Throw the big, bad SEC into the mix and the Penn State fans who have been sitting in their basements for the last year or so will be all jacked up. And your sister. But Buckeyes fans aren't letting the lack of trophies dampen their pregame spirits. Part of college football's nationwide allure every fall is that social experience associated with gameday. It's not second or third, either. In fact, at one point in time, this game was actually dubbed The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Thats arguably the most epic name weve ever heard for a tailgatingevent. First, Woo Pig Sooie ringing out every minute or so is pretty cool, even if you happen to revile the Razorbacks. Facebook / Cal Bears "Tailgating while watching the Golden Bears from the Charter Hill. This is your game. 2005-2022 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Despite a heartbreaking defeat against the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl, the Penn State Nittany Lions are a team on the rise. Tailgating at Harvard is an experience unlike any other, especially if you happen to be in attendance for The Game against Yale. College students are dressed in their Sunday finest while the various groups of alumni and fans gather in The Grove to create the most intense, yet somehow elegant, college party environments anywhere. Thats right, for Husky games, Washington fans tailgate on the water, or sailgating. Whether youve got your own boat or want to buy a seat on one of the ones there, its an experience thats certifiably Seattle. 9) Harvard vs. Yale-Wine and Cheese. One of the craziest scenes comes at the FCS National Championship game where, assuming the Bison make it to Frisco, Tex., a caravan of green and gold flock down south for the big game. Despite recent struggles, the passion for USC football has not died and it might be on the uptick soon. Pregame festivities that simply cannot be missed include the trumpets under the dome, lighting a prayer candle at the grotto, the team's walk to the stadium, the glee club, the band's march to the stadium, the concert on the steps and countless others. And then its off to the tailgating zone to see suburban Cincy families punching each other before the noon kickoff. Besides being a huge party, this is a primo people-watching trip. Ole Miss has produced two double-digit win seasons since the turn of the century, but that hasnt stopped their fans from becoming a tailgating powerhouse. Heres what the College Football Fan Index had to say about this legendary spot: At this point, the Grove deserves its own trophy case. Boston is 6 miles away. On Friday. Fans up the traditional tailgate food from hot dogs and hamburgers to jambalaya, gumbo, or even alligator. Texas: University of Texas. At long last, we've arrived at the top spot on our list of the top 25 college football tailgating schools, and LSU is bringing home the title this year. Game note: The cheapest get-in price youre going to find from a five-star tailgating game this season. Rent an RV. That's exactly what students and fans of UCLA enjoy during each and every college football season. Iowa at Iowa State, Sept 11. Visitor parking is on floors 3 through 6. Rain or shine, cold or warm which there is a lot of variety of during a calendar year for Wisconsin fans show up in full force to prepare for Badger games. But with shortened schedules, masks being required everywhere and more, it wasnt the same as usual. The data showed us the following: Penn State is the most popular college for tailgates, with the highest number of images tagged #tailgate. That gets even louder when the sun goes down in Baton Rouge and fans get rowdier. That brings for a rowdy environment and a tough place for visiting teams to play. Just right outside the stadium sits a sea of Auburn orange that gives off the vibe of an incredible atmosphere yet to come. Last season, Fansided ranked the Top 10 tailgating spots in college football, unique opportunities to share in the gameday experience with some of the most passionate fans in the nation. Gambling related content is not intended for anyone under the age of 21. ", 247Sports take: Rain or shine, Huskies fans always tailgate in full force. The Wisconsin Badgers faithful have spoken. Some die-hard tailgaters also bring along deep fryers - versatile tools for frying chicken wings, fish or turkeys. 538 Shares America's 'Perfect College Football Tailgate Spread And Setup'. Clemson has the traditions that make its gameday atmosphere one of the best anywhere and that is due to the massive groups of Tiger fans that support a program that is dominant year-in and year-out. Auburn at Penn State, Sept. 18 Penn State was already one of those tailgating destinations that the experts swear by. In a large parking lot located right by Milar Puskar Stadium, West Virginia fans park one car after another and have one big party that theyre all a part of. Then its time to buckle up as the LSU fans roll in and cause all sorts of hell-raising. Right now get the wok for $259 and FREE Shipping! The people of West Virginia typically enjoy a slower pace of life than those in other parts of the country. You are