College football Saturdays aren’t just about touchdowns and tailgates. They’re about the traditions that make campuses feel electric and keep fans coming back year after year. Some of these rituals are loud, some are quirky, and some will give you chills even if you’ve never set foot on campus. Here are our Top 5 College traditions at big-time football schools that every fan should know about.
Texas A&M – Midnight Yell
Most schools have pep rallies, but Texas A&M cranks it up to eleven. The night before a game, tens of thousands of Aggies pack Kyle Field at the witching hour for Midnight Yell practice. Instead of cheerleaders, they’ve got “yell leaders”, students in all-white uniforms who lead the crowd through practice chants, jokes, and even some lighthearted trash talk about the opponent. The whole stadium rocks like it’s already game day. Fun fact: this tradition has been going strong since 1913, and it’s not unusual to see former students making the late-night trek back just to join in.
Penn State – White Out Game
If you’ve ever seen a Penn State White Out on TV, you know it’s jaw-dropping. Imagine more than 100,000 fans in Beaver Stadium, all dressed head-to-toe in white, waving white pom-poms, and screaming in unison. It looks like a snowstorm, but louder. The White Out started in 2005 as a student-section thing and quickly spread to the entire stadium because it was just too powerful not too! The atmosphere is so intimidating that even powerhouses like Michigan and Ohio State dread walking into Happy Valley on White Out night.
Ohio State – Dotting the “i”
Ohio State’s marching band isn’t called “The Best Damn Band in the Land” for nothing. Their Script Ohio formation is legendary. The band spells out the word “Ohio” in giant cursive letters across the field; but the real magic comes at the very end, when a sousaphone player marches out to dot the “i.” It’s a tradition dating back to 1936, and being chosen as the “i-dotter” is the highest honor a band member can achieve. Even celebrities and former coaches have been invited to take the role on special occasions! In Columbus, this moment is as big as a kickoff return.
Notre Dame – Trumpets Under the Dome
Notre Dame knows how to set the mood before a football Saturday. On Friday nights, the school’s marching band gathers beneath the Main Building’s Golden Dome for “Trumpets Under the Dome.” They fill the space with the fight song and other classics, the sound echoing off the ornate ceilings. Students, alumni, and even casual fans crowd around for what feels like a mini concert with a major goosebump factor. It’s a bit quieter tradition compared to others on this list, but it captures what makes Notre Dame so special.
Auburn – Rolling Toomer’s Corner
When Auburn wins, the whole town knows it. Fans rush to Toomer’s Corner, a famous intersection by campus, and toss rolls of toilet paper into the oak trees until the branches are draped in white. The tradition dates back decades and has become a symbol of Auburn pride. After big wins, the TP blizzard can stretch across the streetlights and buildings, turning downtown into a massive celebration. The trees at Toomer’s have been replanted after vandalism and storm damage, but the spirit hasn’t gone anywhere.