In two days they’ll emerge. They’re not just fans, they’re fanatics. The Ducks who believe every little thing they do will affect the outcome of Saturday’s game versus No. 9 Stanford; the ones who believe the meal they ate for dinner made the difference last year when the Ducks tromped USC on Halloween. They can be annoying and up front, but they’re also one of the essentials of a successful game day tailgate.
Since Saturday’s game appears to forecast the rare combination of a stellar matchup with equally good weather, most Oregon fans will find themselves outside preparing for the 5:00 kickoff. To make sure the fanatics and all other attendees are in the right mindset before the game, here are some essentials to have at every tailgate:
Beer
There are few things more synonymous than watching football with beer. Some may argue tossing around the football gets them in the right mood, or eating burgers right off the grill, but in all honesty beer makes things mesh so much better. Tossing around that football after knocking back a couple brews is twice as entertaining, and that slightly undercooked burger becomes twice as delicious.
Barbecue
It’s tough enduring a game on an empty stomach, which means it’s important to properly feed yourself. Of course the best way to do so on game day is with a grill full of burgers, dogs and anything else that seems remotely grill-able. If there isn’t a grill or if you’re too lazy, there are still plenty of food alternatives (see pizza).
Football
It’s always good to have a football to toss around. You can never be too old to play out your crushed dreams of playing Division I football with a group of friends on a street corner or just be that person walking around the barbecue, pump faking passes at everybody.
Table
Every outdoor tailgate needs a table. Too many drinking games occur on a table to not have one. Without it, the tailgate will be a bunch of people standing around talking; something that college students can avoid until they graduate.
Television
It’s always good to have a television inside to check on the scores of other games. It’s much easier to get excited for a Ducks game while watching other teams from around the country play out their own game.
Oregon gear
Nobody wants to be that guy or girl at the game wearing the red hoodie, or even worse, some generic football jersey. We aren’t at the game to cheer for football, we’re there to root for the Ducks. Find out the colors (the Stanford game is a blackout) and match appropriately.
The fanatic friend
Covered a little earlier, the football fanatic is always essential. They’re chock-full of intensity and a multitude of facts that you can use later when you get into an angry debate with a fan from the opposing team. It’s always safe to go anywhere on game day with the fanatic. Warning: If they’re too devoted, they may scare away people at the tailgate by swearing or belligerently yelling.
The blacked-out friend
If a tailgate is big enough, there will always be the person who drinks too much and doesn’t make it to the game. There’s no better entertainment than coming back from a great game to find the blacked-out person confused as to why they missed the game. More entertaining is if they somehow get to the game.
Both sexes
Although football is a more masculine sport, a tailgate needs both guys and ladies. It’s always good to bro out, but there’s always a pretty fine line that many college guys cross when they bro out too hard. Nobody wants to find themselves at that tailgate.
Pizza
It’s no surprise that the one of busiest days of the year for pizza delivery is Super Bowl Sunday. If you’re too lazy to grill, there isn’t a better substitute than a large pepperoni pizza dripping with cheese.
Music
Like beer, things are just better with music. And much like the table, without it, people are forced to stand awkwardly and converse. Nobody wants that to happen.
It seems like a lot of tangibles to take care of to have a successful tailgate, but they’re all necessary. Of course it’s always good to make additions to this list, for the more you throw into a tailgate, the better.
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