Though I generally don’t keep up with any sports, and I don’t recall ever having watched a college football game, all year long I’ve been hearing of the enormous excitement that the college football season generates within America’s Deep South. For hundreds of miles, I’ve been seeing SEC college football flags flown on homes, businesses, cars and more. In rural Alabama, I even saw a mobile home painted up in the crimson & black colors of the University of Alabama, school logo included!

Before leaving Athens, home to the University of Georgia, one of the nation’s top-ranked college teams,  I wanted to take part in the cultural experience of college football in America’s south. Tailgating, campus touring, walking the nearby downtown bar/restaurant sports venues and more, “Game Day” brings either excitement or an overwhelmed visage to any local’s face. Today, I experienced all of the above.

After parking on the south end of the miles long University of Georgia campus, four hours before the game was set to begin, we walked up through miles of campus to the stadium. Tailgaters were already spread out all over the place. We continued to see their patriotic vehicles and tents all over campus. I've never seen anything like it!

Even the leashes and balls of tailgating pooches are team colors!!

Rocio & host Antoine giving the thumbs-up from just outside the stadium!

There are but a few dots of light orange, team color of rival Tennessee, in a sea of UGA Bulldog red! Interestingly, the entire population of Athens would almost fit into the 92,000-seat Sanford Stadium. Add thousands of tailgaters and bar-hoppers around campus. The city swells tremendously on game days, from current students, Georgia locals, alums, and other fans.

Day well spent; cultural experience complete!