With the anticipation of the 2024 College Football season approaching Jake and Jay from The Get Back Coach podcast list their “dream tour”.
Week 0
Jake
Florida State vs Georgia Tech Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
I’m not a huge fan of neutral site games, especially when it makes zero sense geographically. However, what better way to kick off a College Football tour than in Dublin? Hitting up the pubs before an ACC matchup featuring the defending ACC Champ against a program trending up might be the perfect appetizer for the season.
Jay
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Basically echoing everything Jake said above, I am anti-neutral site games in college football. I am also overwhelmingly pro-Dublin. Ireland has been on my bucket list for a while and going to experience college football overseas would rip. Especially when you think about the great internet outage of the Nebraska / Northwestern game and the resulting free beer. Plus pubs.
Week 1
Jake
Penn State at West Virginia Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, West Virginia
I have to admit, I’m a little biased for this one. Morgantown is one of the best college towns in the nation and is paired with one of the best tailgate lots in all of College Football, the Blue Lot. Even though this game is slated for noon Mountaineer fans have sold out Milan Puskar Stadium and will try to get even in this old-school regional rivalry. After the game, I’d travel 20 miles south to Fairmont to my favorite Italian restaurant Muriales.
Jay
Penn State at West Virginia Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, West Virginia
For the first two weeks of the season, Jake and I will be going to the same destinations. My Morgantown trip for the inaugural edition of Send Jay Away gave me a taste of Mountaineer hospitality and I’ve been dying to get back ever since. A sold out Milan Puskar is just icing on the cake. Give me some pepperoni rolls and moonshine and let the good times roll. This is a fun, regional match up that ought to be played more often.
Week 2
Jake
Colorado at Nebraska Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
Last year, Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes beat the Cornhuskers in a renewed rivalry at Folsom Field. Now it’s their turn to hit the road, but this will be a different Huskers team. Nebraska returns a ton in production and will be looking to begin the year strong. Memorial Stadium’s sellout streak will continue, and the fans will be raucous to get revenge on the Buffs.
Jay
UTSA at Texas State Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, Texas
For week two, Jake and I finally have different destinations on the docket. I want to head to San Marcos for the massive Group of 5 rivalry matchup between the Bobcats and the Roadrunners. Though a relatively new addition to the lore of Texas football rivalries, this one still burns hot. The relationship between UTSA Head Coach Jeff Traylor and Texas State Head Coach GJ Kinne just adds a little flavor to it. With the Bobcats having a strong chance at a Sun Belt title and the Roadunners ranking as one of the better non-power programs of the past few years, the stakes will be high.
Week 3
Jake
Oregon at Oregon State Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon
This rivalry may be the most toxic it’s ever been, coming from a rivalry called “The Civil War” that is saying something. Oregon was one of the major influences for the Pac-12’s implosion leaving Oregon State out to dry without a home in a “power 5” conference. Beaver fans are bitter and will treat this game like it’s their last one on earth. Reeser Stadium is finally finished with its construction and will provide the most hostile environment for the week.
Jay
Washington State at Washington Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Where Jake went with one in-state Pacific Northwest rivalry formerly in the Pac-12, I decided to go with the other option. Washington State heads to Seattle early in the season to take on the Huskies in the Apple Cup. You can bet the crowd will be hot for this one as there is no love lost after the conference dissolution. The one boon for Washington is that they don’t have to go to Pullman this year. You can bet that would be a hostile environment. However, I wish this game was at Husky Stadium instead of an NFL venue. Absolutely zero reason to play this game in the same city but an inferior setting.
Week 4
Jake
Utah at Oklahoma State Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma
The Paddle People will be in full force for this new Big-12 matchup. This matchup is intriguing. Utah was known as the hardnose team in the PAC-12, against a “never know what you’re gonna get” Oklahoma State. It also features two head coaches who were hired in 2005 and have been able to take their respective programs to another tier in College Football.
