Your 2014 Fan Survival Guide

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Whether you’ll be entering into the legendary Swamp for the very first time in your life or the quivering orange and blue walls are your second home, Ben Hill Griffin stadium is ready to welcome you with open arms this season.

It’s a sweaty, crowded, magical oasis where the student section never gets off its feet (which is impressive considering the level of intoxication), the fans sway to “The Boys of Old Florida” and the team on the field unites the Gator Nation regardless of the score.

So put aside your Gator-themed pong balls and put that Albert-stamped notebook front and center — it’s time to take notes:

Things to Know This Season

On the field:

The Gators finally received some compliments for their established players, helping the Gator Nation forget about 2013’s lousy campaign. Everyone knows about the returning studs, like Dante Fowler Jr., Vernon Hargreaves III, Quinton Dunbar and Jeff Driskel (God willing). What should excite fans most about this season, however, is the upcoming talent who’s poised to have a breakout season.

Keep an eye on true sophomore running back, Kelvin Taylor, to establish his role as the #1 back in the lineup and to carry the Gator offense. His strength and remarkable speed will create big plays, taking the pressure off quarterback Jeff Driskel. Redshirt sophomore and wide receiver, Demarcus Robinson, has dominated in all phases of the game during the off-season, and he’s predicted to be one of the most productive receivers in the SEC.

At the end of the day the Gators are healthy (let’s be careful, boys), and if it stays that way, this season will in no way mirror the last.

On the sidelines:

There’s no denying after last year’s 4-8 season that Muschamp’s head coach position was in some serious jeopardy. Although last season was horrible in every sense of the word (we still haven’t forgotten our loss to an FCS opponent at home), we’ve witnessed Muschamp thrive in years past. Hopefully with his new weapons on offense (including the addition of offensive coordinator, Kurt Roper) and his experienced defense, Muschamp will catapult UF right back on top of the college football scene.

As for Kurt Roper, Duke’s former offensive coordinator, he has the entire Gator Nation watching him. He led the Blue Devils to the Chick-fil-A Bowl last season and his offense led the nation in fourth quarter scoring. The potential is there; now it’s on Roper and his team to rally behind the hype and score some points.

What to Wear

Picture yourself in an eskimo snow suit while in a scorching hot sauna on the surface of the sun and you’re still imagining something cooler than the Swamp on gameday.

While I would never recommend donning only your birthday suit to a football game (although you may seriously consider it at halftime), I do recommend light, comfortable clothes.

Less is always more. You don’t need the Gator logo branded on every item of clothing. Just tastefully throw together some white and blue, with a touch of orange (or vice versa).

Guys:

• Microfiber polos and J.Crew shorts are always a good look.
• If you rock a button down, stick to white or light colors so your sweat pits don’t gross out the ladies.
• If you’re dying to prove your frattiness, you can go for jorts, but you might lose a few friends.

Girls:

• Flowy skirts, loose dresses and high-waisted shorts with crop tops are the move.
• Don’t try to be overly trendy in a maxi dress. It will drag along every slimy Gainesville surface and you will drunkenly trip on it, guaranteed.
• Do not even think about attempting sticky-boobs. They will slide off within an hour of your first tailgate and you will probably throw them into fraternity bushes in desperation.
• Avoid mascot themed jewelry. Just because moms and weird Aunts wear the gaudy, dangly earrings with the Gators on them doesn’t mean you have to.

Pledges:

• Good fucking luck in your starchy shirts and bow ties.
• Stay hydrated.

Where to Drink

Drinking? On a college campus? Pre and post sporting event? We’re going to keep this one short and sweet (because we can only assume you know the drill), but we’ll tell you where to go.

Bars:

• Simplicity is the name of the game at Salty Dog Saloon, which is more commonly known to the orange and blue masses as “Dog” or “Salty.” It boasts the essence of a classic college bar, complete with a well-stocked jukebox, mainstay bartenders and bathroom walls that beg to be vandalized by your drunk words of wisdom. Just don’t let its unassuming size fool you, because there’s actually two distinct bars with two very different vibes, known as the “front of Dog” and the “back of Dog.”
• While Salty Dog provides wooden booths and $5 pitchers of comfort, 101 Cantina delivers DJs, lasers, multiple outside bars and two massive tents that will give any Ringling Brothers Circus a run for their money. Cantina isn’t for the faint of heart. But when our beloved Gators tuck a W under their belts, it’s the go-to bar to let the liquor flow, get inappropriately rowdy and celebrate like its 2007.
• Welcome to Midtown’s middle of the road, The Swamp, where it’s socially acceptable and highly expected for Gator grandpas and their legacies to get down with a pitcher of Swamp Head. This bar and restaurant is Gainesville’s original landmark (well, aside from UF itself), and no home game rendezvous is complete without a drink or two on the front lawn.

Tailgating:

Most of the classic college football tailgates happen along fraternity row, but a stumble down Museum, Gale Lemerand or onto Flavet Field on game day will show you that there are endless tailgates all over.

People are usually incredibly friendly, so don’t be shy – just walk up to any group that seems to be having a good time and proceed to party. Also, try and score as much free food as possible. You definitely don’t want to buy any of the rip-off concession snacks once you’re inside the stadium.

UF tailgators (see what I did there?) may be some of the friendliest in the SEC, but they’re not encouraging you to push your luck. Please refrain from being “that guy” (although it’s typically “that girl”) when it comes to the concern of restroom facilities. Gator alumni and fans alike have shelled out big bucks for those shmancy RVs, and their tailgate experience is just as important as yours. There’s no shame in politely asking to use their restroom, but know enough to quit while you’re ahead. Loitering is illegal and verbal harassment ain’t cool.

Featured photo courtesy of: FootballHelmets