It’s been more than 150 years and football still dominates the college sports scene! As one of the most successful programs in the United States, the college football league has gained a massive following—with national and conference title holders, Heisman trophy awardees, and All-American awardees becoming legends and sports greats.
A college or university’s standing as a football team is as important as its academic programs, graduation rates, and alumni reputation. Prospective learners decide on a specific college or university based on academics, but a school’s reputable college football culture and solidarity can spark the interest of many applicants!
Several schools build their standings on academic excellence, but they take as much pride in how students cheer for their team, bond with their peers before game day, feel the hype in a jam-packed stadium, and celebrate every victory!
All over the United States, college football is definitely larger than life. A century-and-a-half of successes and stories makes it nothing short of spectacular!
Listed in random order, here are the 50 most successful football programs in the history of college football. Use our table of contents to navigate our list easily:
- Ohio State University (Ohio State Buckeyes)
- University of Georgia (Georgia Bulldogs)
- University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish)
- University of Alabama (Crimson Tide)
- University of Southern California (USC Trojans)
- Auburn University (Auburn Tigers)
- University of Oklahoma (Oklahoma Sooners)
- Pennsylvania State University (Nittany Lions)
- University of Michigan (Michigan Wolverines)
- University of Texas (Texas Longhorns)
- Louisiana State University (LSU Tigers)
- University of Nebraska (Cornhuskers)
- Texas A& M University (Texas Aggies)
- Florida State University (Florida State Seminoles)
- University of Tennessee (Tennessee Volunteers/The Vols)
- University of Florida (Florida Gators)
- Clemson University (Clemson Tigers)
- University of Miami (Miami Hurricanes)
- University of Wisconsin (Wisconsin Badgers)
- Michigan State University (Michigan State Spartans)
- University of Oregon (Oregon Ducks)
- University of South Carolina (South Carolina Gamecocks)
- University of Washington (Washington Huskies)
- University of Iowa (Iowa Hawkeyes)
- University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA Bruins)
- University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Panthers)
- University of Arkansas (Arkansas Razorbacks)
- University of Mississippi (Rebels)
- Texas Christian University (Horned Frogs)
- Mississippi State University (Mississippi Bulldogs)
- Yale University (Yale Bulldogs)
- North Dakota State University (North Dakota State Bison)
- Princeton University (Princeton Tigers)
- Harvard University (Harvard Crimson)
- University of Mount Union (Purple Raiders)
- Stanford University (Stanford Cardinal)
- Brigham Young University (BYU Cougars)
- University of Colorado (Buffaloes)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets)
- University of Illinois (Fighting Illini)
- Appalachian State University (The Mountaineers)
- Dartmouth College (Big Green)
- Virginia Tech (Virginia Tech Hokie)
- Central Michigan University (Chippewas)
- Georgia Southern University (Georgia Southern Eagles)
- University of North Carolina (Tar Heels)
- Boston College (Boston Eagles)
- University of Maryland (Maryland Terrapins)
- Arizona State University (Arizona Sun Devils)
- Duke University (Blue Devils)
Ohio State University
Ohio State Buckeyes
Home to the Ohio State Buckeyes, Ohio State University participates in the East Division of the NCAA Big 10 Conference Football. The team continues its traditions of Ohio State’s legendary football history started in the 1890 Ohio State Buckeyes inauguration. More than 400 Ohio State alumni joined the National Football League.
The team’s former head coach, Urban Meyer, led the Ohio State’s football team to 24 straight wins and five division championships in five seasons–the highlight of the 2012 season that put the State of Ohio on the college football map. The Ohio State Buckeyes take pride in its all-time record of 899-324-53, eight national titles, 38 conference titles, and six division titles. The university’s football program highlights several CoSIDA honorees, a Rimington Trophy awardee, and seven Heisman winners including Archie Griffin, Troy Smith, and Eddie George.
The team’s current head coach is Ryan Day. He was once the offensive coordinator for the former head coach until he retired. Ryan Day has a record of 1-0 since he became the head coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Ohio State’s football team dons a scarlet and gray uniform, showcasing the school’s colors combined with a logo imprinted on the jersey’s front part. The team mascot is Brutus Buckeye.
The Ohio State Buckeyes play home games at The Horseshoe, also known as Ohio’s Stadium. It is headquartered in the Ohio State University campus in Columbus. The Horseshoe, which currently accommodates 105,000 people, was where many sold-out concerts of the Rolling Stones, U2 and other performing artists were held. And when the Ohio State Buckeyes play against rival teams the Michigan Werewolves or the Penn State Nittany Lions, the fans create an inimitably intense atmosphere; it’s as if the stadium itself is coming alive!
Ohio State student-athletes, pillar partners, and coaches contribute to Central Ohio and several parts of the country through the Buckeye Cares programs. The program’s four pillars include Fitness, Wellness, Education, and Public Service. They have served numerous organizations including the American Red Cross, the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and Columbus, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, USO of Central and Southern Ohio, and the Down Syndrome Association.
