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PAC-12: Toughest Stadiums in 2011

The start of the college football season is still months away for the newly formed PAC-12, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead to the toughest spots to play this upcoming year. Obviously, there may be some fluctuating depending on how teams perform throughout the course of the year, but for now this is how I foresee the home-field advantages stacking up. When constructing this list, I took several things into consideration including my personal opinion. For starters, since this is a list for the 2011 season, I took into looked at how good each team is supposed to be this year. An example would be Stanford. Stanford historically has a relaxed home field, but because of their expected success I moved them up a few spots. As expected, there are a few familiar names at the top of the list. Here are the 2011 hardest places to play in the PAC-12.

12. Martin Stadium, Washington St. – This specific ranking for the Cougs has more to do with the Cougs inability to win rather than a timid fan base. Although a very small stadium for PAC-12 standards, Martin can still impose its will on visiting teams. Back in the days of Ryan Leaf and Jason Gessar, this might have been one of the more daunting stadiums in the PAC-10. Nowadays, the combination of the tiny stadium and lack of talent on the roster makes Martin look like it houses a high school team rather than a Rose Bowl contender. 2011 will be more of the same for both the Cougs and their home field.

11. Rose Bowl, UCLA – The Grand Daddy of them all has been the host of some epic, thrilling games over the past few years…none of which have included the Bruins. This season won’t be much different, as the Bruins expect to finish towards the bottom of the conference. Stuck in a stadium with so much tradition, the Bruins have been unable to turn the Rose Bowl into an advantageous home stadium. To make matters worse, Bruins home games have been known to welcome visiting fans with open arms. More times than not, it’s tough to tell who the home team is because there is so much of the visiting color in the crowd.

10. Memorial Stadium, Cal – Aside from the conference’s other schools from California, don’t expect the PAC-12 teams to be too worried about a trip up to Strawberry Canyon this year. Memorial Stadium is a very tough place to play…when the Bears are good. When they aren’t at the top of the conference, like they aren’t supposed to be this year, it shows in the seats and overall intensity. Consistency is crucial and this year I expect the Bears to lack it on both the field and stands. You got to give the student section credit though, when the Trojans, Bruins, or Cardinal are in town Memorial will still bring it.

9. Stanford Stadium, Stanford – Typically the atmosphere at Stanford Stadium would rank closer to the very bottom of the conference, but with expectations for a strong 2011 campaign, the Cardinal should put up a lot of wins at home this year. Not much going on in the crowd at Stanford homes games. For the most part, the students and alumni are more concerned with beating Cal in the classroom than beating them on the football field. Andrew Luck will give the Stanford faithful something to be proud of this year before the excitement gets sucked back out of the program in 2012.

8. Arizona Stadium, Arizona – Another case where if the magnitude of the game at hand is high, the atmosphere will get rowdy. Unfortunately there are too many mediocre games at Arizona Stadium to get the home field consistently wild. Arizona also loses too many key pieces on both offense and defense to keep fans interested in what might be a dismal season. It doesn’t help that the craziest person in the stadium his head coach, Mike Stoops.

7. Rice Eccles Stadium, Utah – One of the two newcomers in the PAC-12, I expect Utah to struggle a bit this season having to play at a consistently higher level. I’m not too familiar with the atmosphere at Utah Stadium, but I anticipate a lot of excitement early on. Compared to some of the other stadiums in the PAC-12, Utah will prove to be on the smaller side. That won’t be an issue for a loyal fan base in a newer, improved conference. If the Utes can keep a respectable record into November, this can easily become one of the tougher visits in the conference. I, though, expect the Utes, as well as their crowd, to fade as their first season in a new conference goes on.

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6. Folsom Field, Colorado – The second of the two new mountain additions will prove to have more big game experience than the first. Coming from the Big XII, the Buffs have plenty of experience in a big-game atmosphere. Aside from the beautiful scenery of Folsom, the Stadium has also poses as a solid home-field advantage, especially when you consider the Buffs recent struggles. With new opponents to play, the general attitude for the Buffs this season should be positive. An above-average student section will also help in making the Buffs first season in the PAC-12 exciting, among other things.

5. LA Coliseum, USC – Still a very special place to watch a big game. I have had the privilege of watching several from the seats of the Coliseum and can honestly say it’s a tough place to beat. As far as field loudness goes, the Coliseum will never be too high on anyone’s list. As far as a historic venue, it’s tough for any opponent to not get nervous walking through that tunnel. Unfortunately this year for the Trojans the big games will be at a minimum with sanctions pretty much wiping out any significance to the Trojan’s 2011 season. It also doesn’t help that most of the Trojans tough games are on the road. Either way, if the Trojans can fill the seats, the mystique of the Coliseum will ultimately prevail.

4. Sun Devil Stadium, Arizona St. – This ranking has more to do with the expectations surrounding ASU on the field rather than the atmosphere of the stadium itself. With ASU expecting to compete for a PAC-12 title, Sun Devils Stadium should become one of the tougher venues in the conference. Usually in the middle of the road as far as intensity goes, Sun Devil Stadium should be rocking this year with high expectations and a very talented roster. The student section should live up to the party-school reputation and be the circus it always is.

3. Reser Stadium, Oregon St. – Small stadium, but consistently a tough place to play. Ask the Trojans if you don’t believe me. Reser is known to be a tough stadium to visit regardless of the season at hand. Whether the Beavs are turning in a BCS-caliber season or not, the seats will be full at Reser. Due to its size, Reser usually hits full capacity - the die-hard Beaver fans take care of the rest. This season should be more of the same. I can’t pinpoint whether or not the Beavers are expected to contend, but I do expect a respectable home record as usual.

2. Husky Stadium, Washington – There was once a time when Husky Stadium was the cream of the crop for PAC-10 venues. I, for some reason, believe that it will return to that status this season. The Dawgs have been on the cusp of turning the corner for a few years now and fans are starting to grow impatient. I’m not saying this is the year they finally become one of the conferences elite, but they will be on the right path if they can find someone to replace Jake Locker. The pieces are there for a special season in Washington. If UW can find some wins early, momentum, as well as a raucous Husky faithful will follow.

1. Autzen Stadium, Oregon – No surprise here. Oregon has become what Husky Stadium used to be in the 90s. Loud, intense and consistent. Consistency is the key in this case, and it’s why Autzen is at the top of the list. It might also have something to do with the Ducks consistency on the field, but regardless of opponents, weather and rankings you can expect Autzen to rage. I experienced a game at Autzen a few years back and it truly is as loud as advertised. The most alarming part is it’s about half the size of some other stadiums that produce less noise. This season should prove to be a good one for two-time defending PAC-10 champs as they host a slew of rivals and big names.

By Mick Moody
Pac10-Fans.com USC Trojans Correspondent