College Football Preseason Rankings 2011: Ranking Top 25 by Stadium Experience

There is nothing better than being at a college football game on Saturdays in the fall.

Whether you are sitting in the student section with a bunch of frat boys in body paint or sipping champagne in a luxury box with corporate executives, the stadium experience is one of the best parts of going to a college football game.

It doesn't matter if you are going to a Thursday night game or a game that kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday, the atmosphere is almost electric.

While NFL stadiums are packed and the fans are loyal, almost every team is in a major market.

Now consider how many football stadiums on a Saturday have double or tripled the actual population of the college town.

The game-day atmosphere is everything from tailgating to the postgame radio show that you listen to on the ride home or while you enjoy a few refreshments in the parking lot. Of course, there's all the activity at the stadium as well, from the actual game to the halftime show.

So where can you get the best college football stadium experience? Let's take a look at the 25 best.

25. Husky Stadium (Washington)

Probably the best way to enjoy a game at Husky Stadium is to be among the many dedicated students in the Dawg Pack.

Whether it's raining, snowing or sleeting, the Dawg Pack brings its A-game every time.

If you don't want to lose your hearing, you may want to wear earplugs after the Huskies score as they blare a siren for like 10-20 seconds.

Washington's band is also a nice attraction. Apparently they will play requests during your tailgate.

24. Williams-Brice Stadium (South Carolina)

Williams-Brice Stadium may be a few miles from the South Carolina campus in Columbia, but it's one of the rare off-campus stadiums that still rocks.

Since there is a lot of parking around the stadium, it naturally leads to some serious tailgating.

When the Gamecocks are ready to take the field, get ready for some serious loudness. Blaring over the PA is the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey, an entrance the Sporting News called the "most exciting pregame entry in college football."

With the talent Steve Spurrier has been amassing in recent years, the Gamecocks are also providing the fans with high-level SEC competition.

23. Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn)

The city of Auburn and the university are closely connected, and you get that feeling almost immediately on game day.

Like most big-time programs, the pregame festivities begin on Friday (and maybe even Thursday) at local establishments and in the RVs around the stadium.

About two hours before kickoff the Auburn fans partake in the "Tiger Walk."

When the Tigers walk to Jordan-Hare, the Auburn faithful are lined up and ready to cheer on the home team. 

If you've made it this far then you are ready for the best part of the Jordan-Hare experience—when they release the War Eagle, who soars around the stadium.

22. Mountaineer Field (West Virginia)

Start your day at any one of the great tailgates in the Blue Lot and then work your way into Mountaineer Field (aka Milan Puskar Stadium), where the beer keeps flowing at the concession stands.

If you are brave enough to join the Mountaineer Maniacs (the student section) then go right ahead. Just don't do it if you aren't wearing gold.

The crowd is raucous and Morgantown becomes the state's largest city for a few hours during the game.

Another guarantee is you will likely get the best action from any Big East game at WVU, so enjoy the passion that is Mountaineer football.

21. Davis Wade Stadium (Mississippi State)

Davis Wade Stadium is nestled nicely into campus, which makes for a great setting.

You can get ready for the game by partaking in a little pregame festivities in The Junction, Mississippi State's premiere tailgating area.

The home fans are hospitable with out-of-towners, but they will ring their cowbells all night if the officials let them.

20. Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame)

Everyone who says Notre Dame football isn't relevant any longer should experience a game at Notre Dame Stadium first.

Every game is not like watching the movie Rudy, but it's close.

The fans, ushers, ticket-takers, parking attendants and anyone else involved are extremely friendly to the opposing fans.

Once you get into your seat you realize you are in a special place that just oozes college football tradition.

It may not have the same pregame and postgame revelry as some of its SEC rivals, but Notre Dame Stadium should be a must stop for every fan.

19. Sanford Stadium (Georgia)

How many times have you heard the expression "Between the Hedges?"

What happens there is one of the special things about the college game, and Georgia fans have known it for years.

Georgia's fans are loud and on top of the action, making it an intimidating setting for the opposition.

