College Football Stadium Experience Rankings

Over the past two seasons, the correspondents here at Stadium Journey have made the rounds to every college football stadium at the top FBS level. Our rankings of the stadium experiences are based on considering many aspects of the stadium experience including food and beverage served, overall atmosphere, the neighborhood, fans, access to and within the stadium, and overall return on investment. One of our tiebreakers is the rating submitted by our members, so if you don't agree, then please share your thoughts about your favorite stadium.

1. Bryant-Denny Stadium - Home of the Alabama Crimson Tide

   

   It's been quite a couple of years for the Crimson Tide, and Bryant-Denny Stadium remains as our top choice to see college football. After the team and coaches enter the stadium, everyone starts funneling into Bryant-Denny Stadium and the cheerleaders start whipping the crowd into a frenzy. The team comes out of the tunnel and the stadium shakes! The crowd roars through the entire game even if the game is well in hand by the second quarter. They love their football in Alabama and they love their Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama.

2. Notre Dame Stadium - Home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

   

   The Fighting Irish were second to Alabama in the National Championship, and they ranked at No. 2 on our list as well. Notre Dame has a beautiful campus, made even more special on an autumn Saturday afternoon. This is one iconic venue that is sure to live up to your expectations.

3. Michigan Stadium - Home of the Michigan Wolverines

   

   There is little doubt that a visit to Michigan Stadium, “the Big House,” is a must-see for any fan of college football. Recent renovations have increased the total capacity to 109,901 (although more than 114,000 is the record attendance). Even with that gaudy attendance potential, the stadium doesn’t feel as big as you might imagine. The single bowl design gives you the impression that you are in a much more accessible venue, and your view of the field will be outstanding, even from the back row.

4. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Home of the Florida Gators

   

   It is THE toughest road game in college football. Not only does the visiting team have to deal with a team full of college football's finest athletes, but also 90,000 plus of the most rabid college football fans anywhere. Throw in 90 degree heat with stifling humidity and the visiting players actually feel like they are playing in a swamp full of live alligators.

5. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium - Home of the Arkansas Razorbacks

   

   For many, this will be the first surprise or point of contention with our ranking list. Razorback fans are incredibly loyal and passionate. You can feel the buzz going around on game days and there is ALWAYS something going on wherever you go around the stadium. There is tailgating everywhere surrounding the stadium.

6. Memorial Stadium - Home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers

   

   The outside of the stadium is like a carnival, with people wearing red everywhere, food booths, people looking for or selling tickets and a little further out from the stadium are tons of people tailgating in parking lots. On the east side of the stadium there is the Husker Legacy statue commemorating the Huskers national championships in 1970, 1971, 1994 and 1995.

7. Jordan-Hare Stadium - Home of the Auburn Tigers

   

   Every great college football team needs a great home-field advantage, and Auburn is no exception. Jordan-Hare Stadium (named after Ralph "Shug" Jordan, Auburn's winningest coach ever, and Cliff Hare, a member of Auburn's first football team) was opened on November 10, 1939, as the Tigers played host to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Since then, many great moments have occurred at Jordan-Hare. Many great players have suited up on this field as well, such as Bo Jackson, Cam Newton, Cadillac Williams, Ed Dyas, Pat Sullivan, and many other greats. Auburn has one of the best home-field advantages in college football, and a game at Jordan-Hare is a must for any true college football fan.

8. Blaik Field at Michie Stadium - Home of the Army Black Knights

   

   As Joe Connor of NBC Sports.com once said of Michie Stadium, “On the banks of the Hudson River, overlooking Bear Mountain and the medieval-style campus, Michie Stadium, at Army in West Point, N.Y., is absolutely breathtaking on a crisp, fall-foliage afternoon. No parade matches that of the Corps of Cadets as it winds its way through campus –itself a living history museum of America—before entering the stadium that opened in 1924, as a precision parachute team lands at midfield from the skies above, with U.S. flag and game ball in tow.”

9. Kyle Field - Home of the Texas A&M Aggies

   

   You will not experience a much more amazing atmosphere than you will find at Kyle Field. One interesting thing you will notice at an A&M football game is that unlike many schools, which have a large group of cheerleaders to rally their fans during sporting events, Texas A&M has five student Yell Leaders. Consisting of three seniors and two juniors, historically all male, the Yell Leaders are elected to their positions annually by the student body.

10. Memorial Stadium - Home of the Clemson Tigers

    

    The school, once coached by none other than John Heisman himself, opened its current home, Memorial Stadium, in 1942. The facility has seen several upgrades from its initial 20,500-seat capacity, and now seats four times as many fans. Death Valley – so nicknamed by former Presbyterian College coach Lonnie McMillan in 1948, because his teams annually lost there – even served as the home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers during their opening season in 1995, before moving to Bank of America Stadium the following season.

11. Vaught-Hemingway Stadium - Home of the Mississippi Rebels

    

    Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at Hollingsworth Field is no doubt a more than serviceable home for one of college football's most historically respected programs. As anyone who's been to Oxford, MS for a game will tell you, though, it's far from the only thing that makes Ole Miss' game-day atmosphere one of the sport's greatest.

12. Camp Randall Stadium - Home of the Wisconsin Badgers

    

    For nearly a century, Camp Randall Stadium has served as the home of Wisconsin Badgers football. The stadium stands on the ground of what was formerly used as a training base for Union Army troops during the Civil War, and the stadium carries on the name of Camp Randall. Although the Wisconsin Badgers have never claimed a national championship in football, they have been very successful for the better part of their history, winning 13 Big Ten titles. The team has also boasted two Heisman Trophy winners over the years (Alan Ameche and Ron Dayne).

13. Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium - Home of the Florida State Seminoles

    

    From the band making the walk into the stadium to the war chant that can probably be heard from I-10 on game day, the Doak provides one of the best atmospheres. As you walk around the stadium you can see many of the interesting things that set the Doak apart from other stadiums. You can't help but get the chills when Chief Osceola rides out on Renegade and throws the flaming spear into the middle of the field. It is definitely one of the greatest traditions in college football.

