SEC Stadium Rankings: CBS Sports ranks SEC home fields from 1 to 16
The latest SEC stadium rankings were revealed by CBS Sports, listing the top home fields from No. 1 all the way to 16.
It’s a new conference in 2024 with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma. But how do the newcomers stack up against the traditional powers?
Let’s dive into CBS Sports’ stadium rankings for the 2024 season, via David Cobb. As he mentioned, the ranking requires “nuance.”
1. LSU: Tiger Stadium
The Tigers haven’t lost a night game under Brian Kelly over the last two years, sporting an 11-0 record. It’s one of the best environments in all of sports.
In fact, Death Valley only saw one loss under Kelly at home, a morning kickoff against Tennessee in 2022. Don’t try to hang here if you’re not an LSU fan, it might not end well for your team.
2. Alabama: Bryant-Denny Stadium
Before losing to Texas last season, Alabama had a 21-game winning streak at Bryant Denny Stadium. CBS Sports ranks the Tuscaloosa stadium just behind LSU in these rankings.
As far as what the team will look like under Kalen DeBoer, rather than Nick Saban, remains to be seen. But the quality of play, and difficulty of playing here, likely won’t change.
3. Florida: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
So Florida hasn’t been near the tippy top of college football as of late, just some flashes in the pan. But, the home field advantage in the swamp is real.
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is so difficult to play in for opposing teams, whether it’s the noise, the humidity, who knows? Urban Meyer’s teams from 2005-09 went 32-2 but it’ll take a bit to get back to that level. CBS Sports seems to believe.
4. Tennessee: Neyland Stadium
As CBS points out, Tennessee’s home field was only No. 7 among SEC schools when it came to the EA Sports rankings. The noise level at this stadium is quite different from others.
Maybe it’s the architecture, how the fans behave, or it’s all in the visitor’s heads. Whatever the main factor is, playing Tennessee at home is a challenge.
5. Auburn: Jordan-Hare Stadium
Auburn has struggled at home over the last three seasons, going 12-10. But fear not, it’s still a tough place to play!
The miracle effect is real inside this stadium. You ever heard of the “Kick Six” or the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare?” Yup, that counts because weird stuff happens at Auburn.
6. Georgia: Sanford Stadium
Good luck winning here as the Bulldogs are 41-1 over the last seven seasons. But again, CBS Sports uses “nuance” in these rankings.
So for some reason, with that record anyway, Georgia isn’t even top five in the new SEC. Georgia even has the longest home winning streak at 32 games!
7. South Carolina: Williams-Brice Stadium
Get ready for the stadium to shake when “Sandstorm” to come on. A classic way to get a bunch of fans and college students absolutely rowdy.
The Gamecocks even have some big home wins under Shane Beamer, including beating Florida and Auburn and of course a big upset. Yeah, beating No. 5 Tennessee in 2022 happened right in South Carolina.
8. Texas A&M: Kyle Field
An interesting ranking here, as Kyle Field was named the toughest place to play by EA Sports in its new video game. But again, that’s a video game and subject to change.
For CBS Sports, it’s smack dab in the middle of the conference going into the 2024 season. Let’s not forget the 12th man or the “Aggie Yell.” But Texas A&M also lost to Appalachian State in 2022.
9. Oklahoma: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
The first newcomer to make the list is Oklahoma and the Sooners certainly have a tough place to play. But, it’s not in the top half of the SEC.
Oklahoma dominated in the Big 12, right? Well when Tennessee and Alabama, among others, come to visit, the Sooners will be tested.
10. Texas: Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium
Last season, the Longhorns were 6-0 at home en route to a Big 12 title and of course, the College Football Playoff. It was a vast improvement compared to the 9-4 record the previous two seasons under Steve Sarkisian.
Now, this place will really be rocking for the SEC. Just imagine where this ranking could go if Texas beats Georgia when the Bulldogs come to town on October 19th.
SEC Stadium Rankings for 2024
It’s not that these stadiums can’t be great, they just haven’t broken through to the top 10 for the 2024 campaign. It’s noteworthy that both Mississippi schools are outside the top 10, but there’s no question both stadiums are rocking during the Egg Bowl.
11. Mississippi State: Davis Wade Stadium
12. Arkansas: Reynolds Razorback Stadium
13. Ole Miss: Vaught Hemingway Stadium
14. Missouri: Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
15. Kentucky: Kroger Field
16. Vanderbilt: FirstBank Stadium
So there you have it, the SEC stadiums in full for the 2024 season, featuring newcomers Texas and Oklahoma. That might be the most fascinating adjustment are both schools are ingrained in SEC culture.