Long before pregame shows became overproduced studio showcases, there was a golden age of college sports intros—short, sweet, and absolutely electric. In that spirit, we’re counting down the top three college intro videos of all time, plus a few honorable mentions.
Greatest video intros ever
3. The classic SEC on CBS intro
CBS commissioned the iconic “sec on cbs” music for the Super Bowl and its still going strong 35 years later. The production value is nostalgic and archaic at the same time. https://t.co/yChfci0OHc
— Nick Walker (@nw3) February 12, 2023
The horns. The drums. That instant rush of adrenaline. You didn’t even need to see the teams—you knew it was about to be SEC football. Kentucky’s 2007 upset of No. 1 LSU is one of the best moments ever, and that song was played before it went down. Goosebumps.
2. “Back in the Mudd” by Bubba Sparxxx
Let’s talk chaos energy. In the mid-2000s, Bubba Sparxxx would remix his Southern anthem Back in the Mudd every week based on the matchups. It was gritty, unpredictable, and weirdly perfect. It didn't stay around long, but man was it cool.
1. “Coming to Your City” – Big & Rich feat. Cowboy Troy
No contest. When College Gameday rolled out its 2003 intro, it redefined what a sports anthem could be. Mixing in school names and calls from Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, it was high-octane Americana.
Honorable Mention
1990s ESPN College Football Intros: That orchestral swell over wide aerial shots of Commonwealth Stadium? Iconic.
If you were around, you'll instantly recognize the sound of the ESPN theme. It's almost as iconic as the NBA on NBC or SEC on CBS. Those themes aren't used anymore, but they sure bring back some great sports memories.
In the TikTok era, we’ve lost some of that old-school pageantry. Everything has to be immediate, flashy, and produced just right. But the best intros don’t just set the stage—they make you feel something. And for Kentucky fans, those few shining moments of being in the spotlight? You remember every note.