14. Memorial Stadium - Home of the Indiana Hoosiers

    

    College football fans may shake their heads when they think of Indiana Hoosiers football. The truth is that Memorial Stadium provides a great overall venue to see the sport. Although, Indiana University is most closely associated with basketball, it has been Memorial Stadium that has seen the most investment dollars from the athletic department. What once used to be an ordinary, traditional, and generic end zone to end zone stadium, Memorial Stadium now boasts a unique horseshoe design that pays tribute to the areas limestone mining industry.

15. Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium - Home of the Texas Longhorns

    

    From the "Hook em' Horns" symbol to the Texas Fight song, Texas Longhorns fans are known around the world. These fans of UT are definitely the reason the Longhorns have such a high winning percentage at DKR. The fans are everything you could ask for: knowledgeable, fun-loving, and downright wild at times. During key 3rd-down plays, it is impossible to hear anything over the PA speakers as the fans get on their feet, making it almost impossible for the opposing team to be able to hear anything.

16. Bronco Stadium - Home of the Boise State Broncos

    

    For many people, the desire to visit Bronco Stadium is driven by an element of novelty, much like the one that compels people to take in the bearded lady's show at the circus. Yes, the blue turf is slightly odd and intriguing, especially considering that it was the first non-green playing surface in the world, but Bronco Stadium has so much more to offer.

17. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - Home of the USC Trojans

    

    The University of Southern California Trojans have had a track record of unprecedented success and as a result, leave many of the competitors in awe. Annually, every team yearns to play in the Rose Bowl. USC has played in 33 and won 24, with the next most appearances by a school being "only" 20. Pardon them if they dislike losing, after all they've only had three losing seasons since 1961. The success of their program translates into the professional level as well, as the school has produced more first round NFL draft picks than anyone.

18. Folsom Field - Home of the Colorado Buffaloes

    

    Ralphie the Buffalo steals the show just before kickoff in pregame and at halftime. As one of the few live performing mascots in college football, Ralphie comes storming out from the northeast corner of the stadium at speeds close to 25 miles per hour guided by the Ralphie Handlers around the south endzone and back up the sidelines to the northwest corner. It is truly one of the most unique and entertaining sights in college football.

19. Jones AT&T Stadium - Home of the Texas Tech Red Raiders

    

    Out in West Texas, amongst cotton fields and wind turbines sits Lubbock, Texas. The town is home of the Red Raiders of Texas Tech University and Jones AT&T Stadium. The area is famous for passionate high school football fans, but it’s unlikely you’ll find more passion anywhere in West Texas than Jones AT&T Stadium on a Saturday night.

20. Autzen Stadium - Home of the Oregon Ducks

    

    Since its opening in 1967, Autzen Stadium has become one of college football’s most historic and beloved venues in the game. The team has risen to unparalleled success, and the Oregon fan base is one of the strongest in the country. In 2011, Oregon led the NCAA in Stadium capacity attendance percentage at 110% capacity. Despite a seating max of 54,000 seats, the University of Oregon consistently sells out and is able to sell extra standing room area seats.

21. Rose Bowl - Home of the UCLA Bruins

    

    While UCLA has not won big in recent years, they remain a viable tenant, representing the Rose Bowl and Southern California well. UCLA has produced 13 College Football Hall of Fame players and in time, will produce many more. Most individuals pass through Los Angeles at some point during their lives; so make it a point to stop in Pasadena and check out UCLA football.

22. Falcon Stadium - Home of the Air Force Falcons

    

    Perched at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and on the campus of the Air Force Academy, Falcon Stadium is truly a one of a kind experience for visiting sports fans. Not only is the experience unique due to being on the campus of a military academy, but Falcon Stadium is also the third highest Division I college football stadium in elevation (second in the FBS behind only Wyoming and Northern Arizona in FCS), sitting on high at 6,621 feet above sea level.

23. Neyland Stadium - Home of the Tennessee Volunteers

    

    Neyland Stadium has been around for nearly 100 years and has seen some great teams play on its surface along the way. When the Vols finally return to success, you can bet that seeing a game at Neyland Stadium will be one of the hottest tickets in college football. Until that happens, there’s still plenty to be desired for this great stage for college football.

24. Tiger Stadium - Home of the LSU Tigers

    

    Attending a game at LSU's Tiger Stadium is an experience you will never forget. It is like attending Mardi Gras, a Voodoo Ceremony, and a college football game all in the same day! They call Tiger Stadium "Death Valley" which was originally "Deaf Valley" due to the tremendous noise generated by LSU fans during games there and that name fits perfectly.

25. Spartan Stadium - Home of the Michigan State Spartans

    

    "On the banks of the red cedar, there's a school that's known to all." How true that statement is today? While there are only 7 FBS schools who can claim to have more national championships than the Michigan State Spartans (Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Pittsburgh, Ohio State, and Oklahoma), the green and white are rarely a team that comes to mind when thinking of the all-time great college football programs.

26. Carter-Finley Stadium - Home of the North Carolina State Wolfpack

    

    ACC fans are known for being rowdy college basketball viewers but they hang with the best of fans in the college football atmosphere as well. The fans fill the stadium and cheer on their Wolfpack throughout the game. The tailgating fans are also extremely friendly and welcoming to visitors and home fans alike.

27. Ohio Stadium - Home of the Ohio State Buckeyes

    

    On the banks of the Olentangy River in Columbus, Ohio, 200,000 people gather for six Saturdays every fall to come together as one to cheer on their beloved Buckeyes. Whether the team is playing for a national title or only looking ahead to the big rivalry of the year, fans will brave the unpredictable Ohio weather to get loud for the Scarlet and Gray.

28. Beaver Stadium - Home of the Penn State Nittany Lions

    

    Beaver Stadium sits in the shadows of Mt. Nittany in University Park, PA, also known as Happy Valley. With a capacity of 107,282, Beaver Stadium is the 2nd largest college football stadium in the country.