University of Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs
The University of Georgia is home to the Georgia Bulldogs that have played in 116 seasons from 1902 to 2020. The team is headquartered in Athens, Georgia and a member of the SEC Conference. Kirby Smart is the football team’s current head coach.
The University of Georgia is popular for its all-time record of 805-402-50 and a bowl record of 32-21-3. The university boasts two national championships and 14 conference titles. Georgia Bulldogs rank fifth in bowl appearances. Some of the biggest stars in college football history have played for the University of Georgia and wore the red and black uniform, including Fran Tarkenton who pursued a professional career in the National Football League and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Georgia Bulldogs produced two Heisman awardees Herschel Walker and Frank Sinkwich, and more than 65 All-Americans awards. A member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Southeastern Conference Division I, the Georgia Bulldogs has two national championships and 15 conference championships.
Lively fans of the Georgia Bulldogs show up on game day not only as cheerers in a sea of red and black, but also in anticipation of the two team mascots Hairy Dawg and Uga, a real English bulldog named after the university’s acronym. Uga signifies a prominent lineage of bulldogs, initially established as the team’s real mascot in 1943. The University of Georgia football team, first known as “bulldogs” by a writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1920, originally kept the name as its official signature. Georgia Bulldogs’ uniforms use the university’s red and black colors for home and away uniforms. The university logo is also printed on the right side of the helmets.
The University of Georgia can accommodate almost 95,000 fans every home game. Named after the educator Steadman V. Sanford, the Sanford Stadium is the university’s official venue for its home games. It is located in Athens, Georgia and considered the 10th biggest stadium in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. In 2017, the university hosted 556,476 people in six home plays, exciting more than 1.2 million audiences.
Considered as the “Deep South’s oldest rivalry” since 1892, the Georgia Bulldogs regularly play against their opponents, the Auburn Tigers, the Florida Gators, and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
The University of Georgia made its first football game appearance in Athens on January 25, 1892, against Mercer University. Almost a month later, UGA played in Atlanta to compete against Auburn University. It was the first game of what later became known as the south’s oldest college football opponents. Several sports historians consider February 20, 1892 as the date of birth of college football in the South.
The University of Georgia runs a program called Learn, Play, Excel established in 2011. Through this program, the Bulldogs interact with and mentor students, highlighting the significance of education, perseverance, and making dreams into reality. UGA student-athletes and coaches encourage elementary school learners through presentations that emphasize anti-bullying, education, leadership, values of participating in athletics and respecting authority.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish
Headquartered in Notre Dame, Indiana, the University of Notre Dame is one of the most popular collegiate football teams in the U.S. The university is independent of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, but the team plays five games per year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The team is currently headed by coach Brian Kelly.
The famous University of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish has numerous unique rankings in the NCAA. It is only one out of six teams competing as an independent but also the only team to become a member of the Bowl Championship Series Coalition. The team is also considered the only football team in the country to be contractually agreed since 1991 to televise all of their home plays on the popular television network, National Broadcasting Company (NBC).
The University of Notre Dame’s football team is known for its long history of victories since the first season in 1887. It boasts 13 national championships, second only to the University of Southern California Trojans. The Fighting Irish has produced 486 National Football League (NFL) players, and seven Heisman winners including Tim Brown, Paul Hornung, and John Huarte. The Fighting Irish holds the record for the highest scores and ranks second in most wins of all seasons. Fighting Irish ties with Alabama for the most national titles in the FBS and rivals Ohio for the 7-record Heisman awardees.
The Fighting Irish Team uniforms are supplied by Under Armour and proudly showcase the university’s green and gold colors. The logo is imprinted on the sleeves of each jersey, as is on the uniform of the team mascot Notre Dame Leprechaun.
Notre Dame football attracts one of the league’s biggest and most loyal audiences. Inspired by the university’s Roman Catholic mission, the Notre Dame Stadium implores a regal, traditional setting for lively home plays. In 2017, over 543,000 people watched the Fighting Irish playing on their home turf and nearly a million fans wore blue and gold along the streets.
The Fighting Irish is the most admired sports team on campus, selling out tickets particularly at matches against rivals, such as the Michigan State Spartans and the USC Trojans.
The University of Notre Dame requires student-athletes to be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies. To remain qualified for athletics competition, they must maintain satisfactory academic performance toward a bachelor or equivalent degree. They must also pass at least six hours per semester to be able to compete in the games for the succeeding semester. They also need to complete at least nine credits and obtain the Academic Progress Rate Eligibility Point for the Fall term. Otherwise, they will not be qualified to compete in the first four matches against outside competition in the next playing season.
Football wasn’t always a favorite at the University of Notre Dame. During the inaugural game on November 1887, Notre Dame lost to Michigan 8-0, and it was not until the final game of the 1888 season that they Fighting Irish dominated against the Harvard Prep School of Chicago, 20-0. Between 1887 and 1888, the Fighting Irish gained a record of 31 wins, 15 losses, and four draws against different contenders. James L. Morrison was appointed as Notre Dame’s first head coach in football in 1894, during which the university took a significant step toward stability, prominence, and respectability.
