In the aftermath of the College Football Playoff, Assistant Design Editor Ella Hughes ranks her top five traditions.
5. Dixieland delight: Alabama
Anyone who has ever been to Bryant-Denny Field or even seen a video of the fourth quarter country tradition loves everything about “Dixieland Delight.” From the waving crimson pom-poms to the ad-libs between each line of the iconic Alabama song, the energy in the stands reminds the players that the crowd is with them. Even an Auburn fan can admit that this tradition makes them want to say, “Roll Tide.”
4. White Out: Penn State
There are seldom things more intimidating than playing in Beaver Stadium at night. But worse than that is playing during a White Out game. The daunting sea of white screaming their hearts out makes it impossible to communicate on the field. Ask any team about the most challenging stadiums to play in, and Beaver Field during a White Out night game will undoubtedly rank near the top.
- Jump around: Wisconsin
Since 1998, Camp Randall Stadium has been shaking in the fourth quarter of every home game as “Jump Around” by House of Pain plays in the background. The stadium becomes a sea of red bouncing up and down to the beat as students, alumni and players jump for two and a half minutes to close out the third quarter and get hyped up for the fourth. This is possibly one of the most memorable fourth quarter traditions in all of college football.
- Play Like a Champion: Notre Dame
The famous yellow and blue sign that hangs in the hallway outside the locker room has been a staple of Notre Dame history since Coach Lou Holtz commissioned it in 1986. Every game, as players complete the historic walk to the field, each player hits the sign that tells the team to “PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY.” The sign has been through 38 seasons and is still a symbol of the fight and heart of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
- 12th man: Texas A&M
Whether you are a die-hard Aggie or think they are a cult, no one can deny the electric energy of the 12th man at Kyle Field. The history of the 12th man began with player King Gill, the only reserve player on the sidelines who did not play in the football game against Centre College in 1922. Despite being ready to go in, Gill never did, and since then he has become the symbol of the 12th man. The 12th man represents every fan, those with a spirit of readiness for service and a desire to support team enthusiasm. Today, the home of the 12th man is one of the toughest home field environments in football and the most renowned college football tradition to date.
