There may not be a better combination in sports than tailgating and college football. Sharing fandom over a few burgers, a bowl of chili and an adult beverage (or two, or three or…) adds a unique element to the sport we love.

A packed tailgate lot with crisp autumn air absorbing the hot charcoal smoke, blending the wonderful aroma of grilled bratwurst and smoked brisket is an experience unlike any other. Those pregame parties followed by 3 1/2 hours of football is drew me to the sport.

I met my wife at a tailgate party, and our wedding reception was a tailgate party. That is not a lie, I have pictures to prove it. So, yeah, it’s a pretty special aspect of college football for me. But enough about me, I want to hear about your love for tailgating — specifically the foods you most enjoy while congregating with some of your closest friends outside the football stadium.

This week, I asked for B1G fans to provide me with their favorite foods (or beverages) to consume in the tailgate lots before their favorite team kicks off. And, to be fair, before we dive into those fan responses, I’ll provide my answers:

  • Standard burger — Sometimes, simplicity is best. A standard cheeseburger with ketchup, mustard and pickles is easy, delicious and traditional. It’s hard to mess up such a common tailgate food.
  • Buffalo chicken dip — I love buffalo sauce. I love buffalo chicken. I love dips. This is a no-brainer for a tailgate party, especially if you’re a fan of spice. You can enjoy it with carrots, celery, tortilla chips or even just a plain scoop.
  • Chili — Growing up in the Midwest and attending B1G tailgates, chili is a must-have for some of those November games. It can be tough to eat, but it really hits home on those colder days. (If I grew up in a warmer area, pulled pork would likely be on the list).

And, of course, you can’t have a tailgate without a few adult beverages.

Here are some fan responses to the question. What are your favorite tailgate foods?

https://twitter.com/84punters/status/1241490838967984130?s=20

https://twitter.com/2AvgGuys/status/1241490747582492673?s=20

https://twitter.com/JeffStahl/status/1241465399834796033?s=20