So who's going to Champaign??

[Zeppelin Gopher]

Leaving early Friday AM for the drive down!

Looking forward to checking this one off my list. Any recs or places to eat/drink down there from those who've been before?

 

[PMWinSTP]

I'll be on the couch, have fun!

 

[BleedGopher]

Beat Bielema. It’s time.

Go Gophers!!

 

[BilldGopher]

6 days out but it looks like rain mostly holds off till Sunday. This is good.

Still, I'd travel rain gear just in case. That way you won't need it for sure.

 

[pharmacygopher]

I wish. I'll be in Chicago for a wedding but just not quite enough time to make it back in time for the wedding.

I could skip the wedding and just go to the reception but I don't think I'd hear the end of it

 

[WAGopher]

I wish. I'll be in Chicago for a wedding but just not quite enough time to make it back in time for the wedding.

I could skip the wedding and just go to the reception but I don't think I'd hear the end of it

You’ll never know for sure until you try it!

 

[Married@SiebertField]

It’s a great trip. People are friendly. They nicely blended vintage Memorial Stadium with the recent renovations. Take a picture with the Red Grange statue. The 2022 game was also an 11:00 am kickoff. We stayed in Chicago on Saturday night and handled our sorrow with a steak dinner at Rosebud—a Windy City tradition.

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

Leaving early Friday AM for the drive down!

Looking forward to checking this one off my list. Any recs or places to eat/drink down there from those who've been before?

What kind of places are you looking for, both drinks and eats-wise? Papa Del’s is great deep dish pizza and Monical’s is the best thin crust “tavern-style” pizza in town. Jupiter’s also has very good pizza.

Since it’s an early game, you’ll probably want breakfast. Sam’s Cafe is your classic old school diner. Merry Ann’s Diner is the same, but I prefer Sam’s. The Courier Cafe is open for breakfast, but I much prefer it for lunch or dinner. It’s fantastic!

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I'll be in and out for a quick visit. Will be Big Ten stadium #11 for me. I'm 4-5 on the road. Need this to reach .500.

Looking like a perfect November day weather wise so far. Knock on wood.

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

Leaving early Friday AM for the drive down!

Looking forward to checking this one off my list. Any recs or places to eat/drink down there from those who've been before?

I'm in, looking forward to the trip. Can't help with any pregame spots for an 11:00am kick. I'd suggest wandering through Grange Grove. I have had good luck finding friendly folks who will offer you a beer or some food. Friday night or postgame, I'd recommend Ko Fusion or Hamilton Walker's for dinner.

 

[FireDaveLee]

I wish. I'll be in Chicago for a wedding but just not quite enough time to make it back in time for the wedding.

I could skip the wedding and just go to the reception but I don't think I'd hear the end of it

Always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.....

 

[mngolf]

Trying to decide if going. They've lost everytime i go to champaign. I only live 75min away. Nice people, fun atmosphere. Hmmm

 

[Word]

Wish I could go but already splurged on MN United playoff tickets that night. I'll definitely be watching from home though!

 

[NotAFanOfBecky]

Group of 4 headed to the game. First time there, going to end Bert’s Curse! Any must do/go? How’s the tailgating scene? Any pointers or recommendations appreciated (already appreciated what was stated). Staying in Quad Cities Saturday to break up the drive.

 

[Unregistered User]

No a fan of Champaign

I’m going to Bourbon…early and often.

 

[GopherEnEspaña]

I wish. I'll be in Chicago for a wedding but just not quite enough time to make it back in time for the wedding.

I could skip the wedding and just go to the reception but I don't think I'd hear the end of it

Saturday weddings should be illegal during CFB season

 

[GopherEnEspaña]

Trying to decide if going. They've lost everytime i go to champaign. I only live 75min away. Nice people, fun atmosphere. Hmmm

I've always wanted to go. Looks like a fun little stadium

 

[JZABR]

I wish. I'll be in Chicago for a wedding but just not quite enough time to make it back in time for the wedding.

I could skip the wedding and just go to the reception but I don't think I'd hear the end of it

Return fire by letting them not hearing the end of us finally beating Bielema.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Awesome game because of the result, but that stadium was so sleepy. No juice at all the entire game. Students didn’t bother to show up. Sold out everywhere else. Announcer had to practically beg fans to make noise. Definitely ranks towards the bottom of big 10 stadiums for me.

 

[UpAndUnder43]

Wish I could go but already splurged on MN United playoff tickets that night. I'll definitely be watching from home though!

Loons game was a blast at least!

 

[Word]

Loons game was a blast at least!

Yes it was a fun one!

 

[UpAndUnder43]

Yes it was a fun one!

I have two season tickets for Supporters. Rarely go anymore (kids, life, etc) but the experience and atmosphere are unmatched locally.

 

[Word]

I have two season tickets for Supporters. Rarely go anymore (kids, life, etc) but the experience and atmosphere are unmatched locally.

I made it to 7 or 8 games this year but I'd still probably take Gopher football and hockey for atmosphere....but MN United is close.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

Awesome game because of the result, but that stadium was so sleepy. No juice at all the entire game. Students didn’t bother to show up. Sold out everywhere else. Announcer had to practically beg fans to make noise. Definitely ranks towards the bottom of big 10 stadiums for me.

I thought the stadium itself was super cool (very historic and traditional vibes) but yea the crowd itself was pretty sleepy. Pretty pathetic student section turnout, especially for a ranked team. Our in game atmosphere and crowd blows Illini's out of the water.

As for the trip itself- absolute blast!! Didn't really expect Champaign to be ranked in the top tier of Big Ten towns but it was great. Very walkable, tons of cool bars and good food, pretty campus, etc.

The hungover drive back to MN sucked today and the nonstop rain didn't help, but home safe and sound!!

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

Awesome game because of the result, but that stadium was so sleepy. No juice at all the entire game. Students didn’t bother to show up. Sold out everywhere else. Announcer had to practically beg fans to make noise. Definitely ranks towards the bottom of big 10 stadiums for me.

I thought the stadium itself was super cool (very historic and traditional vibes) but yea the crowd itself was pretty sleepy. Pretty pathetic student section turnout, especially for a ranked team. Our in game atmosphere and crowd blows Illini's out of the water.

As for the trip itself- absolute blast!! Didn't really expect Champaign to be ranked in the top tier of Big Ten towns but it was great. Very walkable, tons of cool bars and good food, pretty campus, etc.

The hungover drive back to MN sucked today and the nonstop rain didn't help, but home safe and sound!!

I love the stadium architecturally and am envious of the huge tailgating fields. But you are spot on, the crowd was pretty quiet. Student section never filled up or got into the game. It was Dad's weekend there and, given that they haven't really been a football school historically, it never really seemed like the game was the focal point of the events or the weekend. They have had some great crowds this year, but the 11:00am start after the shellacking by Oregon seemed to have drained a lot of the life out of them. I spoke to a lot of Illinois fans before the game and they were not a very confident bunch. I also didn't notice much of a Gopher fan presence, but we had a great time in the tailgate before the game. Nice win and weekend for a Gopher fan. (But I agree with Zep, the drive home yesterday SUCKED.)