LSU vs S.C. game 10/13/12 tailgating

My son (21 yo) and myself are starting a new tradition that me and my late father wanted to do. We are going to one major college football game a year starting with visiting Tiger staduium. We plan on tailgating.

What time should we arrive?

Best place to park?

Is there anyone here we can drink and be merry with before the game?

We plan on walking the campus, LSU is my sons favorite team since highschool.

Thanks