Ranking the best Big 12 stadiums before Colorado moves in

The Colorado Buffaloes are going home to the Big 12, a conference they once lived in for over 60 years. From the Big 7 to the current iteration of the Big 12, the league has been in a constant state of change.

Texas and Oklahoma are soon moving to the SEC and a new crop of schools from across the country recently joined (UCF, BYU, Houston and Cincinnati). Add in the fact that West Virginia and TCU joined in 2012 after CU left, and the Big 12 looks quite different from the Buffs’ final year in 2011. This presents Colorado fans with a whole new crop of road trip possibilities.

With those new universities and cities lays a treasure trove of new football stadiums to explore. I have no doubt that with the new direction of the program under head coach Deion Sanders, fans will be chomping at the bit to follow the Buffaloes into hostile territory.

Here’s a ranking of the Big 12 football stadiums that I’m most looking forward to watching the Buffs invade:

More:Was Big 12 deputy commissioner Tim Weiser right about why OU, Texas are headed to SEC?

Opened: 1921

Capacity: 47,000

I do like the open concept of Memorial Stadium, but there just isn’t much else there, in my opinion. It is named Memorial Stadium in honor of the 129 men and two women from the university’s students, faculty, staff and alumni who lost their lives in World War I.

Opened: 1975

Capacity: 61,500

One of the bigger stadiums in the conference, Jack Trice has an awesome scoreboard at one end, but the stadium is showing signs of wear. The stadium is named in honor of Iowa State’s first African American athlete, Jack Trice, who passed away in 1923 due to injuries he sustained during a football game.

Opened: 2014

Capacity: 40,000

One of the newer stadiums in the conference, TDECU was opened in 2014 and simply looks like just another modern stadium. Texas Dow Employees Credit Union won the naming rights battle in July of 2014 and has had it since then.

Opened: 2007

Capacity: 45,301

This stadium has gone through a few different names during its time, starting as Bright House Networks Stadium before changing to Spectrum Stadium in 2017. It was simply known as the “Bounce House” from 2020-22 until FBC Mortgage purchased the rights.

Opened: 1968

Capacity: 52,200

Bill Snyder Family Stadium is named in honor of the school’s legendary head coach who led the Wildcats for 27 years over two different stints.

Opened: 1916

Capacity: 40,000

One of the oldest stadiums in college football, Nippert Stadium has seen massive renovations over its time to keep it up to date. I appreciate how the university groups all of its stadiums together as well with Nippert backing right up to the basketball arena and baseball fields.

Opened: 1980

Capacity: 60,180

Mountaineer Field is a somewhat bland stadium that is held up by its game day atmosphere. This ranking will solely depend on how much you like “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

Opened: 2014

Capacity: 45,000

Newer-looking stadiums aren’t usually my preference, but I love the idea of being able to ride a boat to the game as the stadium backs up to the Brazos River.

Opened: 1964

Capacity: 63,470

Having grown up watching games at Folsom Field, I naturally like any stadium with a mountainous background. LaVell Edwards Stadium has a lovely view of the Wasatch Range.

Opened: 1930

Capacity: 47,000

Named after Amon G. Carter, the creator of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper who pushed for a new stadium at TCU, this one boasts a classic feel. I am also a sucker for brick exteriors on stadiums.

Opened: 1947

Capacity: 60,454

Most who see the last name Jones in Texas will think of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, but this stadium is named after former Texas Tech president Clifford Jones and his wife, Audrey. Jones AT&T has some cool touches, including the giant Texas Tech logo behind one of the endzone.

Opened: 1920

Capacity: 55,509

Classic feel? Check. Brick exterior? Check. Named after a famous alum of the university, Boone Pickens Stadium is exactly what a college stadium should be. The field boasts a giant scoreboard over one end zone with smaller screens in the opposite corners. I look forward to visiting Stillwater to see this beauty.