Here is my list for the 10 toughest places to play in college football. I've tried to visit most of these places but have not gotten to all of them. Here it goes.
10. Sanford Stadium (Georgia)
I've been to a game up at Sanford, and I couldn't imagine what a player must be going through while playing "between the hedges." The fans are loud but are pretty nice overall. Good way to start.
9. Autzen Stadium (Oregon)
For a place that only seats 59,000, it sure seems like a lot more from what I've heard. I've never actually been to a game there, but I know people who have, and they said it sounds like a lot more people than it actually is.
8. Michigan Stadium—"The Big House" (Michigan)
100,000-plus screaming fans on game day are loud. The fans are passionate but not crazy like other schools I've been to. They come in at No. 8 for that reason—what makes a place tough to play is the fans.
7. Lane Stadium (Virginia Tech)
The fans here are right on top of the action, which makes it one of the loudest places I've ever been to. It is so low on the list because it seats a lot fewer than the stadiums ahead of it.
6. Ohio Stadium—"The Horseshoe" (Ohio State)
OK, so I've never been to a game here, but I've heard good things about games played here, and it is tough to beat the script OHIO at the start of each game. But as you'll see, the top five gets even better
5. Kyle Field (Texas A&M)
Not the loudest place I've ever been to, but the 12th man is a formidable opponent for any team. They are constant, and they never give up. The 12th man gives this place a spot in the top five.
4. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium—"The Swamp" (Florida)
Florida has some of the best fans in the country, and playing a game there is tough even once, much less having to do it every other year like some SEC schools. The Swamp has given the Gators the second-best winning percentage at home since 1990. The place is loud, and fans will harass you.
3. Beaver Stadium (Penn State)
"The best student section in the land" - Kirk Herbstreit (OSU vs. PSU). While that is debatable, there is no doubt that the tradition and passion of PSU football gives it a spot in the top three. Whether it be Joe Pa or a whiteout, you can see some serious passion here.
2. Neyland Stadium (Tennessee)
It was tough to decide between the top two schools because Tennessee has a great program, and 100,000-plus fans doesn't hurt. They seem to always be into the game no matter the score, and just the design of the stadium can be very intimidating.
1. Tiger Stadium—"Death Valley" (LSU)
If you didn't guess this by the picture at the top, now I'm telling you. The Tigers have some of the craziest and most passionate fans in all of college football. Trying to play in Tiger Stadium at night with 92,000-plus fans around you must be one of the toughest things a college athlete may do. Not to mention the craziness that comes out as the Golden Band from Tigerland blasts out those first four notes for pregame.
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2 months ago
Unless you have been to all of these stadiums, and witnessed for yourself during a big game, how can you rank the top 10 toughest places to play?
You are biased towards LSU because you are from Baton Rouge. How do you know Penn State's stadium isn't louder or more exciting? You've never experienced it first hand.
That's the only way to get a good ranking. Make no mistake, I've heard LSU is tough to play at. Same goes with Florida and Virginia Tech. I've heard Penn State has the loudest stadium in the country. Tennessee also.
from 2 months ago
I agree. If you've never been to a game in that stadium when it mattered, then you don't have a place in saying which place is difficult to play at.
from 2 months ago
I'm an LSU season ticket holder and I've been to all of those stadiums. I'll tell it like it is: Florida (BHG) is the loudest, LSU is the scariest. Period. And both for many reasons.
I agree that just about all of these places deserve to be on the list, and perhaps a few others, but not necessarily in the same order. To each his own.
By the way, hottest chicks: Tied between Ole Miss and Arizona State.
from 2 months ago
LSU's fans have registered a seismographic reading....A MINI EARTHQUAKE!!!! good enough for you GEAUX TIGERS!!!!
from 2 months ago
Brian, you listed LSU as the scariest ? Do the tiger masks scare you ? Un-football related the Orange Bowl is by far the scariest stadium to go to. You used to have about a 70% chance of getting stabbed or robbed if you werent wearing a Hurricane shirt. Now that the canes are playing in Dolphin stadium maybe opposing teams fans will show up to games. I wont argue that LSU is an incredible football force, but scariest stadium ??!?!?! Come on now.
from 2 months ago
Of the many SEC players I've interviewed, most of them consider LSU to be the "scariest" or "most initimidating" place to play. I recall a Miss. State player telling me a story about their bus pulling up to Tiger Stadium and all of a sudden a huge pumpkin came flying through the windshield. It sent shattered glass all over the place and startled the crap out of everyone on board. He said "And the worst part was, it wasn't even Halloween!"
