What are the top five loudest college football stadiums?

Answer 1

This is difficult to answer, as most of the claims made for decibel levels seem to be made up, however, I can say that Oregon's Autzen Stadium holds the current record at 127.2 db on October 27, 2007, (according to the Register-Guard 10/28/2007).

"Sitting in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Oregon's Autzen Stadium is one of College Football's hidden jewels. Before kickoff, Autzen is as peaceful as the Willamette River, which runs through Eugene just a few minutes from the stadium. After kickoff, the fans - even the alumni - forget who they are, where they come from and what their degree is in. The audience adopts a new collective identity for the next three-and-a-half hours: the 12th, 13th and 14th man.

Autzen's 59,000 strong make the Big House collectively sound like a pathetic whimper. It's louder than any place I've ever been, and that includes "The Swamp" at Florida, "The Shoe" in Columbus and "Death Valley" at Louisiana State. Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCollough, The Michigan Daily 9/22/03

"Trust me on Autzen. Just go to the place and soak it all in. Before they throw dirt on you, take a trip to Eugene one fall Saturday. … Autzen Stadium is a zoo; there's no other way to say it. Get inside your own 20 in a tight game, and you can forget about A.) hearing; B.) avoiding false starts and C.) success." - Matt Hayes, SportingNews.

"Per square yard, the loudest stadium in the history of the planet." Keith Jackson - ABC Sports.

"The Autzen Bounce causes deafness in laboratory rats." - Dennis Dodd, CBSSportsline.

"Q: What would you say the loudest stadiums are? Corso: I think Autzen Stadium. Per person, the Oregon stadium is the loudest stadium I've ever been in. The fact that it's so low to the ground doesn't allow the sound to escape." Lee Corso, ESPN GameDay.

"If you've never been to a game at Autzen Stadium do yourself a favor and get there soon. One word for the experience. Loud. Hurt your ears loud. Make them bleed loud. The Big Ten has nothing as loud as Autzen." - BigTenTailgate.com

"It's very tough. The crowd there is unbelievably educated on when to be loud and when to calm down when they have the ball. It's just a very tough environment with the noise and just trying to communicate." - Jeff Tedford, Cal HC

"They are very difficult to beat at home. The crowd is, from every report I get, from every coach I've spoken with, a real factor. You have to learn to communicate without talking, because talking doesn't do you any good." - Lloyd Carr, Michigan HC (before playing at Autzen).

"That's the loudest stadium I've ever been in." - Lloyd Carr, Michigan HC (after playing at Autzen).

"Crowd noise is almost an unfair advantage. You can't check plays, you seemingly have less time on the play clock and everything starts to feel really rushed." - Troy Taylor, Cal QB

"They're going to be loud from the first snap until the last snap. They are right on top of you and they're just relentless." - Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin HC.

"You can hear a pin drop when their offense is on the field, and when our offense is out there, it's like being in a thunderstorm." - Thomas DeCloud, Cal Safety.

As for the top 5? I have not been able to verify any other claimed db marks. If anyone can, please feel free to (citing sources is FTW, not citing sources means you have no leg to stand on).

Answer 2

1. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium AKA "The Swamp" If you don't believe me, go to a Tennessee Game at the Swamp. It is in early September do it is still really hot, the fans are extremely drunk and extremely loud, the gator chomp may be the most annoying, but most effective intimidation in the nation, and the stadium is built in a tight bowl. The sound just stays there.

2. Ohio State. The volume, the red, the passion. This place is LOUD, especially for the Michigan game. The atmosphere may be the best in college football. These guys love their football.

3. Texas A&M...I don't know what it is about this place, but the fans are always standing up and always screaming. There isn't a single fan who can sing at church on Sunday. This stadium isn't that big, but the fans are the best pound for pound in the country.

4. Tennessee...Sheer volume. I personally don't like the stadium, especially from an away team perspective because you are so far away, but it's that dang Rocky Top song. It will annoy any opposing team. I bet opposing teams have nightmares about that song for weeks after the game.

5. Autzen Stadium..The duck fans' area is absolutely crazy. Unfortunately, you don't see this place on TV or hear about it much, but this place is WILD. Possibly the hottest girls in the entire country as well. By far the loudest west of the Mississippi.

6. LSU AKA Death Valley...At night, this place may top the list. During the day, it is still loud, but not as loud as some of the others above it. But if this list was the loudest and craziest stadium at night, LSU would be at the top, without a doubt.

7. Michigan...One of the largest and definitely loud at times. The reason Michigan isn't higher is because they aren't loud as much as some of the other fans, but still VERY loud.

8. Nebraska...During the 90's, this place would be in the top 3. This place can be loud and has the potential to be extremely loud again. The Nebraska fans love their football and that sea of RED wil intimidate every away team...

9. Memorial Stadium, Clemson...The loudest red necks in the country. The moment when this team runs down the hill is electric. This place will literally rock. I have heard people 10 miles away hearing the best entrance in college football.

10. Sanford Stadium, Georgia. This place is big, the fans bark, and it is loud. The Georgia fans are incredible and get loud at the right time. There isn't a better time in football than when a Georgia running back scored between the hedges.

Just missed...Oklahoma, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Va Tech, Penn State

Answer 3

Wyoming