You can spend a Saturday afternoon at any college football stadium in the country: Where would you go? Michigan?s Big House? Southern Cal?s Coliseum or Ohio Stadium? Well, you won?t find any of those among Examiner sports editor Jon Gallo and staff writer Dave Carey?s best venues to watch a college football game. However, these are the ones that did make the list. Now, if they could only get tickets…
1 JG: SANFORD STADIUM, University of Georgia: I admit: I have been to this stadium more than any other college venue, but that?s because it?s by far the best. Don?t just take my word for it, here is what a life-long Tennessee fan wrote in his recent book “Dixieland Delight”: “A weekend in Athens is, quite simply, jaw-dropping; everywhere you look there?s another gorgeous girl with a plunging neckline in a black or red dress.” Also, ESPN?s Kirk Herbstreit, who has visited the best college football stadiums as a player and broadcaster, recently ranked Georgia No. 1 atop his list for prettiest coeds. Now, throw in a stadium that holds more than 92,000 and houses a football team that has won more games since 2002 than any SEC team?that includes Florida?and where would you rather go: Athens, Ga., or State College, Pa.?
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DC: BEAVER STADIUM, Penn State University: Just you and 107, 282 of your closest friends. Having attended games at Happy Valley for several nationally televised matchups I can safely say, “believe the hype.” The student section at Penn State made “Zombie Nation,” a must-play at stadiums across America, and this season welcomed Notre Dame to “The White House,” in which a capacity crowd wore white shirts. Still in doubt? Ask Herbstreit, who in 2005, dubbed the Penn State student section “the best in the country.” Gallo, a Georgia grad, gives the Lions no respect because he is still bitter about the 1983 Sugar Bowl. He still has nightmares of Todd Blackledge to Gregg Garrity.
2 DC: TIGER STADIUM, Louisiana State University: The aptly named “Death Valley” holds more than 92,400 fans and has drawn more than 15 million since 1957. But what makes Baton Rouge such a tough place to play is the environment it creates for night games. Since 2000, the Bayou Bengals are 36-4 in night games in the sixth largest on-campus stadium in America. The only thing Cajuns love more than gumbo is football. Face it, Gallo, Georgia?s well-manicured bushes have nothing on Death Valley.
JG: NEYLAND STADIUM, University of Tennessee: It?s gorgeous. With the Tennessee River on one side and lively campus on the other, no stadium has a more picturesque setting. But what happens inside is why Neyland is ranked so highly on this list. When it?s filled with a predominantly orange-clad crowd of more than 102,000, it?s a sight you?ll never forget. I haven?t been there in 10 years, but I still haven?t got good ole “Rocky Top” out of my head. LSU? Please.
3JG: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, University of Florida: The Swamp should never be lower than No. 3 on any list. In fact, it could be No. 2. But then when you consider Gainesville, Fla., is the capital of jean shorts?trust me, I?ve never seen more people wearing more jean shorts within a one-mile radius in my life?I couldn?t put it ahead of Tennessee. However, when more than 90,000 Gators fans do their famous, “Gator Chomp,” in unison, it?s pretty cool. Dave: Notre Dame over Florida? That?s like saying you would rather watch a football game in an igloo than on sun-swept fall afternoon where fans don?t have to dress in layers.
DC: NOTRE DAME STADIUM, University of Notre Dame: From the Golden Dome to beating Navy ever year, there are many traditions associated with the Fighting Irish. And while the stadium has a capacity of only 80,795, the Echoes are never far away from being stirred. Playing on the Kentucky Blue Grass is one of the great traditions of college football – even if the school grows it so long that it slows faster teams down. Whether they deserve the attention or not, Notre Dame?s home games always have a big feel to them ? unlike the Outback Bowl that Gallo?s Bulldogs go to every year.
4DC: NEYLAND STADIUM, University of Tennessee: Wish that I was on ol? Rocky Top. Those checkered end zones, combined with 102,037 screaming Volunteers make the stadium on the banks of the Tennessee River one of the most intimidating places to play in America. Just ask last year?s overwhelmed Cal team what it was like to play in what the Sporting News named the No. 1 college venue in 2001. Hey Gallo: I think Uga VI needs a bath.
JG: NOTRE DAME STADIUM, University of Notre Dame: Touchdown Jesus. Rudy?even though I think he was offsides?Knute Rockne, the Four Horsemen and the greatest opening to a sports story in newspaper history written by Grantland Rice. But it?s still the best of the rest. It?s home to 11 national championships and seven Heisman Trophy winners and probably the most hated?and loved?team in college football. Let?s see what the atmosphere is like next month after Navy goes into South Bend, Ind., and beats the Fighting Irish in front of a capacity crowd and a national television audience. Dave: Only someone like Matt Palmer would rank Notre Dame Stadium over Neyland. I have such high hopes for you. Please do not let me down.
5JG: NAVY-MARINE CORPS MEMORIAL STADIUM, Naval Academy: Go ahead and take your mega stadiums: Is there really any difference between Michigan Stadium, Ohio Stadium, Beaver Stadium, Jordan-Hare Stadium or Tiger Stadium? Not really. If you go strictly by atmosphere, you have to choose Navy-Marine Corps Memorial. Men and women who served their country tell stories as they tailgate. The brigade march into the stadium. The names of battles that claimed thousands of lives lining the stadium walls, and fighter planes flying above the stadium before kickoff. And it?s all for a bunch of teenagers who just want one an opportunity to play college football before risking their lives on the battlefield. Go ahead, Dave: Make fun of this pick. I just want to let you know there are armed guards at the Naval Academy?s entrance.
DC: CAMP RANDALL STADIUM, University of Wisconsin: Jump Around! House of Pain?s classic song has rejuvenated the Badgers going into the fourth quarter of every home game. The atmosphere is what makes Camp Randall an intimidating place to play. Coach Brett Bielema urged fans to wear nothing but red to games to help create a “sea of red.” I tried to point out to Gallo how intimidating this was, but he was to busy throwing candy to Midshipmen.
