Mascots are one of the most important factors in a college's spirit. They can lift up crowds during a heartbreaking game or help to celebrate a miraculous win. Every college holds their mascot near and dear to their hearts (I mean who doesn't love Aubie?) But there are a few mascots around the nation that are just a bit strange.

1. University of North Carolina Tarheels

UNC's actual mascot is a ram named Rameses. Why they are called the Tarheels, but have a ram for a mascot, I do not know.

2. Delta State Fighting Okra

Apparently the okra is a type of urban legend in the area, and an "okra sighting" is a pretty big deal.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Brutus the Buckeyeis simply a large nut. These nuts are considered lucky up in Ohio, so if you find one, hold on to it.

4. Syracuse University

Otto the Orange is quiet a character. He was created in the late 1970s to replace the Native American warrior mascot with something all students could love. The orange was surprising embraced by everyone with open arms.

5. University of California, Santa Cruz Banana Slug

Sammy the slug is a much cuter version than the real Banana Slug. The university claims that the slug represents "the strongest elements of the campus: contemplation, flexibility, non-aggressiveness and, perhaps above all, an iconoclastic challenge toward the status quo."

6. Campbell University Fighting Camels

Gaylord the camel is so friendly looking that it is hard to believe that he is supposed to be "fighting".

7. St. Louis University Billikens

Apparently a billiken is a type of psychologically calming dollcreated by an art teacher in the early 1900s. Just plain strange.

8. University of Delaware Blue Hens

YoUDee is the name of this acclaimed "ferocious" bird, whose lineage traces all the way back to the Revolutionary War.

9. Stanford University

The Stanford tree is actually an official mascot of the university, while the team's name is the Cardinals. The university band introduced the idea in 1975 and the students have loved it ever since.

10. Dartmouth College

Another creative unofficial mascot: Keggy the Keg. It is a beer keg that was written in a college humor magazine in 2003 and caught on from there.