AXE College Football Bucket List Week 6: Georgia vs Tennessee [PHOTOS, VIDEOS]

Week 6 marked the finale of the AXE College Football Bucket List tour. We had a good run and this time we bring you pics and vids from our trip to Knoxville, Tennessee. Last weekend we had a great time in chilly Madison with the ‘Sconnies and this weekend we turned up the heat in Knoxville. From eating some of the best BBQ in America to tailgating on a houseboat on the Tennessee River with Smokey Mountain smokeshows we had a great weekend. Check out our full recap below.

TASK: The Rock

Quinn stopped by The Rock, a massive canvas unearthed in the 1960′s that allows students to step up and share their message. The Rock has been painted and repainted thousands of times and in some cases the paint doesn’t even dry before it is repainted. Similarly, the University of Michigan has a rock on campus that you can check out here.

TASK: Smokey IX

Smokey is an 8 year old Coonhound who serves as the mascot for Tennessee and leads the players out of the tunnel before each game and through the marching band “T” on the field. Smokey lives with the brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho on frat row, so you know he is the ultimate party dog. Quinn stopped by the house and had a chance to hang out with Smokey for a bit.

TASK: Peyton Manning Pass

Peyton Manning is considered a football God on campus – he even has a street named after him that serves as the walking path for the “Vol Walk” that takes players from the torchbearer statue on campus down to Neyland Stadium. Quinn checked out Peyton Manning Pass the night before the game in the calm before the gameday storm. More on the Vol Walk to come.

TASK: The Volunteer Statue

The torchbearer statue on top of Circle Drive overlooks the stadium and is a prime location for tailgating. The flame stays lit 24/7-365 and marks the starting point of Tennessee’s epic Vol Walk.

TASK: Vol Walk

This is the must see pregame tradition that takes place about two hours before the game. The team walks from the student dorms, down Peyton Manning Pass and into the stadium. Thousands of fans cram the area and go bonkers. Quinn posted up on top of the hill with a great view of the entire scene.

TASK: General Neyland

Quinn stands at a not-too-shabby 6’5”, but he’s tiny next to General Neyland. Upon arrival to Neyland Stadium, you’ll see a massive 9 foot tall statue of Brig. Gen. Robert Neyland guarding the entry way. Gen. Neyland was one of the winning coaches of all-time and beloved by Volunteer fans.

TASK: Calhoun’s BBQ

Calhoun’s is located right on the Tennessee River a stones throw away from Neyland Stadium. It is a fan favorite, serving as a primate tailgating spot with some of the best BBQ you’ll ever eat.

TASK: Famous Fan

University of Georgia’s Mike “Big Dawg” Woods has been named the biggest college superfan in America countless times. For more than 20 years, he’s painted a bull dog on his head and attended every Georgia game, be it home or away. Quinn ran into Big Dawg outside Calhoun’s before the game and couldn’t resist taking a picture.

TASK: Smokey Mountain Smokeshows

The women of University of Tennessee are beautiful, and the typical UT girl will wear cowboy boots. It’s a great look and Quinn ran into plenty throughout the day.

TASK: Vol Navy

This is one of the most unique traditions in college football and was the highlight of Week 6. Neyland Stadium was built right on the Tennessee River, and before each game, hundreds of boats dock along the river and have a tailgate flotilla. We chose the KoKOasis house boat in the Volunteer Marina, and it was a smart decision. Fifty people boarded the Oasis for the tailgate and the hosts cooked up plenty of BBQ and Tennessee Toast to keep people happy.

TASK: Pride of the Southland Band perform “Rocky Top”

“Rocky Top” is the battle anthem for University of Tennessee and we heard it at least 50 times throughout the day. Quinn was lucky enough to find a great spot directly behind the Pride of the Southland Band to get a front row seat for one of the best performances of the day on the Vol Walk.

It’s been an amazing 6 weeks on the AXE College Football Bucket List Tour. We’ve seen some epic showdowns – Oregon at LSU in Dallas, Notre Dame ‘Under the Lights’ at Michigan, Oklahoma at FSU in Tallahassee, USC at ASU in Tempe, Nebraska at Wisconsin in Madison, and Georgia on the river at Tennessee – and experienced some of the coolest traditions in all of college football

Stay tuned for our Best of the Bucket List recap, and check out photo galleries on Facebook.com/COEDMagazine and Facebook.com/AXE.