The GameDay bus rolled onto campus Thursday and was greeted by a large crowd of Ole Miss fans. Photo by Christina Steube/University Communications
1. Make sure you have a ticket.
Football season tickets sold out before the school year even started and individual seats weren’t far behind. Tickets available for resale are going for $250-plus (and no, Beyonce isn’t performing at halftime). Unless you’re willing to shell out the dough, you may be watching from one of the televisions in the Grove. But let’s be honest, you could do much worse.
2. Wake up early!
The gates for ESPN’s “College GameDay” open at 6 a.m. and the show will be broadcast LIVE FROM THE GROVE from 8 to 11 a.m. with usual Grove activities to follow. Except there will be a lot less space. Since this is a unique opportunity, I suggest you go early. It’s worth running off only a few hours of sleep. Just grab an extra coffee. Or four.
3. Be gracious hosts.
Two years ago, we hosted Texas in the Grove and showed them a great time. In fact, some of my closest friends are people I met during that time because they were so impressed with Ole Miss fans. This is a huge game and Alabama is one of our biggest opponents, so let’s show them a great experience and that Mississippi hospitality we’ve become famous for.
4. Yell loudly … and often.
I could tell you again how huge a game this is, but you already know. Be vocal. Let our team know you’re behind them and give them a reason to play their hearts out.
5. Stay the whole game.
If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket, USE IT! Get there before kickoff and stay until there’s no time on the game clock. Even if we’re beating Alabama 42-0, stay. We need to fill up the stands and look great on CBS. Plus, I’m sure our team would prefer to play to a full audience. Be the 12th man.
6. There are cameras everywhere, so BEHAVE!
The Grove is going to be a national stage this weekend. All eyes are on us. Everyone who isn’t here wants to be here, so they’ll be watching. Represent us well.
7. Be a proud Rebel.
Regardless of the outcome of the game, we have a lot to be proud of this year. Our team has not been 4-0 since 1970. No, that’s not a typo. It’s really been that long. We’re on our way back up and even national media thinks so, which is why they are setting up camp in li’l ole Oxford. Be proud of our accomplishments as a team and university so far this year.
8. Enjoy it.
ESPN bringing its “GameDay” program to Oxford is something that has never happened, even though I know they’ve wanted to all along. We can’t even anticipate what Saturday will be like. Hopefully they’ll be here many more times in the future, but for now, soak it up. Take lots of photos, even selfies if you have to. This is something you’ll want to remember.