Schedule
Creating a schedule proved to be a challenge that the original five of us were not prepared for. Coming to a consensus among 5 people was extremely difficult. All together, we had about 25 proposed schedules. As you can probably guess, 24 of them had a "problem" with them, so they ended up in the trash. We created and re-created it over and over again until we all felt good about the first of what turned out to be two final schedules. This first edition had many non-conference games and only a single "marquee" matchup. We tried to justify our reasoning with the following:
- A non-conference game typically doesn't have the pressures of a conference game for a school's athletic department. This may lend itself to a greater probability of them providing us with tickets, a tour, school t-shirts, etc.
- This schedule would be significantly more affordable. Tickets for non-conference are much easier to come by; whether it be via ticketmaster, the web, or scalpers.
- The idea of creating a "level-playing field" for all schools; meaning that if we watch the first three schools play a non-conference game, shouldn't we see all schools play non-conference opponents so that we can sense a similar atmosphere in each & therefore conduct better reviews.
Then we realized that we were simply kidding ourselves...That was a load of crap. We once again started proposing alternatives & a fight ensued. Drew started letting the profanities fly, yelling "I have to change the site again?!?!?!" Jeff stormed out the room in a rage and I think Blake lost a fingernail in the scuffle. Finally, Wes used his superpowers and made a statement that will go down in Big Ten Tour history..."Hey guys, this is the "Big Ten Tour," not the "Big Ten Non-Conference Cupcake Tour!" He proceeded to explain how we should do 3 non-conference games and 8 conference games, just like all/most Big Ten teams do. We then concluded to spend more money that we don't have available to spend & attend a few more marquee games. Bottom line, this is the right thing to do.
We actually do have some reasoning behind our final selection. A few points are listed below:
We actually do have some reasoning behind our final selection. A few points are listed below:
- Avoiding back-to-back weeks traveling to the same geographic region. An example would be traveling to Michigan one weekend and then to Michigan State the next. Same goes for the two Indiana teams.
- Spread the shorter trips between the longer ones. This means that Wisconsin and Northwestern will be placed at the 1/3 and 2/3 points of the schedule. Both of these trips are less than 2 hours and will break up the longer road trips.
- Making sure that the Minnesota game occurred early in the season against a non-conference opponent. This helps to avoid the colder weather that Minnesota is more susceptible to and makes the ticket purchase a little easier than it would if it were a conference opponent.
- Planning the furthest trip over Labor Day Weekend; the extra day off allows us more travel time. Also, we’ll probably forget how to pace ourselves during the first weekend, so that extra day of rest will be needed.
Just below, you'll find a link from which you can download our full schedule in PDF format. Below that is a quick summary of each stop (with a link to the travel map). You can start with Week 1 at the bottom and scroll up or use the links below to "jump" to the specific trip you're interested in!
| 2009_big_ten_tour_schedule.pdf |
Week 1: Penn State (09/05/09)
Week 2: Michigan State (09/12/09)
Week 3: Minnesota (09/19/09)
Week 4: Northwestern (09/26/09)
Week 5: Illinois (10/03/09)
Week 6: Iowa (10/10/09)
Week 7: Purdue (10/17/09)
Week 8: Michigan (10/24/09)
Week 9: Wisconsin (10/31/09)
Week 10: Indiana (11/07/09)
Week 11: Ohio State (11/14/09)
The 96th Rose Bowl (01/01/10)
Week 2: Michigan State (09/12/09)
Week 3: Minnesota (09/19/09)
Week 4: Northwestern (09/26/09)
Week 5: Illinois (10/03/09)
Week 6: Iowa (10/10/09)
Week 7: Purdue (10/17/09)
Week 8: Michigan (10/24/09)
Week 9: Wisconsin (10/31/09)
Week 10: Indiana (11/07/09)
Week 11: Ohio State (11/14/09)
The 96th Rose Bowl (01/01/10)
Week-By-Week Travel Summary
Appropriately enough, the tour begins on Labor Day weekend. The end of summer, and the onset of Fall/Autumn/Football season! By this time, Milwaukee will probably have a couple of inches of snow on the ground, so it'll be a nice getaway to the Caribbean temperatures of Pennsylvania. Who knows, maybe we'll raise a barn with the Amish or burn down the house in Centralia.