I had to laugh.
from 2 months ago
Brett what you forget to mention is that the seismagraph(sp) was like a block or two away from the stadium. I am sure if you set one up at the same distance near any number of stadiums you would get an "earthquake"
from 13 days ago
First I've been to many of these stadiums, Tennesee is no where near as loud as Death Valley or The Swamp, Penn States is loud yes but there is nothing like an LSU night game, you will not find many of these top 10 lists without LSU number 1. By the way he didn't write this because he is bias to LSU, he didn't even make this one up he copied it from another site.
from 12 days ago
Wow maybe you should read the comments before you make yourself look ignorant (oh wait too late for that)... we've had this conversation before, i didnt copy it, foxsports has a partnership with B/R and some B/R articles will get posted on the foxsports website.
2 months ago
I read testimonials from both UM opponents and UM players that the Big House is not as intimidating as it would seem. Yes, it is a huge stadium. But they all said that the openness of the bowl allows so much of the crowd volume to escape the field.
from 2 months ago
Michigan stadium is enormous... but as your stating it is now loud at all.... on top of that the field is in a giant hole in the ground... very fitting for a team like Michigan if I do say so myself.
from 2 months ago
Point seconded. I've been to games at the Big House before and it was hardly intimidating. It's not because the fans aren't passionate about their football, rather it's due to the way the stadium was built. It expands outward so much that noise easily escapes, creating a rather disappointing atmosphere.
I've been both on the field and in their student section (how lovely of a student to sell me, an opposing fan, a ticket) and the only intimidating part of my experiences was seeing 100,000+ people.
The noise? Give me a break.
from 2 months ago
Point seconded. I've been to games at the Big House before and it was hardly intimidating. It's not because the fans aren't passionate about their football, rather it's due to the way the stadium was built. It expands outward so much that noise easily escapes, creating a rather disappointing atmosphere.
I've been both on the field and in their student section (how lovely of a student to sell me, an opposing fan, a ticket) and the only intimidating part of my experiences was seeing 100,000+ people.
The noise? Give me a break.
from 2 months ago
used to live in MI and have been to many um games. for the most part, the arrogant, elitist fans tend to sit on their hands more than anything, just expecting the other teams to just give up because they are playing the almighty weasels.
GO VOLS!!!!
2 months ago
i would leave UGA and mich off your top ten and replace them with auburn and nebraska.
but a good list and of course i agree with #1.
2 months ago
I've never been, but I've always heard that its unusually quiet in The Big House on game day. Maybe scUM fans are too educated to make raucous noise during a football game? ;)
I'm kind of surprised to not see the LA Coliseum on here. With as many insufferable fair weather fans as they've accumulated from Orange County in the last decade, you'd think they'd at least make the top ten?
from 2 months ago
they were on my finalist list, but like kent said its just my oppinion cause i havent visited all 10
from 2 months ago
LA college fans are the worst fair weather fans. 90% of the people at those games never even went to college. Makes it very annoying for fans visiting. As far as for the players ive heard the rose bowl is more impressive just for being the rose bowl not for beign overly loud (although as a visiiting school they always sit us in teh last row up top so I dont get to hear the brunt of the noise), and the collesieum you have to hear the stupid sc fight song every time they gain a yard
2 months ago
Can LSU's stadium be that tough to play at if in '05 Oregon State almost beat them in thier own stadium if it wasn't for multiple missed PAT's?
from 2 months ago
But they didn't beat them...
from 2 months ago
Nick,
LSU and all of south Louisiana had just gone through hurrican Katrina and was still reeling from the aftermath. I think it is safe to say that the football team was a little distracted.
from 2 months ago
GEAUX TIGERS-----we've known this for years!!!
