College Football 2011: The 25 Toughest Stadiums in the Country

It's one of the largest, most-heated debates amongst college football circles: Whose house is the toughest to play in every fall? 

There are plenty of fanbases that like to lay claim to the title of providing the best home-field advantage. The problem is there isn't a true means to objectify the impact friendly confines have on the outcomes of the games played on the field.

Should it be based on how loud the stadium is week to week? How loud it is for big games? What about the team's home record or perhaps the respect Vegas gives each team at home?  

There are a million different variables to be taken into account, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, the selection will always be primarily subjective.

Today we'll explore one man's take on the subject. This ranking takes into account stadium traditions, results and how many points Vegas lends the home team.*

What I'd like to encourage fans to do is post links to videos of their team stadium's best/loudest/most raucous moments and I'll include them in the article as they flow in. 

On to the rankings!

*Vegas advantage supplied by Phil Steele College Football Preview

No. 25: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Southern Cal)

Capacity: 93,607

Home Record since 2000: 54-13 (.810)

Vegas Advantage: + 5.0 points 

The Trojans have compiled an extremely impressive record at home since 2000, but that has much more to do with the team on the field than the fans in the stands. The LA/Hollywood culture is a laid-back one focused on glam and glitz that lacks the passion and craziness you may find at other traditional football powerhouses.

The Coliseum rarely sells out and most accounts of the stadium experience is unimpressive to say the least. It's a cavernous, old building that wasn't designed specifically for football and the result is decibel levels not reaching the heights of other major college football stadiums. 

Tommy Trojan and Traveler's pregame routine is worth seeing (so are the song girls), but that's about it. They crack the list in large part thanks to the fact that the team's Pete Carroll fielded were so dominant. 

No. 24: Milan Puskar Stadium (West Virginia)

Capacity: 60,000

Home Record since 2000: 56-16 (.778)

Vegas Advantage: + 4.5 points 

Mountaineer fans are known as some of the most hostile in the entire country. They head to the parking lots early on game day to tailgate, fuel up on their beverage of choice and then let the pure, unadulterated venom flow at the opposing team. 

They were the infamous bunch that got into Marcus Vick's head during his visit to Morgantown, leading him to make one of his countless terrible decisions and offer a one-fingered salute to the fans. Mountaineer Field may not have the tradition or size of some other historical college football stadiums, but the fans make up for it by making their presence felt in every big game. 

No. 23: Michigan Stadium (Michigan)

Capacity: 109,901

Home Record since 2000: 57-19 (.750)

Vegas Advantage: +4.25

The Big House is one of the largest venues in American sports so you'd think it'd be one of the loudest. Surprisingly though, that's not the case.

The stadium is so shallow that it doesn't retain sound very well—even when almost 110,000 people are screaming at the top of their lungs. Players from opposing teams have commented many times over the years on how they expected it to be louder given the sheer size—and as a two-time visitor to The Big House for games, I too was underwhelmed.

That may have changed a bit since they added an entire row of luxury suites opposite the student section. By all accounts, that helps reverberate the sound and crank up the volume. We'll see if it has a more positive effect on the Hoke Era than it did the Rodriguez Era.

No. 22: Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame)

Capacity: 80,795

Home Record since 2000: 39-24 (.619)

Vegas Advantage: + 4.0 points

The Fighting Irish have fallen on hard times since Lou Holtz left town and there's been a slew of lower level teams that have entered Notre Dame Stadium and walked out with an upset (Syracuse, Tulsa, Navy, among others). Their home record of 39-24 is far and away the worst percentage on this list of 25 venues.

So why does it crack the ranking?

Because there's still a mystique about playing under the watchful eye of Touchdown Jesus and the Irish Faithful are still capable of waking up the echoes in big moments.

The 2005 Notre Dame-Southern Cal classic was proof of it. Kirk Herbstreit called it the most electric atmosphere he'd ever seen and one player was quoted as saying, "it was so loud that the inside of our helmets were violently vibrating as we came up to the line of scrimmage and it was tough to even think." Unfortunately for Irish fans, that player was not Matt Leinart on the 4th and 9 play—but that's another story.

There's a definite aura and the history is palpable, but until they start protecting their house better than they have in recent years, they won't climb higher than this spot.

