If you come to Laramie, Wyoming, you've come for one of two things: Incredible natural beauty or subpar college football. Those two reasons are why Laramie is number 90 in our Top 100 College Football Towns in America countdown.
To celebrate 100 days until the start of the college football season, HERO Sports is counting down the Top 100 FBS College Football Towns in America. Each day, starting May 17 and ending Aug. 24, a new city will be revealed. We will analyze the city, the program, the good and bad of the city as well as the bottom line. If you got a problem, @me on Twitter.
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90. Laramie, Wyoming – Wyoming
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The Program
Wyoming has a long and storied history, dating back to 1905. During the Cowboys 106-year history (football was suspended during World War II), they've had two unbeaten seasons, played in the Gator, Sugar and Fiesta Bowl and finished as high as sixth. Wyoming hit new heights last month when Josh Allen was selected seventh by the Buffalo Bills. It was the highest ranked draft pick since Josh Doctson was taken 22nd in 2016.
There was a time when the NCAA threatened to demote Wyoming down to the FCS level if the Cowboys weren't able to increase their attendance. While they sit eighth out of 12 Mountain West schools, they play at 70 percent capacity, which ranks sixth.
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The City
Laramie is the epitome of the outdoorsman's paradise. Nestled between the Laramie range and the Snowy range, there is not an outdoor activity you can think of that is not offered. The city still embodies the old western feel of its past. Driving or walking through the town will give you the sensation you never left the old west–or at least the 50s. Only 32,000 people live in Laramie. A little less than 12,000 go to the University of Wyoming, meaning you'll probably know everyone, which is not entirely a bad thing.
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The Good
You think Denver has a home field advantage? Laramie's War Memorial Stadium has the highest elevation of any Division I FBS college football stadium in the nation. The playing field sits at an elevation of 7,215 feet. Seats so high, you may literally get a nosebleed. Walking around town, you might think you accidentally stepped into one of those beautiful landscape paintings you see at the Motel 6. Sometimes it just doesn't seem real.
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The Bad
First, Wyoming's colors are brown and yellow which is already a bad start. Second, by the time October rolls around the temperature dips down below freezing and you have to make a choice, continue to watch the game or continue to feel your extremities.
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Bottom Line
Head to Laramie in late September, and you might have an outdoorsy time of your life. Go later, and you might have hypothermia.
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NEXT: Top 100 College Football Towns: No. 91 – Statesboro, Georgia
