Alabama, Auburn student sections both ranked in ESPN’s Top 5 in SEC

The Southeastern Conference is regarded for having the most rabid fans in the country, with the craziest, most vocal fans usually residing in the student section. 

ESPN.com SEC writer Edward Aschoff ranked his top five SEC student sections, with Alabama coming in at second behind LSU and Auburn rounding out the top five at fifth. Florida came in at third on these rankings and Texas A&M ranked fourth, respectively.

Recently, Alabama’s student section, and the crowd in general, has been reprimanded by head coach Nick Saban to stay for the entire game. Beat reporters — myself included — tweet out photos of a barren student section that is dwindling at the start of the third quarter. But when it’s a big game and the score is close, the student section is at full voice and can influence games. Last year against LSU, Bryant-Denny Stadium was full and the place literally shook because of the volume. So when the game is on the line and it isn’t 40-0 at halftime, Alabama’s student section is capable of being great.

Here’s what Aschoff had to say about Alabama’s student section:

Another section not ashamed to wave its pom-poms proudly. Even though coach Nick Saban challenged Alabama’s students to stay at games longer and sections were actually suspended for their poor attendance in 2013, this student section is tough to touch when it’s full. If you’ve ever wanted to hear “Roll Tide” loudly chanted ad nauseam in your face, just take a trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium. You might as well stick around for “Rammer Jammer” when the students let you know that their team “just beat the hell outta you.” This section arrives early for big games and keeps the deafening noise going until the clock hits zero.

Auburn is the same way, without the need to threaten students about leaving the game early: intense, passionate, and loud with a strong understanding of the game and their team. They have prepared cheers and chants, have a great marching band in front of them and an offensive juggernaut team that’s easy to cheer for. Not to mention Auburn may also have the loudest sound system in the SEC, which never hurts and is something Alabama desperately needs.

Here’s what Aschoff wrote about the students on the Plains:

LSU might have the nation’s best night atmosphere, but Auburn’s student section is something special when it’s time to play under the lights. From all those “War Eagle” chants to even more pom-poms than the kids know what to do with, Auburn’s students know how to create an amazing atmosphere inside Jordan-Hare. All that blue-(navy)-and-orange movement from the students, who don’t know how to stay quiet during games, will leave you dizzy if you’re sporting the wrong colors. It’s a section that arrives early and will drown you in its cheers for four quarters. One cool tradition this student section has after scores is chucking the football out of the stadium. Pretty cool.

(h/tESPN.com)

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