If you could pick one stadium to define college football it would have to be Michigan Stadium, aka The Big House. Saturday mornings in Ann Arbor are defined by activities centering around the storied stadium, which rises only one story above ground level before plunging down into a crater of a hole. The noise produced in The Big House gives the Wolverines a home-field advantage unmatched by any other school, no doubt about it.

directions

From The Arch, take Chicago Avenue, south to Dempster Street. Turn right on Dempster to I-94 East. Take I-94 East out of Chicago and through Michigan. Exit at Ann Arbor-Saline Road (No. 175). Turn left and follow Ann Arbor-Saline as it turns into Main Street. The stadium is on the northeast corner of Main and Stadium Boulevard.

The stadium

Michigan Stadium

Capacity: 107,501

Built: 1927

Surface: Field turf

Tickets: Sold out

Fast Fact: The Big House has had consecutive crowds over 100,000 since Nov. 8, 1975. Last year Michigan set an NCAA record when 112,118 fans watched the Wolverines beat Ohio State 35-21 to clinch the Big Ten title.

tailgating

Tailgating at Michigan is more than a get-together. It’s an event. You’ll be lucky if you can find a place to park and eat after 9 a.m. From the parking lot, to the grass, to basically anywhere within sight of the stadium people are tailgating. Smoke rises over the tailgating landscape and the smell of hamburgers and beer fills the morning air. Enjoy!

the crowd

Michigan fans are probably the most hardcore fans in the Big Ten. People all over Michigan buy season tickets and have their own road trips to fill The Big House. The U of M fans will do and say just about anything for the Wolverines. It’s quite a different atmosphere than you’re used to in the friendly confines of Ryan Field.

the FIGHT SONG

“The Victors” is without a doubt one of the best college fight songs in the nation (duking it out with Notre Dame). If you are from Michigan it is almost as important to learn the words to this fight song as it is to learn “The Star Spangled Banner.” “Hail! to the victors valiant, Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes, Hail! Hail! to Michigan, the champions of the West!” Just hearing the words sends chills up any Michigan native’s spine and it’s fun to sing along to when you’re part of the maize and blue mob in The Big House.

BEST OF Ann arbor

Ann Arbor’s would be nothing but a quaint little downtown strip without the university, but in that strip is tons of tradition where people wait in line for hours for a taste of these places:

Best Breakfast: Angelo’s,

1100 E. Catherine

Best Hangout: Old Town,

122 W. Liberty

Best Bar: Arbor Brewing Co.,

114 E. Washington