College football is set to return in a little over a month and a half from now as the summer doldrums continue to roll along. In the meantime, the sports media is left with side stories to help pass the time until the first kickoff of the fall season.
USA TODAY Sports’ Eddie Timanus took a stab recently at ranking the Southeastern Conference’s member school’s football traditions, separating the current 14 schools into four tiers: pregame preparations (Tier 1), mascot participation/entrances (Tier 2), fan trademarks (Tier 3) and “when does basketball/baseball season start?” (Tier 4).
The Florida Gators landed in the third tier on account of the Gator Chomp. Here is what Timanus had to offer on the topic.
The Gator Chomp – The chomp is the most readily identifiable visual show of allegiance in the conference, at least until Texas arrives with its flashing horns. The denizens of the Swamp have perhaps been a bit less vociferous since being overtaken by the hated Georgia Bulldogs of late, but the chomp remains.
Speaking of UGA, the ‘Dawgs landed in the second tier.
Sure, there are lots of bulldogs out there. But Uga never fails to ignite the Georgia faithful between the hedges when he leads the team on to the field.
The Gators open up their 2023 schedule on the road against the Utah Utes on Aug. 31, with a kickoff time of 8 p.m. EDT set.
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