Did you ever notice how much the home team fans love their traditions in college football? Few activities inspire the crowd more than the familiar sight of what generation after generation holds as dear to the old Alma Mater. It seems there are some which drive followers of the opponents raving mad, and below is a list of those particular traditions.
10) Penn State's roaring Nittany Lion - Described by one Pittsburgh alumnus as "sounding like a man belching." Maybe Paterno should get him some Alka-Seltzer.
9) Clemson Tigers rubbing a rock on a hill - What does this mean? Why don't they have a Tiger walking around like LSU? Seems it is the late Frank Howard's final jest on "the administration that gave him a lifetime contract, and then declared him dead."
8) Southern Cal's Trojan horse and band - Who says Trojans dressed like Greeks? What is the proof these outfits are accurate, or are they just cool to wear? Why do they have a white horse—wasn't the Trojan Horse a bad thing that allowed the Spartans to slip in at night and conquer the men of Troy? Maybe they should avoid playing Michigan State.
7) Ohio State's dotting of the i - How did this become important? Seems like it would be a bigger deal at Mississippi. Why not have two band members cross the t? Maybe it's to take away attention from the fact the mascot is a nut.
6) Colorado's Buffalo - Holy Cow, what would happen if this tank-like creature escaped? Should we really trust the kids with the rope and chain leading it around?
5) Texas' Longhorn Bevo - See No. 6. Run!
4) South Carolina's Rooster crowing - The piped-in sound is frightening to friend and foe alike the first time you hear it. Incredibly loud, it is said that it can be heard four miles away. The opponents' bench often looks to the sky as if they were being attacked by supernatural creatures. One man reportedly fled the stadium the first season it was used.
3) Florida State's Indian Chief - Maybe the most recognizable of all the traditions in the past quarter century, we have the Seminole throwing the spear into the ground before the kickoff. Impressive and entertaining, it actually inspires the home team along with the fans. Now, if they could just get the players they had in the 1980s and '90s, they'd be all set.
2) Tennessee singing Rocky Top - Oh, it must be heard and experienced to be believed. Thousands of people standing and singing an old folk song doesn't sound intimidating, but when you're on the receiving end of it, you know you're in trouble.
1) Stanford's Tree - The worst tradition is one of the newest traditions—the stumbling, staggering Stanford tree. Prior to the early '70s the Palo Alto teams were known as the Indians. This was deemed offensive to native Americans, and so a choice was made that would offend no one—the cardinal. Not the bird or the clergy official, but the color.
In order to have a "live mascot," an earth-friendly symbol of a tree was chosen. Apparently none of the mascots over the years can see out of the outfit because they have all walked around like drunken sailors and have sometimes fallen down to the ground. Eerie and strange, if you're not familiar with this symbol you can watch the game and wonder, "What is that thing that looks like a man in a tree costume?"
There you have it. A tongue-in-cheek review of what we all hold dear. If your school didn't make it, it just could be that your tradition doesn't irritate opponents. If that's the case, congratulations.
comments (95) write a comment »
write a new comment
3 months ago
Tennessee fans singing Rocky Top is a birthright if you are from Tennessee. Its the greatest fan song in the country.
from 3 months ago
i actually think that Rocky Top is one of the best, if not the best, fight song out there.
from 3 months ago
rocky top, you'll never be home sweet home to me, f*** you rocky top, go to hell tennessee.
it is a great fan song.
from 3 months ago
I must say that I am in I sound agreement with the article regarding UT incessantly playing Rocky Top,although I must admit that in a future acticle I would hope that the author would move this horrendous habit above the arboreal antics of the Stanford mascot. Rocky Top is ridiculously annoying, much moreso than USC only playing two songs (one for offense and defense), not only because the UT band plays it upwards of 50 times per football game but because it isn't even their official Fight Song contrary to what my closely oriented responder might wish the world to believe.
from 3 months ago
As a Florida Gators fan, I am allowed to say this: Rocky Top sucks! Tennessee had better focus on how to beat the Gators instead of auditioning for American Idol everytime their team scores.
from 3 months ago
Rocky Top isnt even their fight song. No one in America, hell, half of the Tennessee fans, cant tell you what their fight song is becuase Rocky Top is played sooooooooooo much.
