Big Ten stadium rankings: Where do the Pac-12’s new teams land?

There’s no conference with a more iconic collection of football stadiums than the Big Ten, and that’s especially true after adding four storied Pac-12 programs.

From the “granddad of them all” to the three biggest stadiums in college football, here’s a look at every Big Ten stadium ranked by legacy and game-day experience, along with Week 1 odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

18. Northwest: Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium

Opened: 2016

Capacity: to be determined

Someone has to be last, and unfortunately for Northwestern, which will play in a rebuilt practice facility in 2024, it was an easy decision to make.

The new and improved Ryan Field will have an even smaller capacity (35,000) than the old one (47,130) when it opens in 2026, but the Wildcats are expected to host just 15,000 fans per game this fall.

Northwestern (-4.5) will host Miami (OH) on August 31 before subsequent home games against Duke and Eastern Illinois.

17. Purdue: Ross-Ade Stadium

Opened: 1924

Capacity: 61,441

Let’s be honest: It’s hard to love this stadium. Its low profile mirrors that of the Big House or the LA Coliseum, but without the 100,000 fans cheering it on.

It’s also one of the oldest stadiums in the Big Ten, but again, it doesn’t have the history of its peers. Hopefully you’re a West Lafayette fan?

Purdue opens the season at home against Indiana State on Aug. 31 before hosting in-state rival Notre Dame on Sept. 14.

16. Indiana: Memorial Stadium

Opened: 1960

Capacity: 52,626

There’s not much that sets the Big Ten’s smallest Memorial Stadium apart from any other stadium in the conference.

The good news is that Bloomington is one of the best college towns in the country, and its football stadium wasn’t built a century ago like many others on this list.

Indiana (-20.5) will host FIU on Aug. 31 and should also be a heavy home favorite in Week 2 against Western Illinois.

15. Maryland: SECU Stadium

Opened: 1950

Capacity: 51,802

This is a stadium that has clearly suffered from the apathy surrounding its tenants, especially since Maryland left the ACC to join the Big Ten a decade ago.

That said, it’s only a half-hour drive to DC, which is at least a small improvement in an otherwise nondescript place.

Maryland (-20.5) opens the year as a heavy home favorite against UConn on Aug. 31 before hosting Michigan State a week later.

14. Rutgers: SHI Stadium

Opened: 1994

Capacity: 52,454

There were times when this place had one of the best atmospheres in the area, but aside from a lively student section, it just doesn’t hold up when Rutgers isn’t winning.

Traveling fans might enjoy that this stadium is just over an hour from New York City, though that’s not exactly a welcome destination for the other 17 teams, especially the four teams arriving from the old Pac-12.

Rutgers begins its 2024 campaign with a home game on Aug. 29 against Howard before hosting Akron on Sept. 7.

13. Minnesota: Huntington Bank Stadium

Opened: 2009

Capacity: 50,805

The league’s newest stadium, Minnesota’s home venue is also the second-smallest in the conference and lacks the size and history of nearly every other stadium on this list.

That said, it also boasts one of the largest video screens in the country and an NFL-caliber locker room. Just try to avoid a home game in late November.

Minnesota (-2.5) opens the season at home against North Carolina on Aug. 29 before hosting Rhode Island, Nevada and Iowa.

12. Illinois: Memorial Stadium

Opened: 1923

Capacity: 60,670

The second of three Memorial Stadiums on this list, Illinois’ home is a two-hour drive from Chicago (the heart of Big Ten country) and has undergone multiple renovations over the past two decades.

That hasn’t made for a solid gameday experience given the state of the program, but the foundation is there for something special in Champaign.

Illinois opens its season on Aug. 29 against FCS opponent Eastern Illinois before hosting Kansas in Week 2.

11. Michigan State: Spartan Stadium

Opened: 1923

Capacity: 74,866

It’s not a very big stadium, but Michigan State still boasts one of the 25 largest stadiums in college football and a fan base that will fill the stands when the Spartans are in action.

Recent renovations have made the game day experience even better in East Lansing, especially when rivals Michigan or Ohio State are in town.

Michigan State (-11.5) begins the Jonathan Smith era with a home game on Aug. 30 against Florida Atlantic before a trip to Maryland.

10. Iowa: Kinnick Stadium

Opened: 1929

Capacity: 69,250

Is there a better tradition in college football than “The Wave” at Kinnick Stadium? But that’s not all, as the venue has earned a reputation as one of the loudest in the country despite its modest capacity.

He has also earned the ire of many opposing players with his bright pink attire, the brainchild of Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry.

Some of the best Michigan sportsbooks have Iowa (-23.5) when it opens its season against Illinois State at home on Aug. 31 before hosting rival Iowa State in a highly-anticipated Week 2 clash.

9. Nebraska: Memorial Stadium

Opened: 1923

Capacity: 85,458

It may not look like much at first glance, but opposing players insist that Memorial Stadium, larger than the other two on this list, is one of the loudest stadiums in the Big Ten.

