10 Best College Stadiums

You hop in the RV, load up on food and hit the road. Destination: the ten best college stadiums to watch a football game. Television is one thing, but there’s nothing like seeing a game up close and in person; that’s if you’re lucky enough to get tickets to these always-packed stadiums.

1. Michigan– Michigan Stadium, aka ”The Big House” due to its enormous capacity for 109,901 fans, consistently draws over 105,000 per game and has traditionally been a very tough place to play for opposing teams. It has been rumored that 111,000 fans have found their way into the stadium on many a Saturday afternoon to watch the Wolverines do their thing. This is college football at its best and one of the greatest places to watch a football game.
2. LSU- Tiger Stadium, aka “Death Valley,” is known to be one of the most hostile places to play a road game. And they like to play them at night. The crowds consistently average over 90,000 and it has been recorded as one of the loudest stadiums in the world. Great fun, great food, and a consistently great team.
3. Nebraska– Memorial Stadium, aka "Tom Osborne Field," is named after the legendary coach who led the Cornhuskers to many years of glory. The stadium seats over 80,000 and has consistently sold out since 1962. It’s virtually impossible to get tickets unless you’re a player or have family members who “grandfather” you their tickets. Lincoln, Nebraska is virtually a ghost town on Saturdays because everyone is at the game, or at home in front of his or her TV watching the game.
4. Florida– Ben Hill Griffen Stadium, aka "Florida Field," is better known in college football circles as “The Swamp.” Holding over 90,000 fans, it is one of the ten largest stadiums in NCAA football and notoriously one of the loudest. Shaped in a complete bowl there is not a bad seat in the stadium. It’s one of the toughest places to play in college football and the Gators have a strong record of not losing on their home field.
5. Ohio State– Ohio Stadium, aka “The Horse Shoe,” officially holds 102,329, but has seen those ranks swell to over 105,000 during many a heated rivalry. It’s named the “Horseshoe” because of its open-ended end zone that is sometimes used for extra seating.  A long running tradition is the band forming the word “Ohio” on the field and allowing some very special person to “dot the i.”
6. Penn State- Beaver Stadium, aka “Happy Valley,” holds 107,282 and is second only to the University of Michigan. The eternal coach Joe Paterno presides over the sidelines and the tradition of winning Penn State football. Known for it’s over-excited fans and sometimes-foul weather, it’s a great place to experience a football game.
7. Texas A&M– Kyle Field, and home of the “12th Man.” The “12 Man” tradition is the reason over 75,000 fans stand the entire game. It goes back to a story when the team was so wracked with injuries they didn’t think they would have enough players to finish the game, so they called an ex-player out of the stands. You have to love those Texas football traditions.
8. Alabama– Bryant-Denny Stadium is a majestic sight. It seats over 90,000 and has a history of thirteen national championships. Many a great southern rivalry has been played on the field and the tradition doesn’t seem likely to die anytime in the future.
9. Tennessee- Neyland Stadium is one of the nation's largest college football stadiums with a capacity of 102,459, though they’ve been known to squeeze in a few thousand more. Picturesque surroundings and a winning tradition make this a worthwhile stadium to watch a college football game.
10. Oregon– Autzen Stadium, aka "Rich Brooks Field," named after the coach that led the Ducks to their first Pac Ten Championship. The stadium is a modern technological marvel.   Official capacity is only 54,000 but averages closer to 60,000 when they are having a winning season. The stadium has three levels, numerous luxury seats and plenty of skyboxes. It may rain a lot but at least it rains in style.