My sister counted last time we went to Knoxville for a Bama game how many times the band played it, and we were in the stadium about an hr. before kickoff, so basically in a four hour period, the band played Rocky Top 130 times. Thats not counting repeats, that just the number of times it was struck up by the band.
Also, that band is the most obnxious band in the SEC. Ive had to sit behind them once at Legion Field and they wouldnt sit down between plays. Not only that, the director will sit the band at attention if he feels the opposing band is about to start, and the second they do, the UT band is off and playing as well, but at home, they have their sound funnelled into a speaker system. There is every reason to be annoyed by that song, and no one should feel ashamed for having that feeling towards that song.
from 3 months ago
As Nic says it is not the official fight song. "Fight Vols, Down the Field" is the fight song and at all football games it is played directly after a score and is always followed by "Rocky Top".
Ahhh the memories...
from 3 months ago
Yeah we play Rocky Top a whole bunch but we also play WAY more songs than just the two that USC plays incessantly. Oh and "Down the Field" is the official fight song. If you want to compare overplaying of songs. Don't get me started on the Million Dollar Band playing Sweet Home Alabama all game and then Rammer Jammer 50 times after a win.
from 3 months ago
tennessee's song is a good song if your from the UT area....but UofM's song is prolly the most well known
from 3 months ago
tennessee's song is a good song if your from the UT area....but UofM's song is prolly the most well known
from 3 months ago
Michael, the Million Dollar Band just learned Sweet Home, Alabama last season, and they maybe play it 120 times a season, not in a game like UT does. And we only do Rammer Jammer once or twice after a game, but when you get destroyed 41-17, it might seem like 50 times.
from 3 months ago
Rocky Top's got nothing on USC's three incessant fight songs.
from about 1 month ago
Congradulations Alabama, your right 41-17. Wow that only makes your 3rd win since 94. I believe Tennessee has kicked that a** just like every other team in the country. Why do you give me another Bear Bryant excuse. Just face it, even Nick Saban isn't going to bring BAMA back. The Tide's run ended in 92. SORRY!!!
3 months ago
how does florida state keep their mascot and illinois doesn't
from 3 months ago
FSU gets to keep their's because the Seminole Tribe in Florida approved for them to keep the Mascot
from 3 months ago
AKA drop alot of money there way
from 3 months ago
They are good at football for more than just one year. Thus they have become iconic to college football.
3 months ago
love the article - hate rocky top
3 months ago
Great article their are some bad traditions in college football. Ohio st. should have been # 1. O their is one bad tradition you left out. Alabama singing Rammer Jammer when the beat somebody. Hey is getting old and they should get tierd of hearing Auburn singing to them.
3 months ago
How did Texas A&M's cult like antics, see also whoopin' and humpin', not make this list???????
from 3 months ago
YOU NAILED IT NEILL,
as a native of Texas i can tell everyone here nothing and no one is worse than a group of aggie fans. They go to cheer practice on fridays!!?!?!? to name just one of many grievances i have against a school that offered its first presidency to JEFFERSON DAVIS (president of the confederate states of america). Yet even Mr. Davis turned them down.
Texas A & M should be number one for so many reasons.
3 months ago
How do the bizarre antics of Texas A&M, see also whoopin & humpin', not make the top spot on this list? A&M does not just have traditions....its more like a cult.
3 months ago
Amen to Neill. My guess is that there are so many cultish traditions at A&M that the writer couldn't distinguish which was worse. He probably didn't have the server space to put the whole handbook, bible, kloobda or whatever Aggies call it on here.
3 months ago
#8 irritates me the most. Their band calls themselves "The Greatest Band In The History Of The Universe", presumably because they recorded an album with Fleetwood Mac. Of course, they'll neglect to mention that they've booed John Williams because he isn't a USC alum or refused to share TV time with other bands.
What about Notre Dame's tradition of leading people to think that they're better than they really are?
3 months ago
Dotting the i should be a bigger deal at Mississippi... classic
from 3 months ago
It would be even more impressive to dot the "i"s and cross the "t"s at Mississippi State.
3 months ago
Regarding # 7: the band spells "Ohio". There is no T in Ohio. Maybe you should get educated about what you write before you write it.
from 3 months ago
Have you ever heard of "dot your i's and cross your t's"? Its a saying im sure he know how to spell Ohio.
from 3 months ago
Matt - The idiot is guessing that in "script Ohio" they spell "Ohio State". That's why he says cross the T. Not surprisingly it would then be called "script Ohio State", not "script Ohio." There may not be a T in Ohio, but there should be a U in idiot.
