1. Ohio Stadium "The Horseshoe"
The Ohio State University
Topping my list is "The Horseshoe." With over 100,000 fans packing into Ohio Stadium on game days, it is one of loudest and most intimidating environments I have ever been in. It is a beautiful stadium that even includes its own rotunda. There are many must-see traditions including Script Ohio, the singing of "Carmen, Ohio" after the game, and the "Skull Session" in nearby St. John's Arena. Make sure you get to the "Skull Session" early because that place gets packed.
2. Michigan Stadium "The Big House"
The University of Michigan
The Big House is The Big House. Watching a game with over 110,000 people is tough to match. Michigan has arguably the best entrance in college football when the team enters the field touching the Go Blue Banner while their fight song "Hail to the Victors" is being played. Recent renovations have made the stadium more aesthetically pleasing and has made the stadium louder than in the past.
3. Kinnick Stadium
The University of Iowa
Is this a homer pick? Probably. When you have seen countless games in one stadium, it holds a special place in your heart. With allegiance to the alma mater aside, it is still one of the best venues in college football. Kinnick has some of the best sightlines in the sport. You are literally right on top of the action and the place gets rocking. Kinnick does not have the pageantry that makes places like Ohio Stadium and Notre Dame Stadium great, but that raucous fans makes up for that.
4. Notre Dame Stadium
The University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame Stadium is unrivaled in its history, tradition, and pageantry. When you get inside the stadium it is impossible to not think about the legendary coaches and players that have been on that field. Notre Dame is also one of the most beautiful college campuses I have ever been on. There are several things to do prior to the game like attend the Friday pep rally, trumpets under the golden dome, the band concert at Bond Hall, and watch the the Irish Walk. I thought the crowd would be a little more loud and intense, but it is probably hard to expect that with all the old donors that have the prime seats.
5. Memorial Stadium "The Sea of Red"
The University of Nebraska
Big Ten football fans are going to love trips to Memorial Stadium. There is an inscription above one of the entrances that says, "Through these gates pass the greatest fans in college football." After a while you might get tired of hearing how they have the greatest fans, but the fact that Memorial Stadium has been sold out for every game since 1962 tells you how dedicated their fans are. I can't wait to get there again to watch Iowa and Nebraska play.
6. Spartan Stadium
Michigan State University
Spartan Stadium might be the most underrated stadium in the Big Ten. It doesn't look that impressive on the outside, but it has a great atmosphere once you get inside. Despite all of MSU's heartbreaking losses over the years, over 75,000 fans routinely pack Spartan Stadium. Watching Iowa defeat Michigan State under the lights in 2009 was a thrill.
7. Camp Randall Stadium
The University of Wisconsin
When you are in Madison, you will probably do some of the best eating in the Big Ten. There are several great restaurants to choose from both before and after the game. Camp Randall Stadium can be very loud at times, especially during "Jump Around." It is a little embarrassing when the student section sits half empty until mid-way through the second quarter, but you can't fault UW students for wanting to have a good time before the game. The fifth quarter is fun after the game when the band puts on a show for the fans who want to stick around. If I ever get the chance to experience a night game here, Camp Randall could move higher on the list.
8. Memorial Stadium
The University of Illinois
I love the "old school" stadiums and Memorial Stadium has been around for almost 90 years. Red Grange played some of his legendary games in this stadium. There are a few problems with the stadium, like some obstructed view seats, but some recent renovations have helped update the stadium. I love hearing the "Illini War Chant" before and after a big play.
9. TCF Bank Stadium
The University of Minnesota
Minnesota needed an on campus stadium and this stadium is a perfect fit for what the Gophers needed. Sadly, the atmosphere suffers at times because fans don't consistently pack the stadium. If Jerry Kill can win some games, that could change.
10. Sun Life Stadium
The University of Miami/The Orange Bowl game site
I think this is a good site for the Orange Bowl, but I can't imagine the atmosphere being that special for Miami Hurricane home games. It is several miles off campus and it is usually half-empty for Hurricane home games. There isn't much around the stadium, but the big parking lots allow for good tailgating.
11. Heinz Field
The University of Pittsburgh
I have heard this place is one of the best venues when it is the home for Pittsburgh Steelers games, but it is not the same for college. The area around the stadium is nice and if you are lucky (like I was in 2008) you can catch a Pirates game after at nearby at PNC Park. This is an off campus stadium and there is not much of a student presence here, or even much of a fan presence since there are typically a ton of empty yellow seats. The 15,000 Iowa fans that made the trip in 2008 were nearly louder than the Pitt fans who showed up.
12. Jack Trice Stadium
Iowa State University
Iowa State has not won a conference title in football since 1912, but they usually get good turnout from their fans. The stadium itself is not all that impressive, but I will admit that there is a lot of intensity in the place when the Hawkeyes come to town. Make sure you take a look at the Jack Trice statue outside the stadium.
13. Memorial Stadium
Indiana University
Renovations to the stadium, particularly the North end zone, keep Memorial Stadium out of last place. Hep's Rock in the North end zone serves as a reminder of the impact that Terry Hoeppner had in his short time with the program. While the stadium looks nicer than it used to, Indiana's lack of success on the field has kept many fans from showing up. Some of the kids that come to games choose to play in the mini-football field in the South end zone instead of watching the game.
14. Ryan Field
Northwestern University
Somebody had to be last and Ryan Field is last on this list. Even though Pat Fitzgerald has done a tremendous job at the helm in Evanston, fans just do not show up. On the rare occasion that the stadium is full, it is when a team like Iowa or Wisconsin bring a ton of fans. The stadium needs a face lift and there are some obstructed seats in the stadium. There are no real traditions that stand out. There is a beautiful view of Lake Michigan, but it's only visible from the press box. On the plus side, tickets are usually cheap and downtown Chicago is just a short drive away.
