Help Me Pick One Away Game to Attend this Year?

Submitted by PeterKlima on

The home schedule is not great this year, but Wisco and PSU might be good. 

But, this year there are 3 really good road games and I was thinking of picking one, but choosing is tough.  What do you think?

 

Oct. 29 - MSU

Pros: Top 20 opponent, close to Metro Detroit (where I live), still not too cold in Oct., halloween tailgating, best chance of victory of the 3 games.

Cons:  Too many overly drunk fans, nothing much to do in EL if you are not a college student, getting around usually requires driving, bland stadium experience, high ticket prices becuase of proximity.

Nov. 12 - Iowa

Pros: Top 20 opponent, Kinnick Stadium history and experience, mostly classy Iowa fans, less vitrol and more about the game, lowest ticket price of the 3?

Cons:  Furthest away, mostly boring football, remote location, would be least satisfying victory.

Nov. 26 - OSU

Pros: Top 5 opponent, great rivalry, The Game, likely for the East Division crown, C-Bus is a good city for other things to do, seeing Harbuagh at Ohio Stadium square off against Meyer, should be one of the better chances for victory in years in C-Bus, O'Korn should be clicking by then.

Cons: The worst fans and harrassment, high prices, still will be the toughest of the 3 to win, likely to get pulled over with Michigan plates on my way down.

 

If you could only pick one, which would it be?

 

 

Wolverine In Iowa 68

February 9th, 2016 at 10:32 AM ^

Iowa City isn't a bad place, not sure what you mean by "remote location".  It's about a 7-8 hour drive, depending on where you live in MI, mostly straight shot on I-80.  There are some nice places to eat in nearby towns in Coralville and Cedar Rapids.  It's not as backwards as you might think (and for the record, yes it's a little backwards, just not AS backwards as you might think).

PeterKlima

February 9th, 2016 at 10:47 AM ^

I don't think it is the sticks and I would look forward to trying out new places there.  Its just that C-Bus is a million strong and the Lansing/EL area is probably twice as big as the Iowa City area and fairly close to other sizeable cities.  I think I would like Iowa.

Wolverine In Iowa 68

February 9th, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^

Iowa City itself is not huge, but right at the north edge is Coralville which is a growing area, then a few miles north is North Liberty, and up from there you get into Cedar Rapids, Marion, etc.  It's all laid out along I-380 (called the "Corridor").  The smaller population helps with the overall amount of traffic, but Iowans are pretty bad drivers on roads.  Kinnick is a decent stadium, and all of my experiences have been positive.  People will rib you in good fun, but never met anyone who was over the top rude here toward Michigan.

Yo_Blue

February 9th, 2016 at 10:45 AM ^

Rutgers.  Did this trip two years ago, and despite the game outcome we had a great time.  We stayed in Piscataway and took a couple day trips into NYC.  This year we plan on staying in NYC and taking the train into NJ for the game.

PeterKlima

February 9th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^

I guess I should have mentioned that seeing a solid matchup was my top priority (since there is little of that on the home schedule).  I have been to Rutgers before (not for a game) and it is a good time.  I just think it should either be a blow out or a game I wouldn't want to be at... similar to going to Illinois or Purdue, etc.

mgolund

February 9th, 2016 at 10:34 AM ^

haven't you been to before, if any? Hit up a new place. I haven't been to any of the three, and I would probably go to Iowa, as I would think it would be the most pleasant all around experience.

iheartlarryfoote

February 9th, 2016 at 10:37 AM ^

The Game is always a no-brainer for me.  Plus my experience in Iowa City was far worse than my experience at the shoe.  Mostly classy is not a description I would use to describe the Iowa fans I interacted with.  Every fanbase has a few lunatics, you might run into them and you might not.  It's out of my control so I don't even factor in opposing fans when I consider making a trip.  I'll be in Columbus this year.

PeterKlima

February 9th, 2016 at 10:44 AM ^

I have never been to Iowa for a game, but the Iowa fans I meet here and in other midwest states seem cool to me.  I can't say the same for OSU fans and I don't really see many MSU fans outside of Michigan.  I am surprised by your response.

Rabbit21

February 9th, 2016 at 10:38 AM ^

On balance Iowa, likely to not have to deal with the assholes as much there and of the three it feels like the most likely win to me.

