As college football heads into the meat of the season, we take a moment to look at the other face of the team – the mascots. You always want to see your team win, but even if they don't, it's great to see your team's mascot beat out the others. Mascots lead the team out, get the fans riled up and compete with the other mascots to be seen as the best.
When it comes to mascots, they come in all sizes. Some are fierce, some are adorable and others still are just plain quirky. Some are animals, some are plants, and some...well, we're not quite sure what they are. Whether a mascot wears big suit or is just someone in make-up, a costume and a hat on, mascots are the ones that really get the crowd excited about the game.
Many schools have live animals as mascots, but those are not included in this list. Here is a list of the best-of-the-best college mascots.
10) Zippy the Kangaroo – The University of Akron
The Akron Zips adopted the kangaroo mascot in 1953. If Akron athletics are anything like Zippy in this video, however, they have a way to go.
9) Big Al – University of Alabama
Alabama originally took on an elephant for a mascot because when the football team ran out of their tunnel, they sounded like the booming giants. With a long, flowy trunk and big, floppy ears, this elephant knows how to have fun.
8) Keggy the Keg – Dartmouth College
Ok, this one is an unofficial mascot...but it's still awesome. And since Dartmouth doesn't have an official mascot after their Indian mascot got nixed, why not? It's a mascot that encapsulates college life at its finest.
7) Pete and Penny – Youngstown State
I don't know what these penguins are doing in the Midwest, but they're so cute. And these penguins can dance. And they are one-of-a-kind, since they are the only school in the country to have the penguin as a mascot.
6) Brutus the Buckyeye – Ohio State
As crazy as it is that Ohio State's mascot is a nut, Brutus is a pretty good mascot. And one cute nut. And one thing's for sure – no other team calls themselves the Buckeyes.
5) Goldie Gopher – The University of Minnesota
Goldie Gopher isn't very intimidating, but he is pretty adorable. Suited up in maroon and gold and a set of buck teeth, this little critter is ready for anything.
4) Puddles – University of Oregon
This mascot is awesome because he closely resembles Donald Duck – the school's previous athletic director Leo Harris had close ties to Walt Disney.
3) Hairy Dawg - University of Georgia
The founders and first president of the university graduated from Yale, so what better mascot for the school than a bulldog? Although students love the live bulldog mascot of the university, Hairy Dawg is a fan favorite as well.
2) Sparty – Michigan State
One look at this Spartan warrior and you will run away, intimidated. Dressed up in full armor and gifted with an unbelievable set of muscles, this guy is always ready for any battle.
1) Bucky Badger – University of Wisconsin – Madison
Bucky is the cutest mascot out there. But he is fierce – badgers can beat out other animals like snakes, wolves and bears. And any football player out there. But on top of his good looks, this badger is strong. He is able to do hundreds of push-ups every home game. Bucky is also a sneaky mascot, outwitting other mascots in his pretend fights he picks every game. Bucky can outwit, out-dance and out-play all the mascots on this list.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
