The words "homefield advantage" normally conjure up visions of fans yelling until they can't breathe, a student section flooded with a sea of school colors and an alumni section that defines intimidation.

Not so at Minnesota's home field, a recent survey said.

Wisconsin's student newspaper, The Badger Herald, recently polled each student newspaper in the Big Ten and requested a list of stadiums in the conference, ranked from best to worst.

The Golden Gophers' home field ranked dead last (Beaver Stadium placed fourth). And Minnesota's student newspaper had some pretty harsh words for the 37-year-old venue.

"There isn't a passion for football at the Metrodome like there is at other Big Ten schools," sports editor Charles Spang said. "The Metrodome is not a place to watch college football. The Metrodome is simply the worst place for football in the Big Ten."

So, for Penn State, this weekend's road game should come a lot easier than the last two -- a loss to No. 12 Notre Dame and a heartbreaker to No. 1 Ohio State.

Penn State has dropped four of the last five contests against the Golden Gophers, including the last two matchups at the Metrodome. Minnesota coach Glen Mason also has twice as many home wins (38) as road victories (19). But Joe Paterno didn't seem too worried about the advantage.

"My concern is not where we are playing but whom we are playing," he said.

The Gophers aren't the best squad either, boasting the No. 98 defense in the country, but their stadium is even worse. But with how Penn State's performed on the road, it may not matter.

It might not be fair to say the Lions have struggled away from Beaver Stadium. After all, they were forced to play two ranked teams. Regardless, Penn State's players were adamant that it is important to finally get the ball rolling with a win on the road.

"Our first two road tests were very difficult, and they were tough challenges. But to be a great team, you've got to win on the road," linebacker Paul Posluszny said. "We're definitely not a great team right now; that's an end goal. With five games in, it's too early to tell."