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College Football Towns Ya Gotta Visit Once
Austin, TX
The University of Texas Longhorns in Austin make up one half of several great Texas football rivalries, and the fans are nothing short of passionate. Even if you took football out of the equation, Austin remains one of the best college towns in the country for its wealth of excellent dining and recreation options, its live music scene and eclectic population.
South Bend, IN
Through the highs and lows, Notre Dame fans are some of the most loyal out there. Football fans visiting South Bend, Indiana for a game should swing by the College Football Hall of Fame to learn more about NCAA greats of the past, and on any given Football Weekend, the town comes alive with things to do for the whole family.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles doesn't usually register as a college town, but it's one of the nation's most exciting cities when it comes to college football. During the regular season, you have USC and UCLA playing each week, and come bowl time, football fans flock to nearby Pasadena to get in on the Rose Bowl action.
Ann Arbor, MI
Another of college football's great rivalries, that between the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes, plays out in Michigan Stadium. Nicknamed "The Big House," this Ann Arbor stadium is the largest in college football. If you can't snag a seat, you can still cheer on the Big Blue at Fraser's Pub, a classic Ann Arbor institution.
Norman, OK
The town of Norman, Oklahoma, home of the University of Oklahoma Sooners, is collectively as passionate about their Big 12 football as any SEC town. The Sooner's stadium routinely packs in some 80,000 fans, bringing an electric charge to an otherwise charming but quiet college town.
Clemson, SC
As you pull into Clemson in South Carolina, home of the Clemson Tigers, you'll notice paw prints painted on the road. That's how seriously this university town takes its football. After catching a game in Memorial Stadium, known by fans and foes alike as "Death Valley," take some time to enjoy Clemson's beautiful downtown area and nearby Lake Hartwell.
Eugene, OR
Univeristy of Oregon in Eugene, home of the Ducks, boasts an excellent team with a very distinct playing style. Pair this with an excellent stadium and a green-focused community, and you've got yourself the perfect destination for a football getaway. After the final whistle blows, you'll be within driving distance of the Oregon coast and Oregon wine country.
Oxford, MS
Oxford, Mississippi offers all the charms of a Southern college town, but the real draw come football season is the tailgating ... it simply doesn't get any better. On game day, Ole Miss fans don their red and blue and pack into the Grove for an unforgettable weekend of friends, food and football. Time spent in one of America's most charming downtown squares is part of the trip.
Columbus, OH
Each game day, the entire town of Columbus, Ohio seems to emerge to support their hometown heroes, the Ohio State Buckeyes. If you're a Michigan fan, keep that to yourself. Otherwise, pull up a lawn chair at a pre-game tailgate or visit some of the many attractions in this Ohio capital.
Baton Rouge, LA
Night games at LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA are as intense as they come, as the stands become a sea of purple and yellow. The football action starts much earlier in the day with one of the country's best tailgating scenes. It's the perfect time to sample some spicy gumbo, jambalaya or shrimp.