10 Things To Expect At Your First College Football Game

By Victoria Robertson on September 16, 2015

For incoming freshman that have never been to a college football game before (or for those of you a bit later on in your college career that just haven’t gotten around to it yet), let me be the millionth person to tell you: you’re missing out.

College football is more than just a way to kill a Saturday afternoon, it’s a college community uniting in school spirit for the love of the game, and there really isn’t anything like it.

So for those of you that are finally getting around to it (or are debating whether or not it’s worth it), here are 10 things to expect at your first college football game.

1. Drunks. Drunks everywhere.

College football games can be somewhat boring, but don’t you worry – alcohol is always there to liven up the mood!

Between tailgating, pre-gaming and good old-fashioned drinking in the stands, you’re going to be covered from kick-off until the two-minute warning, and I promise that there will be plenty more drunks around for you to bond with in between.

2. Costumes.

If you haven’t seen the parade of spirited students walking to the football stadium before your first game, you’re in for a real treat.

From striped overalls in your school’s colors to outfits that you didn’t know people could even own, you’re going to see them all at the game.

So if you have an outgoing personality, go ahead and join in, because I can guarantee you aren’t going to be alone.

3. Organized cheering.

Most of you will probably be lost for the first quarter or so, but by halftime, you’ll have all the cheers, dance moves and ref-shaming chants memorized and ready to go.

So don’t be too intimidated when the student section breaks into a chant you aren’t familiar with – because in about two plays, you’re going to hear it again.

By the end of the day, you won’t be able to get the chants out of your head and you’ll want to go back to the time where you didn’t know any of them.

4. School spirit like you’ve never seen before.

Literally, everyone is proud to be a student at a college football game, even if they aren’t really that proud in reality.

But college football is a dreamland in which everyone donning the same colors is best friends, and everyone is proud of their probably mediocre at best football team.

5. A total lack of modesty.  

Because we’re so accustomed to college life and the atmosphere that goes with college games, college football fans have a complete lack of modesty in a game atmosphere.

You’ll probably get some odd looks from local or visiting families, but you won’t care, because you’ll be oblivious. This is your stadium to do with what you please – and if you want to get so drunk that you’re screaming obscenities to any fan of the opposing team, then you’re going to do it.

No ifs, ands or buts about it.

6. Tailgating is a main attraction.

Speaking of getting drunk, there’s no such thing as a football game without tailgating first.

There’s no better time to pre-game the game, and hang out by the back of your car just because you can. Yes, it’s a weird tradition, but no, we’re not giving it up.

7. Bonding with total strangers.  

Odds are, you aren’t going to know more than 20 people in the stands. But by the end of the game, you’ll probably be friends with about half of them.

So even if you don’t have anyone to go to the game with you this weekend, go anyway – there are plenty of people there that would be more than happy to pal around with you!

Of course, I can’t promise your friendship will go beyond the stadium … sorry.

8. Unpredictable weather.

No matter how hard you try, you aren’t going to be able to dress for the weather at a football game.

One second it might be freezing, the next you’re going to feel like you’re in a sauna. My best advice is that you should wear layers – you never know what the weather is going to be, it’s just a part of the football life.

9. Extensive football knowledge.   

Before your first game, you probably won’t have a single opinion about football. Following your first game, you’re going to have an opinion about everything football, whether it’s founded in evidence or completely made up.

You’ll walk out disliking the other team and their “dirty” game play and you’re going to somehow know exactly who coach should’ve put in and when.

10. Empathy.

Win or lose, you’re going to follow your team until the end of the season. You’re going to feel every win, and every loss, and you’re going to actually express those emotions outwardly in the stadium.

Again, this probably isn’t going to translate into your personal life outside of the game, but for the time being, you’re going to care – and you’re going to care probably a bit too much.

College football is an absolute blast, especially when you’re just feeling it out for the first time. So stop missing out! Make sure that you’re at the next home game, because I promise, it’s completely worth your time and money.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format