2 months ago
Can LSU's stadium be that tough to play at if in '05 Oregon State almost beat them in thier own stadium if it wasn't for multiple missed PAT's?
from 2 months ago
So does that mean there shouldnt be a top 10 toughest places to play because every team has lost a game (or has come close to losing a game) at home
2 months ago
If the team was as bad as Oregon State was that year. I agree LSU is a hard road game but your obviously skewed in opinion.
from 2 months ago
Nick,
why cite OSU? why don't you cite the fact that UAB beat them in 00?
a team can't lose at home or come close to losing without and be a tough place to play??
doesn't make sense.
don't listen to this article. google toughest places to play and see how many lists LSU not only appear on but are close to the top. there are dozens of others that agree.
he isn't pulling this out of thin air. this is a general opinion that's been accepted by many who have visited Tiger Stadium.
brent,
wrong year. katrina was in 05, Ore st was in 04.
2 months ago
I would have Tennessee and the Swamp 1-2, but I've never been to LSU's stadium, so I don't know where they would rank.
Notre Dame is really intimidating too...dang, the fans are on top of the field. Autzen is downright scary...been there, never want to go back. It's loud!
2 months ago
Why do you always list UGA at the bottom of the barrel?
I'm surprised you didn't pick Florida for # 1.
By the way, have I mentioned the SEC is better than the Pac-10?
:)
2 months ago
Beacuse the state of the Washington Huskies football program is at a low ebb right now, it might take awhile to experience the level of noise that Husky Stadium can produce. They've got a great stadium and some good fans up there in Seattle. I've been to a game up there only four years removed from their 1991 national title season and their fans were still really into Husky football. Their stadium has these two sheet metal overhangs behind the sideline seats and, I swear, all the noise bounces off that and gets kept inside the stadium while the sheet metal above reverberates in a weird way that amplifies the noise even more. Combine that with some rainy afternoons and Husky Stadiium is a tough, tough place to get a W.
I would place this stadium ahead of UO's Autzen Stadium. But, the "stadium advantage" won't be a factor again until the Huskies improve.
rodwood
from 2 months ago
I still think Autzen will be louder than Husky Stadium regardless, it is crazy on game day. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a typical Washington-hating Duck fan, my entire Dad's side of the family went there, so even kind of like them. I know how hard it is to play in Husky Stadium, but no Pac-10 environment is louder than right here in good ol' Eugene Oregon.
2 months ago
What about the little schools? For example, in southeast Alabama there is a school called Troy University. They've only been in D1-A for a few years, but at home they are nearly unstoppable. They are undefeated at home against BCS Conference schools, the stadium is small but loud, and the away sideline is right next to the student section, so that students can hear everything the away team says and vice versa. In fact, in one game that I attended (against MTSU), the trash talking was so bad that a coach nearly jumped into the seats to fight a student. Now that's a tough place to play!
2 months ago
How in the world can AUBURN not be on this list? You have clearly not experienced a game in their stadium.
from 2 months ago
If the criteria was BEST ATMOSPHERE to watch a game, Auburn would be #1!!!
War Eagle, Lindsay!!!
from 2 months ago
Criteria was toughest place to play not best atmosphere
2 months ago
How in the world is AUBURN not on this list? Clearly you have not experienced a game in our stadium. GO TIGERS!
from 2 months ago
I agree Lindsay. I'll never forget the Auburn vs. Florida game two years ago at Jordan-Hare...and I'm not just talking about the "atmosphere." When we blocked that punt and Tre Smith flipped into the endzone, the stadium erupted. That is the loudest moment I've ever had at a stadium. I've been to Florida and LSU, and LSU is an easy second. But Auburn should be on the list. War Eagle!
2 months ago
I have been to about half of the stadiums listed in the top 10 and hands down, LSU is the LOUDEST stadium I have ever been to and that was a game day. I can't imagine how loud that stadium gets after a day of tailgating!
2 months ago
Nick,
the only reason the game with Oregon State was so close, is that the football team was helping with the aftermath of hurrican Katrina right up until just days before the game.
from 2 months ago
Wrong year Brent... that game took place in 2004, Katrina was 2005.
from 2 months ago
Hey, Appalachian State beat Michigan, right? Sometimes the best team doesn't win (or play well, for that matter).
2 months ago
I have been to five of the stadiums on the list, and hands down, LSU is by far the LOUDEST stadium. Also, to bolster its case even more, that was a day game; I can't imagine how loud the fans get after a full day of drinking!
