re: Realistically, how bad are the WVU fans?

A friend who has been to big games at 40+ college stadiums all over the country (including WVU) was shocked to hear we're taking our kids to the WVU game. He said that while most fans are fine - the typical cussing or drunken rants you find many places - others have been known to go after you even if you don't provoke them. Wearing school colors and clapping for your team makes this wild strain of hillbillies CRAZY MAD.

His advice was no Tigerbaiting and no trash talk in the stands, even if you think it's all fun and games. Some just don't have a sense of humor about football games, and this game is among the biggest they've ever played. Furthermore, security ALWAYS takes the side of the WVU fans, regardless of the situation.

He said these crazy couch burners are like fans for the Philadelphia Eagles. As a point of reference for those not on the East Coast, my husband made the mistake of wearing a Redskins jersey to a game in Philly, and in return he had full beers thrown at him throughout the game, cigarettes flicked at him while he was in line for concessions, and people tried to trip him as he went up and down the steps to his seats. A guy who was a foot shorter than my husband keep spitting at his (my husband's) feet while they stood in line in the bathroom. The Philly fans were looking for fights anywhere they could find them.

I'm certainly not saying all WVU fans will be this way - I'm sure most are excited about the game and want to be good hosts - but if you run across someone looking to cause trouble, it's best not to take the bait or try to wise-crack your way through it. Just walk away, lock up your children, and celebrate in the privacy of your own car!