29. Sanford Stadium - Home of the Georgia Bulldogs

    

    On one side, there are the alumni and other season ticket holders, intimidatingly representing the legacy that is football in "silver britches." On the other, there are 10,000 rabid young adults, and you're right on their turf on a Saturday. The back-and-forth chants of "Georgia...Bulldogs" seriously sound like some sort of cataclysmic natural disaster.

30. Kinnick Stadium - Home of the Iowa Hawkeyes

    

    The home of Iowa Hawkeyes football debuted in 1929 as Iowa Stadium. In 1972, it was renamed Kinnick Stadium, in honor of the university's only Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick- who received the award in 1939 before being killed in service during World War II. Kinnick Stadium seats up to 70,585 fans, making it one of the 20 largest university owned stadiums in the nation.

31. Papa John's Cardinal Stadium - Home of the Louisville Cardinals

    

    Since the stadium was built, the Cardinals have watched their football program take a drastic rise to the top. Due to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, the Cardinals were able to generate funding to improve both their football facilities as well as their athletic department in general. As a result, U of L was able to upgrade from Conference USA to the Big East Conference in 2005. In 2007, the Cardinals appeared in and won the Orange Bowl, an accomplishment that previously wouldn't have been possible in Conference USA.

32. Mackay Stadium - Home of the Nevada Wolf Pack

    

    Mackay Stadium is placed wonderfully within the Sierra mountains, creating a beautiful backdrop from your chilly seat. These fans are engaged throughout, keeping the same level of energy from start to finish. The fans in the south end zone stomped their feet just as loud in the first quarter as in the fourth and everyone had the same response to defensive third-down situations.

33. TCF Bank Stadium - Home of the Minnesota Golden Gophers

    

    Amidst all of the tradition and luster of the Big Ten conference, the Minnesota Golden Gopher football team sometimes tends to get lost in the shuffle. With their new stadium and a new coach, however, people in the Twin Cities have started to give this team another look.

34. Bill Snyder Family Stadium - Home of the Kansas State Wildcats

    

    The stadium was rededicated in honor of legendary coach Bill Snyder before he roamed the sidelines for what was supposed to be his final game in 2005. When asked his opinion of renaming the venue in his honor, Snyder famously and modestly said, "If you are going to do it, name it after the people I care about most."

35. Bright House Networks Stadium - Home of the UCF Knights

    

    The UCF campus is as beautiful as any campus you'll ever visit. The buildings are new, and the décor around the campus is great. When you walk to the stadium, you can stop off at the Student Union on your way. So you can do kind of an indoor tailgate thing in there, even go drink some beers at the sports bar if you want.

36. Byrd Stadium - Home of the Maryland Terrapins

    

    Byrd Stadium is home to the University of Maryland Terrapins football team. Built in 1950, it holds 54,000 fans, and was host to the British Queen Elizabeth's first ever American football game. Situated in the middle of the campus, minutes away from Washington, DC, the stadium shines in an area where other outdoor sports venues do not.

37. Nippert Stadium - Home of the Cincinnati Bearcats

    

    The University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium has been called “The Wrigley Field of College Football”, as the stadium has been hosting games on this urban campus since 1924, making it the fifth oldest stadium in college football. However, the site has been hosting games going all the back to 1901.

38. Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium - Home of the Memphis Tigers

    

    The stadium truly is a “bowl” and was the first in the U.S. to be built with two high concourses that swept down to two lower concourses, but all in a single tier. It was built with the East side, along Hollywood Street, lower than the West side with an initial capacity of 50,160. In 1984, Coca-Cola Bottling sponsored the installation of what was then the largest scoreboard in the region, a 100-foot by 23-foot unit with a 16’ by 32’ display area.

39. Vanderbilt Stadium - Home of the Vanderbilt Commodores

    

    The 2012 college football season marks the beginning of a new era for Vanderbilt football, and the offseason renovations to Vanderbilt Stadium’s field surface and Jumbotron helps illustrate that. Big changes have occurred numerous times to Vanderbilt Stadium since its construction in 1922, which was the first outdoor stadium built for the sole purpose of college football in the South. Once you get past how small the stadium is for an SEC football program, it’s easy to be impressed by the experience you receive at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt Stadium’s current capacity is just over 41,000, giving it the smallest seating capacity in the SEC by 14,000.

40. Husky Stadium - Home of the Washington Huskies

    

    It is hard to find a place where you can watch a football game, and sightsee while you're at it. In Washington, Husky Stadium does just that. With views of the Cascade Mountains reflected in the pristine Lake Washington, UW is home to one of the most picturesque stadiums in the country.

41. Ross-Ade Stadium - Home of the Purdue Boilermakers

    

    Make sure to start your Purdue experience with the All-American Marching Band's pre-game concert played at Slayter Center, and known as the Thrill on the Hill. The concert begins about 2 hours before kickoff, so whether you're tailgating, or just hanging around campus, make your way to this site, just follow your ears.

42. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium - Home of the Navy Midshipmen

    

    Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium bills itself as a "memorial that happens to be a stadium." Opened in 1959, this intimate venue in Annapolis, MD should be on your to do list if you are in the Maryland state capital area. The experience will be better than you think.

43. Amon Carter Stadium - Home of the TCU Horned Frogs

    

    As TCU continues to win and place itself in the limelight, this place becomes more and more of a must see location. Texas is known for great colleges like Texas and Texas A&M. With great fans, a great team and a beautiful campus TCU definitely deserves to be in that mix.

44. Stanford Stadium - Home of the Stanford Cardinal

    

    Surrounded by the gargantuan redwoods of the Stanford campus, there may not be a more beautiful scene in which to tailgate. The stadium isn't even visible from some main roads because these trees will act like a shield, safely keeping the stadium within it's natural walls.

45. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium - Home of the East Carolina Pirates

    

    East Carolina University football owns the coast of North Carolina. Pirate Nation is a big one; purple and yellow are everywhere, and the closer you get to Greenville, the more evident that is. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium embodies this mentality. It has a clean, no-frills design; modern improvements with a classic feel; and is packed on Saturdays.