That said, if there's one stadium you have yet to go to, I would pick that one.

jmdblue

February 9th, 2016 at 10:38 AM ^

Kinnick is a cool place and Iowa fans generally know how to behave.  I haven't had problems at State, but there are a fair number of louts who will be looking to talk smack regardless of how next year's game goes.  Columbus would actually be a decent town if OSU sports weren't located there.  I'll never go back to the Horseshoe.  Worst, most threatening fans I've ever seen.

True Blue Grit

February 9th, 2016 at 12:54 PM ^

they also have more than their share of poorly-raised, ill-bred, and nasty fans who don't know how to respect others.  And most of them go to the games there.  Having passion as a fan is great, but not when it turns to mean-spirited and rude behavior like swearing or spitting on perfect strangers.  

gwkrlghl

February 9th, 2016 at 10:39 AM ^

I went to MSU in 2009 and it was a crappy experience. Crap stadium. Feels a bit unsafe walking through their dump of a campus with all the drunk bros around. Would not recommend personally

The Mad Hatter

February 9th, 2016 at 10:40 AM ^

If there are any women / children making the trip with you I'd stay the hell out of Columbus.  Even money that you'll get spit on and/or get into a physical altercation while you're there.  East Lansing is full of obnoxious fucksticks too.

I'd probably go to Iowa.  Unless you know how to handle yourself and are going with a group of guys that can do the same.

SpikeFan2016

February 9th, 2016 at 11:48 AM ^

I don't get why we act so scared of our rivals. With OSU there are some valid concerns (but they're still blown out of proportion), but MSU fans literally will not bother you at all unless you go after them (as goes with any away stadium of a legit team). 

 

Getting a few Michigan sucks or Fuck Michigans should not be a big deal and will 99% be all you deal with in EL and 85% chance all you deal with in CBus. 

ia4goblue

February 9th, 2016 at 10:54 AM ^

I've been to kinnick a bunch and Im going again. I would strongly disagree with you about their fans though.  Worst I've run into. I would stay away from the ped mall area. If you have michigan gear on, at some point a group of drunk asses will try and fight you. I've run into that the last two road games.

 

iheartlarryfoote

February 9th, 2016 at 10:55 AM ^

I got hit by a full beer can thrown at me and my girlfriend had a lit cigarette flicked in her face.  Other than a few jeers and taunts I was treated well in Columbus.  One guy bought me a beer for having the courage to come to Columbus by myself rocking Michigan gear.  You never know what kind of experience you're going to have in most of these places.  All you can do is go into it with a good nature and thick skin.  I would never bring children though.

Indiana Blue

February 9th, 2016 at 10:55 AM ^

I went in 2011, and the crowd wasn't nearly as bad as I expected.  The stadium is the 2nd worst in the B1G ... right behind Northwestern.

Iowa fans were awful last trip (also 2011) - they think they own Michigan and based on what their football and basketball teams did (are doing) this season, I doubt the fans are going to be any less mouthy.  Stadium is very nice.

Ohio  -  no fucking way will I ever go there for a game.  Period.

Rutgers  -  hmmm   Love NYC  -  what a place.  We also owe them a beatdown in their home stadium.

So for me  ... I'll probably do 2 road trip games this year.  MSU and Rutgers.

Go Blue!

Cali Wolverine

February 9th, 2016 at 11:02 AM ^

or the elderly, I would say Ohio State...hands down. However, when we finally restore order to the great State of Michigan and do it in East Lansing, you will be able to say you were there to taste Spartan tears in person...and that experience will be priceless.

markusr2007

February 9th, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^

They will be definitely playing up the "Return of Harbaugh" to Kinnick Stadium for that one.

Last time: 1985, Rob Houghtlin FG to win it with 00:00 on the clock. Iowa wins BIG10 title.

This time: PAIN!!!!

I find Iowa fans to be friendly and classy compared to MSU and the 100,000 truck drivers going to the Shoe.

 

Perkis-Size Me

February 9th, 2016 at 11:10 AM ^

I went to the OSU game in 2014, and it wasn't bad at all. Now granted I think that was partially because OSU was a top 10 team fighting for a playoff spot and we were hot garbage coming in at 5-6. We weren't hated so much as we were pitied methinks.

So I can't speak to how Columbus would be if both teams were top 10 with everything on the line next year, but I'd still say OSU just because it's OSU.




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