Near the turn of the century, the Fighting Irish earned its first victory against Michigan. It was only 33 years later after 1909 that the two teams competed again. The Fighting Irish held a record of 108 wins, 31 losses, and 13 draws by the end of the 1912 season.
University of Alabama
The football sport started gaining traction in the University of Alabama in 1892 when the Crimson Tide earned its first win against local teams Birmingham and Livingston. Now an important member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Crimson Tide team is part of the SEC Conference. Since 2007, Nick Saban has been the head coach.
The University of Alabama has one of the best college football histories. Since 1892, the university has earned 30 conference awards and 17 national championships. The university also ranks with the most NCAA post-season bowl appearances (65 appearances), including in the 2018 Sugar Bowl. Crimson Tide has two Heisman winners namely Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram, and 69 All-Americans awardees.
The Crimson Tide uniform blends crimson and white, with the university logo imprinted on the sides of the helmet. The university’s mascot, Big Al also wears the school colors.
The home games are played at the Bryant-Denny Stadium located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It accommodates more than 101,000 people during game events. Thanks to thousands of hardcore fans in attendance, the stadium is known for its incredibly loud rival games between Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers or Auburn Tigers. Currently, Crimson Tide ranks third in overall fan attendance, reaching 1,228,376 in 2017.
The University of Alabama has launched its Life Skills – Community Service that focuses on facilitating programs for student-athletes to participate in service on-campus and surrounding communities to develop their interpersonal capabilities and improve individual growth. They establish relationships with members of the society, widening their perspectives in life through different projects. The Life Skills annual service projects include the Alberta Head Start Unity Project, Habitat for Humanity, Halloween Extravaganza, Project Angel Tree, and Tide Moves.
The University of Alabama gained its first national recognition in 1922, defeating the University of Pennsylvania, 9-7 in a grueling match in Philadelphia. The succeeding season was headed by coach Wallace Wade who led the Crimson Tide to its first undefeated season in 1925. Wade also led the football team to its first Rose Bowl Invitation.
University of Southern California
Trojans
Started in 1888, the University of Southern California Trojans is a member of the Division I FBS of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Pac-12 Conference. The Trojans are known for having the most number of players in the NFL picks at 502, and the most first-time draft picks in the NCAA, reaching 80 as of 2017. The USC Trojans are headquartered in Los Angeles, California and currently headed by coach Clay Helton.
The USC football team is well known for its histories and victories dating back to 1888. The university has earned 11 national championship titles and produced almost 500 NFL players. USC also has the most Pro Football Hall of Fame awardees – 12 of them including Bruce Matthews, Ron Mix, Frank Gifford, Lynn Swann, and Marcus Allen.
The university’s colors are showcased on the uniforms of USC Trojans. The cardinal and gold uniforms highlight the Trojan helmet on the right part of the helmet and are provided by Nike. Traveler, the university’s mascot generally wears the colors while riding a white horse during gameplays.
As one of the biggest sports venues in America, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is suitable for the larger-than-life USC Trojans. The stadium has hosted two Olympic Games and numerous sporting events and concerts, obtaining the nickname “the grand old lady”. In 2017, USC Trojans home games drew some 509,000 people to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. During the same season, 885,247 fans supported the Trojans between all 13 home and away plays.
The University of Southern California upholds a time-honored tradition of producing Heisman winners, including O.J. Simpson and Reggie Bush. The USC Trojans have a record of 54 bowl games, including a set record for winning 25 and 34 Rose Bowls.
USC initially fielded a football team in 1888 that played its first game on November 14 against Alliance Athletic Club, winning 16-0. The university faced its first collegiate contender the succeeding year in the fall of 1889, dominating St. Vincent’s College on a 40-0 win. Before USC’s football team was named Trojans in 1912, they were called the Methodists and the Wesleyans. In the early years, the team experienced travel constraints and scarcity of major football-playing schools on the West Coast that restricted its rivalries to local Southern Californian academic institutions. During this time, the university played regular series against Caltech, Loyola, Occidental, Pomona, and Whittier. The first USC football team to play outside of Southern California went to Stanford University in November 1905.
The University of Southern California’s talented student-athletes are recognized for competing fiercely against their rivals. When they are not in the playing fields, they open their dedication and hearts to serve the Los Angeles community and the world, including a dental care outreach mission to Nicaragua. Some of them volunteer at a local home for the homeless or clean up the shores in Santa Monica beaches. They also give away hundreds of toys to children during the winter holidays.
The USC Athletics Community Service Initiatives run through the Trojan Outreach. Members from all 21 varsity teams including football join the programs, which earned USC the National Community Service Award. During the academic year 2017-2018, some 650 USC student-athletes finished more than 5,000 hours of service to different causes through a Trojan Outreach signature event, including the Serving Community through Outreach, Recreation, and Education (SCORE) project.
Auburn University
Auburn Tigers
Located in Auburn, Alabama, Auburn University played its first football game in 1892. The Auburn Tigers is a member of the Southeastern Conference and currently headed by coach Gus Malzahn. It takes a spot in the top ten most successful football teams in the past 25 years. Founded in 1892, the Auburn Tigers three Heisman awardees namely Cam Newton, Pat Sullivan, and Bo Jackson. As a matter of fact, the Heisman Trophy is termed after John Heisman, who coached the Auburn Tigers himself for four years!
