1. Madison, WI (University of Wisconsin)
2. Athens, GA (The University of Georgia)
3. Austin, TX (University of Texas)
4. Ann Arbor, MI (University of Michigan)
5. Columbia, MO (University of Missouri)
6. Boulder, CO (University of Colorado)
7. Oxford, MS (University of Mississippi)
8. Knoxville, TN (University of Tennessee)
9. College Station, TX (Texas A&M University)
10. Charlottesville, VA (University of Virginia)
I've never been to most non-Big Ten towns, but I have always said any list of Big Ten towns absolutely has to start Madison-Ann Arbor-Bloomington, in that order. Beyond that, I'm willing to hear arguments, but if that's not your top 3, I have no room for your argument. So this list holds sway with me.Where's State College rank?
Where's State College rank?Probably the 4-6 group with East Lansing and College Park. It's hard to judge Columbus and Minneapolis. And I've never been to Iowa CIty or Lincoln. West Lafayette and Piscataway are the clear basement of the 12 I've been to. Omitting the two metro areas and the two I've never been to, I'd say...
I'll footnote, I wouldnt include Knoxville in my top 20, it isn't a bad place, just a lot of better college towns.I went to Waco once and found the campus real nice when I went running. I liked that and the Torchy’s, but couldn’t tell you a thing beyond that.
I'll say WLaf has improved over the 20 or so years covering my visits but I would have a hard time putting it above anywhere but Piscataway in the Big 10. I've never been to College Park. As I age, I become less favorable towards Madison.
My least favorite XII town is Waco. In fact its one of my least favorite cities anywhere. I've been twice. , my visit to Lubbock was quite brief to fairly grade it at all.
I am fond of (maybe not top 10) the Little Apple, Lawrence, Norman, College Station, and Fort Worth, even though I've previously said I discount large metro areas. Of course TCUs presence in FW has little to do with why I like Ft Worth.
Knoxville was bigger than I thought it'd be.Columbia has some perks, but not a good drop-in town for sure.
Baton Rouge is fun if you're willing to eat a lot of unhealthy (delicious) stuff.
Starkville is mostly just Miss State + a gas station, lol.
Columbia, SC is fine, but it's not Charleston.
I'll say WLaf has improved over the 20 or so years covering my visits but I would have a hard time putting it above anywhere but Piscataway in the Big 10. I've never been to College Park. As I age, I become less favorable towards Madison.I was astounded when I went back last fall to see how much of campus had changed in 20 years.
I only lived in Marietta two years, so I'm sure that @Cincydawg (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=870) can give much better color than I can...
I'll also add that UT and Austin aren't really the same as Atlanta and... GaTech I guess? UT is THE academic and THE athletic presence in Austin-- no pro sports teams, no other colleges of any note to compete with. Atlanta and Austin aren't really all that similar when compared in that manner.
I think of the term "college town" as meaning a town small enough that the university is THE thing in the town. You can't drive around very far without running into a college something. Atlanta et al. would not qualify (even if somehow one liked the city). Chapel Hill is almost too small to qualify IMHO. There isn't much to it aside from the U. Charlottesville is probably near an ideal ratio between U size and town size.That's why Madison and Ann Arbor top my list. I think the *town* of Ann Arbor is slightly better, but not enough to overcome having a lake.
Waco is a dump. Torchy's makes some tasty gringo tacos.agreed
It's tough to be a Tech fan these days, with Paul Johnson you at least had a shot at beating UGA on occasion.I was genuinely surprised they got rid of him. Where do they think their ceiling really is?? 10-3 every few years is about it, and he provided that.
I was genuinely surprised they got rid of him. Where do they think their ceiling really is?? 10-3 every few years is about it, and he provided that.He retired. They did not get rid of him.