I love football, which includes both college football and the NFL. And there is nothing like Bank of America Stadium rocking on a night game when the Panthers are good. (I know I know that’s been forever ago). But I’ll die on the hill that the atmosphere for college football is vastly superior to that of the NFL. The passion of being a part of a school community (not just a city), the band, cheerleaders, the overall importance of each game, and of course the tailgates. Yes, people tailgate before NFL games. But if you’ve been to a good college tailgate, you know there is no comparison. For instance, I went to NC State, tailgating on the fairgrounds with the fraternities or the RV Lot, music blaring, and befriending everyone around you. It’s just a different breed. You can argue time and time again about who hosts the best college football tailgates. There are many many schools that do it well. And our friends at WSN decided to rank the best football tailgates around the country.
This list is obviously debatable, I’d say the south is home to the best tailgates, but the top 3 on this list do not fit that bill. But the 4th spot? Well it’s right in our backyard and well in the south. It pains me to write something complementary about an ACC rival. But regardless I’ll suck it up and maybe one day I’ll venture down to Death Valley (you know who it is now I’m sure), to take in a game. Keep reading to see the top 10 tailgates in college football according to WSN.
1. Kansas State Wildcats
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 3: Kansas State Wildcats fans celebrate against the TCU Horned Frogs in the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. Kansas State won 31-28 in overtime.
2. Utah Utes
SALT LAKE CITY UT- NOVEMBER 12: Members of the Utah Utes student section cheer during the first half of their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Rice Eccles Stadium November 12, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
3. Michigan Wolverines
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 03: Fans cheer during Michigan Wolverines player arrivals before the game against the Colorado State Rams at Michigan Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
4. Clemson Tigers
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 22: Will Shipley #1 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with fans after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Syracuse Orange at Memorial Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Clemson, South Carolina.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: A Ohio State Buckeyes fan outside of the stadium prior to the game against the Utah Utes at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Pasadena, California.
6. TCU Horned Frogs
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 09: TCU Horned Frogs fans pose outside the stadium before the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2023 in Inglewood, California.
7. USC Trojans
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Fans during a game between the Washington State Cougars and the USC Trojans in the first quarter at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
8. Tennessee Volunteers
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 15: Tennessee Volunteers fans tear down the goal post after the Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 52-49.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: A general view of fans before the game between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
10. Georgia Bulldogs
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 31: Fans tailgate prior to the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
