Rivalries are the lifeblood of the college football game. Rich traditions are what make the rivalries “the games that matter.” We took an analytical approach to the traditions of the college game to determine what we felt would represent the best of the best. We reviewed the pre-game, during the game, and after the game traditions. We looked at the teams, the stadiums, the tailgating, the bands, the mascots, and the fight songs among other aspects of the total experience of a college football game. Because many of the major programs have several traditions we tried to include them in the list under the one heading of the school name. Following is the list that we hope you will appreciate! If you have any comments or different feelings please leave a comment…

1. The Ohio State University Band: The Ramp Entrance and the incomparable “Script Ohio” performed since 1936 by “The Best Damn Band in the Land” (TBDBITL).

2. Clemson: The BIG Entrance, Rubbin “Howard’s Rock” and then “Running down the Hill.”

3. Cadet March: The drilling of the U.S. Military Academy cadets and the U.S. Naval midshipmen from Annapolis entering a stadium before a game.

4. Texas A & M: 12^th Man (1922) and “Yell” Practice! Kissing your date after a touchdown score is another great tradition at Texas A & M.

5. Penn State: “White-Out” and that Roaring Nittany Lion.

6. Florida State: “Planting the Spear” by Chief Osceola and the “Tomahawk Chomp”; Florida is just behind with its “Gator Chump.”

7. Living Mascots: USC Trojan’s White Stallion “Traveler”; Colorado’s Buffalo “Ralphie”; Texas’s Longhorn “Bevo”; Georgia’s Bulldog UGA; and LSU’s Tiger “Mike” are all four legged mascots, the Best Mascot is the Golden Eagle “Nova” the “War Eagle VII” from Auburn University.

8. Tunnel Walk: Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State all have a “Tunnel Walk” entrance into their stadium. All are just about equal!

9. Tennessee: Running the “T.” A great stadium entrance and the singing of “Rocky Top” sets the stage for a tough game ahead for the visitors.

10. Ole Miss: Tailgating in the 10 acre Grove. It sets the standard for tailgating and no one else even comes close. White table cloths, coats and ties, fine china, cocktails and women in dresses.

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