Best College Football Tailgates

Some consider the college football tailgate, a hobby – yet others, an art form.

We are COED have learned that, “Go Big or Go Home!” is not just a mantra for drunk frat boys looking for a place to puke, but rather a rule of thumb that helps differentiate true tailgates from a bunch of dudes partying out of their trunks.

The latter is not fit for man nor beast, but a real tailgate will make you believe in the kind of God who likes to eat and drink before a football game.

(Cue Irish car bomb into the side of COED offices)

Rutgers University
Rutgers University is the best place to tailgate on the east coast! While other large state schools football programs are steeped in history, Rutgers sucked up until 3 years ago. This lack of tradition works in the favor of the students and young alumni because they are working with a clean slate to write the legacy of Rutgers football tailgate. If you are into rowdy tailgate conditions where riots and boobs are visible on the regular then throw on a red hoodie, bring some quality burgers and step into the mass student/young alumni pre-show BBQ.

Louisiana State University
On game day there are about 20,000 fans that show up just to tailgate. (In addition to the 90,000 that tailgate and go to the game.) The caldrons of gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya and other Cajun specialties help make this a one-of-a-kind tailgate experience.

Texas A&M
The experience around a game at Kyle Field has been likened to a cult. If so, it’s a big cult with huge enthusiasm and great pride for the military traditions of the Corps of Cadets. It all begins at midnight the morning before the game at Yell Practice, which has more people crowded into the stadium than show up for the game at a lot of other schools. And, since it is Texas, you’ll find some great beef dishes coming off of Aggie grills.

University of Washington
You have your standard landlocked tailgating here – and it’s a big, friendly party where, as one fan told us, if you just stick your hand out as you’re walking along someone will put food in it. But the real sight is on Lake Washington where hundreds and hundreds of boats drop anchor to “sterngate.â€? There’s plenty of boat-hopping and food-swapping on the water and a game day atmosphere unlike anywhere else.

University of Mississippi
This is tailgating dressed up. Game day turns the Grove (an 11 acre park) into a tent city that one might mistake for a fundraiser rather than a tailgate. The reason: the flower arrangements and chandeliers… real plates and glasses. Fans in dresses and sport coats dress up their tailgates as nicely as they dress themselves. The atmosphere is very friendly and full of tradition.

University of Tennessee
For many fans, Volunteer games border on a religious experience and more than 100,000 faithful show up on Saturdays. They come by car, by bus, by RV, by boat… the latter calling themselves the “Vol Navy.â€? This navy fills the river alongside Neyland Stadium with more than 500 houseboats. On land, “Vol Villageâ€? includes a performance by the Southland Band (with fans providing the vocals on Rocky Top, of course) and a kiddie carnival for younger Volunteers.

Runners Up
University of Lousiville & Penn State University , The Ohio State University, West Virginia, University of Wisconsin