Baylor Line Wins Best College Football Walkout Tradition In USA Today Readers Choice

Some may think the outcome of the football game is most important, but others believe it is how you kick things off that sets the tone for a positive outcome. One Central Texas school has claimed the top spot for pre-game festivities.

Baylor Line Claims Top Spot in USA Today Pregame Tradition Contest

The iconic Baylor Line has captured national honors after being named the Best Walk-Out Tradition in college football by the USA Today Sports 2026 Readers' Choice Awards. The national award resulted from a fan-driven contest featuring 20 nominated pregame rituals selected by a panel of sports journalists.

A Five-Decade Student Tradition

Established more than 50 years ago, the Baylor Line serves as a welcoming ritual for the university's incoming first-year class. Prior to kickoff at McLane Stadium, freshmen dressed in customized gold jerseys, complete with their expected graduation year and personalized moniker printed across the back, run across the field to assemble a human welcoming tunnel for the Bears. Following the team's entrance, the freshmen sit directly behind the visiting team's bench. Psychological warfare, if you will.

Baylor Finishes Ahead of National Competitors

The Waco tradition finished in first place ahead of several prominent collegiate ceremonies across the nation:

First Place: Baylor University – Baylor Line

Second Place: Auburn University – Tiger Walk / War Eagle Flight

Third Place: Penn State University – The "White Out" Walkout

Fourth Place: University of Iowa – Swarm

Fifth Place: Texas A&M University – "Power"

The remaining programs rounding out the top 10 included South Carolina's "2001: A Space Odyssey," Colorado's "Running Ralphie," USC's "Sword Plunge," Tennessee's "Running Through the T," and Virginia Tech's "Enter Sandman".