re: Heat a factor in SEC play?

Death Valley is set on the low side of a hill on the east side. The west side is on the riverside. The high point is the river and the ground slopes down toward the stadium. The stadium is further from the river than the Superdome. Compare the water at the dome after Katrina to see how much lower Tiger Stadium is. Also there is a levee on the river.

Finally when Archer was at LSU, the actual field was lowered about 6 feet so the fans on the front rows could see over the players on the sideline.

The design of the stadium also contributes. No wind can get down to the field. This is one of the reasons it is so loud. The sound cannot get out.

I have friends who played and we hire players during the summer. They all say there is no wind on the field itself. In fact they you feel like there is no oxygen on the field and the noise seems to pound on you and never leave. They also say the heat and humidity is worse at night than in the day for some reason.