A night game is the ideal atmosphere for college football.
The lights are shining brightest and a primetime television game is what players dream of.
Florida has already played in five such games already this season, with two being on the road.
But a night game in Tiger Stadium — where Florida will play Saturday at 7 — is a different atmosphere.
While Kentucky and Missouri create their own atmospheres, Death Valley dwarfs those two stadiums.
With a capacity of 102,321, Tiger Stadium is the third largest stadium in the Southeastern Conference, and it’s the biggest stadium the Gators will play in this season.
Coach Jim McElwain knows from experience how hostile it gets playing a game in Death Valley.
When he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama, McElwain took two trips to Baton Rouge, but it was the game in 2008 that stands out in his mind.
Alabama would prevail over the Tigers 27-21 in overtime, and the atmosphere in and around Tiger Stadium brings up memories of McElwain’s childhood when he was growing up in Montana.
"It reminded me of going in when you play in Montana. People rock the bus. God, it’s great," McElwain said.
"It’s the way college football should be. Just the passion of the fans and the energy in the stands."
Dealing with the nighttime hostility is what the No. 8 Gators (6-0, 4-0 SEC) will try to overcome against No. 6 LSU (5-0, 3-0 SEC).
Not one player on Florida’s current roster has ever played in a night game at LSU.
The last time the Gators played under the lights at Tiger Stadium was back in 2009 — a 13-3 win.
So, UF’s current players can only rely on hearsay from former players and coaches about what a night game in Baton Rouge is like.
"I don’t know anything about it personally at night, but I hear a lot of stories about it," junior linebacker Jarrad Davis said.
"I’m looking forward to going there to play, I think it’s going to be a great opportunity."
Senior defensive lineman Jon Bullard said that while the game will be on the road on Saturday, the feeling around the stadium will still have a positive impact.
"The atmosphere, it gives you that extra go," Bullard said.
"Even though it’s not at home, when you’ve got an atmosphere like that, you get jittery and juiced and it helps you out a little bit."
McElwain and the coaching staff have put the emphasis on creating chaos and getting the team prepared for road games.
But this week has been different since there has been chaos surrounding the program.
First it was quarterback Will Grier being suspended after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
And then on Wednesday, redshirt freshman cornerback Deiondre Porter was arrested and subsequently suspended indefinitely after police said he reportedly fired a gun in the direction of his girlfriend.
However, while McElwain said that while no one on the team was prepared for those two situations-, it’s just one aspect of the chaos the team must prepare for.
"Playing in Tiger Stadium in a night game, there’s a lot of it going on," McElwain said.
"So, I think the important thing is eliminate the clutter, take care of yourself, do your job and let’s go focus and have a good time doing it."
Follow Luis Torres on Twitter @LFTorresIII
UF defensive lineman Jon Bullard (90) goes for a tackle during Florida's 28-27 win against Tennessee on Sept. 26, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
