The most loyal ‘Nole I know gave up before halftime against Boston College. LSU fans left their own stadium when the Gators led by 10 with 7:27 left to play. Dawgs fled Jacksonville when Georgia trailed by two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter. As Gators, we’ve recently had the pleasure of being on the other side of leaving early. Charleston Southern, Troy, most of the ’08 season. Despite the margin of victory Gator fans have become accustomed to, I refuse to leave a game early. Settle in boys and girls. I'm about to have a "back in my day" story time moment...

In 2005, I went to my first UF-Vandy game in the Swamp. Vanderbilt was never serious competition, but a sports-conscious friend once told me never to discount any SEC team. I learned my lesson that night.

I was tailgating with new friends. We went to the game together, and with 4:11 left in the 4th quarter, we pulled our keys out to taunt the Commodores a bit. The score was UF 35, VU 21. They decided that Vandy QB Jay Cutler couldn't score twice in four minutes, so it was safe to go return to grilling and drinking.

We took our time strolling through campus to the tailgate. Imagine our dismay when we got to a truck parked in front of Century Tower with a very distraught-looking worker listening to his radio blaring, "Vanderbilt just tied the game! With 52 seconds left!" We stared at each other, wide-eyed and horrified, for the next 52 seconds before the game clock hit zero and the five of us sprinted to our own truck, thankfully still stockpiled with booze.

I have never felt anything as frustrating as listening to overtime on a truck's crappy radio, knowing that I could have still seen the field in front of me. The Gators managed to win it in overtime, thanks to an interception. I never tailgated with these people again and attended three more games with them. They left each game early, and I stayed behind, alone.

This weekend, when Vandy returns to the Swamp, remember this little tale and stay till that game clock hits zero. Besides, there is nothing more fun than watching the Gators win. Why not stay and watch our second (or third) string learn what it's like to dominate? Sing the alma mater and the fight song, and get the full game day experience. Enjoy how great it is to be a Florida Gator!

Ly Anne Agger is a Columnist for GatorTailgating.com.