College Football: Top 10 Stadiums in the Country

Like picking a favorite child, picking the best stadium in college football is nearly impossible. In order to create a fair set of rankings for the top 10 stadiums in college football, I have set four categories (atmosphere, fans, tradition and architecture) in which stadiums will be given a ranking (one being worst, 10 being best).

The numbers for each category will be added up, and the stadium with the most points will be declared the best stadium in college football.

10. Kyle Field (Texas A&M)

Capacity: 82,600

Kyle Field is one of the most unique stadiums in college football, and that's what makes it so good; it's not often that you see a triple-decker stadium quite like this one. To top it all off, this stadium features one of the nation's best video boards, stretching 4,000 square feet.

Atmosphere: 8

Tradition: 6

Fans: 8

Architecture: 9

Total: 31

9. Bryant-Denny Stadium (Alabama)

Capacity: 101,821

Although I do not really like Alabama, I must admit their stadium is awesome. After recent renovations, the stadium's capacity has increased by 10,000, making it one of the nation's five largest stadiums.  I know I will get ridiculed by Alabama fans for their 7 tradition rating, but Alabama didn't play any significant games at Bryant-Denny until the mid 1990's. Their most important home games were played at Legion Field in Birmingham.

Atmosphere: 10

Tradition: 7

Fans: 9

Architecture: 6

Total: 32

8. Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium (Nebraska)

Capacity: 81,067

Fans file into this stadium every week to see their beloved Cornhuskers play. Nebraska currently has sold out 311 consecutive games at Memorial Stadium. This fan support has allowed Nebraska to begin a $63.5 million expansion that will increase the seating capacity to 91,000; the project will be completed by the 2013 season.

Even without the expansion, Nebraska has one of the nation's elite stadiums. I can't imagine how nice it will be after the renovations.

Atmosphere: 8

Tradition: 9

Fans: 9

Architecture: 8

Total: 34

T-6. Notre Dame Stadium

Capacity: 80,795

Notre Dame Stadium has established itself as one of the most unique stadiums in college football through its mixture of history, including things like Touchdown Jesus, and state of the art amenities, such as its new press box and LED scoreboards.

Notre Dame has one of the largest fanbases in the country, and that has allowed it to sell out 206 games in a row.

Atmosphere: 8

Fans: 8

Tradition: 10

Architecture: 9

Total: 35

T-6. Tiger Stadium (LSU)

Capacity: 92,400

Tiger Stadium is the sixth-largest stadium in the nation and is widely considered the most electrifying stadium in college football. Death Valley at times has produced such deafening noise that it has been registered on the Richter scale.

Atmosphere: 10

Fans: 10

Tradition: 7

Architecture: 8

Total: 35

T-4. Beaver Stadium (Penn State)

Capacity: 107,082

This triple-decker stadium ranks as the second-largest stadium in the country. The unbelievable number of fans who file in every week generate a great deal of noise too, especially the student section, which has been called the loudest by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit. On game day at Beaver Stadium, all fans wear white and create the best white-out in college football.

Atmosphere: 9

Fans: 9

Tradition: 9

Architecture: 9

Total: 36

T-4. Shields-Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium (Tennessee)

Capacity: 102,455

From the checkered end zones to the "Rocky Top" chants, Neyland Stadium has established itself as one of college football's iconic landmarks. Neyland Stadium ranks as the nation's fourth-largest stadium.

Atmosphere: 9

Fans: 9

Tradition: 9

Architecture: 9

Total: 36

3. Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)

Capacity: 102,329

Ohio Stadium is known for its horseshoe shape and truly is a beautiful sight. Other than its architecture, Ohio Stadium is known for its traditions, such as the dotting of the i before the game. In the past decade, the Buckeyes have had a winning percentage of 88 percent at the Horseshoe.

Atmosphere: 9

Fans: 9

Tradition: 9

Architecture: 10

Total: 37

2. Michigan Stadium

Capacity: 109,901

Michigan Stadium is the biggest and one of the most widely recognized football stadiums in the country. Michigan Stadium has seated over 113,000 on multiple occasions, a number untouched by the rest of the college football nation.

The support for the Michigan football program is immense and has allowed the stadium to continue to expand, including a recent $262 million renovation.

This stadium continues to improve, as it is installing state-of-the-art video screens and lights for the upcoming season. Do not be surprised if upwards of 115,000 fans, including myself, show up to the Big House to watch the Michigan-Notre Dame night game on September 10.

Atmosphere: 8

Fans: 10

Tradition: 10

Architecture: 10

Total: 38

1. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Florida)

Capacity: 88,548

No stadium in all of college football is better than The Swamp. Florida’s home record of 113-13 (.894) since 1990 is the best mark in the country during that time, as the Gators use the 90,000-plus screaming fans to their advantage.

The Swamp has the perfect blend of atmosphere, architecture, fans and tradition that propelled it to the top spot on this list. Some may argue with this pick, but I really do believe Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is the best stadium in all of college football.

"There is no better place than 'The Swamp.' That opening on the big screen with the alligators, it's the best ever. When the Gators run out of the tunnel, it is absolutely the moment of moments in college football."—Lee Corso

Atmosphere: 10

Fans: 10

Tradition: 9

Architecture: 10

Total: 40