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Fall is my favorite. And here in Iowa, it’s like September first hit and Mother Nature went, “Oh, right, it’s fall.” And boom, overnight we went from 80 percent humidity and 90 degree weather to crisp, cool air and highs in the low 70s/upper 60s. I’m not complaining – it immediately gets me in the mood for Halloween, apples, fall clothes, boots, and tailgating. Our first tailgate of the season is on Saturday (go Cyclones!) and I am so looking forward to it. Not as much as I’m looking forward to the Nebraska/Iowa State game (which, admittedly, we are going to lose), but it will be a blast.
The weather and the upcoming booze-a-thon has inspired me to write about tailgates today. This isn’t my list – it’s ESPNs. I’ve done a little extra reseach on their picks, though.
10. Auburn. ESPN says people line up to tailgate for a Saturday game at 7 a.m. on Thursday morning. That’s pretty hardcore. But football is in Auburn’s blood – two Auburn players have won the Heisman trophy and John Heisman (yep… the guy) coached there from 1895 to 1899. The picture, by the way, is from Andrew Reed, who has an awesome blog documenting his tailgates across the country. He also compiled his own Tailgate Awards for Sports Illustrated On Campus.
9. Colorado. ESPN’s Road Warrior rates this one at #9 largely because of the atmosphere. And I understand that – I think tailgating with the mountains as your backdrop is pretty awesome.
8. Army. Road Warrior says Army is amazing because people are so appreciative that these football players are also serving a bigger purpose. Football analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said the game day atmosphere is incredibly inspiring. Apparently RW is also scared to leave armed soldiers off of their top 10 list, so that’s a decent reason too. It also helps that Michie Stadium has a beautiful setting to call home.
7. Wisconsin. You can’t leave Wisconsin out… it doesn’t matter how cold it is or if there’s a foot of snow on the ground – these fans will not be stopped from their beer, brats and cheese for anything. Plus, there’s so much spirit, they had to create a Fifth Quarter. The tradition started in 1969 when the Badgers had a 24-game losing streak. To rally the fans, the marching band announced that after the game, they would hold an event called the Fifth Quarter. Anyone who stays in the stands is treated to a performance that usually includes The Chicken Dance, On Wisconsin, Beer Barrel Polka, Tequila, Space Badgers, and Hey Baby.
6. UCLA. I’m sure UCLA fans, southerners and west coasters will disagree with me, but what’s football without the cool weather? Nevertheless, the year-round gorgeous weather didn’t stop ESPN from declaring UCLA as the sixth-best place to tailgate. I suppose when you’re tailgating around a National Historic Landmark (it was declared one in 1987) in the sunshine, surrounded by beautiful people (so says ESPN), you declare that a pretty successful tailgate.
5. Penn State. More than 100,000 people show up for home games at Beaver Stadium… Road Warrior cleverly refers to it as JoePa-Looza. Beaver Stadium is the largest stadium in the U.S., so that holds a lot of tailgaters. Well, not all of the tailgaters actually make it into the game. That’s typical of any good tailgate, but it’s especially problematic for Penn State. The school actually had to ban drinking outside of the stadium during the game because too many people were causing problems.
4. Washington. ESPN says it’s not that the stadium is so fantastic or the tailgate is so nuts; it’s the quality of the tailgate. While everyone else in the country (with the exception of the #1 pick) is munching on hamburgers, brats, hot dogs and beer, the good people at Husky Stadium are enjoying wild salmon, Dungeness crab and microbrews. On the lake. Yeah, Lake Washington sits right next to the stadium, so up to 12,000 people can hang out on the lake and enjoy the game. Some people actually stay the whole weekend. And the University is more than accommodating of this setup – just before kickoff, the University supplies a shuttle to the people on the lake so they can make it to the stadium in time to see the game start.
3. Tennessee has a similar set up to Washington – fans can camp out on Tennessee River prior to games. The tradition was supposedly started by Tennessee broadcaster George Mooney in 1962. At least 200 boats enjoy this set up for every Volunteers game at home – they’ve earned the nickname “the Volunteer Navy”. Clever. Road Warrior ranked this tailgate experience over the Washington one because the barbeque is so good.