The Auburn Tigers’ uniforms highlight the university’s signature colors: burnt orange and navy blue, supplied by Under Armour. The university logo is imprinted on the left side of the helmet. Aubie the Tiger, the university’s mascot, wears the colors.
Auburn Tigers fans frequent the Jordan-Hare Stadium on the right side of the school campus for matches. The stadium is recognized as one of the largest and loudest venues for football games, hosting almost 87,500 fans on game days. Jordan-Hare Stadium was aptly named Alabama’s 5th largest city and considered by rivals Georgia Bulldogs, Florida Gators, Alabama Crimson Tide, and LSU Tigers as one of the most intimidating stadiums to play football!
In 2017, the Auburn Tigers attracted over 605,000 spectators to their home games. Football fans supported their teams in full force during home, away, and neutral plays in 2016 – and a total of more than one million fans were in attendance! The Auburn Tigers, along with top rival Alabama Crimson, belong to the prominent “group of 11” that surpassed the one-million mark in fan attendance in 2017.
The Auburn Tigers play in the West Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and SEC. Currently, the football team has 12 Hall of Fame inductees, three Heisman winners, and 29 All-Americans. The university holds a record of 12 undefeated seasons and five national championship titles.
Auburn University was headed by nine different coaches in 12 years. The first football team organization is credited to George Petrie, who steered the 1892 Tigers to a record 2-2. Petrie selected burnt orange and navy blue as the official colors of the Auburn Athletic Teams, inspired by his Alma Mater – the University of Virginia. The first match was against the University of Georgia at Piedmont Park. Auburn scored a 10-0 win in front of 2,000 fans in a game that marked “the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” Auburn and Alabama faced each other for the first time in Lakeview Park in Birmingham in February 1893, where the Tigers won 32-22 under head coach D. M Balliet. The said game is considered as the first-ever recorded intercollegiate football game in Alabama.
University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners
Home of the Oklahoma Sooners, the University of Oklahoma is part of the Big 12 Conference and National Collegiate Athletics Association I FBS. The Sooners do not only hold the record for highest winning streaks but also a record-breaking 47 straight winning streak, the highest achieved by any football team in the NCAA Division. Bob Stoops is the current head coach of the team, celebrating his 18th year.
Since its inauguration in 1895, the Oklahoma Sooners have earned seven national championship titles and 47 conference titles. The football program has yielded six Heisman winners, including Jason White, Adrian Peterson, and Sam Bradford, as well as 154 All-Americans.
The Oklahoma Sooners’ uniforms are etched with the university’s colors: cream and crimson. The logo of the university is engraved on the helmets and the team’s name is printed in front of the jersey across the chest. Sooner Schooner is the university’s official mascot. The mascot represents a wagon handled by the Oklahoma Territory settlers and travels across the field to commence each game.
The Oklahoma Sooners play against their rivals during home games at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, the stadium can accommodate up to 84,000 audiences but a record of 87,000 people was in attendance at one time. Students at the University of Oklahoma are loyal football fanatics who never miss a match, especially against top rival Oklahoma State Cowboys.
The University of Oklahoma football began in September 1895, 12 years prior to statehood and a year after the first football game happened in Oklahoma Territory. The team was then managed by John A. Harts, a learner from Kansas who played football in his home state. The first team consisted mostly of non-students, including a local fireman. The first game was played on a football field of low prairie grass located northwest of Holmberg Hall.
Many members of the Oklahoma team suffered injuries, including coach Harts himself. During the final moments of the game, the team “borrowed” players from the opposing team so they can have a full lineup. After that year, Harts left Oklahoma, and the Sooners had three other coaches over the next seasons.
In 1901, Fred Roberts steered the team to a 3-2 season. In 1902 and 1903, Mark McMahon set an 11-7-3 record in his two years as head coach. In 1904, Fred Ewing led a 4-3-1 record. The most remarkable game started in 1904 when the team had its first match against its in-state rival, the Oklahoma A&M football team.
Pennsylvania State University
Nittany Lions
A part of the Big Ten Conference, Pennsylvania State University is home to the Nittany Lions and is recognized as one of the oldest U.S. college football teams launched in 1887. Currently, the university hosts 746,946 fans during home games and is known for its enthusiastic fan base. The Nittany Lions is currently led by head coach James Franklin.
The Nittany Lions won two national championship titles and three conference titles, yielded one Heisman winner named John Cappelletti, and earned 40 All-Americans awards. The team ranks #8 for all-time total victories. Other promising achievements include 48 bowl games and four Big Ten Conference championship titles. The Nittany Lions’ longest-reigning head coach Joe Paterno led the Penn State’s football team for 46 seasons, the longest for any head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
The Nittany Lions wear a blue-and-white uniform, with the university’s logo engraved. In 2017, almost 1.15 million fans of the Nittany Lions proudly sported their blue and white to all the team’s home, away, and neutral games. Home games are held in the Beaver Stadium, the second biggest in the Western Hemisphere with a seating volume of 106,572 audiences. The Nittany Lions attract the biggest crowds in games against rival teams, Ohio State and Pittsburgh.