Jay
North Carolina State at Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
If you’ve been listening to the Get Back Coach recently, you know that I think the Wolfpack have an outside shot at the College Football Playoff. Part of the reason for that is that NC State has really been a thorn in Clemson’s side as of late. With NC State adding Grayson McCall in the offseason, I’m expecting a fun battle in the other Death Valley come September. This one felt like an easy call for me.
Week 5
Jake
Georgia at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Probably the most anticipated games of the regular season. Georgia is looking for redemption after losing the SEC championship and being knocked out of the College Football playoff. First-year head coach Kalen Deboer will try to prove the program is still in good hands, and Bryant-Denny will be the loudest in years.
Jay
Georgia at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
I promise Jake and I didn’t look at each other’s lists before getting this piece put together. T-Town is always a good time and with the Bulldogs coming to town to take on Bama in their first season since Saban retired, I think the entire college football world is interested in what the Tide will look like. Can DeBoer lead Bama to another SEC Title in year one? This game provides an answer to that question.
Week 6
Jake
USC at Minnesota Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
I know this isn’t a popular destination but Minnesota has an underrated football scene, and they love the Gophers. USC returns to Minneapolis for the first time since 2010, now as a conference opponent. Huntington Bank Stadium opened in 2009 and has been a “sneaky” tough place to play during big games. The Trojans will get the same treatment when they come to town.
Jay
Clemson at Florida State Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
While I think NC State factors into the ACC Championship picture, on paper these are the two teams most likely to meet there in December. These two programs both hold playoff hopes and this game could very well end up being rematched in the postseason. Doak will be rocking when the Tigers come to town, you can bet on it.
Week 7
Jake
Ohio State at Oregon Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
This is the game of the year for the Big Ten. They are predicted to be the two best teams in the conference, and these programs know each other from a recent matchup in 2021 when Oregon defeated Ohio State in the Horseshoe. The Buckeyes will travel inside the Autzen Zoo in a showdown with major implications for College Football Playoff seeding.
Jay
Idaho at Montana State Bobcat Stadium, Bozeman, Montana
The Send Jay Away game for this season is Idaho at Montana State and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This game will likely have both Big Sky and FCS Playoff implications and my road trip to Bozeman will see me detour through Yellowstone National Park. I’ve already hyped myself up for the journey and I can’t wait to take my trip to what should be an incredible football game. I am planning to hit multiple breweries along the way and sample some huckleberry offerings at local dining establishments.
Week 8
Jake
Alabama at Tennessee Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
The last time the Crimson Tide visited Neyland Stadium during the “Third Saturday in October” Tennessee was the team smoking the cigars. Neyland Stadium is one of the most hostile environments. The fans can be downright unhinged. The Vols will most likely be underdogs but they have the matchup to pull off an upset. This is going to be a must-see live event. I’d head to “Ye Olde Steakhouse” the night before the game. By far my favorite restaurant during my travels.
Jay
South Dakota State at North Dakota State Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota
I’m sticking around the FCS ranks for another banger as this matchup should also have soem FCS Playoff implications. The Fargodome is one of the most iconic venues in all of college football after the run of success the Bison have experienced but the Jackrabbits are back-to-back champs and absolute powerhouses. What’s not to love about heading up to Fargo for this badger and enjoying some beers from Drekker Brewing at a tailgate?
Week 9
Jake
Kansas at Kansas State Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas
Week 9 would take us to The Sunflower Showdown. Despite the dominance of Kansas State since the turn of the millennium, Kansas leads the all-time series. Bill Snyders Family Stadium is new, state-of-the-art, and a perfect setting for an inner-state rivalry in Kansas.
Jay
Boise State at UNLV Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
After leading the UNLV Rebels to the Mountain West Championship in year one, Barry Odom will have a chance to avenge that loss when the Broncos come to town in Week 9. Both squads have a chance to head back to the conference championship meaning this matchup has a ton of intrigue late in the season. Getting to visit Vegas and see the Go-Go Offense in person with high stakes? Sign me up.