It's a must-stop for all SEC fans.

18. Faurot Field (Missouri)

Missouri is a place that gets overlooked by the casual college football fan, but anyone who has attended a game at Faurot Field will tell you the place is worth the visit.

It is affectionately called "The Zou" by the home crowd. Faurot lives up to the name, as the place gets rowdy.

Seating is limited for opposing fans, but if you can get your hands on a ticket it's worth the visit.

17. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Oklahoma)

Maybe I'm the lone non-Oklahoma graduate who feels this way, but I just love singing Boomer Sooner and watching the Sooner Schooner ride out onto the field.

Sorry, that's too many Orange Bowl games in the 1970s and 1980s.

If you go to a game at Memorial Stadium you should show up early, as the Sooner fans get into their seats well before kickoff.

The fans are also some of the best in the nation, as they are the equivalent of St. Louis Cardinals baseball fans to the college game.

If you stick around long enough you may never want to leave.

16. Doak Campbell Stadium (Florida State)

FSU fans are cautiously optimistic that the Seminoles are about to return to the upper echelon of college football.

So Doak Campbell Stadium is quickly rising back up the list of game-day experiences.

The action heats up outside Doak Campbell Stadium with some of the best tailgating in the country.

Once you get inside, you will be beaten down with the war chant, and of course the place goes absolutely bananas when Chief Osceola plants his flaming spear before kickoff.

15. Texas Memorial Stadium (Texas)

We've all heard how cool and trendy Austin, Texas is, so of course any game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium has to be off the hook ('em horns).

While there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy in Austin, when the Longhorns are playing, there is no better place to be than Memorial Stadium.

Despite a lackluster 2010, watching a home Texas game is a must.

Who knows, maybe you'll get to see Matthew McConaughey.

14. Lane Stadium (Virginia Tech)

Over the past two decades, Virginia Tech has become one of the best game-day atmospheres in the country.

Lane Stadium starts jumping right from the beginning with Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and the fans never seem to quiet down.

Virginia Tech has also played some of the more exciting football of the past two decades, so the cost of a ticket has been well worth it.

13. Bryant-Denny Stadium (Alabama)

Is there anything more important in life than Crimson Tide football to an Alabama fan?

We're still waiting for an answer.

If you spend a Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium, you may get your answer pretty quick.

Arguably the best reason to go to a game at Alabama today is getting to watch the genius of Nick Saban coach, as well as watch the talent he has amassed in Tuscaloosa.

12. Memorial Stadium (Clemson)

Clemson is one the best game-day experiences that seems to be under the radar.

But when the Tigers touch Howard's Rock on their way into Memorial Stadium, the crowd reaches a fever pitch.

If the game is going well for the home team, you will also learn quickly why the place earned the name Death Valley first.

Clemson's fans are known as the "Sea of Orange," and they take it to heart as almost everyone is wearing something orange.

11. Michigan Stadium (Michigan)

Michigan Stadium is a must-see for any college fan since "The Big House" is the largest stadium in the U.S. with a capacity of 109,901.

Getting to cheer along with more than 100,000 fans as the Michigan players and coaches run onto the field and jump to touch the "Go Blue: M Club Supports You" banner is worth the price of admission.

You will also get to hear the Michigan band belt out "Hail to the Victors" live. Now that's pageantry.

A major negative to game day at The Big House is the traffic congestion around Ann Arbor. But that's a minor price to pay.

10. Memorial Stadium (Nebraska)

If you love shirtless men painted in red and wearing corn as a hat, and you are lucky enough to find a ticket, then you don't want to miss a chance to see Nebraska's Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska hasn't had an empty seat since 1962 as the Cornhuskers have sold out 310 consecutive games.

The fans are known as the "Sea of Red" and they will let you hear it if you aren't wearing Nebraska's colors.

With Nebraska joining the Big Ten this season, there are a slew of opposing fans who will get to experience Memorial Stadium for the first time over the next few seasons.

Now where can I get a ticket?

9. Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin)

If you ever questioned Wisconsin's ability to party, just remember this is the university that gave us the late Chris Farley.

