Analysts are projecting over 150,000 fans will be in attendance.
150,000 fans.
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 7, 2016
College football's biggest ever.
Let's go.#BattleAtBristol pic.twitter.com/7OymKYtFCK
The speedway has been completely transformed. They brought in 450 truckloads of rocks and sand to make the infield level for football. Workers rolled out and laid down about 100,000 square feet of turf, putting the field together in a week-long process. There’s also Colossus, the 750-ton scoreboard that was installed in April. With most fans sitting far away from the action, Colossus will be used more than ever.
Here is a look at the @BattleAtBristol turf from different angles. @BMSupdates 🍊🦃🏁🏈 pic.twitter.com/tqLoaIjUoO
— Darren Reese (@GSunDarrenReese) August 29, 2016
It will be a very cool experience for both bands and their fans, we just hope you can hear them!
Down in Baton Rouge Louisiana, the LSU Tiger Band will be hosting the Jacksonville State Marching Southerners in a match-up of epic proportions. However, this almost didn’t happen. LSU earlier in the summer banned visiting bands from performing at halftime. Luckily they reversed the decision a few days later. Read about it here.
Texas A&M is set to host Prairie View A&M featuring the Marching Storm. You could not ask to find two bands more different from each other this weekend. The Aggies march a traditional military style 6 to 5 while the Marching Storm is an HBCU band that is built around entertaining fans to the max. Here’s a really cool breakdown of the band match-up by our friends at GoodBullHunting.com
You’ll be able to watch both bands on the SEC Network+ online as part of ESPN’s band coverage for the SEC Network.
Elsewhere in the SEC the Carolina Band from USC will meet the Famous Maroon Band from Mississippi State in a monster match-up that could cause structural damage to Davis Wade Stadium during halftime. These two band programs absolutely bring it every time they are on the field. MS State fans are in for a real treat.
Off to Mississippi State! Go cocks! #mightysound2016 pic.twitter.com/ZU7t3zhGsC
— USC Bands (@TheCarolinaBand) September 9, 2016
A match-up flying under the radar is going to happen on the other side of the state from where we will be. The Stony Brook Marching Band is hitting the road to go head-to-head with the Temple Band in Philadelphia. The Temple Band is coming off of a big week 1 halftime victory where they got some major attention for their dance during JT’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling”. In case you missed it you can see it here.
We're traveling to Philadelphia! We'll be cheering on @StonyBrookFB as they take on Temple pic.twitter.com/g2GU7kpf4x
— SBU Marching Band (@SBUMarchingBand) September 9, 2016
A huge band match-up is taking place in Pittsburgh, PA as the Pitt band hosts the Penn State Blue Band.
We are on our way @PittBand @PSUBlueBand! Looking forward to experiencing the #KeystoneClassic w u all #HalftimeHype pic.twitter.com/PfnDauUcPX
— CollegeMarchingBands (@CollegeMarching) September 8, 2016
Our team is here and will be bringing you an exclusive inside look at the Keystone Classic starting with Pitt band rehearsal early Saturday morning, their bus ride over to Heinz field, pregame concert, pregame shows, stands tunes and halftime. Follow us on @CollegeMarching and on our facebook page for live video and updates throughout the day.
The Blue Band looks pretty excited for the match-up:
See you at Heinz field #BeatPitt pic.twitter.com/2ZMT2Y7q52
— Penn State Blue Band (@PSUBlueBand) September 7, 2016
We are looking forward to seeing these two great bands in action. Use our #HalftimeHype and tag us in any social media posts that you’d like us to share this weekend.
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