46. Waldo Stadium - Home of the Western Michigan Broncos

    

    In 1936, Western Michigan built the first phase of what is now known as Waldo Stadium. Named after the original president of WMU, Dwight B. Waldo, Waldo Stadium has seen thousands of fans and players pass through its doors. It retains a certain charm after two separate major renovations.

47. Williams-Brice Stadium - Home of the South Carolina Gamecocks

    

    Even though the stadium is located off campus, it strikes an imposing figure on the skyline and is visible from many parts of the university property. Located at the southern boundary of the state fairground site, the stadium rises up in visually stunning fashion from the flat expanse surrounding the facility.

48. Boone Pickens Stadium - Home of the Oklahoma State Cowboys

    

    Asking whether or not the Cowboys' success came from the renovated facilities or if the facilities came from the Cowboys' success is like asking whether the chicken or the egg came first. However, there is no doubt that this impressive facility has had a major impact on Oklahoma State's recent rise to football prominence.

49. Joan C. Edwards Stadium - Home of the Marshall Thundering Herd

    

    "WE ARE…MARSHALL!"

    For many, this is a Hollywood movie. For the Thundering Herd faithful, it is a remembrance of 75 players, coaches, and flight crew that lost their lives in a 1970 plane crash and a chant that you will hear often during a Marshall football game at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

50. Lane Stadium - Home of the Virginia Tech Hokies

    

    The Hokies' home has earned its share of fame, as well. Lane Stadium opened for business in 1965, and the nearly five decades since have brought accolades covering the beauty of the stadium's surroundings and the incredible home-field advantage the Hokies enjoy. The stadium is the centerpiece of the school's athletic complex, including basketball arena Cassell Coliseum and other intercollegiate sports facilities. Blacksburg may not be a "destination" city, but it is home to one of the more interesting places in college football.

51. Memorial Stadium - Home of the California Golden Bears

    

    The Bears are back in their renovated and retrofitted home in the Berkeley hills. As part of the renovation, Memorial Stadium reduced its capacity to 63,186 from 71,799, although the stadium had an excess of 80,000 for periods of time earlier in its history. The capacity reduction was only a bi-product of what were necessary renovations. Memorial Stadium lies along the very active Hayward Fault and was causing the old stadium’s foundation to “slip” millimeters, year after year. The renovation allows for this slippage while keeping the seating area safe from collapse.

52. BB&T Field - Home of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons

    

    Things have come a long way since my first Wake Forest football experience. What started as a relaxed, underwhelming game day has turned into one of the best small stadium atmospheres in college football. Groves Stadium underwent a name change (to BB&T Field), the team itself earned an ACC Championship, and Athletic Director Ron Wellman went a long way toward his goal of making BB&T Field the "Wrigley Field of college sports."

53. Rice-Eccles Stadium - Home of the Utah Utes

    

    Not many venues in the United States can claim the title of “Olympic Stadium.” One member of that exclusive club is Rice-Eccles Stadium, home of Utah Utes football, which hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

54. Bobby Dodd Stadium - Home of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

    

    Recently, the field's been home to the exciting triple-option offense of head coach Paul Johnson and a consistently solid product. Bobby Dodd suffers a little because of how open and spread-out it is -- sound escapes in all directions, rather than getting trapped and reverberating as in a higher-walled stadium.

55. Gerald J. Ford Stadium - Home of the SMU Mustangs

    

    The SMU band, or better known as the "Hub of SMU Spirit" has been a staple just as long as football and keeps the aura very fresh with an entertaining mix of jazz and swing music. And if you don't respect Mustang football, then you might get a quick-kick from Peruna Tonic. The Mustang mascot, a black stallion Shetland pony, was named after a patented medicine known well for its "kick."

56. Heinz Field - Home of the Pittsburgh Panthers

    

    Before kickoff, the fans are usually very loud. The stadium video/sound team does a great job of keeping the fans entertained with timely videos and music clips before the band plays. The band itself is an average college marching band, with nothing that really sticks out as signature. The fans are always optimistic before kickoff no matter who the opponent is or what the Panthers record is. The tailgaters in the stadium lots are always rocking and you can smell the grilling from inside the stadium concourses.

57. Sun Devil Stadium - Home of the Arizona State Sun Devils

    

    Built in between the Tempe Buttes, Sun Devil Stadium, Frank Kush Field is the perfect setting for college football in the Valley of the Sun. Surrounded by desert landscape as well as the Tempe Town Lakes, and located in the heart of a booming entertainment district, it has a very unique look and feel. Built in 1958, it originally had a capacity of 30,000. Now after several expansions, the stadium holds 71,706.

58. Sun Bowl Stadium - Home of the UTEP Miners

    

    Fittingly, the Miners’ home stadium, the Sun Bowl, makes you feel like you're watching football in the Old West. Peeking over several sections of the large concrete bowl, which seats nearly 52,000, are rocky desert mountains. Through the back of the mostly utilitarian stadium, just past the south end zone, is a view of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. You almost expect a tumbleweed to blow across the turf before kickoff.

59. LaVell Edwards Stadium - Home of the BYU Cougars

    

    Aesthetically, it may not have as much appeal as venues of other notable programs, but long-rumored improvements and renovations (most notably, widescreen HD videoboards) appear to be closer to fruition. Some Cougar fans put more weight on these features than others, but a program seeking recognition the world over should make every effort to put its best (looking) foot forward.

60. Romney Stadium - Home of the Utah State Aggies

    

    You may know the late Merlin Olsen for his Hall-of-Fame-caliber NFL career or perhaps his post-football acting career. Those in Logan, Utah, consider him a favorite son. The Logan-born Olsen is easily the most notable athletic alumnus of Utah State University, as evidenced by the school's decision to add his name to its football stadium in late 2009. Prior to its homecoming game in 2010, USU unveiled a majestic, larger-than-life statue of Olsen that now adorns the stadium's South entrance.

61. Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium - Home of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

    

    There are definitely some bright spots about WKU's fans in general. They are dedicated, they are loud, and they are certainly loyal. The WKU football program is on the rise because their fan support is on the rise. The WKU fans are doing a good job of increasing attendance at each game, increasing their support for WKU football, and increasing noise during WKU football games.

62. Raymond James Stadium - Home of the South Florida Bulls

    

    The little misunderstood school that could has now become a real player on the college football stage. They're still a couple years from being the powerhouse they can be, but having, despite its flaws, a superior stadium like this at their disposal will go a long way in making that happen.

63. Memorial Stadium - Home of the Illinois Fighting Illini

    

    Nestled into the heart of the state of Illinois lies the twin cities of Urbana-Champaign, home to the flagship campus of the University of Illinois. There you will find Memorial Stadium one of the iconic venues of college football and the largest collegiate athletic facility in the state of Illinois.

64. Floyd Casey Stadium - Home of the Baylor Bears

    

    The stadium is an elongated oval shape, and has grandstands on the sideline. The northeast endzone seats are usually tarp covered with the tarp of shame unless the opposing team has an impressive showing, making the maximum seating capacity 45,000.

65. Robertson Stadium - Home of the Houston Cougars

    

    University of Houston fans, alumni, and friends bade farewell to Robertson Stadium and gave thanks to the many memories it has provided Cougar faithful throughout the years. The kickoff between the UH Cougars and Tulane Green Wave was the last before Robertson Stadium is torn down in preparations for a new stadium that will be built on top of the current site.

66. Aggie Memorial Stadium - Home of the New Mexico State Aggies

    

    Aggie Memorial Stadium is probably nicer than what you would envision for a long struggling program. A game there is affordable, and getting from your car to your seat and back home won't leave you with a headache. But the venue lacks history and electricity, which is understandable considering how often NMSU has let down fans with losing football.

67. UB Stadium - Home of the Buffalo Bulls

    

    The University of Buffalo Stadium (UB Stadium) is a football and track and field stadium which is the home of the University of Buffalo Bulls of the Mid American Conference (MAC). Opened in 1993, it was expanded later in the decade by adding massive end zone bleachers to bring the capacity up to 29,500 seats. The venue was also a host facility for the World University Games in 1993.

68. Commonwealth Stadium - Home of the Kentucky Wildcats

    

    Commonwealth Stadium is located in the heart of the Bluegrass Region in Central Kentucky. Opened in 1973, it is actually the youngest stadium in the SEC, but an expansion in 1999 updated this venue to a fully satisfactory southern football venue.

69. KellyShorts Stadium - Home of the Central Michigan Chippewas

    

    The Chippewas of Central Michigan University are often overlooked in the scene of college football in the state of Michigan due to their Big Ten cousins in the southern part of the state. While Kelly/Shorts Stadium won’t be taking the title of best college football experience over Michigan Stadium or Spartan Stadium anytime soon, it would be a mistake to dismiss the Chips altogether.

70. Glass Bowl - Home of the Toledo Rockets

    

    The Glass Bowl was originally called University Stadium, an 8,000 seat stadium built as part of the Works Progress Administration, an agency from FDR’s presidency, as part of the New Deal to counter the Depression that had overtaken America in the 1930’s. The stadium gained its Glass Bowl name after WWII, when the stadium had been left to fall into disrepair. In 1946, an engineer from a local glass company conceived the idea to rebuild the stadium using glass as a major element so the stadium was renamed to reflect its new era.

71. High Point Solutions Stadium - Home of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

    

    Rutgers Stadium, built in 1994, became a rocking place for football and underwent a controversial $102 million stadium renovation to expand the seating and upgrade facilities. Now, the school known as "The Birthplace of College Football" has an updated stadium with most of the changes for the players and recruits, not necessarily for the common fan. Regardless, fans come out wearing their Rutgers Red, loudly supporting the team and providing a decent game-day atmosphere.

72. Sun Life Stadium - Home of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes

    

    There are certain college football teams who unfortunately don't have the luck of calling a stadium their own home. For the Miami Hurricanes, that is the case with Sun Life Stadium. Although it is a relatively nice, modern stadium, it is a half hour drive from the University of Miami campus, and it is owned by the NFL's Miami Dolphins. With most crowds for the Hurricanes hovering between 40,000-50,000 fans, it's unfortunate that a 70,000 seat stadium doesn't feel packed like it does with most other big time programs.

73. Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium - Home of the Oklahoma Sooners

    

    There is nothing quite like a cool, breezy game day in Norman, Oklahoma. The bi-polar Oklahoma weather is normally on its best behavior in the fall, making football season the best time to travel to Norman. The Sooners have been the state's main sports attraction for decades and get the full attention of all Oklahomans.

74. Alamodome - Home of the UT- San Antonio Roadrunners

    

    After not having football until 2011, the Roadrunners lured Larry Coker to San Antonio and now inhabit the Alamodome for their home games, the former stomping grounds for the San Antonio Spurs prior to the AT&T Center opening before the 2002-03 season.

75. Davis Wade Stadium - Home of the Mississippi State Bulldogs

    

    Cowbells are the signature thing which makes this venue unique and exciting. With the SEC banning noisemakers in all of their venues, the Bulldogs had to get special permission to allow cowbells into the stadium. To do so, the ringing of the bells can only take place at specific times, and they do a great job with the video board exhorting fans as to ring their bells, even involving the head coach into the process.

76. Martin Stadium - Home of the Washington State Cougars

    

    Traveling to Pullman to attend a game is an event in itself. It isn't on the way to anywhere; if one ends up in Pullman they have a purpose. For thousands of fans six Saturdays a year, that purpose is to attend one of the better parties in the Inland Northwest.

77. Dix Stadium - Home of the Kent State Golden Flashes

    

    Kent State starting playing in Dix Stadium in 1969. Dix Stadium is similar to just about every Mid-American Conference Stadium; nothing flashy, just a basic football stadium that seats 20,500 fans.

