Eleven Warriors

Ive lived in Madison since 2001, and have been to every buckeye game there since, as well as a few other BIG games. Off the bat, parking is atrocious. There are no big open lots, it's just a mess of little lots and neighborhood street parking. Br prepared to walk- the stadium is a hike from the main campus/ state street. Fans are rowdy, but generally just having a good time, and it justifies their penchant to binge drink.

That said, inside the stadium (minus the student section) is fine. I've been to all the BIG stadiums over the years, and am still surprised by the # of kids present at camp Randall. It really is something a lot of families take part in. That's due to people buying season tickets back in the days when UW was an after thought, and they kept their liscenses. Now they're older with kids, and they take them.

for pregame, start at the capital and walk down state street to the student union and have a beer on the terrace on lake mendota, then head to the stadium from there. The campus is pretty split up by main streets cutting through, so watch out. The 4th quarter jump around really is one of the cooler things in a BIG stadium that I've seen in the last 20 + years. Stick around for the 5th quarter. I hate them, but their band does have a good time with it. It's even better when the BUCKEYES WIN!! 

If you want any specific recommendations for places to go, let me know

cheers

If you've never been there, then its definitely worth the trip. Their students border on circus clowns, and the atmosphere there is fun, and in 15+ games there, I've never witnessed anything out of line to visiting fans that are not themselves looking for it. And I wear buckeye gear there without a second thought.

postgame, see if you can get to the Nitty Gritty or Dotty Dumplings Dowry. They're by the kohl center, which is pretty close to camp Randall. 

Past stories were that Wisconsin fans would throw batteries at the opposing players along with marshmallows with pennies in them. The players told of how the instruction was they had to keep their helmets on at all times to avoid getting hit in the skull and cut open. That actually happened to a player or two. This was a long standing thing with them as I even remember players interviewed in the late seventies on the Woody Hayes show mentioning it. No idea if they still do it and never understood how they could allow something so stupid to continue.

I never got any more than mild trashtalking in Madison, which can be a really great place to see a game.

I would stay off State Street and that commercial area of campus which is just a lot of student bars and a virtual invitation to get into a fight; go there in civilian clothes on Friday night just to see it.  Instead, park in one of the neighborhoods to the west (Regent/ Monroe) and go to the restaurants out that way.  You have to see the capitol square area which is beautiful and on Saturdays, including football Saturdays, they will have their farmers market which is great to see even if you are visiting and not buying bushels of produce.  The restautants on the square are nice and you won't have any trouble there.  The only way you'll get harassed is with a "Scott Walker for Governor" shirt.

There is no stadium in the Conference that has less open public game-day parking close to the Stadium.  You might give some thought to leaving your car at your hotel and taking a cab.

Actuallly, although not for a game day, I have stayed at the Red Hotel which is across the street from Camp Randall.  The rates for game weekends might be unobtainable, I don't know (it wasn't football season when I was there); but it is a very cool modern high-style hotel.

If you decide to go the regent/ Monroe route for pre game, go to bluephies ( and get the freakin' cookie dough egg rolls- you will not be disappointed). That said, I think you'll miss a lot of the game day atmosphere that state street provides. It's certainly not as crazy as woody Hayes ave. But that also depends on game time. If its not a late game, there will be families and all kinds of entertainment up and down state street, esp. with the farmers mkt.

not sure the last time you were there Mman, but it's has been cleaned up quite a bit in the last 2 years. New s. union, library. If you go down to state st on Friday, you pretty much have to go to state st. Brats.

I still don't get the whole fighting thing. I've been to hundreds of BIG games, and minus my time in the band, (yeah, I had batteries thrown my way, but if you keep your hat on, and your back to the fans...meh) have never been provoked to fight. It has to have something to do with how u carry yourself, right?! Ignore, ignore, ignore......no eye contact with the crazies, nothing to see here, move along....

^^^^i hear ya. WisCANTson is rather neuveau riche, when it comes to success on the gridiron, so they can be like excited puppies after a win. Sometimes even when the DON'T win, but think they should have! They're learning how to deal with marginal success and the "acting like you've been there".

still, I can handle someone in my face, but unless there is physical contact, it's all just bravado. When I said I didn't "get the fighting", it was meant more as just a "why?!" I've always been wary of fighting- too much to lose, and u have no idea what u could be messing with. Sounds like u have similar boundaries, ie confrontation, and personal space.

ur right, Mman, re bluephies. But I had never thought about it's name that way, and now you may have ruined it for me. 

And scarlet blends into the cardinal and cream crowd much better than sun and blue. Which, come to think of it, doesn't blend in with ANYTHING, including themselves! #wretches

ive been to two games there with 3 of my friends. weve been in 2 fights, i wouldnt say we look for them but we arent the type that take too kindly to ppl invading our personal space. Never been to a Penn St game, although with the way their fanbase is i could def see myself waiting for a scrum

Not funny and not appropriate.  I can see a, "Don't dress like Mon-tay Ball and walk around after midnight," but even that's too soon.

I've posted this many times before; it never gets old.  I was there in Camp Randall this night.  Malcolm Jenkins leads the Bucks and Jump Around.  Blinkx video, since ESPN video was removed from Youtube;

http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/ohio-state-players-jump-around-vs-wisconsin/_a7DyEoKx0mCsaVgeciSwA

Far and away my favorite road game of the season. Madison is an outstanding city. I would live there in a heartbeat. 

The Friday and Saturday atmosphere is always great, and Camp Randall offers a distinct college football experience.