This will clearly be our furthest trek of the season. We'll be flying from General Mitchell Airport to Baltimore-Washington International (our first state other than our own will actually be Maryland). A meager 2 hour flight, likely our only flight of the trip. Typically I'm all about the roadtrip, but if you've ever traveled the route shown below, you know that watching paint dry is more exciting. If you're lucky enough to not sit at a standstill in Chicago traffic, your patience is sure to catch up with you after driving through the Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania turnpikes. Not only do these roads thrill you by offering 5 foot cement walls on each side of the road, they charge roughly $10.00 to drive through each state. No thanks, I'll take the "Nickel & Diming" Airlines." From BWI airport, it'll be a 3 hour ride north to State College, Pennsylvania where it'll be a homecoming for Drew and the official kickoff of the BIG TEN tour!
Estmated travel distance: 985 miles
Estimated travel time: (Car) 16 hours, 30 minutes / (Airplane & Car) 5 hours, 15 minutes
Versus: Akron Zips (non-conference)
This will clearly be our furthest trek of the season. We'll be flying from General Mitchell Airport to Baltimore-Washington International (our first state other than our own will actually be Maryland). A meager 2 hour flight, likely our only flight of the trip. Typically I'm all about the roadtrip, but if you've ever traveled the route shown below, you know that watching paint dry is more exciting. If you're lucky enough to not sit at a standstill in Chicago traffic, your patience is sure to catch up with you after driving through the Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania turnpikes. Not only do these roads thrill you by offering 5 foot cement walls on each side of the road, they charge roughly $10.00 to drive through each state. No thanks, I'll take the "Nickel & Diming" Airlines." From BWI airport, it'll be a 3 hour ride north to State College, Pennsylvania where it'll be a homecoming for Drew and the official kickoff of the BIG TEN tour!
Estmated travel distance: 985 miles
Estimated travel time: (Car) 16 hours, 30 minutes / (Airplane & Car) 5 hours, 15 minutes
Versus: Akron Zips (non-conference)
The next stop takes us to Michigan. If you click on this map, you'll see that our route takes us around the bottom of Lake Michigan. Wouldn't it be lovely if there was a bridge crossing Lake Michigan. We could avoid Chicago and save hours of travel. There is a ferry known as Lake Express, but it is a bit pricey & the times are limited. It looks like we'll say hello to Chicago traffic for the first time during our travels.
More reason than just the Big Ten tour, this day will also serve as Drew's birthday.
Estimated travel Distance: 313 Miles
Estimated travel Time: 5 hours, 15 minutes (no Chicago traffic/stops)
Versus: Central Michigan Chippewas (non-conference)
More reason than just the Big Ten tour, this day will also serve as Drew's birthday.
Estimated travel Distance: 313 Miles
Estimated travel Time: 5 hours, 15 minutes (no Chicago traffic/stops)
Versus: Central Michigan Chippewas (non-conference)
Week 3 takes us to our first major metropolitan market, taking us north-west to the Twin Cities to visit the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
We made sure to secure an early-season date with the Gophers as we felt that Minnesota was the most susceptible to rough weather. No longer will the football games be played in the climate-controlled Hubert Humphrey Metrodome as now the Gophers will play outside in the brand new TCF Bank Stadium (we're sure a new corporate sponsor will show up on the stadium before long). Speaking of the HHH Metrodome, the Minnesota Twins will be playing their final games there during the first weekend in October.
Probably the least complex route of the tour, this trip will be a north-west up Interstate 94.
Estimated travel distance: 334 miles
Estimated travel time: 5 hours, 25 minutes
Versus: California (CAL) Golden Bears (non-conference)
We made sure to secure an early-season date with the Gophers as we felt that Minnesota was the most susceptible to rough weather. No longer will the football games be played in the climate-controlled Hubert Humphrey Metrodome as now the Gophers will play outside in the brand new TCF Bank Stadium (we're sure a new corporate sponsor will show up on the stadium before long). Speaking of the HHH Metrodome, the Minnesota Twins will be playing their final games there during the first weekend in October.
Probably the least complex route of the tour, this trip will be a north-west up Interstate 94.
Estimated travel distance: 334 miles
Estimated travel time: 5 hours, 25 minutes
Versus: California (CAL) Golden Bears (non-conference)
Finally, a small break from extreme roadtrips after 3 weeks. This trip will probably only take us an hour as we drive south towards Chicago. Luckily we won't see too much Chicago traffic during this trip.
We're really anxious to learn more about Northwestern as you don't hear too much about them in Big 10 discussions. Maybe we'll have to ask Mike Greenberg (host of Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN radio) to lend us some advice on what to see and do around this University.
The lure of downtown Chicago being so close will be tough to ignore, but this is the Big 10 tour after all. Let's hope Northwestern is just as lively!
Estimated travel distance: 80 miles
Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Versus: Minnesota Golden Gophers
We're really anxious to learn more about Northwestern as you don't hear too much about them in Big 10 discussions. Maybe we'll have to ask Mike Greenberg (host of Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN radio) to lend us some advice on what to see and do around this University.