3 months ago
How about Wooo Pig Sooiee?
from 3 months ago
I agree, whoo pig is the most annoying cheer EVER, it wouldnt be so bad if they didnt do it three times back-to-back-to-back every time
3 months ago
I can't stand Purdue's drum / their claim that it's the "world's largest drum."
Lack of tradition (and success) can't be made up for by the size of your drum...pathetic.
3 months ago
...despite the fact that I am an UT alum, I concur that Rocky Top is an annoying tradition...indeed, I feel that the song is, bar none, the most insipid piece of crap EVER written...anyone who feels differently is but an East Tennessee pinhead...
3 months ago
Some tradition Ohio State has there, considering they ripped off the spelling of the state name from Michigan.
from 3 months ago
tOSU has nothing original...script ohio was ripped from Michigan's band, O-H-I-O to Hang on Sloopy (the state rock song, seriously!?!?) came from Ohio University, as did the block "O" and Ohio written across the uniforms, and finally they have now tried to make their poisonous nut sound more ferocious by saying "Fear the Nut" any Maryland fans recognize this?
from 3 months ago
Common misconception. But UM's band did not march into formation as has been so famously done by Ohio State. They simply walked form the sidelines and got into formation in the cursive "Ohio". The marching into formation, with the crossing lines while playing Le Regiment is what makes the tradition famous. And UM played no part in that.
3 months ago
Thanks for the excellent comments. Regarding Texas A&M, I like their traditions, along with Auburn, Ole Miss, the cow bells at Mississippi State, Wooo Pig Sooey, the Sooner wagon, the giant Farmer Man of Nebraska, and others. I do think Washington's magnificent Husky is much better than that always hot and drooling Bulldog of Georgia. I have to say no to some cartoon characters like the Oregon Duck, the Florida Gator, and whatever that thing is Miami uses instead of a hurricane. I believe the best Big 10 character is the Hawkeye of Iowa, by far the worst is Brutus the Buckeye. Brutus may be the most limp of all team mascots but there is no doubt who the most menacing is...........Mike the Bayou Bengal of Louisiana State. Speaking of which, Brutus dodn't do very well when he messed with Mike this past season. Maybe he should get a Wolverine to help him next time.
from 3 months ago
well technically they had a wolverine coaching against them.
3 months ago
The worst part about the tree is the constant skipping around it does. It is the least intimidating mascot/dancing combo in the country, and only a matter of time until it gets beaten up in public like this...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7_aaYih92ss
3 months ago
I'd like to add the way former OSU football players say "THE" Ohio State University when introducing themselves on MNF. Very annoying. Oh, and when Miami guys sa "The U". Equally annoying.
3 months ago
I believe the Ohio State folks are insecure about their place in Buckeye state society and have to do something to separate themselves from The Ohio University. I believe Penn State has a similiar philosophy as they like to say They Are Penn State.
I have no answer for the U. I have never understood that. It seems to apply more to Utah, I know Brigham Young calls themselves the Y. Washington calls themselves UDUB. I believe that's because their name begins with a big W on a lot of publications around town, so maybe they're the U of W, or is that Wisconsin? I know UCLA also begins with a U but they accent the C with gold to represent the 100 natl titles they've won in sports. A man told me he thought it was accented because of the gold rush of 1849 in California so I don't know how effective that ploy is.
3 months ago
Clemson's running down the hill is ridiculous
3 months ago
rocky top in itself is a great song and a great tradition.
playing it 122 times in one game, makes it fit for this list.
3 months ago
You either absolutely love Rocky Top or you absolutely hate it. That's what makes it such an awesome song.
3 months ago
See "Touchdown Jesus" actually put his hands down last year because of ND's offense should be on this list, in addition to UGA from Georiga...
3 months ago
Playing and singing Rammer Jammer is no longer a tradition at Alabama. They don't beat anybody anymore, not even La Monroe.
3 months ago
Rocky Top is great at football games, it doesnt sound as good at basketball games. For the Miami mascot its supposed to be a bird called an ibis- the last animal to retreat and first one to return when a hurricane comes. The mascot looks more like a duck than an ibis though.