Needless to say, there are plenty of pregame activities to choose from, but also watching a game at Camp Randall Stadium is like one big celebration.

Of course, nothing tops the fans who love to do a little jumping before the start of the fourth quarter.

Camp Randall is one of the best Big Ten game-day options.

8. Kyle Field (Texas A&M)

It doesn't take long to see how Texas A&M developed a reputation for the 12th Man at Kyle Field.

The Aggies are known for their Yell Leaders, who rally the fans during cheers.

If you go to a game, be prepared to stand the entire time as the fans never sit.

There is also a bonus to bringing a date. When A&M scores you...get a kiss.

7. Kinnick Stadium (Iowa)

Kinnick Stadium may be old, but it delivers on game day.

About 10,000 enthusiastic students gather in a corner of the south end zone, and they are ready to make some noise.

There seems to be a theme here, but Iowa's players are introduced to AC/DC's "Back in Black" and of course this whips the Iowa fans into a frenzy.

The tailgate scene is also crazy as the parties stretch as far as you can see outside Kinnick.

6. Neyland Stadium (Tennessee)

Built on the banks of the Tennessee River, Neyland Stadium gave birth to the Vol Navy.

That's right, you can ride a boat right up to the game. So you can tailgate on the river and then make your way to the game.

Of course, you have to listen to "Rocky Top" about 1,000 times every game, but the place is packed with knowledgeable fans who love the Vols. Only problem is many of these fans are not very friendly to opposing fans.

So if you don't mind wearing some bright orange, you'll fit right into the game-day activities.

5. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Florida)

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is more affectionately known as The Swamp, and that's exactly what it feels like to opposing teams when that Florida humidity kicks in around the third quarter.

Let's be honest here: UF has some of the prettiest co-eds around so if the action on the field isn't the best, then there is always something else to keep your attention.

But the Gators usually have the talent to keep your attention, and the crowd at The Swamp can generate some serious noise.

It will be interesting to see how the Florida faithful respond to first-year coach Will Muschamp and the 2011 Gators this fall.

4. Beaver Stadium (Penn State)

How can you not enjoy being part of 110,000 rabid fans cheering on Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions?

Well, that's just the folks still outside Beaver Stadium who didn't have tickets for the game.

Work your way inside the huge erector-set stadium and you are part of college football history.

The student section can be clever with their signs and wardrobe, and you will hear the roar of the Nittany Lion over the PA system a few hundred times.

If you are actually lucky enough to go to a White Out game, then you are in for a game-day experience like no other.

3. Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)

Buckeye fans know how to throw a party.

The tailgating is spread out over a large area, but there are tons of scarlet and gray all over the streets from Lane Avenue to Woody Hayes Drive.

Once you get inside the place, the home crowd is noisy and you get to listen to one of the best bands around.

Of course, you get to watch some quality football.

If Ohio State had another 50,000 seats it would have no problem filling them.

2. Autzen Stadium (Oregon)

Autzen Stadium was built to be intimidating as the bleachers are steep and the fans are close to the action and opposition.

Although Autzen Stadium only holds a few more than 60,000 on a good day, the fans generate some serious noise. Oregon has sold out since 1999.

Phil Knight's Nike money has also helped make the game-day experience better. Over the past decade, Autzen has had multiple enhancements.

The Ducks are always trotting out some of the most talked-about uniforms in college football.

Did you know Autzen Stadium was the backdrop in the 1978 movie Animal House? Now you do.

1. Tiger Stadium (LSU)

The traffic in Baton Rouge can turn off the first-time visitor to Tiger Stadium, but once you find a place to park, the remainder of your time will be the best college football experience ever.

It starts with the LSU fans. They are passionate about their team and they hold a grudge. Just ask Nick Saban.

The tailgating is one of the best in the SEC, as well as the nation.

Then there's the overall atmosphere, which includes bringing in a live tiger. That's right, a live tiger.

The stadium is old, but once you get settled in for the game you won't notice.

Only one thing is better: a night game in Death Valley.