The Most Beloved College Football Team, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the college football team you think is the most beloved!

Updated on Apr 20, 2024 06:29

In the heart of fall, as leaves turn and the air cools, college football captivates audiences nationwide. Fans from coast to coast light up with enthusiasm, often debating which team captures the spirit and love of the sport the best. This dynamic can turn simple gatherings into vibrant discussions, emphasizing the deep connections people have with their favorite teams. Our interactive list serves as a canvas for these passionate fans. By voting, you help paint a clearer picture of which teams stir the hearts of supporters the most. Each vote contributes to a broader understanding, helping new and old fans alike see which teams are truly the crown jewels of college football.

What Is the Most Beloved College Football Team?

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43
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Matthew Tosh · CC BY-SA 2.0

University of Alabama Crimson Tide

The University of Alabama

The Crimson Tide is one of the most successful college football programs in history, with 18 national championships and numerous conference titles. The team has a passionate and dedicated fan base, known as the "Bama Nation."
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide is a renowned college football team representing the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA. The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and is a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They have a rich history and a huge fan following.

Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA

Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC)

NCAA Division: Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)

Established: 1892

Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium
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25
votes
University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish

University of Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish have a storied history in college football, with 11 national championships and a strong tradition of excellence. The team's iconic gold helmets and "Play Like a Champion Today" sign are symbols of their commitment to greatness.
The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish is a college football team known for its rich history and passionate fanbase. Representing the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, the team has become one of the most iconic and beloved programs in college football.

Established: 1887

Team colors: Navy blue and gold

Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium

Nickname: Fighting Irish

Conference: Independent
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25
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Ohio State University Buckeyes

The Ohio State University

The Buckeyes have one of the largest and most devoted fan bases in college football, known as "Buckeye Nation." The team has won eight national championships and numerous conference titles, and its rivalry with the University of Michigan is one of the most intense in sports.
The Ohio State University Buckeyes is a highly popular and successful college football team based in Columbus, Ohio. They are part of the Big Ten Conference and have a storied history dating back to their formation in 1890.

Nickname: Buckeyes

Founded: 1890

Conference: Big Ten Conference

Stadium: Ohio Stadium

Capacity: 102,780
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14
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University of Michigan Wolverines

The University of Michigan

The Wolverines have a long and storied history in college football, with 11 national championships and a passionate fan base known as the "Wolverine Nation." The team's rivalry with Ohio State is one of the most intense in sports.
The University of Michigan Wolverines is a college football team that represents the University of Michigan. They are one of the most beloved and iconic teams in college football history, known for their rich tradition and passionate fan base. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference and plays their home games at Michigan Stadium, which is the largest stadium in the United States. The Wolverines have a storied history, with numerous championships and legendary players who have become national icons in the sport. They are widely recognized for their distinctive winged helmet design, which has become synonymous with the team. The spirit and camaraderie of the Wolverines extend beyond the football field, as they uphold a strong tradition of academic excellence and community involvement.

Conference: Big Ten

Home Stadium: Michigan Stadium

Capacity: 107,601

Championships: 11 National Titles

Heisman Trophies: 3 Winners
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12
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University of Texas Longhorns

The Longhorns have a proud football tradition, with four national championships and numerous conference titles. The team's passionate and dedicated fan base is known as the "Texas faithful."
The University of Texas Longhorns is a college football team representing the University of Texas at Austin. They compete in the NCAA Division-I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and are a part of the Big 12 Conference. The team has a rich history and is one of the most beloved and successful programs in college football.

Bowl Game Appearances: 56

Established: 1893

Colors: Burnt Orange and White

Stadium: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium

Capacity: 100,119
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12
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University of Southern California Trojans

The Trojans have a strong football tradition, with 11 national championships and numerous conference titles. The team's passionate and dedicated fan base is known as the "Trojan Family."
The University of Southern California Trojans is a highly esteemed college football team representing the University of Southern California (USC) located in Los Angeles, California. They compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and are known for their rich history, success, and passionate fan base.

