The Oregon fans and Autzen Stadium get a lot of credit for being one of the loudest and most difficult road venues. Last night was I think my 6th trip there since '92, and I have yet to see a Bears win. (Missed the trip 2007). But as loud as Autzen was last night, I don't think that was much of a factor for the Bears. Really, it was just a better, faster team that ran the Bears ragged.
However, I'm not sure Autzen is all its cracked up to be. Yes it's loud, but not as loud as some other venues. And the Autzen environment is a lot like an NFL game - kind of contrived - with some obnoxious piped in music/chants, and a PA system and program that seem geared to act intimidatingly. (I doubt this has any effect on the visiting teams - but may help pump up the home crowd.) It seems kind of cool for a minute and then you think about it being a college football game and do you really need the PA system blasting this stuff to get folks going? Not saying it doesn't work, but it does seem weird.
The loudest venues I've seen the Bears visit have been Nebraska, Washington, and Tennessee, with Tennessee by far the loudest. Husky Stadium seems to get a lot of bounce off the large overhangs (and will probably get louder after the renovation next year when they remove the track). But if you get on a roll, they go silent. But Neyland was unlike anything I've ever heard - including Autzen during an overtime game. The overhangs at Neyland, large percentage of metal stands, and the fact that the fans brought it on every down - not just 3rd down - were incredible. I did come out of that game with a newfound respect for SEC teams that win on the road in that conference.
Again - yesterday I think the team did fine with respect to crowd noise and dealing with Autzen environ. I only noticed one false start. The offsides penalties on the D were our D linemen making a point to shove the Oregon center when he did his head bob/false start (which he does nearly every play). Yesterday was about execution and not beating your man.
However, I'm not sure Autzen is all its cracked up to be. Yes it's loud, but not as loud as some other venues. And the Autzen environment is a lot like an NFL game - kind of contrived - with some obnoxious piped in music/chants, and a PA system and program that seem geared to act intimidatingly. (I doubt this has any effect on the visiting teams - but may help pump up the home crowd.) It seems kind of cool for a minute and then you think about it being a college football game and do you really need the PA system blasting this stuff to get folks going? Not saying it doesn't work, but it does seem weird.
The loudest venues I've seen the Bears visit have been Nebraska, Washington, and Tennessee, with Tennessee by far the loudest. Husky Stadium seems to get a lot of bounce off the large overhangs (and will probably get louder after the renovation next year when they remove the track). But if you get on a roll, they go silent. But Neyland was unlike anything I've ever heard - including Autzen during an overtime game. The overhangs at Neyland, large percentage of metal stands, and the fact that the fans brought it on every down - not just 3rd down - were incredible. I did come out of that game with a newfound respect for SEC teams that win on the road in that conference.
Again - yesterday I think the team did fine with respect to crowd noise and dealing with Autzen environ. I only noticed one false start. The offsides penalties on the D were our D linemen making a point to shove the Oregon center when he did his head bob/false start (which he does nearly every play). Yesterday was about execution and not beating your man.