No. 21: Rice-Eccles Stadium (Utah)

Capacity: 45,017

Home Record since 2000: 50-14 (.781)

Vegas Advantage: +4.75

The Utah Utes have emerged as one of the most consistent and dangerous non-major conference teams in the country and a large reason for that is their ability to take care of business at home. Rice-Eccles Stadium is a supercharged atmosphere that has spurred Utah to a slew of unexpected upset victories over the past decade—most notably, a 44-6 thrashing of No. 11-ranked UCLA in 2007.

It's a tall order to get a BCS conference opponent to trek to Salt Lake City, but the Utes have lured one team from an AQ conference to their home turf every year since 2007.

The results? Four Ute victories by an average of more than two touchdowns. 

No. 20: Jones AT&T Stadium (Texas Tech)

Capacity: 53,882

Home Record since 2000: 57-13 (.814)

Vegas Advantage: +5.25 

Mike Leach helped launch Texas Tech into the national consciousness decade, piecing together a Cinderella run during the 2008 season that briefly earned them a No. 1 ranking.

What got them to the top of the polls? An upset victory over the top-ranked Texas Longhorns under the watchful eye and screaming voices of 50,000+ Red Raider fans.

Since 2007, the Red Raiders have knocked off four teams ranked in the Top 12 when they arrived in Lubbock—something no one else in their conference can boast.

Guns up! 

No. 19: Amon G. Carter Stadium (TCU)

Capacity: 44,358

Home Record since 2000: 57-7 (.890)

Vegas Advantage: +5.0 

Gary Patterson picked up where Dennis Franchionne left off and has transformed the Horned Frogs into legitimate BCS contenders on a yearly basis. Amon Carter Stadium has become one of the most difficult venues to visit and this has resulted in the majority of major BCS conference teams avoiding trips there at all costs. 

The last time TCU lost a game at home was against Utah in October of 2007. There have only been three ranked teams to travel to Fort Worth for a game since 2005 and all three left with a loss. Last year there was only one team that stayed within four touchdowns of the Frogs on their home turf.

It's probably smart that BCS schools steer clear, but with a move to the Big East on deck, expect more ranked victims to be lined up in the not-so-distant future. 

No. 18: DKR-Memorial Stadium (Texas)

Capacity: 93,553

Home Record since 2000: 58-9 (.866)

Vegas Advantage: +5.5 

With the exception of last year's hiccup, Texas has compiled an amazing record at home during Mack Brown's tenure. Vegas respects the Longhorns' home-field advantage so much that were the only team in D-I college football to be favored in every single home game from 2000 through 2009. So why do they show up so low on the list?

By all accounts, the stadium experience and atmosphere is pretty underwhelming. For such a large stadium, it doesn't compare in terms of noise levels to its rival Texas A&M's Kyle Field. Texas does plenty of winning and winning big on their home field. Perhaps the lack of big-time, close games at home has lulled the fans into a state of complacency. 

No. 17: Sanford Stadium (Georgia)

Capacity: 92,746

Home Record since 2000: 56-13 (.812)

Vegas Advantage: +4.5 

As UGA patrols the sidelines, he's normally happy at what he sees going on between the hedges at Sanford Stadium. The Dawgs have compiled an impressive home record in the most difficult conference in college football.

A recent tradition that was started by current coach Mark Richt to fire up the crowd and create an even more electric atmosphere than usual is the creation of "Black Out" games. The fans are instructed to wear black and the Bulldogs come out in alternate black uniforms. The first time he unveiled this ploy in 2007, the Bulldogs stomped 18th-ranked Auburn 45-20.

No. 16: Memorial Stadium (Nebraska)

Capacity: 81,091

Home Record since 2000: 62-16 (.795)

Vegas Advantage: +4.5 

There is one sport and one team that matters in the entire state of Nebraska: Cornhusker Football.

That's why dating back to Bob Devaney's first season in 1962, Big Red fans have sold out every single game played in Memorial Stadium. These are fans that almost filled an entire stadium for College Gameday in 2001!

Through thick and thin, the Husker Faithful have trekked out to watch Nebraska face off against Big 8 and Big 12 rivals alike—and starting next year, they'll welcome Big Ten powers like Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State into the fold. With Bo Pelini at the helm, it appears the tough times of the Bill Callahan Era are behind them and they can look forward to establishing themselves on the top tier of a new conference.

No. 15: Clemson Memorial Stadium (Clemson)

Capacity: 81,473

Home Record since 2000: 55-19 (.743)

Vegas Advantage: +4.5 

Clemson has been stuck in the middle of the ACC for about a decade now, but that doesn't take away from one of the most unique and exciting stadium atmospheres in all of college football. The tradition of Howard's Rock and storming down the hill to a serenade of cheers and Tiger Rags leaves you with chills every time. 

