Pump up the volume tonight.

Crank it.

Yank it.

Ted Nugent it.

If it's too loud, then your thinking is too old.

Pumping up the volume is a trend in football stadiums.

Just ask West Virginia University.

The Mountaineers treat a college football game as though it were the NBA. Been to a pro basketball game lately?

The music rarely seems to stop.

If that sounds like a distraction, it's because it is.

And that's the very idea in football.

Marshall head coach Mark Snyder and his Herd discovered just how distracting last week during a 27-3 loss to WVU in rockin' and rollin' Mountaineer Field.

"You couldn't hear yourself think," said Snyder.

That's because WVU plays blaring music over the stadium sound system right up until the center snaps the football.

Audibles?

Huh?

That's the idea.

"You couldn't concentrate," said Snyder. "You couldn't communicate. I thought that was more devastating than the crowd noise, even though I thought their crowd did a great job.

"That noise went all of the way up until the ball was snapped."

Imagine attending a football game and having an AC/DC concert suddenly break out.

That's what it was like.

It was all Snyder could do not to whip out a lighter, flick it ablaze and hold it aloft.

And in case you are a Jimi Hendrix fan, no, Snyder wasn't experienced. It was the very first time he had encountered a crank up the music scenario in his coaching career.

"I guess it's legal because they did it," said Snyder. "What a great idea. ... constantly. You can't hear yourself talk."

Since Snyder obviously was enamored with the "rock 'n' roll ain't noise pollution" concept as it applies to collegiate football, I posed a question.

Well, Mark, would you like to see Marshall pump up the volume during home games?

"Yes," he answered. "I guess that's my point. You asked a question. I'm going to answer your question.

"I didn't bring it up. You did.

"Yes, I would (like to do it here). It sure is a great idea. I agree."

Oh, I get it.

Marky Mark doesn't want to be the one to suggest this high-decibel distraction. He needs someone to recommend it for him.

OK, then. I volunteer.

Push up the volume, Herd. Push it real good. I'd say level 10 would be about right.

And what better time to get the "Led" out than during tonight's nationally televised (ESPN) game against Cincinnati in Edwards Stadium.

With the Bearcats using a redshirt freshman quarterback who will be making his starting debut when the game kicks off at 8 p.m., this would be the perfect time to pump up the volume.

He'd be Thunderstruck.

And you know what they say? All's fair in love, war and rock 'n' roll.

Besides, Marshall already has declared a "White Out" for tonight's game, encouraging the 30,000 or so fans to wear white Marshall gear to the game.

In fact, the first 7,500 fans at the gates will receive free white Marshall T-shirts. And the first 1,000 students get a white rally towel.

So, since it's going to be a "White Out" anyway, I like the idea of adding some white-hot music to the game.

After all, what's a "White Out" without White Snake?

Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.

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