Week 10
Jake
Ohio State at Penn State Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
Is it a shame this game will most likely not be in primetime? Yes, but it will not diminish how juiced this crowd will be. It has been 8 years since the Nittany Lions have gotten a win against the Buckeyes, and they are starving for a win. Even though this game will be at noon you can bet the fans will be putting up their tailgate tents at 6:30 to prepare for another rollercoaster of a game.
Jay
Wisconsin at Iowa Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
I’m also heading to the Big Ten in Week 10 as the Badgers take on Iowa for the Heartland Trophy. Iowa is the lone state missing from my travels through the Midwest and this matchup feels like a perfect opportunity to cross it off the list. A rock fight of a rivalry this game may be, but I absolutely love it. Get me to Kinnick, hopefully for a night game.
Week 11
Jake
Alabama at LSU Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
This is a no-brainer. It’s Tiger Stadium, in what will most likely be primetime, and to add one of the best tailgate scenes in sports. Alabama has gotten the best of the Tigers for all but twice in the last decade. Brian Kelly is looking to put the pieces together to make a championship run, but need to get through the Crimson Tide first. With questions surrounding both teams, one thing is certain, “Death Valley” will be alive.
Jay
Oklahoma at Missouri Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri
An underrated rivalry renewed in the SEC, OU travels to Mizzou in what should be an extremely fun matchup. Sooners would probably argue that given the lopsided history in this matchup, it doesn’t really constitute a true rivalry but you can bank on CoMo being fired up when Oklahoma comes to town. Alabama at LSU may be the easy pick for this week but I think the hate from the first matchup between Oklahoma and Missouri since 2011 will provide a hostile and electric atmosphere.
Week 12
Jake
Tennessee at Georgia Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia
The premier game on Georgia’s home schedule is against the Tennesse Volunteers. Before the National title runs Sanford Stadium had a bit of a reputation for not being as loud as others in the South. Now Sanford is extremely intimidating, whether that’s because of the team on the field or the fans barking at children. It’s a destination every College Football fan needs to see.
Jay
Tennessee at Georgia Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia
I might be buying into the Nico Iamaleava hype a bit too much but I firmly believe that the Tennessee Vols will be a playoff contender in 2024 and Georgia represents the biggest road test of the season. Athens will be absolutely belligerent when UT comes to town to take on the Dogs in what has the makings of an instant classic. Fireworks late in the season at a dynamite SEC venue? Sign me up.
Week 13
Jake
James Madison at App State Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, North Carolina
This could be the biggest game in the “Group of 5”. These two programs had a history of making deep runs in the D1-AA/FCS playoffs. James Madison jumped to FBS in 2022 and both meetings against App State have been instant classics. Kidd Brewer Stadium provides a more intimate setting, with a beautiful scene, and a wild crowd.
Jay
Iowa State at Utah Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Big 12 feels truly wide open in 2024 but if any team seems primed to take the conference champion, it’s Utah (if Cam Rising is healthy). Iowa State isn’t being talked about as much but the Cyclones could factor into the race for the Big 12 title as well. Both teams play a physical brand of football with battles in the trenches. Late November in Salt Lake City. Physicality. Post-season stakes. Sign me up.
Week 14
Jake
Texas at Texas A&M Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
The cheaper seats for this game are over $500 making it the most expensive regular season game. Kyle Field is intimidating no matter who the Aggies are playing, but when the Texas Longhorns step foot on campus for the first time since 2011 it will shatter Richter scales. To be there in person for the “Aggie War Hymn” with the entire crowd swaying and screaming “saw varsity’s horns off” will be the closest fans will come to reaching a spiritual enlightenment.
Jay
Texas at Texas A&M Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
There was no other choice for me here. Nothing came anywhere close. As a player at Texas A&M, I can’t tell you how often we pined for the massive rivalry moment of the Lone Star Showdown that we never got to experience. Now, the game is back and Kyle Field will reach levels of volume that haven’t been seen before. The place will be packed, regardless how the season goes up to that point. I can’t imagine a more electric atmosphere in the world than that first kickoff as the Aggies take on the Longhorns on the gridiron for the first time in over ten years. The stories that will be told will live forever.
