Rosetta: Tiger Stadium still the best in the SEC
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Supposing that imitation is the purest form of flattery, I don’t mind flattering EA Sports with a column.
Especially when it’s the dead of summer and still seven weeks before the new football season kicks off.
When LSU visits South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium this October, I will have seen every venue in the SEC.
So, assuming the Gamecocks house is no more intimidating than the other 11 I’ve been to, here is my purely unscientific top-six ranking of the SEC stadiums I’ve worked in that are the rowdiest and toughest for opponents.
Tiger Stadium: In the 28 games I’ve covered there, I can remember only a handful of times when the opponent really looked comfortable. Most of the time, 92,000 maniacs make it impossible to hear the person next to you and create the kind of atmosphere that Alabama legend Paul “Bear” Bryant had in mind when he said it was “like playing inside a drum.”
Jordan-Hare Stadium: It’s possible Auburn may play better against somebody than LSU at home, but hard to imagine. AU has won the last four games against LSU on the Plains, limiting the Bayou Tigers to nine points or less in the last three games. Victories against Alabama may mean more to Auburn fans, but they sure seem to get revved up to root hard and loud against LSU.
Sanford Stadium: LSU’s last trip between the hedges ended with a 45-16 loss, in part because the Tigers had the same look in their eyes that most foes get when they walk into Tiger Stadium. Georgia fans dress better than most — especially the young ladies — but that doesn’t take away from their ability to make a lot of noise and impact the game. And seriously who can dislike UGa?
Neyland Stadium: All that obnoxious orange is a site to behold when you walk into Neyland. This joint is probably louder than anywhere in the SEC but Tiger Stadium because of sheer numbers. The only drawback to Neyland is that people tailgate in parking garages. Seriously?
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium: The Swamp is only slightly quieter than Neyland, but compensates with the Gator Chomp thing. Lower ranking is mostly because of the snobby rich kid presence so close to the field. It was memorable to hear how quiet that crew got in 2004 when Joseph Addai scored a late touchdown in LSU’s 24-21 victory.
Commonwealth Stadium: The Wildcats basketball venue is much more daunting, but LSU has struggled to succeed in football and coughed up the No. 1 ranking there last season. The UK fans played a key role in the triple-overtime victory last season and even stayed off the field until they were sure this time.
Extra point: Bryant-Denny Stadium: The atmosphere in Tuscaloosa has been amazing in the two football games I’ve seen there — both big-time showdowns with plenty of hoopla attached. But the crimson-and-hounds tooth clad throng didn’t have enough juice to keep LSU from rallying for wins both times.
Especially when it’s the dead of summer and still seven weeks before the new football season kicks off.
When LSU visits South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium this October, I will have seen every venue in the SEC.
So, assuming the Gamecocks house is no more intimidating than the other 11 I’ve been to, here is my purely unscientific top-six ranking of the SEC stadiums I’ve worked in that are the rowdiest and toughest for opponents.
Tiger Stadium: In the 28 games I’ve covered there, I can remember only a handful of times when the opponent really looked comfortable. Most of the time, 92,000 maniacs make it impossible to hear the person next to you and create the kind of atmosphere that Alabama legend Paul “Bear” Bryant had in mind when he said it was “like playing inside a drum.”
Jordan-Hare Stadium: It’s possible Auburn may play better against somebody than LSU at home, but hard to imagine. AU has won the last four games against LSU on the Plains, limiting the Bayou Tigers to nine points or less in the last three games. Victories against Alabama may mean more to Auburn fans, but they sure seem to get revved up to root hard and loud against LSU.
Sanford Stadium: LSU’s last trip between the hedges ended with a 45-16 loss, in part because the Tigers had the same look in their eyes that most foes get when they walk into Tiger Stadium. Georgia fans dress better than most — especially the young ladies — but that doesn’t take away from their ability to make a lot of noise and impact the game. And seriously who can dislike UGa?
Neyland Stadium: All that obnoxious orange is a site to behold when you walk into Neyland. This joint is probably louder than anywhere in the SEC but Tiger Stadium because of sheer numbers. The only drawback to Neyland is that people tailgate in parking garages. Seriously?
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium: The Swamp is only slightly quieter than Neyland, but compensates with the Gator Chomp thing. Lower ranking is mostly because of the snobby rich kid presence so close to the field. It was memorable to hear how quiet that crew got in 2004 when Joseph Addai scored a late touchdown in LSU’s 24-21 victory.
Commonwealth Stadium: The Wildcats basketball venue is much more daunting, but LSU has struggled to succeed in football and coughed up the No. 1 ranking there last season. The UK fans played a key role in the triple-overtime victory last season and even stayed off the field until they were sure this time.
Extra point: Bryant-Denny Stadium: The atmosphere in Tuscaloosa has been amazing in the two football games I’ve seen there — both big-time showdowns with plenty of hoopla attached. But the crimson-and-hounds tooth clad throng didn’t have enough juice to keep LSU from rallying for wins both times.
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