This offseason there has been a lot made about what stadium is loud or what stadium is truly an intimidating atmosphere. Many have taken shots at our dear beloved Sanford Stadium. So with this disrespect, I decided to list the top 5 SEC stadiums.
5. The Swamp:
I don’t like putting Florida on any list. Especially the top 5 list but here we are. The Swamp for a long time has been known as a difficult place to play. It’s hot and it’s loud. They don’t call it the swamp for anything. The humidity, other than the crowd, is the worst thing about playing in that stadium. The Gators have had 9 losses at home since 2016. Which is pretty good considering how bad some of those teams were. So The Swamp is a tough place to play.
4. Jordan-Hare Stadium:
Auburn is a tough place to play. Their fans are always going to show up no matter the team and they are going to be loud. Georgia knows how tough of a place Auburn can be. We all know what happened in 2017 when Georgia played them for the first time that season. Auburn since 2016 has lost 12 home games. But they have pulled off some of the greatest upsets at home since that time. Alabama and Georgia can both agree Jordan-Hare is no laughing matter.
3. Sanford Stadium:
Of course, I am going to be biased. What did you expect? But since 2016 Georgia has only lost 4 times at home. 3 of those games were in Kirby Smart’s first year. Since Smart took over, Sanford Stadium has transformed into one of the tougher places to play in the SEC.
To the argument that Sanford Stadium isn’t loud go back and watch the 2022 Tennessee game, the 2021 Arkansas game that was at noon, and watch the 2019 Notre Dame game. I could pick out more, but that will give you a taste. Also, I think Sanford Stadium is the most aesthetically pleasing stadium in the SEC, but that’s a different blog that nobody would read except sickos like me.
2. Neyland Stadium:
Yes, Neyland is a tough place to play. It is loud, it is jammed with people. The Vols have lost 18 times at home since 2016. It’s not a fair barometer only because some of those Tennessee teams were just awful.
Outside of 2017, Georgia has struggled at least for a half against the Vols, when they play at Neyland. That counts for something in my book. Look at last year’s victory over Alabama for the Vols, the crowd definitely played a factor in Tennessee winning that ball game.
1. Death Valley/Tiger Stadium:
It is true what they say about Tiger Stadium at night. Thanks to Coach O I read Tiger as Tigaaah in his voice. Anyway, since 2016 LSU has only lost 9 times in Death Valley.
Tiger Stadium forever has been the toughest place to play in the SEC. There is something that happens down there at night. Mainly it’s booze, Cajuns, and food that create that type of atmosphere. I’ve never been but it is on my bucket list of places to visit. Hopefully, Georgia is a historic team and goes into Death Valley at night and beats LSU. Doubt it. But I can dream