TFM’s Ranking Of The 25 Best College Mascots In The Nation

WJ Cope7 years ago

19. Pistol Pete – Oklahoma State University

Our second human mascot on the list, Pistol Pete is based on a legendary American archetype. Several other schools have cowboys for mascots, and a few of them even share the name of Pistol Pete, but Oklahoma State’s cowboy is both the first and the best. The lines in his face let you know that he’s seen a lot of hard days out in the sun, and his porn ‘stache lets you know that he’ll court your lovely wife while your ranch burns to the ground.

18. Bucky Badger – University of Wisconsin-Madison

Oh my god, he looks pissed. Wisconsin has always been about sports teams that will out-muscle you into submission, and they’ve got a great mascot to represent that. If Wisconsin loses, that scowl lets you know they’ll get you next time. If they beat you, it says, “I’m angry that the clock ran out before we could dump even more points on your sorry ass.”

17. Otto the Orange – Syracuse University

The only fruit on our list, you might think that Otto the Orange has no business being on a list like this one. This list is for tough, imposing mascots, not a derpy-looking afternoon snack. I kept looking for reasons to take Otto off of the list, but I just didn’t have the heart to do it. Otto stays.

16. Zippy – University of Akron

That’s a kangaroo! Zippy is also the only female mascot on the list, and she hops around the sideline of Akron football games with grace and team spirit. She looks less like a kangaroo and more like a saggy old man in a YMCA locker room, but she gets the job done with aplomb.

15. Goldy Gopher – University of Minnesota

What’s not to like about Goldy? The combination of his beaming face, shiny buckteeth, and striking fall fashion are enough to get him pretty high up in the top 25. This guy’s fit is just ridiculous; the gold and burgundy never go out of style, and the calligraphy is on point.

14. Tusk – University of Arkansas

The mascot of the University of Arkansas is a giant wild boar, a beast that can rip a man to shreds in seconds. Weighing in at nearly 500 pounds, word is that Tusk is actually very friendly to humans. That’s what I really like about him; he knows he could kill at least seven or eight people before being tranquilized, but he’s content to sit still and bide his time.

13. Sammy the Slug – University of California, Santa Cruz

The banana slug has no known natural predators, and why would it? It’s the equivalent of that crazy guy you see at the bars that may be scrawny, but could very well have rabies. He might be shooting looks at your girlfriend, but you’re not going to mess with him. Sammy is festive, kind, and lauded, and deserves the thirteenth spot.

12. The Demon Deacon – Wake Forest University

The Deamon Deacon is a demon deacon who rides a motorcycle. What’s so hard to understand about that? I did a bit of research into the origin story of how the Demon Deacon came to be, and it’s just left me more confused than before. However, I still respect the hell out of this guy. Equal parts John D. Rockefeller, Mr. Peanut, and your grandfather, I can see why he’s a college sports legend.

11. Purdue Pete – Purdue University

Pete used to have a steady job as a boilermaker, but he was laid off a few years back. He doesn’t like the way American manufacturing has all shifted to the clean and high-tech, and he’s still trying to find his way in this brave new world. Nevertheless, he’s still there for his team every Saturday, and he always will be. Pete represents hard work and ingenuity, which makes him a great mascot.