Saturday morning marked the first time College GameDay made its way to Baton Rouge since 2019. Hundreds camped out the night before for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Prior to LSU’s showdown with Alabama, the College GameDay show took place on the LSU quad from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Hundreds of students camped out to secure the best of seats in the viewing pit, with some hoping for a shot at the famed fan field goal.
Many of those interested in a chance to win over $100,000 with a kick through the uprights opted to set up as early as 5 p.m. the evening before. The line quickly advanced to and around the LSU library.
For others, it was just about being there.
“GameDay hasn’t been here in five years,” Cole Zachary said. “I’ve been waiting this long for this opportunity and I’m not gonna miss out.”
The traditions and love of college football made camping out an easy decision for many.
“I figure Lee Corso is gonna retire this year, and I want to say I got to meet the guy,” sophomore Jacob Hirsch said. “He just makes Saturday more fun.”
Some made the call as soon as GameDay was announced to be coming to LSU. For others, it was a “game time decision.”
“We knew we were gonna go, but staying the whole night was pretty impulsive,” Elliott Chandler said. “It’s just something you have to do.”
Many students had plans to camp out all night, tailgate Saturday, arrive early to the game and then go out to bars afterwards.
“I’m not gonna fall asleep. I’m gonna be up all night,” sophomore Brendan Ridder said. “Dude, I’m gonna do this once in my life. Why not? Just stay up.”
In response to being asked about the next day’s plans, multiple students said, “Win or lose, we must drink booze.”
The plans for potential sleep ranged from “hell no” to “a 45-minute power nap is definitely coming.”
“Only at LSU will you find people playing cup pong in line, people line dancing up there,” freshman Kaitlyn Mount said. “I feel like it’s so chill, people are just having a good time waiting in this line.”
Of course, no GameDay show would be complete without iconic signs.
Here were some of our favorites from the early-appearing fans.
“Nick Saban pays for Grindr.”
“‘Bama Family Reunion” written next to an EA College Football stadium pulse graphic.
“‘Bama gave Saban gray hair.”
“I just took a DNA test, turns out we’re 100% daddy” with the Alabama “A” in DNA.