In the age of NIL chaos, mega-conferences, and ever-shifting college football landscapes, there’s still something sacred about a stadium. The roar of the crowd. The trembling bleachers. The unshakable pride of generations clad in red. And when it comes to the University of Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium, one former Big Ten standout says no other venue even comes close.
While EA Sports may have omitted Lincoln’s sacred turf from its toughest venues list, a voice from the trenches has spoken—and his word carries weight. Bryson Shaw, a former defensive back who suited up for both Ohio State and USC, recently took to TikTok to crown Memorial Stadium as the undisputed king of college football environments.
From the Horseshoe to the Heartland: Shaw’s Stunning Stadium Rankings
Bryson Shaw has played coast to coast—from the glitz of Los Angeles to the cold steel of Columbus—and has stepped into some of the most raucous atmospheres college football can offer. But when asked to name the greatest stadium he’s ever played in, he didn’t hesitate. Not Michigan. Not Penn State. Not even the historic Coliseum of USC.
His top pick? Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium.
“Finally, we have my number one, no questions asked, undoubtedly the best stadium to play at in the world is the University of Nebraska,” Shaw gushed.
“It is packed. It is as loud as it gets.”
That’s right—the same stadium where his Ohio State Buckeyes dismantled the Huskers 48-7 back in 2019. A game that could have left a forgettable impression… but instead, it left him awestruck.
Blowout? What Blowout? Nebraska Fans Showed Out Anyway
Let’s rewind to that 2019 contest—a lopsided clash that saw Ohio State flex its muscles on Nebraska’s home turf. With the game essentially over by halftime, and the Buckeyes leading by 40 points in the fourth quarter, one might expect fans to leave in droves.
They didn’t.
“It was still fully packed. Still as loud as it gets. Their fans are the best fans,” Shaw recalled.
In an era when fans often vanish faster than a halftime marching band when things go south, Nebraska’s faithful stayed—and roared. That loyalty, that unwavering commitment, impressed an opponent more than any scoreboard ever could.
A Love Letter to Lincoln: One DB’s Memorial Stadium Obsession
Shaw would return to Memorial Stadium in 2021 for a tighter contest—a 26-17 win that tested Ohio State’s resolve. Once again, he left Lincoln not just with a win, but with memories that refused to fade.
“I played there twice, and I wish I could play every single game at the University of Nebraska,” he said with nostalgic sincerity.
That’s not hyperbole from a fanboy. That’s respect from a competitor. A warrior who’s clashed in college football’s most storied venues and still walked away from Lincoln thinking, this is the pinnacle.
So… Why Doesn’t Memorial Stadium Get the Credit It Deserves?
Here’s the million-dollar question: Why isn’t Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium consistently ranked among the nation’s toughest venues? Is it the Huskers’ recent win-loss record? A product of recency bias? Or perhaps a snub born out of coastal elitism in college football culture?
Because if you ask players—those who actually feel the field shake beneath them—the story is different.
Memorial Stadium isn’t just loud. It’s loyal. It’s generational passion stacked row by row. It’s 90,000 fans who don’t need a national title run to believe in their team. It’s a living, breathing monument to everything college football used to be—and what it should be.
A Stadium That Transcends the Score
Yes, Nebraska hasn’t hoisted a national championship trophy in decades. Yes, they’ve had tough seasons, heartbreaking losses, and rebuilding years. But the atmosphere never changed. Memorial Stadium still fills up every Saturday. The sellout streak lives on, a badge of honor that no scoreboard can tarnish.
Even opposing warriors like Bryson Shaw recognize it. Because real football minds know—you don’t measure a stadium’s greatness by points. You measure it by presence, pulse, and passion.
Final Thoughts: A Glowing Testimony from an Unexpected Source
In the hyper-competitive world of college football, few things unite players, coaches, and fans like shared respect. Bryson Shaw’s praise isn’t just a compliment. It’s a validation of Nebraska’s culture. It’s a reminder that while trophies gather dust, tradition endures.
So next time someone scoffs at Lincoln, or questions Memorial Stadium’s place among the elite, send them Shaw’s quote. Or better yet, bring them to a game. Let them hear the tunnel walk. Let them feel the place tremble. Let them witness a sea of red that won’t quit—no matter the score.
Because in Lincoln, it’s not about the record. It’s about the reverence.
Nebraska may be rebuilding on the field, but in the stands? It’s already elite. Just ask the guys who had to play there.
