What Is the Greatest College Football Tradition of All Time?

These college football traditions have been entertaining sports fans for decades.

What Is the Greatest College Football Tradition That’s Still Going Strong?

Perhaps no sport at any level embraces tradition quite like college football. The allure of the competition on the field is one thing, but the lore of the pregame, in-game and postgame traditions are sometimes just as appealing as the game itself. Whether they’re related to the band, cheerleaders, student section, mascots or teams themselves, traditions are arguably the heartbeats of the sport, and the passion for college football just wouldn’t be the same without them.

But which traditions are the best of the best? Some college football traditions originated after years and years of planning while others were almost by accident. Either way, their respective fan bases have embraced them in such a way that they became traditions instead of just fads or short-term things. Many savvy college football fans could even hear the name of a tradition and immediately pair it with its corresponding school, which shows the breadth and reach of many of these college football traditions.

So, here are our favorites from all levels of college football.

30. Jump Around

School: Wisconsin

Performed by: Fans

Setting: In-game

Started: 1998

This tradition actually began in 1992 when Wisconsin swimmers began playing House of Pain’s “Jump Around” on a portable CD player to two sections of the student section during football games. Six years later, it officially was adopted by Wisconsin, as they played the song between the third and fourth quarters of a game in which no offensive points were scored in the third quarter. During the playing of the song, the entire Wisconsin student section jumps in a place as a way to get themselves and the team hyped for the fourth quarter.

29. Midnight Yell

School: Texas A&M

Performed by: Band/Fans

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 1932

Ever since 1913, Aggies students have held “Yell Practice,” which introduces the larger student body to new yells that will take place during games. But it was in 1932 when the first Midnight Yell was held the night before a home football game. The Yell Leaders gather at midfield, while the Aggies students fill the student section to receive instruction. During a good season, an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people attend the Midnight Yell, which also includes the school songs being sung. The tradition has even made its way to away games, albeit smaller in number.

28. Tightwad Hill

School: California

Performed by: Fans

Setting: In-game

Started: 1923

Just outside Cal’s Memorial Stadium sits a hill that rises about 100 feet above the east rim of the stadium. So, during football games, and even when games aren’t going on, Cal students will scale the hill to watch the action inside the stadium. It offers a free view of Cal’s home football games, hence the name of “Tightwad” Hill. It was initially informal, but there have been several features added over the years to the hill to make it (near) luxury seating. These include benches, trash cans, terraces and even a victory cannon that is fired upon each Cal touchdown or win.

27. Battle of the Bands

Event: Bayou Classic – Southern vs. Grambling

Performed by: Band

Setting: Pre-game/Halftime

Started: Unknown

The Battle of the Bands is as much a part of the allure of the Bayou Classic as is the annual football game between two Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Southern and Grambling. It starts on the Friday before the game in which Grambling’s “World Famed” Tiger’s Marching Band takes on Southern’s Human Jukebox in elaborate performances in which there is no official winner. The Battle of the Bands then continues during halftime of Saturday’s game, which for years was broadcast to a national audience on NBC. The competition between the bands sometimes even overshadows the actual game, which has been played since 1932 and has been competitive throughout the series.

26. Howard’s Rock

School: Clemson

Performed by: Team

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 1967

A 2.5-pound quartz rock was found in Death Valley, California, by a friend of former Clemson coach Frank Howard. The friend gave the rock to Howard, who initially used it as a doorstop before it was placed on a pedestal in Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, which happens to be nicknamed Death Valley.

The rock was mostly unnoticed until a spirited comeback victory by Clemson early in the 1966 season, in which “Howard’s Rock” was credited for the victory. The next season then began the tradition of Clemson players “rubbing the rock” before each home game as sort of a good luck charm. And to protect Clemson’s good luck charm, it’s not uncommon for Clemson’s Army ROTC to guard the trophy from any potential vandals and thieves before big home games.

25. Planting the Spear

School: Florida State

Performed by: Mascot

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 1978

FSU has two mascots, Osceola, who wears Native American-themed regalia and rides the other mascot, a horse named Renegade. Students who portray Osceola receive scholarships for doing so and must undertake a two-year apprenticeship before they can hop aboard Renegade. For home games, Osceola rides Renegade out onto the field holding a burning spear, which is then planted into the ground as a Native American custom.

