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Replies: 27
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Freshman [8]
TigerPulse: 95%
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Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 5:54 PM
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Hey all,
Two buddies and I take an annual trip to a different college football game each year, and this season we’re heading to Death Valley opening weekend to see your Tigers under the lights. We’re pumped and would love any and all recommendations on what to do, see, eat, or drink that weekend.
A few things we’re trying to figure out ASAP:
Seats – Any advice on the best spot to sit? I've heard that the lower rows of the upper sections (UB, UC, UD...) are solid, or lower section seats but into the double-digit rows (AA, BB, CC...) to have an elevated view.
Tailgates – Is anyone throwing one we could swing by? We’re friendly, love talking ball, and happy to bring beer, food, or chip in some cash. We usually roam around and find good people, but it’s always nice to have a home base lined up.
Timeline – What time should we get to the area? Are there any can’t-miss pregame events (player walk, band, etc.)? Would love to soak in the full experience.
Friday Night – Any dive bars with live music or bar games you’d recommend for the night before?
Drive to ATL – How brutal is the Sunday morning drive back to Atlanta? Be honest, haha.
Appreciate any help
Thanks in advance and looking forward to making the most of the weekend!
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Clemson Sports Icon [55411]
TigerPulse: 100%
59
Posts: 44253
Joined: 2004
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The North Upper deck is GREAT!***
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Jun 24, 2025, 6:01 PM
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Paw Warrior [4838]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: The North Upper deck is GREAT!***
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Jun 24, 2025, 11:09 PM
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Lol
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Game Changer [1699]
TigerPulse: 97%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 6:05 PM
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Well I start off in welcoming you and others to Clemson SC.. go to the Esso Club , it's right across from Littlejohn Coliseum.. you cannot miss it....
Go Tigers!! 💪💪
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Varsity [119]
TigerPulse: 82%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 6:11 PM
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Enjoy your trip, first off!
- I would start to file toward the entrance about 40 min before kickoff as this will be a busy and electric one. The cannon is a bit loud and unexpected to announce the team running down the hill so don’t crap your pants or you’ll be uncomfortable for four quarters.
- I’ve never seen a truly rude “Gamecock” level tailgate response to a visitor at a Clemson game day in nearly 40 years… you should be good to mix it up with nearly anyone you run into in orange as most understand it’s all in fun. Personally, this game will be a game time decision for our crew due to Labor Day plans, but any tailgates outside the West Endzone where we set up shop a few times a year will be welcoming with maybe a fun jab here or there. Any lots near the stadium or across campus know the drill and will likely throw you a beer if you need it (or don’t) and you make eye contact.
- For a dive I’m partial to Sloan Street Tap Room for very cold cheap beers and a pool table. Many more pool tables and bigger kinda dive straight across the alley downtown to Tigertown Tavern with more options. 10-15 min walk up and down a modest hill to the and from the stadium.
Don’t make too many plans, just enjoy the campus on game day as it’s not a city, just a special place with 8 or 9 really great football days a year. The school is the town and vice versa, I miss it just typing this.
Have fun-Go Tigers!
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Paw Warrior [4639]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 6:38 PM
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As far as events, the player walk in is special. It’s called Tiger walk and is at the West End zone.
The band marches in front of the the east end of the field.
And of course you want to see the Tigers run down the hill.
If you’re looking for a Friday night meal there are two places on different ends of the price spectrum.
Smoking Pig BBQ is mid range price and if you want something a little more upscale try Calhoun Corners.
Hope you enjoy Clemson SC and the Clemson experience.
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All-In [10195]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Short and sweet answers:
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Jun 24, 2025, 6:27 PM
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Seats: all are good.
Tailgates: EVERYWHERE! Y'all will be welcomed.
Timeline: 45 m before kick-off.
Pre-game: Tiger walk, pep band pep rally, band march to the stadium.
Bars: Esso Club will have a band Fri night.
ATL drive: depends on how much you party the night before! It's not a bad drive straight down 85 S.
Go Tigers!
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Orange Elite [5176]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 6:46 PM
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We sit in the North upper deck and I prefer that side of the stadium but we do get blasted by the sun up there. Luckily the game is at night. Our seats are in the lower rows and they are great. The upper rows on that side are HIGH up.
Plenty of tailgates around that you would be welcomed at as long as you’re not a #### or a dawg. Personally I dislike UGA as much as the #####! My favorite lots would be lot 5 or lot 2 behind the North stands. If you’re sitting in the North where most visitors are those would be close. Tiger walk is also in lot 5.
I would suggest definitely Esso club. Everyone will say that. Also Tiger town tavern.
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Ring of Honor [21442]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Posts: 17437
Joined: 2002
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Honestly if it's your first time and you
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Jun 24, 2025, 7:27 PM
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want the best experience and can afford the ticket prices, I'd try to get lower deck or the first 5 rows of the upper deck.
Don't forget to "storm" the field at the end of the game.