Creating a significant role in society is a responsibility that Penn State’s student-athletes, staff, and coaches take seriously. The 31 teams of Nittany Lions, including its football team, take pride in initiatives that create a lasting impact on the community. As members of the Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, student-athletes understand the importance of influencing people of different walks of life. Through several activities with organizations and groups of different ages, Penn State’s 800 student-athletes prominently increased their community participation in 2015-2016 compared to the previous years. During 2015, Nittany Lions finished a combined 8,016 hours of community outreach.
The initiatives and programs of the community from Penn State student-athletes and its SAAB is proportionally aligned with Penn State’s culture of stewardship and camaraderie. Nittany Lions support organizations and events such as the American Red Cross, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Toys for Tots, and Relay for Life.
Penn State football’s first recorded game started in November 1881 when the university’s football team traveled to Lewisburg, PA to play against Bucknell. Penn State dominated the game, winning by a score of 9-0. During that time, it was considered a real “American Rugby”. The university did not have teams from 1882 until 1886. It played officially in its first season in 1887; however, there was no head coach during the first five years in 1887-1891. The football teams played its home games in State College, Pennsylvania. They resulted in a 12-8-1 record during these seasons, playing independently from 1887-1890. It was in 1891 that the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Football Association was founded. It is composed of Franklin & Marshall, Swarthmore, Penn State, Bucknell, and Dickinson. Lehigh and Lafayette were not included because it was predicted they would rule out the Association. The university garnered a championship title by a record of 4-1-0. The record of Bucknell was 3-1-1. Before the 1892 season, the Association was dissolved.
University of Michigan
Michigan Wolverines
Home to the Michigan Wolverines, the University of Michigan immersed in several years of college football excellence and won its 1st Big Ten Championship title in 1898, as well as its 1st national championship title in 1901. Michigan Wolverines is currently headed by coach Jim Harbaugh.
U of M’s college football team draws huge crowds with the live appearances of two wolves through its official mascots, Biff and Bernie, in 1927. Michigan Wolverine team uniforms are supplied by Nike and utilize the university colors of blue and maize. The team’s helmets showcase wings and iconic symbols of college football. One of the two mascots, Biff, wears the same colors during its game appearances on the field.
The university is known for a few aspects, with attendance as one of the most notable features of the university. Home games of the Michigan Wolverines usually surpass the attendance records. The University of Michigan is recognized for having the largest number of all-times victories out of any college football team, including an all-time record of 951-334-36. In addition, Michigan Wolverines has produced three Heisman awardees namely Charles Woodson, and Tom Harmon. The team ends every season with a rival match against the Ohio State Buckeyes. ESPN has considered the exciting match as “one of the greatest rivalries in sports”. U of M’s collegiate football team has garnered 42 conference championships as well as 11 national championships.
Home games are played in the so-called “the big house” or the Michigan Stadium among the University of Michigan students. It is recognized as the biggest and most expensive sports venue of its kind when it was completed in 1927. It has a seating capacity of over 84,000 fans and costs above $950,000. Currently, the stadium caters to 107,601 Michigan Wolverines fans, donned in blue and maize, singing along to the iconic fight song of the team, “The Victors”. 670,000 people supported and cheered on the home games of the Wolverines, as well as over 1.14 million people in attendance for both home and away games in 2017.
In 1879, Michigan has played its first official intercollegiate football game against Racine College. It was considered “the 1st rugby-football game to be played West of Alleghenies” by the Chicago Tribune. Irving Kane Pond yielded the first touchdown for Michigan. The fans have responded to his plays with “Pond Forever” cheers according to Will Perry’s Michigan football history. The team has played against Boston’s Harvard in 1881. With that, it has been the start of inter-sectional football. Michigan football team stopped in South Bend, Indiana and initiated football to students at the University of Notre Dame during 1887. A notable game marked the beginning of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and the start of the rivalry between Notre Dame and Michigan. Cornell lost to Michigan in 1894, considering the match as the 1st time in college football history that a western academic institution dominated a powerful school from the East.
The University of Michigan Athletics Department conducted numerous community outreach programs such as “Lunch with a Wolverine” where student-athletes get a chance to enjoy spending leisure time and answering random questions from elementary students over lunchtime. In addition, student-athletes are immersed in a year-long mentoring session within the Anne Arbor Public School System that fosters collaboration and camaraderie between student-athletes and elementary students.
University of Texas
Texas Longhorns
Home to the Texas Longhorns, the University of Texas is located in Austin, Texas and a proud member of the Big Twelve Conference. Charlie Strong is the current head coach of the Texas Longhorns.
University of Texas’ collegiate football team had started their first season in 1893. The team is recognized for having a stellar record of 108 winning seasons out of 122 seasons combined in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. In addition, the team has nine undefeated seasons. Texas Longhorns has produced two Heisman icons namely Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell. The university has an all-time record of 891-359-33 and garnered a rank for the 2nd most victories of any college football team in the FBS.
The Texas Longhorns’ iconic uniforms are embossed in white and burnt orange colors. The Longhorn, considered as the university’s iconic symbol, is engraved on the right part of the team’s helmets. The university’s official mascot, Bevo, is a Texas Longhorn steer. Furthermore, the mascot utilizes the same colors when it makes appearances on the field during game days.
Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is the university’s official sports venue for the team’s home games. It accommodates more than 100,000 Texas Longhorn fans during playoffs. It is considered one of the most unfriendly and exciting venues for visiting teams. The fans can extremely become wild during rival games against arch-rival the Texas A&M Aggies.
Starting in 1893, the Texas Longhorns college football program is one of the most well-recognized and historic teams of all time throughout collegiate football in the U.S. In 1936-1946, Texas Longhorns was headed by coach Dana X. Bible, a Hall of Famer in the football industry. In 1957-1976, another Hall of Famer head coach Darrell K. Royal led the team to three national championship titles. In 1963, Texas Longhorns achieve their first championship and in 1969, they won another championship title. During 2009, ESPN has classified Texas as the 7th most prestigious academic institution for college football program since 1936. Texas Longhorns was valued at $805M in 2012, more than the average value of numerous National Football League (NFL) teams. Texas is recognized for its post-season appearances, landing in 2nd spot in the number of bowl game appearances, 4th in bowl game championship titles, the greatest number of Southwest Conference football championship titles as well as most Cotton Bowl Classic attendance and appearances. In 1936-2012, Texas Longhorns have been consistent in the AP or coaches’ ratings 66 out of 76 seasons, completing those seasons and ranked in the top 25 for 48 times as well as top 10 for 28 times. In addition, the team has garnered four Division I-A national championship titles in 1963, 1969, 1970 and 2005.
Through the University of Texas’ Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, a team of middle and elementary school learners immersed College for a Day, a fun-filled activity facilitated by the Neighborhood Longhorns Program that integrates campus tours, mentoring sessions and group programs with student-athletes. The event kicked off with different programs in Bellmont Hall, where students rotated around the room in different groups to interact with many student-athletes and learn extensively about academics, college life, and sports. The day finished with a healthy lunch session together with student-athletes at the TANC-Texas Athletics Nutrition Center.
Louisiana State University
LSU Tigers
Louisiana State University’s LSU Tigers plays against different teams in the SEC Western Division. The team is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as is led by head coach Ed Orgeron. In 1893, LSU Tigers played their first game against their rival at Tulane.
LSU Tigers has one of the promising all-time records in the history of collegiate football, with a record of 787-414-47. The team has earned three national championship titles and has more than 51 former athletes currently playing in the National Football League namely Odell Beckham Jr. and Patrick Peterson. At present, LSU Tigers have the highest number of NFL drafts of any collegiate football program. In addition, the team has 14 conference championships, eight division titles and 31 All-American awardees.
LSU Tiger’s uniforms utilize the color purple and gold, the university’s official colors. The logo is embossed on the right side of the helmets. The school’s official mascot, Mike the Tiger also utilizes the same color scheme and logo. In addition, another real Bengal tiger, Mike the Tiger is present during game days and program appearances.
Also known as “Death Valley” by rival teams, Tiger Stadium accommodates more than 102,000 fan attendance, cheering along to LSU Tigers’ fight songs and chants namely “geaux Tigers” and “hot boudin”. The sporting venue integrated numerous major upgrades for the spectators, including a new beer and food choices called “the Chute”. There were more than 1,114,000 people who cheered for the Tigers during home and away games. When rival teams Ole Miss Rebels, Arkansas Razorbacks, and Auburn Tigers play against LSU Tigers in the stadium, fans can get hyped up and intimidating.
In addition to their game schedules and studies, student-athletes in LSU’s College of the Coast & Environment have several opportunities to serve in community programs and outreach initiatives. One of the initiatives includes Tiger Tailgates where it is held every Saturday that coincides with an LSU football game. The program brings together thousands of individuals to cheer for the LSU Tigers. Guilio Mariotti and his graduate students take advantage of sporting events such as football to educate and engage the general public in topics about Louisiana’s coastal and deltaic research via educational programs and demonstrations.
In November 1893, Louisiana State University played its official football game in school history. Unfortunately, the Tigers have lost to its rival Tulane in the first intercollegiate football match. Until then, it sparked a rivalry between Green Wave and Tigers that have been impactful ever since. The LSU Tigers were led by head coach Dr. Charles E. Coates, a university professor known for his milestone in his works related to the chemistry of sugar. In the first competition against Tulane, LSU Tigers were donned in gold and purple ribbons on their jerseys. Purple and Gold colors were chosen because they are considered colors of the Mardi Gras and the green color was not available. In 1893, the rules of football were considered more like rugby.
In 1894, LSU Tigers aimed its first win by dominating Natchez Athletic Club by a score of 26-0. The very first point for LSU Tigers has been credited to Samuel Marmaduke Dinwiddie Clark. The first football game to be played at the LSU campus was State Field, which lost against Mississippi in December 1894. Head coach Albert Simmons scored LSU’s only touchdown. On the other hand, William S. Slaughter was LSU’s first five-time football letterman. LSU won its first game in Baton Rouge in 1895.
