Tailgating 101: The 24 hours leading up to the big game

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The 24 hours leading up to any college football game could matter just as much as those hours your team plays. Here is a quick look at your possible tailgating plans whether you are a Sooner fan or a Cowboys fan.

"Boomer Sooner!"

In Norman when it comes to OU games it will look a little different this year due to their entrance into the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

"Before, there were more restricted areas. This year is you can tailgate everywhere except for these few restricted areas," said Exec. Assoc. Athletic Director for OU Athletics Leah Beasley.

She isn't wrong either. New maps show new spots throughout the campus that are now open to public tailgating.

Fans can tailgate anywhere on campus, except for a few restricted areas marked on the university's tailgating map. New free tailgating areas include Boyd Lawn, the North Asp Avenue area and the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Other open areas include Brooks Street, Lindsey Street and the Duck Pond.

Fans can start setting up equipment at 5 p.m. on the day before a home football game, and claim spots as early as noon that day. However, stakes can't be put in the ground until 5 p.m.

OU and nearby businesses will also close some roads to improve the tailgating atmosphere.

"We're so excited but also a little bit nervous about it all," said one family who was donning full OU gear.

"Boomer!" Their young son Talon told KFOR he will be a football player that people will need to look out for.

"The food, the atmosphere, the music. Just all the vibes from Lindsey Street before the game is so amazing" said another fan.

"I am a part of the Women's Wrestling Club so we will be having our tailgating going on long before the game starts. I'm so excited. Football here is like a family thing," said a student.

In Stillwater, while not in the SEC, tailgating still opens up a whole lot more to the public.

“We really, really love to tailgate and so our joke is that we tailgate and sometimes there’s a football game,” said John Stobbe, OSU tailgater. 

OSU fan John Stobbe said he got to campus around 8 a.m. on Friday. He adds his tailgating tradition dates back to 1996.  

“This is our spot, so everybody knows where we are. We just want to be in our same spot every time… I don’t think it’s the best, but it’s ours,” said Stobbe.