5 toughest college football stadiums for a road win
Each college football stadium provides a different atmosphere, and road wins are deemed a lot more valuable than home ones when evaluating teams for the college football playoffs. However, there are some stadiums that are considered more of a true road game than others due to their hostile environment, capacity, history, and atmosphere.
Here are the five toughest college football stadiums for a visiting team to grab a road win in:
5. Oregon's Autzen Stadium
"Per square yard, the loudest stadium in the history of the planet." -Keith Jackson
It's by no means big - only a 54,000 capacity - but Oregon's Autzen Stadium can trap noise. The Ducks' passionate fan base can make that 54,000 feel like over 100,000 on Saturdays, where after the third quarter is played, the song "Shout" is played in recognition to the movie "Animal House," which was filmed on the campus. Stanford, Washington, and Arizona State highlight road teams that will encounter the noise at Autzen in 2016.
4. Ohio State's Ohio Stadium
"There is nothing that beats when the Ohio State Marching Band and the sousaphone player dots the 'i' for Script Ohio." -Mel Kiper Jr.
Ohio Stadium isn't necessarily the loudest building in college football but it's hard to find a better atmosphere than when fans chant O-H-I-O. The chant begins with the student section in the South end with O, followed by H in the East section, I in the North, and finally O in the West. The chant is looped around until kickoff. Nicknamed "The Horseshoe," because of its shape prior to expansion, home has been kind to the Buckeyes and their fans recently, the team having only dropped just two games since Urban Meyer took over in 2012. The Buckeyes have two tough opponents coming in this year with Nebraska and rival Michigan.
3. Clemson's Memorial Stadium
"If you're going to give me 110 percent, you can rub that rock. If you're not, keep your filthy hands off it," -Former Clemson coach Frank Howard
When Clemson players touch Howard's rock and run down the hill towards the field, it's one of the most electrifying moments in college football. The 80,000 fans dressed in orange sit right on top of the action. It's no wonder why the late Presbyterian College coach Lonnie McMillian once referred to Memorial Stadium as "Death Valley." Clemson has won 16 straight games at home, dating back to 2014. Clemson has in-state rival South Carolina coming in this season.
2.Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium
"The fans were real loud and the stadium was real wild. And in an atmosphere like that, you have to be able to react. It was real crazy."-Taveze Calhoun
It is virtually impossible to beat Alabama at home under Nick Saban. The team has gone 32-3 since 2011 and have a .914 winning percentage. The Crimson Tide haven't dropped two games in the same year in Tuscaloosa since Saban's first season. Alabama has increased the capacity at the stadium from 83,818 to 101,821 over a 10-year period. Visiting teams not only have to deal with Nick Saban's talented group but also the name of the visiting teams' locker room is "The Fail Room," named after alumnus James M. Fail. Both Mississippi State and Auburn will have to navigate through this tough environment this season.
1.LSU's Tiger Stadium
“Baton Rouge happens to be the worst place in the world for a visiting team. It’s like being inside a drum.” -Paul "Bear" Bryant
Nicknamed "Death Valley" for a reason, Tiger Stadium is the toughest place for a road win. With a listed capacity of 102,321, LSU's home is loud, especially at night, and provides one of the best game day experiences. How loud can it get? Well, in 1988 against Auburn, the winning score registered an earthquake on the seismograph in the Louisiana Geological Survey on LSU’s campus. The Tigers seem to feed off the crowds' energy, losing only five games in the last seven years in Baton Rouge. The Tigers two biggest games at home this season are against Mississippi State and Alabama.
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