Top 10 College Football Song Traditions

Every team has a song played at some point during a break in the action to get fans pumped up. Some of these sizzle out, and some take off like wildfire. Today, we will look at the song traditions that have taken off like wildfire and turned into gameday traditions.

10. USC- Tusk

USC Trojan Marching Band’s rendition of “Tusk” sends chills through every stadium it plays at. Noted for its haunting horn section, this song has become a staple at every home game for their football program. As is often the case among Trojan fans, a bridge from this song aimed specifically at UCLA football games has been adapted into new versions by fans with colourful phrases from USC student sections to make an even stronger statement about rivalry and rivalry in general. The Trojans have a great tradition!

Tusk performed by USC Marching Band at battle of the bands

9. UCF- Zombie House

Many stadiums around the country feature enthusiastic jumping when “Kernkraft 400” plays, but none do it like those at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Nicknamed “The Bounce House,” UCF supporters add their own special chant when the tune plays during home games—giving their home squad extra excitement before every home match! Although not unique as such, UCF supporters deserve recognition on this list for their over-the-top enthusiasm!

UCF Football charges out of the tunnel prior to Stanford game

8. Michigan- Mr. Brightside

This 2003 hit from The Killers has quickly become a must-listen at Big House athletic events and other campus activities. Every third-quarter home game, the Wolverines student section makes sure Ann Arbor can hear them sing it; soon after that, the rest of the stadium joins in; eventually, every fan in attendance knows every word to this iconic track!

MR BRIGHTSIDE at Michigan Stadium against Ohio State

7. Alabama- Sweet Home Alabama

“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd would inevitably make its way into every Alabama football stadium game, both pregame and in-game festivities alike. Crimson Tide fans wave flags and other items with red and white colors during each rendition of “Roll, Tide, Roll.” An entire stadium chanting “Roll Tide Roll!” also provides an extra hometown touch.

Dixieland delight is not a bad song either when played at the stadium.

Alabama Crimson Tide “Sweet Home Alabama” Iron Bowl Alabama vs. Auburn 2012

6. LSU- Callin Baton Rouge

Nothing like 100,000 thousand cajuns singing some Garth Brooks on a beautiful Saturday Night in Baton Rouge, especially in a close game in the fourth quarter against arch-rival Alabama.

Calling Baton Rouge beginning of fourth quarter. Tigers beat Bama! 11.5.2022

5. Ohio State- Hang on, Sloppy

After receiving support from their band director, “Hang On Sloopy” was added to the Ohio State band’s repertoire in 1965 and quickly met with overwhelming applause from crowd members during games. Thus began an unbroken tradition that has continued for over 50 years, with enthusiastic Buckeye band and crowd supporters joining together to make “Hang on Sloopy” an Ohio State classic! More enthusiastic game attendees eventually added their own spin by adding an O-H-I-O chant during its main chorus for added personalization of this timeless tune. The Greatest Buckeyes have heard this song played.

“Hang on Sloopy”: An Ohio State tradition since 1965

4. West Virginia- Country Roads

John Denver’s classic song has quickly become the state anthem and football game theme song of West Virginia, drawing fans out into stadiums everywhere to sing its opening lines, “Almost Heaven, West Virginia.” Every time this track plays during pregame presentations at home Mountaineers games, WVU fans encircle each other, sway back and forth, and belt out melodic lyrics, showing their pride for both team and state alike.

MOUNTAINEER NATION SINGS COUNTRY ROADS! 🏈💛💙

3. Notre Dame- Wake up the Echoes

This one is an old but goody. Who doesn’t get goosebumps when you hear the Fighting Irish enter the stadium to wake up the echoes? This is the greatest fight song in college football history, and even if you are not a fan of the Fighting Irish, you know this song when you hear it. Watch the movie Rudy and tell me this fight song doesn’t affect you.

Notre Dame Tunnel Entrance vs MSU 2016

2. Wisconsin-Jump Around

Since 1998, fans at Wisconsin Badgers home games have enjoyed hearing this 1992 song during the fourth quarter. Witnessing such an energised sea of red and white fans go wild every game is truly spectacular, yet little do fans realize their favorite part might not always be the safest: during renovation work in 2003, structural strength tests had to be performed before playing it at future home games; once safety had been ensured however fans returned to jumping as high and hard as they could in support of their beloved Badgers!

Wisconsin’s “Jump Around” vs. #19 Penn State

1. Virginia Tech- Enter Sandman

Metallica’s “Entry Song for Virginia Tech Football Team at Every Home Game” prompts Virginia Tech fans to shake the stadium when this song plays over the loudspeakers literally. Metallica band members themselves recorded video as part of pre-game hype after witnessing their incredible display and are even included as part of Virginia Tech’s pregame hype for each home game!

Virginia Tech’s Enter Sandman Entrance vs. West Virginia | 2022 College Football