This tradition has garnered controversy in recent years as other sports teams have moved away from Native American names and imagery, but it’s still very popular in Tallahassee. Legendary FSU coach Bobby Bowden got the honor of planting the burning spear before his last game as Florida State’s coach.

24. Play Like a Champion Today

School: Oklahoma/Notre Dame

Performed by: Team

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 1947 (OU), 1986 (ND)

Both Oklahoma and Notre Dame lay claim to the “Play Like a Champion Today” phrase written on a sign that all players tap before entering the field. What’s indisputable is that Oklahoma started the tradition first under coach Bud Wilkerson in the late 1940s. But what’s also not up for debate is that Notre Dame popularized the sign under coach Lou Holtz in 1986. In fact, the company named Play Like A Champion Today LLC (PLACT) trademarked the phrase and then entered into a licensing agreement with the Fighting Irish instead of the Sooners.

Regardless of which school is the rightful owner of the phrase/sign, both programs have definitely played like champions, as they’ve combined to win 15 national championships.

23. Sooner Schooner

School: Oklahoma

Performed by: Mascot

Setting: Pre-game/In-game

Started: 1964

“Boomer Sooner” is the fight song for Oklahoma, and they have two pony mascots appropriately named Boomer and Sooner. Now, the Sooner Schooner is the wagon that is pulled by Boomer and Sooner, and it goes to near midfield each time Oklahoma scores at home games. The Sooner Schooner is driven by members of Oklahoma’s all-male spirit squad, and there have been a couple of occasions where the schooner celebration didn’t go as planned. The most recent came in a 2019 game when the schooner went out onto the field and took a corner too sharply, which then tipped over the wagon. Nobody was seriously injured despite falling out of the wagon, but OU rivals have taken to calling the wagon tipping over the “Sooner Schooner Mooner.”

22. World’s Largest Drum

School: Purdue

Performed by: Band

Setting: Ex: Pre-game/Halftime

Started: 1921

Also known as the Purdue Big Brass Drum, the Boilermakers have coined their 10-foot tall, 565-pound drum as the “World’s Largest Drum” even though that’s hyperbole. However, the drum appears at all Purdue games as well as many local Indiana events such as the Indianapolis 500.

Unlike many other traditions, this one also travels, as Purdue’s band takes the drum with it on the road. The one exception came in 2021 when it was denied entry into Notre Dame Stadium because the visiting team’s tunnel was too small for the drum to fit. It marked the first time in 42 years that the World’s Largest Drum missed a performance with the Purdue band.

21. Turnover Chain

School: Miami

Performed by: Team

Setting: In-game

Started: 2017

After a dozen years of middling results, the University of Miami decided it needed to bring its swag back. Enter the Turnover Chain. It was the idea of defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who reached out to a local jeweler to create the most “Miami” Cuban link chain. It was then awarded for big plays such as interceptions, sacks and fumble recoveries, and it helped energize the entire Miami team. The Hurricanes reached as high as No. 2 in the poll in the 2017 season and finished with 10 wins, which was their most in 14 years.

20. Hook ‘em Horns

School: Texas

Performed by: Team/Fans

Setting: Pre-game/In-game/Post-game

Started: 1955

It is one of the most recognizable hand signals in the world, not just because of the Longhorns but because it’s practically identical to the “rock on” gesture. It is the Hook ‘em Horns signal, which is formed by extending your pink and index fingers while grasping the middle two fingers with your thumb.

The signal originated from Texas’ head cheerleader observing shadow hand signals on the wall at the union on Texas’ campus. He then showed it to fellow fans at a football pep rally, and those in attendance reportedly didn’t get it at first. But if you form the gesture and look closely, it kind of resembles the shape of the head and horns of a longhorn. Once that fact was made apparent, the signal caught on like wildfire, and UT hasn’t looked back since.

