The South is pretty much synonymous with great college football, but Ole Miss has had its share of ups and downs in the super-competitive SEC. No one can dispute that they are the clear winners when it comes to the college sports tradition of tailgating. Welcome to The Grove.
Aptly known as the greatest tailgating spot in the country, this enormous wooded expanse of red and blue tents in the middle of campus draws in over 100,000 fans a game. Even if their team loses, Mississippi fans will enjoy food, drink, and an amazing party.
Clemson University
According to the U.S. Treasury, in 2007 there was $1,549,052,714 worth of $2 bills in circulation. That means there were 774,526,357 actual paper bills. That’s a pretty big number, but Clemson fans are trying to make sure that as many as possible have an orange Tiger paw on them.
Clemson bills are one of the more unique college sports traditions and leave a lasting impression wherever they turn up. The Tigers have some of the most loyal fans in football when it comes to away games. They follow their beloved team wherever they go and prepare, especially for big games, by buying as many $2 bills as they can find to spend in the area. This way, even long after the game is done and the Clemson delegation is gone, the special Tiger bills stick around as a reminder of their school spirit.
The University of Alabama
“Roll Tide!” is so much more than just a football cheer. It is a form of greeting, a way to say, “I love you,” and can obviously be used as “let’s go!” If you walk around Tuscaloosa during football season, without sporting some crimson and white or an item of Alabama clothing you may get a stern talking to, but if you forget to utter a nice “roll tide” in the conversation, well then, all bets are off.
The Crimson Tide are probably the most widely despised football team in college sports, and the reason is crystal clear: jealousy. In the entire history of college sports traditions, nothing can compete with the Alabama catchphrase. So Crimson fans just keep doing what you’re doing and represent your amazing football team with another “Rollllllll TIDE!”
Duke University
There is nothing sports fans love more than having someone to hate and fans of the Duke University Blue Devils have taken on that role big time. Whenever a big game comes to town, Duke fans aka Cameron Crazies, probably the most infamous fans in college sports, pitch an astounding number of tents outside Cameron Stadium in their very own made-up town of “Krzyzewskiville”.
The fans in this special community have even gotten some support from Coach K and the athletes who have come to visit them in their tents. When the game time finally comes around, the Cameron Crazies are all fired up and ready to drive their opponents up a wall with their wild antics.
West Virginia University
Just thinking about John Denver’s moving song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” makes pretty much everyone start singing. The song is beloved everywhere but holds a special place in the hearts of West Virginians. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that WVU picked the song as its official theme song.
The Mountaineer football team have been singing the country classic before every home game since the 70’s with an enthusiastic crowd joining in. John Denver even joined them himself one time. If the team has an impressive victory, fans stay in the stands after the game and join voices for an uplifting repeat performance.