In our first video of the series we catch a glimpse of the Death Valley effect in the 2005 Miami game. 

No. 14: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Alabama)

Capacity: 101,821

Home Record since 2000: 56-22 (.718)

Vegas Advantage: +4.75 

The Crimson Tide has ascended back to the top of the college football world under coach Nick Saban. The fans are some of the most loyal and passionate in the country—so loyal that they filled the stadium to capacity and then some for a mere intra-squad scrimmage during Saban's first spring on the job.

After stumbling out of the gate in his first season, Alabama ripped off 20-straight victories at Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

The only loss? To hated rival and No. 2 ranked Auburn in the Iron Bowl this past season. That choke job in what should've been the fall of Cam Newton is what keeps them behind their rivals in this ranking. 

No. 13: Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn)

Capacity: 87,451

Home Record since 2000: 65-15 (.813)

Vegas Advantage: +4.5 

Auburn climbed to the top of the college football world this season and seized their first national championship in over fifty years. Their raucous fans helped carry them to an undefeated home slate which included three victories over teams ranked No. 12 or higher in the polls. 

Jordan-Hare gets a boost thanks to one of the best traditions in college football: War Eagle entering the stadium and landing at midfield during the pregame festivities. 

No. 12: Kinnick Stadium (Iowa)

Capacity: 70,585

Home Record since 2000: 56-16 (.778)

Vegas Advantage: +5.25 

Much like Nebraska, there isn't much for sports fans to call their own in the state of Iowa except for the beloved Hawkeyes. Kirk Ferentz's squad has been a staple in the top tier of the Big Ten since he took over in 1999 and that's because his teams have consistently defended their home field. 

Kinnick Stadium is a place where rivals' national championship dreams have died as recently as 2008, when they upset third-ranked Penn State in a November showdown. To the video!

No. 11: Kyle Field (Texas A&M)

Capacity: 82,600

Home Record since 2000: 48-25 (.657)

Vegas Advantage: +4.75 

Aggieland is the home of The 12th Man, one of the most renowned student sections in the country. The student body has been known to actually sway the entire press box as they belt out the "Aggie War Hymn" at games.

The Aggies have had an up-and-down run since RC Slocum left down after the 2002 season, but Kyle Field is still brutal on the opposition. This past season they knocked off No. 8 Nebraska to officially eliminate the favored Huskers from BCS championship contention. 

No. 10: Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin)

Capacity: 80,321

Home Record since 2000: 59-17 (.776)

Vegas Advantage: +5.25 

Wisconsinites love their football and the Badgers have been delivering them top-tier teams to watch ever since Barry Alvarez took the helm in 1990. Camp Randall has developed into one of the most intense and rowdy environments in the entire country. 

A new tradition that began in 1998 was made to engage and fire up the student body prior to the fourth quarter: The loudspeakers blare the song "Jump Around" and thousands of Badger fans do as they're told.

Let's go to the video!

No. 9: Tiger Stadium (LSU)

Capacity: 92,400

Home Record since 2000: 67-11 (.859)

Vegas Advantage: +5.0 

There aren't many places as intimidating as Death Valley on a Saturday night in the fall. An all-day tailgate fest provides the fuel for 90,000+ fans to scream their lungs out, creating a deafening environment capable of shaking the Earth. Literally.

In 1988, LSU scored a late touchdown to beat Auburn 7-6. The roar that went up from the crowd in Tiger Stadium was so loud it actually registered as a small earthquake on the Richter Scale.

Let's head to the tape and witness that play.

No. 8: Neyland Stadium (Tennessee)

Capacity: 102,455

Home Record since 2000: 55-21 (.724)

Vegas Advantage: +4.75 

Tennessee fans flock by land and by sea to cheer on the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. The stadium's aluminum benches help amplify the sound of over 100,000 people decked out in orange belting out "Rocky Top" and willing their beloved Vols to victory. Combine that with the fact that it is a closed stadium (no open ends) and it becomes an eardrum-rocking experience. 

When it comes to being built purely to retain noise and create the loudest possible environment for opposing teams, there aren't many better than Tennessee. 

 

No. 7: Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)

Capacity: 102,329

Home Record since 2000: 68-9 (.883)

Vegas Advantage: +5.5 

The Horseshoe is one of the most venerable venues in collegiate athletics. The Buckeye Faithful come out in droves to belt out "Hang on Sloopy" and teach everyone how to spell their state with their arms. Ohio State has not lost more than one home game in a given season since Tressel's first season when they went 4-2. 

