Peter King of MMQB calls The Big House the best setting in all of college football
"And it's not even close." Said it on the Dan Patrick Show the other day. Also raved about Ann Arbor and said he tried to get his daughters to go to Michigan. Said that the only place in the NFL that is comparable is Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Pretty neat to hear from an NFL reporter.
September 25th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^
I get chills down my spine every time I hear "In the Big House".
September 25th, 2015 at 10:31 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 2:28 PM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 10:46 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
I would describe it this way - it is one of those places where you walk in and you're overwhelmed, even moved by the history when you think of the games played there, who has played them and what those games meant for Michigan over the years. Part of it might be the fan / alum combo in my case, but that feeling never, ever gets old and I get it every time I am there. It's a huge part of what makes the place special and a geat component to the entire experience.
September 25th, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 11:59 AM ^
during training camp and its empty, and the coach is yelling at you/us and blowing a whistle to run steps....in august. one of my most vivid memories of college, good for character, but not 'good' in most other senses.
September 25th, 2015 at 4:56 PM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 10:49 PM ^
hockey.
September 25th, 2015 at 12:07 PM ^
For that very experience tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a big win for her Big House debut.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
Dammit I need to get back to Ann Arbor quick
September 25th, 2015 at 9:54 PM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 10:26 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
I'd rather not be associated with Roger Goodell like that.
September 25th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
but there have been some developments at Michigan stadium lately that have kind of changed the dynamic of the experience that I don't like. Maize outs and pom poms look cool from afar to begin with, but it is not what I think about when I think of a game at the Big House. The Big House used to be this mish mash of different colors and people, with the hum of nervous discussion as the only real defining attribute before kick-off. It wasn't what the fans were "instructed" to do to show enthusiasm, it just felt like a natural progression of emotion that all culminated at kick off. I don't know, the Big House has changed and not necessarily because of Rawk, it is just different. When I want to think of Michigan stadium I you tube the 2003 Michigan v. Ohio State game and watch all of the pregame and into the first quarter. That is what I always picture Michigan Stadium in my head.
September 25th, 2015 at 10:34 AM ^
So you don't like maize pom poms? I'm confused.
September 25th, 2015 at 10:43 AM ^
I am going to come right out and say it with great risk to myself. I think it looks soft. I don't like when they flash to the crowd after a hard fought first down and I see grown men shaking pom poms. Not a great look, IMO.
September 25th, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^
Hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I respect yours even if I disagree with it. The flip side is that for every person who thinks like you there are probably 5 people who disagree with you. With the evolution of HD TV and the home viewing experience universities now have to try and figure out ways to make the game day atmosphere more desireable for fans. While you like absolutely nothing going on before kick off, for a lot of people that means flyovers, pom poms, chants, etc
At the end of the day it's important to find a nice tasteful balance between old and new. At some poit in the future, this younger generation of fans is going to be the older generation, and Michigan wants those people in the seats when that time comes. I've been to a lot of SEC games over the years and the game day atmosphere there is off the charts. I feel a lot of Michigan fans are stuck in the 1970's and want nothing to change. Again, my opinion. There is a happy medium that must be found to appease the old and the new, and that means making the game day atmosphere feel more electric. Sitting around in quiet before kick off isn't going to appease that younger crowd, at all.
September 25th, 2015 at 10:55 AM ^
of Michigan fans are stuck in the 70s and want nothing to change."
Did you ever consider that we had it right the first time?
(And I don't think you will find 5 people who disagree with me for every 1 that agrees. If anything I think it would be other way around.)
September 25th, 2015 at 11:00 AM ^
I think there are some elements in the 70's that are great and should be carried over and then there are some that need to change and evolve. It seems like you are against that for some reason. Should we all still be wearing bell bottoms? I think not.
