Pigskin Travel: 10 Great College Football Towns

Consistently ranked high in BCS Standings, the Oregon Ducks football team won't fail to disappoint.  And, while sports culture is strong in Eugene, the arts and counterculture hold an equally powerful stronghold here.  Perhaps most famous for performing arts, music and film, this iconic college town even served as the filming location for National Lampoon's Animal House.

You may think the main draw to Tuscaloosa is that it's home to the reigning NCAA National Champs, and you'd be partially correct.  But, don't forget about the stunning half-time shows that take place at Bryant-Denny Stadium:  the "Million Dollar Band," Alabama's marching band, puts on quite a performance.  Outside the stadium, plan to hit the bars; nightlife in Tuscaloosa cannot be beat, especially during football season.

As a team that consistently receives a bowl game berth, the Huskers are always enjoyable to watch at Memorial Stadium.  The company is even better as Huskers fans are known as "the greatest fans in college football," and that kind of spirit can be contagious.  Combined with the surrounding nature and museums to explore, you'll have plenty to see and do in Lincoln.

As the current SEC champs, the Tigers draw big crowds to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.  And, during football season, they are one of the top sources for entertainment.  However, Baton Rouge is also home to a rugby team, the Baton Rouge Redfish 7, which can provide an alternative form of entertainment when football season is over.

As the only highly-ranked academic institution with an FBS team, you'll see brains and brawn at a Stanford football game.  And, when you're not taking in a Stanford Cardinal game at Stanford Stadium, plan to spend your time outdoors.  The Palo Alto area has very few days of rain, and plenty of nature preserves to explore.

Notre Dame has a proud football tradition, and the legacy lives on at Notre Dame Stadium.  With so much history, attending a Fighting Irish game feels like an extra-special opportunity.  Even better, South Bend is home to the College Football Hall of Fame, a top destination and religious experience for college football fanatics.

As the largest city in Ohio, Columbus has quite a bit to offer, including the nation's largest college campus belonging to Ohio State University.  In addition to the athletic prowess on display at Ohio Stadium (the Buckeyes football team took home a NCAA National Championship in 2002), expect to find plenty of family-friendly activities.

Home to lots of individual talent, as evidenced by several Heisman Trophy winners and first-round NFL draft picks, Norman is where the stars go to shine.  In addition to Oklahoma's championship football program, you'll also find that the university funds many different museums as well as the theater, which showcases several different fine arts programs and music performances each year.

A formidable opponent in any division, the Michigan Wolverines hold the record for the highest all-time winning percentage in college football and the second longest scoring streak since being last shut out in 1984.  This makes for exciting games with scoring nearly guaranteed.  While you're in town, check out the local brew scene; there are four brewpubs downtown including Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales.