TWENTY FOUR YEARS
This game has been on hiatus since the Aggies spurned the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012. For years now, each side has contended it wants to play the other. Alas, no game has been scheduled.
The Backyard Brawl, which began in 1895, will take a 10-year break before restarting in 2022. Both fan bases have it circled.
Arguably the ugliest, nastiest series in all of college football. In Mississippi, there is Christmas, Easter and Egg Bowl day.
This is one streaky series. The ‘Noles won seven straight starting in 2010 after the Hurricanes won six straight beginning in 2000. In fact, going back to its inception in 1951, we’ve had two streaks of seven, one of six, two of five and one of four.
Bring your cocktails! The Gators and Bulldogs have been battling in Jacksonville every year since 1996. The winner of the game usually puts itself into the driver’s seat of the SEC East race.
Only a world war could stop this rivalry— and it did. The Irish and Trojans have played every year with the exception of 1943–45, during World War II.
If you need an explanation as to why this makes the list, then you’ve never been— and you should go.
The Red River Rivalry features the Big 12’s dynamic duo. UT or OU has won the Big 12 or shared the title in 12 of the last 15 years.
This one’s been lopsided for a while—a long while (the Buckeyes have won 14 of 15), in fact, but it’s still an annual hatefilled fest.
Miami vs Florida: Both team renew for a home and home in 2024.
Georgia vs Auburn: Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry has been played since 1892 and outside of the gap in the early years, it has been played for 124 years.
Yale vs Princeton: is the oldest in college football dating back to 1873.
BYU vs Utah: The “Holy War” was tops until the conferences had a realignment in 2012.
The Iron Bowl takes the top spot because of both its pedigree of powerhouse programs and its pure in-state hatred.
Oklahoma vs Oklahoma St.: The Bedlam Game is an annual BIG 12 and in state game that lives up to the hype. The winner owns the state for a year.
Oregon vs Oregon St.: “The Civil War” continues to dominate the Northwest and has been one sided for years with Oregon taking charge.
While some have been standing for decades, other college football traditions are just getting started. No matter what, it’s these wacky and wild rituals and customs that make the game that much more fun to watch. In honor of the 150th anniversary of college football, we ranked the sport’s greatest traditions.
It may not be as old as some of the traditions on this list, but that doesn’t make it any less iconic. In fact, Miami’s sideline prop even has its own song and music video. Manny Diaz, now the Hurricanes head coach, was the defensive coordinator when the Turnover Chain was born with the bedazzled “U” in 2017. Last year’s version was a blinged-out Sebastian the Ibis. Any guesses on the 2019 chain?
The yearly match-up between the Black Knights and Midshipmen dates back to 1890 and it’s one of the sport’s most special traditions. Before the game itself—which is typically the final regular season game of the college football season—Army and Navy make their way into the stadium with large student sections of cadets and midshipmen. The men and women head onto the field and march in formation before going up into the stands to watch one of the most special games of the year.
Is there any place louder than Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday’s in the fall? Mississippi State fans have been clanging cowbells since the 1930s and nearly everyone in the stands is armed with one on game day. The SEC banned noisemakers in 1974, but in 2010 it was revoked, on the grounds that fans cannot use them while the ball is in play. And even if you’re watching a Bulldogs game from your couch at home, it’s likely that you’ll still hear the clamor of the cowbells through your TV speakers.
There’s karaoke, and then there’s karaoke with 60,000-plus of your closest friends. John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is now the unofficial anthem of the Mountaineers—it has been sung at games since 1972 and Denver even came to Morgantown in 1980 to commemorate the school’s new stadium.
Back in 1922, an Aggie by the name of E. King Gill became the first 12th Man, after he remained standing and ready to play for the entirety of the game, one that the Aggies’ won 22-14 in a stunning upset. Today, the 12th Man honor belongs to the Aggies’ student section, 38,000 strong that stand throughout the game at Kyle Field. A&M has trademarked the name and their stadium is colloquially known as “The Home of the 12th Man.” As the school’s site describes: “The power of the 12th Man is echoed in the unity, the loyalty, and the willingness of Aggies to serve when called to do so.”
