(Written by kencraw)

Well, after the WSU game, a day of travel, a day of visiting with family and 4 days of sight-seeing, (Tues: NYC, Weds: NYC & Phili, Thurs: DC monuments, Fri: DC government) it’s finally gameday. Frankly, it couldn’t have come soon enough at this point. I’m ready for this trip to be over. I’ve been all over the place this week. I actually accelerated my arrival in Maryland just so that I could sleep in the same bed for more than one night.

It started raining yesterday afternoon. Something us west coasters just don’t know how to deal with is rain combined with heat. I broke out my ‘light’ coat when it started raining (I knew to bring a rain-coat) but quickly had to take it off because what I really needed was rain-protection and rain-protection only. My coat was just way too warm (and it’s really a light coat). Heck, I was hot even with the jacket off and soaking wet.

Today the rain is gone although there is rain in the forecast, but I don’t see how as there is sunshine in all directions. However, the humidity is WAY up from earlier in the week and I was sweating bullets in 70 degree weather walking around Byrd stadium.

The stadium is interesting to say the least. It looks like it used to be a 20K-25K concrete horseshoe that they’ve added to. On the north side they’ve added a very tall and steep concrete grandstand that doubles the capacity of the stadium. It’s pretty imposing and bet it will be even more so once the fan start yelling. On the south side they’ve added a narrow but long and tall pressbox (5 stories). Currently in construction are suites to the west of the pressbox. The steepness suggests that this stadium will do an excellent job of keeping the noise in, although the open ends may hurt that. The seating in the stadium is entirely aluminum bleachers.

My seats in the press box are very good again. 45 yard line, 2nd row. I think it’s the first time I’ve been in the 2nd row and not relegated to the “chump/small time reporter” 3rd row, if they have it. The height off the field is very good, a bit higher than at Memorial but still very good. The biggest problem I have in pressboxes is the laptop screen obscuring my own view. I generally have to lean it way down to see the whole field. I suspect if I was Riley’s height, I wouldn’t have that problem.

Look forward to live-blogging once the game begins. Jason will likely host and I’ll feed him my thoughts as the game goes on.