Every college and SEC football team in 2023 has their signature entrance. Whether it’s running through a puff of smoke, being led out by a team’s mascot or entering to a famous song, it’s all a part of what makes college football what it is.
The SEC as a conference is no different with each team having their own unique traditions. So what is each team’s signature entrance and how does it stack up against the others? I go into each and rank my entrances here.
Here is a list and ranking of entrances by school in the SEC.
Ranking the SEC’s best college football entrances
1. Tennessee Volunteers: Arguably the most famous entrance in all of college football, the Tennessee Volunteers run through their famous “T” shaped by the Vols marching band, “The Pride of the Southland” every home game. When the Vols have one of their “checkerboard games” where the fans all dress in orange and white according to section, this makes the atmosphere that much more nostalgic for the rocky top faithful that greet the Vols.
2. South Carolina Gamecocks: The famous song, “Sandstorm” by Darude is a signature tradition across college football that helps lead the Gamecocks onto the field along with their mascot, “Cocky” who can be seen waiving a white gameday towel ferociously in front of the crowd. The Cock-a-boose train also takes the field right before the team helping create an even more intense atmosphere at Williams-Bryce before the Gamecocks take the field. Few would probably argue that this is one of best entrances in the SEC and is a true spectacle whether on tv or live, especially at night.
3. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Right before their grand entrance, the band and cheerleaders hype the crowd up as they chant “hey, hail state.” The signature cowbell also plays a part as the Bulldogs enter the field in Starkville creating a raucous atmosphere as they’re led onto the field by their mascot, “Bully.”
4. Arkansas Razorbacks: One of the neatest entrances not just in the SEC, but all of college football. The Razorbacks take the field right after the fans finish the famous “hog call” chanting “woo pig sooie” as the hogs take the field through the smoke with the band on each side.
5. Missouri Tigers: When the stadium is full, this atmosphere is paralleled by very few as the crowd chants their signature “M-I-Z” on one side a “Z-O-U” on the other right before the Tigers take the field. Flames several feet high and the all-gold Missouri truck with mascot, “Truman the Tiger” aboard coast along the sideline to pump up fans.
6. Texas A&M Aggies: The “Yell Team” always gets the Aggies faithful pumped up before the team enters the field followed by the drums beating loudly. The horn then sounds and the Aggies take the field for their opponent in College Station where seating capacity is over 102,000 at Kyle Field.
7. Georgia Bulldogs: The famous Redcoat Band is spread across the field to help welcome the Bulldogs in every home game in Athens as they run through a paper “G” wall. Pageantry is a plenty as the opposing teams fan section sits to the Bulldogs right as they enter, and the student section directly behind them to gear them up for the game. Quite the sight and if you ever make the trip to Athens, highly recommended.
8. Florida Gators: The gator chomp helps to lead the Gators onto the field every home game in the stadium known nationwide as “The Swamp.” The Gators are also led out by their mascot and cheerleaders sprinting up the sideline with Florida flags. Quite the sight to make your hair stand up.
9. LSU Tigers: The Tigers take the field with the band surrounding them on each side. And the student section right to their right. This gets everyone in Baton Rouge jazzed up for another home game. Their tunnel walk can make one’s hair raise as well. Night games in Baton Rouge specifically are exhilarating as the sun sets and the Tigers take the field.
10. Ole Miss Rebels: The all powder blue atmosphere helps the Rebels take the field every home game. As they enter, they surround the statue of Ole Miss legend Chucky Mullins making sure they each touch it before taking the field for good luck reminding them to “Never Quit” as the statues says, just like Mullins didn’t.
11. Kentucky Wildcats: Kroger Field in Lexington comes alive as the Wildcats approach the entrance on the video board with music blaring. Smoke then fills the entry way as the Wildcats take the field for their next opponent.
12. Auburn Tigers: While Auburn is no longer led by their bald eagle, “spirit” when they take the field, seeing the band form the Auburn logo and the Tigers running through it is still quite the site at Jordan-Hare Stadium on the plains.
13. Alabama Crimson Tide: Led out by their elephant Mascot “Al” and the Alabama cheerleaders, the Crimson tide take the field every home game juiced up to take on the competition. Not one of the more dramatic entrances in the SEC considering their pedigree which is surprising. But then again, look at their leader Nick Saban. He’s not necessarily all about theatrics so this rank makes a lot of sense.
14. Vanderbilt Commodores: The Commodores don’t have much for theatrics besides some smoke and the band leading them out, but there’s something to be said for a smaller stadium that has a tight-knit feel as they players enter the field.
The pageantry of the SEC comes out full blast in these entrances. If you haven’t gotten a chance to experience these, find them online, turn on the television or attend one in person. You won’t regret it.