At the end of the day the old and the new has to be willing to compromise. If you are unwilling I don't really know what to tell you. The world is changing constantly and you either get with it or get left behind.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:13 AM ^
not quite sure what you mean by "the world is changing" and that "I need to get with or get left behind." I said I thought it was the greatest venue in all of the college football but there had been some changes that I was not crazy about. You act like Michigan is on the cutting edge of college football atmosphere right now and that the new stadium experience is like a life-alterning cultural advancement or something. "Should we all wear bell-bottoms?" What the hell are you talking about?
September 25th, 2015 at 11:17 AM ^
Well, I tried to have a respectful conversation with you, but I guess that's not happening. Enjoy your fall Saturday's. I'll be waving my maize pom pom at the stadium tomorrow.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:22 AM ^
are unwilling I don't know what to tell you."
Yes, you were the pillar of "respectful." For some reason you got overly passionate about things and now are all "have a good day." You too guy, you have a great day.:)
September 25th, 2015 at 11:48 AM ^
The only person in this thread "overly passionate" about anything is you, who is pining for the 70's harder than a jealous ex girlfriend is for her boyfriend. Then again, if you were around for the 70's, that puts you as a 50-60 year old arguing with a college kid on a blog. So yeah, my day is going great. Thanks.
September 25th, 2015 at 12:11 PM ^
sure you are not over-passionate about this?
I was not alive during the 70s, my point of reference was the 2003 Ohio State game. You brought up the 70s.
September 25th, 2015 at 12:28 PM ^
Man who cares. If there's football at the stadium that's enough for me to want to go there, atmosphere be damned.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^
and you act like the stadium looks like an NFL stadium. The Big House may have the least amount of advertising I have ever seen in a stadium, but that isn't good enough for some. The addition of the press boxes have taken away from the old 'look', yet made it a louder atmosphere. You are down on the pom-poms? Not sure why...they make the stadium look more alive IMO. But despite all these changes, The Big House still maintains the traditional atmosphere that you love.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^
I sure would like to win around 80% of our games year in and year out.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^
This idea that it was great in the 70s/80s (the first time you alluded to) and that it shouldn't change is odd to me. Why can't people and the stadium grow with the time that is passing? Sure, some things will be bad, but good additions and traditions can be brought about for current and future fans.
September 25th, 2015 at 2:22 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 25th, 2015 at 3:07 PM ^
No, the most dangerous is "If it isn't broken, break it."
September 25th, 2015 at 3:19 PM ^
The most dangerous phrase is "Hold my beer and watch this."
September 25th, 2015 at 3:47 PM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 10:14 PM ^
Nope. It's "What movie would you like to see, honey?"
September 25th, 2015 at 11:02 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 11:16 AM ^
it actually wasn't all pre-planned by somebody. It was like one really big yet intimately constructed high school game with a kick-ass band, and it was all so glorious.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 25th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
I don't know why you keep using this "1970s" strawman. I thought the stadium experience was picture-perfect right up until a few years ago when they added a loud, obnoxious RAWK playlist straight out of the NFL.
The experience is still good overall, but the RAWK absolutely detracts from it. Watching other games on TV and hearing the same songs is irritating. We took something entirely unique and decided we wanted to be just like everyone else.
September 25th, 2015 at 12:31 PM ^
I'm with you on the music thing. I graduated in 2013 so I'm squarely in the "these kids need music" demographic, but it does add to a kind of generic football game vibe.
September 25th, 2015 at 10:54 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^
asked about that one specifically.
September 25th, 2015 at 11:04 AM ^
September 25th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^
tell me what pom poms in the stands have to do with Breast Cancer Awareness month? Please provide the bridge to gap these two things that lead to you deciding they were part of the same conversation.
He asked if I liked them. I said I did not. What is the nature of your soapbox?
September 25th, 2015 at 4:55 PM ^
I have heard that Caitlyn still has her/his pom poms
September 25th, 2015 at 6:04 PM ^
You obviuously have never been to a SEC game..its not about your masculinity its about supporting YOUR TEAM....geesh!
September 25th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad