Now that you’ve had a taste of the rich and significant history of College Football, these next five traditions are sure to get you going. After sifting through stacks and stacks of college information and analyzing hundreds of millions of college reviews, here is what our panel has decreed as the best traditions in College football:

5. Painting the Helmets Gold - Notre Dame is perhaps the most storied and well-known team in College Football. Because of that, you better believe that the Fighting Irish have their fair share of traditions and rituals. And although most people think that this story is merely mythical - the helmets get a real coat of 24 karat gold before every week’s big game.

4. Howard’s Rock and the Hill - It’s a sight to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. For roughly 40 years, the Clemson Tigers have made their raucous entrance into Memorial Stadium after touching Howard’s Rock and storming down the hill. Symbolizing the players’ intentions to play with everything they’ve got, this awesome arrival never fails to get 83,000 screaming fans to their feet.

3. Dotting the “I” - Ohio State is a perennial powerhouse and competes for a spot in the National Championship Game each and every season. The half-time festivities at Ohio Stadium culminate with the sousaphone player, rambunctiously and fanatically dotting the “I” after the marching band spells out “Ohio” on the field. The display sends 102,000 fans into thunderous and gaudy applause and cheering that lasts the entire second half.

2. Chief Osceola and the Flaming Spear — At Florida State University, they have one of the best pregame traditions in the entire country. Representing the Seminole Tribe, Chief Osceola mounts his faithful steed, Renegade, and plants a flaming spear into the ground at the 50-yard-line. With the players watching from the sideline, Chief Osceola spikes the fiery weapon on the logo at mid-field and then stares the opposing captains down as they make their way to the center of the field for the coin toss.

1. UGA the Bulldog - So it’s not the special affects or fierce animals that get the top spot here today. Instead, it’s the loveable little pooch from the University of Georgia named Uga. The bulldog is the seventh in a long line of real dogs to don the Georgia jersey and represent the school on the sideline of every game. Fans and players alike share a special bond with Uga as he even travels to certain away games in order to cheer on his fellow Bulldogs. After 50 years, the university still gets its dogs from the same lineage and family. Don’t let his cute exterior fool you though - he has a tendency to go after members of the opposing team.

Well, there you have it folks - the Top 10 College Football Traditions. From buffaloes to bulldogs, the search for college info and superiority continues. I hope this list helps you find colleges with deep and intense traditions…and a good party scene also!

With the College football season getting more and more intense every week, we figured that we’d pump you up a little bit more with the top 10 College Football traditions in the nation. Our enormous panel looked at tons of college info and searched for colleges with the richest and deepest history - here is what we’ve come up with:

10. Running through the T - At the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, there is very little that excites students more than the pregame festivities. As kickoff approaches, the Volunteers gather in the tunnel and wait for the marching band to form the famous “T”. Then, all of a sudden, the team floods out of the locker room, through the “T” and onto their sideline - an intimidating site for any visiting squad.

9. The Tiger Walk - Keeping things in the SEC, Auburn University boasts the ninth best tradition in College Football. Roughly two hours prior to kickoff, the Auburn players walk between thousands of screaming fans trying to shake a hand or merely catch a glimpse of their favorite players. As the team makes their way to the stadium, players get emotional and excited as the big match-up approaches. While other teams may try and replicate this tradition, it started here and will die here.

8. The Ramblin’ Wreck — A restored 1930 Model A Ford Sport Coupe leads the team onto the field and has done so at every home game since September 30th, 1961. The vintage car is decked out in GT colors and whenever the engine is fired up, so is the crowd.

7. Midnight Yell - At Texas A&M, the anticipation is too much. Rather than waiting until right before kickoff to get rowdy, Aggie fans, also known as “The Twelfth Man”, gather at Midnight the day before the game to practice their cheering. Thousands of fans pack into the Kyle Field stands and, led by the “Yell Leaders”, they can be heard screaming the War Hymn and mocking their opponent. This tradition doesn’t end at home games either. When on the road, the “Yell Leaders” choose a location to gather and the yelling occurs there.

