Where should the Big Ten Championship game be played?
I would love to see it at Ford Field. But I'm guessing it'll probably be Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It's a more central location for the conference. I've also heard ideas from the Metrodome (no please), to outdoor venues such as Soldier Field and Cleveland Browns Stadium. My vote is either Ford Field or some sort of rotational location that changes every couple of years. What do you guys think?
I mentioned this before, but forgot to show what the stadium would look like....
courtesy of http://midnightmaize.blogspot.com/
I don't think that everybody realizes how bad of an idea playing an outdoor game in December is. The players don't want to be there, the coaches don't want to be there, and the fans will be miserable. It's much nicer to play inside. I know it doesn't fit our "Oh, we're tough, we like it cold, those wimps from the SEC can't play in the cold" mindset, but playing the championship game at elite NFL indoor venues like Lucas Oil or Ford Field makes the most sense. Add in the fact that they're both a pretty central location for the conference, and it's a no-brainer.
As much as I would like to see Ford Field get it, I think Lucas Oil has many advantages:
1) Centrally located in Big Ten country
2) Big city atmosphere
3) Not likely to provide "home field" advantage to championship participants (Hoosiers and Boilers will be participants once every blue moon).
4) Has a retractable roof - roof could be open to provide Big Ten feel to the championship game; roof could be closed when weather is horrible like it can be in early December in the Midwest.
there is no chance they every open that roof in December...ruins the point of having it in a domed stadium. My vote is for soldier because I love the whole outside idea but it will never happen. One of the worst feelings was my life was sitting through that ohio state game in 2007 when sitting in the rain and getting destroyed but i was having some fun in 2003 :)
It's a really slick facility.
Really? Every time I watch an NFL playoff game in December that's played outdoors in the northern cold, the fans look like they're having a pretty damn good time, especially if the home team is doing well. I agree that the chances the B10 Championship game will be played outdoors in a venue like Soldier Field are remote at best, but your assertion that fans will be miserable simply isn't supported by the evidence of fan behavior and enthusiasm at outdoor NFL games in early December. Perhaps you yourself might be miserable, but there are plenty of college football fans who wouldn't be fazed by the cold at all.
If you can honestly tell me that most people wouldn't prefer being in a state-of-the-art 72 degree facility to sitting in sub-zero windchills while getting snowed on, then by all means, play in Chicago or Green Bay.
I could be completely wrong here, but I think if the game is played at a proffesional stadium that's off campus that you can serve alcohol. Probably why those fans always look like they're having a good time. It doesn't hurt that they are more accustomed to that sort of weather. You're right. It's Big Ten country, it should be played in the cold.
Used to play there championship game at arrowhead stadium in KC. I know its not the bitter cold in chicago but it's still cold. So the fact of playing a championship game in the cold is something that used to be done. The avg. temp for all the games played in KC was in the mid 30's. I wouldnt mind it being outside but, lucas oil is going to get that game. That city puts on super bowls, finals fours basketball tournaments, tons of conventions they know how to host big events.
It should be in Soldier Field with the winner playing the winner of the PAC16 in the Rose Bowl to move onto the National Championship which rotates among the Big Bowls like today.
Edward Jones Dome or the Vikings new stadium that will be opened in 2012.
A lot of good ideas here. I agree that it should rotate. Lucas Oil, Soldier Field, The Metrodome, Ford Field, all good ideas. It's a stretch, but you could even put it in Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Just looking for variety. Trust me, I live in Iowa and there is no place in Iowa or Nebraska suitable for this.