CBS: Big Ten stadium rankings (10. Minnesota - Huntington Bank Stadium)

[PMWinSTP]

So a few decades ago, I was driving south on "the" 5 towards "the" 10 (AKA, the Santa Monica). Traffic got jammed up and when I heard the news, what happened was a nude woman had been walking down the side of the 5 and they sent an ambulance out to check on her. When they got there she was passed out on the side of the road. The medics went around back to get a stretcher, she came to and climbed in the drivers seat and took off in the ambulance leaving both paramedics on the side of the road.... As they say "Only in LA"

And the two worst cities to drive in are Seattle and Boston

I started flying into John Wayne because I would stay in Anaheim. Yes, weird stuff would happen when I was out there as well.

 

[GoDucks349]

I started flying into John Wayne because I would stay in Anaheim. Yes, weird stuff would happen when I was out there as well.

The unnerving thing about John Wayne is taking off out of there when they cut power shortly after takeoff due to noise abatement requirements for the surrounding neighborhood. Then they power back up after they get over the Pacific. First time experiencing that clinched a sphincter.

 

[Gopherchase]

I have never, ever heard anyone say they don’t like our stadium. It’s a great place to watch a game. The concessions generally are all f’d up but who cares and that’s another topic.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

So a few decades ago, I was driving south on "the" 5 towards "the" 10 (AKA, the Santa Monica). Traffic got jammed up and when I heard the news, what happened was a nude woman had been walking down the side of the 5 and they sent an ambulance out to check on her. When they got there she was passed out on the side of the road. The medics went around back to get a stretcher, she came to and climbed in the drivers seat and took off in the ambulance leaving both paramedics on the side of the road.... As they say "Only in LA"

And the two worst cities to drive in are Seattle and Boston

Atlanta has to be on the worst cities to drive list. Unbelievably horrible traffic. I recall back to back Fridays where NYC rush hour was Child’s play compared to Atlanta’s.

Agree Seattle truly blows, comparable to other large metros except even when traffic is moving the spray thrown up by tires makes it similar to driving in a blizzard or fog.

I went to a forum on people who drive for a living and the most frequent names for congestion, bad roads:

NYC
“All of New Jersey”
Atlanta
LA
Chicago
Miami

In terms of most reckless, psychotic drivers: Texas (Houston mentioned a lot ), LA, Chicago, Miami. Yep. You’re gonna see some stuff! I’d give an honorable mention to I-70 in and out of Denver.

 

[FredCoxRocks]

I was at Kinnick around 15 years ago. I thought the concourses and bathroom situation sucked. Maybe its better now, but I was not impressed. The tailgating around the stadium was pretty good though.

 

[Taji34]

I agree Atlanta can be difficult, but it's not nearly as bad as Seattle or Boston.

I could see Seattle for sure. I always made sure I scheduled my driving around rush hour there. Only took mass tranist in Boston. Sounds like a good choice now.

Yeah Seattle is definitely up there for bad drivers. The rush hour can be annoying depending on how far outside the city you live, but I don't think it's as bad as some California cities.
I think what makes Seattle so bad is:

1. Lots of oblivious drivers who drive like they are the only ones on the road. The number of times I've been narrowly cut off and/or had to swerve to avoid getting hit both on the highway and on city roads is insane.
2. So many transplants from different states and different countries with conflicting assumptions about how they should drive and how other drivers should be driving. This makes it impossible to reliably anticipate what other drivers are going to do in any given situation.

Related, in a recent study Seattle was ranked as the 2nd worst city for pedestrians killed by cars: https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/seattle-pedestrian-deaths-study:

A Stone Injury Lawyers analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that nearly half of all fatal crashes in Seattle involve a pedestrian. Experts attribute many of these crashes to tourists not crossing the street at crosswalks, raising the danger of being hit by cars. In Seattle specifically, experts say one of the main hazards is high-speed roads that leave tourists vulnerable to fast-moving cars.

The national average of pedestrian deaths from crashes is 31.2%, the report found, meaning a tourist in Seattle is nearly two-thirds more likely to be hit and killed by a car than in any other U.S. city.

[...]

The Top 10 worst U.S. cities for pedestrian road deaths are as follows:

1. New York City: 50% of all fatal crashes involve pedestrians
2. Seattle: 49.7%
3. Santa Ana, CA: 47.6%
4. San Francisco: 47.3%
5. Los Angeles: 46.3%
6. Fresno, CA: 44.2%
7. Newark, NJ: 44.1%
8. San Diego: 44.1%
9. Long Beach, CA: 42.8%
10. Sacramento: 41.6%

Seven of the Top 10 worst cities for pedestrian deaths are in California.

 

[Taji34]

Agree Seattle truly blows, comparable to other large metros except even when traffic is moving the spray thrown up by tires makes it similar to driving in a blizzard or fog.

Not to mention here in Seattle we don't use reflective road markings, so when it rains road markings are super hard to see (even worse if it's dark because the sun is down or hasn't risen yet).

I don't remember if it's the city of seattle that controls this, King county, or the state but it's been requested for YEARS and they refuse to do it.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Not to mention here in Seattle we don't use reflective road markings, so when it rains road markings are super hard to see (even worse if it's dark because the sun is down or hasn't risen yet).

