The tailgate ritual that takes place in stadium lots at college football games all across America has become as quintessential to the fabric of the nation as state fairs, Old Glory and mom’s apple pie on the windowsill. From mini football games to elaborate bbq contraptions, kegs of beer and of course, flatbed trucks and satellite television hook-ups to enjoy the actual game, the tailgate tradition has almost become as venerable across America as Sunday church service.
While Sunday is when NFL veterans kick into high gear, for many, the most authentic and hardcore experience for neophytes is the college campus tailgate. College towns across America live and breathe NCAA football, whether a top Division I team and perennial Bowl game favorite or not. In fact, some of the most ardent fans and indeed, tailgate traditions, occur every Saturday in the fall at some of the most diminutive school stadiums. With that in mind, here are some of the best and most genuine college football tailgate scenes in America. Stock the van, tune the bbq and plan your road trip now!
The University of California at Los Angeles has a long tradition of excellence in the athletics department, not just on the basketball hardwood and football field, but in all sports. Hardcore Bruins fans arrive at the legendary Rose Bowl as early as 5:30 a.m. to tailgate before a 12:30 kickoff.
Neyland Stadium in Knoxville is the place to be for superb college football action. University of Tennessee home games see attendance figures in the 106,000 range. The tailgate action all over campus is just as impressive. Head to The Strip after games on Cumberland, just west of campus, to live it up with the hardcore Vols fans.
Football is a religion in Texas, from the Friday night lights of high school football to college and the venerable Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. The University of Texas in Austin is a must-see pilgrimage of football in the Lone Star State, with a fantastic tailgate scene at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Hook ‘em Horns!
The Pacific Northwest seldom gets props as a mecca of college football but the truth is that programs at Oregon, Oregon State and Washington State have real cred. The best proof however, is the raucous scene on game days outside of Husky Stadium on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle.
Another staple of Texas football is in College Station. The town of 75,000 people is home to Texas A&M Aggies football, a team with a rich history and phenomenal tailgate party atmosphere at Kyle Field.
University of Colorado Buffaloes football is just about the only game in town in Boulder, Colorado and the place to be every fall is Folsom Field, where the tailgate action is lively and up there with the very best in America.
Football in Alabama is similar to football in Texas. More than mere sport, even at the high school level the weekly game is a major event. The University of Auburn has one of the most historic football programs in the country, with a worthy tailgate scene on game days, especially prior to the massive annual contest against the Crimson Tide of Alabama.
While the face of Penn State football will always be Coach Joe Paterno, the tradition of excellence in Happy Valley will likely live on long after JoePa leaves the sidelines. The tailgate scene for Nittany Lions football is legendary.
Few other football and tailgate traditions can compete with the heritage and sheer pomp of Ole Miss. The area known as The Grove opens up at 7 p.m. the night before game days, with no cars and tents full of good ol’ southern soul food and barbecue.
The tailgate action at LSU kicks off days before Saturday games. By Friday night, the scene in Baton Rouge outside of Tiger Stadium is bananas, with thousands of fans in attendance. Food is serious business in Louisiana and from Cajun and Creole, to hardcore barbecue and soul food, LSU tailgaters do it up right.
Other schools and games that deserve recognition include the Georgia-Florida rivalry known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party”, held every November in Jacksonville, in addition to military academy contests, the most notable of which is Army-Navy in December.
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