If you’re headed towards the intersection of College Street and Magnolia Ave, where Auburn’s campus and the city of Auburn connect, make sure to watch out for flying rolls of toilet paper. Tiger fans have been rolling the trees and power lines with toilet paper since 1962 at Toomer’s Corner, named after former state senator and 1892 Auburn halfback, “Shel” Toomer. One Alabama fan went so far as to poison the trees with an herbicide in 2010, and while the original oak trees were unable to be saved, the area was completely redone—new white oak trees were planted in clean soil—and the tradition following wins has remained active in Auburn.
Mississippi State
Before each game in Boulder, the Buffaloes’ 2,000-pound, live buffalo mascot, Ralphie, takes a big lap around the field, leading the entire Colorado team into the stadium while sporting a CU-themed banner. Though Ralphie is a female bison, which means she has smaller legs and is apparently “less aggressive,” she’s still known to knock her handlers to the ground and run up to 25 mph before kickoff.
To finish its pregame show, the 225-piece Ohio State Marching Band transforms from a block into a script “Ohio” with an upperclassman sousaphonist typically taking the honor of strutting solo to place the dot on top of the lowercase “i” with 16 measures to go in the song. Just be careful if you’re an ESPN cameraman trying to capture the moment on live TV.
Originally from Death Valley, Calif., Howard’s Rock is a piece of white flint that was given to longtime coach Frank Howard in the 1960s. The team started rubbing the Rock for the first game of 1967, a 23-6 win over Wake Forest, and it still sits on pedestal overlooking Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. There may be no better pregame buildup in college football as when the Tigers take a bus from their locker room and around the stadium, just to touch Howard’s Rock and run down into their own “Death Valley.”
Just before every game, two horses named Boomer and Sooner (because, of course) lead the trusty old Studebaker Conestoga wagon on the field. OU gets its nickname from those who snuck into the Oklahoma territory before they were actually allowed, hence “sooners,” and the RUF/NEKS, Oklahoma’s all-male spirit squad, have ridden the Schooner for 45 years.
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wheTher you’re in college, a recent college graduate or just someone who has limited financial resources similar to a college student, tailgating may seem out of reach for your empty wallet. Add up the cost of food, alcohol, tents, grills, plates and cups, games, and so on, and it’s no surprise the endless list of expenses feels too rich for your blood. And that doesn’t even include tickets into the game!
Before you ditch the parking lot party to retire to the couch, catching the game on a poor-reception TV, try these cheap and easy tips for throwing a boss tailgate without the boss’s budget.
grab some friends to help you. #1
Red adult beverage cups aside, now is not the time to be a hero and run the tailgate show on your own. Achieving Game Day Guru status is as much about your delegating skills as it is about being a kick-butt host. Bring in your buddies to pool available funds and abilities with the goal of throwing an impressive party that doesn’t break the bank. Assign duties to each person, putting one person in charge of food, one in charge of beverages, one in charge of serving pieces and so on. Be the point person for everyone to check back with, but don’t get stuck footing the entire bill on your own.
The origin of the word “tailgate” comes from the hinged door that opens and closes on the back of a truck. Parties started here, where coolers of snacks and beverages were packed for people to grab and enjoy while swinging their legs from the open bed of the parked vehicle. Tents, tables, chairs, grills and more may be nice additions to have, but not at all a must. Stick to brass tacks and don’t get ahead of yourself on items you can invest in later when money isn’t so tight.
If you’re going to the game, parking lots closer to the stadium are typically more expensive than those requiring a bit of pavement pounding. Find a lot that’s still full of fans but saves you $10 to $20 in exchange for the scenic walking route to the game. If you’re really strapped for cash, skip the live game (tickets are probably out of your budget anyway), and move the team cheering section to your garage, backyard, driveway or local park.