agreeing to OutKick's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, but don't worry we don't spam. 1 again. Following a disappointing second-place finish in 2015, the LSU Tigers are back where they belong at the top of college footballs tailgating universe. The Pedestrian Mall is the heart of downtown Iowa City and worth a visit if you're in town. But that all goes out the window on Saturdays in Morgantown. Tailgating has become almost as important as the game itself, and for several institutions that make our top 25 tailgating schools list, the quality of tailgating far exceeds the quality of football. You can find every kind of comfort food known to man, and the state fair-like atmosphere will entertain hometown and visiting fans alike. Go Blue Hens!" 48. And the crowds are sure to be massive for Alabama this year, as the Crimson Tide look to defend their National Championship. But even though the Crimson Tide doesn't take the top spot on our tailgating countdown, don't think for one minute that means Tuscaloosa isn't one of the best places in the United States to enjoy a college football tailgate party. With a team expected to contend in the SEC in 2021, expect massive crowds. College football is a religion in the South and if the game represents service, tailgating is the multi-hour gathering outside the sanctuary where you're reintroduced every weekend to those you love. *Disclaimer: I know you want to tell me how great Georgia-Clemson in Charlotte will be. 1 in the Big Ten for tailgating in 2018. If youre like me and have been waiting to pull the trigger on a Cocktail Party trip, this is your moment. University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California University of California, Berkeley. The mountain setting, the seemingly endless flow of beer and the carefree nature of Buffs fans makes Colorado an experience unlike many others. seriously. Lane Kiffin Would Love For Paul Finebaun To Stop Providing Nick Saban With GOAT Fuel, First Glance: Georgia, LSU Could Clinch SEC Title Spot, While Tennessee Is Looking For Help From Texas, Brian Kelly Uses Exact Same Failed Play Call From Notre Dames 2014 Loss To Florida State To Beat Alabama At LSU, Mike Leach Expresses Frustration With MSU Players For Eating Fish Sandwiches With Fat Girlfriends In Call Back To TTU Days. Alabama Army Auburn Clemson Now were talking about an Iowa State game that finished the 2020 season at No. One thing that isn't optional for any school on this list is pure, unadulterated awesomeness. Of course, as we all know, a synonym for unhealthy is tasty.. Theres a different vibe there than at other schools (cooking over an open flame isnt allowed), but the Grove is one of a kind. The Shane Beamer era will begin this fall and is sure to attract fans to the stadium to support their Gamecocks in a big way this year. Luckily, the mayhem is tempered a bit with one of the nation's best college party atmospheres. With one of the University of South Carolina's faculty considered a foremost researcher on tailgates declaring the school as one of the best places to tailgate in the nation, this spot goes to the Gamecocks. Weve never actually viewed tailgating as a classy affair before. Whoever decided 10-acres of land in the smack dab middle of campus was the best place to tailgate is a hero. While it might not be the typical tailgate experience, it is certainly unique and makes the Gamecocks different and thus one of the best. How wild is Statesboro? On a typical Saturday, fans can be seen with drinks in their hands, various goods and snacks available at ease and school colors painting a parking lot. University of North Carolina Tar Heels. This is a tailgating destination game home run. ", Fansided: Does it help that the Tigers are routinely competitive? Southern style is again on display at this tailgater where some of the most dedicated fans in the conference gather to cheer on their beloved UGA. When you think of Pac-12 powerhouses, Washington isn't first on the list. This is one of the biggest crowds in the sport and it shows on gameday. 2. Order today and receive a 4-pack of our favorite magnetic coozies! And then theres Alabama-Miami in Atlanta. Tailgating is allowed in all parking lots at UMD (but not in parking garages). At least Alabama has a string of recent national championships to back up that arrogance. There are few fanbases in the nation more bloated with prideeven arrogancethan the fine people of Tuscaloosa. The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. By Chris Girandola, updated on October 20, 2021. Michigan Wolverines However, after hearing how the Rebels faithful do it at the Grove, we decidedto put on our Saturday best and join the party. A great foundation piece for your playlist. This is a list for people who show up for the atmosphere, the party, the pageantry, the people watching & it helps if the game has some significance. Arguably one of the most significant annual college football events, especially for the alums, is the Harvard-Yale game. Tiger fans flood the area around the stadium and dont take it easy. Reserve a hotel room 60 miles away. No tailgate is complete without