Last week’s ranking of the best locations to watch a Southeastern Conference football game inspired one reader to lobby for Auburn on the strength of the school’s tradition of flying the eagle before kickoff.
Auburn already ranked high on the list, but the awe-inspiring Jordan-Hare Stadium tradition certainly deserves its own shoutout. So, with an assist from reader Jeff from Dothan, here is the Sensation Seven live mascots in college sports.
Let’s get to the rankings.
7. Texas: Bevo the longhorn steer might be the coolest live mascot in college football if not for the irrational sensitivity of Texas fans toward the horns down sign flashed by opposing fans.
6. Tennessee: Smokey the bluetick hound is most famous in this state because of a quote from former Alabama player Jerry Duncan when he was the sideline reporter for the Alabama radio network. Duncan’s hatred of all things Tennessee shone through when he said on air, “Well Eli, Smokey is about 100 yards away from me now, and if I had my deer rifle, I believe I could drop him.”
5. Georgia: Uga didn’t want any part of Bevo during their on-field encounter at the Sugar Bowl. But the pure white English bulldog mascot is as identified with Georgia as any live mascot. UMS-Wright in Mobile has a mascot that looks like Uga’s cousin. Is UMS-Wright the only high school in Alabama or any other state with a live mascot? Let me know so I can include it in a future ranking.
