No college football experience is complete without tailgating.
It's the way that college football fans gear up for the game in body, mind and spirit.
Previously, we've examined the 50 games you have to see from strictly the football side of things. In this slideshow, the tailgating takes the center ring.
These are the games worth getting out of bed early so that you can stake your claim on the best tailgating grounds in the country.
What are those games? Read on.
LSU vs. Oregon (Sep. 3)
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This game will be the perfect remedy for folks suffering from NFL withdraw just in case the lockout continues into the season.
They'll be two great football teams at a NFL stadium (Cowboys Stadium, no less). Both teams have long traditions of just having a good time.
Just what the doctor ordered for the heartsick NFL fan.
Boise State vs. Georgia (Sep. 3)
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Boise State is about to learn how the experts tailgate down in SEC country.
It isn't a home game for Georgia, but it's close enough.
And who knows? Maybe the Broncos will bring home some ideas.
Utah at USC (Sep. 10)
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Utah is going to get a taste of what it means to be a part of the Pac-12 right off the bat when they travel to USC.
BYU at Texas (Sep. 10)
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If BYU is going to make it as an independent, they can learn a thing or two from the great powers in college football.
And there aren't many better teachers than the Longhorns in the hidden art of the tailgate.
SDSU at Army (Sep. 10)
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Since the Army-Navy game is taking place at a neutral site, I just had to include an Army home game on this list. The tradition, patriotism and great atmosphere for a tailgate is unparalleled in college football.
SDSU should be grateful that they get to experience this fine tradition.
Hawaii at Washington (Sep. 10)
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A game at Washington might not be a day at the beach, but it can include a day at the lake.
Close enough, right?
And with this game only Week 2 of the season, it should still be still nice, warm and sunny on the boats that will cover Lake Washington like a blanket.
Oh, and Hawaii just might have a luau at the same time.
Alabama at Penn State (Sep. 10)
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Penn State got a taste of southern hospitality, and hopefully some of that amazing BBQ, when they traveled down to Tuscaloosa last season.
Now it's the Nittany Lions' turn to play host.
Just the sight of 100,000+ people in white tailgating is a thing to behold.
Pitt at Iowa (Sep. 17)
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Texas at UCLA (Sep. 17)
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Texas and UCLA almost became conference rivals last summer when the Pac-10 tried to take half of the Big 12.
Alas, it was not meant to be.
But the Longhorns still get the pleasure of participating in the tailgating that surrounds the legendary Rose Bowl in beautiful Southern California.
Oklahoma at Florida State (Sep. 17)
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The Seminoles are rebuilding their winning traditions, and a win over the likes of Oklahoma would go a long way in reviving those traditions.
Besides, where else can you find a Bobby Bowden grill like the one in the Allstate commercial?
Ohio State at Miami (FL) (Sep. 17)
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Ohio State's going to need something to help them forget about the huge NCAA mess they've gotten themselves into.
A trip to Miami might be just the ticket.
There's just one problem: Miami still remembers "The Call" in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State should expect any sympathy from the Hurricanes faithful.
Florida State at Clemson (Sep. 24)
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Clemson is one of the legendary places to tailgate in all of college football.
And don't think that these Tigers are going to make anything easy on Florida State after they are well fed and watered before the game.
LSU at West Virginia (Sep. 24)
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West Virginia's tailgating is great enough on its own, but the fact that a team like LSU is coming to town just makes the pregame festivities that much greater.
Nebraska at Wisconsin (Oct. 1)
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Those crazy Wisconsin fans sure know how to throw a party, as the picture to the left clearly demonstrates.
And what better place is there for Nebraska to begin their tenure as a member of the Big Ten then at Wisconsin?
Maybe some of the Cornhusker fans will stick around for the Fifth Quarter.
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (Oct. 1)
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If the NFL lockout continues, this might be the only rivalry football game that will happen in Cowboys Stadium.