78. Carrier Dome - Home of the Syracuse Orange

    

    While driving on I-81 north on the road to Syracuse, you eventually go around a bend and over a hill and suddenly the city of Syracuse greets your eye for the first time. And during that first glimpse of the Salt City, the Carrier Dome emerges from the hills of Onondaga County, towering above the city on the Syracuse University hill. It's a welcomed site for alumni and diehard fans as in a few short miles you'll be exiting I-81 to find a parking spot around campus and begin a day of tailgating and football.

79. Aloha Stadium - Home of the Hawaii Warriors

    

    The atmosphere is largely contingent on the caliber of the opponent that comes to town. When Aloha Stadium is full for a high-caliber opponent, the atmosphere is much better. The Hawaii fans seem to love the offensive-focus of the team and usually feeds off of the many big offensive plays the Warriors complete.

80. Malone Stadium - Home of the ULM Warhawks

    

    If there is anything that makes watching a game at Malone Stadium electric, it's the new high definition video display board. The new high definition video display board is one of the largest in the Sun Belt Conference in addition to being the second largest on-campus board in the state.

81. Rentschler Field - Home of the Connecticut Huskies

    

    What's interesting about the venue is that it's built on an old airfield with the same name as the old Pratt & Whitney space closed in 1999 and the land was donated for the stadium. Rentschler is a really nice facility that has turned into a terrific home for the Huskies and their fans, as they continue to build on their remarkable early success in the Big East.

82. Reser Stadium - Home of the Oregon State Beavers

    

    Reser Stadium is one of the most underrated home field advantages in all of FBS college football. The Oregon State student section wraps close to the field to bring the noise level close to the action. The fans show up early ready to go and bring the same energy all game long. They bring signs and show that true unique college spirit.

83. Joe Aillet Stadium - Home of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

    

    Louisiana Tech University, and the town of Ruston, La., is very quaint and traditional in every sense of the words. Joe Aillet Stadium sits in sort of a bowl shape, slightly below the ground. The stadium, named after legendary coach Joe Aillet, was opened in 1968 with a capacity of 23,000. Throughout the years the press box has seen various renovations and 7,600 seats were added, to stretch the seating capacity to over 30,000 and in 2006, field turf was installed to enhance the stadium.

84. Bulldog Stadium - Home of the Fresno State Bulldogs

    

    Fresno is located in the heart of the central valley in California's agriculture region about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. So entrenched with the San Joaquin Valley is Fresno that the Bulldogs wear a color clashing green "V" on the back of their red helmets. Because of their location away from major metropolitan areas, the Fresno State teams are top dogs in the California valley.

85. FIU Stadium - Home of the Florida International Golden Panthers

    

    A small venue as it stands right now, with capacity for about 19,000 fans, the stadium will undergo a drastic expansion beginning immediately after this season ends. New concession stands, the enclosure of the north side of the bleachers, and an upper bowl of seats are all part of the renovation.

86. M.M. Roberts Stadium - Home of the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

    

    Nothing beats football Saturdays in the South and one of the best places to experience all the pageantry is M. M. Roberts Stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi. The stadium affectionately known as "The Rock" was originally opened in 1979, but its history dates back to the late 1930's.

87. Doyt L. Perry Stadium - Home of the Bowling Green Falcons

    

    The concourse is essentially a paved road beneath the stands, but as you cross behind the south end zone, you come very close to the field, and many fans choose to stand there for an up-close look at the action (as long as they're on that end of the field). Unfortunately you can't completely walk around the stadium as the beautiful new Sebo Athletic Center blocks off the north end.

88. Faurot Field - Home of the Missouri Tigers

    

    The University of Missouri's Memorial Stadium was dedicated on October 2, 1926 to the lasting legacies of 112 students and alumni that lost their lives fighting for America in World War I. Situated just south of the MU campus in Columbia, MO, the playing surface at Memorial was dubbed Faurot Field in honor of legendary Tigers head coach Don Faurot.

89. Ryan Field - Home of the Northwestern Wildcats

    

    Since 1926, the Northwestern Wildcats have played their home football at Ryan Field. It's easy to forget at times that this is a school with great football tradition. The Wildcats won their first Big Ten championship in 1903, and won three Big Ten championships in a six year period from 1995-2000. Today, a trip to Ryan Field makes for a great road trip for any fan in the area. The proximity to Chicago, the availability of tickets, and the ability to turn an away game into a home field experience all seem to draw the fans of the opposition.

90. Rice Stadium - Home of the Rice Owls

    

    It's been the home of the Rice Owls since 1950, with a few changes but overall it's still the same. Rice Stadium has the "expandable" capacity to hold 70,000 people which is quite interesting. At most times the end zones are tarped over making the official capacity for the majority of games at 47,000, which for Rice Owls football is still a tad much. With an average yearly attendance of 13,000-18,000 over the last five years, the capacity to seat 47,000 is much more than needed.

91. Apogee Stadium - Home of the North Texas Mean Green

    

    Apogee Stadium is the fresh, new, out-of-the box stadium built for the University of North Texas Mean Green football team in North Denton, Texas. Opened in 2011, this venue and its predecessor, Fouts Field, dominate the view at the junction of I-35E and I-35W 35 miles north of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. This shiny new place is the first stadium in college football to achieve LEED Platinum status for its environmentally friendly amenities.

92. FAU Stadium - Home of the Florida Atlantic Owls

    

    After playing home games in two separate stadiums in two different counties, the FAU Owls opened play in their own home on-campus stadium in October 2011. FAU Stadium seats 30,000 comfortably and leaves room for future renovation which could include expansion of over 65,000 seats and a roof. The stadium was built in conjunction with two apartment-style dorms on campus built directly east of the stadium.

93. Rynearson Stadium - Home of the Eastern Michigan Eagles

    

    Heading to a football game at Eastern Michigan University feels a little like making a visit to the little brother of the University of Michigan. Located just over 6 miles from the Big House, Rynearson Stadium has been the home of the EMU Eagles since 1969. The stadium has a capacity of just over 30,000. The Olds-Marshall track encircles the field and concrete stands run parallel to each sideline. There's little to make this a memorable experience, but the good news is that there are plenty of good seats available for this program with the team's struggles to rise to the top of the Mid-American Conference.

