Location of Big Ten Championship Game
Just a thought here... but if and when the Big Ten does expand can we then pencil in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as the location of the championship game?
I'm personally in favor of it. It'd be great one day to see a RR offense on the fast surface of the dome on their way to the national championship game.
Indy has a nice stadium in the heart of Big Ten territory and yet can be considered a neutral site as no Big Ten team plays there. It would be great for the city as well and most likely wouldn't conflict with the Colts as long as it is kept to a Saturday game.
April 29th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
Isn't Purdue only 60 something miles away from Indy. I know that not a huge homefield advantage but its closer than the 250+ miles from Ann Arbor or the 500+ miles from State College. I do however agree that it is the most practical place to hold the Championship game if one were to take place.
I just think there no way they will allow a title game to be played in say.... Soldier Field not going to happen in the middle of December
It will be either in Indy or Ford Field. I'd say the metrodome but it is a dump and therefore the game will never be played there.
Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan Puerto Rico, with a whopping seating capacity of 18,264.
Boom, I'm in.
Indy is a logical choice but I don't see why Ford Field wouldn't also be under consideration or in a rotation. It's not actually a whole lot further from the western reaches of the Big Ten than Indy is.
April 29th, 2010 at 10:02 AM ^
Add the Pac 10 and make the Championship game at the ROSEBOWL!!!!!!!!!11111
Indy knows how to host big time sporting events.
And yes, I admit being biased.
I just hope they don't mimic what they've done with the baseball tournament and have it at Ohio Stadium for 3 straight years (or however long). It honestly wouldn't surprise me that much.
Lucas Oil is definitely the most logical choice, but logical isn't a word I'd use to describe the Big Ten's decision-making so who the hell knows.
a prime time Big Ten championship game at Lambeau would be pretty cool.
And Woodson would have a better chance to cheer M on in person.
Indianapolis won't work: Gives IU too much of a home field advantage each year.
April 29th, 2010 at 12:03 PM ^
and how often is IU going to make the championship game?
April 29th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
Sarcasm, my friend, sarcasm
April 29th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
7 times if they are in the West division / 5 times if they are in the East division
6 times if they are in the "Bo" division / 8 times if they are in the "Woody" division
4 times if they are in the "Lakes" division / 12 times if they are in the "Rivers" division
5 times if it is a 16 team conference / 8 times if it is a 14 team / 9 times if it is a 12 team
5 times if Notre Dame joins / 9 times if Notre Dame doesn't join
7 times if Rutgers joins / 8 times if Rutgers doesn't join
April 29th, 2010 at 12:21 PM ^
But once every two decades when they make the championship game, their fans can easily fit into the gaps between the goalposts in each endzone... no big deal.
April 29th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^
It probably will be Luca Oil Stadium, but there is absolutely no location that would be more appropriate for the (still hypothetical Big Ten Championship than Solider Field in Chicago. The brass will likely never go for it, but having two highly ranked Big Ten teams duke it out on the shores of Lake Michigan with snow falling and the temperature low. God alive that would be awesome.
April 29th, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
I just got goosebumps
April 29th, 2010 at 12:22 PM ^
Question: Why is this such a crazy choice? It actually passes all my sanity tests.
well, no offense, but you're a yooper. Your idea of "fun" includes snow a lot more than those of us with weaker constitutions. Not to mention the crusty geezers making decisions about championship locales.
April 29th, 2010 at 12:37 PM ^
You're right. I think that the innagural game should be played at Soldier Field. The Big Ten HQ is outside of Chicago. The annual meetings are held in Chicago. The Big Ten Network is based in Chicago. The city has some influence.
An outdoor game might have an impact on the 61,500 people in the stands (Wiki capacity), but it won't have any effect on the millions watching at home. Big Ten fans will sell out a nighttime hockey game in mid-December. I'm pretty sure that they could sell out a daytime football game in early December.
Besides, they'll be playing outside games the weekend before in places like Minneapolis and Madison. How much difference can an extra week make? The only real problem is if the weather was so bad that it impacted the outcome of the game. However, they've been playing important January games in Lambeau for years. The Big Ten fans could suck it up for an early December game in Chicago.
April 29th, 2010 at 12:47 PM ^
True, I've been to a December 28th game at Lambeau. Brutal, but definitely bearable as long as you're distracted by a good game. Also, for the love of God wear boots instead of tennis shoes.
April 29th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
If Missouri joins - St Louis
Rutgers - New Giants/Jets stadium
Syracuse or Pitt - probably doesn't change that much
April 29th, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^
I'm hoping for a completely illogical choice of Reliant Stadium in Houston.
April 29th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
Come to Penn Staaaaatttte!!!!!
April 29th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
Yes. Yes. Bonus points if they play it at the Dome. Not because the Dome is awesome, but just because it would make all the SEC types groan even more about antiquated programs in antiquated stadiums.
April 29th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^
Jackie Moon says it should be in Flint.
April 29th, 2010 at 12:49 PM ^
Big Ten Megabowl! Big Ten Megabowl!!
April 29th, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
It would never happen, but it would be awesome.
April 29th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
The Superior Dome in Marquette, Michigan. No real home field advantage, and it's made of WOOD, how freakin' sweet is that?
April 29th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
would get a lot of consideration. It has successfully hosted a Super Bowl and a Final Four, is primarily a football field to begin with and host a bowl game every year.
April 29th, 2010 at 12:53 PM ^
The Big Ten Championship Game is already on a rotation. It's either played at Michigan Stadium or Ohio Stadium almost every November.
Personally, I would love to see a rotation between Solider Field, Lucas Oil Stadium, Ford Field and if we head west for our conquests, the James Dome in St. Louis.
I wonder if it is better to have it rotate between cities or to stay in the same site every year, like the SEC does in Atlanta? If we can only have one site I vote for Chicago or Indy.
the big 10 championship game always happen the 3rd saturday in November.
So now it's being moved to the last saturday and it should always rotate between, A2 and C-bus.
It may be in a good location, but "Lucas Oil Stadium" is just an awful name.