Whoa! What happened to the summertime? Last time we checked, baseball season was in full swing, the SuiteTrip barbecue was on at full blast and sandal tans were gracing our feet. Two weeks spent on deadline and a quick trip to Istanbul later, our summer loves have melted away, the trees are starting to turn and the hum of air conditioners has dropped to the barely audible drip-drip-drip of condensation soon spent.

It’s a tough reality facing the seasons ahead of us, but there are two silver linings waiting at the door to autumn: beautiful colors with mild temperatures and good ol’ college football. Whether you’re nestled under a blanket as you watch USC ravage another underfunded Pac-10 team or live at a ground-shaking UGA versus Georgia Tech game, it’s clear that college football is a deep, textured thread in the fabric of these United States. Nary a few brave souls will be taking to the road to visit their favorite college destination for a game or two.

Having trouble deciding your road trip schedule? Here are a few SuiteTrip picks for your pigskin perusal.

Credit: Lon Horwedel, AnnArbor.com

The University of Michigan vs. The Ohio State University – Ann Arbor and Columbus

Few rivalries in professional or college sports match the one between The University of Michigan and The Ohio State University, two Midwest colleges perennially locked in battle for ownership of the Big 10 title. Ann Arbor, Michigan, the home of UofM, is a sleepy, green college town, and with just over 100,000 residents (just shy of The Big House capacity) it’s great for weekend visits, deep dish pizza at Cottage Inn and sangria at Dominicks.

On the flip side of the coin, Columbus, Ohio, host of this year’s matchup, boasts a large city feel, rabidly loyal fans and plenty of opportunity to explore Ohio’s largest industrial and cultural center.

The University of Southern California – Los Angeles

USC has taken a bit of a beating in the public perception category this year, but they’re still an all-star program with top ranking athletes. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Memorial Coliseum is a stone’s throw away from outstanding SoCal food, rocking beach culture, and Hollywood glitz and glam.

The University of Florida vs. The University of Georgia – Jacksonville

No list of top football festivities is complete without mentioning the Florida Georgia Football Classic, or “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.” Drawing some of the biggest crowds (and the most amount of trash talking) in the SEC, each year’s matchup takes place on the banks of the Atlantic in Jacksonville, Florida, just south of the Georgia border. It is a huge, festive event for both participating schools.

The University of Texas – Austin

Known for its thriving music and culture scene, this small blue dot in a large red state is a Mecca for those in search of some good college football in the rolling southern hills. Visit during the Texas A&M game for some classic Aggie vs. Longhorn action, and don’t forget to grab a steaming plate of barbecue brisket on your way out the door.

Harvard vs. Yale – Massachusetts and Connecticut

OK, the Ivy League doesn’t host the best football programs on the planet, but few can rival them in the school loyalty department. Whether you’re in the affluent, Ivy-encased Cambridge, Massachusetts or in the cross-hatched kitsch of New Haven, Connecticut, school pride runs deep in these top-tier schools and there are always some sorts of hijinks planned to unfurl on game day.

If football doesn’t satisfy your rival-acious appetite, stick around campus for lacrosse season in the spring, when the Harvard vs. Yale game is sure to please.

Still not enough? Premier Sports Travel has a wide spectrum of available college football travel packages just waiting to soak up your vacation time and expense account. Make it a fall to remember – the winter will be here soon!