2 months ago
The Big House? Tough?
App State notwithstanding...
Heh.
2 months ago
Clemson Death Valley (#2) is definitely worthy of the top 10.....Honorable Mention should go to the OB and THE U for longegivity of 83 to about 03 SCARY place to go, both in intimidation and seriously that place had to go away because it could collapse at any time.
2 months ago
Loudest stadiums I have visited:
1. Beaver Stadium, State College, PA (I was at the original "White Out" in 2005; some Nittany Lion fans must believe Ohio State caused 9/11 or something).
2. Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH (there's no place like home, and few places louder).
3. Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA (it was loud when the house was full last year against the Buckeyes; imagine what it would be like/was when the Dawgs were good).
4. Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI (although a giant hole in the ground isn't conducive to noise, sheer numbers make it loud).
5. Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN (only because I haven't been to too many others, and Ohio State fans end up taking over in places like Bloomington, Evanston, and East Lansing).
from 2 months ago
Loudest stadiums I've been to:
1) Penn State (I too was at the original "White Out" in 2005. I don't think there was a lot of hate for the Buckeyes, just a belief that THIS would be PSU's time. They were right"
2) Arizona State vs USC 2005 - The first half was, anyway - and to think that the whole place wasn't packed out. I've heard Sun Devil Stadium is MUCH LOUDER during the nights, when the booze is in, and the heat's pretty much gone.
3) Sanford Stadium - The Georgia vs Auburn game in 2005 was off the hook.
4) Neyland Stadium - UT vs Notre Dame was a very, very loud one - but that place is generally never quiet.
from 2 months ago
Ya Tempe gets LOUD when it is packed and at night. Unfortunately those two rarely happened in the last few years. all the big games got pushed to daytime for TV and very few people want to go see a game in 110 heat under direct sun with metal bleachers. SC 05 was special in the first half I have never seen so many false starts by an opposing offense. at half time there was a steady stream of people who ahd fainted being carried out of the stadium. (regardless of the heat devils tend to drink)
Other PAC school to watch out for is Wazzu. small stadium yes but the fans are vocal and the weather is miserable. Plus it is a 2 hour bus ride through the boon docks to get there. Alot of opposing teams cite the bus ride there as one of the worst parts about playing in the Pac-10
2 months ago
you got em talkin that's for sure Smith
2 months ago
The worst possible situation for a visiting team would be facing a third down in Autzen. It's amazing how many times an illegal procedure or offsides (or unscheduled time-out) has resulted from crowd noise in that situation. A very tough place to play!
2 months ago
oh, what a surprise, more LSU love - you arent, perhaps, from the south are you?
2 months ago
That'd be pretty impressive to travel to all of those. Maybe you can work that out someday.
2 months ago
I've been to Autzen and Lane stadium and they are both very overrated. Clemson's Death Valley is now insane that they've added more seats, and Auburn and Texas have to be considered before you ever begin to talk about Lame... Lane Stadium. You could hear a shotgun shell drop in that place. Too soon?
from 2 months ago
The only way Autzen could even appear overrated is if your seats were on the outer edge.
2 months ago
after the 2005 PSU-OSU game, (also in attendance I was) OSU lineman were quoted in the newspapers as saying they couldn't even hear Troy Smith in the huddle let alone at the line. Tell me another place opposing QBs deal with that....
from 2 months ago
after the 2005 PSU-OSU game, (also in attendance I was) OSU lineman were quoted in the newspapers as saying they couldn't even hear Troy Smith in the huddle let alone at the line. Tell me another place opposing QBs deal with that...."
Only in the Big 10 can "not being able to hear the QB in the huddle or on the line" be considered newsworthy! ;) Come to the SEC dude, our players deal with it every Saturday.
from 2 months ago
Even Cal's Memorial Stadium, not close being one of the loudest in the Pac-10, has been known to have that effect occasionally when the game's important enough.
But what makes a trip to Berkeley truly terrifying for the opposition is the fact that if there is a major earthquake, there is a small chance that a huge gash will open up in the ground down the middle of the stadium, which is not fully up to current California building codes. Now that should frighten opponents! That and the weird tree-sitters (who hopefully will be gone very soon).