19. Ralphie’s Run

School: Colorado

Performed by: Mascot

Setting: Pre-game/Halftime

Started: 1967

Ralphie, Colorado’s live mascot, is a female buffalo that has weighed up to 1,200 pounds. She initially just stood on the sideline, but it was former football coach Eddie Crowder who got the idea that Ralphie should run onto the field before the game to get the crowd hyped. So, ever since 1967, Ralphie’s Run consists of the buffalo making a horseshoe pattern before each home game with five Colorado student-athletes “handling” the buffalo while it runs. Colorado has gone through six Ralphies in its history, and the current, Ralphie VI, was donated to the school in 2020 after she was orphaned at birth.

18. Cowbells

School: Mississippi State

Performed by: Fans

Setting: In-game

Started: 1940

Cowbells have been rung by fans of various sports teams, both college and pro, but they’ve become nearly synonymous with the fans of Mississippi State University. That is despite the SEC banning them and all artificial noisemakers in 1975 at the request of numerous rival coaches who thought their presence gave MSU an unfair advantage. The ban was in effect for 35 years, but that didn’t prevent some Mississippi State fans from sneaking them in at times. The ban was lifted in 2011 with certain rules in place that fans had to abide by during a one-year trial. To the surprise of many, MSU’s faithful adhered to the rules, and cowbells were permanently allowed, once again, a year later.

17. Helmet Stickers

School: Various

Performed by: Team

Setting: In-game

Started: Unknown

While helmet stickers are applied before the game, it’s what players do in the game that earns the stickers. The stickers are most famously used at places like Ohio State, which puts Buckeyes on its helmets, and at Florida State, which uses tomahawks on its. But everyone from Michigan to Arizona State to Clemson to Ole Miss uses some kind of stickers to signify accolades by the given player. They could be awarded for touchdowns, sacks or any big plays, so the later in the season, the more stickers you’ll see on an impactful player’s helmet.

16. White Out

School: Penn State

Performed by: Fans

Setting: Pre-game/In-game/Post-game

Started: 2004

The PSU White Out traces its roots back to 2002 when there was a fear that Nebraska fans in Nebraska Red would take over Beaver Stadium. Thus, an email went out to implore Penn State fans to wear blue, and word spread amongst the fans.

Two years later, a more formal request went out from Penn State’s athletic department in which they asked students to wear white for a game versus Purdue. Over 20,000 fans participated, and the tradition was born. In 2007, it expanded beyond just the students to all spectators. It creates quite a sight for the opponent when you go out onto the field, and nearly 100,000 rabid fans are in unison wearing all white.

15. Enter Sandman

School: Virginia Tech

Performed by: Team

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 2000

In 1999, Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera began using "Enter Sandman" by Metallica as his entrance song from the bullpen, and Virginia Tech football followed suit a year later. The team had just installed a new scoreboard and debated amongst a few songs as the entrance video, including "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N’ Roses. But since "Enter Sandman" worked so well for Rivera — who won a World Series with the Yankees in 1999 — then it should work for the Hokies as well. The team runs out onto the field while the song is played, and the entire fan base jumps in place in what’s known as the Blacksburg Bounce.

14. $2 Bills

School: Clemson

Performed by: Fans

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 1977

In 1977, the long-standing, annual rivalry between Georgia Tech and Clemson came to an end but not before Clemson fans made their marks. The game took place in Atlanta, Georgia, and Clemson implored its fan base to pay for food, tickets, merchandise and so on with $2 bills stamped with a Clemson tiger paw. It was done to show off the large financial impact that Clemson fans had on the local economy since one of the reasons why this series was canceled was because Georgia Tech didn’t think Clemson was a valuable enough program to continue the series.

The tradition continued even after the Clemson-Georgia Tech series ended. To this day, Clemson fans will spend $2 bills when making road trips just to show off the breadth and reach of the Tigers fan base.

13. Country Roads

School: West Virginia

Performed by: Fans

Setting: Pre-game/Post-game

Started: 1972

Singer/songwriter John Denver was one of just two people to have written two state songs. As his surname would indicate, Colorado is one state, while West Virginia is the other with the latter’s official song being “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” This is also the theme song for West Virginia University, and it is played at most athletic events, including all home football games. It’s performed before home games and then again afterward if the Mountaineers win, with the fans sticking around to sing along. Denver, himself, even performed the song at WVU before its home opener in 1980, which also marked the dedication of WVU’s home field.

