Ranking College Football's Top 50 Mascots or Sideline Characters

College football is famous for so many things: tailgating, pageantry, bands, cheerleaders, the game itself—and yes, of course, mascots.

Over the years there have been many college football mascots that have made their mark. Some were official, others not so official, but all of them have become part of the college football experience.

You probably have your favorite, or favorites, as I am sure any true college football fan does, but how do they stack up to others?

Let's rank the top 50 and see where your favorite college football mascot or sideline character lands on our countdown.

No. 50: Big Red

School: Western Kentucky

Two Words: Fuzz Ball

WKU has a mascot that can't really be explained.

No. 49: Riptide

School: Tulane

Two Words: Wave Rider

Nothing says "Green Wave" like a big wave-riding bird.

No. 48: Roc the Panther

School: Pitt

Two Words: Growlin' Good

Good team, good mascot, great coach.

No. 47: PeeDee

School: East Carolina

Two Words: Happy Pirate?

Why is he so happy? He is wearing purple and looking fabulous.

No. 46: Wolfie

School: Nevada-Reno

Two Words: Howling Reno

So, a wolf named Wolfie—not that creative when you think about it. But they took a gamble, and it seems to have paid off.

No. 45: Testudo

School: Maryland

Two Words: Turtle Soup

A snapping good choice at No. 45. He is a diamondback, I know, I know.

No. 44: Albert and Alberta Gator

School: Florida

Two Words: Happy Couple

The only couple to make our countdown. What happens if they get divorced?

No. 43: Cam the Ram

School: Colorado State

Two Words: Ram It

When this mascot was picked, there was a lot of head-butting going on. However, in the end it got rammed through.

No. 42: Stanford Tree

School: Stanford

Two Words: Mascot, Really?

It is on the list because it is truly disturbing.

No. 41: Sir Big Spur

School: South Carolina

Two Words: Doodle-Doo

Not sure why anyone would want to use a chicken for a mascot. It doesn't really put fear into the hearts of the opponents. Oh, it's not a chicken...then what is it?

No. 40: Otto the Orange

School: Syracuse

Two Words: Mmm, Juice

You can't help but crave orange juice when seeing this mascot.

Now, if the football team can just get a little more juice itself.

No. 39: Rameses

School: North Carolina

Two Words: Real Fake

The real one or the costume—either one will do.

No. 38: Johnny Spirit

School: Michigan State

Two Words: Crazy Awesome

Rumor is John Sheldon legally changed his name to Johnny Spirit. I don't if that is true, but one thing is for sure...he is crazy awesome.

He paints himself green and attends every Michigan State football game.

He also attends almost every school function and guards the Sparty statue during Michigan week.

No. 37: Knightro

School: Central Florida

Two Words: Hot Costume

You are in Florida, so it makes sense that you would make someone wear this kind of costume.

They go in at 175 lbs and come out at 135 lbs.

No. 36: Wilbur

School: Arizona

Two Words: Skat Kat

This is one kool kat. However, the Arizona football team is not the cat's meow.

Maybe Wilbur should suit up.

No. 35: Demon Deacon

School: Wake Forest

Two Words: Oxy Moron

A demon? A Deacon? Which is it? A wonderful contradiction of the evil and the good.

A very unique and extremely cool mascot.

No. 34: Mr. Two-Bits

School: Florida

Two Words: Class Act

Mr. Two-Bits, aka George Edmondson, is known for his leading of the "two bits" cheer at Florida Gator football games. He spent 60 years doing this but recently retired at 86 years old.

He is still honored by Albert the Alligator, who dresses up in clothes resembling Mr. Two-Bits and leads the cheer for him.

Mr. Two-Bits, you're worth much more than that.

No. 33: Bruiser

School: Baylor

Two Words: Judge Also

Bruiser is the newest edition to the Baylor mascot lineup.

Judge, of course, is the real deal. He is a real-life bear that has been the Baylor mascot for years.

However, this new addition adds fun for the fans, players and anyone watching Bruiser on the sidelines.

No. 32: Herbie Husker

School: Nebraska

Two Words: Nice Smile

If you have seen a Nebraska game, you know this mascot looks like most of the fans at the game.

Was that a compliment? Maybe...

No. 31: Bill the Goat

School: Navy

Two Words: Goat Cheese

Bill the Goat is clearly the perfect mascot for the Naval Academy.

Okay, maybe not. However, legend says that goats were taken on naval ships many, many years ago.

This was a way to provide milk and butter and get rid of garbage by feeding it to the goat.

So, in a tribute to those goats once used at sea, the Navy Midshipmen have a goat for a mascot. Makes perfect sense to some; to others it really gets their goat. Sorry, couldn't resist.

No. 30: Hokie Bird

School: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University...catching breath...aka Virginia Tech

Two Words: No Jokie

This bird is no ordinary bird. This mascot has a series of children's books and has won numerous mascot awards. Some think it to be a little hokie, but others think it is is no joke.

Whatever your opinion is, you have to admit it is one of the most recognizable mascots around.

Gobbling up the competition at No. 30, the Hokie Bird.