2 months ago
Only in the Big 10 can "not being able to hear the QB in the huddle or on the line" be considered newsworthy! ;) Come to the SEC dude, our players deal with it every Saturday.
Yeah Brian your right. Vandy, Arkansas, Kentucky, Miss St., and South Carolina are absolute lions dens...
2 months ago
Found this on Sports Illustrated.
from 2 months ago
Craig, I dont think you would include South Carolina if you have ever been to Columbia on gameday. Solid stadium with great fans no matter the teams record.
2 months ago
Tennessee at #2 is more funny than it is believable.
from 2 months ago
Apparently youve never been to a game at neyland... that is def. one of the scariest places ive visited
from 2 months ago
O I have been, and it was a quiet stadium that wasnt full at kickoff and is in dire needs of improvements. Nothing intimidating about that stadium whatsoever.
from 2 months ago
what game did you go to cause if its even remotely important (LSU @ Tenn in 06 for example) then its full and loud
from 2 months ago
what game did you go to cause if its even remotely important (LSU @ Tenn in 06 for example) then its full and loud
from 2 months ago
Im a Bama fan, so which one do you think? Try the student section wasnt full until half way through the 1st quarter and that stadium was silent for a good 57 minutes before Tennessee finally took the lead thanks to the Mike Shula prevent defense. Completely overrated.
2 months ago
hey!
Congrats! This article made SI.com! Here's the link:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/sioncampus/08/05/tailgaters-who-annoy-you/index.html
from 2 months ago
Thats cool... thanks for letting me know even though SI says something about how only winning teams made the list
from 2 months ago
hey...it's very kewl! Good for you! :)
2 months ago
GEAUX TIGERS!!! We have known this for years---especially when the Earth moved under our feet during the "Earthquake game"
2 months ago
how can you not put the swamp at number 1 that place is nuts when saturday rolls around
2 months ago
NEBRASKA is not on the list? 760 win percentage all time (362-110-13) versus LSU 714% (361-139-18). 289 consecutive sellouts as well; averaging over 75,000 fans per year. Which is comparable to the LSU average of 75,656 fans per year.
2 months ago
I give credit where credit is due, this is a good list. Don't listen to these other guys. These are the guys who tell you you're biased towards your team and then go on to talk about why their team should be number one. Personally I'd like everyone leaving negative comments to look at one thing. That one thing is the score when number 7 played number 1. It makes me so proud to say that since I'm a UVa fan.
2 months ago
ND stadium??
2 months ago
I believe that an article within the last year had a reporter going around the world to stadiums looking for the best place to play (for home teams); the worst for opponents. Tiger Stadium made the top 5 where no other college stadium made the top 10. I also believe that John Robinson cited Tiger Stadium as being like the Coliseum in Rome with the fans after a game. And that was in the days of 80,000.
Believe me, at night, on the river, under the lights, when the Band starts, you can be on the field (I was a drummer in Tiger Band) and not be able to hear yourself playing the drums, much less the guy right beside you.
2 months ago
I believe that an article within the last year had a reporter going around the world to stadiums looking for the best place to play (for home teams); the worst for opponents. Tiger Stadium made the top 5 where no other college stadium made the top 10. I also believe that John Robinson cited Tiger Stadium as being like the Coliseum in Rome with the fans after a game. And that was in the days of 80,000.
Believe me, at night, on the river, under the lights, when the Band starts, you can be on the field (I was a drummer in Tiger Band) and not be able to hear yourself playing the drums, much less the guy right beside you.
2 months ago
It's easy to get all "juiced" and pumped up when EVERY home game is at night. THAT along with the fact that their fans show no respect is why LSU has one of, if not the best home field advantage. One place that always gets overlooked, and it may be because their fans are relatively docile until they get into the stadium for a big game is Oklahoma. Also, where's Nebraska on this list? Those two have some of the most hospitable fans in regards to tailgates and helping people outside the stadium, but both get pretty wild inside the stadium when it is time. in keeping with the Big 12 theme, Colorado is underrated regarding their home field. Not exactly a large stadium and not the loudest, but their fans can be almost as mean as LSU's fans.
