College Football Mascots: Queer Cheers for the Straight Guys?

That’s so gay.

It may be politically incorrect, but anyone who has a teen has heard this phrase repeatedly.

This is gay, that is gay, blah, blah, blah.

Gee, I didn’t realize that the alternate sexuality universe was so prevalent amongst our teen denizens. Whoda thunk?

Such as it is, gay culture continues to enter the mainstream, as epitomized by the popular show Queer Eye For The Straight Guy which aired from 2003 to 2007 and managed to win an Emmy in 2004.

Rumors say that one of the reasons that BYU was snubbed by the Pac-10 was the LDS church's opposition to gay marriage. 

Despite some setbacks in the battle for marriage rights, overall, the movement towards gay themes, entertainers, politicians, and style continues to permeate our society.

From Barney Frank to Ellen Degeneres, no one blinks an eye anymore when a public figure is gay.

They’re queer, they’re here, get used to it.

Here at BleacherReport.com, we’re happy (shall we say gay) to report that this cultural phenomenon has not missed the college football ranks.  We present to you the top ten gay mascots in college football today.

#10: Big Red, Western Kentucky

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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers mascot on the court during a break in the action against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Por

If there ever was a mascot that would cause a bunch of teens to mutter “that’s gay,” it's Big Red of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. 

The polymorphous blob can best be described as “interesting."

And did anyone notice that he and Patrick of SpongeBob SquarePants have never been seen in the same room at the same time?

#9: Goldy Gopher, Minnesota

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 19: The mascot of the Minnesota Golden Gophers cheers on his team against the Texas Longhorns during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 19, 2009 in Greensboro, Nor

Minnesota brought us legendary tough guys like Paul Bunyan and Bronco Nagurski.

It also brought us Goldy Gopher. 

To say that ol’ Goldy ain’t exactly striking fear into opponents is, shall we say, an understatement.

This has been reflected in the Golden Gophers' results this year.

#8: Mule, Army

He’s rough, he’s tough, he’s buff, and he looks like he’s no stranger to intriguing uses for leather wear. 

Ya know, harness, saddle, chaps, collar.

Who knows? Rumors abound but…

Hey, don’t ask, don’t tell.

#7: Tree, Stanford

Doug Benc/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 06: The mascot for the Stanford Cardinal performs against the UCONN Huskies during their National Semifinal Game of the 2008 NCAA Women's Final Four at St. Pete Times Forum April 6, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Ima

From the land of lotus-eating, zen-worshippin’, Volvo-drivin’, computer-geekin’, funny-stuff-smokin’, self-aware people comes… the Tree.

Stanford used to be Indians, but that is a big ol’ no-no, so now they are… the Tree.

Wow. Gay.

And not in a good way.

#6: Mr. C, Vanderbilt

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ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 14: Mr. C - the mascot of the Vanderbilt University Commodores - walks during the game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs during at Sanford Stadium on October 14, 2006 in Athens, Georgia. Vanderbilt won 24-22. (Photo by Scott

Mr. C mixes a mean martini, always dresses with flair, and is always impeccably groomed. 

He turned down a spot to be the sixth member of Queer Eye For The Straight Guy due to a previous commitment for a wedding planning symposium.

Pass the Grey Poupon.

#5: Benny Beaver, Oregon State

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 22: Oregon State Beavers mascot Benny appears on the field in an Elvis Presley-inspired costume before the team's game against the Brigham Young University Cougars in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2009 in

Hairy armpits, hairy legs, patchouli oil, and granola: Welcome to the People's Republic of Corvallis, whose mascot is Benny Beaver.

Many don’t realize it, but Benny is short for Bernadette. Before becoming a mascot, she used to play catcher in softball.

Grrrrl power, baby.

#4: Pistol Pete, Wyoming

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - MARCH 13: Wyoming Cowboys mascot 'Pistol Pete' jumps in the air during a semifinal game against the Utah Utes during a semifinal game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball Championships at the Thomas & Mack Center March 13, 2009 i

"What?

"We are not gay.  We don’t know any gays.  We don’t even have any fashion sense. 

"Maybe you’re mixing us up with all those weird people from California who come here to vacation at Jackson Hole.

"And don’t go starting with that Brokeback Mountain thing.  Give it a break. Sheese.

"And we’re called the pokes cause… oh, never mind."

#3: The Leprechaun, Notre Dame

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 20: The leprechaun mascot of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish yells on the field during the game against the University of Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium October 20, 2007 in South Bend, Indiana. USC defeated Notre

Aye, he’s a wee little lad who looks so cute and cuddly. 

If ye don’t watch it, he’ll have to give you a wee little kick in your knee with his wee little foot.

Aye, an' then he'll be sayin' his Penance, he will.

Me thinks the Irish should go back to the Terrier.

#2: Cocky, South Carolina

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: South Carolina Gamecocks mascot Cocky celebrates during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks beat the Bulldogs 17-6. (Photo by Mike Za

80,000 people screaming “Go Cocks” every Saturday.

'Nuff said.

#1: Herbie Husker, Nebraska

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY - MARCH 11: The Nebraska Cornhuskers mascot during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship at the Ford Center March 11, 2009 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Whoa, big fella.

Herbie, whose has one brother, Little Red, and another brother who works as an icon for the Big Boy hamburger chain, is the epitome of the chubby little kid who always got picked last to play softball. 

So, he took up cooking and such.

But he loooooves them Huskers.

They just look so handsome and, well, husky in those nice uniforms of theirs, what with the tight pants and big ol' shoulders and such. 

Inside sources say that Herbie has been seen cavorting with future conference mate Goldy Gopher during the offseason, drinking Chablis while listening to Johnny Mathis tunes and shopping for some kitchenware.

You big goof, you.