ESPN analyst names most hostile environments in college football; where Tennessee's Neyland Stadium ranks
ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy, a former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, ranked the most hostile environments in college football this week. And unsurprisingly, Neyland Stadium, the home of the Tennessee Vols, was near the top of his list. McElroy has Tennessee as the third most hostile environment in college football, behind Auburn at No. […]
ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy, a former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, ranked the most hostile environments in college football this week.
And unsurprisingly, Neyland Stadium, the home of the Tennessee Vols, was near the top of his list.
McElroy has Tennessee as the third most hostile environment in college football, behind Auburn at No. 2 and LSU at No. 1.
(Alabama didn't crack McElroy's top 10.)
"This place (Tennessee), admittedly, five years ago, not great," said McElroy. "It wasn't. It was underwhelming…It felt like they got negative quick. A lot of boo birds that were occasionally there. But since Josh Heupel's gotten there, and they've turned things around and they're trending in the right direction, it feels like Neyland is back.
"They've always had Rocky Top, they've always had the song. They've always had the size and the capacity. But now the intensity when you walk on the field is back as well. I think a lot of it [is because] the fans are totally drawing off their own team's energy. But man, it's about as loud as you'll find. I mean, it can get super loud really quickly. The most hostile I've ever seen it, personally, was actually against BYU. This was back in 2019, BYU went to Tennessee and it was an overtime game. BYU ultimately won the game with Zach Wilson. But it was so loud there at times in that overtime period. And it was super loud, too, with about 18 seconds left when Zach Wilson pulled out some miracle to be able to put the game into overtime. So Tennessee comes in at No. 3 and I think the sky's the limit. This one could easily be number one here in no time at all."
There's no doubt that Neyland has been rocking in recent years. The game against Alabama in 2022 was a masterclass in great college football environments.
Former Vols QB details wild season that includes Peyton Manning, Morgan Wallen, and running from autograph seekers with Hendon Hooker
2022 was an insane time at Tennessee
