How will home field advantage be impacted if fans aren’t allowed to attend college football games in the fall?
This is a question I’ve found myself debating with friends a bit, and I think it’s a fascinating situation to unpack. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
In my mind, it’s going to make a huge difference in the outcome of games if teams play in empty stadiums. Why do I say that?
It’s actually pretty simple. The talent gap between a Wisconsin and an Iowa isn’t as big as some might think. The talent gap between an Ohio State and a team like Iowa isn’t as big as many of you might imagine.
Yes, teams like OSU and Wisconsin are more talented than your average B1G team, but it’s not insurmountable.
Playing in front of your home fans sets the tone, atmosphere and environment. A great home crowd can balance the scales.
For example, OSU has recently lost on the road to Purdue and Iowa. Wisconsin went on the road to Illinois last season and lost.
Those games are all won at home. So, what happens if those games all happen at home, but Wisconsin and Ohio State fans aren’t there to make the stadiums a living hell for the opposing teams?
The reality is they could lose. Will they likely lose? No. Could they lose a game that would be a lock for a win front of a crowd? Yes.
You only need a few things to go wrong to find yourself upset in the world of college football. You take the crowd noise out of the equation, and opposing offenses will immediately get a boost.
Teams fear traveling to Columbus, Madison and Ann Arbor. They fear the fans. That won’t be the case if the stadiums are empty.
Every game becomes a neutral game, and anything is possible. If fans aren’t allowed in this upcoming season, you can expect to see a lot more upsets than usual. I’d guarantee it.
