Roll Tide, War Eagle, Go Blue & College Football's 20 Best Rallying Cries

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Many cheers across the country consist of "Go [Insert Mascot/School Name Here].

Others stand head and shoulders above the rest.

These are the yells that transcend the stadium and become part of everyday life. These rallying cries are enough to get true college football fans on their feet and ready to fight for their team.

What are those cries? Read on.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk KU: Kansas

It's true that this particular chant is more associated with basketball than football given the fact that Kansas traditionally has more success on the hardwood than on the grass. 

Still, Jayhawk fans do chant this at football games, and it's a classic.

Rocky Top: Tennessee

Tennessee fans think so highly of their stadium, "Rocky Top" is their rallying cry.

And who can blame them? "Rocky Top" is a place every true college football fan should see.

Take Me Home, Country Roads: West Virginia

West Virginia can claim John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" as its rallying cry.

How many other teams out there can say that their cry was written by a musician of John Denver's caliber? 

Play Like a Champion Today: Notre Dame

Five words, one simple blue and gold sign.

But "Play Like A Champion Today" is college football gold.

Too bad the Irish haven't won a championship in a while...

Geaux Tigers: LSU

While it may sound like "Go Tigers" to the untrained ear, the seasoned college football fan knows that it is "Geaux Tigers."

And yes, it matters.

War Chant: Florida State

How can you not take Florida State seriously when the entire stadium does the War Chant and the Tomahawk Chop in perfect unison? 

It's a wonderful sight with the ultimate surround sound.

Zombie Nation: Penn State

OK, so "Zombie Nation" may not be unique to Penn State, but the Nittany Lions have made it their own. 

And watching all of Beaver Stadium do this at a White Out game is one of college football's most impressive sights.

Let's Go Hokies: Virginia Tech

True, "Go Hokies" isn't that original, but no one says their rallying cry with more energy than Virginia Tech fans before a game.

The fact that it's followed by Metallica's "Enter Sandman" makes it even greater.

Hotty Toddy: Ole Miss

Ole Miss may not have had many opportunities to chant this after a victory these days, as the Rebels haven't won too many games lately. But this one is still a classic.

We Are Marshall: Marshall

This rallying cry has special significance after the fateful 1970 plane crash that claimed 75 lives, including 37 players, head coach Rich Tolley, several members of the coaching staff, and many boosters and fans.

No cheer in college football means more than this one.

The Haka: Hawai'i

The Warriors don't just have a two-word rallying cry. 

The have an entire war dance that they do before each game.

Watch and be intimidated.

Boomer Sooner: Oklahoma

What better word that rhymes with Sooner is there than "Boomer."

That's what I thought...

Calling the Hogs: Arkansas

If you decide to "Call the Hogs" and you aren't an Arkansas fan, beware. The Razorbacks just might cut you.

O-H-I-O: Ohio State

Who knew that spelling the name of the state of Ohio would be so much fun?

Fight On!: USC

How college football was able to do without USC's "Fight On" at the top of college football, we'll never know.

But this much we do know:

They're baaaaaaaack.

Gig 'Em: Texas A&M

This is one of the few cheers that started against a specific team. In this case, this started as a description of what the Aggies want to do to the TCU Horned Frogs.

And "Gig 'Em" is fitting with Texas A&M's military tradition, as a "gig" is a demerit or infraction of the uniform code.

I'll let the Aggies themselves tell you what "Gig 'Em" means to them.

Let's Go Blue: Michigan

This is one of the greatest and most historic cheers in college football.

It sounds even better when 109,901 fans shout it.

Hook 'Em Horns: Texas

Texas fans know that the best rallying calls come with a hand gesture.

No, not THAT kind of hand gesture...

"Hook 'Em Horns" is an old Texas classic. And the video to the left has the inventor, Harley Clark, demonstrating the proper way to give this sign.

War Eagle: Auburn

While most teams' rallying cries usually involve something like Go [insert mascot name here], Auburn thinks outside of the box.

Instead, they look to their pre-game tradition of watching the War Eagle fly around the stadium.

A fitting rival of Alabama. Speaking of...

Roll Tide: Alabama

Anyone who has been to the great state of Alabama knows that Roll Tide isn't just a sports call. 

It's a way of life.

This ESPN commercial isn't much of an exaggeration, and it perfectly demonstrates how Alabama fans feel about saying "Roll Tide."