Some say home-field advantage is a myth, and that the best team always wins no matter where the game is being played.
That opinion was certainly tested last weekend as we saw three Top 10 teams get upset on the road — Alabama at Vanderbilt, Missouri at Texas A&M, and Tennessee at Arkansas. I would argue that those upsets wouldn’t have happened if the sites were flipped. Home-field advantage doesn’t mean a team will play well, but it does exist.
We’ve also seen home-field advantage play a role for Group of Five programs hosting Power Four schools over the past few seasons.
What are some of the Group of Five teams that have the best home-field advantage?
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Top CFB Home-Field Advantage In The G5
- Boise State
- App State
- JMU
- Fresno State
- Wyoming
Best G5 CFB Home-Field Atmospheres
Boise State
There’s no doubt opposing teams hate playing on the blue turf. I’m sure opposing Boise State defenders often blend in with the field when a quarterback is scanning the field. I can’t imagine how many interceptions have been caused because of this.
The Broncos landed on EA Sports’ College Football 25’s list of toughest places to play. At No. 24, they were the only G5 team to make the list.
Boise is 52-12 at home since 2014, and its fan base is as supportive as ever this season, selling out each game. With the way Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty is playing, I don’t blame them.
Appalachian State
Kidd Brewer Stadium is filled beyond capacity every week. Last year’s average capacity was 115.8%, which was the highest in the FBS. The capacity at “The Rock” is 30,000. Last season’s game against East Carolina had 40,168 people in attendance, which tied the stadium record. It’s one of the reasons the Mountaineers have been one of the premier teams in the Sun Belt over the last decade.
Season tickets sold out for the third consecutive season, and each of App State’s home games have sold out this year.
The Mountaineers have a similar home record to Boise State, as they are 53-11 at home since 2014.
James Madison
Like their conference rival App State, the Dukes also often surpass capacity at Bridgeforth Stadium. Last year’s average was 102%, which ranked eighth in the country.
JMU’s student section turns out for the games and is definitely rowdy. The Dukes were especially dominant at their house during their FCS years and have gone 64-8 at home since 2014. Not only do JMU fans take pride in filling up Bridgeforth, they’re also one of the best traveling fan bases in the G5.
Fresno State
One of the reasons it was probably an easy decision for the Pac-12 to add Fresno State was because of its following.
There’s rarely an empty seat at Valley Children’s Stadium, and the student section is always in full force behind the red and white checkerboard end zone. It’s not just one of the most difficult places to play in the Mountain West but one of the toughest places to play in the G5.
The Bulldogs host Washington State this week in a game where home-field advantage could be key.
Wyoming
It’s no secret teams hate traveling to Laramie, especially Power Four teams. A loss to Wyoming doesn’t look great on a resume.
Not only does War Memorial Stadium sit as the highest elevated stadium in the country at 7,220 feet, but the weather can be brutal, especially late in the season. The wind howls, and the temperatures often drop in the negatives.
That doesn’t stop the Wyoming faithful from showing up and filling the stadium, however.