The lure of downtown Chicago being so close will be tough to ignore, but this is the Big 10 tour after all. Let's hope Northwestern is just as lively!
Estimated travel distance: 80 miles
Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Versus: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Just a week later, we're returning to the state of Illinois, only this time heading a bit more south. Taking us through the "Land of Lincoln." Few people outside of the Midwest could even name a city in Illinois that's not named Chicago. This stop will be in Champaign, IL. No, we won't be drinking any champagne in Champaign, but we will be seeing Penn State for the 2nd time this season.
While we'll certainly hit some of the Chicago traffic, our route will allow us to veer slightly west of the loop to avoid the serious congestion. I (Drew) once drove from Kansas City to Chicago via Illinois and I remember it being one of the flatest drives of my life.
Estimated travel distance: 273 miles
Estimated travel time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Versus: Penn State Nittany Liions
While we'll certainly hit some of the Chicago traffic, our route will allow us to veer slightly west of the loop to avoid the serious congestion. I (Drew) once drove from Kansas City to Chicago via Illinois and I remember it being one of the flatest drives of my life.
Estimated travel distance: 273 miles
Estimated travel time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Versus: Penn State Nittany Liions
Next up, we'll head in a unique direction as we go south-west (I wish we were taking the airline, but no) to the corn fields of Iowa & probably the stadium with the most interesting name, Kinnick stadium. Two of our regular tour members (Jeff & Dan) are originally from Iowa, so we'll have another homecoming of sorts.
Someone has to research if this could route pass throught the Field of Dreams...maybe we can get a Kevin Costner autograph?
This will potentially be our first night game & what do you know, it's the 1/2-way point!
Estimated travel distance: 264 miles
Estimated travel time: 4 hours, 19 minutes
Versus: Michigan Wolverines
Someone has to research if this could route pass throught the Field of Dreams...maybe we can get a Kevin Costner autograph?
This will potentially be our first night game & what do you know, it's the 1/2-way point!
Estimated travel distance: 264 miles
Estimated travel time: 4 hours, 19 minutes
Versus: Michigan Wolverines
If you have 5 people not affiliated with the BIG 10 in a room, at least 3 of them couldn't tell you where Purdue was located on a map. In fact, before I started following college football, the only Perdue I knew was the brand of chicken. All jokes aside, the Purdue graduates that I've met are some of the smartest individuals I know & rave about their experience at Purdue.
From the map's perspective, this looks like a relatively simple trip. Unfortunately the Chicago loop has other plans for us. It will be time to dust off, the I-PASS as we'll hit our fair share of tolls in our first of 2 stops in the state of Indiana. We hope that the great Aaron Gautier will join us to show us around his alma mater.
Estimated travel distance: 225 miles
Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 50 minutes (no Chicago traffic)
Versus: Ohio State Buckeyes
From the map's perspective, this looks like a relatively simple trip. Unfortunately the Chicago loop has other plans for us. It will be time to dust off, the I-PASS as we'll hit our fair share of tolls in our first of 2 stops in the state of Indiana. We hope that the great Aaron Gautier will join us to show us around his alma mater.
Estimated travel distance: 225 miles
Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 50 minutes (no Chicago traffic)
Versus: Ohio State Buckeyes
The closest this tour will come to a foreign country (that'll be Canada for those of you who skipped Geography class) when we travel to Ann Arbor, MI. The "Big House" as they call it has hosted the largest crowd ever at a college football game (more on that later).
This could be a rather painful drive as we'll once more hit Chicago and be driving towards Detroit. This will serve as our 2nd longest car trip of the season & may warrant a stop at another college football school that is not affiliated with the Big 10 conference.
Estimated travel distance: 332 miles
Estimated travel time: 5 hours, 30 minutes (no Chicago traffic)
Versus: Penn State Nittany Lions
This could be a rather painful drive as we'll once more hit Chicago and be driving towards Detroit. This will serve as our 2nd longest car trip of the season & may warrant a stop at another college football school that is not affiliated with the Big 10 conference.
Estimated travel distance: 332 miles
Estimated travel time: 5 hours, 30 minutes (no Chicago traffic)
Versus: Penn State Nittany Lions
Chicken & Gorilla
It'll be great to just have to drive down the street (76 miles) for our next itinerary. For many of our co-workers and friends, this will be the most anticipated stop as it is the most accessible and of course, it is the nearest/dearest team to most Milwaukee locals.
Oh yeah, this date is also Halloween. The only question now is what costume will Drew break out for this year's night of terror. We're all extremely excited to take part in the "Jump Around" segment of the Badger game.
