Fall is so close you can almost taste it. With schools back in session, it is just about that time of year for football season to kick off. There is something about football in the South, it is practically another religion here. Whether it's high school teams, college or professional leagues, we love it all! While the love of high school football is strong, nothing beats college football. There is just something about the atmosphere on game day that just can't be summed up.
There are some things that come along with the college football season:
1. Tailgating
This is one of the biggest parts of football season. Grilling and chilling waiting for the games to start. Tailgating is a time honored tradition in football. High school parking lots fill up with students, parents, alumni or simply just fans of the school. And it only gets crazier and more intense with college football. There are people that will literally show up days in advance for college football games and camp out in their campers or motor homes at various places around the school's campus. Hotel's around universities are booked up sometimes years in advance for the bigger games, like on rivalry weekend.
2. Rivalries
Rivalries run particularly deep in college football. They go back not only decades, but sometimes more than a century. College football history first began in the late 1800's. And, there are some teams that have played against each other more than 100 times. As any football fan knows, most rivalry games happen on the weekend of Thanksgiving, also known as rivalry weekend. There is nothing better than sitting around in a leftover turkey coma watching football with family.
3. Marching Band
While sometimes an overlooked part of football, marching band can be a major factor in the game time experience. They aren't just responsible for halftime entertainment, they play music throughout the games too. The band plays a big role in the atmosphere of the game. Cheerleaders often work with the marching band to get the crowds into the spirit of the game. Marching bands bring a lot of energy to the games, and it's always a good feeling when you hear your team's fight song starting up.
4. Traditions and Superstitions
Traditions are yet another big part of football. Whether it's rubbing a statue of some sort, a chant, cheer or song to sing along with -- every school has them. They are the things that define the school and the fans. There are people that have grown up knowing nothing but the ways and rituals of the school that their parents, grandparents or any family members attended. They are the things that bring the fans together. While, similar to traditions, superstitions are more on a more personal level. Superstitions can be simple things like a lucky hat, pair of socks, a specific shirt, food before a game -- it is different for everyone. But the true fans all have their own things that are unique to them. And it is probably best not to question these practices because they don't always make sense to anyone else.
