Last season set the expectations pretty high in Gainesville, and now a new crop of skilled players are ready to live up to those lofty goals. The Gators expect to win the SEC East consistently, and they will certainly challenge Georgia atop the division this year. The question is who will replace all the production that Florida lost to graduation or the NFL last season. The keys to the offense have been turned over to Emory Jones, who has a natural athletic ability. His best weapon will likely be Jacob Copeland, who finished fourth in receiving last year for the Gators. The good news for Florida is most of last season’s stellar defense returns, which should give the Gators a decisive edge in most of their SEC games this season.

Imagine all of the fun of a college football tailgate mixed with the food and fun of a state fair. That is the atmosphere in Dallas every year when Texas and Oklahoma square off in the Red River Rivalry at the Texas State Fair. Obviously the food and pageantry of a rivalry game is at full force with this matchup, but the history only adds to the tailgate environment. You need to go back to 1923 for the last time Oklahoma and Texas didn’t play in Dallas during the State Fair, though officially the tradition began in 1932. When it comes to food, there is nothing better than the fare at a state fair, and the fact that “everything is bigger in Texas” means the food selection is even more outrageous and delicious for these tailgates. These two states only have a rather large supply of meat, so this is a great place for meat lovers to get their fill before a game.

No matter who is the designated home teams in Jacksonville, fans of both the Gators and Bulldogs throw some remarkable parties before the two SEC East rivals battle on the gridiron. The fact this is a neutral site game only adds to the atmosphere because there is no awkwardness of trying to tailgate in a road city. This game always brings out the best in every team’s super fans, and the selection of drinks and food is plentiful as you go up and down the aisles of the parking lots outside TIAA Bank Field. There are few better pregame environments than a neutral site game between two rivals, and the golden example is Florida-Georgia.

No matter the list, the University of Mississippi is ranked as the best tailgate school in the country, and with good reason. There are few locations as iconic as The Grove is in Oxford, and the tailgate experience is by and away the best in the SEC. Whether it be the incredible food, the gorgeous scenery, or the drinks, it is hard to go wrong with a pregame party in Mississippi. Unlike the other games on the list, there really is no drop-off in Oxford whether the Rebels are playing Alabama, Mississippi State or an FCS school. When Ole Miss is at home, there will be plenty of delicious food, great parties, and strong drinks at The Grove before the game.

Is it a cop out answer? Absolutely not! The best tailgate scenes are made by the company more than the food and drinks. There really is no bad tailgate, and we want to know what you are serving at yours this college football season. College football would be nothing without the fans, and the experience is only more fun with a great tailgate – especially yours. So, whether you booked an all-inclusive party with Tailgate Guys at the stadium or just cooking up a few hot dogs and hamburgers for some family and friends, your tailgate deserves to be on this list.