Ohio Stadium Ranks as One of the Best Stadiums in College Football

USA TODAY ranks best 25 CFB stadiums. Where did Ohio State land? Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire Opinion rankings are just that: opinion, but there are trends with these things, and when it comes to stadium rankings of college football programs, Ohio Stadium (affectionately known as the Horseshoe), where Ohio State plays, is generally ranked pretty highly. The architecture, the updates, the history, and how loud it gets on the banks of the Olentangy all play into the atmosphere and the perception of a stadium. The latest of these stadium rankings comes from our mothership, USA TODAY, and a panel of four writers that ranked the top 25 college football stadiums. Some leaned into the visual appeal, some into how hard it is to play, and some into tradition, but in the end, ten staff members came up with a comprehensive 25-stadium list, and Ohio Stadium is very high on the list as you'll see below. We go through the stadiums with the top ten first, from ten down to No. 1, then the rest of the top 25. This list will differ based on who makes it and from what part of the country it is penciled in from, but this is a more national one starting with No. 10. No. 10 - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium | Florida Gators Florida blasts out onto the field during the second half of the Orange and Blue game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 11, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Florida blasts out onto the field during the second half of the Orange and Blue game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 11, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] More What USA TODAY says: "Florida fans singing Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down' before the fourth quarter might be a new tradition. It's also peak college football. The Swamp can roar with the best of them, even if the Gators haven't matched their glory years in recent seasons. Consider last season: Florida went 4-2 at home, including an upset of Texas, and 0-6 away." No. 9 - Bryant-Denny Stadium | Alabama Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Parker Brailsford (72) has a big smile as he leaves the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mercer 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Parker Brailsford (72) has a big smile as he leaves the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mercer 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News More What USA TODAY says "You want history? How about the field where both Bear Bryant and Nick Saban walked the sideline while winning national championships by the bunches? It's also one of the toughest places to win. Alabama is 65-3 at Bryant-Denny the past 10 seasons. When 100,000 sets of crimson-and-white pompoms start shaking in the stands, you know: It's over."

No. 8 - Notre Dame Stadium | Notre Dame Notre Dame takes the field for the Blue-Gold spring game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in South Bend. Notre Dame takes the field for the Blue-Gold spring game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in South Bend. What USA TODAY says "There might be no other stadium that is a pictorial stand-in for college than the 'The House that Rockne Built.' Looming outside the stadium wall is the mural of 'Touchdown Jesus' that overlooks the field. Lines and lines of some of the sport's most memorable coaches and players. National championships galore. While the vibe might be different than that seen at some of the larger SEC fields, no one can deny that Notre Dame Stadium occupies a special place in the sport's landscape." No. 7 - Neyland Stadium | Tennessee A fan waits for his ball to be signed before a Savannah Bananas game against the Texas Tailgaters at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 23, 2026. A fan waits for his ball to be signed before a Savannah Bananas game against the Texas Tailgaters at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 23, 2026. What USA TODAY says "Simply put, Neyland Stadium is "a different type of loud," which is how former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield described playing there. And when the home team is thriving and "Rocky Top" plays on a loop, it's pure psychological torture. Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn called it "the loudest place I ever played." So loud, he said, the ball would tremble on the turf between plays." No. 6 - Sanford Stadium | Georgia Apr 18, 2026; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cheerleaders run on the field during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Apr 18, 2026; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cheerleaders run on the field during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images What USA TODAY says "The environment 'Between the Hedges' has made the Bulldogs nearly unbeatable at home under coach Kirby Smart. While the literally barking from Georgia fans doesn't always rattle your eardrums, Sanford Stadium can rumble when challenged. Georgia's .918 home winning percentage during the Kirby Smart era is a credit to the program Smart built. It's also a credit to Bulldogs fans. No. 5 - Autzen Stadium | Oregon Oregon defensive lineman Aydin Breland, center, leads the team out of the tunnel during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon defensive lineman Aydin Breland, center, leads the team out of the tunnel during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. What USA TODAY says "Size doesn't matter in the case of Autzen Stadium. While only boasting a capacity of 54,000, Oregon's home field is one of the classes of the Big Ten and toughest places to place. The Ducks have lost just twice at home since hiring Dan Lanning in 2022. This stretch rivals the most dominant run of play at home in program history, a 21-game winning streak under former Chip Kelly that ended with a loss to Southern California in 2011." No. 4 - Kyle Field | Texas A&M Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; A view of the fans and the CFP first round logo during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; A view of the fans and the CFP first round logo during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images More What USA TODAY says Kyle Field supplies the SEC's most singular experience. Yeah, there are some odd chants, routines and hand signs from the school's Aggie Yell Leaders. But the 12th Man is indefatigable, and the Aggies storming out of the tunnel to 'POWER' before kickoff, while the stadium shakes, creates a scene suited for football heaven. A handful of SEC venues are tougher on road teams, but few stadiums are as memorable as this massive cathedral, especially when the fans sway in unison to the 'Aggie War Hymn.'

