Every home football Saturday, Penn State fans pack their game day spirit, a couple of beers and their George Foreman grills in their cars and make their way from across the country to Beaver Stadium.

Tailgating has been a long-time tradition at this university -- one that many fans take very seriously. Now, Penn State is being nationally recognized by Sports Illustrated magazine as having the best pre-game parties in all of collegiate sports.

Sports Illustrated listed Penn State in the top eight tailgating colleges in the nation.

They composed a list called the "Smokin' Sixteen bracket," which houses the names of the top eight pro football and college football tailgating spots. Finalists go head to head with a "tailgate rival" in a tournament-style setup; fans can go to SI.com to vote.

The voting tournament is a part of Sports Illustrated's "Tailgate Nation," which aims to celebrate football season festivities.

Sports Illustrated recruited self-proclaimed "commissioner of tailgating" Joe Cahn to see which football schools would make the cut because of his extensive tailgating experience.

In 1996, Cahn embarked on a personal cross-country quest to find the perfect tailgate; he has visited more than 85 colleges.

Cahn said he believes the parking lot is the greatest classroom in the world.

"You're breaking bread with people -- it's a wonderful thing," Cahn said. "The tailgate is the social fabric that binds us all together. It is the last great American neighborhood."

State College resident Paul Frankhouser, 60, is a veteran tailgater and two-time "Most Penn State Pride" winner in the annual Homecoming Tailgate Competition.

Frankhouser graduated in 1965, and everything from his tailgate spot to his house on Mount Nittany is decorated in the school's blue and white.

Frankhouser said he is proud of his tailgate, and hopes to win again at this year's Oct. 8 Homecoming Tailgate Competition, when Penn State plays Ohio State.

But he didn't want to disclose too much information about the plans for his next big tailgate because he doesn't want to let the competition in on any of his secrets.

"I will tell you this: When it comes to Penn State spirit, it's all about being an attention getter," Frankhouser said. "I started planning four months ago and I just can't wait. You'd have to see it to believe it."

Dan Barber, 2005 Homecoming alumni relations chair, said many graduates enjoy returning to State College for the tailgate competition.

"If they are anything like me, they greatly enjoyed their time at PSU and want to come back to re-live that experience with their friends and family," he said.

Alumni relations Captain Chris Brehm said the tailgate competition has three main categories: best theme, best food and most Penn State spirit.

Points will be awarded based on creativity, quality, size, preparation and atmosphere, Brehm said.

Drums residents Edward and Deborah Mistal's creativity last year won them "Best Theme" for their Christmas-oriented party last year.

"Our friends come from all over PA, other states like Arizona, Vermont, New Jersey, and Ohio, and we had family and friends from Spain and Peru at our tailgate," Edward Mistal said. "Our tailgate was of a Christmas theme which included a real live Santa Claus ... All we wanted for Christmas was a win over Purdue."