It also boasts plenty of history thanks to the legendary Tom Osborne, who led Nebraska to three national titles in the 1990s. Even if the program never returns to those heights, this massive stadium has sold out nearly 400 consecutive games for a reason.

Nebraska (-27.5) will host UTEP on Aug. 31 before renewing an old rivalry against former Big 12 rival Colorado in Week 2.

8. Wisconsin: Camp Randall Stadium

Opened: 1917

Capacity: 75,822

This 107-year-old stadium lacks some of the technical credentials of its peers, but Camp Randall remains one of the best places to watch a college football game.

This is especially true when “Jump Around” starts blaring over the speakers as we enter the fourth quarter, which remains one of the sport’s best traditions for one of its best fan bases.

Wisconsin (-24.5) opens at home against Western Michigan on Aug. 30, two weeks before hosting SEC powerhouse Alabama on Sept. 14.

7. USC: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Opened: 1923

Capacity: 77,500

It’s hard to put the Coliseum any lower on the list given the incredible legacy of this historic landmark, which has hosted two Super Bowls, two Olympic Games and some of the greatest teams and players in college football history.

It’s also a good place to catch a game, though the atmosphere isn’t quite there anymore due to recent staff reductions and the state of the program. Still, it’s a testament to the Big Ten’s low ranking of this iconic venue.

USC (+6.5) faces LSU at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sept. 1 before hosting Utah State at the LA Coliseum on Sept. 7. Bet on all the action with the best Michigan betting apps.

6. Washington: Husky Stadium

Opened: 1920

Capacity: 70,138

There are few places louder than Husky Stadium, which holds the all-time sound record (133.6 decibels), especially when the sirens start wailing in the midst of a Washington scoring spree.

With picturesque views of Lake Washington and downtown Seattle and a unique tailgating scene on the water, this is one of college football’s hidden gems.

Washington (-27.5) opens the Jedd Fisch era against Weber State on Aug. 31 in the first of four straight home games.

5. Ohio State: Ohio Stadium

Opened: 1922

Capacity: 102,780

It’s tough to win at The Horseshoe. With more than 100,000 fans cheering on the Buckeyes every Saturday, it’s no wonder Ohio State routinely boasts one of the best home records in the country.

This stadium ticks all the usual boxes when it comes to size, a rich history and a steady diet of must-see games, although fans are further away from the pitch here than at some of the more intimate and intimidating venues on this list.

Ohio State (-49.5) opens its season at home against Akron on Aug. 31 before hosting Western Michigan and Marshall.

4. Oregon: Autzen Stadium

Opened: 1967

Capacity: 54,000

Maybe I’m biased as a former Eugene resident, but there are few better places to catch a game than Autzen Stadium, which is among the loudest on record (127 decibels).

Don’t be fooled by the seating capacity, as the stadium’s unique design traps sound to create an echo chamber on the field. It also features the largest video screen in college football and a rowdy crowd in one of the best college towns in the country.

Oregon (-43.5) is a heavy favorite to beat Idaho in its season-opener on Aug. 31 before hosting Boise State in Week 2.

3. Penn State: Beaver Stadium

Opened: 1960

Capacity: 106,572

In terms of capacity, second only to Michigan Stadium, Penn State’s home stadium boasts one of the most electric atmospheres in college football.

Everyone is familiar with those epic white-night games, but Happy Valley is often a nightmare for opposing teams, especially when the crowd swells to more than twice the size of State College.

Penn State (-10.5) hits the road to face West Virginia on Aug. 31 before hosting Bowling Green, Kent State, Illinois and UCLA in back-to-back weeks.

2. Michigan: Michigan Stadium

Opened: 1927

Capacity: 107,601

“The Big House” is aptly named, as it is the largest college football stadium and the third-largest in the world, with an average attendance of nearly 110,000 fans. And it’s hard to beat the deafening noise of a sold-out crowd in Ann Arbor.

This is also one of the most historic venues in the sport, as it is home to its winningest program, and the Maize and Blue faithful know how to make this a scary place to play in the fall.

Michigan (-21.5) will host Fresno State in the Big House on Aug. 31 before hosting Texas (-3.5) a week later in one of the biggest games of the entire season.

1. UCLA: The Rose Bowl

Opened: 1922

Capacity: 91,136

There’s a reason the annual game played here is considered the “granddaddy of them all,” as this stadium has held a special place in the hearts of Big Ten fans for a century.

With its storied history on the field, the Los Angeles skyline as its backdrop and a capacity of nearly 100,000 fans, it’s hard to downplay this crown jewel. The Rose Bowl was ranked No. 2 nationally by ESPN’s college football writers earlier this summer, so it’s only natural that it ranks as the best in the Big Ten — even if it feels odd to include a Pasadena-based venue atop this list of Midwestern palaces.

UCLA (-13.5) opens its season on the road against Hawaii on Aug. 31 before hosting Indiana on Sept. 14 for its Big Ten opener.