94. Arizona Stadium - Home of the Arizona Wildcats

    

    Arizona Stadium has seen the addition of an enormous video board in the south endzone, one of the largest in the world. The seating at that end of the stadium was affected last year, but it has returned to its normal state, having seating from the field up to the video board.

95. Jack Trice Stadium - Home of the Iowa State Cyclones

    

    Jack Trice is easy on the eyes, but empty seats are visible for nearly every game (unless Iowa State is taking on rival Iowa). There is only one word to describe the stadium experience, and it is one that the football team has been accustomed to hearing over the years – average.

96. Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium - Home of the West Virginia Mountaineers

    

    The atmosphere is a little hit and miss depending on the game and how the team is doing. This may be true for almost any team, but it seems to be a little extreme at WVU. The amount of people in the crowd varies widely when the team has been winning as compared to when the Mountaineers are on a losing streak. The stadium setting does not lend itself to giving a great atmosphere, so the atmosphere really depends on the students, the band and the crowd.

97. Scott Stadium - Home of the Virginia Cavaliers

    

    Nestled between one of the University's four gyms, some of the first-year dorms, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, concrete bleachers peek out deceptively close to street level. Just around the corner, a Jeffersonian colonnade draws your eye from the road down a long, grassy hill...At the bottom, as though it were the most natural thing in the world, is a football field. Welcome to Scott Stadium, home of the Virginia Cavaliers.

98. Kenan Memorial Stadium - Home of the North Carolina Tar Heels

    

    The Tar Heels play their home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium, a stadium that is quickly becoming an antique despite many renovations over the years. With the Tar Heels' latest renovations this year, they can currently seat just below 63,000 fans, though not very comfortably.

99. War Memorial Stadium - Home of the Wyoming Cowboys

    

    War Memorial Stadium sits in a picturesque setting, between the Rocky Mountains to the West and the Laramie Range to the East in Laramie, Wyoming.

100. Sam Boyd Stadium - Home of the UNLV Rebels

     

     Las Vegas has been known for glamorous sporting events, such as the NBA All-Star game and Pay-Per-View Boxing Matches, but still remains without a professional franchise. Until a team from one of the big four leagues (MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA) actually does relocate to Las Vegas, the University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels are the most popular team in town. While the basketball team plays near the Las Vegas strip in the community known as Paradise, the football team plays approximately seven miles away from the strip, closer to Henderson, NV at Sam Boyd Stadium.

101. Veterans Memorial Stadium - Home of the Troy Trojans

     

     Veterans Memorial Stadium opened its doors in 1950 in honor of the Pike County residents who died in World War II. It began as a 5,000-seat grandstand and has since been renovated several times and expanded twice, once in 1998 and again in 2003, in order for the university to prepare the football program for Division I-A (today's FBS) play. Currently, the stadium seats 30,000 spectators and is formed in a "U" shape with the north end open. As part of the expansion in 2003, the surface of the field was changed from athletic turf to AstroPlay, an artificial surface that emulates the look and feel of grass.

102. Gillette Stadium - Home of the UMass Minutemen

     

     When the University of Massachusetts decided to move their football program up from the NCAA’s Division I FCS division to the FBS, the traditional home of the Minutemen, Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, wasn’t up to the task. UMass was to join the Mid-American Conference, and the home field in Amherst couldn’t meet capacity or broadcasting requirements before the move. Instead, UMass signed a contract with the Kraft Group to play all of their home games in the 2012 and 2013 seasons at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution.

103. Cajun Field - Home of the UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns

     

     The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns football team plays its games at Cajun Field, a place where the locals have been carrying out Cajun traditions since 1971. With the field sitting two feet below sea level in a natural bowl, the field was nicknamed “The Swamp” in 1988. Since then, Cajun Field or “The Swamp” has given the ULL fans something to brag about.

104. Alumni Stadium - Home of the Boston College Eagles

     

     Being a college athlete in Boston has always been a tough gig. It's a pro sports town, and the recent success of the professional teams has only made it harder for the city's major programs to attract much attention. Despite the fact that Boston College has sent scores of players to the NFL over the years, some of whom have even become stars (see Matt Ryan), the football program that plays on the edge of the city still struggles to fill its stands. While Alumni Stadium certainly provides a pleasant experience for the casual fan, it lacks the excitement and passion that you find surrounding many other top-tier college football experiences.

105. Wallace Wade Stadium - Home of the Duke Blue Devils

     

     With North Carolina and North Carolina State both being located within 30 minutes, it seems like Duke has just decided to concentrate on basketball and allow the football team to lag behind their local rivals. If you are in the Raleigh/Durham triangle area, you are likely going to enjoy a game at one of the other schools over Duke.

106. Qualcomm Stadium - Home of the San Diego State Aztecs

     

     San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium has more than just the NFL's Chargers generating excitement for the local fans. Built in 1965, the stadium also acts as home to the San Diego State University (SDSU) Aztecs. While the stadium sits five miles from campus, it has been the home of the Aztecs since 1967.

107. ASUI Kibbie Dome - Home of the Idaho Vandals

     

     “The Dome” is by no means your average college football stadium. As of late, the fanfare has been a bit lacking. When there is a full crowd on hand it is one heck of a home field advantage. As the Vandals prepare to embark on their journey of independence as the football-playing members of the WAC turn to other options, the 16,000-seat facility will need to put all the fans they can into the seats in their quest to remain at the FBS level.

108. Peden Stadium - Home of the Ohio Bobcats

     

     Peden Stadium is located on the banks of the Hocking River in Athens, Ohio. Built in 1929, it is the oldest stadium in the MAC and is showing its age. However, Athens is widely known as one of the best college party towns in America so the entire experience is worth a trip to Athens even if the game itself is not.

109. Memorial Stadium - Home of the Kansas Jayhawks

     

     The stadium was built in 1920 and dedicated to KU students that were lost fighting in World War I. Originally housing bleachers on just the east and west sides of the field, Memorial has undergone several major renovations to get its current capacity 50,071. Though hardly one of the most updated or modernized venues in the Big XII, KU's Memorial Stadium nonetheless serves as one of the more unique places to watch a game in the midwest.