some fun and entertainment! Schools like East Carolina, Arizona State, West Virginia, Iowa State, North Dakota State, etc. Before and after the game, though, you can find Gamecock fans in typical tailgating fashion tents with food, pickup trucks stocked with coolers and other goodies, and abandoned cabooses on an old train track nearby the stadium; they call them, Cockabooses.. Millions of fans show up at college stadiums each year to watch their favorite team battle for supremacy. The arrival of the college football season is accompanied by a communal loosening of . This will give you plenty of time to set up and socialize before things really get going. Add all of these things together and you have yourself one amazingif artery-cloggingtailgate party. Despite the team struggling a lot as of late, Volunteer fans just simply do not give up on their team. Best Places to Stay Home to one of the most famous tailgating spots in college football, fans unite at "The Grove" in Oxford to cheer on Ole Miss. Cold fried chicken (pre-bought, because who has a deep fryer in their . Well, actually, it's in Newton, Massachusetts, specifically in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood. Another nautical-themed tailgater is another top-five tailgating experience, this time in one of the least expectedand landlockedstates. These Volunteers fans arent afraid to get down, show their true colors, and party like Peyton Manning is still under center. 23 Louisiana-Lafayette looming. Cincinnati at Indiana, Sept. 18 Are you 18-28? Compared to what it used to be in Columbia, the university has worked magic in creating a great experience. . Tip #2: Bring your A-game with the food. Despite trying to manufacture some sort of championship out of the 2012 season as evidenced by the not-so-subtle, but ambiguous, champions ring (champions of what one might ask), Ohio State has fallen on hard times after the Jim Tressel scandal. Outside of one of the most iconic stadiums in the country, USC fans support one of the most iconic teams in the sport as well. My advice: Stroll through the Grove & theres a very good chance the locals will recognize that youre a gameday virgin and they will draw you into their party. There are beautiful students. There's the atmosphere of one of the nicest areas of Los Angeles to enjoy. Congrats! He cant arrest you all. Whether its pork or ribeye, Oklahoma fans eat good on gamedays. Some tailgating scenes stand out among the rest of the scenes in the country. And if you thought this was just a Saturday afternoon affair, you'd be sorely mistaken. The band has played every Trojans home and road game since 1987 and is known as "Hollywood's Band" due to the large amount of appearances the band has made with celebrities. And while every fan base is unique and has something special about their tailgating scene, there are some specific reasons that they will stand out this year. If one were to write down a list of all 50 states from memory as quickly as you could, it's probable that many would forget about the state of Wisconsin. Florida isn't called the Sunshine State for nothing, and the warm weather that lasts throughout the college football season in Tallahassee makes Florida State one of the top places to break out the grill and open a cooler while partying beneath the palm trees on one of the nation's most picturesque college campuses. Information courtesy of USA Today and theCollege Football Fan Index. Whenever you can get a full stadium of fans to agree to wearing all-white for a game, you know your fan base is bought in. Next: Another Big Ten destination with one of the best tailgates around. By Josh Planos. Before President Georgia W. Bush made that quote famous across the nation, Texas Longhorns fans already knew that when it came to Big 12 programs, no one could mess with the size and scope of Texas footballwhich included the tailgating. We hope youre thirsty. As a result, its only right that their devoted followers bring the same sort of A-game off the field. This one is going to be electric. Add in college football and you have the recipe for a truly spectacular afternoon. Clemson fans are easily the most boring top-10 team fans in the country and it isnt even close. Most recently, that includes determining the perfect tailgate spread and setup according to a survey of 5,000 people. srenner Founder and CEO for The Daily Ambush. The bar scene will be insane for this one. The ghosts of legends past roam the campus and iconic landmarks like the golden dome, Touchdown Jesus, the grotto and Notre Dame Stadium itself are everywhere you look. Whether you're looking for schools with well-known athletic programs or simply want to experience some of the nation's best tailgating parties, check out this list of the top 25 college football tailgates! There are as many different stories about the origins of tailgating as there are football programs, but regardless of where it originated, it has clearly spread across America like a wildfirea particularly entertaining wildfire. You can serve it two ways: Drain the cooking liquid and pour out the pot on a paper-lined table so folks can dig in, or serve it as a stew in its liquid over hot rice. Ole Miss game 6:30 in The Grove pic.twitter.com/O54vEnWhYn, Tye Richardson (@TyeSportsRadio) May 30, 2019. Ohio State fans dont hold back either, painting their faces, throwing on iconic Buckeye gear and, of course, celebrating their Buckeyes. 