This year we celebrate the 25th(!) anniversary of the launch of UMTailgate.com, a crappy and often abandoned website that follows the Greatest Tailgate in the World through pictures, trash talking of rivals, and general shitposting. Ah yes, “a life’s work.”

In 2009, citing space-holding issues, waiting in a line of cars at 6 a.m., rainouts, and the fact that they trimmed the trees so we couldn’t pee in peace, the tailgate left the friendly confines of the golf course and rented a space on Snyder that just couldn’t contain us.

2009 Season Opener at our snyder st digs

In 2010, we moved to Pioneer High School and occupied a space known as The Cove for the next 15 seasons. So many great memories of our time there.

But it’s time to move on — to reduce the wear and tear of packing, unpacking, and setup; to stop wondering where our power is going to come from, where our cable signal is going to come from, or where our internet signal is going to come from for the inevitable Peacock game. More importantly, it’s time for me to live out a lifelong dream: being able to see the stadium from my home — and live at the tailgate year-round. LOL. So, in 2025, the tailgate will move to a space that will affectionately be known as The UMTailgate House. External improvements have been underway since February, and while it will be a bit of a work in progress throughout the season, it will be tailgate-ready by the first kickoff. Having an actual kitchen to augment the outdoor kitchen will open us up to a new level of menus and capability, and having my clothes nearby will allow me to change out of my sweat-soaked cooking garb and enjoy the games.Looking forward to seeing all of the invited guests soon. :)

And so, for this year’s tailgate themes, we’ll take a trip back to 2010 and revisit that amazing season (off the field, of course), where the opening Luau was sponsored by Kraft and The Bacon tailgate actually got a visit from John U. Bacon.

Side note: Last year we started the season with FIVE CONSECUTIVE HOME GAMES. This year, we don’t have a single back-to-back, and we only have six games total. BREATHE.

Saturday, August 30, 2025: New Mexico State, 7:30 p.m.

Theme: The Luau

What better way to kick things off than under the lights? No longer hamstrung by time rules, all tailgates can start in the morning. Four meals? Don’t mind if I do. Extra decorations because I don’t have to jam them in a trailer? YES. Roast pig because I can start it the day before? HELL YES. Expect a season opener spam hash and typical luau fare throughout.

Saturday, September 6, 2025: at Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 13, 2025: Central Michigan, Noon

Theme: The Bacon

Noon kick means breakfast — and maybe a quick pre-game slider. On-site ovens mean we can bake fresh biscuits! Lots of bacon and bacon-related things… and God-willing, John U. Bacon.

Saturday, September 20, 2025: at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 27, 2025: BYE

Saturday, October 4, 2025: Wisconsin, Noon or 3:30 p.m.

Theme: The German

Fingers crossed for a 3:30 here, but we’ll do some waffles, bratwurst hash, schnitzel sliders, and hot pretzels. And we’ll cover our lederhosen-clad selves in various mustards.

Saturday, October 11, 2025: at USC, TBD

Saturday, October 18, 2025: Washington, TBD

Theme: The Carnival

Subject to change based on kickoff time, but if it’s not noon, we are a go. It’s been a long time since we had a carnival. There will be games. There will be elephant ears. There will be a slip-and-slide on the stairs into the tailgate basement.

Saturday, October 25, 2025: at Little Brother

Saturday, November 1, 2025: Purdue, TBD

Theme: The BBQ

Again, subject to change if time isn’t conducive to a full smoked menu, but I’d like to fire up enough smokers to have the neighbors complain — and knock out some competition-level brisket, chicken, ribs, and sides.

Saturday, November 8, 2025: BYE

Saturday, November 15, 2025: at Northwestern (Wrigley), TBD

Saturday, November 22, 2025: at Maryland, TBD

Saturday, November 29, 2025: THE GAME, Noon

Theme: The Steakhouse