Editor’s note: As we count down to the start of the college football season, FOX Sports Carolinas ranks the game-day experience around the Atlantic Coast Conference. We start Monday with No. 12 Duke and Wallace Wade Stadium, and unveil the top choice on Tuesday, Aug. 21. (item rankings are based on a scale of 1 through 10):
Wallace Wade Stadium, Duke (33,941)
Beauty (2): This place needs a serious makeover. It’s old, the track around the field is dated, and the open end zone and long walk for visiting teams to and from the locker room is too old school.
Tailgating (2): Regular small crowds, somewhat spread out tailgating, and low spirit don’t help.
Buzz (2): This has improved some under David Cutcliffe, but it still lags way behind the rest of the conference.
Fans (2): Duke isn’t going to draw huge crowds for various reasons, but until the students begin showing up in larger numbers, the overall atmosphere will suffer.
History (5): The only Rose Bowl not held in California was played at Wallace Wade in 1942, though Duke lost to Oregon State that day. The Blue Devils have housed some pretty good teams, but most were before many of us were born.
Remark: A $150 million renovation could turn WW into a nice stadium that suits the university and the program’s needs. As it stands, though, this is by far the least impressive venue in the ACC.
