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Despite losing their regular season finale to state 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, experienced his fair share of hostile environments in his travels.
But the former Alabama coach and current ESPN college football analyst posed 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)
While Saban described Kyle Field as one of the “loudest” atmospheres in sports, he also claimed that stadium operators have 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 really don’t want to say on this show) that this is the loudest place. Plus, they make noise… You can’t hear yourself think when you’re playing there,” he told Pat McAfee on Thursday afternoon.
Adding crowd noise during games does not explicitly violate NCAA rules. However, politics requires a certain level of consistency.
A general view of Kyle Field before the start of the game between the 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 rule book: “Artificial crowd noise is permitted, per conference policy or mutual consent of the institutions. 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 snap is imminent, the band/music must stop playing. As with all administrative rules, the referee may stop the game and order game management to adjust.”
General view of fans watch the play in the first half 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 Saturday’s CFP first-round game tips off at 12 p.m. ET.
