A home-field advantage cannot be understated. Fan support can be the difference between a College Football Playoff appearance and an all-too-short season. On Friday, ESPN’s Greg McElroy revealed his top 10 hostile college football environments in the upcoming season.
McElroy left no stone unturned, including teams from the SEC, ACC and Big Ten. From perennial powerhouses to middle-of-the-pack programs, McElroy’s list has no shortage of variety. Let’s dive in, starting with Mississippi State.
10. Mississippi State — Davis Wade Stadium
Davis Wade Stadium holds 60,311 fans and McElroy expects the seats to be packed this fall. Mississippi State hired Jeff Lebby this offseason. He previously served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oklahoma. McElroy believes Lebby’s fresh face will draw fans to the stadium in droves.
“Everybody knows about the cowbells and how loud it is y’all,” McElroy said. “That place is crazy hostile. Crazy, crazy hostile. It’s so loud. They always tell them to ring responsibly, and I think people try their best, but they’re not very effective with their efforts.”
9. Clemson — Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium, better known as “Death Valley,” can hold 81,500 people. The stadium is steeped in tradition, including Howard’s Rock and the Tiger Walk. The Clemson faithful never fail to show appreciation for their beloved program. McElroy doesn’t expect that to change in the 2024 campaign.
“It’s Death Valley for a reason,” McElroy said. “It’s a remarkably good scene, great environment. I’ve been there a million times. Biggest environment that I’ve seen there was actually last year. It was against Notre Dame and them knocking off Notre Dame at that point — Clemson was kind of in the middle of a crossroads. Their fans were into it from start to finish, just making life really difficult.”
8. Wisconsin — Camp Randall Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium boasts a stunning 75,822-person capacity. Invading teams hear every voice. In Luke Fickell’s second campaign at the helm of Wisconsin last season, the team went 4-3 at home. Evidently, McElroy expects the Badgers’ home-field advantage to only improve in the upcoming season.
“When Wisconsin was a little bit better than they’ve been the last couple of years, this would have been a top-three, top-four environment,” McElroy said. “It’s slipped just a touch. They haven’t been there in a couple of years. But, either way, that is still a difficult place to play.”
7. Virginia Tech — Lane Stadium
Virginia Tech begins every home game with an electric rendition of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and never looks back. Able to host over 65,000 ravenous Hokie fans, Lane Stadium is a nightmare for opponents. In turn, McElroy believes the stadium will help Virginia Tech achieve its dreams this season.
“The place is amazing,” McElroy said. “It’s great to have them back playing meaningful games. And you look at their schedule this year, they got a couple of big opportunities on their home field to make some noise again.”
6. Oregon — Autzen Stadium
Since Dan Lanning took the reins at Oregon, he has re-established the program at the top of the college football food chain. The fans at Autzen Stadium have played a significant role in his success. Back with a revamped roster, the Ducks can expect 60,000 fans to greet them during their season-opener on August 31.
“I have always been very impressed by their home field,” McElroy said. “Now, I’ve only been there probably three or four times. Every single time I go, it’s awesome. And the games have not always been competitive, either.”
5. — Kyle Field
The 12th Man is perhaps the most famous fanbase in college football. It’s only right they gather each Saturday in one of the most famous stadiums. Kyle Field has a 102,733-person capacity, and McElroy expects the fanbase’s chants to be extra loud in the upcoming season.
“In a big game, Texas A&M is really, really hard to beat,” McElroy said. “Kyle Field is so underrated. When you think about great, great hostile venues—part of it has to do with the fact that the entire audience and the entire crowd, they’re all engaging in the yells. They all have choreographed dances.”
4. Penn State — Beaver Stadium
There are few scenes more magical in college football than a Penn State White Out. When Zombie Nation’s “Kerncraft 400” blasts over the speaker system after a massive play, a football game turns into a block party. Except at this party, there are 106,000 attendees.
“I was very fortunate to have done a White Out a couple years ago. It was a bucket list item,” McElroy said. “It was awesome. Super hostile, great tailgating experience, great environment when you walk in the stadium.”
3. Tennessee — Neyland Stadium
Neyland Stadium isn’t for the faint of heart. Tennessee fans greet enemy teams with endless serenades of “Rocky Top,” only growing louder with each highlight play. With Nico Iamaleava behind center this season, the 101,000 fans in Neyland Stadium will have no shortage to shout about.
“Since Josh Heupel has gotten there and they’ve turned things around, they’re trending in the right direction and it feels like Neyland is back,” McElroy said. “They’ve always had Rocky Top. They’ve always had the song. They’ve always had the size and the capacity. But now, the intensity when you walk on the field is back, as well.”
2. Auburn — Jordan-Hare Stadium
As a former Alabama quarterback, McElroy understands Jordan-Hare Stadium’s hostility on an intimate level. Able to hold just over 88,000 fans, Jordan-Hare Stadium can stir up anxiety in even the most cool-headed players.
“From my perspective as a former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn is the toughest place to play,” McElroy said. “I’ve always felt like that place is a house of horrors for many teams.”
1. LSU — Tiger Stadium
Tiger Stadium pounces on its opponents before they know what hit them. Able to hold 102,000 wide-eyed LSU fans, the stadium is the seventh largest in the world. In 1988, Tiger Stadium’s noise registered on a seismograph. McElroy expects LSU to shake up the college football landscape again this fall.
“This year, I’m buying stock on LSU,” McElroy said. “Their fans are going to be engaged. Their fans are going to be energetic. Their fans are going to be well lubricated to go into the stadium and to make life extremely difficult for the opposing team.”