No. 3 - Beaver Stadium | Penn State The Penn State Nittany Lions run onto the field to play Minnesota in a White Out game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College. Penn State won, 45-17.Hes Dr 102222 Whiteout The Penn State Nittany Lions run onto the field to play Minnesota in a White Out game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College. Penn State won, 45-17. Hes Dr 102222 Whiteout What USA TODAY says "There are few better spectacles than Penn State's annual 'White Out' games. It's especially intimidating in the evening when fans dress in white to provide visitors with an unsettling, eye-popping backdrop. Combined with the deafening roar provided by 100,000-plus fans, this makes Beaver Stadium one of the elite settings in the FBS." No. 2 - Ohio Stadium | Ohio State The Archie Griffin statue near the Ohio Stadium Rotunda on The Ohio State University campus Monday, September 8, 2025. The Archie Griffin statue near the Ohio Stadium Rotunda on The Ohio State University campus Monday, September 8, 2025. What USA TODAY says "The Horseshoe is one of the great venues in college football and one of the toughest places to win. The Buckeyes have lost just three games at home since 2016. Two of those losses have come in the rivalry against Michigan. Basically, any trip to Columbus with a crowd of more than 100,000 mostly against your team is as close to a guaranteed loss as you'll find in the Power Four." No. 1 - Tiger Stadium | LSU Nov 22, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cheerleaders perform for the fans against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Nov 22, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cheerleaders perform for the fans against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images More What USA TODAY says "A night game in Baton Rouge is an animal unlike any other. Bear Bryant described Tiger Stadium as 'the worst place in the world for a visiting team.' LSU fans specialize in tailgating, full of culinary delights and plenty of imbibing. Then the game starts with the hostility on display that gives opposing players and fans something to forget. One thing to remember? The singalong for 'Garth Brooks and ''Callin' Baton Rouge.'" The rest of the USA TODAY top 25 college football stadiums Stadium Name Team Location 11. Memorial Stadium Clemson Clemson, SC 12. Michigan Stadium Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 13. LaVell Edwards Stadium Brigham Young Provo, UT 14. Husky Stadium Washington Seattle, WA 15. Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn Auburn, AL 16. Lane Stadium Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 17. Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium Oklahoma Norman, OK 18. Rice-Eccles Stadium Utah Salt Lake City, UT 19. Camp Randall Stadium Wisconsin Madison, WI 20. Michie Stadium Army West Point, NY 21. Kinnick Stadium Iowa Iowa City, IA 22. Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Texas Austin, TX 23. Rose Bowl UCLA Pasadena, CA 24. Memorial Stadium Nebraska Lincoln, NE 25. Williams-Brice Stadium South Carolina Columbia, SC

3d Prints Sunday Free 3d Prints

New Turf at Ohio Stadium for the Ohio State Buckeyes

CLICK ON LINK BELOW https://x.com/CameronFontana/status/2082794211108073511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2082794211108073511%7Ctwgr%5Ecb5b61a1fbbe8faa3e02bfa96680963a6f8c69b3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuckeyeswire.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Fbuckeyes%2Ffootball%2F2026%2F07%2F31%2Fohio-state-football-new-turf-look-buckeyes%2F91118042007%2F When it comes to athletics at The Ohio State University, nothing but the best will do. While keeping tradition at the forefront, the athletic department is not shy about spending money to make sure Buckeye teams have every advantage to compete at the highest level. From state-of-the-art training facilities to hiring NFL-caliber coaches, Ohio State puts its money where its mouth is. While there have been many upgrades in and around the football program this year, one of the biggest improvements will come on the field in the form of, well, a new field. It was announced that a new playing surface would be installed over the summer just in time for the beginning of the new season, and the final product is almost ready to be revealed. Cameron Fontana of ABC 6 in Columbus was able to take fans inside the 'Shoe for a first look at the new turf. One of the first things fans will notice is a more vibrant shade of scarlet where the former surface gave off a faded feel. The field surface will alternate between darker and lighter shades of green. You can take a first look at the new field below. It wasn't that long since the playing surface was replaced, just four years ago in 2022. But this new turf isn't just for looks. After many complaints of injuries, Ohio State decided to get up to par with NFL standards. In a news release, OSU officials stated the new playing surface will feature Shaw Sports Turf's Forge Series system, "a system-level product line designed to meet NFL standards, featuring Game ON technology that integrates field markings directly into the turf." It will be a much-needed upgrade for player performance and safety. It's hard to say at this point, but the initial views make it seem like a much-needed upgrade and will most certainly make for a more vibrant viewing experience.