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Ultimate Tiger [36023]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Posts: 14633
Joined: 2014
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Re: Honestly if it's your first time and you
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Jun 25, 2025, 7:55 AM
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We don’t “storm” the field. We gather at the paw for the Alma mater.
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Asst Coach [842]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 9:24 PM
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Seats: just find some. I'd suggest lower deck even though you'll pay more, but you'll have a cool experience.
Parking is a big difficulty, so just arrive hours early and enjoy the tailgating, because you're probably going to have to do some walking. Might be good to try to find a person selling spots in their yard ahead of time, or buy a pass.
The campus is beautiful and tailgating happens everywhere. I don't know my plans yet or Id invite you, but as we approach gametime, check the board again.
Friday night, I'd go try to eat at Smoking Pig before going to find a dive bar. They have a location on Hwy 76 between Clemson and Anderson or one in Easley between Clemson and Greenville. Clemson has quite a few dive bars. Esso is most famous and will likely have some sort of band, but downtown is very walkable and the side streets have little bars in them.
The drive to Atlanta on a Sunday will be about the best day you could make that trip. The airport is on the far side of the city though, so plan accordingly.
Overall, Clemson people are nice. You'll have a great time. And the stadium experience is great. Get into the game 45 minutes early to catch all the pre-game.
Where are yall coming in from?
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Freshman [8]
TigerPulse: 95%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 25, 2025, 8:59 AM
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Hey thanks for the advice! I will definitely check back in but sounds like the tailgate scene is pretty solid.
We’re making the trip out from the farmlands of California — but don’t worry, we’re not the kombucha-sipping, Prius-driving types. Just a couple boys looking for some good ball and meat cooked low and slow.
We won’t have a car, so we’re planning on walking everywhere, which is totally fine. We’re in our mid-thirties, so a little walking won’t kill us. Our usual Friday routine is to explore campus and hit the bookstore for some gear so we’re ready to go on game day.
So far, we’ve hit Texas, Nebraska, USC, Boise, Wisconsin, and Oregon — each one with its own flavor, but we’ve heard Death Valley under the lights is something else. Can’t wait to see it in person!
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Game Changer [2046]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 25, 2025, 12:02 PM
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It's going to be an epic weekend for you.
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All-Pro [739]
TigerPulse: 99%
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A few tips
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Jun 24, 2025, 9:33 PM
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You will love it! Sounds like you are just coming for a big game and the real Death Valley will greet you well.
Friday night: Esso generally earlier crowd so you can hit that after a dinner somewhere in that 7:30-9 pm range then head to Tiger Town Tavern from 9 pm to whenever for the night cap. Backstreets right up from TTT is also a good one with large beer selection, craft etc. can’t go wrong any three. Esso has a large outside area and at some point you have to drop in there like Brent Musburger always did.
Tickets: all good anywhere. Big video screen is above The Hill and Rock. Students are like section A areas if you have to consider that group. Very first few rows of lower deck I have not liked as they are too low and flat so you are often blocked by players, tv crew etc. I would go up 10-15 rows from row one at a minimum to be safe.
Saturday for 8 pm game. Tiger walk where place get off buses in suits in special sidewalk behind West End Zone is 2 hours prior to game so 6 pm. 90 minutes before game or 6:30 pm in school amphitheater at Library Reflection pond area the Clemson band has a pregame concert of performance tunes like 6:30 to 6:50. The band then finishes and parades down street to The Hill and rock area which is a cool walk to approach stadium. You will need a parking pass for various lots to park. They are the prized commodity can’t go far without this. Mucho bucks. Parking lots for 8 am game open at 8 am. People will arrive then to their assigned parking spot, setup tailgate and start tailgating and will be watching games on tv having a blast all day.
You will want to be back on cooler days and future games. Eating traditions Smokin Pig Bbq in Pendleton if you come in earlier on Friday earlier is better. Backstreets has best downtown bar food menu. The town of Pendleton has an old time square of various restaurants in historical town that is a nice place also if you want a slower pace for a meal. Mac’s Drive In has Clemson history for a greasy burger option and sit on bar stool where a Clemson field goal post is displayed and Clemson greats have eaten there but it’s more tradition than anything.
Enjoy it will be one of your greatest college stops and college towns. Traffic no issue heading out in morning but immediately after game will be a few hours.
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Team Captain [496]
TigerPulse: 84%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 10:58 PM
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Not sure what you're used to seat wise and view wise...but do not sit anywhere above 10 rows up in the top decks...if you are used to that then fine but if not get lowers or 5-10 rows up top decks...all other advice in this thread is spot on...but no...not all seats are good!!!
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Orange Elite [5176]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 11:23 PM
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Yes this is true! We sit 4 rows up in the upper deck and they are great seats. You can see everything. I don’t care for end zone seats and the lower deck seats are great if you are 1/2 way up or higher. The lower seats aren’t good. You can’t see the field well and players block your view.
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Paw Warrior [4838]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 11:13 PM
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Just a heads up.....the drive through Atlanta sucks any time of the day. Stay to the left and go with traffic and make a bathroom break before Atlanta.
