Road To CFB’s Best Of College Football: Tradition, Tailgating, More Through 9 Years
I started on the journey to experience a game day at every FBS stadium nine seasons ago. The goal wasn’t just to show up, watch a game and leave – I want to leave no stone unturned at each stop. What makes each game day unique? So, for the past nine seasons, I hit the road to explore America through the lens of its most culturally-unique sport: College Football. But with all the games and travel, what rose to the top? What college football team has the best tradition? The best tailgating? The best food?
In short, if I had to sell someone on college football, where would I sell first?
Note: All of the following “best of” categories are entirely subjective! These are personal favorites. I’ve experienced game days at 58 schools and visited 118 stadiums nationally and counting, so there’s a lot I haven’t seen first-hand. I promise to revisit every so often to update and amend.
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Road to CFB’s Best Of College Football: The Cities
I could just leave you with an overarching “best city” award and call it a day. But that wouldn’t provide much insight into what aspects of each city were great. So, to begin I’ll look at:
The Best Food
The homemade cajun cooking at LSU, I’m convinced, will not be beat. I was extremely fortunate to have been invited to a tailgate shared by 2017’s Most Interesting College Football Fan, Christian Christoffersen (the “LSU Tiger Eye Guy”). Not only did LSU’s tailgating live up to the reputation and then some, but the cooking was phenomenal. I got to sample several tailgates’ food spreads – thanks to the overly-welcoming nature of their fanbase – and I can’t remember leaving a game more well-fed.
Gumbo, Jambalaya, collared greens, the works. It came right off the grill of a born-and-raised southern Louisianan.
Although, Penn State’s 409 Tailgate Club gets a special shoutout for some A+ wings. Andrew, who runs the tailgate, sells his homemade sauces in-store. It was a tough choice.
The Best Downtown
Perhaps this is recency bias, but I was absolutely blown away by Annapolis, Maryland, home to Navy Downtown sits right on the water and includes a combination of historic buildings and modern eateries. The Maryland Inn was built in the 1770s and the town’s oldest tavern, Middleton Tavern, was built in the 1740s. But many places have renovated and remained in operation as some of Annapolis’ hotspots. There’s breakfast places, seafood joints, coffee shops, delis, sports bars, and shops – all located right on the water.
A stroll from the U.S. Naval Academy to downtown is mere blocks and passes by the Maryland state capitol and through brick streets dating centuries.
- Honorable mentions: Ann Arbor (Michigan), Blacksburg (Virginia Tech), Madison (Wisconsin), Athens (Ohio), Harrisonburg (James Madison)
Most Accessible Stadiums
Accessibility is a big deal. I’ve sat in dozens of hours of traffic in and out of games, even with carefully-planned parking. I couldn’t pick just one, so here’s a handful:
Kyle Field, Texas A&M: Park at Momentum Plaza and take the shuttle in. Both are free. The line for the shuttle back may back up a bit, but the drive out could not be easier for a stadium with 100,000+.
Amon G. Carter Stadium, TCU: There’s free parking outside campus, between the Fort Worth Zoo and TCU campus. It’s a bit of a walk, but there’s no traffic on the way out.
Bobcat Stadium, Texas State: Since San Marcos opened a bridge bypass going over troublesome railroad tracks, it’s super easy to get to Bobcat Stadium. It sits right off i-35 and the traffic flow in/out is excellent, compared to other right-off-the-highway stadiums.
Some of the most logistically-nightmarish stadiums I’ve had to deal with: Tiger Stadium (LSU), Beaver Stadium (Penn State), Acrisure Stadium (Pitt, particularly bad in), Lane Stadium (Virginia Tech, they close the most convenient highway entrances on the way out).
Road to CFB’s Best Of College Football: The Pregame
I count everything from the moment you step on campus to kickoff the “pregame.” Probably not shocking or controversial, just wanted to get that cleared up.
