College football fans celebrate countless traditions, but few are as colorful — or, perhaps, downright strange — as the mascots roaming the sidelines every Saturday.
Some schools go with live animals that are every bit as imposing as the teams they represent.
Others rely on costumed characters who can dance, rile up a crowd and become celebrities in their own right.
Then there are the humans, clad as mascots, preserving traditions that have endured for generations.
And, of course, the truly unconventional mascots that exist simply because … hey, why not get a little weird?
That’s part of the fun of being a fan. A mascot can be a symbol of school pride, a piece of local history, a source of game-day intimidation or something we love because it’s uniquely ours.
And in a sport built on tradition, these characters and creatures have become an important part of the Saturday experience.
From massive longhorns and charging bison to tigers, leprechauns, warriors, vegetables and even a beer keg, these are some of college football’s most memorable mascots — and the stories behind what makes them special.
Live animals
Uga, University of Georgia: This all-white English bulldog is college football’s ultimate top dog, ruling the sidelines in his custom red jersey and living like campus royalty in an air-conditioned doghouse during scorching early-season games in Athens.
Bevo, University of Texas: This 2,100-pound Texas Longhorn brings the spirit of the Lone Star State to every home game, embodying the proud heritage, iconic “Hook ’em Horns” tradition and unmistakable energy of college football Saturdays in Austin.
Ralphie, University of Colorado: This powerful female American bison energizes Folsom Field in Boulder by thundering across the turf at speeds of up to 25 mph before kickoff and at halftime, with four expert handlers racing alongside her.
Mike the Tiger, LSU: This stunning Bengal tiger is the undisputed king of game days in Baton Rouge, living in a 15,000-square-foot custom-built enclosure near Tiger Stadium where fans gather before kickoff hoping to catch a glimpse of him lounging or swimming.
Smokey, University of Tennessee: This beloved Bluetick Coonhound is the soul of Rocky Top, leading the Volunteers through the band-formed Power T entrance before kickoff as his legendary bays echo through Neyland Stadium and fire up more than 100,000 fans.
Costumed characters
Aubie the Tiger, Auburn University: With his sharp wardrobe, signature dance moves and endless energy, Aubie has become the Tigers’ charismatic goodwill ambassador and a championship-winning mascot who brings the spirit of The Plains to life.
Brutus Buckeye, Ohio State University: With his giant grin, signature striped shirt and boundless enthusiasm, Brutus keeps more than 100,000 fans at The Horseshoe on their feet with cheers, headstands, giant flags and plenty of Buckeyes spirit.
Bucky Badger, University of Wisconsin: Known for his red-and-white sweater and impressive push-up tradition, Bucky turns Badgers football into a full-body celebration while rallying Camp Randall Stadium with his infectious school spirit.
The Oregon Duck, University of Oregon: Whether arriving on a motorcycle, leading push-up challenges or crowd-surfing through the stands, the Oregon Duck brings a larger-than-life personality and unmistakable energy to every game at Autzen Stadium.
Sparty, Michigan State University: Beneath the imposing warrior physique, Sparty is a famously friendly mascot who combines strength, school pride and plenty of high-fives to connect with Michigan State fans on fall Saturdays in East Lansing.
Humans
The Notre Dame Leprechaun: With his green suit, bowler hat and trademark fighting stance, the Notre Dame Leprechaun is more than a crowd-pleaser — he’s a beloved symbol of the pride, spirit and history-rich tradition that define Saturdays in South Bend.
Chief Osceola, Florida State University: In authentic Seminole regalia and war paint, Osceola and his horse, Renegade, create one of college football’s most iconic entrances while embodying the pageantry and tradition of FSU game days in Tallahassee.
The Masked Rider, Texas Tech University: Charging into the stadium atop a powerful black horse, The Masked Rider’s scarlet cape and mysterious black mask transformed a student prank into one of Lubbock’s most thrilling and recognizable game-day traditions.
Davy Crockett, University of Tennessee: Dressed in a coonskin cap and frontier attire, the Davy Crockett mascot ignites the 100,000-plus fans at Neyland Stadium and celebrates the Volunteers’ history while honoring the legacy and sacrifice of the legendary frontiersman.
The Mountaineer, West Virginia University: Dressed in buckskins and carrying a rifle, The Mountaineer embodies West Virginia’s rugged Appalachian spirit while adding a distinctive dose of tradition and character to fall Saturdays in Morgantown.
Unconventional
Stanford Tree, Stanford University: The eccentric Stanford Tree, inspired by Palo Alto’s redwoods and reinvented annually — every year brings a fresh costume, a new personality, a new chapter — may be the most uniquely weird mascot in college sports.
Big Red, Western Kentucky University: This genderless, fuzzy red blob with a giant grin known as Big Red has been entertaining Hilltoppers fans since 1979, proving a mascot doesn’t need to resemble anything in the real world to become a beloved icon.
Keggy the Keg, Dartmouth College: The Ivy League school’s unofficial mascot is exactly as it sounds — an anthropomorphic beer keg created by students in 2003 that has become a widely recognized alternative to the school’s lack of an official mascot.
The Fighting Okra, Delta State University: Born from the student body’s desire for an intimidating mascot (evidently Statesmen isn’t tough enough), the Fighting Okra is an angry green vegetable in boxing gloves that has become an iconic school symbol.
The Chanticleer, Coastal Carolina University: Inspired by the swashbuckling rooster Chauntecleer from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” Coastal Carolina’s Chanticleer is one of college sports’ most unusual — not to mention literary — mascots.
Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.