Two weeks have passed since Georgia and Clemson played on the field in one the most exciting non-conference games of the season. Although the Bulldogs won 10-3 in their matchup, how does Athens, Georgia, compare to Clemson, South Carolina, which is up north?
This matchup off the field is one of eight in The Football Town Showdown, where fans will determine which college town is the best. The 16-team field offers a variety of college football culture, from fierce rivalries like Auburn, Alabama against Tuscaloosa (Alabama) to nuanced matchups like Ames, Iowa against Baton Rouge.
Ann Arbor's Big House is better than State College's Creamery ice cream. What does the view from Boone's Appalachian Mountains compare to the party at The Grove in Oxford. Which song is better: "Rocky Top" (or "Enter Sandman")? You, the football fan, decide which college town is the best.
Vote starting Wednesdays on Twitter and Instagram @ESPNCFB
Auburn, Ala. vs. Tuscaloosa (Ala.).
Auburn is a great college city: It's not the Loveliest Village of the Plains. Although the city has grown significantly in recent years it has managed to retain much of its small-town charm. It feels like you are stepping back in the past with its redbrick buildings, massive oaks, and charming downtown. Auburn's food scene has seen the greatest improvement over the past decade. I'm not denying that old favorites like Amsterdam Cafe are great and well worth a visit. Newer restaurants like Acre and The Hound are elevating the whole food scene. Alex Scarborough Editor's Picks College Football's Best Traditions, Mascots, Rivals and More ESPN Staff
Auburn's first Big Ten Road Game in 90 Years and all the other things to watch in Week 3, Dave Wilson & Harry Lyles Jr.
The Bottom 10 is ready for party like 1998 Ryan McGee 2 Related
The reason Tuscaloosa is such a great college town is that you can have a delicious pork chop at Five or great sushi at Chuck's. But the real attraction of a trip to the University of Alabama's home is the feeling of college football history it offers. You can enjoy biscuits and gravy at the Waysider where Paul Bryant used to eat. The Bryant Museum has dozens of football artifacts. One of them is a Waterford crystal replica Bear's famous houndstooth cap. As you enter Bryant-Denny Stadium, you will find the Walk of Champions. This is where you'll find statues of Bryant, Gene Stallings, and every other Bama head coaching winner, Nick Saban included. Scarborough
Boone, N.C. vs. Oxford, Miss.
Boone is a great college city. Although it is difficult to reach Appalachian State's home, visitors are welcomed by the breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains upon arrival. Boone is a North Carolina college town that offers more activities for students than any other. It's located in North Carolina’s High Country. Boone is a popular destination for outdoor activities on the East Coast. It offers skiing on nearby slopes, whitewater rafting during the summer, as well as hiking and camping. Blue Ridge Parkway is a great option for weekend getaways. The Mountaineers can also play football. Ask Michigan. -- Mark Schlabach
Appalachian State's Yosef is unanimous in his opinion about the best college towns. Bobby McDuffie/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Oxford is a great college city: The Grove is famous for its tailgating. It boasts majestic oak trees and lush green grass. Talk about a huge party. It doesn't matter how bad Ole Miss' football team was that season, it never gets boring. If you're looking for a way to go back in history, the Square is a great place to visit. There are many restaurants like Ajax Diner that offer authentic Southern soul food. Taylor Grocery is about 20 minutes away. Go for the catfish! Oxford is not a large city. This small town of 28,000 residents is home to the university. There's a sense of nostalgia, anticipation, and good-old-fashioned fun whenever the Rebels visit Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Chris Low
Boulder, Colo. vs. Morgantown W.Va.
Boulder is a great college city: Located at the base the Rocky Mountains, Boulder boasts a natural beauty that few other college towns can match. This is before you consider the excellent food and drink scene, which makes it worth the effort at any time of the year. It's an ideal vacation spot without having to include football. Boulder is alive on game days. As the day draws near, the crisp fall weather exudes football and increases the excitement. Kyle Bonagura
Morgantown is a great college city. West Virginia's rolling hills along the banks of Monongahela River make it stand out from other Big 12 schools that are located on the plains. This is a great spot for college football tailgating. They have pepperoni rolls and moonshine in many flavors. The classic college bars like Mario's Fishbowl and Kegler's are lively and you can sing along with 60,000 friends to "Country Roads" following a big win. Unless you happen upon a few couches getting burnt afterwards. Dave Wilson
Ann Arbor, Mich. vs. State College, Pa.
