TWO Michigan Reporters: Kinnick Stadium is the #1 Stadium in the B1G Conference

[Franisdaman]

What's interesting is how they rip Michigan State's Stadium.

7. Michigan State — Spartan Stadium
I grew up in Lansing, so Spartan Stadium is as much college football to me as anywhere. And for home fans, you love your stadium and your traditions and your game days. And that bias is natural. But Spartan Stadium is a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten venue, even with improving amenities, terrific sight lines and massive video boards. This isn’t a ranking of player locker rooms and recruiting facilities — MSU would probably be higher up this list on those fronts. For fans, it’s a good, solid stadium on a beautiful campus. And if it’s yours and your nostalgia, it’s the best.

“Honestly, I've never been a huge fan of Michigan State. It feels partly urban, partly rural and doesn’t leave much of an impression either way to me. What’s the best thing about Spartan Stadium on game day? I have no idea.” — Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland.com

 

[Franisdaman]

8. Penn State — Beaver Stadium
Once Penn State completes its makeover to Beaver Stadium, it might be among the elite venues in the Big Ten. For night games, the energy and atmosphere is as good as it gets. The stadium itself is aging and massive, with good views of the game from most seats. But overall, it’s just OK. Like with Spartan Stadium, Penn State fans will disagree. But they’re emotionally attached to it, as they should be. Note: If the press box were taken into account, Beaver Stadium would be last on this list.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

I too have been to 3 Gopher venues. Too bad they destroyed their original stadium. Memorial Stadium.

https://www.continuum.umn.edu/2016/08/memorial-stadium-remembered/

But the west stands are actually in a neighboring county. Good riddance. They kept that stadium around for a long time though. I remember walking past it on my way to the Barn for an Iowa Minnesota basketball game in the late 80s

 

[Morrison71]

Ok, I hate to be that guy but giving it to Iowa for basically the hospital wave? Wtf is that? I mean yeah Kinnick is great but come on.

 

[Thommystud]

These are about as accurate as the current top 25, give me a break.

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

Indy way too high

I was thinking jNW was myself.

 

[takai]

My time at Kinnick Stadium will always remain as some of my favorite memories. I loved driving into Iowa City and seeing black and gold far and wide, parking in that hospital parking garage (despite that fans aren't supposed to), walking through the campus seeing the old buildings, smelling that hint of syrup-scent in the air, and of course walking around Kinnick seeing all manner of fans.

The best part of course, is seeing Nile Kinnick's statue in all it's glory next to Melrose Avenue. I refuse to believe there's a better college football venue than Iowa. I miss it already.

 

[rchawk]

A lot of scribes and broadcasters have talked about how great Kinnick is, before last year. Iowa is known in the Big Ten for how close fans are to the field and sidelines. Also known for our reputation to get loud.

The wave came about with the children's hospital when it opened. You may not recall this but the wave was proposed several months before the season started. I first read about it here on Hawkeye Report. Thought Heck Yeah. Go little kids and go Hawks. If other schools do the same that's outstanding for the kids.

 

[michael.nelson311]

If Minny filled up their tiny 50,000 seat stadium, maybe they would be ranked higher!!

From their Sep 8 home game (look at all the empty patches):

View embedded media

It's a hole alright.....im pretty sure you aren't suppose to be able to read Minnesota with the seats when the game is actually going on....sad

 

[madmax1191]

jNW is not 14th??! Now just hold up now...

 

[tidhawk]

The intimacy of Kinnick is something that all other fanbases are envious of. It’s funny how some stadium are hyped up because they seat 100k or more. That’s great, but it’s not very intimidating when the closest fans are in a different area code. Players mention The Horseshoe or Happy Valley and talk about how loud they are. Players mention Kinnick and recall being razzed face-to-face by Iowa faithful. I’ll take our venue any day.

This, plus the new North stands enhance the experience.

 

[Rustys Dad]

View embedded media

Man, I remember that game. We were in the North endzone as they flew overhead ... I swear you could feel the heat from the engines ... It was one of those "Holy shit, did that just happen?"

Awesome!

 

[BubsFinn]

what might have hurt Minny's ranking is their F bomb use and hatred of Iowa and Wisconsin.

Check it out (this is before their Sep 8 non conf game):

View embedded media

Are we sure the “F- the Badgers” chant is directed at Wisconsin or are they making evening plans for after the game?

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Shocked! Shocked I tell you - Northwestern's stadium at #9? The ONLY redeeming quality of that stadium is that it has a very "neighborhood" feel to it. Close to the Lake, Chicago suburb.

But the stadium itself simply blows. Five stadiums below it?

 

[MplsHawk]

what might have hurt Minny's ranking is their F bomb use and hatred of Iowa and Wisconsin.

Check it out (this is before their Sep 8 non conf game):

View embedded media

Holy crap, I'm embarrassed for them. Hating on two border state schools, inferior to both by a long shot, during a game against a non-conference school.

 

[tedboy78]

After further review and thought, I had forgotten how bad the seats were. Look at the distance the end zone seats are from the field. Glad they razed it.

I sat in the end zone seats for Iowa's last game there. I seem to remember them as being straight across and closer, so i wonder if changes were made after these pictures. The Dome was erected but not done. Cold as hell but I'm glad I got to see a game there.

 

[tedboy78]

Shocked! Shocked I tell you - Northwestern's stadium at #9? The ONLY redeeming quality of that stadium is that it has a very "neighborhood" feel to it. Close to the Lake, Chicago suburb.

But the stadium itself simply blows. Five stadiums below it?

Truly a shit hole that's not BIG caliber.

 

[TouchdownMyPants]

Ok, I hate to be that guy but giving it to Iowa for basically the hospital wave? Wtf is that? I mean yeah Kinnick is great but come on.

He actually mentions proximity to the field as his first point. Why did you cherry pick The Wave out of all of the points that were made?

 

[NI hawk]

Iowa's record in the new Minnesota stadium is not good. Gophers won a total of 2 home big ten games 2010 and 2011. Both Iowa. 2014 also a nightmare . Don't want to experience anything like those losses again.

 

[TheRealHerky]

8. Penn State — Beaver Stadium
Once Penn State completes its makeover to Beaver Stadium, it might be among the elite venues in the Big Ten. For night games, the energy and atmosphere is as good as it gets. The stadium itself is aging and massive, with good views of the game from most seats. But overall, it’s just OK. Like with Spartan Stadium, Penn State fans will disagree. But they’re emotionally attached to it, as they should be. Note: If the press box were taken into account, Beaver Stadium would be last on this list.

What about the showers? Where do they rank ?

 

[cidhawkeye]

He actually mentions proximity to the field as his first point. Why did you cherry pick The Wave out of all of the points that were made?

Because he wants to be 'that guy'. Probably uses 'don't mean to offend you' right before offending someone.

 

[Buffhawk]

what might have hurt Minny's ranking is their F bomb use and hatred of Iowa and Wisconsin.

Check it out (this is before their Sep 8 non conf game):

View embedded media

They are a bunch of losers and anyone who kicks their ass on their home turf or other, is good in my book!