UPDATED: Camping is officially prohibited for the night of Oct. 24.

ESPN’s College GameDay is coming to Nashville for No. 10 Vanderbilt Football’s matchup with No. 15 Missouri on Oct. 25. The Commodores took down then-No. 10 LSU last Saturday, and Missouri outlasted Auburn in overtime to create the perfect storm and make Saturday’s matchup the most anticipated in the nation. The last time GameDay came to Nashville was in 2008, and the set was constructed on Commons Lawn with Stambaugh House as the backdrop. This time, the set will be on Wyatt Lawn. 

For those who may be unfamiliar, GameDay is the nation’s most-watched college football pre-game show with an average of 2.2 million viewers per show last year. The show features a lineup of college football pundits like Pat McAfee and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. They talk about all things college football, interact with the crowd and predict winners for the week’s matchups. 

Iconically, the show features a segment where a lucky student at the host college gets to kick a 33-yard field goal for a chance to win a huge cash prize — last week, it was $400,000. But to be that student, you must be one of the first to “the pit” on set, at which point, you will be entered into a raffle to be the kicker. However, entry into the raffle often requires an overnight effort: camping. Camping is currently prohibited on campus by the student handbook. If camping were to be allowed for this special occasion, then your preparations need to start soon. 

Because the last time College GameDay was on campus was in 2008, many of you may need a refresher on your GameDay survival skills. From camping out to watching Pat McAfee in person to making creative signs, The Hustler has you covered on how to make the most of your College GameDay.  

What to bring 

If the university allows camping on the lawn, which it currently does not, there are several supplies you’ll need to survive the night. Don’t let yourself get caught unprepared. 

Water 

Bring plenty. You don’t want to ruin our chances of having GameDay return by passing out during the show, and you definitely don’t want to sour your experience with a health scare. Stock up on Munchie Mart waters, bring some reusable bottles and make sure to keep them filled. 

Stuff to get you through the night 

Many Vanderbilt students do not have experience camping out on campus, so we went to the experts: Duke University. Duke has a tradition of tenting before their men’s basketball team plays the University of North Carolina — students sleep out in tents for days or weeks to get seats. We asked Duke senior Anna Rosenbloum for tips on braving the outdoors, especially as temperatures are getting lower in Nashville. 

“Bring a lot of layers and blankets, a warm sleeping bag, a speaker and chairs,” Rosenbloum said in a message to The Hustler.  

Equally important to what you bring is who you bring — bring friends to liven up your tent and make it an event. GameDay won’t be as fun of an experience if you’re not able to share it with your fellow students. 

“Get a good group of friends. The people make the experience so much easier,” Rosenbloum said. “You’re gonna get out what you put in, so I would say go in with a good attitude and be excited.” 

Lodging 

The Rec has tents for rent on a first-come, first-served basis for Vanderbilt students — all you have to do is email [email protected]. Tell them the details about your reservation, and then you can go pick it up at the front desk. According to a Rec employee, there are only around 10-15 tents available. But again, do not rent a tent unless the university allows camping. 

If you can’t secure a reservation or you don’t have the resources to buy a tent of your own, you can always make a makeshift shelter using materials from your dorm! Use the trees to your advantage. Drape a large blanket over a low-hanging branch, spread the sides out and weigh them down using books or other heavy objects. If you’re lucky, you may be able to snag an Adirondack chair from the lawn to help furnish your new home. Don’t forget a blanket for the floor.  

Midnight snacks 

Depending on how comfortable your lodging is, it may be tricky to fall asleep early. So, you’re probably going to find yourself wanting late-night snacks. Bring all your favorites; it will be a long day, and too many snacks is better than not enough.  

Lantern or any light source 

You will likely still have some work to do, or you may just want to hang out late with friends. Regardless, you’ll need something like a lantern to keep the lights on. Back in our camping days, we used to dangle a flashlight from the ceiling of the tent. 

Portable charger 

There won’t be any outlets on the lawn, so you’ll need to come prepared with plenty of power for your phone and other devices you may bring. 

Signs 

If you have watched GameDay before, you know the signs are an important part of the show. Either make your sign ahead or bring the materials to make it at your camp. 

A GameDay outfit 

Whether it be a Vanderbilt t-shirt or a full-blown Mr. C cosplay, you’ll want to have something that shows off your school pride for the cameras. 

Other essentials 

Don’t forget to bring other things like sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a rain jacket or umbrella, depending on the forecast. Also, toothpaste, face wash, deodorant and anything else you might need to feel fresh are not bad ideas.

Survival tips 

Since you won’t have the comfort of your own home, you’ll have to find other ways to scrape by. Spending the night outside with the squirrels is not for the weak or for the unprepared.  

Dining 

If you want a chance at successfully kicking the field goal, you’re going to need to eat. We recommend the convenient Commons Dining Center, but if that doesn’t sound appealing, there are several off-campus food options in Hillsboro, or you can make your meals ahead, potentially with groceries from VandyCart. Regardless of what you choose to eat, it’s crucial to keep yourself fueled and hydrated.  

Bathroom business 

For health reasons, we recommend maintaining your regular self-care routine — which will be a struggle without immediate access to a bathroom and running water. But, The Hustler has you covered. We do not recommend trying to use the facilities in any of the first-year housing, unless you live there. For those who do live on Commons, you’ll be able to refresh in your room from time to time, but don’t abandon your campsite if you want to automatically be in the raffle line in the morning. 

Otherwise, the Commons Center is open 24/7, and it has toilets, sinks, mirrors and even an around-the-clock fitness center. However, you’re still going to need to hit the showers. That is a little bit trickier, but you have some options. The Rec, which closes at 10 p.m. CDT on Fridays, has showers in the locker room; Alumni Hall has showers in the basement bathrooms and the newly renovated Garland Hall has showers in some of the gender-neutral bathrooms. 

Timeline

It’s going to be a busy day, and all the moving parts could be intimidating. We made this timeline for you to follow and make sure you keep up and stay ready for the main event.

Vanderbilt vs. Missouri kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CDT on Oct. 25, but for some devoted students, the fun will start on Friday — if the university allows camping.