Power Ranking the 14 SEC Stadiums

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College football is known for the electric and raucous atmospheres that light up a community on the day of a primetime game.

The Southeastern Conference may forever be known as the heavyweight conference with the most prestige and pageantry across the nation.

Every stadium in the SEC should be on your bucket list, but how does one rank them?

There are so many tough decision to choose from and I could perhaps change my mind every season.

Based on the atmosphere, tradition, history, fans and overall feeling, I rank and grade the best of the best in the gauntlet known as the SEC.

 

 

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14. Vanderbilt Commodores: Vanderbilt Stadium

Despite having approximately only 41,600 screaming fans on Saturdays, Vanderbilt isn’t exactly the easiest place to play in the country.

The SEC is loaded with collectively the best sporting venues in America. Some programs are still on the rise and attempting to reach their full potential.

The Commodores have a solid program and an excellent university, so there is no need to frown about being the first one on this list.

Overall: 6.5 of 10

13. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Davis-Wade Stadium at Scott Field

Those cowbells are still in effect and it just shows passionate Bulldogs nation gets for every home game. The crowd level isn't among the best in the SEC or college football, but it is far from a walk in the park.

Starkville was rowdy in early September last season on a Thursday night when they hung in there for three quarters with LSU.

So, is it a deafening stadium to play in?

No, but SEC fans are all similar and Dan Mullen has the community at a solid excitement level after reaching the postseason for consecutive seasons (first time since 1999-2000 seasons).

Overall: 7 of 10

12. Kentucky Wildcats: Commonwealth Stadium

“Big Blue Nation” dominates Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington during the fall. They are well-known as the winningest program in college basketball history, but this SEC school loves all of their sports.

For a stadium that holds 68,000, you would think more praise would go towards Kentucky, but the football program enjoys nothing more than getting some love from their tremendous fanbase (seven home games in 2012).

Overall: 7 of 10

11. Arkansas Razorbacks: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

The Razorbacks might deserve to be ranked even higher on this list, but playing a game or two every season at War Memorial Stadium (Little Rock) takes a toll with most prognosticators.

Many people argue that if you are proud of your original stadium that holds 72,000, then maybe playing a game or two that holds nearly 20,000 fans less isn’t the best of ideas.

Regardless, the chant of “Woo Pig Sooie” on a gorgeous Saturday is worth it and then some.

Overall: 7 of 10

10. Ole Miss Rebels: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

The Rebels have had their shining moments in the SEC, though never have they won the SEC title since it expanded to a conference championship.

Still, the gameday atmosphere is spectacular since “The Grove” is a tailgating experience that better be on the bucket list. One will not be let down once they walk in the stadium either, as the overall experience is legit.

Overall: 7.5 of 10

9. Missouri Tigers: Faurot Field and Memorial Stadium

Mizzu can go in frenzy mode at night as the upsets have occurred over the top-ranked teams in the country (Oklahoma, 2011).

71,000-plus fans will show their team support and it will be a thrill next season when they welcome in the likes of Georgia and Alabama.

Overall: 8 of 10

8. South Carolina Gamecocks: Williams-Brice Stadium

They are accustomed to upsetting a team or two every season at the “Cockpit," and the electricity can be out of this world.

The 80,000-plus can rock the nation of college football on any given Saturday and the last two seasons have shown how much of an impact the crowd can make (two home losses combined last two years).

In almost any other conference, we would see South Carolina in the top five, but the SEC has a few other stadiums that are a true spectacle. 

Overall: 8 of 10

7. Auburn Tigers: Jordan-Hare Stadium

Whether it is the Tiger Walk with the players well before the game is underway or one of the best traditions in the game, (“War Eagle”) Auburn ranks high on the list.

The atmosphere lights up the entire town and the passionate fans literally will their team to victory.  

Overall: 8.5 of 10

6. Georgia Bulldogs: Sanford Stadium

“Between the Hedges” is a sight to see in college football and the Dawgs are always hungry for more every fall weekend.

Plus, have you seen how amped some of their fans get?

Overall: 8.5 of 10

5. Tennessee Volunteers: Neyland Stadium

“Rocky Top Tennessee, Home Sweet Home To Me” has given us and will continue to give us unforgettable moments.

The checkerboard end zones and the dreamsicles jerseys (on top of Smokey the dog) just makes Neyland Stadium among the elites in college football.

Overall 8.5 of 10

4. Texas A&M Aggies: Kyle Field

The Aggies always bring their “A” game and the atmosphere is always rocking.

College Station will represent the SEC with a ton of excitement. Regardless if they struggle a bit out of the gates in the SEC, A&M will still rank among the best in the game with their "12th Man" at Kyle Field.

Overall: 9 of 10

3. Florida Gators: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

I perhaps would have ranked the Gators atop this list a season ago or two, but these top programs in the SEC are so close as they rank high on any national list.

The pageantry that is shown in this conference is remarkable and the “Swamp” is something to witness.

Whether it is a humid and misty game in the afternoon or a gorgeous night game, the crowd will be put in a frenzy either way when the Gators chomp down on the competition.

Overall: 9.5 of 10

2. Alabama Crimson Tide: Bryant-Denny Stadium

Urban Meyer said he knew he was officially in the SEC when he first played at Alabama and heard the voice of arguably the greatest coach to ever live.

Bear Bryant’s legacy will always live on and new memories have been written every single season in Tuscaloosa.

Overall: 10 of 10

1. LSU Tigers: Tiger Stadium

Known as “Death Valley” for once registering on the Richter Scale (1988, Auburn), the Bayou Bengals play in front of arguably the craziest atmosphere on the planet.

Night games in Baton Rouge is essentially like heaven according to some who love to tailgate and enjoy life, but SEC football on national television only spices the gumbo up even more down there.

When there are 91,000-plus fans that are going bonkers, there really is nothing better in America let alone the SEC.

Overall: 10 of 10

 

 

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