Joel Klatt
Faculty Soccer Analyst
Faculty soccer spring practices have wrapped up and transfers have discovered new houses. As we await the beginning of a extremely anticipated 2024 season, I answered some life questions in a mailbag episode of my podcast, “The Joel Klatt Present.” However one soccer query stood out: What are the top-five environments within the new Large Ten?
As you probably know, the Large Ten is increasing to 18 colleges this summer season. I am clearly within the new Large Ten and what that is going to appear like. However I did not wish to solely rank the 5 hardest stadiums to play at within the new Large Ten. I additionally wish to rank the 5 hardest stadium environments in school soccer.
Reality be informed, loads of this has to do with how good your crew is. That is fairly apparent. However I additionally needed to give attention to the setting of every stadium, notably what it is like once they host an enormous sport.
Let’s begin with my 5 hardest environments in school soccer earlier than specializing in the 5 hardest environments within the new Large Ten.
Faculty Soccer
5. Clemson – Memorial Stadium
Clemson had a stretch the place it went 62-1 at dwelling from 2013-22. It received 40 straight dwelling video games throughout that stretch, marking the longest dwelling profitable streak in ACC historical past and the longest within the FBS because the nice Nebraska groups of the Nineteen Nineties. That is ridiculous. It is a mixture of “Sure, this crew is actually good” however it’s additionally a ridiculously robust setting to play at.
4. Oregon – Autzen Stadium
Autzen Stadium is among the most underrated environments in all of faculty soccer. I do know it isn’t an enormous stadium, not less than when it comes to the variety of seats, however man it is loud in there. The followers actually get getting in there and so they’re actually clever. They perceive the sport. They know when to get loud, which has benefited the Geese the previous few seasons.
3. Alabama – Bryant-Denny Stadium
Alabama is intimidating for lots of various causes. No. 1, it is Alabama. No. 2, there are 100,000 folks there. No. 3, Alabama typically simply would not lose there. That is why Texas’ win there final yr was so spectacular, and it ought to’ve opened our eyes up on how good the Longhorns have been going to be the remainder of that season, as they ended Alabama’s 21-game dwelling profitable streak. It was the one time Nick Saban misplaced by double digits at dwelling throughout his Alabama tenure, too.
Joel Klatt’s high 5 hardest locations to play in school soccer
2. Penn State – Beaver Stadium
That “White Out” setting is actually robust to beat in an enormous sport. The Nittany Lions are 6-1 of their final seven “White Out” matchups, that are usually in opposition to the Large Ten’s elite. That one loss was to a fourth-ranked Ohio State crew in 2018, shedding by one level.
1. LSU – Tiger Stadium
Reality be informed, I have not known as a sport at LSU. However LSU at night time is one thing else. Simply watching it and speaking about that setting with folks across the sport, it is positively one thing particular.
Large Ten
5. Washington – Husky Stadium
If you consider that sport in opposition to Oregon final season, the noise in Husky Stadium was great. It is an excellent fan base and a proud program. Washington hasn’t misplaced a sport at dwelling since 2021.
4. Michigan – Michigan Stadium
This rating is a little bit bit extra towards the “This crew has been actually good over the previous few years” class. If we’re being trustworthy, The Large Home is not the loudest venue in school soccer. I’ve known as loads of video games there and it isn’t a knock. It is simply the way in which it is constructed. There aren’t a number of decks like there are at extra trendy stadiums. The followers form of go up and again away from the sphere. It is the mystique and the standard of the opponent that think about right here.
Joel Klatt on how Michigan united for Zak Zinter’s harm
3. Ohio State – Ohio Stadium
The Shoe is a little bit bit louder than The Large Home. The way in which The Shoe is constructed and the intimidation of it performs into its rating. Ohio State has solely misplaced two dwelling video games going again to the beginning of the 2018 season and has misplaced only one dwelling convention sport during the last eight years.
2. Oregon – Autzen Stadium
Once more, Autzen Stadium is among the most underrated stadiums in all of faculty soccer. Their followers are nice and know the sport very well.
1. Penn State – Beaver Stadium
A “White Out” at Penn State is the perfect setting within the new Large Ten. Each time I speak with anyone who’s occurring the highway, they at all times say the identical factor. All of them agree that Penn State is the hardest setting within the Large Ten.
Previous-school Nebraska would’ve been on this record, however it’s simply not robust sufficient as a crew but underneath Matt Rhule. I considered placing Wisconsin and “Bounce Round” on right here, too. Iowa was additionally into account. All three are robust locations to play at.
Joel Klatt is FOX Sports activities’ lead school soccer sport analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Present.” Comply with him on X/Twitter at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Present” on YouTube.
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