College Football 2011: 11 Places You Wouldn't Want to Tailgate as an Opponent

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

College football venues are a lot like people; some are warm, welcoming and considerate while others are cold, inhospitable and nasty.

This same rule applies for tailgating, and while some home fans greet their opposing celebrants with a cold lager and a friendly pat on the back, others offer the foreign guest everything from a menacing leer to actual verbal threats and violence.

In reality most members of a solid home crowd seem to have a healthy respect and perhaps even admiration for opposing fans, especially those who travel from long distances. They treat them, at the very worst, with the dubious coldness that is expected of an esteemed individual playing the passionate role of a college football supporter.

However, some places are definitely more apt to greet the wary gridiron traveler wearing the wrong colors and setting up his grill with the wrong flag flying over it in a non-menacing way than others.

This slideshow identifies 11 places that are among the most "dangerous" in college football for the visiting tailgater.

These are tailgating destinations that the College Football State Department (if there were such an entity) would issue travel alerts for if they could.

In a backwards kind of way it’s almost a compliment (I guess) to be on this list, because each of these programs has some of the most dedicated, fanatical and illogical fanbases in college football, which is exactly why they are so dangerous.

It is also important to note that fanbases are not unlike many other large gatherings of individuals, in that a couple of bad apples doesn’t necessarily mean the entire truckload is tainted; or, in other words, for every obnoxious intoxicated fan there are more than likely two really solid supporters who wouldn’t dream of taking action against opposing fans.

And this concept certainly applies to the programs listed in this slideshow.

Wisconsin

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

According to a recent article in GQ, Wisconsin has installed a breathalyzer at the gates which makes you understand that what happens outside the turnstiles can be intense.

Badgers fans can put a few cold ones away, and this fact, combined with unbridled passion, can equal a dodgy situation for opposing fans.

Texas Tech

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

It’s difficult to call out your own school, but I would be remiss not to mention Texas Tech as a part of this dubious (but delightfully spirited) list.

The Red Raiders’ improved fortunes since the dawning of the Mike Leach era have brought on a new era of fandemonium that is often markedly offensive and treacherous for the opposing fan.

This amped up atmosphere has also made Jones AT&T Stadium a fearful place for visiting teams and proven invaluable to the actual success of the program.

Though Texas Tech doesn’t offer near the tailgating scene as do other schools on (and off) this list, it would absolutely be dangerous to participate in a Lubbock pregame parking lot party while wearing the opposing team’s colors (especially if they are maroon, burnt orange or crimson).

Clemson

As far as I’m concerned (and this is admittedly a subjective list), Clemson fans are among the most hospitable in this presentation.

Yes, the Tigers put on a beautiful tailgate and aren’t really as aggressive as they are colorful.

What I mean by that is, in a sea of stunning orange, nothing sticks out like a sore thumb like some fool celebrant sporting a wide variety of gear in shades of South Carolina Gamecock Garnet and Black.

It may not be dangerous to party crash at Clemson’s pregame festivities (unless you find yourself in one of the “overserved” pockets of debauchery) but if you do, you’ll be so obvious amongst the amazing spectacle of row after row of orange tents, flags and such that trouble will have no problem seeking you out.

Florida

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Florida has a lot of reason to be cocky about their football team,—four divisional, three conference and two National Championships since 2000—but mixing this confidence with cocktails isn’t always a good thing for visiting fans.

Gator Nation is a people who may need to drink to stay cool and comfortable, but at the end of the day this is a swamp creature that is dangerous to deal with when it’s snapping on game day—especially for a prey in the wrong color scheme.

"It’s time to put the chip clips back on the Doritos, Linda! That girl from Florida just chased a bunch of FSU fans from the port-a-potties!"

Michigan

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Though Michigan fans have had less to cheer about in recent years, they still fill Michigan Stadium (which seats more than 105,000 fans) to the brim for every home contest.

Michigan’s tailgate scene might not be as well thought of as some members of the southern contingency, but Wolverines fans no doubt will take note (negatively) if you set up your Buckeye or Spartan tribute behind your vehicle.

These are serious fans who think very highly of themselves and their beloved team, and these are a great football people who (especially when well smashed) aren’t afraid to defend the honor of their home turf.

Alabama

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

I personally think you’d be hard-pressed to find more passionate fans than those who root for the Crimson Tide.

This level of fervor combined with SEC football (I mean come on, this is serious business, somebody is going to win the National Championship), steamy Southern heat (and hate) and just a shade (or more) of redneck, and you have a crazy cocktail capable of throwing even the mildest manners of fans over the top.

The bottom line for opposing tailgaters in Tuscaloosa is that all that pent-up passion is going to have to be vented somewhere, and you—dressed in your offensive visiting colors—are a perfect target.

Ohio State

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Buckeyes fans are threatening to visiting fanbases due to their unwavering and over-the-top passion for their beloved football team.

While it’s difficult not to respect a truly devoted group of fanatics, Ohio State is scary on an almost cult-like level.

Though Columbus tailgating might not offer flat-out danger (unless you are a Michigan fan), Buckeyes fans have almost a "Seriously…you are NOT an OSU fan?" mentality, which means enjoying a pregame beverage amongst the natives has the potential to spark an angry flame.

Ohio State has great football fans, but the superiority complex combined with big football blinders mean anything can happen.

West Virginia

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Well, Mountaineers fans burn stuff.

They torch couches, lamps and anything that could even remotely be classified as flammable. These crazed fanatics are well lubricated, and though they might secretly approve of the opposing fan setting up his pop-up tent over his grill operations center, as the drinks continue to flow and the flames heat up it may be downright risky to stick around past the fifth round of drinks.

Once you get inside Mountaineer Field things will soon get even dicier; West Virginia recently approved the sale of beer in the stadium.

Notre Dame

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

South Bend offers a markedly different type of tailgating danger for the visiting fan.

The Irish might not wander around drunk and yell obscenities at you, but they will look down their noses at you and fill your pop-up tent and oversized cooler with unbridled arrogance.

Sometimes tradition, lore and lucrative TV contractual agreements can go to your head, and Notre Dame has a ramped up Ohio State attitude that surpasses the Buckeyes' arrogance, but falls flat short of its recent successes.

Though it’s a great place to tailgate, a beautiful campus and a true gridiron dream destination, be prepared (if you’re there to root for the "other" team) to feel a bit like the country cousin from Hicksville.

LSU

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Perhaps the most intoxicated fanbase in all of college ball (and the most apt to cross dress), the fun starts when celebrants scream "Tiger Bait" in opposing fans’ faces.

I’m not sure what level of courage an opposing fan would have to muster to boldly raise his/her flag above their pick-up truck or minivan, but it would have to be extreme.

Tailgating in Baton Rouge is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it might be more safely done in purple and gold.

Penn State

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Often listed as the worst place to visit as an opposing fan, Penn State fans are known for being boisterous, overserved and taking fanatical zealousness to an entirely new plateau.

Nittany Lions supporters are simply not afraid to proclaim their enthusiasm and therefore express their displeasure for those who do not agree with their affections.

This all combines to make Happy Valley an unhappy place for the opposing fan to strike up the grill while girding their loins with spirit beads of the wrong color.