Where Clemson ranks in CBS Sports 2025 most intimidating environments in college football
CBS Sports ranked the most intimidating environments for the 2025 season, and Memorial Stadium checked in at No. 8 on the list. Clemson will host LSU in what promises to be a marquee Top 10 matchup in Week 1.
'Anyone else anxious for opening weekend? LSU-Clemson from the ACC's Death Valley should be scintillating,' wrote CBS Sports' Brad Crawford. 'The Tigers' 40-game home winning streak was snapped in 2022 by South Carolina, but this is one of the nation's toughest road asks for quality teams. Notre Dame found that out two seasons ago after Clemson touched Howard's Rock before running down the hill and punching the Fighting Irish in the mouth. This is the only ACC environment that offers a SEC feel outside of Doak Campbell (Florida State) at night.'
Clemson vs. LSU also landed at No. 7 on CBS' list of the best individual game-day environments this fall. As for No. 1 overall? That honor went to LSU's Tiger Stadium, which will host heavyweights like Florida, Texas A&M, and Alabama this year.
Meanwhile, just ahead of Clemson in the venue rankings at No. 6 is a familiar location—Williams-Brice Stadium. The Tigers are aiming for their sixth straight win in Columbia this November and have dominated the series there, winning 17 of the last 22 matchups.
'Sandstorm. 2001. Cocky. Do yourself a favor and get to a South Carolina home game this season against Oklahoma, Alabama or Clemson,' Crawford wrote. 'The Gamecocks crowd will be fired up to try and spark a home victory over a ranked opponent, something they've accomplished three times during Shane Beamer's tenure. This place becomes really scary when South Carolina gets an early lead. It feels like the student section in the end zone is about to claw its way onto the field.'
Though Memorial Stadium ranks behind a few SEC venues this year, Clemson fans will have their chance to make a national statement when Death Valley comes alive on opening weekend.
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