From chants to mascots: Every SEC school’s most iconic football traditions

College football is built on traditions, but few conferences embrace them like the Southeastern Conference.

Across the SEC, Saturdays are shaped by rituals passed down through generations — from pregame marches and iconic mascots to chants that can shake a stadium and songs that tens of thousands of fans know by heart.

Here’s a look at each SEC school’s most iconic customs and traditions:

Alabama

• The Walk of Champions outside Bryant-Denny Stadium
• Fourth-quarter sing-alongs of “Dixieland Delight”
• The “Rammer Jammer” victory cheer

Arkansas

• Calling the Hogs (Woo Pig Sooie)
• Tusk, a live Russian boar mascot that attends home games
• Singing “Hard to Be Humble” after a victory

Auburn

• The Tiger Walk outside Jordan-Hare Stadium
• A live eagle soars across the field just before kickoff
• Rolling Toomer’s Corner after a big victory

Florida

• The Gator Walk outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
• The Gator Chomp, accompanied by the band’s ominous theme
• Singing “I Won’t Back Down” as a tribute to Gainesville native Tom Petty

Georgia

• The Dawg Walk outside Sanford Stadium
• Calling the Dawgs: (Go… Dawgs! Sic ’em! Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof!)
• Uga the Mascot, a succession of bulldogs owned by the Seiler family since 1956

Kentucky

• The Cat Walk outside Kroger Field
• The C-A-T-S chant used to build momentum throughout the game
• A young patient from a children’s hospital leads the team down the Cat Walk

LSU

• The March Down Victory Hill outside Tiger Stadium
• Mike the Tiger, a live Bengal-Siberian tiger, lives in a habitat next to the stadium
• Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge” sung by over 100,000 fans in the stadium

Mississippi State

• The clang of thousands of cowbells creates a unique homefield advantage
• The Junction tailgating location where old train tracks used to cross
• Bully, an English bulldog mascot with a lineage that stretches decades

Missouri

• The Tiger Walk outside Memorial Stadium
• M-I-Z / Z-O-U: One side of the crowd yells “M-I-Z,” the other replies “Z-O-U”  
• The “Missouri Waltz,” with fans swaying and raising their hands

Oklahoma

• The Sooner Schooner covered wagon streaks across the field after OU scores
• “Boomer Sooner” fight song played continuously by the Pride of Oklahoma band
• RUF/NEKS all-male spirit squad fires a shotgun after every Sooners score

Ole Miss

• The Walk of Champions outside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
• “Hotty Toddy” rallying cry and signature cheer (and a warm alcoholic drink)
• The Grove, a legendary 10-acre lawn where fans host extravagant tailgates

South Carolina

• The Gamecock Walk outside Williams-Brice Stadium
• The team takes the field to the dramatic theme song of “2001: A Space Odyssey”
• Darude’s electronic track “Sandstorm” blasts throughout the game

Tennessee

• The Vol Walk outside Neyland Stadium
• Hundreds of boats tailgating on the Tennessee River outside the stadium
• “Rocky Top,” the fight song played by the band constantly during games

Texas

• Bevo, a live Texas Longhorn steer who serves as the majestic mascot
• Hook ’em Horns, the universal hand signal and cheer used by fans
• Big Bertha, one of the largest bass drums in the world and used on game days

Texas A&M

• The Midnight Yell pep rally at Kyle Field the night before a home game
• The student body stands for the entire game, symbolizing readiness to serve  
• Reveille, the official mascot and the highest-ranking Corps of Cadets member

Vanderbilt

• The Star Walk outside FirstBank Stadium
• Anchor Down, shouted by the student section after every first down
• A large golden anchor is carried to midfield, symbolizing the team’s identity

Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.