Ohio State Buckeyes Football Friday

Ryan Day Draws Line in the Sand for the Buckeyes’ Final Offensive Line by: Anthony Moeglin Ohio State head coach Ryan Day put a line in the sand for the most critical position group battle of this year's Training Camp. On Wednesday, he announced that he wants to have his final offensive line set by the 9th or 10th day of Training Camp practice. Letting position battles drag out is a mistake, and I think that this approach to handling it is the right one. Outside of Julian Sayin's two tough performances to end the season, the Ohio State offensive line deserved an equal amount of blame for the way those final two games went. They were physically dominated up front by both Indiana and Miami. Now, as they turn to the 2026 season, they know that they need to be miles better than what they were at the end of last season; they just need to know who the five are going to be. Four of the five players are solidified, while three of the five positions are locked down. The only wild card at the moment is Austin Siereveld, who bumped outside to left tackle last year and proved that he is one of the best tackles in all of college football. However, if the Buckeyes are unable to find a right guard, there is a good chance that they will call on Siereveld to play right guard and have a replacement at the left tackle position. I do believe that scenario is the less ideal one. The pressure this camp is squarely on that guard position. Who can surface from the punch of Josh Padillia and Gabe VanSickle. Or can Ian Moore prove that he has what it takes to play left tackle to move Siereveld back to right guard? It is without question the most important position battle of the offseason for this Buckeyes team. They need to not only solve the question marks up front, but they also need to build that chemistry early so that they can get better than what they were last year. Unfortunately, or fortunately, they will not have 10 weeks throughout the meat of their season to just coast like they had last year. The Buckeyes' 2026 schedule is insane, and it is full of top matchups week after week. The offensive line is the engine of the entire team, and the Buckeyes need to get it right. The battle will definitely be complete by the 10th practice of Training Camp, and the line will be established. From there, they build.

Jeremiah Smith called out his Ohio State teammate with star potential in the best way possible at Big Ten Media Days Great read by Brandon Little Jeremiah Smith knows one Ohio State football defender can be special for the Buckeyes in 2026, and it he made it clear with a lofty comparison at Big Ten Media Days. The Ohio State Buckeyes are at Big Ten Media Days this week, and the 2026 college football season is getting closer by the day. One player who became a talking point was Ohio State defensive end Kenyatta Jackson, who returns for his fifth season in Columbus, and Buckeyes superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith put some lofty expectations on his teammate's shoulders with a Chase Young comparison. Jackson was a high four-star recruit in the class of 2022 and has played for Ohio State the last three seasons. After recording just two sacks in three games as a true freshman, Jackson broke out last year with 6.5 sacks, 28 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 14 games played. The production showed he could be a player who potentially pushes double-digit sacks in 2026. Jeremiah Smith sees Chase Young potential in Jackson Smith called it like it is when discussing how he views Jackson heading into the fall, adding a little bit of pressure to his teammate to come out and perform. "He's a leader on the defense. He's gonna have a big year, and that's just somebody I believe in," Smith said via 10TV's Adam King. "I won't say he got the Chase Young effect yet. He can have it. Like I'm always telling him like, bro, you could take over a game like you're six-five, 260, whatever. Like you're kind of like Chase Young, and hopefully he shows that this year." Comparing any player to Young is as high of pedigree as it gets for the Buckeyes. Young played three seasons at Ohio State and was an instant-impact player with 3.5 sacks as a freshman. He reached 10.5 sacks by his sophomore season. As a junior in 2019, Young posted 16.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. He was a Heisman finalist and did take over games, just like Smith described. Kenyatta Jackson has the tools to be a star in 2026 If Jackson could be anything close to that level, it's more than great news for Matt Patricia's defense that was elite last year. It would also mean Jackson would end up a very high draft pick. All the tools are there. Jackson is a 6-foot-6, 265-pound rusher with prototypical size and solid athleticism. The production came on last year after he had just a sack and a half in each of his previous two seasons. Each of those years, Jackson showed flashes of ability that made you think he could develop into a starter. Now entering his fifth year, the hope is he can become the sack leader for the Buckeyes and a potential star on the defensive side of the ball. If Jackson can fulfill his full potential in 2026, good things are coming for him and Ohio State's defense.