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Despite dropping their regular season finale to rival Texas, the Texas A&M Aggies qualified for the College Football Playoff and earned the right to host a first-round game at Kyle Field.
Nick Saban, who won seven national championships during his storied coaching career, has experienced his share of hostile environments while traveling on the road.
But the former Alabama coach and current ESPN college football analyst floated a surprising theory about how Texas A&M turns up the volume to try to keep opposing teams off balance.
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A view of the midfield logo before the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field on October 26, 2024 in College Station, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Although Saban described Kyle Field as one of the “loudest” atmospheres in sports, he also claimed that stadium operators relied on artificial crowd noise to increase the volume during games.
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“I complained more to the SEC office – it was more than complaining which I don’t really want to say on this show – that it’s the loudest place. Plus, they’re loud… You can’t hear yourself think when you’re playing there,” he told Pat McAfee Thursday afternoon.
Adding crowd noise during games does not explicitly violate NCAA rules. However, the policy imposes a certain level of consistency.
A general view of Kyle Field before the start of the game between Texas A&M Aggies and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Kyle Field on October 12, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (John Glaser/USA TODAY Sports)
According to the governing body’s rules: “Artificial crowd noise, by conference policy or mutual consent of the institutions, is permitted. The noise level must be constant throughout the game for both teams. However, all current rules remain in effect regarding bands, music and other sounds. When the snap is imminent, the band/music must cease playing. As with all administrative rules, the referee may stop play and order game management to adjust.”
General view of fans watching the first half game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Ball State Cardinals at Kyle Field on September 12, 2015 in College Station, Texas. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Regardless of the possible presence of artificial noise, the Miami Hurricanes will likely face a raucous crowd when the CFP first-round game begins Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.