University of Nebraska
Cornhuskers
The University of Nebraska’s Cornhuskers became a member of the Big Ten Conference. The football team is one out of the only ten teams in the FBS to become victorious in at least 800 matches. Nearly ten years after playing its first game in 1890, the Cornhuskers were termed by a journalist, in reference to Nebraska’s historic matchup against Iowa. Currently, the team is headed by coach Mike Riley.
Nebraska Cornhuskers garnered five National Championship titles as well as 46 conference titles. It has yielded several National Football League (NFL) players and three Heisman awardees namely Bobby Reynolds, Eric Crouch, and Johnny Rodgers. In addition, the team achieves 10 division titles as well as 54 All-Americans. They claimed the highest number of winning percentages in the “Power Five” Division I FBS and is ranked as the 4th most winning team of all time in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Nebraska’s football team wears uniforms supplied by Adidas and utilizes the university’s cream and scarlet colors. The logo is engraved on the left part of the helmets. Herbie Husker and Lil’Red wear the school’s official logo on their outfits when they make appearances during games and sporting events.
During its game in 2017, the Cornhuskers received full support from their fans, amounting to 628,583 people occupying the Memorial Stadium. Whether it’s a home or away game, more than 918,000 fans wear cream and scarlet colors for Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Memorial Stadium becomes Nebraska’s 3rd biggest city during game days. The sporting venue has the record for the highest sellout streak in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, surpassing maximum capacity with 362 games and counting. The stadium can get more intense and livelier when the Cornhuskers play against its rivals Miami Hurricanes, Minnesota Golden Gophers, and Wisconsin Badgers.
Texas A& M University
Texas Aggies
The Texas Aggies football team is headquartered at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The Aggies are a member of the SEC Conference and are headed by coach Kevin Sumlin.
The Texas A&M football team has earned 18 conference championship titles and three National Championships. It is home to two Heisman winners, Johnny Manziel and John David Crow. Moreover, the Aggies earned 22 All-Americans awards.
The Aggies have always donned maroon and white uniforms with the university’s logo imprinted on the right side of the helmets. The outline of Texas can also be visible on the left side of the pants, integrated with a logo inside it. The university’s official live mascot, Reveille, wears the same colors. She is a female and is considered a Rough Collie. She is also considered the top-ranking member of the Corps of Cadets, which can be visible in the university.
Texas A&M home games are generally huge sporting events and are mostly anticipated every year by die-hard fans. All home plays are held at Kyle Field, which is one of the biggest college stadiums in the United States. It can accommodate 102,000 fans, despite it has been known that it can accommodate up to 110,000 individuals when the team plays against its rivals LSU Tigers, Arkansas Razorbacks, and Texas Longhorns.
Florida State University
Florida State Seminoles
Florida State Seminoles are the official football team of the Florida State University. The team is a proud member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Jimbo Fisher is the current head coach of the collegiate football team.
With a long tradition of success, league titles, and champion athletes, it doesn’t surprise that the Seminoles have received full support from the fans to earn them their label “the tribe”. The team plays in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I. It has produced more than 200 All-Americans and 250 National Football League (NFL) athletes. The team has also yielded three Heisman winners namely Jameis Winston, Charlie Ward, and Chris Winke. The Seminoles won more than 500 games, including several Bowl victories and are recognized for being one of the most competitive football teams in the NCAA.
Florida State University has one of the most unique uniforms in the competition. The jerseys all pay tribute and represent the Seminole culture by utilizing the Native American symbols of the arrow, fire and a man on a horse on the uniform and engraved on the helmets. The iconic uniforms utilize the garnet and gold colors to compliment the look. The official mascots, Renegade and Osceola, use the same colors in their uniforms when making field appearances.
University of Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers, also known as “the Vols”, are called for their dedication and service to the state of Tennessee since the football team’s first inauguration in 1891. Tennessee Volunteers is also one of the few college athletic programs in the country that do not receive funds from the state/government. As a charter member of the SEC Conference, Tennessee Volunteers compete with other playing teams. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Vols are led by head coach Butch Jones.
The collegiate football team is popular for having one of the best win-loss records in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, currently holding a record of 824-367-54. The university is also recognized for being in the top ten best collegiate football teams by the number of wins in a Bowl game. Moreover, the Vols garnered 18 conference championship titles, six National Championships, and 28 Bowl games. Some of the popular football players Vols have yielded include Johnny Majors, Peyton Manning, and Frank Emanuel. They have also produced dozens of Hall of Fame inductees and 40 All-Americans.
The team’s uniform is supplied by Nike and highlights the university’s colors of white and orange, with different outfits for away and home matches. These are the similar colors donned by the Vols’s official mascots, Smokey and Smokey X. In addition, the university has a costumed real mascot, a Bluetick Coonhound, which is dedicated to the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
In 2017, home games were attended by 670,454 fans wearing their orange and white, proudly witnessing the “running through the T” formation on the field to officially open the football season. It has been considered the team’s tradition ever since its inauguration of collegiate football. The Vols play their matches at Neyland Stadium, the 5th biggest of its kind in the country. In summary, the Vols are supported and witnessed by more than 1,043,000 people during home, away and neutral games in the previous year. The Vols have an all-time record for home game wins at 464.