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Rival Killer [2620]
TigerPulse: 94%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 24, 2025, 11:32 PM
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Drive to Atlanta is no problem, particularly on a Sunday, no problema.
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Orange Elite [5158]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 25, 2025, 1:33 AM
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Friday nights, and specifically that Friday night, won’t be for any games or anything in Clemson bars.
It’s just drinking and everyone being wild. Along with your usual clicks of chill people.
It depends on what you’re wanting out of the night at that point.
Do you want females? You just out drinking having fun with your mates?
Study Hall is the “crazy” place.
Triple T’s is lesser and not so crazy
Don’t go to Backstreets. Nobody goes in there.
If you want more info on bars, I’m familiar with them
Everything in Clemson you would want to do on gameday or before is within a couple miles of each other anyways
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Game Day Hero [4465]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
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Jun 25, 2025, 8:53 AM
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The only sections I might avoid are the K’s. Not a great angle to see the large video board. There are smaller ones at the other end of the stadium, so workable but not ideal for catching replays.
The stadium seating is numbered odd on one side, even on the other side of the aisle (ie 1,3,5 and 2,4,6 etc). Make sure to enter at the portal of your section else it gets confusing. It’s going to be packed so support staff will be busy and difficult to get directions. Last thing we want is folks backtracking against the flow of traffic before kickoff.
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Heisman Winner [80346]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Posts: 29673
Joined: 2018
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Youre the same tool that posts this from new accounts
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Jun 25, 2025, 2:13 AM
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every year.
Year in and out, it’s “hey ya’ll we’re friendly….”
GTFOH
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Freshman [8]
TigerPulse: 95%
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Re: Youre the same tool that posts this from new accounts
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Jun 25, 2025, 9:10 AM
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Hey man, what’s with the bad blood? I’m just here trying to plan for the best experience possible, so I like to get insight from folks who know the game day scene better than I do. Everyone on this board has been awesome so far — but you know how it goes, there’s always one that comes in a little salty.
I’m guessing there might’ve been some liquid courage involved when you posted that? Either way, no hard feelings. We’re not coming to town to stir anything up — just looking to enjoy a great atmosphere, meet good people, and watch some solid football.
Take it easy — no disrespect intended from our side.
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Orange Elite [5176]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Youre the same tool that posts this from new accounts
Jun 25, 2025, 9:22 AM
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We do have people every year that post here saying the same things you are saying:
Coming with some friends, we pick a venue every year to visit, asking about things to see and do etc. It’s hard to know if it’s a SC gamecock troll (we hate them 😆). I just give y’all the benefit of the doubt and give suggestions just in case they’re legit requests.
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Freshman [8]
TigerPulse: 95%
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Re: Youre the same tool that posts this from new accounts
Jun 25, 2025, 9:27 AM
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Haha I hear you. I actually tried digging through some older posts to get a sense of where to sit and tailgate but didn’t find a ton of clear info, so I figured I’d just throw up my own post and see what folks had to say.
We’re just trying to soak up the full Clemson experience, not step on any toes.
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Rival Killer [3019]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Head Coach [938]
TigerPulse: 97%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
Jun 25, 2025, 3:03 PM
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Hey all,
Two buddies and I take an annual trip to a different college football game each year, and this season we’re heading to Death Valley opening weekend to see your Tigers under the lights. We’re pumped and would love any and all recommendations on what to do, see, eat, or drink that weekend.
A few things we’re trying to figure out ASAP:
Seats – Any advice on the best spot to sit? I've heard that the lower rows of the upper sections (UB, UC, UD...) are solid, or lower section seats but into the double-digit rows (AA, BB, CC...) to have an elevated view.
Tailgates – Is anyone throwing one we could swing by? We’re friendly, love talking ball, and happy to bring beer, food, or chip in some cash. We usually roam around and find good people, but it’s always nice to have a home base lined up.
Timeline – What time should we get to the area? Are there any can’t-miss pregame events (player walk, band, etc.)? Would love to soak in the full experience.
Friday Night – Any dive bars with live music or bar games you’d recommend for the night before?
Drive to ATL – How brutal is the Sunday morning drive back to Atlanta? Be honest, haha.
Appreciate any help
Thanks in advance and looking forward to making the most of the weekend!
Lower rows of upper deck will be single letters beginning with A (Row 1)... TDM, TDE, etc...T for top deck. Your reference of UC, UD are sections above the portal in the lower deck. I have 4 on the 4th row of upper deck that I'll sell you. Great seats. You can tailgate with us and watch the band walk by 1 hour before kickoff and follow them to stadium. Let me know.
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Head Coach [938]
TigerPulse: 97%
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Re: Out of Towner for LSU under the lights
Jun 25, 2025, 3:05 PM
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Forgot to say we park in heart of campus and I can sell you a parking spot about a 5 minute walk from us.
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Rival Killer [2912]
TigerPulse: 93%
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If you head out early Sunday morning through Atlanta
Jun 25, 2025, 4:38 PM
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That’s as good as it gets. You’ll be fine.
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Replies: 27
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