I don't remember if it's the city of seattle that controls this, King county, or the state but it's been requested for YEARS and they refuse to do it.

As I recall it you can sort of follow in the wagon ruts from the studded tires. If you’re hydroplaning you know you’re between the lines. It’s a different kind of driving up there. One day a snow/ice event occurred (was visiting east metro/Bellevue area at the time)and that was interesting with the hills.

 

[MNfootballfan]

Stadiums I've Been To:
TCF/Huntington Bank - New, all the amenities you expect. This along with US Bank and Target Field probably cloud my judgement of other stadiums.
Camp Randall - Fun atmosphere but from what I remember nothing flashy at all. I've been to 3 games there and nothing other than the atmosphere was worth memory. Jump Around is pretty sweet. I legit remember Porta Potties and thought that was really odd.
Kinnick - Nicer than I expected. I enjoyed my sightlines of the field - we were pretty high... row 65ish at the 40ish yard line. Don't remember the bathrooms or anything so guessing they weren't really nice or really bad. Loved the walk to the stadium with people tailgating, food trucks, etc. Iowa people are a lot nicer in Iowa than they are when they travel to Minnesota.
Nebraska - Similar to Iowa and Wisconsin. Older stadium. People are nice. Amenities are lacking what we have but passion is something we are lacking compared to them.
Notre Dame - History is 10 out of 10. Zero advertisement in the stadium. Small concourses and concessions - would be annoying but also sets the stadium in a historical sense.
Sun Devil Stadium - Nothing nice or memorable about it including the Gophers. Was really hungover at this game and the sun was bright.
Orlando Bowl Game - no idea the stadium's name. Nothing that sticks out about the stadium. Did seem to have few/small concession stands.
Texas - Everything is bigger in Texas and this is true. Fun game, fun atmosphere around the stadium. Amazing BBQ at a random concession stand.
Penn State - White out game should be on everyone's bucket list. I have never seen so many people in one place in my life. 105,000+ in the stadium and probably another 50-75,000 outside still tailgating during the game. Older stadium. Can tell they have added on and added on and added on. Can't beat the RV's and camping style tailgates.

 

[1983]

Just taking the facility into consideration, our house is more like top 3. Been to all except Oregon, Washington and the Rose Bowl. The rest are what you expect, lipstick on a pig or just flat out old and dumps.

 

[MNfootballfan]

Just taking the facility into consideration, our house is more like top 3. Been to all except Oregon, Washington and the Rose Bowl. The rest are what you expect, lipstick on a pig or just flat out old and dumps.

Agree. You can't compare Huntington Bank to the Horseshoe... but you also can't compare the Horseshoe to the Bank. I would be willing to bet the Gophers have the nicest actual stadium by far in the Big Ten currently, but I can honestly say each stadium I've been to has a unique charm or tradition that makes it special to them.

 

[GoDucks349]

Just taking the facility into consideration, our house is more like top 3. Been to all except Oregon, Washington and the Rose Bowl. The rest are what you expect, lipstick on a pig or just flat out old and dumps.

As a Duck this is hard to say, but Husky Stadium is probably one of the most beautiful football stadiums in the country regardless of conference. As for facilities, I doubt anyone in the B1G ten can complete with Oregon.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

as the author of the article admits, this is a very subjective ranking:

I've ranked them based on their atmosphere -- the indefinable vibe you get from every place. Whether it's awe-inspiring size, the fans who fill them, or the tailgate scene, it's nearly impossible to objectively define the best of the best.

"vibe" is not the most scientific way to rank something. it would take a lot more work, but it would be interesting to see a ranking that tried to have objective rankings based on selected criteria:

type of seats: bench vs seat-backs.
sight-lines and view of field (any obstructed seats?)
# of suites, boxes, club seats
different price levels - affordability
ease of movement in concourses
parking - how much and how far from stadium
Scoreboards, video boards, sound system ('game presentation')
restrooms - #, cleanliness
concessions - variety and cost
wi-fi availability

 

[1983]

As a Duck this is hard to say, but Husky Stadium is probably one of the most beautiful football stadiums in the country regardless of conference. As for facilities, I doubt anyone in the B1G ten can complete with Oregon.

OK, I will take that trip when we visit.

 

[GopherFanatic19]

As a Duck this is hard to say, but Husky Stadium is probably one of the most beautiful football stadiums in the country regardless of conference. As for facilities, I doubt anyone in the B1G ten can complete with Oregon.

Nike has invested an enormous amount into the program. I don’t doubt what you’re saying due to that

 

[GoDucks349]

Nike has invested an enormous amount into the program. I don’t doubt what you’re saying due to that

Here's a little sampling of Oregon facilities. Actually, the donations are from Phil Knight, note Nike. I know people identify them as one and the same, however they are separate entities. And I believe Jane Sanders Stadium was a donation from a donor other than Phil Knight.

 

[GopherFanatic19]

Here's a little sampling of Oregon facilities. Actually, the donations are from Phil Knight, note Nike. I know people identify them as one and the same, however they are separate entities. And I believe Jane Sanders Stadium was a donation from a donor other than Phil Knight.

Insane amount getting donated.

 

[Gold Vision]

The University knocked it out of the park with the stadium. I still remember the goose bumps I had walking into the first game against Air Force. Perfect size and location to fit this fan base.