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Alabama
After its back-to-back national titles, Alabama’s facilities got a major upgrade, turning them into some of the most glorious in the game.
Images courtesy of rolltide.com, USA TODAY Sports
Arkansas
How did Arkansas lure Bret Bielema from his perch atop the Big Ten to rebuild the Razorbacks? The Fred W. Smith Football Center was a big draw. Completed in 2013, the 80,000 sq. ft., $40 million facility is a jewel that puts Arkansas in the middle of any facilities conversation.
Image courtesy of arkansasrazorbacks.com
LSU
The Charles McLendon Practice facility includes LSU’s Football Operations Center, as well as the team’s indoor practice facility. The operations center is a one-stop-shop, complete with weight training, meeting rooms, coaches offices and a tricked-out players’ lounge.
Images courtesy of aggieathletics.com, lsusports.net
Ohio State
Named for the legendary coach, the Woody Hayes Athletic Center was dedicated in 1987 and underwent its most recent renovations in 2007. It’s still among the impressive facilities in the nation, totaling 78,000 sq. ft., with a 17,000 sq. ft. weight room area.
Images courtesy of Associated Press
Oklahoma State
The Cowboys have hedge fund giant T. Boone Pickens as their most notable booster, and it’s sure paid off. He helped them build a sparkling, technologically advanced locker room in recent years in a facility that sits right next to Boone Pickens Stadium.
Oregon
Of course the Ducks make this list, and of course Nike founder and Oregon alum Phil Knight has his hands all over. The Football Performance Center was donated by the Knight family, and the 145,000 sq. ft. palace is one of the most lavish in college football.
Image courtesy of skyscrapercity.com
Southern California
The Trojans unveiled the $70 million John McKay Center in 2012, a 110,000 sq. ft. facility sitting right next to historic Heritage Hall. The three-level facility has just about everything a football program could need and more than enough flash to impress recruits.
Photos courtesy of Associated Press
Tennessee
The Vols’ Anderson Training Center, a $45 million facility completed in 2013, totals 145,000 sq. ft. and features a 22,000 sq. ft. weight room and neat features like a hydrotherapy pool, a 120-yard indoor field and a gorgeous locker room.
Texas
One of the richest programs in college football, the Longhorns have facilities to match their wealth. They completed a $150 million renovation project in 2008, and have made several more tweaks and additions to Memorial Stadium since then. The Longhorns are currently in the process of a $62 million indoor practice facility as well.
Texas A&M
The Aggies are in the midst of a $485 million, multi-year renovation of Kyle Field, making it the biggest stadium in Texas (take that, Longhorns and Jerry Jones!) and the SEC. The school also upgraded the team’s locker room, giving it a “night club” feel.
Images courtesy of 12thman.com
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