2005-2022 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RECENSIONI. Whos coming with us? Fansided: "The Rebels in Oxford take the tailgating cake. At some schools, fan attendance was limited and distancing was required. But for a handful of Saturdays every fall, Iowa City turns into party central as the Hawkeyes prepare to do battle on the gridiron. On railroad tracks running near the stadium, repurposed and replica railroad cabooses are lined up, filled with South Carolina fans. When it's time to head into the game, bring along an NCAA stadium . Nittany Nation, please ignore whatever restrictions Gov. The Folks in Columbia certainly know how to throw a party, and with their Gamecocks rising to the top of the SEC East over the past few seasons, there's plenty to celebrate. But their membership with the SEC puts them near the top of best places to tailgate. Add in Texas-sized helpings of all the usual tailgate favorites along with enough beer to drown a steer and Austin becomes the undisputed champion of Big 12 tailgating. Much to be desired. They do what other tailgaters do, its just different. Not surprisingly, every man, woman and child in town can be found at this city-wide party. With the, Cockaboose Railroad, South Carolina sets itself apart from the rest of the country. Success in athletics has spilled over to success in tailgating as throngs of Texas fans descend on Texas Memorial Stadium and surround it with an ocean of humanity. Load up an NCAA team cooler with drinks and food for the tailgating crew, and grill up a feast with college BBQ sets and portable grills. Thats tempting mebad. Mike Leach has a lot to prove this year but with a full crowd back at the stadium, he should get the help he needs. ACDC - Thunderstruck Metalica - Enter Sandman Kendrick Lamar - Humble Eminem - Till I Collapse DJ Khaled - All I Do Is Win Macklemore - Can't Hold Us T.I. If you werent aware that the Florida-Georgia game was a big deal, something tells us you are now. For the Penn State faithful, a group of diehard fans who support and tailgate hard for their favorite team no matter what, this was the most excited theyve been in quite some time. Georgia vs. Florida, Oct. 30 (Jacksonville) This is the game that remains high on my to-do list, but the Gators have been such a disaster over the last few years that I scrapped the idea until they got good. And Wisconsin isnt coming to Chicago to hold back, especially when the Badgers havent played Notre Dame since 1964. If you can tailgate, you can tailgate. If you like to suck down Busch Lights and vodka like the infamous Iowa fan Vodka Samm who blew a .341 at a Hawkeyes game against Northern Illinois then this is a cant miss in 2021. Many consider The Grove, a 10-acre grassy area at Ole Miss, the prime tailgate destination. AP PHOTO / MARK HUMPHREY. Words don't do The Grove justice. It's that time of year, where football fans unite in parking lots for pre-game tailgate parties. When it comes to Ohio State, not so much. More: Predicting every College GameDay location in 2017. Any other colorsparticularly maize and bluewill earn you the special privilege of hearing exactly what the good people of Ohio think of you and your team. Youre talking about a huge unofficial homecoming event for people who werent allowed to attend OSU games in 2020. 24. Arkansas, Woo Pig Sooie, chant is easily one of the most notable ones in college sports and one might be able to argue it is the most notable. 10. There is no better way to pump yourself up for the day's game than hitting the best tailgates on campus. Every Ole Miss fan knows exactly where the party is on game day. Fansided: "You can hear this (O-H-I-O chant) as early as 5 p.m. on the Thursday before games, thats when tailgaters are allowed to start setting up for Saturday games two days prior! Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia. Figure out which couch youre crashing on. As opposed to beers and BBQs, the distinct Harvard-Yale contests are marked by a fantastic cheese plate with several wine bottles. Even when Michigan struggles on the field, fans cameout in droves to show just how much they love their Wolverines. The goalposts are in jeopardy here. Despite the fact that this stadium is hours away from any major city, an entire city seems to emerge from nothing each . But that hasnt affected their before and after scene: its still a party.". Once a member of the Big 12, the Cornhuskers now compete in the Big Ten. An iconic image in the sport most typically used when the Ducks are playing host to College GameDay the Oregon mascot riding in through fans on a motorcycle gets fans fired up for whats about to play out for the rest of the day. With that in mind, we'd like to mention a few that just missed the cut: the University of Georgia, Auburn University, the University of Notre Dame, West Virginia University and Virginia Tech.