2 months ago
Even as a Penn State fan, I agree with LSU at number 1. They should be considering almost all of their games are played at night. This gives the LSU faithful all day to tailgate and drink out of their minds. By the time gametime hits, fans are drunk and ready to make some noise. The same goes for everywhere around the country. At Beaver Stadium last year, each game was pretty loud, but the two night games (notre dame & ohio st.) were just at a completely higher level. I hope Penn State can play some more night games to help make Beaver Stadium higher on this list.
Oh and for any doubters of Beaver Stadium's greatness, tune into the 8pm psu-illinois game this year. Another full stadium white out is planned. should be a good time.
2 months ago
As a visiting fan (a UDub Husky fan), I have been to LSU, Michigan, Ohio St, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Colorado, the Orange Bowl, and all the Pac-10 stadiums. The most intimidating stadium for me as a visiting fan is Autzen Stadium in Eugebe, Oregon! Those fans are the nastiest, most violent, mean, spitting, cursing bunch of hooligans anywhere!! I stopped going there over 10 yrs ago when my Huskies were still beating them regularly! My tires were slashed and I had dog poo thrown on me during the games. Of course they win every year now. The most intimidating place to play a game is Tiger Stadium!!! BUT....the fans are really good football fans! I was welcomed into many tailgate parties there. The nicest fans are those of Nebraska!! They are respectful of the opponents, show appreciation to visiting fans but are VERY loud!! I enjoyed leaving my tourist dollars in Lincoln. I was most impressed by the fans Of A&M !! 40k fans at friday night yell practice?! Awesome devotion! The most imposing stadium is in Columbus! Visitors are put down low and that stadium is so tall! Husky Stadium here in Seattle used to be a very intimidating place! Someday, in the far distant future, maybe it will be that again.
from 2 months ago
I can only say that as a Duck fan i have heard similar stories and experienced a bit of it going to Husky Stadium and Reeser (Oregon State). Unfortunately there are always "those" fans at these games that take the fun out of rivalry.
2 months ago
Just a side note...
I don't even think we as fans can rank the hardest places at which to PLAY. Even if we were college players, we wouldn't in four years see enough different stadiums to get a good idea of the most distracting.
As a fan though, I would go with Beaver Stadium during a whiteout. But I'm always quick to think it distracts the home team the same way...
(This is why they only give those loud clappy things out in the second half of basketball games at the visiting teams basket, it can ONLY negatively affect one team) 100,000 people may be louder during a visiting teams possession, but they are still obnoxious during the home team's, and if gimmicks are used like blackouts and whiteouts, still visually upsetting for everybody on the field.
2 months ago
Oregon beat Michigan both at home in Autzen and away at the Big House. On top of that Carr even said Autzen was the loudest stadium he had been in. I think the list should at least flip those two
2 months ago
Trust me kid you have no clue, Michigan has the toughest stadium.
I am a Ohio State fan but can admit it.
from 2 months ago
Kid?? Ive got a good 8 years on you. Ohio State has won their last coulple there. Appalachian State won and Oregon killed Michigan 39-7. My friends that did make that trip even said it was so quiet there. Like I said Michigan's coach Carr even said it was the loudest he had been in. I think I got a pretty good clue about it.
2 months ago
Your article might be a bit subjective, but was an enjoyable read and as a writer you do have poetic license. *****
2 months ago
Even though it no longer exists..i think the Orange Bowl should have been included...There was nothing quite like a Night game in the Orange bowl...yeah it was old as hell and falling apart...but just to be in that satdium where so much history happend it was something special...not to mention the fact the Hurricanes still own the NCAA record for consecutive home games won---58 straight from 1985-1994..that included defeating the #1 ranked team four times and 17 of the 58 games were against teams in the top 25
2 months ago
I have been to Neyland (Tennessee), Jordan Hare (Auburn) and Tiger Stadium (LSU) and at any given time during a big game they have all been so loud my ears hurt. I have been to All the SEC stadiums during big games and Florida get's loud but not as loud at the other three. Now for down right nasty rude folks, Georgia takes the title. Florida fans, LSU fans, Auburn fans and even Bama fans have been cool but the Dawg fans are just flat out rude and obnoxious. Just my experiences.
2 months ago
I was actually slightly dissapointed with PSU when I visited to watch them play MSU. Then again JoePa was sick at the time so maybe everyone was in grieving
2 months ago
I've been to quite a few of these stadiums, but it was a while ago (1988-1995) when I was younger and didn't have a job that prevented me from traveling on weekends.