6. Running of Ralphie - At the University of Colorado at Boulder, they have a pretty intimidating tradition. Imagine being a player on the visitors sideline and seeing a 1,300 pound buffalo running straight at you. It’s not the most pleasant or comforting feeling in the world, I’m sure. It’s a real spectacle to watch - unless the animal runs you over…just ask that guy at the beginning of the clip!

Stay tuned for more! That’s just Part 1 of our 2 part series examining the best traditions in College Football. If athletics are critical in your college search, then this post will help you find colleges that meet your criteria.

“I’m Craig Robinson, and Michelle Obama is my little sister,” he echoed throughout Denver’s Pepsi Center during the Democratic National Convention in August.

You see, Robinson is the new Head Coach of the Oregon State Beavers men’s basketball team, and a guy who just so happens to be Barack Obama’s brother-in-law; talk about luck.

“Barack is committed to making this American dream a possibility for all Americans,” Robinson exclaimed to Obama supporters who were packed into the arena like sardines.

But he wasn’t there to simply talk politics; he also gave a shout out to his basketball team. “Today, I’m proud to be the coach of the Oregon State men’s basketball team. Go Beavers,” Robinson told the crowd.

As a former two-time Ivy-League player of the year at Princeton, Robinson already knows a little something about leadership and the limelight. After graduating from school, Robinson became a bond trader in Chicago - and a good one at that. And although he was making a lot of money and living comfortably, something was missing, something that he loved. And hey, why would you give up a multi-million dollar job when you can be an assistant coach for a perennial loser?
“I’d much rather be in the gym having practice and talking hoops,” he has said.

I’m not quite sure if there is “practice” at Northwestern, so much as it’s college athletes throwing brick after brick at the rim, but hey, whatever works, right? So even though the Wildcats of Northwestern are about as competitive as girls playing hopscotch, he was able to get back into the game as their assistant coach. After a couple of years and some success, he was offered a head coaching position. It wasn’t Duke or North Carolina or even the Kennesaw State Owls; Robinson got a job back in his old stomping grounds - the nerdy Ivy League. Now, most people identify Brown with geeks and bookworms and not athletic domination, but Robinson turned it around long enough to get another head coaching offer.

And even though the Beavers have been about as good as chocolate-covered-tuna-fish recently, the opportunity in Corvallis, Oregon was just too good to pass up.

“They didn’t win a game [in the Pac-10], and some people would look at that and go, ‘Wow, I’ll be inheriting a real challenge,’” Michelle Obama recently said. “Craig sees it as a real opportunity. His view was: I really can start from scratch; I can build a program because the only place to go is up.”

And so there he was, addressing the convention, addressing the nation and addressing both current and future recruits. A lot of people might get nervous and worry about what people would say or think. Robinson, however, stood up and endorsed his sister and her husband as the change that America so desperately needs. Now that Obama has been officially elected, it just may be because of what Robinson had to say that night - and he certainly has made his mark on American politics.

And while the head coaching job at Oregon State is special, First Brother-In-Law has a nice ring to it too.

That’s right - Ken Mink has officially become the oldest college basketball player in the country at a mere 73. For someone who hasn’t played competitively in 52 years, it certainly seems like a stretch, but I love the idea. Just because a guy is really old doesn’t mean he’s lost all competitive spirit and gusto, just ask John McCain. I think the age thing means Mink should be praised and admired, not ridiculed and mocked. Again, see McCain.

Over a half-century after being dismissed from the 1955-56 Lees Junior College men’s basketball team, Mink decided to get back onto the court. Now I don’t know if you realize the kind of commitment and dedication that takes - especially for an old man. It’s not like we’re talking about Michael Jordan making a comeback a couple of years past his prime - this is like Elvis Presley moving back to Graceland and making 10 more hit albums tomorrow.

