by As the countdown to the 2025 college football season continues, excitement is building across the country. With spring semesters winding down and summer right around the corner, teams are gearing up for fall camp. Before we know it, Week 1 will be upon us.
This year’s season opener promises fireworks right from the start, with Ohio State hosting Texas on Saturday, August 30. The atmosphere at Ohio Stadium—known as “The Horseshoe”—will undoubtedly be electric. But will it be the most intimidating venue in college football this season?
According to Brad Crawford of 247Sports, it won’t be.
Crawford recently released his list of the 10 most intimidating college football stadiums for the 2025 season, and sitting at the top is Penn State’s Beaver Stadium. Known for its deafening noise and electric night game atmosphere, Beaver Stadium is expected to be the most hostile environment for opposing teams this fall.
No. 1: Oregon at Penn State – September 27
One of the most anticipated matchups of the season will see the Oregon Ducks travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State in late September. This will be the Nittany Lions’ first shot at redemption after falling to Oregon in the Big Ten Championship last season.
While it hasn’t been officially confirmed, there’s a strong possibility the game could feature one of Penn State’s legendary “White Out” nights—an event that transforms Beaver Stadium into a sea of white and elevates the home-field advantage to a whole new level.
Historically, Penn State has struggled in high-stakes home matchups under head coach James Franklin, having lost five straight home games to top-five opponents since 2016. However, the crowd at Beaver Stadium is never one to be underestimated—especially in a revenge game of this magnitude.
One thing’s for sure: when Oregon visits State College on September 27, Beaver Stadium will be roaring with over 100,000 fans, making it the most intimidating place to play in college football this year.