No. 29: Sooner Schooner

School: Oklahoma

Two Words: Don't Tip

In 1993 the Schooner tipped over, but everyone was okay. Any school mascot that can possibly kill you is cool no matter what people say.

That includes dangerous animals and dangerous schooners.

No. 28: Sebastian the Ibis

School: Miami (Florida)

Two Words: Nota Duck

He is an ibis, not a duck... So many people don't realize that, but it could be that with a team name like "Hurricanes," the ibis/duck argument seems silly.

However, how do you make a mascot look like a hurricane? A broken-down house? A flying double wide? A pole through a tree? Not sure any of those would work.

I know—let's use an ibis.

Most people have no clue what an ibis is. Look it up yourself.

No. 27: Chief Osceola

School: Florida State

Two Words: Noble Warrior

The Florida State Seminoles have one of the most iconic mascots on this list. When that spear is planted firmly in the field, the entire crowd can feel it.

How cool it must be to be the man privileged enough to be Chief Osceola.

No. 26: Snoop Dogg

School: USC

Two Words: Laid Back

A regular sight at USC games, Snoop Dogg is becoming somewhat of an unofficial mascot.

Regardless of how you might feel about that, it was pretty cool what Snoop Dogg once said about kids, gangs, school and football:

“It's so easy for a kid to join a gang, to do drugs. We should make it that easy to be involved in football and academics.”

No. 25: Ralphie the Buffalo

School: Colorado

Two Words: Buffalo Burgers

Probably the tastiest mascot on the list, but nobody is eating Ralphie. This mascot won't be buffaloed into jumping on any plate in the near future.

Instead, he will keep leading the Colorado football team onto the field of battle.

Which has been a bit of a hairy ordeal for the Buffaloes over the last few years.

No. 24: The Blue Elvises

School: Boise State University

Two Words: Burnin' Love

One of the few "non-official" mascots on the countdown, the Blue Elvises have become a standout feature of every Boise State home game.

When told they were going to be No. 24 on the list, they were quoted as saying, "Thank you, thank you very much."

No. 23: Smokey

School: Tennessee

Two Words: Bow Wow

Smokey the dog is better than other animals named Smokey. The Tennessee mascot is burning up our countdown at No. 23. The real version is better than the costumed version of Smokey, and most fans agree.

Marking his territory on our countdown, Smokey the mascot of Tennessee.

No. 22: Goldy Gopher

School: Minnesota

Two Words: Gopher It

The Minnesota Golden Gophers—not sure who picked the mascot, but they are freakin' awesome. Not just the Gophers, but the "Golden" Gophers.

No. 21: Uga

School: Georgia

Two Words: Cool Bull

No bones about it, Uga barks up our countdown at No. 21. Just like Georgia's football coach, Uga is usually in the doghouse.

However, to be fair, that has changed after winning several games straight. Also, just like the team, Uga refuses to play dead.

Georgia and Uga are headed for a possible SEC title game this season, and it will be nice to see if they are for real or if their bark is better than their bite.

No. 20: Sparty

School: Michigan State

Two Words: Sparty Party

If you don't like Sparty, he probably doesn't care. Any warrior that can wear a skirt and get away with it probably doesn't care about the opinion of mere mortals.

No. 19: Brutus Buckeye

School: Ohio State

Two Words: Love Hate

Some love Brutus, some hate Brutus; either way, he lands at No. 19. Some say it is better to be lucky than good, but in this case it is better to be nuts than crazy.

Brutus has the head of a Buckeye nut and the heart of a champion.

No. 18: Bevo

School: Texas

Two Words: Steer Clear

Bevo, not to be confused with Devo, is burning down the house at No. 18.

The long and the short of it is that this mascot, for the University of Texas, steered itself to No. 18 on our countdown. You get the point.

No. 17: The Boilermaker Special

School: Purdue

Two Words: Choo Choo

Are you serious? A train for a mascot? How cool is that? Some might say it's loco, but others think they are right on track with this one.

It didn't have the steam to make it into the top 10, but it was able to engineer a top-20 ranking.

Coming into the depot at No. 17t, the Boilermaker Special from Purdue University.

No. 16: Pistol Pete

School: Oklahoma State

Two Words: Smoking Gun

Pistol Pete has the ammunition to shoot up our countdown at target No. 16.

One bad hombre and manly mascot, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are well represented by their sideline buckaroo.

Round up your doggies and hide your coffee and bacon—Pistol Pete is riding into a stadium near you.

No. 15: Buck-I-Guy

School: Ohio State

Two Words: Non Stop

Does this guy ever run out of energy...or tickets? At every home game, and nearly every away game, of Ohio State, you can find Buck-I-Guy.

Love him or hate him, you have to admit, at least he has a hobby.

No. 14: The Bird

School: Air Force Academy

Two Words: Chic Beak

Too cool for school, this bird nests at an academy. Although this bird is grounded, it is still flying high at No. 14 on our countdown.

It might ruffle a few feathers to be that high on the list, but its always fun egging folks on.

In fact, the ranking of this bird will probably make some people flip.

