Rating the Nation: Mississippi's Grove is top spot for tailgating in college football

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2014, file photo, fans tailgate outside of Ohio Stadium before Ohio State's NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Columbus, Ohio. Ahead of the college football season, The Associated Press asked its panel of voters in the Top 25 poll to weigh in on the spots around the country to tailgate. Ohio State ranked in the top 10. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2014, file photo, South Carolina fans tailgate in a "Cockaboose" which are converted railroad cars, before the start of an NCAA college football game between South Carolina and Tennessee in Columbia, S.C. Ahead of the college football season, The Associated Press asked its panel of voters in the Top 25 poll to weigh in on the spots around the country to tailgate. South Carolina ranked in the top 10. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File) (The Associated Press)

Before football games at the University of Mississippi, one of the best parties in the South is held on 10 grassy acres shaded by dozens of hulking oak trees in the middle of campus.

Under canvass tents, women in dresses and high-heeled shoes mingle with men wearing pressed khakis and starched dress shirts.

The buffet tables are covered with checkered cloths and freshly cut flowers. There's plenty to eat and drink.

Welcome to the Grove, tailgating with a touch of class and a heaping of Southern hospitality

Ahead of the college football season, The Associated Press asked its panel of voters in the Top 25 poll to weigh in on the spots around the country to tailgate.

Ole Miss took to the top spot and the Southeastern Conference was well-represented.

Go to LSU (No. 2) for the food. At No. 3 Washington and No. 4 Tennessee, you can sailgate, docking a boat outside the stadium.

No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 6 Penn State prove the cold weather doesn't stop the party.

The rest of the top 10 was South Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Ohio State.