But, this being a college game, there will definately be some great tailgating just outside of Jerry's World.
Alabama at Florida (Oct. 1)
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This list just wouldn't be complete without a trip to The Swamp.
Purdue at Notre Dame (Oct. 1)
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While Purdue might not be as iconic of a place to tailgate as Wisconsin or Ohio State, it's still well worth a visit.
Visiting when the Fighting Irish come to town isn't a bad idea, either.
Clemson at Virginia Tech (Oct. 1)
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You know you're at a great tailgate when you're standing next to a guy like this.
Oklahoma vs. Texas (Oct. 8)
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Most games have a field or a parking lot full of people, tents and great food and drink just outside the stadium.
This game has the Texas State Fair.
As they say: Everything's bigger in Texas.
Auburn at Arkansas (Oct. 8)
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Arkansas sure goes whole hog when it comes to tailgating.
I mean really. This guy has a Razorback shirt, a Razorback hat and what appears to be a Razorback stick horse...errr...pig.
Chances are he also had some of the Razorback's cousin, the humble pig, before going off to the big game.
Ohio State at Nebraska (Oct. 8)
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The first Big Ten conference home game for the Children of the Corn is Ohio State.
And Nebraska will show the Buckeyes that their tailgates are anything but corny.
Pitt at Rutgers (Oct. 8)
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Rutgers might be one of college football's best kept secret places of where to tailgate.
Those fat sandwiches from those famous "grease trucks" are top notch.
LSU at Tennessee (Oct. 15)
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Tennessee has taken the art of tailgating on water and perfected it.
And with fellow tailgating master LSU coming to town, what could be better?
Michigan at Michigan State (Oct. 15)
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It's a great rivalry in the Big Ten that happens before snow starts to fly in the upper Midwest.
Alabama at Ole Miss (Oct. 15)
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Ole Miss football may be in a bit of a slump right now, but the Ole Miss tailgating is still top of the class.
Make sure to get in your diet and excercise before you go to this thing, because with all that fine fried food floating around you're going to need it.
And I love the name of the top tailgating spot: "The Grove".
Sounds pretty Garden of Eden-esque to me.
Oregon at Colorado (Oct. 22)
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Oregon is going to be flying into the picturesque Rocky Mountains for the first time to give Colorado a proper welcome into the Pac-12.
And Colorado just might teach the Ducks a thing or two about how to conduct a tailgate.
USC at Notre Dame (Oct. 22)
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Notre Dame practically invented football, along with the tailgate.
And there's no greater tailgating parties in South Bend than when USC comes to town.
Florida at Georgia (Oct. 29)
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There's a reason why this game is called the "World's Largest Cocktail Party".
Wisconsin at Ohio State (Oct. 29)
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Both of these fan-bases are the best of the best in the Midwest.
The only thing that might make this better would be some warm weather. However, the great tradition and food make it all worth it and more.
LSU at Alabama (Nov. 5)
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If you are an Alabama season ticket holder, this should be the game you circle on your calender.
Not only will the football be awesome, but the BBQ from Alabama and the Cajun cuisine from Louisiana coming together will be legendary.
North Carolina at NC State (Nov. 5)
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Like Ohio State, North Carolina is going to find places to have a lot of fun at to help them forget the impending doom coming from NCAA headquarters.
NC State would be happy to help the Tar Heals forget their troubles before the game. But during the game, expect the Wolfpack to try to eat North Carolina alive on the field.
UAB at Memphis (Nov. 12)
OK, the football might not be the most compelling in the world, but this tailgate party is top notch.
Why?
Because pitmasters from both the Birmingham and Memphis areas will be fighting the "Battle for the Bones". It's one of the best BBQ competetions in college football.
And really, how can you go wrong with all that BBQ handy?
TCU at Boise State (Nov. 12)
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This will be the first and last time that these two teams will face off as conference rivals.