If you’re in charge of bringing food, get more for your money by shopping the frozen section of your grocery store. While fresh may be best, frozen hamburger patties, bratwursts, chicken breasts and other foods can be bought in bigger quantities for less money. Bonus: Throw them in the cooler to thaw, and they’ll reduce the amount of ice you need to buy.
Since you’ll likely be in need of large volumes of food and beverages, find a friend or family member with a warehouse club membership to get better deals on the sustenance you serve than most grocery stores offer. Using pooled resources, stock up on just about everything you need from this one-stop shop, including meats to grill, premade sides of coleslaw, baked beans, and potato salad, filler foods of chips, dips, and other apps, and of course, beer and liquor aplenty.
Want to host a food-packed event but don’t have the spendy budget to serve it up? Invite a bigger group of people. You may think that a larger party means more expenses, but when you turn that party into a potluck, with each guest bringing a dish to share, you’ve really created a more efficient way to feed the masses. Create an online sign-up sheet where guests can add their names to categories of appetizers, sides, main dishes and desserts. After all, you don’t want to end up with 12 bags of chips and 12 jars of salsa.
If you really want the over-the-top experience without the matching price tag, up your borrowing game. Talk to friends and family members or put a call out on social media, asking to borrow the gear you need to feel like a true guru. If you feel like a heel bumming things from people, offer a barter system. For example, swap your lawn-cutting skills at a friend’s house in exchange for his fancy team tent and bench-sized cooler.
Cornhole, ladder toss, ring toss and bocce might be signature tailgating activities, but if you don’t have the equipment (or a friend from whom to mooch), then it’s game over. Instead of purchasing a new set to play, go for throwback backyard-style games such as tossing the football around or playing catch with a flying disc. Don’t like to move much? We get it! Instead, sit back with a game of sports trivia or find a group game to download as an app on your tablet or smartphone.
Compare two foldable lawn chairs-one plain and one with a team logo--and the evident difference will be in dollar signs. Instead of trying to deck out your party with official fan gear, use some DIY ingenuity and design your own custom cheering decor and apparel. Cut up worn-out T-shirts to make into banners. Draw the mascot on poster board with a complementing rah-rah line. Or spell out the team name with stick-on adhesive letters decorating dollarstore koozies to keep everyone’s brews chill.
As in “Bring Your Own Everything.” At the end of the day, a party is really about having a good time with the people invited. While it would be great if you could be the host with the most, providing everything to make the tailgating experience unforgettable, is really not the point. The point is to spend quality time together making memories that last a lifetime. Throwing a killer tailgate can be as simple as reaching out to the crew, naming a date and a time, and asking everyone to bring their own food, beverages, places to pop a squat, and good spirit to have the best day celebrating the home team.
If there’s one indelible piece of wisdom fourth grade instilled in us, it’s that pizza parties are the only parties that matter. Want to teach a bunch of 10-year-olds the joys of reading? Bribe them with a pizza party. Want to convince a bunch of teenagers to set their apathy aside for a moment of school spirit? Bribe them with a pizza party. Want your adult friends to show up at your home with some really nice bottles of wine? Bribe them with a pizza party.
In the heat of the summer, a grill in your backyard can act as the centerpiece of a great pizza party.
Guests can help stretch the dough, customize their pies, and delight in the novelty of an ongoing, relaxed, off-the-cuff dinner menu. It will taste so much better in your backyard than at an expensive, hip restaurant. As Ken Forkish, author of The Elements of Pizza, writes, “The hidden reality of pizza is that you can easily make better pizza at home than you can buy at any but the best independently owned, quality-focused pizzerias.” With just the tiniest bit of ingredient prep and a hot fire, you will be ready to roll.