The Best Tailgating
It’s a tie, sorry guys. LSU and Penn State put on the best tailgating scenes I’ve seen so far. The widespread – you enter Penn State from atop a hill and the entirety of Happy Valley is blanketed in white tents – and over-the-top nature of the tailgating scenes in State College and Baton Rouge are incredible. Further, the individual tailgates take their partying seriously. Everything from the food to the drinks to the decor is top-notch.
Fans are extremely generous and inviting, meaning you don’t go to a tailgate, you go to all the tailgates. (Note: I have not been to Ole Miss yet.)
The Best Band
Maybe it’s sacrilege as a born and raised Ohio State fan, but Texas A&M’s Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band takes the cake. The precision of the cadets and overly-zealous “Oohs” and “Aahs” from the A&M students makes this a one-of-a-kind experience. They hang their hats on mind-bending weaving formations. Need a bathroom or snack run? Better not do it at halftime – not a single student leaves their seat during the show.
Plenty of bands make giant moving figures, but the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band does truly brain-breaking stuff.
- Honorable mentions: The Best Damn Band In The Land (Ohio State), The Pride of West Virginia (West Virginia)
The Best Pregame Tradition
It’s hard to argue against Texas A&M’s yells. Perhaps the largest student section in the country – one that towers all three decks of the East grandstand – and another several thousand alumni in the stands participate. It’s loud and, for the uninitiated, maybe a little unnerving. I know if I were an opposing player, the “A-G-G-I-E-S, WHOOP!” would have me rattled.
Videos of the yell leaders at Midnight Yell practice have become a bit of a meme online. But fold in 100,000 people doing it in unison, it’s one of the most incredible scenes in sports anywhere in the world.
- Honorable mentions: Dotting the i (Ohio State), Masked Raider ride (Texas Tech), Corps March (Texas A&M), Brigade March On (Navy)
What is your favorite college football tradition that you’ve experienced firsthand? Let me know in the comments!
The Best Team Entrance
Of all the electric and exciting team entrances, Virginia Tech’s Enter Sandman wins it for me. It was under special circumstances – fans were finally allowed back in stadiums after the COVID-19 pandemic and the game was against a top-10 rival – but there’s not a video of Enter Sandman that doesn’t give me chills.
I experienced this tradition from the upper rows and I’m not sure what placement is more exciting. The stands shake with the thunderous jumping of 66,000 fans and you see it all from above.
- Honorable mention: Penn State
Road to CFB’s Best Of College Football: The Environment
“Environment” refers to anything in-game. That could be during the play, in between whistles, the works.
Loudest Crowd (Game)
This is a very, very difficult decision. However, I am going to separate “Loudest Crowd” from “Loudest Moment” and crown this one to the consistently-loudest crowd. Penn State takes the cake here during a signature Whiteout. Nobody in the country forces more false starts and timeouts than the 106,572 in Beaver Stadium at night. In fact, going against a first-time starting QB against Minnesota, I got to witness a first-play false start in 2022.
A consistent level above 120 is considered “immediately harmful” to the human ear. Beaver Stadium sits around 110 for most of the game.
- Honorable mention: Kyle Field (Texas A&M)
Loudest Crowd (Moment)
Few times have I been in a situation where my ears actively try to deafen noise. One of those moments occurred when Pittsburgh defensive back MJ Devonshire took an interception back for a game-winning touchdown against arch-rival West Virginia with three minutes left to go in the game. Pitt and Acrisure Stadium aren’t typically associated with being the loudest environment in football, but it was in this moment. The place was seconds from collapsing in on itself.
The crowd was so loud, even a shouting Matt Barrie was drowned out on the broadcast.
