Two of college football’s most recognizable traditions belong to the Palmetto State.
The Clemson Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks earned spots on our ranking of the sport’s top 25 traditions, showcasing the distinct ways those programs make fall Saturdays their own.
Both bring something distinct to college football’s game-day landscape.
Clemson and South Carolina have built rituals that are instantly recognizable, tied to the identity of each program and passed down through generations of fans.
Both traditions are built around dramatic pregame entrances. One brings the spectacle with its players running down a hill, while the other sets the stage with a familiar musical cue.
Ranking college football traditions is, of course, subjective — and that’s part of the fun. We expect fans to debate what belongs higher, lower or maybe not on the list at all.
Here’s a closer look at how Clemson and South Carolina fared in our rankings, followed by the rest of the top 25.
No. 4: Running Down the Hill, Clemson
Since the 1940s, Clemson players have made their way onto the field by running down the hill at the east end of Memorial Stadium.
The tradition evolved into its modern form in the 1960s with the introduction of Howard’s Rock, adding another iconic piece to one of college football’s most recognizable pregame scenes.
“If you are lucky enough to ever witness this, you will not forget it. It is perhaps the greatest entrance in sports,” ESPN’s Chris Fowler said.
As kickoff approaches, Clemson players touch Howard’s Rock, the cannon fires and the Tigers race down the hill into a roaring wall of orange.
It’s one of those college football moments that feels almost larger than the game itself — a rush of noise, color and tradition that never gets old.
No. 12: 2001: A Space Odyssey, South Carolina
South Carolina’s iconic entrance has been a game-day staple since the 1980s, when the Gamecocks began running onto the field to Richard Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra,” better known as the opening music from “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Decades later, that familiar buildup has become part of the Williams-Brice Stadium soundtrack.
“I’ve always thought that music was a mood-setter. I felt like (South) Carolina needed a little something extra at the time that had a little more pop to it. Heck, if it’s good enough for Elvis Presley, it ought to be good enough for us!” said former Gamecocks quarterback and longtime radio analyst Tommy Suggs, who is credited with creating the entrance.
The lights go down, the music builds and the Gamecocks emerge.
It’s become a familiar and memorable part of game day in Columbia.
The top 25
- 1. The Hawkeye Wave, Iowa
- 2. Jump Around, Wisconsin
- 3. Enter Sandman, Virginia Tech
- 4. Running Down the Hill, Clemson
- 5. Osceola and Renegade, Florida State
- 6. Ralphie’s Run, Colorado
- 7. White Out Game, Penn State
- 8. Dotting the “i,” Ohio State
- 9. Play Like a Champion Today, Notre Dame
- 10. Touching the Banner, Michigan
- 11. Running Through the T, Tennessee
- 12. 2001: A Space Odyssey, South Carolina
- 13. Entering through the smoke, Miami
- 14. Army-Navy joint postgame alma maters
- 15. The Sooner Schooner, Oklahoma
- 16. War Eagle, Auburn
- 17. Traveler and Tribute to Troy, USC
- 18. Country Roads, West Virginia
- 19. Calling the Dawgs, Georgia
- 20. Gator Chomp, Florida
- 21. Callin’ Baton Rouge, LSU
- 22. The Masked Rider, Texas Tech
- 23. The 12th Man, Texas A&M
- 24. Rammer Jammer, Alabama
- 25. Wabash Cannonball, Kansas State
READ MORE: The most memorable college football mascots and the stories behind them
READ MORE: 25 rivalries that define college football: Pick your favorite
READ MORE: College football’s best pregame entrances: 5 traditions that stand out
READ MORE: The ultimate college football bucket list: 15 trips every fan should take
Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.