Ivan Maisel on various NCAAF stadiums

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By my most recent count, which I made before I began to type this, I have reported a story or covered a game at 93 FBS schools. Among the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conferences, I have worked a story at all but two schools: Washington State and Vanderbilt.

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Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama

First Game I Saw: (1966) Alabama 24, South Carolina 0

Best Game I Saw: (2011) LSU 9, Alabama 6

Not everyone's cup of tea, but for great defenses and the sheer, unrelenting tension of every snap, this one tops the list.

The Thing About Bryant-Denny: The vendors lining Paul W. Bryant Drive, the open-air press box (not unusual in the SEC), the pregame video of the Bear. Breakfast at the Rama Jama diner tucked in next to the stadium is a treat.

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Tiger Stadium, LSU

First Game I Saw: (1987) LSU 13, Ohio State 13

Best Game I Saw: (2007) Arkansas 50, LSU 48

The three-overtime upset that seemed to knock No. 1 LSU out of the national championship race and solidify Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt's job security. In fact, Nutt resigned three days later, and, in a year of upsets, the Tigers climbed back into the national championship game and beat Ohio State.

The Thing About Tiger Stadium: The tiger in the cage in the corner of the end zone definitely gets your attention. God forbid the visiting team wins, because Tiger Stadium has the world's smallest, least accommodating interview room for the visiting team. And in case, you wondered, the mystique of night games is real.

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Kyle Field, Texas A&M

First Game I Saw: (1988) Alabama 30, Texas A&M 10

The hurricane game. Also Jackie Sherrill's last as head coach.

Best Game I Saw: (1999) Texas A&M 20, Texas 16

The game itself became secondary to the bonfire tragedy that left 12 people dead and 27 injured. In fact, the tragedy changed the tenor of the rivalry, as Texas followers expressed sorrow and support for Texas A&M.

The Thing About Kyle Field: The $450 million renovation begins this weekend. When it's done, I hope they find a way for the upper deck to sway again. That's the closest thing to a scary carnival ride that press box viewers have now that Husky Stadium has been modernized.

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Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn

First Game I Saw: (1989) Auburn 30, Alabama 20

Dec. 2, 1989 is the July 4, 1776 of Auburn football: The Crimson Tide's first visit to Jordan-Hare in the long rivalry. That the Tigers defeated a No. 2, 10-0 Tide made it sweeter.

Best Game I Saw: Same

The Thing About Jordan-Hare: One of my favorite stadiums, because the seats rise straight up. The noise can't escape. And there's a lot of noise. Not to mention the pregame flight of the eagle, and the people, who are very nice, as long as you're not writing about Cam Newton's family.

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