2. Ole Miss battles LSU not just for the SEC title, but also for the best college tailgate in the U.S. It earns the #2 spot for the good food, the passion of the fans and the fact that the speed limit on campus is 18 miles an hour. If you’re not a sports fan, you probably don’t know that Eli and Peyton Manning’s dad, Archie, is a legend of the game. He had a heck of a career at Ole Miss, where he wore jersey #18. Eli and the oldest Manning brother, Cooper, also went to Ole Miss and played football.
1. LSU wins the top spot, largely because of the food. Road Warrior says they once tailgated with a group who made “jambalaya, duck and oyster gumbo, stuffed quail, deer sauce picante, wild duck, cochon de lait, Cajun sausage, crawfish etouffee, rabbit, alligator stew and marinated pork tenderloin. And that was for a non-conference game.” Yeah, that sure beats my weekend plans of Doritos and Chips Ahoy.
Agree? Disagree? Tell us your best tailgating experiences in the comments.
Comments (36)
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Despite the fact that I am a Cowboy’s fan (not Oklahoma State, the REAL Cowboys South of the Red River.) I have to agree with you on Football being best in Cold weather.
Have you ever tried to sit in Texas stadium in a Dallas “Fall”. Yikes!
posted by Witty Nickname on 9-4-2008 at 3:34 pm
Ole Miss #2? Seriously? The Grove experience leaves anything LSU has to offer in the dust. There is no such thing as “Gameday” Things start rolling on Thursday and chug through the weekend. Besides the food, and the magnolias, you can’t overlook the attire at an Ole Miss football game. forget the school logo t-shirt and jeans – hello heels and hose! It is a unique experience and WAY more fun than LSU. Besides, purple and gold, how garish!
posted by Katherine on 9-4-2008 at 4:07 pm
The LSU tailgate experience is WAAAY overrated. That is unless you enjoy hanging out on an attrociously ugly campus, fighting off loud drunks, and dining on questionable food.
Ole Miss is more of a “classy” experience, very nice but not very fun…more uptight. Though definitely NOT the best…still nice though.
That leaves Tennessee. Knoxville provides a pre-game environment unique to any other. Country, preppy, wild, mild, and all others will find a place to be drawn to. The best of any I’ve been to…
GO VOLS!
posted by Spuchy on 9-4-2008 at 4:16 pm
As an Auburn Alum, I am clearly partial. It is absolutely true tailgaters arrive Thursday (sometimes Wednesday for big games!) and stay at least until Sunday. TigerWalk, rolling Toomer’s Corner, and just generally tailgaiting in Auburn are truly things you have to experience to truly appreciate! (my name is a link to a Syracuse fan’s fabulous Auburn enlightenment)
But I have to agree that LSU does not deserve the top spot. I have attended several games at Tiger Stadium. I would not recommend it. They may have delicious food, but the atmosphere is not at ALL welcoming to the opposing team. They taunt you with jeers of “Tigerbait! Tigerbait!” everywhere you walk, (and since i’m an auburn TIGER, there jeers did not exactly have the desired effect…)and I at point my sister cut her heel and nearby tailgaters actually cheered! When we asked to borrow some type of band-aid or napkin to clean her up a bit, they told us if we wanted help we would have to find a more Auburn-friendly group.
If that weren’t enough, as we walked to the stadium, a grown man opened a beer can, and launched it at my group of five girls. The full beer hit me square in the back of the head and soaked me since the gentleman had been so kind to open it. I immediately found a police officer to report the incident, was clearly able to point out who had thrown it, and the cop said he couldnt do anything due to the fact that there were no witnesses. No witnesses, really? Try about 90,000 people walking into the stadium. So i settled for asking the grown man why he had choosen to launch a projectile at an 18-year-old girl. His reply: “I dont know. Just had to.”
Thanks.
I’d like to point out that it wasnt students that were generally rude, but adults and children. These groups were wot welcoming or hospitable in the smallest degree.
