A major part of tailgating is checking the schedule to see which home game is perfect for your group of friends. With so many colleges and universities around the capital city, the 2017-2018 season has plenty of chances to tailgate. If you were so inclined, you could tailgate every week during the college football season and not have to travel too far from home.
Remember, if you start well before kickoff, you must pace yourself. There is still a nearly three-hour game waiting as the main event after you have pulled off your awesome tailgate festivity. You will still need energy to cheer your team onto victory later.
BOOM Jackson did some scouting to create this helpful game summary to help you get started on planning your tailgating events this season.
Jackson State University will play its four home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The home schedule has two great tailgating games: homecoming on Nov. 4 against Alabama State University, and a game Alcorn State University as the final game of the season is always must-see for fans.
Mississippi College has four home dates at Robinson-Hale Stadium. The Choctaws will host in-state rival Delta State University on Sept. 30. If that date doesn't work, MC will host the University of West Georgia for homecoming on Oct. 21.
The opening home game against Howard Payne University for Belhaven University is Family Weekend. The Blazers host Louisiana College for homecoming on Oct. 28 for a second tailgating event. Belhaven will host four home games this season.
Millsaps College will hold homecoming on Oct. 28 when the Majors host Centre College. You could do a tailgate for the Majors homecoming that starts at 2 p.m. and leave the game early to tailgate with friends before the start of the Belhaven homecoming that kicks off at 6 p.m.
This year is the 100th anniversary of Hinds Community College's founding. The Eagles will host several (unannounced as of yet) events to celebrate this milestone at home football games. One major tailgate event is the Oct. 28 game against East Mississippi Community College. East Mississippi has been featured on two-seasons of the Netflix series "Last Chance U."
Holmes Community College will host three home games. When the Bulldogs hosting Northwest Mississippi Community College, who played in the Heart of Texas Bowl last season, it is a great chance to tailgate and see a competitive game on the field. For a last chance at a tailgating event for the Bulldogs, Holmes hosts Northeast Mississippi Community College in the season finale.
Below is a list of the home games from September to November, with dates and kickoff times, at the colleges and universities around the metro area that could be perfect for tailgating.
Jackson State University, Veterans Memorial Stadium
Sept. 23: University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 21: Southern University, 6 p.m. kickoff
Nov. 4: Alabama State University (homecoming), 2 p.m. kickoff
Nov. 18: Alcorn State University, 2 p.m. kickoff
Mississippi College, Robinson-Hale Stadium
Sept. 23: Florida Institute of Technology, 7 p.m. kickoff
Sept. 30: Delta State University, 7 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 21: University of West Georgia (homecoming), 3pm kickoff
Nov. 4: Shorter University (Senior Day), 2 p.m. kickoff
Belhaven University, Belhaven Bowl Stadium
Sept. 30: Howard Payne University (Family Weekend), 7 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 14: Southwestern University, 6 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 28: Louisiana College (homecoming), 6 p.m. kickoff
Nov. 11: Sul Ross State University, 2 p.m. kickoff
Millsaps College, Harper Davis Field
Sept. 16: Trinity University (Texas), 1 p.m. kickoff
Sept. 23: Sewanee-The University of the South, 1 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 21: Berry University, 1 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 28: Centre College (homecoming and Senior Day), 2 p.m. kickoff
Hinds Community College, Joe Renfroe Stadium
Sept. 14: Southwest Mississippi Community College, 6:30 p.m. kickoff
Sept. 28: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, 6:30 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 12: East Central Community College, 7 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 28: East Mississippi Community College, 2 p.m. kickoff
Holmes Community College, Ras Branch Field
Sept. 21: Coahoma Community College, 6:30 p.m. kickoff
Sept. 28: Northwest Mississippi Community College, 6:30 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 21: Northeast Mississippi Community College, 3 p.m. kickoff