College Football 2011: Best Week-by-Week Tailgating Locations This Season

Tailgating is a tradition as old as college football itself—at least we assume it is.

Can't you see your ancestors gathered around a deer on a rotisserie over an open flame prior to a game back in 1910?

Anyway, enough of the past.

This list counts down the best spots to be for the ultimate tailgating experience each week of the 2011 college football season.

It's not a list of the best places to tailgate or the best games of the year, but the places to be when a perfect storm of good partying and a better game are both on the agenda.

Sept. 3: Boise State at Georgia (Atlanta)

This one would be a great place to party just for the national title implications.

Even though the game is being played in Atlanta, you can expect Georgia fans to be out in full force.

And as you can see, there are many of them who take their tailgating seriously.

The 8:00 p.m. EST start for prime time leaves plenty of daylight to turn Atlanta into one big tailgating extravaganza.

Sept.10: Notre Dame at Michigan

It's Michigan's first night game.

Do you need another reason?

If you do, consider the opponent and the fervor with which Michigan fans support their team—more than 100,000 strong.

Now go ahead and translate that into the tailgating scene.

Sept. 17: Auburn at Clemson

Clemson fans are enjoyable people, for the most part.

They are extremely loyal, intense and like to have a good time.

The town may not be the largest, but you will have a hard time finding anywhere to tailgate with the enthusiasm displayed by these people.

Besides, you have the opportunity to sample some boiled peanuts and see people act crazy wearing purple...

Sept. 24: Missouri at Oklahoma

The Sooners are hoping to cruise to a BCS Championship.

Missouri is an overlooked BCS contender.

Just another excuse to party in Norman.

While you would be hard pressed to find a more passionate or knowledgeable fanbase, their hospitality does not suffer for it. The crowds are ridiculously huge on Campus Corner, but at least before the game, they are pretty civil...

Oct. 1: Nebraska at Wisconsin

This photo courtesy of Taylor Mathis. Taylortakesataste.com

The place that gave us brat-burgers should be your destination at this point.

It will not be late enough in the year to absolutely freeze everything in sight, and these guys know how to party.

If you can get past all the people with Badgers on their heads and wedges of cheese, it's a great atmosphere.

The game is a possible preview of the Big Ten Championship game as well, so double points there.

Oct. 8: Oklahoma at Texas (Arlington)

Besides eating everything fried, the Red River Shootout offers plenty for everyone.

(Apologies to whoever made the boneheaded decision to "rename" it the Red River Rivalry.)

It's at the Cotton Bowl during the Texas State Fair, and there are rabid fans of both schools swarming all over the place.

It's one of the biggest parties of the year.

If Texas can make it competitive this season, the game might be worth watching as well.

Oct. 15: Arizona State at Oregon

While not carrying all the cachet of a big stadium in the Big Ten or the SEC, Autzen is a great place for tailgating.

Oregon fans are pretty generous with their grilled goods, and the weather will be refreshing this time of year.

Arizona State is aspiring to BCS hopes, so this game should be a doozie.

Oct. 22: Arkansas at Ole Miss

Ole Miss is struggling, but it doesn't matter.

The Grove is one of the best and most unique spots in the country to tailgate, and will easily make up for any disappointment felt as a result of watching the Rebels attempt to play football.

For even more redeeming qualities, visit when Arkansas is in town, as the Razorbacks have a legit shot at the BCS...

Oct. 29: Wisconsin at Ohio State

Forget the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.

True football fans will enjoy the experience in Columbus far more.

It may be a few degrees colder, but the game will be between two teams contending for a place in the inaugural Big Ten Championship game.

And, as you can see, there is no shortage of fervent Buckeye fans, each one ready to exact revenge on those upstart Wisconsin Badgers.

Nov. 5: LSU at Alabama

This game could very well decide who goes to the BCS Championship game.

It doesn't matter though, because the fans would be just as crazy either way.

The best BBQ in the world can be found tailgating in Tuscaloosa, and LSU fans are pretty good at tailgating themselves.

Make sure you wear your houndstooth, however, and watch out for random elephants...

Nov. 12: Nebraska at Penn State

Yeah, that's a person in a Storm Trooper costume—you don't see that every day.

Would it surprise you to know that JoePa walked by shortly after wearing a Darth Vader outfit?

Anyway, the sheer number of fans on game day in Happy Valley make for an awesome experience.

Combine that with the renewal of an old rivalry, and this is a can't-miss party.

Nov. 25: Arkansas at LSU

Technically, this runs into the next week, but since it's before Saturday, we'll let it slide.

No list of places to tailgate is complete without at least one trip to Tiger Stadium. The visual assault from the seas of gaudy purple and yellow is absolutely stunning.

And talk about food—Cajun sausage, jambalaya, gumbo, grits and dirty rice highlight the feast.

If you can only make one tailgate all season, this might be the one to go with.

Nov. 26: Alabama at Auburn

The Iron Bowl.

Besides being one of the greatest rivalries in college football, it boasts a great tailgating scene.

The state of Alabama pretty much shuts down, and it seems as if everybody is at the game.

The party starts at Auburn sometime on Thursday and doesn't end until Sunday.

Don't assume you are close to the stadium just because you see people pulled over tailgating; they stretch as far as 10 miles away from the actual game action.

Auburn fans might want to avoid this year's edition of the game and just keep tailgating, as the Tide are going to be looking for revenge.

Dec. 3: Oklahoma at Oklahoma State

It's known as "Bedlam" for a reason.

This game is the best game on the schedule and could feature two top-10 teams duking it out for a trip to the BCS Championship.

The rivalry between these two schools hangs in the air before the game, and you can almost feel the intensity.

Oklahoma has owned the 'Pokes in recent seasons, but this year could be different.

Dec. 10: Army vs. Navy (Washington D.C.)

It's the only game this week, so it wins by default.

However, Army and Navy fans are generally "good people."

While you may have to watch out for the occasional goat or mule, this game is one to make sure you get to.