and the team has not met expectations on the field.

The Bad:

Dreamstyle Stadium

The views are solid. The stadium is okay, but the atmosphere is awful. New Mexico football struggled to put fans in the stands even when the program was having some success. The stadium is often eerily quiet, not what I want when I am attending a football game.

The Ugly:

Nothing in the ugly department this week; that’s a first. I have a feeling that will change next week, though.

That’s it for this edition of “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.” Next week we will take a look at the West Division stadiums. Do you agree with my rankings? What would you change?