Nothing beats fall Saturdays in the SEC. The smell of charcoal, the unmistakable whack of a beanbag hitting a cornhole board, the sloganeering shouts of "Go Dawgs," "Roll Tide" "Go Gators" and "War Eagle" and "Woo Pig:" they are a siren song to the fraternal order of football in the south.
But even in the greatest conference in the country, some venues stand out above the others. Whether it's the tailgating, the sights, the sounds, the stadium or the atmosphere once you are planted firmly in your seat, here are the Top Five venues for watching SEC football.
No. 5 Sanford Stadium -- Athens, GA
The Georgia stadium sits in the middle of the school, and is, in fact, the demarcation line between North Campus and South Campus. This gives alumni and guests a taste of college life. The best way to get to Sanford Stadium is on foot, walking past dozens of impromptu parties and makeshift tailgating outlets where barbecue and a beverage can be easily obtained.
Once inside, the stadium has an intimacy not usually found in arenas seating 92,746. The horseshoe shape and interior hedges make it airy and open -- like watching a pick-up game in a park with tens of thousands of your closest friends.
No. 4 Neyland Stadium -- Knoxville, TN
When you can boat to a game, you know you've experienced something special. Every home-game weekend, the Tennessee River fills with a flotilla of fans sailing up from Chattanooga or Huntsville, Alabama, or down from Kingsport through Cherokee Lake. It's one thing to grill out under a tent or beneath the awning of an RV, but when you can cook burgers on a 40-foot cigarette boat and walk a few feet to a rollicking SEC game, that's a weekend you aren't likely to forget.
No. 3 Jordan-Hare Stadium -- Auburn, AL
Well, there's the eagle. Before the Tigers take the field at home, Nova, a golden eagle, is released from a perch near the scoreboard where he circles the stadium and swoops down to midfield to the growing chant of "War Eagle." Other mascots make their rounds, but nothing beats the grandeur of a soaring raptor over 87,451 screaming fans.
Auburn also has one of the cooler tailgating environments with acres of campgrounds just a few yards from the stadium. By Friday night, the grassy plains look like NASCAR infields as RVs of every shape and size are squeezed into tight rows for a party that lasts well into Sunday morning.
No. 2 Bryant-Denny Stadium -- Tuscaloosa, AL
It's not just the statues -- although the jarring sight of hundreds of fans lined up to get pictures in front of bronze likenesses of Bear Bryant and Nick Saban will leave you a bit off-kilter. The entire atmosphere around Bryant-Denny oozes with an air of superiority. As College Street swells with Tide fans, there is a calm politeness to their enthusiasm: an attitude born from the quiet knowledge that their team is going to win. Even the cops are more polite at Alabama games than at other venues.
By sundown, everyone smiles and thanks you for coming after another Crimson Tide victory.
No. 1 Tiger Stadium -- Baton Rouge, LA
Nothing comes close. The home of the LSU Tigers is consistently rated as the toughest venue for visiting teams, and the loudest stadium in all of college football. A night game in Baton Rouge is like being trapped beside a roaring airplane engine. Sound has feel in there.
Tiger Stadium also has the advantage of being in Louisiana where the natives pride themselves in out-cooking every competitor in the region. Tailgating fare invariably includes etouffee and oysters with some of the finest seasoned grits anywhere in the south.
Throw in the fact that LSU fans refuse to let you leave on an empty stomach, and it's easy to see why Tiger Stadium is the No. 1 venue in the SEC.