3 months ago
Hilarious!!!! About Rocky Top, I hate it becuase it is played about 1000 times. From a touchdown to a first down, they will play it no matter what. And War Eagle.
3 months ago
Boomer Sooner!!!!
Quite Possibly the most annoying and idiotic Chant in organized sports.
3 months ago
With only a couple of exceptions, these traditions all sound like things that make America great. Get a life. BabyTate.
3 months ago
It was the Athenians not the Spartans who built the Trojan Horse.
from 3 months ago
They suck too.
3 months ago
I think USC repeatedly playing that stupid song every time they gain a yard or lose one is the most annoying thing I have ever heard.... it is hard to even watch them on TV.
3 months ago
the gator chomp has to be in the top 5, it's way worse than almost anything on the list
from 3 months ago
As opposed to what? The Seminole Chop?! Yeah. How many teams are using that lame duck celebration?
3 months ago
Stanford University (in Stanford, California), is surrounded by the town of Palo Alto. And Palo Alto means "tall tree." The University emblem or seal uses a tall evergreen tree as the centerpiece. And that's where the tree comes from.
3 months ago
This one isn't as known but at Kentucky football games we cheer every FIRST DOWN. Especially when you consider the last couple of years when we weren't getting outscored by Real Madrid this is a tradition that needs to go. Granted, those were milestones during the Bill Curry years where offense was a myth but we're no longer an embarassment.
3 months ago
5 Star read.
3 months ago
The reason that the author has some kind of memory of the Stanford tree "stumbling around like a drunk guy" is because a couple of years ago the guy who wears the mascot costume actually WAS drunk inside of it. He was removed from the role of the tree.
3 months ago
You want to see what happens when Ralphie gets out of control? Spring game '08.
http://thecollegefootballguys.blogspot.com/2008/04/ralphie-gone-wild.html
3 months ago
Want to see what happens when Ralphie goes wild?
http://thecollegefootballguys.blogspot.com/2008/04/ralphie-gone-wild.html
3 months ago
yea the gator chomp is so stupid. they ripped off th song from jaws and their fans are the worst. they think tim tebow is jesus reincarnated. guess what you idiots, he even admitted in an interview that the best thing about being a gator is the gifts! im so sick of you people acting like the seminoles are so bad when your team is just as horrible with crime. and we never had to buy any of our heisman winners. they need to come out with an identity theft commercial using tony joiner.
3 months ago
Rocky Top- ever listen to the words? It's about two strangers- gubment boys- come snooping around-- never to be heard from again. Now. that's a fight song !
3 months ago
I happen to enjoy watching other universities traditions .. sheesh - why the hate?
3 months ago
Hey Ryan, Tony Joiner did not steal anyone's identity. he stole his car back from the impound. If you really believe UF bought Tim Tebow then you obviously went to clown U. Let me know how the letter of inquiry goes when the NCAA hits you with that. That soap box you were on has now been removed.
3 months ago
Rocky Top You'll Always Be Home Sweet Home to Me. Good Ole Rocky Top. Man i can't wait til it's Football Time in Tennessee.
3 months ago
Tennessee will get a chance to renew their rivalry with UCLA this season. Nothing is more interesting than when cultures collide. SEC vs PAC10. I enjoy good intersectional football, the meeting of traditions.
3 months ago
Is there anything about Ohio State that is original?
3 months ago
SC's Trojan Horse is pretty cool to me. Everytime he stabs that sword into the field, I just get goosebumps. But I live in California, I don't always see the other traditions, but I am sure there all pretty cool
3 months ago
As a Pac-10 fan I can say this in complete certainty: there is nothing more annoying than having to listen to the USC band when their team gets on a roll. LEARN MORE THAN 3 SONGS, WE'RE F#$%ING BEGGING YOU!!!
from 3 months ago
Haha even I can laugh and agree with that
3 months ago
Tulane did not make the list. Oh wait, we have to get fans to the games in order to do something.
3 months ago
You can sure tell it's summer time ------------- !
3 months ago
The worst is the Florida State's Na na nana na na na nana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 months ago
Aside from the Colorado Buffalo....you hit it right on. haha
3 months ago
"The dotting of the “i” has been ranked the greatest college football tradition by Athlon Sports, and was most recently named the #1 College Football Tradition by ESPN."
