I very highly recommend booking a room early at The Noun. Campus, Campus Corner, and the stadium are within short walking distance from it, it's new and has a badass bar/patio bar, but the rooms will book up fast. Plan far ahead.

if you can't do the Noun, or aren't interested in the full campus/gameday experience, consider the NCED Marriott. Traffic will be far less of an issue, and they have a good restaurant and amenities.

quote:
1. For fans traveling to the games ahead of time, what's the best places to eat in town? Let's get a list going.

Tex-mex: Tarahumara's, Pepe Delgado's, Mamaveca (the westside location) or Ted's (in that order)

Italian & Pizza: Benvenuti's (kinda pricey but worth it), Othello's, Sergio's, Gaberino's, Zio's (chain, but decent), Hideaway Pizza.

Other: Greek House (thank me later), The Ranch (pricey but one of the best steaks you'll ever eat), Ray's BBQ, Louie's, The Garage or O'Connell's for beer & burgers, RedRock Canyon Grill.

There are tons of really good Asian options in Norman. Let me know what you like - Thai, sushi, Korean, Vietnamese, etc. and I will give rec's.

**Bolded items are in or adjacent to Campus Corner.

quote:
3. How do you rate your tailgating, on a scale of Ivy League school (bad) to LSU (amazing food and drink)?

This has been addressed already, it's not horrible, but will get better. The school is making changes, and the Norman chamber of commerce and business community are all in on getting the gameday experience up to par. It's all about "getting SEC ready."

quote:
4. How bad does traffic get on game day? Are Austin and Norman built to handle it, or should people expect traffic jams that put China to shame?

See note at the top. Traffic will be slow no matter which way you attempt to get to the stadium, but if you stay at the Noun hotel, it's a non-issue.

quote:
5. Drinking/night life - How's the experience? Worth indulging or better off chilling in your hotel rooms?

Go to Campus Corner and bar hop or go to the Mont. Can't go wrong either way. There's a place northside called Land Run bar & grill, legit food and big bar / patio area.

quote:
6. Bonus points for BBQ places that are the most authentic to what someone would think of BBQ for your state.

Ray's or Billy Sims. Others will recommend Rudy's or Van's Pig Stand. Go to Ray's or Billy's.

quote:
7. Oklahoma - your first road game is at Auburn. What do you hope to see? (I'm not an Auburn fan, but definitely make sure you see the pre-game Eagle Flight)

I made a post about wanting to see War Eagle. In addition, I plan to party with the drunk Ole Miss girl when we visit Oxford.

quote:
9. Which sites are you looking forward to the most to travel to?

I studied a few semesters at LSU but I never went to a football game (more of a basketball school at the time - Dale Brown era) wife and I are making that trip for sure. Wife went to Tuscaloosa with her ex (his name is Jody - no comments please) so I'm a little ambivalent, but will definitely happen. Oxford for sure. Columbia. All of them eventually.