Whether you’re picking some pizza dough up from the store or making your own, it’s a good idea to have your dough ready for action. Form the dough into softballsized mounds, and set them on a lightly floured baking sheet. Cover them with a dish towel until you’re ready to use them.
The best pizza sauce takes about 30 seconds to make. Open a large can of good-quality (like San Marzano) crushed tomatoes. Stir in a healthy few tablespoons of good olive oil and a few pinches of kosher salt.
To keep omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans all happy, it’s a good idea to have a balance of great meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Prosciutto, coppa, and sopressata are all great meat options, and they tend to come pre-sliced and ready to go. It’s smart to have a balance of soft and hard cheeses — a few rounds of fresh mozzarella, some grated Pecorino Romano, and maybe some fresh ricotta for white pizzas.
To add some seasonal summer ingredients, consider sprinkling some asparagus shavings or thin slices of grilled eggplant or zucchini. You might try some pickled onions or peppers for a little bit of crunch and acidity, or olives for a briny saltiness.
Finish with some chili flakes, honey, or some fresh arugula or basil for a burst of green freshness. Ken Forkish’s “Brooklyn Hot Honey Pie” combines coppa, pickled onions, honey, and chili flakes in a sweet-hot-crunchy tribute to Paulie Gee’s Pizzeria in Greenpoint.
From the pages of Men’s Journal
When your grill is hot and ready, stretch a ball of pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a thin circle. Brush the top generously with olive oil, and then pick up the dough, flipping it carefully onto the grill, oil-side down. Brush the exposed side with olive oil, and after about 2 minutes, flip the dough over, using a set of tongs. Working quickly, add your sauce, cheese, and other toppings, and put the lid on the grill. After about 5 minutes, your pizza should be ready to eat.
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Arizona State Herm Edwards (1-2), I Shaun Aguano (2-7) Kenny Dillingham
Auburn Bryan Harsin (3-5), I Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (1-3) Hugh Freeze
Charlotte Will Healy (1-7), I Pete Rossomando (2-2)
Cincinnati Luke Fickell (9-3), B Kerry Coombs (0-1)
Coastal Carolina Jamey Chadwell (9-3), B Chad Staggs (0-1)
Colorado Karl Dorrell (0-5), I Mike Sanford (1-6)
FAU Willie Taggart (5-7)
Georgia Tech Geoff Collins (1-3), I Brent Key (4-4)
Kent State Sean Lewis (5-7)
Liberty Hugh Freeze (8-4), B Josh Aldridge (0-1)
Louisville Scott Satterfield (7-5), B Deion Branch (1-0)
Mississippi State Mike Leach (8-4), Zach Arnett (1-0)
Navy Ken Niumatalolo (4-8)
Nebraska Scott Frost (1-2), I Mickey Joseph (3-6)
North Texas Seth Littrell (7-6), B Phil Bennett (0-1)
Northwestern Pat Fitzgerald (1-11)
Purdue Jeff Brohm (8-5), B Brian Brohm (0-1)
Stanford David Shaw (3-9)
Texas State Jaek Spavital (4-8)
Tulsa Philip Montgomery (5-7)
*-UAB I Bryant Vincent (6-6)
UNLV Marcus Arroyo (5-7)
USF Jeff Scott (1-8), I Daniel Da Prato (0-3)
Western Michigan Tim Lester (5-7)
Wisconsin Paul Chryst (2-3), I Jim Leonhard (4-3)
Francis "Biff" Poggi
Scott Satterfield
Tim Beck
Deion Sanders
Tom Herman
Brent Key
Kenni Burns
Jamey Chadwell
Jeff Brohm
Zach Arnett
Brian Newberry
Matt Rhule
Eric Morris
I David Braun
Ryan Walters
Troy Taylor
G.J. Kinne
Kevin Wilson
Trent Dilfer
Barry Odom
Alex Golesh
Lance Taylor
Luke Fickell
*-Bryant Vincent was named interim head coach at UAB after Bill Clark resigned for health reasons on June 24.
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