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The SEC’s Week 9 slate of games proved to be much more competitive than in Week 8, but the attendance numbers at the six SEC host stadiums didn’t reflect that.
Last week, all six SEC home stadiums reached at least 97 percent capacity, and four games hosted either a sellout or a crowd exceeding capacity. This week, however, only three of six games drew sellout crowds while two games fell short of 92 percent capacity.
Arkansas only reached 87 percent capacity for its home date with non-conference foe UAB, and the Razorbacks’ crowd of 61,800 fans was the smallest of the weekend throughout the conference.
Among games featuring two SEC teams, Missouri’s date with Vanderbilt had the worst attendance at just 91.9 percent capacity inside Memorial Stadium. Kentucky’s game against No. 1 Mississippi State had the second-smallest crowd with just 64,791 fans, but the Wildcats reached 95.8 percent capacity inside Commonwealth Stadium with the nation’s top-ranked team making a visit.
Auburn, LSU and Tennessee all sold out their home games, but no team exceeded their stadium’s capacity in Week 9. Auburn has sold out seven straight home games including all five this season. LSU’s sellout crowd was the third-largest home crowd in program history.
And with Lane Kiffin returning to Knoxville, it’s no surprise the Volunteers’ fan base was inspired to pack Neyland Stadium for a visit by arch-rival Alabama. Tennessee has now sold out three of its five home games in 2014.
Teams | Home Stadium | Attendance | Capacity | Capacity % |
---|---|---|---|---|
UAB at Arkansas | D.W.R. Razorback Stadium | 61,800 | 72,000 | 87.0% |
South Carolina at Auburn | Jordan-Hare Stadium | 87,451 | 87,451 | 100.0% |
Mississippi State at Kentucky | Commonwealth Stadium | 64,791 | 67,606 | 95.8% |
Ole Miss at LSU | Tiger Stadium | 102,321 | 102,321 | 100.0% |
Vanderbilt at Missouri | Memorial Stadium | 65,264 | 71,004 | 91.9% |
Alabama at Tennessee | Neyland Stadium | 102,455 | 102,455 | 100.0% |
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.