Northwestern football is preparing to open a new era this fall, and head coach David Braun believes the Wildcats' biggest addition won't just be a state-of-the-art stadium.

For Braun, it will be the fans. 

Speaking during Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago, Braun shared his excitement for the opening of the new Ryan Field while issuing a challenge to Northwestern students, alumni and fans throughout Evanston and the greater Chicago area.

"I do have a challenge for our students at Northwestern, for our community, for the Evanston community, for the Chicago community and Greater Chicagoland," Braun said. "We are moving into the best stadium in all of football."

Braun has repeatedly praised the new Ryan Field throughout the offseason, calling it one of the premier venues in college football. However, he believes a beautiful stadium alone won't create one of the nation's best game-day environments.

Instead, that responsibility belongs to everyone wearing purple.

"It's my job to put the best team in that stadium," Braun said. "But it's your job...to turn New Ryan Field into the best home-field advantage in all of college football."

Braun believes the student section will play a major role in making that vision a reality

When asked about the decision to have a standing student section rather than traditional seating, Braun made it clear he hopes students won't have much reason to sit down anyway.

"They're going to be busy," Braun said. "They're going to be on their feet. They're going to be loud on third down."

When another reporter joked that students might want to sit if Northwestern builds a large lead, Braun laughed before doubling down on his message.

"More reason to stand up and cheer and dance and have a good time."

For Braun, the student section represents much more than another section inside the stadium.

He believes it can become the heartbeat of Northwestern football.

"I am so excited for you guys to get in there and experience it," Braun said. "Not only on non-game day, but also on game day."

Braun praised the thought and planning that went into designing Ryan Field, particularly the placement of the student section near the visitors' tunnel. Combined with the stadium's canopy, which helps trap crowd noise, Braun believes Northwestern finally has an opportunity to create one of the toughest environments in the Big Ten.

"That will be the heartbeat of that stadium," Braun said. "Get there early and stay late."

His message centered around creating an atmosphere Northwestern opponents won't enjoy playing in.

"We've got to make this an uncomfortable place for our opponents to play," Braun said. "That hasn't been the trademark recently at Northwestern. We have an opportunity to redefine that."

That opportunity arrives quickly.

Ryan Field is scheduled to officially open on Oct. 2, when Northwestern welcomes Penn State for one of the most anticipated home games in recent program history.

The nationally televised matchup will serve as the first chance for Wildcats fans to experience the new stadium while helping establish the identity Braun hopes Ryan Field will carry for years to come.

The excitement surrounding Northwestern football has steadily grown throughout the offseason.

The Wildcats added veteran offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, retained much of last season's core, welcomed quarterback Aidan Chiles and will finally move into one of college football's newest venues. 

Now, Braun hopes the fan base can help complete the transformation.

For years, Northwestern searched for a true home-field advantage.

With a new stadium, an energized program and one of the biggest home openers in school history approaching, Braun believes the Wildcats finally have the chance to create one.

If the fans answer his challenge, Ryan Field could become more than just a new stadium.

It could become the foundation for the next era of Northwestern football.