No. 13: Buzz

School: Georgia Tech

Two Words: Sting Bling

One of two official mascots for Georgia Tech, Buzz flies his way to No. 13 on our countdown. I hope it doesn't sting Buzz too much that he is actually not the highest-ranked mascot from his own school.

However, he is still winging it pretty high on this list. Always styling a yellow jacket, he is dressed for success.

No. 12: Ramblin' Wreck

School: Georgia Tech

Two Words: Nice Ride

Come on, who wouldn't like an mascot like this? The second Georgia Tech "official mascot" on our countdown.

The current Ramblin' Wreck is a 1930 Ford Model A Sport Coupe.

This mechanical mascot leads the team out onto the field at every home game, always hopeful of a blowout.

The crowd drives the team, but this mascot leads the Yellow Jackets and encourages them not to run out of gas.

Not one to honk its own horn, the Ramblin' Wreck crashes into our countdown at No. 12.

No. 11: Traveler

School: USC

Two Words: With Rider

USC fans go "horse" screaming for their Trojans, so Traveler seems like an appropriate mascot. Traveler is the name of the horse only.

The rider is unnamed but usually mistaken for Tommy Trojan, which is a life-size bronze statue on campus at USC.

With or without rider, Traveler sneaks up and jumps out at No. 11.

No. 10: Bucky Badger

School: University of Wisconsin

Two Words: Bad Badger

Wisconsin lost a game this season, but just like a badger, it keeps coming back for more. You never want to pick a fight with a badger because they never give up.

It is an appropriate mascot for a team that seems to have no quit.

Bucky Badger is one bad badger.

No. 9: Big Al

School: Alabama

Two Words: Funk Trunk

Big Al is a big hit. He is no ordinary sideline circus. What he does to get a crowd going is not mere peanuts.

There is no grey area with this mascot: You are either for the Crimson Tide or you are all wet. No zoo can hold him, and no opponent can tame him.

He is one funky elephant with lots of heart and tons of soul.

No. 8: Mike the Tiger

School: LSU

Two Words: Big Teeth

Let's just say having a mascot that can eat the opposing team is a little bit intimidating.

If you were to match up mascots in a ultimate fighting tournament, Mike the Tiger would be a paws-down favorite.

Those big teeth, long claws and cat-like...wait, cat reflexes would be sure defeat for any who would dare to enter the ring.

If LSU doesn't win the championship this year, who will be brave enough to tell Mike?

No. 7: Bronco Girl

School: Boise State University

Two Words: Saddle Up

The Bronco Girl is not the official mascot of the Boise State Broncos; that honor belongs to Buster the Bronco.

However, Buster is not nearly as easy to look at or as impressive. When Bronco Girl rides her horse out onto the field leading the team, it charges the air with electricity.

This horse and rider have become a favorite of Bronco fans, and with or without trying, Bronco Girl has finished ahead of Buster by several lengths at the finish.

No. 6: The Mountaineer

School: West Virginia

Two Words: Lotsa Leather

That much leather might cause an issue for most men, but the Mountaineer of West Virginia is no ordinary man.

This is a man's man.

The kind of man that has never set foot in a salon. The kind of man that has never uttered the phrase, "You hurt my feelings." This is the kind of man that you will never see at a Twilight movie.

The Mountaineer: what a mascot—and a man's man—should be.

No. 5: The Leprechaun of Notre Dame

School: Notre Dame

Two Words: Magically Delicious

The Leprechaun is a very appropriate mascot for a team called the "Fighting Irish."

However, lately the luck hasn't seemed to be on Notre Dame's side.

We will see when the Irish face Stanford at the end of the season if they are able to recapture the Luck or be devastated by him.

No. 4: War Eagle

School: Auburn

Two Words: Battle Cry

War Eagle is not the official mascot of the Auburn Tigers.

The official mascot is Aubie the Tiger; however, he is not even close to being as cool as Nova. Nova is the nickname for the eagle that is used to represent the "battle cry" for the Auburn Tigers.

No. 3: The Masked Rider of Texas Tech

School: Texas Tech

Two Words: Ghost Rider

The original name for the Masked Rider of Texas Tech was Ghost Rider, which may be a better choice.

However, one thing is for sure: No matter what name you use, this mascot is cool.

Who wouldn't want to put on tight pants, a cape and a mask and ride a horse like a mad person all over a stadium?

No. 2: The Oregon Duck, aka Puddles

School: University of Oregon

Two Words: Salty Quack-er

The iconic Oregon Duck, aka Puddles, aka the Fighting Duck, has landed at No. 2 on our countdown. Not much can bring this recognizable mascot down.

However, since he will be flying south this winter, teams like Stanford better duck.

We will see if the checks Andrew Luck is writing will cover the bill. If not, his goose will be cooked, and Cardinal fans will cry fowl.

No. 1: Vili the Warrior

School: University of Hawaii

Two Words: Grass Skirt

Wouldn't you hate to meet this warrior on the battlefield? Unless, of course, he was on your side.

Vili started as the "unofficial mascot" of the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, but I am not sure if anyone was ever brave enough to tell him that.

The only thing scarier than Vili is the way Hawaii has been playing this year. Come on, Warriors—live up to your mascot.