Why every college football fan needs to experience South Carolina’s pregame and in-game hype

When it comes to college football entrances, ones that come to mind are Virginia Tech's "Enter Sandman", Michigan's "Banner Jump", or even Notre Dame's "Play like a Champion" sign, among others around the landscape. However, while all of those come to mind, there is one that stands above the rest. From the 2001 entrance music to the mechanized train to the loudest rave in college football, nothing beats South Carolina Gamecock football.

It starts with the buildup of Richard Strauss' “Also Sprach Zarathustra", now dubbed 2001 based on 2001: A Space Odyssey. Then, when the crescendo of the music hits that distinct tone, the smoke pops at the “Tommy Suggs 2001 Gamecock Football Entrance”, and the team runs onto the field. The marching band starts playing while the football team runs onto the field. The fireworks are going off, pyro on full display, it's like a scene out of an action movie.

Cocky is either in the cage being released onto the field at Williams-Brice Stadium, or jumps out of the "Cockaboose," the iconic red with gold and white trim train and caboose. While all of this is going on, all you hear is "Game! Cocks!" going back and forth in the stadium. The music is pumping, regardless of whether it's a day or night game. The atmosphere is off the charts. The whole entrance is already electric enough that even EA's College Football 26 put it in the teaser for the new gameday experiences.

After all of that, Waka Flocka Flame's "Rooster in my Rari" starts blasting, featuring a rooster crowing loudly as the lights are going and the crowd is jumping. Finally, what everyone waits for begins, Darude's "Sandstorm", which started in 2009 after beating then-fourth-ranked Ole Miss. The start of what has become the biggest rave in college sports. The crowd starts waving the towels to the beat, and then when the beat drops, all you hear is "USC! USC! USC!" with the towels waving so hard you'd think Willy-B would lift off the ground.

It's an experience every college football fan should experiecnce, even if they aren't a Gamecock fan. The way Williams-Brice sways and jumps during 2001 and Sandstorm is nothing like anyone has seen. The whole experience is fun to watch and feel in person. A broadcast does not give it true justice for how loud and wild it gets on Gamecocks' gamedays. While other schools have fun traditions, nothing beats South Carolina football.