Estimated travel distance: 80 miles
Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 26 minutes
Versus: Purdue Boilermakers
Oh yeah, this date is also Halloween. The only question now is what costume will Drew break out for this year's night of terror. We're all extremely excited to take part in the "Jump Around" segment of the Badger game.
Estimated travel distance: 80 miles
Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 26 minutes
Versus: Purdue Boilermakers
Our second trip to Indiana, this time to visit the school that shares the same name as the state. We've got many co-workers from Indiana, so we should have a wealth of "tribal knowledge" about this place. Drew's sister actually attends the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, so we'll be interested to hear if the satellite campus two states away shares any of the traditions.
This time, we head a bit more south in the state, traveling through Indianapolis to Bloomington. It'll be tough to stray away from the basketball lure of this area, but this day will be a day of football!
Estimated travel distance: 323 miles
Estimated travel time: 5 hours, 49 minutes (no Chicago traffic)
Versus: Wisconsin Badgers
This time, we head a bit more south in the state, traveling through Indianapolis to Bloomington. It'll be tough to stray away from the basketball lure of this area, but this day will be a day of football!
Estimated travel distance: 323 miles
Estimated travel time: 5 hours, 49 minutes (no Chicago traffic)
Versus: Wisconsin Badgers
We must end the tour with a bang! Why not conclude the regular season with two potential Top 25 teams battling it out at one of the most well-known stadiumns in college football?
Columbus has a greater population than both Cleveland and Cincinnati without a MLB, NFL, nor NBA team so you have to think the Buckeyes are a big deal.
Hopefully this will be our final ride through the miserable Chicago loop as this will be our longest road trip. I'm sure many readers will have an opinion on the following topic. Google maps presents two alternatives on getting to Columbus: 1) The first being taking I-70 E (447 miles/7 hours, 24 minutes) and 2) being I-94 E (416 miles/7 hours, 57 minutes). Which is better? My vote goes to I-70. Regardless, this road trip home is going to be a miserable one.
Estimated travel distance: 448 miles
Estimated travel time: 7 hours, 25 minutes (no Chicago traffic)
Versus: Iowa Hawkeyes
Columbus has a greater population than both Cleveland and Cincinnati without a MLB, NFL, nor NBA team so you have to think the Buckeyes are a big deal.
Hopefully this will be our final ride through the miserable Chicago loop as this will be our longest road trip. I'm sure many readers will have an opinion on the following topic. Google maps presents two alternatives on getting to Columbus: 1) The first being taking I-70 E (447 miles/7 hours, 24 minutes) and 2) being I-94 E (416 miles/7 hours, 57 minutes). Which is better? My vote goes to I-70. Regardless, this road trip home is going to be a miserable one.
Estimated travel distance: 448 miles
Estimated travel time: 7 hours, 25 minutes (no Chicago traffic)
Versus: Iowa Hawkeyes
The final game will occur over a month after our BIG TEN season has ended. During his NBA tour, Drew had the ultimate capper to a tour, watching the NBA Finals live in Los Angeles, so it's only fitting that we end our tour in a BIG way. It will be time to leave BIG TEN country & fly to the west coast to cheer on the BIG TEN champion in the Rose Bowl. We do undertstand that this could get complicated if a BIG TEN team plays for the National Championship (also being played at the Rose Bowl this year; only a week later than our projected game). With the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), even the most knowledgable fan can never guess what will happen, but we have a good feeling that a BIG TEN representative will take part in this game.
After we all spent the previous New Year's in Milwaukee cold weather, it'll be a nice change of pace to experience the (hopefully) warm weather of Pasadena (strangely close to where Drew ended his NBA tour) and the 96th edition of the Rose Bowl.
Of course we'll fly from Milwaukee's General Mitchell Airport and head to LAX, stay in Hollywood, and take some form of transportation to Pasadena. The game will fall on a Friday this year, allowing us an extra day or to enjoy southern California before returning to the real world on Monday.
Estimated travel distance: 2,099 miles
Estimated travel time: (Car) 31 hours / (Airplane/Other) 4 hours, 45 minutes
After we all spent the previous New Year's in Milwaukee cold weather, it'll be a nice change of pace to experience the (hopefully) warm weather of Pasadena (strangely close to where Drew ended his NBA tour) and the 96th edition of the Rose Bowl.
Of course we'll fly from Milwaukee's General Mitchell Airport and head to LAX, stay in Hollywood, and take some form of transportation to Pasadena. The game will fall on a Friday this year, allowing us an extra day or to enjoy southern California before returning to the real world on Monday.
Estimated travel distance: 2,099 miles
Estimated travel time: (Car) 31 hours / (Airplane/Other) 4 hours, 45 minutes