12. Tunnel Walk

School: Nebraska

Performed by: Team

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 1994

Sometimes, a walk can be just as exciting as a sprint, and that’s the case with the Cornhuskers’ Tunnel Walk. Cameras capture Nebraska emerging from its locker room, and the live video is displayed on the JumboTron to the delight of Nebraska’s faithful. Alan Parsons Project’s “Sirius” is played on the loudspeaker to accompany the walk, and all of the Cornhusker players tap the lucky horseshoe that hangs above the door before entering the field.

Over 90,000 frenzied Cornhuskers fans await their arrival, and the Nebraska crowd is a sophisticated unit that does its part just before the walk. The west side of the stadium chants “Husker,” and the east side responds with “Power” to serenade the Cornhuskers prior to the Tunnel Walk.

11. Running the T

School: Tennessee

Performed by: Team/Band

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 1965

Hall of Fame coach Doug Dickey first added a “T” to the helmets of the Vols and then added a “T” to the players’ entrances onto the field. The Pride of the Southland marching band forms a “T” with team personnel holding the UT flag and the state of Tennessee flag. Then, the Vols’ mascot runs through the “T” followed by the entire team, who then runs to its sideline afterwards.

While it’s great to have sideline seats at a football game, viewing the “T” in its entirety is best seen from higher up, and it creates a great visual for UT fans.

10. Mike the Tiger

School: LSU

Performed by: Mascot

Setting: Ex: Pre-game

Started: Unknown

Mike the Tiger is the only live tiger mascot on a college campus, and LSU uses this fact to its advantage. While Mike the Tiger dates back to 1936, it's only been in recent decades that Mike was used as an intimidating factor to opponents. At LSU home games, Mike’s cage would be parked outside the visitor’s locker room at Tiger Stadium, thus forcing the road team to pass by his cage to reach their locker room. Mike would often do his part and wouldn’t hesitate to growl at any passers-by, and his presence gave LSU a great home-field advantage.

9. The Haka

School: Hawaii

Performed by: Team

Setting: Pre-game/Post-game

Started: 2006

The Haka was first performed by a sports team way back in the late 1800s by New Zealand’s football team. It made its way to college football in 2006 during Hawaii football’s run with QB Colt Brennan. With many native Hawaiians and Polynesians on Hawaii’s football team, they began performing the ritual dance before games as well as afterward if they won. Brennan, who was a native Californian, also immersed himself in Hawaiian culture by performing the dance, even getting his hair braided like many teammates.

8. War Eagle Flight

School: Auburn

Performed by: Mascot

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 2000

Despite their mascot being the Tigers, Auburn fans use the “War Eagle” as their battle cry. While the motto is nice, what’s really special is Auburn’s bald eagle mascot doing his patented flight before games at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Starting with War Eagle VI in 2000 and continuing with War Eagle VIII today, the birds are taught to fly around the stadium before landing back on the arm of their handler. The War Eagle Flight has even been used in non-Auburn athletic events, including when War Eagle VI flew in Utah’s stadium as part of the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

7. Gator Chomp

School: Florida

Performed by: Fans

Setting: Pre-game/In-game/Post-game

Started: 1981

There are more than 350 schools in Division I, but Florida is the only one with the Gator, or alligator, as its mascot. Thus, the Gator Chomp is unique to the school, as Florida fans use their arms to mimic an alligator’s mouth. It also fits in nicely with their football stadium, which is nicknamed “The Swamp.”

However, while the visual of the chomp is associated with gators, the music that often accompanies it is not. While fans are doing the Gator Chomp, Florida’s band will often play the two-note shark motif from the movie “Jaws.”