The most well-known tradition that takes place in home games is "the dotting of the I" by the band. A chosen sousaphone player (or special celebrity Buckeye guest) goes out to dot the I as the rest of the band spells out a script Ohio.

For a peak at this tradition, let's go to the tape. 

No. 6: Beaver Stadium (Penn State)

Capacity: 107,282

Home Record since 2000: 58-19 (.753)

Vegas Advantage: +5.5

Kirk Herbstreit has christened the Penn State student body as the best cheering section in the country. In terms of sheer size and noise, it's hard to argue.  

Beaver Stadium is constructed the exact opposite way of Michigan Stadium. Instead of sprawling outward, the engineers decided "let's build up!" The result is upper decks stacked on top of upper decks to the point where it's almost like a huge walls that bounce the screams of 100,000 fans back and forth. 

Every year since 2005, they have orchestrated a "White Out" where all the fans wear white. The result is one of the most impressive looking stadiums in college football.

No. 5: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Florida)

Capacity: 88,548

Home Record since 2000: 60-12 (.833)

Vegas Advantage: +5.5 

Ever since Urban Meyer took over for Ron Zook, "The Swamp" has morphed back to what it was during the Steve Spurrier Era: a place opponents head to expecting to lose.

Three of Meyer's six years at the helm resulted in undefeated home seasons and until this final campaign, he was a staggering 8-0 against ranked opponents. 

Will new head coach Will Muschamp get the Gators back on track at home, where they lost as many games this season as they had the previous six combined? If the fans have anything to do with it, the answer will be a resounding yes.

No. 4: Bronco Stadium

Capacity: 33,500

Home Record since 2000: 63-2 (.969)

Vegas Advantage: +6.0

The Boise State Broncos have been completely dominant in their home digs at Bronco Stadium over the past 11 seasons. There have been three coaches but all have done the same thing nearly every time they took the field: win. 

Many people may argue that the Smurf Turf deserves an even higher ranking than No. 4, but there's one thing that holds them back. Since 2000, they've been underdogs only twice at home. Those happen to also be their only two losses. Maybe if they could lure some bigger names to Boise their ranking would go up, but until then they're stuck at a very respectable No. 4. 

No. 3: Gaylord-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Oklahoma)

Capacity: 82,112

Home Record since 2000: 67-2 (.971)

Vegas Advantage: +5.75

The Sooners' home field checks in at No. 3 on the countdown. Since 2000, Bob Stoops has only overseen two losses and none since a slip-up in the 2005 opener against TCU.

The only game they've entered as an underdog in that time period was against No. 1 Nebraska in 2000. The result? A Sooner victory that springboarded them to a national championship. 

The latest and highest profile victim of the Sooner Schooner was No. 2-ranked Texas Tech in 2008. Fresh off of two victories over ranked teams (including No. 1-ranked Texas), Texas Tech came into Norman riding high. Bob Stoops called out the fans and said they needed to have an effect on the game. A supercharged environment helped Oklahoma steamroll the Red Raiders 65-21, knocking them out of the Big 12 and national championship hunts. 

No. 2: Lane Stadium (Virginia Tech)

Capacity: 66,233

Home Record since 2000: 63-11

Vegas Advantage: +6.0 

The Hokies have won 10 or more games every season since 2004 and a large part of that is because of the unbelievable home-field advantage they house in Lane Stadium. Known for playing a slew of Thursday and Saturday night games, Lane is one of the most rocking venues in all the land.

Much like Wisconsin, the fans have created a newer tradition that is one of the most recognizable and unique in all of college football. As the team comes out the entire student section essentially mosh pits as Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blasts over the sound system.

To the tape!

No. 1: Autzen Stadium (Oregon)

Capacity: 54,000

Home Record since 2000: 57-13 (.814)

Vegas Advantage: +6.0 

The Ducks may not have topped the final AP poll, but they top this ranking. Autzen has proven to be one of the most intimidating, loud and rowdy venues in college football over the past decade.

They're currently in the midst of a 16-game win streak at home. Six of those victories have been over ranked teams, three of them were over Top Five teams. The finals of those games against Top Five opponents? Only 42-3, 47-20 and 52-31.

The blur offense they use means the defense is on the field more than most teams. What better way to keep them fired up and pumping with adrenaline than 54,000 deliriously loud fans screaming their lungs out?

Duck fans, I salute you. Now let the debate rage on!