If the requirements for best tailgate were superloud rap music, unfriendly fans, and incompetent police, then i’d say this lists hits the nail on the head. otherwise, try again.
posted by WarTiger on 9-4-2008 at 4:52 pm
Alabama!?!
posted by T on 9-4-2008 at 4:59 pm
Where’s Gatorville?
posted by bags on 9-4-2008 at 5:22 pm
Since you’re using my picture for Auburn, permit me to weigh in with my rebuttal. First of all, different people look for different things at a tailgate. There are so man aspects to care about: food, drinks, atmosphere, big-screens with comfy seats, girls, music, etc. To be fair, I haven’t been everywhere, but I did hit 17 games last season.
Since this “blog” doesn’t allow links in the comments (why is that?), you can go to my site (click “Reed” above) and search for “Tailgate Awards” to find my comprehensive year-end summary from last season.
On the whole, ESPN did a pretty solid job. With a gun to my head, LSU would be my #1 as well. But as I said, I think ranking them is something in the eye of the beholder. I think Clemson, Nebraska, Florida, Notre Dame and Michigan deserve some credit as well.
posted by Reed on 9-4-2008 at 5:31 pm
How could they have forgotten Purdue University’s tradition of tailgating? Start out with the campus bars opening at seven am, and everyone goes dressed in full costume. Then after we get drunk, we go tailgating, then if we make it through that, we go on to the game. It’s a blast. I have yet to actually make it to a game…
posted by Kolja on 9-4-2008 at 5:44 pm
Stacy, I enjoy that you appreciate Big XII football. Excellent choice. (That being said, Go Big Red!) :)
Sadly, Nebraska wasn’t much of a tailgating school. The stadium/campus is right in the middle of downtown, so parking is scarce and scattered. Also, campus is dry (which isn’t all bad, but probably means we’ll never make a top 10 tailgating list!) However, this is offset with the fact that the bar district is only blocks from the stadium (convenient), and everyone in town wears red and is excited for the game, whether they are attending or not.
I’d argue against Colorado–maybe they don’t do it to every visiting team, but if you’re a Nebraska fan, your experience is likely to be similar to WarTigers. Rock snowballs and urine bombs, anyone?
posted by kate on 9-4-2008 at 6:33 pm
As I read LSU, I thought the same thing: the Tiger fans are terrible. Very easy team to loathe these days.
I’ve got nothing against the Nittany Lions, but how do they make the list when you can’t drink during the game? That’s Lamegating.
When Alabama fans came to OU a few years ago they established a small city of tailgaters not far from Owen Field. They were a fun, classy bunch.
posted by Pete on 9-4-2008 at 7:45 pm
As a current student at The Ohio State University, I believe we should have been very high on that list. Not only are we the largest school in the country (over 53,000 students), but our stadium holds over 107,000 on game day. And tons of people who aren’t even going to the game show up just to experience the feeling of Buckeye Fever.
O-H!
posted by Amy on 9-4-2008 at 8:26 pm
Love the Auburn Tigers, had some of my best tailgating memories there. So glad to see the oft-overlookd Army tailgating experience. My brother went to West Point and I visited him often enough that I could find my way around that beautiful campus blindfolded still today. And what a great stadium!
That having been said, I must agree that LSU is the worst! They seem to have no concept of “friendly rivalry”. Somehow Florida-Georgia, Texas-OU, even Alabama-Auburn can show respect for each other, but LSU fans show no respect for anyone but each other…and even then, not much. If that’s what it takes to win a national championship in either football or tailgating, I’ll be happy with number 10.
posted by Dixon on 9-5-2008 at 6:22 am
A vegetarian would have a hard time dealing with the menu at LSU!
I suppose that’s a problem all over the South -just ask Mangesh.
posted by Miss Cellania on 9-5-2008 at 6:50 am
Purdue should be on that list!