"Script Ohio was first performed by The Ohio State Marching Band on October 10, 1936 at the Ohio State versus University of Pittsburgh football game. According to The Ohio State University Library, a similar floating formation was first performed during the 1932 season by the University of Michigan Marching band, however, it was a set-piece, instead of being formed through marching..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Script_Ohio#Script_Ohio
I have to say though, that the Stanford mascot takes the cake...
3 months ago
Funny article...I still don't understand what the tree has to do with Stanford...but that's just me.
3 months ago
Here are a few that I would have thrown on the list in no particular order:
1- The Gator Chomp. It is ok when the WHOLE crowd is doing it, but when it's some lone idiot
2- The FSU War Chant (and tomahawk chop?)
3- Anyone who plays "Rock and Roll Part II", especially the Crimpson Gumps who feel the need to add a chant of "We just beat the H--- out of you" right after a six point thrashing of Ole Miss or the U of Houston.
4- All-barn who has to steal songs from Georgia and LSU. Yeah, the little War Eagle diddy can get annoying, but at least it's their song
5- The constipated elephant sound that the Gumps play over their loud speaker.
6- Not to make this pick on Alabama day, but lets throw in the Death Star March and Superman themes...
7- Can Mississippi State get a song with more than two words - "Go, State, Go State"
8- Hotty Toddy and the general better than you attitude of a bunch of backwater snots from a town who threw a parade when they opened a second Burger King to celebrate twice the "Whoppertunities"
9- The Hitler Youth of Texas A&M
10- Mr. Two Bits at Florida
3 months ago
Interesting list. I actually went to Penn State and hear that about the lion roar all the time. Actually, not belching.. most people tell me it sounds like someone is flushing a toilet. But anyway, so they need a better audio sound... no biggie.
"Dotting the I" was the first thing that came to my mind and I see you have that here. I'm sure if we all put our heads together, we could come up with 100 instead of 10... see ya.
3 months ago
I cant believe the Mountaineer firing his musket or the crowd singing "Country Roads" at WVU didn't make the cut.
3 months ago
What about the couch burning?
3 months ago
I'm a student at Mississippi State and I know people get annoyed by our cowbells, I guess everyone feels so sorry for us they don't complain that much.
3 months ago
if you live in TENNESSEE and dont like ROCKY TOP YOU MUST BE A BAMA NURD OR FLORIDA TURD
3 months ago
Too bad more teams didn't take Texas A&M's lead:
"When One Aggie Scores, All Aggies Score."
After Aggies score a touch down, safety, or field goal, everyone in the student body who has brought a date to the game kisses his/her date.
3 months ago
I like Mississippi State's cowbells and West Virginia's Mountaineer shooting his rifle. Nothing annoying there. 2 good ones.
3 months ago
They mentioned this list today on the radio here in Minneapolis/St. Paul, on KFAN-AM 1130. So that's cool.
3 months ago
Thanks for the info Brad.
3 months ago
What about Oregon's terrible uniforms, does that count as a tradition?
3 months ago
Hey if the Buffalo or Bevo got loose it would be something out of the Bear Wrestling scene in Semi-Pro.
As an FSU fan I always loved the Tomahawk Chop. But I dig that USC band during the games. As a former student in Knoxville (Knoxville College) Rocky Top is up there. Crazy how the entire town is Orange and White.
3 months ago
To Homer, the Hitler youth of Texas A&M? Come on, that's just stupid to say something like that. We may be a little over the top with some traditions, and maybe it's that fact that you don't understand what goes on at A&M, but to compare A&M to Nazi's is a little overboard and ridiculous. Have you ever been to a game? If not, then maybe you need to witness a game before you open your ignorant mouth.
3 months ago
Babytate, you should have left Bevo off the list.
Now the eyes of Texas are upon you.
3 months ago
baby...dotting the i of mississippi and the mascot is a nut....priceless! lmao!
3 months ago
Thank you Lisa. You're very kind.
Bevo the great ! He might play Vegas.
3 months ago
I'd complain about Auburn's traditions, but, they rip all their off from Bama, Georgia, and LSU, and then make them lame....so it really doesn't count.
Then again, they do have one unique tradition... they roll their own campus in toilet paper. Idiots.
3 months ago
Why do they do they do that?
write a new comment