DALLAS -- The thing I remember most from my last visit to the SMU campus for the 2010 TCU-SMU 'Battle for the Iron Skillet' was the epic scene on the Boulevard. Thousands of fans lined the Bishop Blvd. loop and its grass area in between with tents set up for a great tailgating set up.
Fast forward to the Texas A&M Aggies visit to University Park on Sept. 15, 2012. On the drive over to Dallas from my home in Fort Worth, I was fully preparing myself to be let down with the Boulevard scene. After all, I have told so many people about how great the scene was for SMU football, there was no way it would be as much fun.
I could not have been any more wrong.
The huge crowd for A&M's visit blew away the amount of people from that Friday afternoon two years ago. With the gorgeous autumn-like temperatures, the tent lined area actually had the vibe of festival. 'The Corral,' an air-conditioned tent complete with ten 52" HD TVs and refreshments that is a new addition to this year's Boulevard, only added to the fun that Mustangs fans were having in anticipation of the big game. It is located on the main quad at the north end of Bishop Blvd.
When the game began shortly after 2:30 p.m., there was a big crowd in the stands, but the temporary bleachers added with the expectations of the extra demand were practically empty. By the time the fourth quarter began, the remainder of Ford Stadium was sparse as the Aggies easily handled SMU by the score of 48-3.
The next game at Ford Stadium (translation: the next opportunity to hit the Boulevard) is Sept. 29 when the TCU Horned Frogs travel to Dallas for the State Farm DFW Duel. Game time is 6 p.m. with SMU will looking to defend the Iron Skillet following the Mustangs' 40-33 overtime win last season in Fort Worth. Tickets are available through SMUMustangs.com or by calling 214-SMU-GAME.
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