There is a little tradition there called Breakfast Club in which everyone gets up at the crack of dawn (or stays up from the previous night) and goes to the bars at sunup in full costume. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.
posted by chris on 9-5-2008 at 7:58 am
Re: Amy
I-O!
posted by Kristin on 9-5-2008 at 8:42 am
UGA?? Athens is the best college town in the country. Go DAWGS!!
posted by Quincy on 9-5-2008 at 8:50 am
Re: Amy
I-O! :)
posted by Kristin on 9-5-2008 at 8:50 am
Oh my sweet God! How do you not have Notre Dame on this list? I am too shocked for words, but I’ll try. First, pre-gaming actually starts on Friday. It’s one of the few schools where going to the pep rally isn’t entirely cheesy.. It helps when you have Wayne Gretzky, Joe Montana, or Dicky V to give the speeches to draw a crowd. Two, something we like to call “Kegs n’ Eggs.” Three, the spirit…it doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of the opposing team, you will be welcomed with open arms, a brat, and a beer. Old alums simply pulling a younger student aside to invite them to try his wife’s baked beans or this new deep fried turkey thing they are trying. It’s really seeing the grandparents playing catch with their granddaughters and grandsons that gets to you. It’s fun, it’s wild, and ANYONE can join.
posted by Leanor on 9-5-2008 at 8:56 am
Pete,
Alabama Fans and the words “Classy” and “Fun” do not go together.
The WORST sports fans on the planet! Worse than NY Yankees!
posted by Spuchy on 9-5-2008 at 9:16 am
I-O!!
posted by Arthur on 9-5-2008 at 9:29 am
GEAUX TIGERS!!!
I’ve been to a lot of games on the road and I will definitely agree that Auburn is also a fun campus to visit. The fans are friendly and the atmosphere is great. Of course, the food can’t compare to LSU (not that I am biased ;-) but of all the road trips I’ve taken – Auburn showed the best Southern hospitality.
After Auburn (and outside LSU of course) my favorite would be Wisconsin. They really know how to party! I just wish their stadium was enclosed!!! This Southern girl hated the weather, but loved the atmosphere and the fans!!!!!
The swamp is a good atmosphere… if you are a gator. I realize it only takes a few bad fans to give the rest a bad name, but of all the SEC schools I’ve hit I received the least friendly “welcome” there. (And that is putting it mildly. I’ve never seen so many ladies with vocabulary that would make a trucker blush.)
Ole Miss has a BEAUTIFUL campus!!! One of my favorites to visit. The oak trees really set a scene and all the fans are friendly. There are plenty of parties around campus the day of a game. My only complaint is that most of them appeared to revolve around Greek organizations. LOVE the people!!!
posted by TigerGrrL on 9-5-2008 at 10:14 am
Speaking as a native son of Baton Rouge and current student in LSU’s grad school, I am obligated to defend my beloved Tigers.
That being said, Tiger fans are the worst. I have never seen a bigger bunch of angry, vile, and worthless drunks. If were not a tiger fan by birth, I think LSU’s fans would keep me away from attending games. Besides, the cheers from the student second are always profane and unimaginative. (Case in point, Add “F-you” to any rival’s name. Profit)
However, there is no denying the superiority of the food. Nowhere else can come close.
Finally, Ole Miss is a barn. Sure, the grove is sorta pretty, but don’t the Greek types in pearls and blazers realize they are in Mississippi? Geaux to hell, Ole Miss.
posted by Stu on 9-5-2008 at 10:43 am
I grew up a gator fan, since my dad was an alumnus and had season tickets every year (nosebleed seats, but I don’t care). Anyways, I have to say that the experience is different depending on where you go: university avenue is a bad place to be if you’re a visitor; honestly, the jeers from the drunk fraternity boys are pretty embarassing. Best spot: the field next to the big parking garage, just off campus. Pretty chill area, one side of it is pretty quiet, the other brings you close to the fans. Also I recommend eating a burger at Farah’s. Seriously good food.
However, I didn’yt end up getting in to UF, so I took a tour of the SEC colleges…and chose Alabama.
Tailgating there is nuts. Period.The maze of tents in front of Gorgas library is ridiculous. There’s enough TVs and stereos and grills etc that the power goes out every so often…everybody is leeching power off their neighbors’ extension cables, using splitters, which doesn’t seem all too safe, haha. Also there’s this crazy drunk lady who does a powerful yell whenever she feels the need to…usually 5 or more times an hour.
