Dearest Oregon fans,
Your first year in the Big Ten conference has almost come to an end, and it’s been a pretty good one. Ranked No. 1 for two weeks in a row now, you’ve dominated a new conference that critics said you’d struggle in.
But game days at No. 2 Ohio State and unranked Illinois don’t compare to the atmosphere you will face this weekend in Camp Randall Stadium, home to Wisconsin Badgers football.
Up until now, you’ve only traveled to Purdue and Michigan and witnessed their atmospheres. Purdue fans care more about basketball than their unranked football team and can be dismissed as creating a tough atmosphere, but Michigan, too, has struggled this season and their fair-weather fans may not have brought the excitement to your matchup. So, this weekend Badgers fans welcome you to the big leagues in the sunny (hopefully) confines of Camp Randall to get your first taste of real Big Ten football.
This is what you should expect on your first ever gameday in Madison on Saturday.
While you’ve just missed the Capitol Square farmer’s market, the Square and State Street still have plenty of places to start your gameday off bright and early. Short Stack Eatery on State Street and Mickey’s Dairy Bar on Monroe are two classics, but be warned, there will be long lines. It’s around this point that you’ll start to see fans already decked out in their Badgers gear.
In Madison, the party always starts early.
Tailgates line the houses around Camp Randall and Langdon Street. There will be so many tailgates, you can’t miss them. At the bars, too, red-clad students, alumni and fans pour out onto the street as they catch up on their college football and get ready for Wisconsin to take the field.
Take the day to explore America’s best college town.
Today, the duck hunt is on, and you’ll likely see a few crass banners hanging off of student houses antagonizing your dear mascot, Puddles. But don't let that ruffle your feathers, Midwest friendliness is near its peak in Wisconsin. And even if you’re on the other team — as long as that team isn’t Minnesota — you’ll be welcomed to Madison with open arms.
Once the sun has set and kickoff looms on the horizon, get to the game early. While you likely won't have as much trouble getting in as the students stuck outside of gate five, it’ll give you time to take a lap around Camp Randall and enjoy the stadium for all it has to offer.
Quick tip: get a pretzel, specifically at Ben’s Pretzels outside of the student section. Make sure to shake some cinnamon sugar over it for the perfect game day snack. As you walk around, some fans waddle about sluggishly in passing, but that’s just another essential part of a gameday in Madison.
While the student section fills up, one of the most beautiful things you’ll likely notice about Badgers football is the community. Thousands of alumni and community members flock to the game, sporting that Badgers spirit at all times. Once a Badger, always a Badger.
At the end of the half, everyone links arms and sings Wisconsin’s official alma mater anthem, “Varsity.” Regardless of your school or your rooting bias, “Varsity” is one of the best parts of the game, and you should participate, even if just with your fellow Ducks.
And then, after the third quarter, comes the most anticipated moment of your trip: “Jump Around.” You will know the waiting game is over when the student section race plays on the big screen — and section O inevitably loses. Then, the first note of “Jump Around” will play, and the stadium lights up. The student section screams as Camp Randall begins to shake.
Enjoy yourself, jump around and have a little fun! But know that you will be winded after the song concludes, no matter how healthy you think you are.
At the conclusion of the game when Wisconsin has miraculously upset No. 1 ranked Oregon, stick around for the Fifth Quarter. Even if the student section has ducked out and the stadium is growing barer by the minute, the Fifth Quarter should be an essential part of your first gameday in Madison. Wisconsin’s marching band is often considered one of the best in the nation, and the Fifth Quarter is the celebration of tradition here at Wisconsin. The marching band plays all of the Badgers classics for just a bit of fun after the game.
After you head out of Camp Randall, delight in your first gameday in Madison and resolve to come back every time the two schools face each other.
You may be a Duck today, but in Madison, we all bleed Badger red.
Annika Bereny is a Senior Staff Writer and the former Special Pages Editor for The Daily Cardinal. She is a History and Journalism major and has written in-depth campus news, specializing in protest policy, free speech and historical analysis. She has also written for state and city news. Follow her on Twitter at @annikabereny.