However, this rivalry has been building over the last decade. With BYU and Utah gone, it just might be the most intense rivalry left in the MWC.
Also, it will be the best MWC conference game to tailgate at.
Nebraska at Penn State (Nov. 12)
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You're not an official member of the Big Ten until these Penn State fans in these particular masks are at your game.
Nebraska will have to wait all the way until November to get that honor.
Cal at Stanford (Nov. 19)
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Hey, just because they're smart doesn't mean that they can't have a great tailgate.
Arizona at Arizona State (Nov. 19)
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If you were to make a tailgating trip across the country, you need to make sure to get a taste of the Southwest.
And this game is where to get it.
Harvard at Yale (Nov. 19)
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Even the ridiculously smart/well connected kids that go to these two Ivy League schools know a thing or two about tailgating.
LSU at Ole Miss (Nov. 19)
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This year LSU will be visiting many of college football's finest tailgating hot-spots, including this trip to Ole Miss.
On top of that, LSU is one of the top tailgating destinations themselves.
What can I say? LSU brings a lot to the table whenever great tailgating is involved.
Texas at Texas A&M (Nov. 24)
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On Thanksgiving, you can do the traditional thing and go to Grandma's house with your family to eat a turkey feast.
Or, you can take you family to Aggieland and feast at the great tailgate parties before watching some great football.
Your choice.
Arkansas at LSU (Nov. 25)
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Tailgating is always excellent at LSU, but this will also be the biggest home game of the season for the Tigers.
A rivalry game against Arkansas for the Golden Boot.
So, you'll have great Cajun food, a great game to watch and the electricity in the air that always goes with rivalry games.
Sign me up!
Pitt at West Virginia (Nov. 25)
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This "Backyard Brawl" is also a great place to get some backyard BBQ.
Alabama at Auburn (Nov. 26)
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There's nothing like tailgating at a great rivalry game in the deep south.
But Alabama-Auburn isn't your typical rivalry.
And this certainly isn't your typical tailgate.
This is one of those things that every true college football fan should experience.
Ohio State at Michigan (Nov. 26)
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The Big House is one of those places that every college football fan should visit.
And Big is and understatement.
You know what else is big? Tailgating at Michigan when Ohio State comes to town.
It doesn't get much bigger than that.
Clemson at South Carolina (Nov. 26)
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This intense in-state rivalry isn't just fought on the field.
It's also fought on the grill and in the parking lot before the game.
Whoever has the most fun wins.
Kansas vs. Missouri (Nov. 26)
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The Border War is a battle that started well before the invention of football.
In fact, it started before Civil War.
Now, people from Missouri and Kansas come together not to do battle with guns and torches, but with football and grills.
Sounds much better to me.
Oregon State at Oregon (Nov. 26)
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This rivalry might be a bit one sided at the moment, but this game will be a great place to have a party nonetheless.
Ole Miss at Mississippi State (Nov. 26)
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You may have noticed that there are an awful lot of SEC games in this countdown.
Well, there's good reason for that.
The South has the four great components that make for great tailgating:
1. Successful football programs
2. Good accessibly to great food and drink
3. Warm weather (sorry Big Ten fans, tailgating just isn't as fun when its below zero...)
4. Long established traditions of just having fun.
The Egg Bowl is no exception.
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (Dec. 3)
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The tailgating at this game should reflect the intensity of this great matchup between very high powered offenses.
It'll be pure Bedlam.
BYU at Hawaii (Dec. 3)
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BYU hasn't made a trip to the islands to face Hawaii in ten years.
They're in for a real treat. There's the wonderful pig and the dancing and the beach...
Oh, and there's football too.
Army vs. Navy (Dec. 10)
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These cadets love their Country, football and great tailgating.
This game is so big, it's going to be at FedEx Field this year.
Better come hungry, because both the Cadets and the Midshipmen know how to feed both an Army and a Navy.
However, it being December, make sure to bundle up.
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