- Honorable mentions: Jashaun Corbin breaks an 89-yard touchdown (Florida State), Denzel Ward levels Maryland WR (Ohio State)
Best In-Game Atmosphere
Perhaps it’s a zag here away from the obvious options, but Jones AT&T Stadium (Texas Tech) was one of the most fun I’ve had at a game during the tour. The Red Raiders hosted a top-10 Oklahoma team, led by eventual-Heisman winner Kyler Murray, at night. It was a shootout, a sellout, a blackout – all the “outs” wrapped into one. The fans and students were incredibly engaged, the video board operator kept cutting to losing Big 12 giants (namely Texas) on a day packed with upsets.
The tortilla throws of course are a hilarious nuisance and the entire experience was just terrific. Tech also really leans into the western culture, which is a lot of fun out in Lubbock.
- Honorable mentions: Nippert Stadium (Cincinnati), Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame), Kyle Field (Texas A&M)
Nicest Fans
It’s darn near impossible to pick the nicest group of fans I’ve encountered on this tour. 99% of them I’ve encountered have been unbelievably respectful and hospitable (with a few exceptions). But I award this based on the entirety of the fanbase, rather than those I engaged with. Wisconsin has the overall nicest fans I’ve experienced and perhaps the nicest fans in the country.
Even after a devastating loss to Washington State, Badger fans shared drinks with the visitors from Pullman and carried no vitriol. Madison is a welcoming place.
Of course, the countless fans who have graciously hosted me at these games and those I’ve sat next to, tailgated with, and shared a drink with are all the best. I’m eternally grateful for the friendships built along the way.
- Honorable mentions: Michigan State, Tennessee, Delaware
Best Tradition
This one may never be beat. The Iowa Wave is the best tradition in college football.
At the end of the first quarter, everybody– and I mean everybody– in Kinnick Stadium turns to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital that overlooks the stadium. There, dozens of kids wave back. It’s a moment of hope, emotion, and solidarity. The Wave alone makes the trek out to Iowa City and a game with highs in the 20s absolutely worth it.
- Honorable mentions: Penn State Whiteout, Mississippi State cowbells, Wisconsin’s Jump Around
Best Under-The-Radar Traditions
None of the traditions listed above are new to anybody. They’re prominent features of “Best Traditions” lists for a reason. So, here’s a bunch of under-the-radar traditions that I think are a ton of fun, in no particular order:
- “It’s a Beautiful Day For Football,” Michigan State
- Pregame Cadet March, Texas A&M
- The Baylor Line, Baylor
- Tortilla Throw, Texas Tech
- Jumping in the San Marcos River, Texas State
- Heisman Walk, Oklahoma
- Calling The Hogs, Arkansas
- The Fifth Quarter, Wisconsin
- Toledo Rocket, Toledo
- Touchdown Streamers, James Madison
Road to CFB’s Best Of College Football: The Game
The Best Game
Sometimes, points are more fun. I’m a college football traditionalist and defensive rock fights absolutely wet my whistle, but seeing 97 combined points in person just makes things a bit more exciting. The 2018 matchup between Texas Tech and #7 Oklahoma is maybe the most electrifying game I’ve seen in person. Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray combined for nearly 500 total yards and four touchdowns. The home team Red Raiders did all they could, including a second-half with a backup QB, and they scored with a minute left to bring the game within a score.
The prospect of an unranked team upsetting a top-10 rival was really tense, too.
- Honorable mentions: 2024 Illinois at Rutgers (ILL 38, RUT 31), 2022 Backyard Brawl (#17 Pitt 38, West Virginia 31), 2021 Big 12 Championship (#9 Baylor 21, #5 Oklahoma State 16), 2015 Bowling Green at Purdue (BG 35, Purdue 28)
The Best Seats
Road to CFB is all about the experience of a game day from any given fan’s perspective. I began on a strict budget and have sat in the nosebleeds far more often than at the 50-yard line. But sometimes I indulge in the finer things.
It’s good to know people sometimes. Thanks to a dear friend at East Carolina, I was plopped right at the 50-yard line and given access to the new luxury seats at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
And to finish the game on the field, well, it doesn’t get better than that.
Looking for a list of large stadiums with no bad seats?
