Kinnick garners respect in USA TODAY Sports Big Ten stadium rankings
The home of the Iowa Hawkeyes is named after Heisman Trophy winner and World War II hero Nile Kinnick, whose statue every player and coach passes by on game day. It's a place where The Hawkeye Wave at the end of the first quarter reminds everyone that life is bigger than football. And it's a place where opponents of the Hawkeyes hate to play because Iowa usually plays very well at home.
Iowa is 109-60 at home since 2000, good for an almost 65% winning percentage. They've pulled off their fair share of huge wins, beating numerous top-five teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. While it hasn't always been positive, Kinnick Stadium is widely regarded as a great home-field advantage for the Hawkeyes.
And USA TODAY Sports agrees with that sentiment with the release of their 2025 Big Ten stadium rankings.
Where does Kinnick land USA TODAY Sports' Big Ten stadium rankings?
Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports gave Kinnick Stadium some respect. Myerberg put the home of the Hawkeyes at No. 6 on the rankings, just cracking the upper third of the stadiums in the conference.
In addition to goosing Iowa's Big Ten chances – the Hawkeyes are 22-6 at home since 2021 – Kinnick is home to the best new tradition in the sport: Since 2017, players and fans turn at the end of the first quarter and wave to the patients at Stead Family Children's Hospital. 'The Hawkeye Wave' is already an indelible part of the college football fabric. - Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports
The five stadiums ranked ahead of Kinnick are Ohio Stadium (Ohio State), Beaver Stadium (Penn State), Autzen Stadium (Oregon), Michigan Stadium (Michigan), and Husky Stadium (Washington). Those are some legendary stadiums joining Kinnick at the top of this list, and it just goes to show how impressive the Big Ten conference as a whole is with its stadiums.
Iowa fans will return to Kinnick on Aug. 30 for the 2025 season opener against Albany, where the Hawkeyes will look to continue their home dominance.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
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