Some of you really don't know what you're talking about! While repeating things @ Iowa may seem boring if you go to every game, we do have a unique package.
I've been to every away Big-10 stadium for at least one Iowa FB game (sans Nebby). (# of times list after school name) Here's my run down. You decide how lame Iowa is:
Illinois (4): Very involved student section. 4-corner fireworks. Stadium still a dump. South wind brings a barnyard stench.
Indiana (3): Car Keys, Arm pump (1st down), and "that's *another* Hoosier first down." Worst FB environment in the B1G (nobody shows up until right at game time, poor crowds, no tailgating and they actually expanded the place!) No bars around area.
Michigan (2): Best overall environment I've been to (tied with Wisconsin). Lots of unique "dress" among the home folks, drumsticks beating cowbells galore (with cheers), the banner, best band in B1G, first class FB game-day operation. Personal section seating attendants. 2nd to none. Yes, the sound does dissipate, but, when they enclose the entire top with luxury boxes (two year wait), that'll change. Lack of bars around the area.
MSU (1): Pretty involved student section. Ummmm....ummm...other than that...pretty sterile place. MSU campus all spread out, little condensed tailgating near stadium. $3 round-trip bus rides from many far-removed parking lots. No bars around the area.
Minnesota (2)(TCF only): Great new stadium. Nothing really sticks out as memorable as far as the game-day situation. You park at the wasteland called the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and take a $10 shuttle to the game. Not much around the stadium regarding bars/partying.
Nebraska: Never seen a game there, although, have been in and around the stadium. Only know it from reputation as being hostile. Not much around stadium regarding bars.
NU (7): People voice they hate this place. I like it for its quaintness. Two bars right off the metra on Central. Mustard's Last Stand by the stadium. Annoying "cat growl" the entire game. No tailgating to speak of near the stadium. Parking all spread out. Public transportation is the way to go. No much in-game stuff to keep one's attention.
OSU (3): Close 2nd only to Michigan/Wisconsin. Excellent band, crowd engaged all game. Tradition galore. All-American sidewalk (a tree is planted for every AA OSU has had, and, it's a forest!). You have to park/walk to game, but, a ton of bars around the area. Unique "Heiney Gate" before and after game....place rocks. Bigger than Kinnick by a 1/3, louder than Kinnick.
PSU (1): Surprisingly a lot of tailgating around the stadium with alcohol allowed in the open, although not much in the way of bars. Stadium is large, but very disjointed as its been added on to several times. Some of the seats (i.e. visitors) are a LONG ways from the field. Very active student section. Annoying cat growl throughout the entire game. Very isolated but beautiful surroundings. Not as loud as one might think for a 106K capacity stadium.
Purdue (3): Some bars within walking distance. Unique for their car keys, train and bass drum. Easy to get to. Only time I've seen the crowd really into it was the 1985 Long vs Everett game. Not much else to get excited about.
Wisconsin (5): I could write a book about Camp Randall and surrounding area. It's like they dropped the stadium in the middle of downtown Iowa City. Bars galore. Open alcohol allowed. Fun galore. I always park near the western bus terminal and ride into the area. Crowd is always abuzz, loud, fun, jump-around of course. Lots of tailgating around the area just outside of the downtown. I have nothing but good things to say about a Wisky game day experience.
Maryland (1): I used to live in the DC area. Went to a high school playoff game there. Small stadium. I don't think MD has/will have much of a home field advantage. In fact, with as many east coast Hawk fans as there are, could be a Kinnick east. BB is king.
Iowa (dozens): Unique closeness to field generates as much noise as any B1G stadium other than OSU and perhaps Wisconsin. Bars are a mile walk eastward. You can get to the stadium via auto, train or free bus....that's unique to Iowa. I-O-W-A cheer is unique from what I can remember. The team coming down the runway to Back in Black, then, Enter Sandman, is unique. The Swarm is unique. Tailgating right next to Kinnick is absolutely packed....something unique (Indiana has potential if people would go to game, you can join large tailgates somewhat close to the stadium parking lots @ NU and PSU). Burrito is lame, dental smile is lame. Kinnick parking/Melrose booze rules are overly-restrictive.
But I'll say this....I've taken dozens of 1st-timers and out-of-towners to Iowa games and am damn proud of the environment it presents. Everyone, and I mean everyone, positively comments on it. We have it pretty good @ Iowa folks...believe it or not.