I think the caliber of the team has a lot to do with the stadium's intimidation factor, because I went to numerous games at LSU, V Tech, GA, Alabama, etc., and I watched the home teams get spanked. I also remember a time when FSU's Doak Campbell Stadium was the most intimidating place in the world (1990-94)...
I am going to bring up two places that I've been that, no matter how good or bad the home team was, the place was still scary:
The REAL Death Valley--Clemson, SC. It's always hot as heck, it's the loudest place in South Carolina, and the crowd screams even during TV timeouts. Besides--if you aren't wearing orange or purple, you're asking for a beating. When the opposing team has the ball, the noise is so loud it shakes the building. And it doesn't matter who's winning. The fans are involved for the full 3+ hours.
The Orange Bowl--Miami, FL. An earlier comment stated it plainly: You could get stabbed walking to or from the stadium, and there's no guarantee your car will still be in the front yard you parked it in. There are vendors serving rats on a stick, people are breaking bottles in the street, and there isn't a college student, dorm room or intramural field in sight...you're in the ghetto! The stadium leaks and creaks, and could fall down at any moment. If you dare wear anything but orange and green, you're looking to get mugged and/or stabbed. Can't believe that place is gone. It saw more NCAA and pro championship games than any venue in North America in it's storied history.
Those two places are the worst. And I've been to Auburn, VA, the Big House (saw the Seminoles clobber the Wolverines 51-31 back in '91), the Swamp, etc. The Swamp is a tough place to play, but when the Gators get behind, the crowd dies down. I've seen that place clear out when the gaotrs are down late in the 4th quarter...
2 months ago
Don't let attendance #'s fool you, 59,000 screaming DUCK fans are really loud and the crowd is on top of you.
The Big House is nothing compared to Autzen on saturdays.
2 months ago
Nice article,
but you forgot one thing,,,
the TOUGHEST Place to GET A WIN - USC
don't think so ??
look at their record against top 10 teams at home,,,
and look at who has the best home record the last 7 years.
The ONLY team anyone thinks is a current DYNASTY is USC.
go hold your breath until USC looses another game.
from 2 months ago
UMM toughest place to get a win?? yea maybe for cream puffs who basically play FCS ball. AND you got the lost to stanford. Besides it was the toughest places to play not hardest places to get a win. You are so biased its rediculous and if anyone would be a dynasty they would have to have won more than one National Championship in the last 10 years. Has USC done that?? I think not (and don't even bring up 2004 cause that one belongs to LSU)
from 2 months ago
hahah Don't even bring up the USC split of that national title with LSU?? How on earth can you even say that? The Tigers handled a COMPLETELY overmatched Sooner team (that after K-State thrashed them, shouldn't have even been there) and USC torched a much better Michigan team. To say that this title belongs to solely to the Tigers is an injustice...USC was ranked #1 in both polls at the end of the regular season. Their one loss that year was to a good Cal team, on the road, and in overtime. And the Tigers deserve that title more than USC?? Get the hell out of here with that biased mess. I'm a Buckeye fan and I know better than that.
2 months ago
I would also like to throw the Cotton bowl into the mix.
I've only ever seen it for OU-Texas weekends, but that's enough. Couple cramped seats, usually bad weather and misbehaving plumbing together with one of the best rivalries in college football and that is not a pleasant place to be for either team.
It is also the loudest place I've ever been on a consistent basis. For four hours the decible level stays beyond safe levels. At least on the Oklahoma side it gets even louder after the game (assuming they've won of course).
2 months ago
i didn't have time to read all the comments, but when talking about kyle field (A&M) you need to mention the fact that the fan noise has actually caused it to start shaking.
2 months ago
Definitely agree on these. A couple of others that could be on the list: Clemson' s Death Valley and SC's Williams Brice stadium. These are very tough, especially Clemson.
2 months ago
Not many things are as quote "intimidating" (as mentioned in some of the other comments) as seeing the Clemson Tigers run down the hill in what is referred to as the most exciting 25 seconds in college football before every game. if you've never been, the fans at Clemson Memorial Stadium (Death Valley) provide a college football atmosphere on game days that wont soon be forgotten
2 months ago
are you serious? this is a blatant copy of the foxsports.com article...
from 2 months ago
no you dumb ass fox sports used this article on there website... go check again cause it clearly says check out BLEACHER REPORTS top 10 toughest places to play
2 months ago
dude, it's the same author. Some of the stuff found on the fox site can be found here.
