A Surprising Placement
USA TODAY Sports has released its latest ranking of college football stadiums, placing Florida’s iconic Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — commonly known as “the Swamp” — at No. 10.
The list underscores the SEC’s dominance, with LSU claiming the top spot, followed by Texas A&M at No. 4, while Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama secure positions 6, 7 and 9 respectively.
Florida’s recent form adds context to the ranking; the Gators finished the previous season 4‑2 at home, highlighted by an upset victory over Texas, yet struggled on the road with a 0‑6 record.
A new tradition has emerged in Gainesville, where fans gather to sing Tom Petty’s anthem “I Won’t Back Down” before the fourth quarter, adding a rallying cry to the game‑day atmosphere.
The Swamp’s placement ahead of programs such as Auburn (No. 15) and Oklahoma (No. 17) reflects both its historic aura and the competitive depth of the conference, even as the Gators seek to recapture past glory.
Other SEC members round out the top 25, with Texas sitting at No. 22 and South Carolina at No. 25, illustrating the conference’s broad footprint in national stadium evaluations.