Oregon Football: Josh Pate Ranks Autzen Stadium Behind 1 Big Ten School

Oregon has earned the reputation for being one of the toughest places to play in college football. 

It didn't always used to be that way, but the program has been relevant for a few decades, dominating in the final years of the Pac-12 and now its early days in the Big Ten.

Autzen Stadium isn't close to being one of the largest stadiums in the Big Ten, let alone college football. It hosts just 60,000 fans.

However, Eugene isn't a place opposing teams want to visit in the fall. 

During the "Josh Pate College Football Show" on Thursday, the host argued that Autzen Stadium is the fourth-toughest place to play in college football. He ranked Oregon behind Penn State's Beaver Stadium at No. 3.

"I've been blessed to take in several games here now, Oregon, Autzen Stadium,” Pate said. "Oregon, number four toughest place to play in college football for me right now.

"Again, kind of like with Washington, there will be doubters. I know this because I get pushed back all the time when I talk about how tough it is to play at Autzen Stadium and then you come to find out like 95 percent of the doubters have never been there.”

Pate argued the capacity for the stadium feels larger than the official numbers just based on the  volume of crowd noise.

"The capacity is like 60,000, 54,000. There's just no way. I don't know how to explain this to you," Pate said. "Yes, there is a way. You just have to go experience it for yourself. Insane volume.

"But also... energy, which you would think is synonymous with noise. And it's not always. I mean, because you could stand still and yell.”

"They don't stand still and yell at Oregon. So a lot of movement, a lot of energy, a lot of juice in the crowd."

Oregon will host seven home games in 2026, starting with Boise State on Sept. 5. 

The Ducks will play two critical late-season home games against Michigan on Nov. 14 and Washington on Nov. 28. 

Both games could be key to their College Football Playoff hopes.