In order to get his players ready for their game against the LSU Tigers, Washington Huskies head coach Steve Sarkisian brought a real live tiger to practice. Actual animal mascots are quite a popular thing in College Football, among the big and small schools, with some mascots becoming actual celebrities in local communities and beyond.
Georgia Bulldogs – Uga
Since 1956, all Ugas have been part of a lineage of English Bulldogs owned by Sonny Seiler. Russ, the half brother of Uga VII, will assume the title Uga IX on September 15, prior to Georgia vs. Florida Atlantic game.
North Carolina Tar Heels – Rameses
Rameses first appeared at a pep rally before the football game against Virginia Military Institute on November 8, 1924. He was considered to be the lucky charm that brought the 3-0 victory, and has been a fixture on the sidelines at UNC football games ever since.
Texas Longhorns – Bevo
The current Bevo is fourteenth in the line of longhorns that have been the university’s mascot, beginning the line back in 1916, when the university changed its mascot from a pit bulldog to a longhorn. During football games, he typically stands or sits placidly behind one of the end zones and is occasionally greeted by UT players when they score touchdowns.
South Carolina Gamecocks – Sir Big Spur
The official live gamecock of South Carolina attends football and baseball games. It was originally called Cocky Doodle Lou.
Colorado Buffaloes – Ralphie
While most mistake Ralphie to be a male bison, all five Ralphies are females, because they are small and less aggressive than their male counterparts. Ralphie V was introduced in 2007.
Arkansas Razorbacks – Tusk
Texas A&M Aggies – Reveille
The first Reveille was a mixed-breed dog adopted by the students back in 1931. Since the third Reveille, all of them have been purebred Rough Collies. The eighth Revielle began her tenure in 2008. Upon her death, Reveille is buried in a special cemetery located outside the north end of Kyle Field.
LSU Tigers – Mike the tiger
The first Mike was purchased from Little Rock zoo, beginning the tradition in 1936. Mike I was actually kidnapped by Tulane fans before a Tiger-Green Wave football game, and was found abandoned in New Orleans, sprayed in Tulane green. The first Mikes were Bengal tigers, but more recently they have been of mixed breeds. The current Mike (VI) is a Bengali-Siberian hybrid.
Tennessee Volunteers – c
The current mascot is Smokey IX, a blue tick hound. The first smokey was introduced in 1953 after a student poll chose him among four other dog breeds.
USC Trojans – Traveler
The first traveler was introduced in 1961, with different breeds being used over the years; Tennessee Walking horses, Arabian horses and other crossbreeds. The current mascot,Traveler VII, is purebred Andalusian horse.