Bowl season is already underway but the real season is just about to start; college football bowl tailgating season. Here is the Top 6 Bowl Games that as a tailgater makes you want to pack up the RV and head out to the lot.
6. Chick-fil-A Bowl – Virginia (5-3 ACC) vs. #25 Auburn (4-4 SEC)
- December 31, 2011 – Georgia Dome: Atlanta, GA (71,228 capacity)
Welcome to Atlanta where the players play and tailgaters party like every day. The Chick-fil-A Bowl embodies what the “southern comfort” tailgating experience is all about: drinks, food, and hospitality. The Chick-fil-A Bowl operates like an open house party where everyone is invited to come socialize and simply have a good time. Perhaps the best part of the Chick-fil-A experience is the smell of fresh-cooked meats and poultry consuming the air. Nothing beats the combination of cold beer and fresh BBQ.
5. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl – #4 Stanford (11-1 Pac 12) vs. #3 Oklahoma St. (11-1 Big 12)
- January 2, 2012 – University of Phoenix Stadium: Glendale, AZ (72,200 capacity)
The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl offers an ideal tailgating locale. Imagine a huge outdoor party in beautiful weather and mountainous ranges surrounding the landscape. The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl is truly a one-of-a-kind tailgating experience. Attendance last year reached 67,232 and ticket sales so far have surpassed this figure. College football fans have been rumored to get a little rowdy at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl with the influx of Arizona State University students that frequently attend this bowl game.
4. Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl – Ohio St (6-6 Big Ten) vs. Florida (6-6 SEC)
- January 2, 2012 – Everbank Field: Jacksonville, FL (84,000 capacity)
This is a bowl game tailgaters will definitely not want to miss. Last year Mississippi State played Michigan State at Everbank Field and attendance soared to 77,497. This year, the Gator Bowl will host its own Florida Gators in a much-anticipated match-up against the Ohio State Buckeyes. On an interesting note, former Florida football coach Urban Meyers, who recently signed as head coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes, says he will not be in attendance. Nevertheless, this bowl has all of the ingredients for a perfect tailgating experience: warm weather, enormous parking lots, and two teams with some of the craziest and dedicated fans in college sports.
3. AT&T Cotton Bowl – #8 Kansas St. (10-2 Big 12) vs. #6 Arkansas (10-2 Sec)
- January 6, 2012 – Cowboys Stadium: Arlington, TX (80,000 capacity)
There is no question the 2012 Cotton Bowl will attract a crowd for the record books. This game is one of only four bowls pitting two Top-10 teams. Records show the last time Arkansas played Kansas State was in 1967. This history-making match-up is highly anticipated by many college football fans and this excitement should similarly be reflected in its pre-game celebration. Dozens of lots surround Cowboy Stadium and they will be consumed with tents, music, smoke, and erratic wildcat and razorback fans drinking and screaming their way to victory.
2. All State BCS National Championship – #1 LSU (13-0 SEC) vs. #2 Alabama (11-1 SEC)
- January 9, 2012 – Louisiana Dome: New Orleans, LA (69,703 capacity)
With great games come great expectations. The LSU vs. Alabama match-up should encompass what the ideal college football experience is all about: fantastic teams, passionate fans, and pre-game excellence. When tickets for the game are selling as high as $6,500, it is always reasonable to assume a substantial amount of funds will be allocated to pre-game parties. College football is the heart and soul of these two sports programs and fans are ready to go “all-in” on this whole experience – expect a lot of drinking and freshly-grilled Cajun cuisine.
1. Rose Bowl Game – #10 Wisconsin (11-2; Big Ten) vs. #5 Oregon (11-2; Pac 12)
- January 2, 2012 – Rose Bowl: Pasadena, CA (92,542 capacity)
In 2007, Sports Illustrated named the Rose Bowl the number one venue in college sports. The Rose Bowl continues to offer the perfect opportunity for tailgaters to have a blast while soaking in its legendary history and tradition. Tailgaters park on the adjacent golf course that surrounds the historic stadium coupled with views of the San Gabriel Mountains as the backdrop. The Rose Bowl is the most famous postseason college football game and has attracted the highest number of attendees since 1945. Last year’s attendance totaled 94,118 in a TCU versus Wisconsin match-up – demonstrating the Rose Bowl attracts thousands of enthusiastic tailgaters and football fans irrespective of what teams are playing.