Founding Year: 1888

Nickname: Trojans

Colors: Cardinal and Gold

Home Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Conference: Pac-12 Conference
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2
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University of Florida Gators

University of Florida

The Gators have a passionate and dedicated fan base known as the "Gator Nation," and the team has won three national championships and numerous conference titles. The program is known for its high-powered offense and tough defense.
The University of Florida Gators is a college football team based in Gainesville, Florida. They are widely recognized as one of the most beloved teams in college football history. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and represents the University of Florida.

Year Established: 1906

Home Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Head Coach: Dan Mullen

Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC)

Team Colors: Orange and Blue
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8
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University of Oklahoma Sooners

The University of Oklahoma

The Sooners have a rich football tradition, with seven national championships and numerous conference titles. The team's passionate and dedicated fan base is known as the "Sooner Nation."
The University of Oklahoma Sooners is the college football team representing the University of Oklahoma, located in Norman, Oklahoma, United States. The team is widely regarded as one of the most successful and beloved college football programs in history.

Established: 1895

Home Stadium: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Head Coach: Lincoln Riley

Conference: Big 12 Conference

Number of National Championships: 7 (as of 2021)
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6
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Louisiana State University Tigers

Louisiana State University

The Tigers have a passionate and dedicated fan base known as the "LSU faithful," and the team has won three national championships and numerous conference titles. The program is known for its tough defense and dominant running game.
The Louisiana State University Tigers, commonly referred to as LSU Tigers, is a popular college football team that represents Louisiana State University. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team is known for its enthusiastic fan base, spirited games, and rich football traditions.

Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Established: 1893

Stadium: Tiger Stadium

Team colors: Purple and gold

Head coach: Ed Orgeron
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12
votes
University of Georgia Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have a proud football tradition, with two national championships and numerous conference titles. The team's passionate and dedicated fan base is known as "Dawg Nation." The program is known for its strong running game and tough defense.
The University of Georgia Bulldogs is a highly esteemed college football team based in Athens, Georgia. They are one of the most beloved teams in the country, known for their rich history, passionate fanbase, and strong performance on the field. The team was established in 1892 and has since become a force to be reckoned with in the world of college football.

Nickname: Bulldogs

Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC)

Home stadium: Sanford Stadium

Team colors: Red and black

Mascot: Uga (live English Bulldog)

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Discussion

Ranking factors for beloved college football team

Historical success

The overall success of the team, including national championships, conference championships, and bowl game appearances/wins, should be considered.
Fan base size and loyalty

The number of fans the team has and their level of loyalty (attendance at games, fan clubs, etc.) should be accounted for.
Tradition and history

The team's traditions, including rivalries, storied games, and iconic moments, should be taken into account.
Impact on college football culture

The team's influence on the broader landscape of college football (coaching trees, innovations, etc.) should be considered.
Player success

The number of successful professional athletes produced by the program, as well as their achievements, should be accounted for.
Academic reputation

The quality of the academic institution and the academic performance of the football program's student-athletes can also be a factor.
Media coverage and national prominence

How often the team is covered by national sports media and the general awareness of the team among casual sports fans.
Stadium atmosphere and game day experience

The overall experience of attending a game at the team's stadium, including fan interaction, tailgating, local traditions, and in-stadium presentation.
Charitable activities and community involvement

A team's involvement in and support of the local community through charity work and community engagement can play a role in their overall popularity and favorability.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beloved college football team. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or team is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1724 views
161 votes
10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

University of Alabama Crimson Tide
University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish
University of Southern California Trojans
University of Georgia Bulldogs

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each team once every 24 hours. The rank of each team is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beloved college football team

College football is more than just a sport in the United States, it's a way of life. Fans from all over the country tune in every year to watch their favorite teams compete for the coveted national championship. With so many teams to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most beloved. However, through various polls and rankings, it's clear that certain teams have captured the hearts of fans more than others. From the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide to the Ohio State Buckeyes, these teams have a rich history and loyal fan base that make them stand out among the rest. So, what is the most beloved college football team? Let's take a closer look at some of the top contenders and what makes them so special.