110. Lincoln Financial Field - Home of the Temple Owls

     

     The Temple Owls are lucky to have one of the best facilities in the country thanks to their partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles and their gameday use of Lincoln Financial Field. For fans, this partnership is both a blessing and a curse - while game attendees get high-quality video boards, great viewing lines, and good food, they also lose some of the collegiate charm (and lower prices) that other stadiums might offer.

111. Spartan Stadium - Home of the San Jose State Spartans

     

     San Jose State is located in the heart of San Jose, the third most populous city in California (behind Los Angeles and San Diego). Unlike those places, San Jose isn't too much of a college town and support for the Spartans has been trailing behind that of the San Jose Sharks, the city's only major professional franchise.

112. Bobcat Stadium - Home of the Texas State Bobcats

     

     An FBS school in 2012 for the first time in the history of the program, the Bobcats play their games on Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium and have since 1981. The stadium now seats over 30,000 people after enclosing the structure to a horseshoe design before the 2012 season, the last in a line of scheduled renovations that began in 2008.

113. University Stadium - Home of the New Mexico Lobos

     

     A sign on the southwest corner of University Stadium, in which the opposing team enters the football field, warns of "Acute Altitude Sickness." It tells University of New Mexico foes of the "dangers" of playing at 5,100 feet above sea level. Perhaps, if the game-day experience at the stadium was more inviting, that would serve as more of an intimidating factor for opposing teams.

114. Ladd-Peebles Stadium - Home of the South Alabama Jaguars

     

     The stadium definitely takes pride in its history. There aren't many places you can turn in this stadium without seeing the words "Senior Bowl." This stadium does an excellent job of creating a historical feel, which is something that can't be said for the other venues of the Sun Belt. South Alabama already has one of the best home-field advantages in the conference.

115. Huskie Stadium - Home of the Northern Illinois Huskies

     

     Northern Illinois University, and the town of Dekalb, Illinois are surrounded by cornfields. Huskie Stadium rises out of the flat land, beckoning you to watch some college football. Huskie Stadium is a mix of old and new. The field itself, known as Brigham Field (named for former player, coach, and athletic director Robert Brigham) is made of field turf, installed in 2009. Beyond the north end zone, you'll find the Yordon Center, the new academic and athletic center, built at a cost of $14 million in 2007.

116. Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium - Home of the Colorado State Rams

     

     The stadium, which was originally built in a natural bowl, is made mostly of somewhat bland-looking concrete. While walking up to the gates from the vast dirt parking lots, giant concrete staircases greet visitors as they climb up and into the stadium. The gray exterior is anything but visually attractive, although the Rocky Mountain foothills with the "A" for Aggies and beautifully blue Colorado skies do set a visually stunning backdrop for a football game.

117. Liberty Bank Stadium - Home of the Arkansas State Red Wolves

     

     In 2008, Arkansas State retired their Indian mascot and became the Red Wolves. The football stadium was re-named simply ASU Stadium. In 2012, Liberty Bank made a $5 million dollar gift to the school in exchange for 15-year naming rights. So until at least 2027, the Red Wolves will play at Liberty Bank Stadium.

118. InfoCision Stadium - Home of the Akron Zips

     

     In 2009, the University of Akron opened their new home football stadium- InfoCision Stadium. The stadium replaced the long-time home of the Akron Zips, The Rubber Bowl, but moved home games on to the campus. While there is nothing that will blow you away about InfoCision Stadium, it is a pleasant little venue to see some FBS college football on a fall Saturday.

119. Johnny 'Red' Floyd Stadium - Home of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

     

     When Floyd Stadium was expanded to its current 30,788 seat capacity in 1997, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that MTSU would join the ranks of the ACC or SEC within the decade, but that has not happened. Still, the campus has remained supportive during the big games.

120. Yager Stadium - Home of the Miami (OH) RedHawks

     

     In the early 1980's the Miami (OH) University set out to build a new home stadium for their football team, and they turned to Fred C. Yager, class of 1914. Yager was the lead benefactor for the stadium that opened in 1983, and is known as Yager Stadium. The stadium is open ended with a large scoreboard in the south endzone. There is a proposal currently to add a large building to the north endzone, but no time table has been confirmed. Today, you'll find bleacher seating on both sides in a comfortable, but unremarkable little stadium, hosting MAC football each fall.

121. Scheumann Stadium - Home of the Ball State Cardinals

     

     In 2007, Ball State's Scheumann Stadium reopened following a $13.7M renovation that included installation of Field Turf and the four-level Paul and Pat Kozel Media Center. It continues to be an intimate college football experience, with a seating capacity of only 25,400. Even with the updates and the small venue, there just isn't the energy you would hope for when attending a Cardinals game at Ball State.

122. Mercedes-Benz Superdome - Home of the Tulane Green Wave

     

     The Mercedes-Benz Superdome is a monument of football, but maybe not college football. The venue has hosted Super Bowls and the annual Sugar Bowl. Tulane Football has not lived up to the reputation of their NFL counterpart, the New Orleans Saints.

123. Legion Field - Home of the UAB Blazers

     

     Some stadiums in college football have a mystique. Some stadiums are home to great moments, classic games, and many great players. Legion Field is one of these stadiums - or at least, it was. Legion Field is still in use, however. In 1991, the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers began playing their home contests at the venue. The magic and mystique of Legion Field, however, has vanished. The stadium has deteriorated. Due to unsafe conditions, the upper deck had to be torn down. What was once a great place for football has become an old, rusty, lifeless facility, all due to the city of Birmingham's inability to take care of it.

124. H.A. Chapman Stadium - Home of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

     

     Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium is not an elite college football venue. However, it does provide a nice, smaller environment for those who just want to go out and watch some college football. It's an even better experience for families and children. If you fall into one of those two categories, spend a Saturday afternoon at Chapman Stadium and see it for yourself.