Rose Bowl Turf Article

[bayoutider]

Who says Nick doesn't think of everything? From Al.com

Well, there was a very noticable change to Alabama's plans. The Crimson Tide is not working (exactly) at Orange Coast College, instead moving across the street to two nice adjoining fields at Costa Mesa High School. Reasons included the fact that OCC's stadium uses artificial turf and there was more room at the other site.

UA was behind a portable fence installed around the fields.

LINK

 

[dtgreg]

I guess the best thing to do is check with UCLA about their game after the U@ concert. If it worked great then, no reason to think it won't now.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I just wish the Bryant-Denny turf could get anywhere near that kind of attention. Our playing surface always seems to be shot by the end of September. With all the upgrades to the stadium, why can't Bama seem to find anyone who knows how to keep the field in pristine condition??

BDS is a special case. The field has an underground stream running under it and it makes the drainage tricky as hell. All kinds of solutions have been examined, up to and including diverting the aquifer. It's also a factor in lowering the field. It was deemed too expensive because of all the buildings sitting on it...

 

[bama backer]

Coach Saban has to have ordered up the right cleats for any field condition changes. If the sod does loosen up it should be more of an advantage for a team that has a great running offense(with depth) than a passing type team I would think. Roll Tide Roll :BigA:

 

[WylieTexasTider]

if it slows down Shipley won't it slow down our guys, too? It's not like we're a bunch of slow white patio furniture that needs the 'let's cut the grass to our advantage' trick like notre dumb.

It would slow us down too but, a slow track would benefit our power running game more than it would the Texas passing attack. I am not worried about our DB's containing Shipley, I am worried about his punt/KO return ability. IMO he is the best we have faced all year. I am confident we will win but, it would not surprise me if he breaks one for a TD.

 

[Brady]

If the sod does loosen up it should be more of an advantage for a team that has a great running offense(with depth) than a passing type team I would think. Roll Tide Roll :BigA:

Personally, I think the field will be fine. I trust the professionals a lot more than the opinions of guys trying to win their neighborhood's Yard of the Month award :biggrin:

However, I think a poor field would help a passing team more. The receivers know where they are going, corners have to react to that requiring more sure footing. Kinda like a slippery field due to rain BUT without the wet football.

 

[bamacon]

Agreed. The field will look immaculate.

 

[JDCrimson]

If aint broke dont fix it. This seems just an ego thing. I will hope for the best.

 

[theBIGyowski]

If aint broke dont fix it. This seems just an ego thing. I will hope for the best.

If they are going to be making millions upon millions of dollars with this game...might as well give it to others by creating work for them to do.

 

[JohnnyCache]

BDS is a special case. The field has an underground stream running under it and it makes the drainage tricky as hell. All kinds of solutions have been examined, up to and including diverting the aquifer. It's also a factor in lowering the field. It was deemed too expensive because of all the buildings sitting on it...

Which is why I think ultimately BDS is going to need, and I hate to say this... well, I'm not going to say it. And I don't want it any more than the next guy.

 

[Tideski]

Which is why I think ultimately BDS is going to need, and I hate to say this... well, I'm not going to say it. And I don't want it any more than the next guy.

Are you serious? I am not being ugly.... I honestly mean that. You think that needs to be done. I think they would alter the underground stream (or at least try) before they would ever do that. Even if it took millions.
All that tradition, lost, that would kill me.

 

[Cheaha1]

Sure seems like it would be like a loose carpet. I just don't see how the grass could really take root and be firm. Hope they know what they're doing...

I'm gonna pretend like I know what I'm talking about. I think the "looseness" would be a factor dependent on the thickness of the sod roll. I just hope that when they planned this, their plans were guided more so by functionality than aesthetics.

 

[bryantdenny]

Which is why I think ultimately BDS is going to need, and I hate to say this... well, I'm not going to say it. And I don't want it any more than the next guy.

I guess you are talking about artificial turf and I would hate to see it again at BD. But I have to admit that nowadays there have been times when I have looked at some fields that looked natural and later learned it was artificial.

 

[lorange]

Sure seems like it would be like a loose carpet. I just don't see how the grass could really take root and be firm. Hope they know what they're doing...

I agree. I wonder how large the sod rolls will be. I know they will put a heavy rolling machine on it, but it's hard for me to believe it will be stable in 6 days.

 

[p'colabamaman]

I seem to remember that new sod was rolled out on NFL playing fields just days before a big game. (Super-Dome?) I feel pretty sure that the grounds people at the Rose Bowl know what they're doing, otherwise they wouldn't touch it. It will be immaculate.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I'm gonna pretend like I know what I'm talking about. I think the "looseness" would be a factor dependent on the thickness of the sod roll. I just hope that when they planned this, their plans were guided more so by functionality than aesthetics.

The thickness of the sod is one number that's missing from the article. However, the oversodding on the Citrus Bowl appeared to me to be 1.5-2". When the players planted, that appeared to be about the depth of the gouge. I don't know how more than that could be applied - or how often. If they kept on with that, the playing field would end up a foot or more above the side line. I'm sure they strip it in off-season. The article said that the sod was Bermuda, overseeded with winter Rye. Can those roots grow that quick?

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Well, I think I'll go with the 50-50 "immaculate." Can we save your post?

 

[bamacon]

Well, I think I'll go with the 50-50 "immaculate." Can we save your post?

Maybe we should start an OFFICIAL: Pick the sod quality thread.:biggrin2:

 

[PalmBayBama]

From Rose Bowl gets fresh field New Years Day for Citi BCS National Championship game - Athletic Turf :

With no time for the new grass to root, the sod will be cut 1 ½-in. thick to ensure it will be heavy enough to stay firmly in place.

 

[JDCrimson]

Winter rye can sprout and be 2-3" tall in 3-5 days in the right conditions. Its unbelievable how fast that stuff grows.

Obviously, they are not expecting any rain or this whole experiment would be a complete disaster.

I dont worry about the turf coming up as much as I worry about Javy, Julio, or Mark catching a cleat in one of the seams of turf.