I don’t recommend coming if you’re rooting for the visiting team. But if you’re a bama fan…the experience is like no other.
posted by chris on 9-5-2008 at 10:46 am
I’ve been to Purdue AND Wisconsin games, and Purdue is nowhere near Wisconsins tailgate, and I’m from Indiana.
posted by Todd on 9-5-2008 at 10:54 am
oh yes, an addendum to my previous statement: Florida fans F**KING HATE LSU. So…that’s likely the root of your problem.
As for rivalries: I thought UF vs FSU was bad…it’s mild in comparison to the pure hatred between Alabama and Auburn, on gameday it’s at its worst; although it permeates life in general. I saw a 5 year old at a tailgate party wearing a pin that said “GO TO HELL AUBURN”; I asked her if she knew what it said, and she yelled it…her parents gave a hearty ROLL TIDE in response.
Oh wow, I’m dragging this on too far…last thing though: read “Rammer jammer yello hammer”, by Warren St. John. Very well written documentary on Alabama fans.
posted by chris on 9-5-2008 at 10:54 am
I-O!!!
posted by Cassandra on 9-5-2008 at 11:11 am
Glad you Buckeyes can get together to spell Ohio. Any more letters and we might have a crisis on our hands.
Go Blue!
posted by Jim on 9-5-2008 at 11:27 am
Been to a Purdue tailgate and like the campus it kind of blew. You may have the breakfast club, but it’s not exactly tailgating when you’re just barhopping. Shouldn’t you UofMers be busy studying to be pretentious know it alls?
posted by Dick Rod on 9-5-2008 at 11:38 am
You guys are cracking me up.
posted by stacy on 9-5-2008 at 11:44 am
How about Mizzou? Maybe we’ll make the list after we win the NC this year.
M-I-Z
posted by BW on 9-5-2008 at 12:42 pm
Ole Miss is a barn? Are you sure you’re not confusing us with our in-state, bovine-obsessed rivals?
Let’s read the comments: LSU fans like it, everyone else hates it. That’s pretty clear to me.
Ole Miss should be number one. “Groving” is the most wonderful event any football fan (and even non-football fan socialites) can experience outside of the stadium. We may not win every game, but we’ve never lost a party!
posted by DYMongoose on 9-5-2008 at 2:27 pm
Well my lack of pronoun reference made that post seem quite foolish. Replace the second paragraph with:
L-S-Who? Let’s read the comments: of course LSU fans like their own school, but everyone else hates it. That’s pretty clear to me. Purple shirts and yellow britches…
Captcha: properly who
…nice.
posted by DYMongoose on 9-5-2008 at 2:32 pm
2 things:
Breakfast club at Purdue is one of the finest experiences out there, but it really isn’t a tailgate. So, even as a Purdue fan, I understand why it wasn’t included. It should have it’s own special little category of awesomeness. Secondly I went out to Penn State for the first time last year and all I can say is “Damn.” It was one of the best tailgates and college football experiences I’ve ever had, even if the Boilers lost.
posted by Charlie on 9-5-2008 at 3:35 pm
@BW:
Z-O-U!
posted by derek on 9-5-2008 at 9:49 pm
Another Tiger out to defend LSU… Anyone who has ever had a bad experience at an LSU tailgate (and I in no way deny it happens), please stop by my family’s tailgate. We set up early on gameday to the right of the Law School as you look at it from Highland Road. We’ll give you beer, jambalaya or whatever we’re cooking and generally take care of you.
Of course, this is, if we ever get to tailgate again. Our first game of the season was moved to 10:00 a.m. last Saturday because of Hurricane Gustav, this Saturday’s game has been moved to November and now Ike is threatening.
So whether you like LSU or Louisiana at all, please say a prayer or send out good thoughts for my state. We’re suffering a little bit right now.
ReCaptcha (no lie) — ad- Katrina
posted by Lindsey on 9-5-2008 at 9:54 pm
Since you are illegally using my image of Folsom Field, I have complained to MetalFloss.com about your use of my image illegally and hereby give you notice to attribute me per the license terms or remove the image.
posted by MECU on 9-7-2008 at 9:57 pm