Top 5: Signs that University of Michigan football season is back in Ann Arbor

Here are our Top 5 ways that Ann Arbor residents know football is coming back to the Big House.

1. Strategizing your Saturdays

Need to run errands on Saturday?

Chances are you're already planning your route to the grocery store. If the game starts at 3:30 p.m., when will you need to leave for Whole Foods to avoid traffic? Or should you disrupt your routine and hit up the Whole Foods on the other side of town, taking the back roads to get there? Should you get extra groceries for Saturday evening so you can avoid eating out?

When you start strategizing your Saturdays ahead of time in order to avoid crowds, long waits and traffic, that's a clear indicator that football season is upon us and that our weekends won't quite be the same until late November.

This year, Ann Arborites - and fans - will face a challenge due to the continued closing for construction of the new Stadium bridges. Police are warning fans coming into the city who plan to park near Michigan Stadium to arrive early before the game and expect delays due to the closure of East Stadium Boulevard from South Industrial Highway to Kipke Drive.

In addition, the normal southbound, one-way system on Main Street and Ann Arbor-Saline Road from Stadium Boulevard to Interstate 94 will be in effect after the game. South State Street will have two southbound lanes going toward I-94 from Stimson Street, police said.

2. "Need a ticket?"

While scalpers are a fixture outside the stadium, these days you can tell a home game is approaching through online ticket selling venues at sites like StubHub and Craigslist.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

It may have something to do with the Wolverine’s shellacking at the hands of Alabama last weekend, but the normally active ticket market is rather subdued on these websites leading up to U-M’s home opener.

Face value for a ticket to the game is $75, but enterprising fans can find terrific deals in what appears to be a strong buyers market. Tickets are available for $35 on Craigslist and $40 on StubHub. On Craigslist, there’s only one post since the Alabama game attempting to charge more than $100 per ticket. While some on StubHub are asking for up to $175 per ticket for groups of 50-yard-line seats, if you’re willing to buy a single you can sit in the same spot for a mere $65.

U-M endorses StubHub as an online marketplace for Michigan football tickets, but the school warns against bartering for tickets on Craigslist, saying there is no way to ensure ticket authenticity.

On Wednesday afternoon, there were nearly 2,900 tickets to Michigan home games for sale on StubHub, 2,320 of which are listed for the Oct. 20 match against Michigan State University. The lowest ticket price available for that game, as of Wednesday afternoon, was $210.

3. Is that a drum?

Ann Arbor residents are very familiar with the distant, rhythmic and deep sound of the Michigan drum line. If you live near the Stadium and Elbel Field, the sounds of the Michigan marching band jolt you awake Saturday mornings on game days, and serenade you as you get off work on weekdays, when practices begin at 4:45 p.m.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Fans surround Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson during a 2011 game.

<div class="image_right" style="width:350px"><img alt="MICH-STADIUM-FANS-1.JPG" src="http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2012/09/MICH-STADIUM-FANS-1-thumb-350x232-121206.jpg" width="350" height="232" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /><p class="photo_credit">Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com</p></div>

Since this Saturday's game starts at 3:30 p.m., passers-by will see and hear the band practicing on Elbel Field starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. The band practices and plays most days except for Sundays, when members get to take a breather and prepare for the week ahead. Anyone can stop by and watch a practice.

4. Hike in beer sales

Vern George, co-owner Stadium Market on Stadium Boulevard and Packard Road, says that during football season his liquor store sells between 300 and 400 cases of beer a week. That compares to the 50 to 60 cases a week he averages off-season.

George's shop also caters between eight and 10 tailgate parties each football Saturday. Football-related beer sales are between 20 and 25 percent of his fall business, he said.

"We do run out often," said George. "During the Michigan v. Notre Dame game we completely sold out of 30 or 40 different types of packages."

He offered some advice for individuals looking to buy booze this fall: "The best thing to do is to come in either the night before or the couple of nights before and get your order in that way we can have it all pulled and paid for."

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

5. "Go Blue" apparel

Michigan apparel stores are getting more crowded as game day approaches. No one wants to be caught without their maize and blue T-shirt, jersey, or outrageous outfit for the first game of the season. The hottest spots in Ann Arbor for U-M themed gear include All About Blue, The M-Den, Moe’s Sports Shop and Underground Printing.

Licensed apparel is big business: M Den regained its status as the official retailer of U-M athletic gear in 2010. The store is believed to pay upward of half a million dollars a year for exclusive rights that include setting up stores around Michigan Stadium on game day.

All About Blue owner Bob Duerkson said business was good last weekend ahead of the Alabama game, but he’s expecting a significant boost starting Friday.

“Last week was the first week in 15-20 years we haven’t had a home football game on Labor Day, but opening the Big House to watch the game helped us out,” he said.

“It’s been a strong week with move in and the game Saturday night, but usually we get a big bump for the first game when people come into town.”

Reporter Ben Freed contributed to this article.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.