As far as LSU fans are concerned, the mammoth golden lettering on the side of Tiger Stadium might as well read “Do Not Enter.”
Chants of “Tiger Bait” warn all who dare wander under the stately oaks that they are now in enemy territory.
For anyone not adorned in the traditional purple and gold, the inviting aroma of gumbo and the excited chatter of football fans throughout campus can sound more like a barbaric tribe preparing for war than a college game day.
For the first time in almost two decades, the invading army marching into Death Valley on Saturday will be wearing the maroon and white of Texas A&M.
But 19 years isn’t enough time to erase the memories of the last time the 12th man came face-to-face with Tiger nation.
“We’ve heard a lot of stories from the past about how nasty it can get,” said Texas A&M Student Body President Reid Joseph. “Growing up, I used to hear stories about how people would try to cut our $2,000 Aggie senior boots, people would be throwing stuff — all kinds of horror stories, frankly.”
Former rivals, No. 18 LSU (7-3, 3-3 SEC) and No. 9 Texas A&M (8-2, 4-2 SEC) are well acquainted with each other, playing 51 times over the course of 114 years. But the series between two schools steeped in military tradition dwindled through the years before the Aggies’ realignment into the SEC last season.
Head Texas Aggie yell leader Ryan Crawford has seen his fair share of college football fans through three seasons of leading Texas A&M yells, but he has yet to experience life on a Death Valley sideline.
“I’ve heard that LSU fans bring a lot of energy, and they can be pretty crazy,” Crawford said. “I’ve also heard that [LSU has] some great tailgating and some great food, and I’m just excited to get to meet some of the fans before the game.”
According to Texas A&M’s 12th Man Foundation, the Aggies sold out of their allotted 6,000 tickets for Saturday’s game, and many more Aggies are expected to flood the LSU campus as well.
Crawford added that the coordination of all the cheers accentuates the crowd, making it appear the Texas A&M section is larger.
“That’s what makes us unique and something I love about this school,” said Texas A&M senior offensive lineman Jake Matthews at SEC Media Days. “It doesn’t matter what they’re saying, our fans are going out there and giving it their all.”
LSU Student Government President John Woodard said he doesn’t think Tiger fans are quite as obnoxious as their reputation might suggest. He thinks past attitudes toward opposing fans doesn’t reflect that of current students.
Woodard even encouraged Texas A&M fans not to be afraid to walk up and make friends on game day.
“I think the culture has changed,” Woodard said. “Maybe the things that were acceptable 20 years ago aren’t acceptable today. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade our reputation for anyone else’s.”
Both schools may have been rooted in military tradition, but Texas A&M’s clean-cut reputation is in stark contrast to the spirited one of LSU – the kind of spirit that only grows stronger throughout a game day.
But regardless of reputation or expectation, Saturday marks the second time in many years that LSU and Texas A&M will meet on the gridiron. And as the Aggie saying goes, “If an Aggie does it twice, it becomes tradition.”