Nick Saban claims Texas A&M artificially boosts crowd noise at Kyle Field
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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 their first-round game at Kyle Field.
Nick Saban, who won seven national championships during his storied coaching career, has experienced his share of hostile environments on road trips.
But the former Alabama coach and current ESPN college football analyst came up with a surprising theory about how Texas A&M turns up the volume to keep opposing teams off balance.
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A view of the center field 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 utilize artificial crowd noise to increase sound levels during games.
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“I filed more complaints with the SEC office – more complaints that I really don’t want to say on the show – about it being the loudest place. Plus they make noise… You can’t hear your own thoughts when you’re playing there,” he told Pat McAfee on Thursday afternoon.
Adding crowd noise during games does not clearly violate NCAA rules. However, policy 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 board’s rulebook: “Artificial crowd noise is permitted by conference policy or by mutual consent of the institutions. The noise level must be consistent for both teams throughout the game. However, all existing rules regarding bands, music, and other sounds remain in effect. When the snap approaches, the band/music must stop playing. As with all administrative rules, the referee may stop play and direct game management to make adjustments.”
A general view of fans watch the halftime game 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)
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Regardless of the possible presence of artificial noise, the Miami Hurricanes will face a raucous crowd when Saturday’s first-round CFP game kicks off at 12pm ET.
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