Tailgating is more than a hobby in the Southeastern Conference. It’s practically a religion.
And Baton Rouge is the mecca of college football tailgating.
Hundreds of thousands of tailgaters descend upon the LSU campus each fall, ready to sip and socialize before the Tigers play. Whether you are a tailgate veteran or a rookie, here are a few tips for surviving a long day of tailgating before a nighttime game, or an early morning party before a day game.
11 a.m.-noon kickoff
Early games are for the Big Ten Conference. Who needs ’em? Unfortunately, one early game always seems to sneak onto the schedule, and it’s even worse when that early game is in Baton Rouge. Nobody enjoys suffering through the brutal Louisiana heat and humidity at high noon in Tiger Stadium—but who ever said being a die-hard LSU fan was going to be easy?
Keys to success
Hydrate the night before and get some shut-eye.
It may be tempting to stay out late on Third Street with friends in town for the game. But, trust us—you will not make it past the first quarter if you stay out pounding Crown and Cokes all night.
Bust out the breakfast
Brunch fare is a necessity for early games, so wake up early and break out the bloody marys and mimosas. However, should you find yourself chugging a bottle of Champagne before 10 a.m., you should probably drop any notion of making it to the game.
Mix in some H2O and electrolytes
While hydrating is essential during the course of any game-day tailgate, it’s especially vital for the early games. In between beer and scrambled eggs, take a few swigs of water or Gatorade to help replenish all the fluid you’ll be sweating out by halftime in Tiger Stadium.
Trim your tailgate playlist
Early games mean less time to jam out to your favorite tailgate tunes. Compile a concise playlist and be sure to include the unofficial Tiger Stadium anthem, “Callin’ Baton Rouge.”
Speed-tailgate
Time is of the essence before early morning games, which means no meandering around the Parade Grounds or searching for your buddy tailgating “somewhere by the Natatorium.” Don’t try to hit up too many tailgates. Instead, try “speed tailgating,” in which you’ll tailgate at double the speed. There’s no time for lollygagging during a game of cornhole. Pick a select few spots to hit, and get in and out of there. On to the next.
Make it to the home stretch
After your belly is filled with several helpings of scrambled eggs and half a case of beer, grab a roadie and head down to catch a sneak peek of the new Mike VII before sweating out all your libations over the next few viciously hot hours in Death Valley.
AFTERNOON GAME
2:30-3:30 p.m. kickoff
Though many Tiger fans hate kickoff times that force LSU to play in daylight, afternoon games typically air on CBS, signaling a marquee matchup for the network’s “SEC Game of the Week.” Remember LSU topping No. 7 Georgia in 2003? What about Leonard Fournette single-handedly annihilating the Auburn defense in 2015? It may not be a Saturday night in Death Valley, but afternoon games have still produced plenty of memories for the LSU faithful.
Keys to success
Take your foot off the gas
You’ve got a couple extra hours to tailgate. Unlike those early-morning games, there’s no need to go full-throttle. If you stayed out at Happy’s or Sullivan’s a little longer than expected Friday night, it’s OK. You don’t need to arrive on campus before the sun is up.
Snack early and often
True tailgaters can work up an appetite faster than you can say, “Patrick Peterson was in bounds in 2009.” If you are hosting a tailgate, you need to provide snacks and a solid meal. Jambalaya, burgers or muffaletta trays will suffice. Stock up on even more snacks to bring out later, when everyone is starting to feel hungry again. They’ll thank you.
Find the middle ground
Afternoon games are a delicate balancing act, requiring utmost precision when drinking and eating. Remember, you can always continue the tailgate after the game.
Shotgun early, but not often
We get it; you know how to guzzle beer with the best of them. If you must channel your inner college student and down cheap light beer, it’s best to indulge earlier in the day to give your body time to process the alcohol before you head into the stadium. If you can count the number of beers shotgunned on more than one hand, you’ve had enough. Give your body (and your dignity) some time to recover before you head into the game.
NIGHT GAME
6-8 p.m. kickoff
Saturday night in Death Valley is what Tiger fans dream of during the offseason. The atmosphere is unlike any other in college football, as the sun finds its home in the western sky and the well-lubricated crowd becomes hostile toward the Tigers’ foe.
Keys to success
Pace yourself
Remember, night games are marathons, not sprints. Don’t drink liquor too early; save the Jack Daniels for right before the real game, not the all-day pregame.
Eat multiple meals
The key to surviving a full day of tailgating (and making it through the game) is to eat at least twice during the day. Grab some Raising Cane’s to soak up the early-morning alcohol, and indulge in a bowl of delicious gumbo later that afternoon.
Take a walk
Night games provide the opportunity to enjoy much more of the pregame atmosphere. If ESPN’s College GameDay is on campus, check out the live taping. Visit your friend tailgating on the other side of campus. Stop by Walk-On’s for some pregame munchies. Watch the Golden Band from Tigerland march down the hill to the stadium. And LSU game days are people-watching gold. The possibilities are endless, and the exercise will help offset all the empty calories you will consume throughout the day.
Find some shade
Overheating and dehydration can be lethal during the early portion of the football season. Don’t be afraid to take a break indoors. Stop by the LSU Student Union for some clean(ish) bathrooms and refreshing air conditioning. While there, grab a bottle of water or Gatorade to replenish all those lost electrolytes.
Enjoy the other games
One of the perks of an LSU night game is getting a chance to watch bits and pieces of all the college football games throughout the day. If you are feeling tired—or inebriated—grab a lawn chair and catch a few minutes of the rest of the action around the SEC.
Use the buddy system
If you plan on drinking heavily, never tailgate alone. Tailgating is meant to be a social endeavor, so why not enjoy it with friends? Look out for your buddies, especially if they look like they have been overserved. Hand them a bottle of water or a hot dog if they need to pace themselves for a little while.
Chant TIGER BAIT!
Take a break from all the other activities to heckle opposing fans. Shower them with chants of “Tiger bait,” then invite them into your tailgate for a burger and a beverage.
Head to the game
Pack up the tailgate (or at least the valuables), round up your family or friends, and begin your march to Tiger Stadium. Bring along your water bottle for the last few sustaining sips before you get to your gate. Once you’re inside, head to your seat and enjoy the pregame ceremonies. When Coach O and the team charge onto the field, no matter what time of day or night, it’s time to cheer on the Tigers to victory!
This article was originally published in the August 2017 issue of 225 Magazine.