- Honorable mention: TCU Legend’s Club
The Best Play
A conference championship on the line. Stopped at the one-inch line. It doesn’t get any better than this:
- Honorable mentions: DJ Graham one-handed interception (Nebraska at Oklahoma), MJ Devonshire pick-six (West Virginia at Pitt), DK Metcalf game-winner (Ole Miss at Kentucky), Pat Bryant game-winner (Illinois at Rutgers)
The Best Stadium
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium oozes tradition. The nickname “Palace on the Prairie” is apt for such a prominent venue in college football. For one, there’s no bad seats in the house – you’re always connected to the game. The Barry Switzer center really upgraded Oklahoma into the elite tier nationally and the surrounding museum of Sooner football history is one of my favorite touches at any stadium. Of course, this is all my own perspective and Oklahoma Memorial Stadium just really suits what I love in a football stadium. Classic, modern, accessible, aesthetic.
- Honorable mentions: Tiger Stadium (LSU), Kyle Field (Texas A&M), Boone Pickens Stadium (Oklahoma State)
- Honorable mentions (no game yet attended, but visited): Memorial Stadium (Clemson), Memorial Stadium (Nebraska), California Memorial Stadium (Cal), Autzen Stadium (Oregon)
The Top Seven All-Around Game Day Experiences
Tying EVERYTHING together, I couldn’t just pick one, so I picked seven – one for every year of the tour, but not one in every year of the tour – in chronological order. I separated these into tiers because of the personal accommodations I had. Without those specific accommodations, I believe all seven game days belong together:
Tier 1-A
LSU: In my estimation, LSU has the perfect game day. The best tailgating anywhere, the best food, a unique culture, fervent fans, brand-recognition, a top-tier campus, and a gorgeous football stadium. If you’re bringing someone from another country who has never experienced college football before, you bring them to a night game at Death Valley.
Penn State: Penn State sits in a tier 1-A alongside LSU when the famous Whiteout is called upon. The pre-game and in-game atmosphere of Penn State actually surpassed my experience at LSU (note: everyone’s experiences differ!) and I prefer State College over Baton Rouge. Tailgating is about on-par with LSU, although you miss the SEC charm at Penn State. Truly incredible through and through.
Tier 1-B
Texas A&M: A&M has more traditions than any other school in the country. The thing is, they all land. The cadet march, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Marching Band, the yells, all of it ties into the most tradition-rich package in college football. Kyle Field is one of the loudest environments in college football, as well. A&M might actually be best enjoyed for the first time without a tailgate – take it all in first.
Ohio State: OK, I’m biased. But Ohio State has the ideal balance of party, tradition, and prestige. Ohio Stadium is on the national registry of historically-significant places. The Best Damn Band In The Land is just that – the best. Of course, I get a little more juiced up to see my team play on the turf and I will not apologize for that. After all, nothing on this list is objective!
Michigan: Here’s how you know I’m honest. Michigan puts on one of the best game days in the country with one of the best college towns in the country. The widespread tailgating, the deep tradition, it has it all. I even went for The Game dressed in scarlet and grey. Wolverine fans were surprisingly welcoming and the same can’t be said the other way around.
Wisconsin: I labeled Wisconsin “America’s Best Game Day” and I stand by that. There’s a million things to indulge in pregame no matter whether you bring the family or go with your buddies. The fans are kind, the stadium is historic, there’s tradition packed to the gills. The only reason it doesn’t stand entirely alone is because it’s best enjoyed before winter arrives, so the Tier 1-A is a seasonal enjoyment.
Tennessee: I’m a sucker for tradition. The walls of Neyland Stadium bleed that tradition, sometimes literally. I recognize Vols fans may not be the most hospitable to SEC rivals, but as a visiting fan donning Bowling Green’s logos, the folks on Rocky Top could not have been more welcoming to my dad and I. It’s a special place for personal reasons.
Thank you for sticking with me for nine seasons already! Check out all Road to CFB stories here.