2 months ago
dude, it's the same author. Some of the stuff found on the fox site can be found here.
2 months ago
What about the Texas Longhorn or Ohio State Buckeyes stadium? I would think those would be crazy stadium during home games.
2 months ago
I was a band geek at AU so I visited every stadium in the SEC. Bar none, the most intimidating place to play is Death Valley. The Swamp is pretty intimidating too. The drumline almost got into a fight with some drunken tailgaters who got the bright idea to rock our bus outside of Neyland, but they still weren't intimidating...nitwits.
2 months ago
good job copying the article man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from 2 months ago
wtf are you talking about??
2 months ago
Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium
2 months ago
I think there are a couple of stadiums you got wrong. Virginia Tech I don't think should be in the list over Nebraska, who has the longest streak of sold out games in the country. Texas should be on the list too. And where's the other death valley, Arizona State? They should've been at least in consideration.
from 2 months ago
ASU makes no claims to the name Death Valley.
Sun Devil Stadium is lovingly (and rightfully) called THE HOUSE OF HEAT!
2 months ago
The LSU fans I've met in my 30 years on this planet are generally crazy (but the good kind). I don't doubt that Death Valley is among the toughest places to play in the country.
The Big House is just that - big (but not loud). Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City should deserve some consideration, simply for the proximity of the fans to the field - the bleachers start no more than 8 feet from the sidelines, so the fans are quite literally on top of the players.
In 2003, Iowa came from behind to beat Michigan at Kinnick - late in the second half, the offense was having trouble hearing John Navarre's cadence. The more frustrated he got, the louder the crowd got...I wish I could remember how many delay of game penalties resulted. I'm a lifelong Iowa fan, but that was the first time I really started to believe that Kinnick is a tough place for visitors.
from 2 months ago
Oh, and I'm also a shameless homer. Did I forget to mention that?
2 months ago
I think you should consider Wisconsin in your "Top 10." Other than LSU, Wisconsin has the most home wins in the last few years. I believe they're 25-1, while LSU is 26-1. Wisconsin rarely loses at home. If Wisconsin beats out Ohio St. and Penn St. at home, they surely deserve a chance.
2 months ago
I agree completely with this. 1-10 you are correct.
2 months ago
i think there is a chance lsu is the hardest place to play but the article was completely bias and you probably would have put lsu at number 1 if they were 1-25 at home. and i dont know if "passionate" and insanly obnoxious and arrogant pricks are the same thing.
2 months ago
THE REAL DEATH VALLEY CLEMSON SOUTH CAROLINA.
I beg LSU fans to head up to Clemson , attend a game, and tell me you've heard an "earthquake"
2 months ago
I don't have one handy but I would think the toughest places to play are the places where the home teams have the best records. I'm not so sure the places you name have that distinction. With the Orange Bowl gone I think The Blue Turf of Boise may be near the top of this list.
2 months ago
I don't have a list handy but I would think the toughest places to play are the places where the home teams have the best records. I'm not so sure the places you name have that distinction. With the Orange Bowl gone I think The Blue Turf of Boise may be near the top of this list.
2 months ago
Camp Randall(Wisonsin), Jordan Hare(Auburn), and Doak Campbell(FSU) will beat out Neyland, Sanford and the Big House(two words: Appalachian State) any day. Lane Stadium should be higher up because the fans are right on the action and they have the smartest fans in the country, they know when to get loud and when to shut up.
about 1 month ago
Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri should get consideration the next couple of years. The fans are loud and the team is really good. It has rightfully earned the nickname "The Zou." I'm not just saying that because I'm a Mizzou fan either. It's actually one of the loudest stadiums in the Big 12.
about 1 month ago
I checked you out on FoxSports Matthew! Congrats!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks!!
about 1 month ago
I really think that Michigan is the loudest and biggest stadium ever and still will be.
now that they are building 2 press boxes luxury suites.michigan is going to be louder and togher.
Dont forget Go Blue!!!!THey are going to Osu.