College Football: The 25 Best Places to Watch a Night Game

There is nothing in the world as emotionally charged as a college football stadium about to kick off a night game.

While games played during the day are great, there is a special charge derived from that prime-time matchup under the lights.

All across the country, students crank up the volume, elevate their intensity and settle in for the experience.

Some places, such as Michigan's "Big House," did not hold night games until 2011. Others have made it a yearly tradition.

Forget the NFL. Take a few minutes and look forward to the incredible places one can visit for a rockin' game-night experience.

25. Harvard Stadium (Harvard)

The Crimson have been playing at beautiful Harvard Stadium since 1890, but only started playing night games there in 2001.

One of the most venerable stadiums in the country, it's worth going to experience the beautiful construction and design, especially for an Ivy League night game.

24. Davis-Wade Stadium (Mississippi State)

Stop by for the Egg Bowl.

One of the oldest rivalries in college football, this place will be absolutely insane when State welcomes Ole Miss in 2011 for the 107th time.

23. Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame)

While Notre Dame hasn't hosted a night game in 21 years, their Oct. 22 matchup with USC should be the prelude to many more.

This is a must-see if only to remember the feats of long-gone stars and take in the tradition that is Notre Dame football.

22. Raymond James Stadium (USF)

Raymond James is better known for its NFL games, but the Bulls have made this the place to be in Tampa on Saturday nights.

With a raucous crowd and a growing following, the Bulls have made Raymond James their home. It's worth a visit or two.

21. Milan Puskar Stadium (West Virginia)

West Virginia has one of the most vitriolic crowds in the country.

If you feel safe enough to brave 60,000 raucous Mountaineers faithful, this is definitely the best night-game experience in the Big East.

The pulsating, yellow-shirted crowds are extremely loyal to their team, and their intensity makes for an absolutely incredible experience.

20. Frank Kush Field (Arizona State)

While the inside of the stadium is not the greatest to experience, ASU has one of the more aesthetically pleasing places to play in the U.S.

Built near the banks of the Salt River, this stadium offers a real experience on a balmy Arizona evening.

(This season, the Sun Devils should actually win some games there, too.)

19. Aloha Stadium (Hawaii)

Yeah, pretty much because it's in Hawaii.

Go there.

While most of the rest of the U.S. languishes in the icy clutches of winter, this place is a tropical paradise.

At least the offense will always be entertaining.

18. Memorial Stadium (Nebraska)

Home to some of the greatest teams in college football history, Memorial Stadium offers a great experience to those who make the pilgrimage.

The sea of red that greets one's gaze is absolutely breathtaking, and the 'Huskers fans are absolutely insane.

Tons of fun.

17. Bulldog Stadium (Fresno State)

While Boise State likes to boast of their take-on-anyone-anywhere attitude, that moniker should actually belong to the Bulldogs.

Check their schedule over the past 10 years.

Besides that, a night game on the West Coast is a beautiful thing, especially in Fresno, Calif.

16. Kyle Field (Texas A&M)

Home of the 12th man.

Need one say more?

15. Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn)

"War Eagle" at night.

Nothing better.

Unless it's a healthy Toomer's Corner.

14. Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Oklahoma)

Boomer Sooner, followed by the interlocking OU, are just part of the fun at a Sooners game.

On top of that, it offers one of the most family-friendly atmospheres in football, since it is a dry stadium. If you want booze, you ain't gettin' it here.

But this does not detract from the intense experience of reliving Sooner tradition through the introduction video, followed by 85,000 fans going crazy when the Sooners take the field.

13. Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)

The 'Shoe is a tough place to play.

A night game is an unforgettable experience here.

Take a tour of the Southwest corner of the stadium, which is home to Buckeye Grove, and remember all the past Buckeye All-Americans.

Follow this up with the game, usually a win, and you have a great experience.

12. Williams-Brice Stadium (South Carolina)

Before QB Stephen Garcia was suspended yet again, the Gamecocks were a dark-horse candidate to win the SEC.

Even without Garcia, Williams-Brice will be rockin' when Steve Spurrier leads his boys onto the field.

This is one place you should stay for a few days.

The SC students burn a 20-foot tall tiger the night before they face Clemson. The intensity that accompanies that rivalry ratchets up an already fun night game in Columbia.

11. Sanford Stadium (Georgia)

"Glory, Glory" at night is an experience.

There are no more demanding fans than the Dawgs', and when there is a night game between the hedges, the players know when they screwed up.

Any time Georgia welcomes an SEC foe at night, the atmosphere is especially raucous.

10. Memorial Stadium (Clemson)

The original "Death Valley" is loud and boisterous.

Howard's Rock has been rubbed by every Clemson player before every game since 1967, and watching the team storm onto the field to the thunderous roar of the crowd is incredible.

The students are great, but the small-town fans that make up the majority of Clemson's fanbase are rabid and not afraid to show it.

9. Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin)

This Video Courtesy of YouTube

"Jump Around" between the third and fourth quarters is a crazy tradition and enjoyable during day games. But when things like the above video start the game, it's sure to "jump" even more than usual.

If one can stand the vulgarity, all of the chants and songs (and the fifth quarter) add to an already great night-game experience.

Just expect it to be frigid if it's past July...

8. Bronco Stadium (Boise State)

Smurf Turf.

'Nuff said.

7. Bryant-Denny Stadium (Alabama)

It's rough going into Bryant-Denny for a game.

The Tide have the most loyal fans in the country, and they turn out in droves to support their football team.

All the houndstooth hats, the elephant trumpet at the team's entrance and rooooollll tiiiiiide at kickoff serve to make this an absolutely incredible stroll through one of college football's finest traditions.

6. Rose Bowl (UCLA)

Yeah, UCLA plays there. And to be frank, they have also sucked there recently.

That being said, the best game in the history of night games was played here: the 2006 Rose Bowl. And even though UCLA is awful right now, the Rose Bowl is steeped in tradition like no other venue.

5. Neyland Stadium (Tennessee)

The sheer enormity of Neyland is enough to blow one's mind, while the fans in Tennessee are absolutely out of their minds for their Vols.

Knoxville is a great college town, and a night game at Neyland, complete with the team runnin' through the "T" and Smokey on the sidelines, is an experience not soon forgotten.

4. Lane Stadium (Va. Tech)

The "Enter Sandman" entrance by the Hokies after a trip through one of the longest, darkest tunnels in the country is a great tradition already.

Add to that the absolutely mind-numbing level of anticipation at a night game, and you have a recipe for football stadium greatness.

Check out this great explanation of Hokie traditions, including the firing of Skipper and where the word Hokie came from.

3. Autzen Stadium (Oregon)

Autzen is not the largest stadium in the country, with capacity at 54,000.

But it may well be the loudest.

The fans make this experience one of the best, while the beautiful facility is a thing to enjoy.

Besides, it's not every day you see a guy in a duck suit do hundreds of pushups.

2. Tiger Stadium (LSU)

This place is crazy.

When you have a coach that eats grass, your gameday experience is bound to be special.

And where else can you eat alligator sauce piquant, crawfish jambalaya and shrimp etouffee at a tailgate?

According to legend, the nation's eighth-largest college football stadium was originally nicknamed "Deaf Valley," but is currently known as "Death Valley."

It is where opposing teams go to die on Saturday nights in the fall.

1. Beaver Stadium (Penn State)

Night game.

Whiteout.

It does not get better than this, especially with 107,000-plus screaming Nittany Lions fans raising cane.

Watching JoePa patrol the sidelines and hearing the Victory Bell after a win and "We are...Penn State" is absolutely incredible.

Not to mention that that "S" looks great for television.