Popular NCAA Football Events Near Columbus 

The longstanding rivalries. Conference supremacy. Rally cries and chants. Freshmen phenoms and seasoned seniors. The anticipation of bowl game births. The traditions of college football tell stories. History is made on those fields. For some, college football reigns supreme over professional football, as bragging rights and alumni pride holds a special place in their heart.

The first thing that sets college football apart from its professional counterpart is the tailgate and stadium atmosphere. Tailgating before the game is almost as important as the game itself. Fans wear team colors, dressed as the mascot, carrying signs hoping to get on national TV. The tailgate is a spectacle in of itself. People travel from all over just to attend a tailgate of their beloved team.

College Stadiums

Take a walk-through Auburn’s official tailgate spot called “The Loveliest Village on the Plains” loaded with fans decked out in team colors, waiting to perform the ceremonial Tiger Walk into Jordan-Hare Stadium. Perhaps you’re looking to belt out “Take Me Home, Country Roads? Attending a home game for the West Virginia Mountaineers will give you that privilege. Morgantown, WV is home to the Mountaineers and fans routinely belt out the John Denver classic. Find yourself in Clemson, SC? The best part of the tailgate there is following the team as they perform the Tiger Walk from the parking lot into Clemson Memorial Stadium where they convene on top of a hill above the east end zone. The team will rub a ceremonial piece of quartz dubbed “Howards Rock”, followed by the firing of a cannon and the team storms onto the field. Ann Arbor, MI is home to Michigan Stadium, which holds over 100K of the rowdiest co-eds cheering on their beloved Wolverines. Some consider South Bend, IN to be the Holy Mecca of college football. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish certainly have their legion of fans who will tour the Golden Dome, visit Touchdown Jesus, and pay homage to their beloved team.

College Football Traditions

If college football has one thing, its traditions. From tailgating to mascots to team walkouts to the stadium. Almost every team in college football has a walk of champions. A ceremonial walk to the stadium for a chance for fans to greet the team and coach and follow them into the stadium before kickoff. One of the more well-known walks is University of Alabama’s, where players walk through the crowd up to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Along their path you see statues of national championship winning coaches and the names of great players on the sidewalk. College football also has cherished mascots. Auburn releases Spirit, an eagle, before every game. You can’t talk mascots and not mention Uga the bulldog at the University of Georgia patrolling the sidelines of Sanford Stadium or Bevo the longhorn from University of Texas.

College Rivalries

Nowhere else will you see rivalries that have dated back for so long, and with bragging rights so high.

College Awards

Another aspect of college football is the end-of-season awards, the most notable award being The Heisman Memorial Trophy; presented to the most outstanding player in the nation. Each position has their own designated award, as well as awards for coaches, as well as an award for players who’ve made accomplishments off-the-field and in the classroom.

Bowl Games

In college football, the post-season is culminated with an invitation to a bowl game. Based on how you faired in your conference and overall record and season performance, you’ll receive an invitation to play in any number of College Football Bowl games. It’s a great honor and privilege to play, as the games are nationally televised and take place during the holiday season. In recent years College Football has instituted a playoff system. The Six Major Bowl games (Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Peach Bowl) make up the playoff system. The top 12 teams in the nation face off in a tournament to determine the matchup for the National Championship.

Frequently Asked Questions about NCAA Football

How many divisions are there in NCAA football?

NCAA football is divided into three main divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III. Division I is further divided into the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

What is the difference between FBS and FCS?

The main difference between FBS and FCS is in the level of competition, budget, and resources. FBS schools generally have larger budgets, more scholarships, and compete in higher-profile bowl games, while FCS schools have smaller budgets and compete in achampionship tournament.

How are teams for Bowl Games selected?

Bowl game selections are often based on a combination of team records, rankings, and conference affiliations. Higher-ranked teams typically have a better chance of being selected for more prestigious bowl games.

What is the College Football Playoff (CFP)?

The College Football Playoff is a system introduced in 2014 to determine the national champion at the highest level of NCAA football (FBS). It involves a four-team playoff, with the winners of the semifinal games facing off in the national championship game.

Back to Top