Ann Arbor is a great college city. Ann Arbor has everything you need, from great food and great atmosphere to a gorgeous campus that sprawls across the town. Nearly everything revolves around the university. Even those who don't live in Ann Arbor, but do attend classes, are still part and parcel of the college town vibe. You can walk from downtown towards the stadium on any given game day to see the support that the community gives the football program. -- Tom VanHaaren
State College is a great college community. State College is located in middle Pennsylvania. Although it is far from the main cities, once you arrive on campus, you will find that it is like few other colleges in the country. The Creamery will be crowded with eager fans waiting to get their famous ice cream on any Saturday. These fans wander through parties and tailgates to finally arrive at the stadium. Saturday afternoons are all about the football team. -- Tom VanHaaren
State College, Pa. is a great place to catch a game, whether it's the White Out games or the ice cream. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Athens, Ga. vs. Clemson, S.C.
The Classic City in Athens is a great college city. With its unrivaled music scene and eclectic food, it is like Oxford, Mississippi or Austin, Texas on steroids. R.E.M. and Widespread Panic were born in Athens. The city also had 80 bars within a mile, more than any other American city. With the addition of local breweries, it is now even better. The best thing is that it all lies within walking distance from the UGA campus. In fact, Athens was the party city with the football problem before Mark Richt and Kirby Smart came to coach the Bulldogs.
Why Clemson has a great college town. Clemson is in the middle of everything. The roads leading to campus are marked with orange tiger paws. Beyond the close relationship between the school and the town, Clemson also has some of the most iconic traditions in the area, which are matched with well-known local establishments. Every college football fan should make it a point to see Clemson's coaches and players touch the Rock and run down Hill. A few drinks at the Esso Club is a good idea before or after kickoff. -- Andrea Adelson
Baton Rouge, La. vs. Ames, Iowa
Why Baton Rouge is such a great college city: Louisiana has a unique vibe. Cajuns take pride in their food, drinks, and football. All of these things come together in Baton Rouge, where there are many quality restaurants and bars. To truly understand the city, you must see it live on game day. Visit Mike the Tiger, walk around campus and try any gumbo. It's likely to be delicious. It's a great atmosphere in the pregame, and it is undoubtedly the best stadium experience that the sport has to present. Scarborough
Night games in Baton Rouge is just one reason this college town has made it into the mix. Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Why Ames is such a great college football community: Ames' population comprises about half of the country's college students. They will keep you young. The Cyclones faithful is one of the most dedicated in the country. They're already singing in the Tip Top Lounge at 6 AM on game day and there are buses and RVs parked outside Jack Trice Stadium. There is a huge tailgating scene with plenty of food and drink, especially Busch Light. Fans appreciate the winner, but they don't spout vitriol after losing. They stick to their motto "Win or lose we booze". Nearby Welch Avenue is home to a lively bar scene known as Campustown. Wilson
Blacksburg, Va. vs. Knoxville, Tenn.
Why Blacksburg is such a great college town. Virginia Tech, located in the northern Blue Ridge Highlands of Virginia, is not only beautiful to visit on a weekend of college football but also offers one of the most unique game-day experiences anywhere in the country. You don't need to believe me. Before the season opener against North Carolina, Google "Enter Sandman". Orange fans rose in unison to the music and roared as soon as the Hokies entered their field. This tradition is a national treasure. A trip to Lane Stadium would not be complete without a turkey leg. They are smoked right in the stadium to the delight and amazement of everyone who has waited in line for them since they were first offered over 20 years ago. Adelson
Knoxville is a great college city. Neyland Stadium towers over the banks of Tennessee River. It is one of few college football stadiums that can be accessed by land and water. As orange-clad fans revel in the post- and pregame celebrations, the Vol Navy crowding in on Saturday afternoon is only surpassed by the sound of "Rocky Top". There are many restaurants and watering holes right near campus, including those located on the Cumberland Avenue Strip as well as in the Old City and Market Square areas. Knoxville is the largest city in Tennessee, with the Smoky Mountains visible in the distance. This makes it an ideal location for college football fans to enjoy the sights and sounds. -- Low
Madison, Wis. vs. Pullman (Wash.
Madison is a great college city: Only you will be able to see Madison, Wisconsin in person. Driving in from the east you will split through Lake Mendota or Lake Monona. This is what sets the scene for the city and makes it look like a postcard. People flock to Mickie’s Dairy Bar for a good-old-fashioned breakfast, or they spread out throughout the town, eventually converging at Camp Randall Stadium. -- VanHaaren
Why Pullman is such a great college town. Although the stadium's capacity is only just shy of 33,000 people, it is important to remember that this total is not representative of all of Pullman. It is the center of campus and can hold nearly all of Pullman County. Pullman is a rare find on the West Coast where most large football-playing universities are located in urban areas. Pullman is a college town. Washington State is the largest employer. It attracts many visitors from all parts of the state to tailgate and other pregame activities.
