Any college football town can supply out-of-town fans with the roar of a rabid crowd and the smell of sizzling tailgate burgers. But to be the best in class, it has to offer strong tradition and community spirit, a unique game day atmosphere and diversions both on and off the field.
With a new fall season getting underway, we asked five college football experts to name three of their favorites. (Not surprisingly, the pigskin-crazed Southeastern Conference accounted for nearly half the 15 nods - and the fact that three of our experts' alma maters are below the Mason-Dixon line didn't hurt their chances, either.)
Now, it's your turn.
Which of our candidates (check them out in this photo gallery) deserves to be named USA TODAY's best college football town? Cast your vote by Sept. 20 in the survey window below ( click "done" when you've made your choice.) You also can vote via Twitter: Make sure your tweet includes the town you're voting for, plus @usatodaytravel and #bestcftown (e.g. I vote for Madison! @usatodaytravel #bestcftown). Please also leave a comment below telling readers why your favorite deserves the crown. I'll visit the victorious town during a home game and write a Travel story about the experience later this fall.
May the best team (and town) win...