LSU and Alabama have been compared for almost a century.
There are many factors that contribute to its infamous rivalry including coaches, players, talent and trophies.
All have been compared. All have been analyzed.
But one thing that few have compared is their stadiums, one of the most important factors when looking at success.
Contrary to what many may think, home-field advantage hardly plays a role in the outcome of the game when it comes to LSU and Alabama’s matchups.
In fact, both LSU and Alabama have higher winning percentages when playing in the opposing teams’ state.
The Tide currently lead the record with 55 wins, 27 losses and five ties when it comes to matchups against the Tigers.
Alabama won 69.7% of games played in Louisiana compared to 56.8% in Alabama. It won five more and lost seven fewer games when playing in Louisiana.
Similar to the Tide, LSU won 38.6% of games in Alabama compared to 23.2% in Louisiana. It has seven more wins and five fewer losses in Alabama.
The games have been played almost equally in each team’s state, with only one more game held in Louisiana than Alabama.
Although the teams’ rosters change each year, their stadiums are one thing that remains constant. Each stadium has its perks, as well as its downsides.
Here’s how they compare:
Tiger Stadium
LSU’s Tiger Stadium is considered one of the hardest stadiums to play in across college football. It’s ranked No. 1 in most difficult stadiums to play in according to Bleacher Report, 247Sports and Nittany Lions Wire, among others.
LSU is home to the seventh-largest stadium in the world by capacity and the second largest stadium in the SEC, slightly edged out by Kyle Field, home of the Aggies.
With a seating capacity of 102,321 combined with roaring, passionate fans, the playing field is automatically intensified.
Death Valley is also known for being abnormally loud.
Living up to its name, many believe that the stadium was originally known as ‘Deaf Valley’ until 1959 when it was transformed to Death Valley after the Tigers beat Clemson in the Sugar Bowl.
Death Valley hit a record 133 decibels, a sound equivalent to a jet take-off, in its previous game against the Tide, according to WSN. In the same game, LSU science’s seismograph recorded two moments when Death Valley shook.
Once was when quarterback Jayden Daniels scored a rushing touchdown in LSU’s first offensive play in overtime, and again when LSU successfully completed its two-point conversion to win the game.
Although the long-standing concrete stadium is what the Tiger’s call home, many believe that the fans are what make Death Valley so unique.
Bryant-Denny Stadium
Bryant-Denny Stadium compares to Death Valley in a multitude of ways.
Both consistently host crowds of over 100,000, both are home to consistently successful football programs, and both are filled with a fan base of dedicated supporters.
Similar to Death Valley, Bryant-Denny Stadium can reach decibel levels of over 100, averaging 98 per game.
Bryant-Denny has a long history, beginning in 1929.
The stadium was originally named after former university president George H. Denny. It was then renamed to Bryant-Denny Stadium in 1975 to honor former head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who mapped out the first remodel of the stadium.
Since then, many renovations have been made, including enclosed features in the end zone, making the stadium a bowl-like shape, which contributes to the stadium’s increased noise level.
Also ranked in the top 10 hardest stadiums to play in, Bryant-Denny stadium is home to one of the best football programs in history, similar to LSU’s.
LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa on Saturday to face the Tide for game No. 88 of its rivalry.
Because the Tigers are used to playing in Death Valley, the noise level and energy should not be a stranger, and the Tigers should feel a sense of normalcy with fans equivalent to those of LSU.
A stadium only plays a small role in a team’s success, but it can contribute to the atmosphere and excitement of the game.
With LSU and Alabama’s sensational football programs, the stadiums help to symbolize their permanence in the school’s legacy.
Built long before each program was as dominant as today, the stadium was the first step of becoming great.
