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Despite dropping the regular season finale to in-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, has faced his fair share of hostile environments on road trips.
But the former Alabama coach and current ESPN college football analyst floated a surprising theory about how Texas A&M University 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 “noisiest” atmospheres in sports, he also claimed that stadium operators relied on artificial crowd noise to increase the sound level during games.
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“I filed more of a complaint with the SEC office — it was more of a complaint that I don’t really want to say on this show — about this place being noisier. 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, the policy imposes 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, by conference policy or mutual agreement between institutions. The noise level must be constant throughout the game for both teams. However, all existing rules remain in effect dealing with bands, music and other sounds. When a shot is imminent, the band/music must stop play. As with all officiating rules, the referee may stop the game and direct the game management to adjust.”
A general view of fans watching the play in the first half between the Texas A&M Aggies and Ball State Cardinals at Kyle Field on September 12, 2015 in College Station, Texas. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
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Aside from the possibility of industrial noise, the Miami Hurricanes will likely face a rowdy crowd when their CFP Championship first-round game kicks off on Saturday at 12 noon ET.
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