There’s nothing like a good tailgate with friends before or after a football game. The food! The socializing! The games of cornhole! But before you pack the coolers and load the car, you’ll want to check out these three resources for the perfect game day.

To keep the fans well-fed— the most important of your tailgate duties—serve one (or several) of these popular tailgating recipes from Food Republic. Dishes like Sweet Potato Skins with Bacon, Sriracha-Honey Chicken Wings, and Tennessee White Chili each have a special twist on typical tailgate fare.

Be sure to leave room for dessert, too. Taste of Home rounded up their best sports-themed desserts like Touchdown Cookies and Truffle Football Cupcakes (shown above). These treats will have everyone smiling—regardless of how your team performs on the field.

And expect the unexpected. This video from The Daily Meal on how to prep guarantees a fun, stress-free time. One smart tip: pack duct tape for emergencies—you never know when you’ll need to patch up a leaky cooler.

Now then: Are you ready for some football?

Photo: Courtesy Taste of Home