So, last summer, Mink got back into the gym and started running sprints, practicing free-throws and completing dribbling drills. When his skills seemed close to where they were in the fifties, he began sending out letters to dozens of local community colleges, hoping for a chance to try out for the squad. Even though this sounds more like the tactics of an overlooked college recruit, Mink proved it can work for someone quadruple that age.

“I just thought the guy was overly unrealistic,” Head Coach Randy Nesbit said when he read Mink’s letter. “But I’m a project kind of coach. I like taking on projects to prove something. I was willing to give him a shot and his letter resonated with me.”

Nesbit wasn’t the only one with something to prove though. At tryouts, Mink drained shot after shot, made pass after pass and at the end of the day, he was good enough to be a part of the Roane State Raiders. And because he is playing for a college team, Mink had to enroll in classes in order to obtain eligibility.

Can you imagine that scene? Picture your grandfather sitting next to you in history class, pulling up his pant leg and saying “Here’s where the damn bullet got me in ‘Nam!”

For fellow students, I’m sure that it’s a little strange but his teammates seem to really like Mink. “They’ve taken to me very nicely, like a grandfather figure.” He said. “When the team travels together, a lot of them don’t know where we’re going, so I’m like a travel guide.”

At 73, Mink has likely seen more than everyone else on the team combined. He’s watched the game that he loves transform completely throughout the decades into the high-flying, long-range sport that it is today. And even though he can’t dunk the ball, a 1950s style one-handed running three-pointer works just fine - and its worth more too.

So with John McCain in a race for the White House and Ken Mink in a race with time, there are very apparent similarities between the two. One huge difference though, is the fact that come January, at least Mink will still be a player, the oldest one in America too.

Well, that’s exactly what happened with Trevor Wikre, a senior offensive lineman at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO.  After getting his right pinky caught in a blocker’s jersey, Wikre looked down and saw the bone from his finger staring up at him like a newborn seeing his parents for the first time.  That’s right – the guy’s bone snapped and then popped through the skin like a warm knife through butter. 

This impediment, however, did not stop Wikre.  “Just tape it up,” he said to the athletic trainer. “We got practice to finish.”
Tape is an incredibly useful office tool, something that most people use for mending rips in paper or putting up a poster – not for putting body parts back together. So instead of wrapping industrial duct tape around the wound, the coach sent him to the hospital where he received the unfortunate news from doctors: he would need complete reconstruction, including pins and ligament treatment. 

Wikre, however, had different plans. 

Knowing that a surgery of that magnitude would end his final season of football eligibility, Wikre provided the doctors with another option:  “We can cut it off,” he said.  And so they did.  Instead of shrugging and accepting his football fate, Wikre decided that playing with nine fingers was better than not playing at all.

Now I don’t know about you, but my first thought in this situation would be something like “My pinky is hanging by a thread. I need to get to a hospital and fix it now.” And definitely not, “My pinky is hanging by a thread–let’s lop it off and huddle up.” I really don’t know if I should admire this guy or admonish him.  Sure, it’s about as ballsy as it gets to forfeit a flange but is it courage or cuckoo?

I’m curious as to what you all think of this story.  Do you think it was simply dedication and desire to play?  Or do you think it’s stupidity – I mean, the kid can never wear one of those trendy pinky rings on his right hand.  Let me know what your take on the decision is – but regardless of what you think, Wikre is in store for more “high 4’s” this season than anyone ever thought possible.

College football games should be a place for family fun and entertainment.  But, thanks to this guy, you might want to re-think your plans before the next time you take the kids to see your alma mater play. 

4)  Do NOT try to calm down Kevin Borseth.

The coach of the University of Michigan’s women’s Basketball team is not the happy-go-lucky guy that he looks like.  Sometimes, when the Wolverines lose (usually), he tends to get a little upset about the team’s performance.  I cannot stress it enough – do NOT ask this guy for an autograph.  Check out him use encouragement to pump up his players.

