The CU vs. CSU game is many people’s favorite football game of the year. Maybe it’s the rivalry, or maybe it’s just because it’s the only game we ever win. Either way, it’s a big game, and you want to make the most of it.
Here are some tips to survive the game this Saturday.
CU students make noise for the punt near the end of the 1st half of the CSU game on September 17th, 2011 where the Buffs won 28-14. CUI’s Ainslee MacNaughton gives hints to students on how to have the best experience at the game Saturday after noon against CSU.(CU Independent, Amy Leder)
- Get there early
Whether you’re taking a party bus or the Buff Bus, you want to get up and leave early. The game starts at 2 p.m., but you’ll need to get to Sports Authority Field earlier than that, especially if you want to tailgate. The best non-reserved tailgating spots go quickly –- the parking lots open at 10 a.m. and people get serious about their pre-game partying.
If you are thinking about taking the Buff Bus, you also need to plan ahead. The bus picks up students by Coors Events Center at 10 a.m., but the line will get long way before that. You don’t want to wait in line for an hour just to stand for the trip to Denver, so get in line early. Getting up early —especially on a Saturday — is hard, but it’ll be worth it when you’re sitting down instead of trying to stay balanced every time the bus turns or slows down. Even if you don’t mind standing on the bus trip, the Buff Buses are only available for the first 800 students to arrive, so plan accordingly.
- Find the alumni
For those who have never been to the CU vs. CSU game, get prepared for parking lots full of students and alumni from both schools. Tailgating is fun, but as college students, our food and alcohol isn’t usually up to par with what the alumni have. They’ll be there early. They’ll have the best spots, food and drinks. And they’re usually pretty friendly to current CU students. They know what it’s like to be a student at CU – and what the CU vs. CSU game is like — so play your cards right and they might share. Of course, try not to mooch too much, there is only so much a person will give to a complete stranger.
- Wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses
Not to sound like your mother, but you really should wear sunscreen. You’ll be standing in direct sunlight for at least two hours, and while that doesn’t seem too bad, half the school will sport red cheeks and awkward Ralphie sticker tan lines the next day. If you’re sunburned on Sunday, you’re going to be asked at least half a dozen times if you went to the game the day before, and trust me, that gets old. Plus, do you really want your shiny, sunburned face in the dozen of pictures somebody’s guaranteed to take and put on Facebook? On that note, bring sunglasses. Squinting to see our Buffs takedown CSU isn’t fun. It’s annoying and typically results in headaches. And if you’re wearing sunscreen, you don’t even have to worry about an awkward sunglasses tan!
- Hydrate (…with water)
It’s safe to say that the majority of the over-21 crowd will be consuming alcohol in some way, and like we learned in that alcohol education course during freshman orientation, alcohol dehydrates. You’ll be sitting in the hot sun all day too, which will dehydrate you even more than the alcohol. Drinking water or Gatorade while you’re on your way to the game and while tailgating will keep you feeling good and energized for the game. Dehydration isn’t fun, and passing out in a crowded loud stadium really isn’t ideal. Be smart, drink responsibly and fill up your water bottle.
- Behave yourself
Guys, I know it sucks to be a CSU Ram. A little smack talking is fun. We’re rivals. You can’t expect us to play nice. Sing the fight song, boo the ram – but remember that you still need to control yourself. It’s easy to get carried away in situations like these, especially when the game gets close (even though CU is obviously going to win).
But the rivalry doesn’t have to translate to fights or arrests. If a CSU fan wanders into our territory, feel free to boo a little but don’t get aggressive. You don’t need to threaten him or get violent. Honestly, it’s not worth it. Not only does it make CU (and you) look bad, starting a fight will probably get you kicked out of the game — and could get you in legal trouble. Nobody wants to face assault charges over something as silly as a football game.
Contact CU Independent copy editor Ainslee Mac Naughton at Ainslee.macnaughton@colorado.edu