6. Dotting the I

School: Ohio State

Performed by: Band

Setting: Halftime

Started: 1936

Script Ohio is one of the most iconic images in all of college football, and the crown jewel of it is dotting the “I” in O-H-I-O. The honor is normally reserved for a band member, but every once in a while, OSU’s marching band will allow a dignitary to do it. Some of those include famous alums or even just notable Ohioans such as Jack Nicklaus, John Glenn and James “Buster” Douglas. Glenn was even called upon to dot the "I" during a special NASA-themed halftime show at Ohio State in which “America” was spelled out by the band.

5. College Gameday

School:Various

Performed by: ESPN

Setting: Pre-game

Started: 1993

ESPN’s College Gameday first originated in 1987 in a studio, but it made its debut live outside a stadium in 1993. The first “on the road” edition featured No. 1 FSU visiting No. 2 Notre Dame on Nov. 13, 1993, and it’s become a staple of television, ESPN and college football ever since.

This college football tradition has traditions of its own inside the broadcast such as home fans bringing creative signs that often mock the opposition. But the most famous Gameday tradition is former coach Lee Corso’s final pick in which he dons the mascot’s headgear of the team he predicts will win the game. Corso has a .662 W-L% with these picks, and he’s the only personality on the show who has been there since the very beginning in 1987.

As for the teams that appear on and host ESPN College Gameday, Ohio State leads the way in the most appearances (53) times hosted (20) and wins (37). But the best record (min. 10 games) goes to USC, which has won 75 percent of its 24 games.

4. Sing Second

Event: Army-Navy Game

Performed by: Team/Fans

Setting: Post-game

Started: Unknown

The annual game between the two service academies has many traditions, including the sitting U.S. President attending each year. But another notable one happens after the game has been decided and the two teams each sing their alma maters. First, the losing team’s alma mater is played with the winning team standing alongside them and facing the losing academy’s students. Then, the winning team’s song is played with the losing team standing alongside them and facing the winning school’s students. Since the winning team’s song is always played last, “sing second” is a common refrain leading up to the game, as that is synonymous with winning the game.

3. Rolling Toomer’s Corner

School: Auburn

Performed by: Fans

Setting: Post-game

Started: 1962

Located about half a mile from Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium is Toomer’s Corner, which is highlighted by some oak trees called Toomer’s Oaks. In 1962, Auburn fans began celebrating big football wins by covering the oaks, power lines, storefronts and anything in the area in toilet paper. But it wasn’t until 10 years later after a big victory over rival Alabama that rolling Toomer’s Oaks became a tradition.

Toomer’s Oaks have been vandalized on more than one occasion, including an infamous poisoning in 2010. An Alabama fan admitted to spraying the trees with herbicide after Auburn beat Bama the previous week and efforts to save the trees were unsuccessful. Thus, new trees had to be planted and grown, which prevented Auburn fans from rolling them while they were still acclimating to their new environment. As for the perpetrator, he was fined and sentenced to three years in prison, with him serving no less than six months of that sentence in jail.

2. Kinnick Wave

School: Iowa

Performed by: Fans

Setting: In-game

Started: 2017

In 2017, the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital opened next door to Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium, and the top floor of the hospital overlooks the venue. Thus, patients and their families can see into the stadium, see the game and see the crowd. A suggestion by an Iowa fan page on Facebook then led to the entire stadium turning to the hospital and waving to the patients in between the first and second quarters. During night games, fans also turn on their phone flashlights while waving to create a surreal scene for the patients. This tradition has also expanded beyond the Iowa fans as even officials and players — both home and visitors — often join in on the Kinnick Wave.

1. Tailgating

School: Various

Performed by: Fans

Setting: Pre-game

Started: Unknown

Every college football team is unique in that it has its traditions that are all its own. But every college football team is similar in that it shares the tradition of tailgate parties. Come rain, snow, wind or shine, you can always find fans tailgating in the parking lot or elsewhere before games, and it doesn’t matter if the team is successful or not. Tailgating isn’t just a part of college football lore, but it’s become one of America’s favorite pastimes to do before sporting events.

It's believed that tailgating and college football share the same exact birthday. The inaugural college football game came in 1869 between Princeton and Rutgers, and beforehand, the supporters of the Scarlet Knights gathered, ate some food and showed support for their team, which would go on to win 6-4.