3)  Do NOT forget to dunk the ball.

It’s very important that kids learn from their favorite athletes and players.  However in this case, it’s learning what not to do – showboat.  Check out Billy White of San Diego State and his cocky reverse jam…attempt.

2)  Do NOT believe the stereotypes about college athletes

Of course, lots of people out there think that the college athlete has little to no intelligence whatsoever.  Don’t believe them.  Watch as the articulate and long-winded Darren Sproles of Kansas State explains the key and critical moments of the game.

1)  Do NOT try this at home.

For many, tailgating is what it’s all about.  Waking up early, cracking those eggs and beers, and getting out to the parking lot seven hours before kick-off.  For a lot of people, it’s the tradition, while for others, it’s a religion.  Check out this amazing feat on Super Saturday before the Notre Dame vs. USC game.  And remember, do NOT try this at home…

10)  Do NOT show up to a game representing a team that’s not even playing.

Far too often, fans utilize the wrong platform to spread their school spirit and pride.  Never, under any circumstances should a college sports fan wear anything other than apparel related to the participants in that game.  So, in case the above wasn’t proof enough of what can happen, check out this fool.

9)  Do NOT assume that your school TV station’s sportscaster is sober.

Most major universities have school television stations complete with their own news shows.  These people are students, too, though; don’t think that just because they’re going to be on the air later that they won’t be as intoxicated as the frat boy that puked in the hallway last night.  Now, either this guy was completely trashed or he needs to take another Public Speaking class.

8)  Do NOT Ring the Bell at Texas Tech.

It is considered one of the greatest honors to “Ring the Bell” at the Texas Tech football games.  Students endlessly fight for the opportunity to show that Red Raider pride by ringing the bell loud and proud on the sideline.  It’s just not worth it, however, in case you end up looking like this guy.

7)  Do NOT mock the opposing team if you’re a mascot…or, maybe, just don’t become a mascot.

Bucky Badger decides to poke fun at Michigan State by running around the field carrying an MSU banner.  Then, two mascots (Oregon and Washington State) have some words and decide enough is enough as it comes to fisticuffs.

6)  Do NOT get naked and streak across the field.

Only one of two things can happen if you try and streak through a sporting event.  First, you will be humiliated and arrested in front of thousands and thousands of people.  Secondly, you will get absolutely lit up on your blind side by a linebacker.  .  .

Think that’s some funny stuff? Check back with this blog tomorrow to see the rest of the list!

What kind of behavior, you ask?  Well, reports from those close to the situation claim that there was inappropriate acts going on inside the band’s buses during a recent road trip, such as females being forced to kiss other female band members before entering the bus’ bathroom and other musicians’ semi-nude, suggestive dancing that made bandmates feel uncomfortable and unsafe. 

This isn’t the first time that the band has been in hot water, either.  In 2007, the band’s assistant director resigned his position after reports surfaced that criticized his conduct with a female colleague during a band trip to Michigan in 2006.  The university said in a statement that the latest allegations were consistent with the 2006 troublesome behavior. 

“From reports we have received, it has become increasingly clear that certain types of sexualized and hazing behavior are an ingrained part of the band’s culture,” Chancellor Wiley said in a statement posted on the university’s website. “We will not provide an ongoing venue for this inappropriate and demeaning behavior. There is no reason to pretend that this is simply high-spirited fun.”

What do you think—harmless hijinks or horrendous hazing? Post a comment and let us know!

Simpson’s latest legal troubles involved a 2007 incident involving sports memorabilia. The former USC running back was involved in a hotel confrontation in which he threatened memorabilia dealers at gunpoint; Simpson claimed he had only been trying to recover items that were stolen from him.

This trial did not garner nearly the same amount of media attention as Simpson’s murder trial, yet it ended in a vastly different way. Simpson is now faced with life imprisonment pending an appeal.

Take a look at his technique and judge for yourself.

Heisman, anyone?