One of the topics that has been discussed around Big Ten media days is the possibility of U of Illinois playing Northwestern U at Wrigley Field. As of right now, it does not appear like this will happen. Why is this? Because Northwestern doesn’t want to lose a home game! As I’ve
discussed previously here I am a big fan of neutral site games and not a big fan of college scheduling with schools getting 8 home games.
Now this isn’t all Northwesten’s fault. If I understand correctly if this game occurs it would be a home game for Northwestern and they would take the majority of the gate from the game so they would rake in a larger gate at Wrigley then they would at Ryan Field (If you know the logistics better then me, let me know). I do understand though that they don’t want to loose their home crowd. I understand Northwestern is just an “EL” ride away from Wrigley, but are all the NU students going to make that trip? Also, as a proud Sox fan living on the wrong side of town in Wrigleyville, I can tell you there are way more U of I grads around then Northwestern grads and I’m sure they would grab as many tickets as possible. So Northwestern could lose their home field crowd, but I honestly don’t see how this is much different then when Ohio State comes to town and plays in front of a de facto home crowd. Heck, Indiana had a pretty sizeable crowd during the game I went to 2 years ago.
The other thing I don’t get about this game deals with Illinois. Now if I understand this right, Illinois’ coach Ron Zook is the one who is really pushing for this event to happen. But he is also pushing for it to happen as a Northwestern home game so Illinois will not have to give up one of their home games. This, is complete BS. This is why if I’m Northwestern I say no game. Why should Northwestern have to suffer a loss of a home game while U of I sacrifices nothing for something they want to do. Why shouldn’t Wrigley be considered and U of I home game. I know it’s a 2 hour drive away, but Illini basketball has home games in the United Center, just like Michigan State has played in the Palace of Auburn hills in Detroit, and Indiana and Purdue have played in Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Ok, so what about football? Indiana and Purdue have had home games in the now departed RCA Dome. Iowa and Northwestern have played at Soldier Field. So there is precedent for this to happen.
What I don’t get is why they can’t sign a two year deal. Play in Wrigley back to back seasons with each team losing a home game each year. They can split the gate anyway they want. How does this not make sense.
I for one would really love to see this game played at Wrigley and would try to get tickets if they were affordable. I see no reason why this game should not happen. It’s just frustrating to see teams try to get 8 home games as a reason fun games like this can’t happen.
