Union Jack Classic: Kansas Jayhawks to face Arizona State Sun Devils in college football's debut at Wembley Stadium

Football is no stranger to international expansion having seen the NFL host regular-season games in London since 2007, while Ireland serves as the home of the annual College Football Classic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

In fact, college football spread its wings long before now having also previously played games in Tokyo and Milan in the 1980s, as well as famously heading to Tanzania for the 2011 Kilimanjaro Bowl.

From its staple marching bands to its iconic tailgates to its deep-rooted family tribalism, the college game is now primed to showcase its unique make-up with the inaugural Union Jack Classic.

"I think I've probably had fish and chips four times since I've been here so it's been a nice culture shock," says Arizona State punter Nick McLarty.

McLarty is perhaps more accustomed to a change in environment more so than any player arriving in the UK this week having grown up in Melbourne, Australia, the 6ft 7in punter having started out playing Aussie Rules before turning his talents to a different kind of football.

"It's my first time coming to London," he said." It's funny, I was on the phone with mum before and actually didn't tell her so the first time she found out was this morning. It's been a lot of fun.

"I have a brother who is pretty big into soccer and when he found out I was playing at Wembley he was beside himself and it's been fun going round to Buckingham Palace.

"The people and the accent [has been a nice change], I've been so used to the American accent, it's been a nice touch of reality for what the rest of the world is like to be able to speak to other people."

Wembley is expected to welcome 60,000 fans this weekend as both teams arrive 1-1 on the season, Kansas coming off a 38-21 defeat to Missouri on Friday night and the Sun Devils having just lost 48-20 to Texas A&M.

For many of the players it represents their first time leaving the US, Kansas head coach Lance Leipold having described it as a "lifetime" opportunity.

Leipold had notably been a graduate assistant for Wisconsin when the Badgers featured in the Coca-Cola Classic in Tokyo back in 1993.

"[That] is when you really get to think about what you did, and something that you talk about with your friends and team-mates for a lifetime. And that's partially what I'm hoping for," Leipold said this week.

"I think even though we have so many things going on in college athletics, that we should not take away experiences such as this if they're afforded to you, and try to make the most of it. I think it's something that we're looking forward to."

The pre-game tailgate is scheduled to kickstart festivities at 10am along Wembley Way, with 15,000 fans flying over from the US to contribute to what is hoped to be a classic college football atmosphere.

"I grew up playing soccer, one of my old coaches who played for Everton always talked about playing at Wembley and scoring a goal there so it's kind of a full circle moment really," said Sun Devils defensive lineman Zac Swanson.

"It's super cool and we're really blessed to be here. It took a little bit to get adjusted to the time, it's probably one of our better weeks because back in Arizona it's 115 degrees out and now we get to practise in 70s so preparation is going very well.

"It's almost like a whole culture shock because it's so different. My favourite thing is the houses and environment, you see the soccer pitches everywhere, we don't really have that in the US."

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III will be in London as part of the Fox Sports team presenting live their pre-game show live from the UK.

He explained what makes college football's atmosphere and environment special.

"The fandom around college football is better," he told media. "It just is. The traditions and all that stuff are definitely more deep-rooted. The rivalries are better than the NFL rivalries and I just think it adds to it.

"There is no NFL without college and there's no college football without the NFL.

"You actually sink your roots deeper into the ground by becoming a college football fan so you can truly follow these guys," Griffin said. "That jersey that you put on, that you buy, that you spend all your hard-earned money on actually means more to you because you've been following those players longer."

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