University of Florida
Florida Gators
Headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, the University of Florida is home to one of the most popular college football teams in the country. The Florida Gators is a member of the SEC Conference and is currently headed by coach Jim McElwain. Florida Gators compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the SEC Eastern Division. Since 1958, UF Gators play against their rival, the Florida State Seminoles, every year which prompts die-hard fans of the Gators to establish their very own “Gator Nation”.
Inaugurated in 1906, UF Gators have won three National Championships and eight Conference Championships. It has an all-time record of 701-404-40 and has produced three Heisman Trophy winners namely Tim Tebow, Steve Spurrier, and Danny Wuerffel. In addition, UF Gators won 14 Division Titles and has hired 26 head coaches, including three inductees of the college football’s Hall of Fame.
UF Gators has three official uniforms that differ depending on home or away matches. The uniforms are adapting the university’s official colors of blue and orange. The logo is engraved on the right part of each helmet as well as on the left part of each pant. The university’s official mascots, Alberta Gator and Albert wear the same color during their appearances in the field. The alligator has been the symbolic school animal of the UF Gators.
The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also known among UF students as “The Swamp”, is the official sporting venue of the UF Gators’ home games. It is recognized as the 12th biggest football stadium by seating capacity, which currently accommodates below 90,000 people. The seating capacity can usually surpass up to 93,000 and the atmosphere can get intimidating especially when the Gators play against rivals, Georgia Bulldogs, and LSU Tigers.
Clemson University
Clemson Tiger
With a rich tradition of success in collegiate football, the Clemson Tigers average thousands of supporters at their matches, especially when they play against their greatest rivalries such as the Florida Seminoles and South Carolina Gamecocks. Headquartered in Clemson, South Carolina, Clemson Tigers is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Celebrating one decade as head coach, Dabo Swinney led the Tigers in one of its momentous games.
The university is popularly known for having garnered more than 700 victories since it was initially formed in 1896. Clemson Tigers have won 21 conference championship titles and four division championships since 2005. In addition, the team has produced more than 200 players that have gone into the National Football League (NFL). One of the most prominent players for the Tigers includes Terry Kinard, Banks McFadden, and Jeff Davis. Clemson Tigers earned a record for seven succeeding seasons of ten or more victories, making it the 2nd longest winning streak in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Clemson Tigers wear orange, regalia, and white-colored uniforms. The helmets are designed with regalia and white stripe and a white paw, representing the university’s mascot, the Tiger. The official mascot travels with the team for moral support during games and field appearances.
Clemson University’s home stadium is headquartered in Clemson, South Carolina. It has a seating capacity of 81,000. It is also known as “Death Valley”, a nickname given to the sporting venue to the Tigers’ all-time record of 227-88-7. The stadium can get loud and rowdy when the Tigers play against rivalries such as Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Florida State Seminoles, and South Carolina Gamecocks.
University of Miami
Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes are the official collegiate football team of the University of Miami. Located in Miami Gardens, Florida, the Miami Hurricanes plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The team is led by current head coach Mark Richt.
The university is popularly recognized for its capability to yield prominent National Football League players. Two former players have garnered the Heisman Trophy and nine players have been inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame. The University of Miami earns the record for the highest number of alumni that are currently playing in the NFL, totaling 42.
The Miami Hurricanes have uniforms supplied by Adidas and wear the university’s green and orange colors, with different outfits for both home and away games. The university’s official mascot, Sebastian the Ibis, is a marsh bird. The mascot often wears the Hurricanes jersey with the #0 highlighted significantly on the front part.
The Hard Rock Stadium is shared with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The stadium can accommodate up to 65,000 people. Home matches are significant when the Miami Hurricanes plays against its rivals, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Florida State Seminoles, and the Florida Gators.
University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers
The University of Wisconsin’s football team is a member of the Big Ten Conference and is led by head coach Paul Chryst. The football team has been active since 1889 and was inaugurated only in 1896. The Wisconsin Badgers have an all-time record of 678-486-53 and have two Heisman Trophy awardees namely Ron Dayne and Alan Ameche. In addition, the team has ten former athletes inducted into the College Hall of Fame.
The Wisconsin Badgers’ uniforms have the university’s white and cardinal red colors, integrated with a central stripe and the logo is engraved on the helmet. The team’s uniforms are supplied by Under Armour. Bucky Badger, the official mascot, also dons similar colors but chooses for a striped sweater with the university’s logo on the front and center part.
Camp Randall Stadium is the University of Wisconsin’s official sporting venue for home games. It is considered the oldest stadium in the Big Ten Conferences. It is also one of the 50 biggest stadiums around the world and can accommodate more than 80,000 people.
The stadium is popular for having an intense and lively atmosphere, initiated by the popular Camp Randall Crush in 1993. Die-hard fans of the Wisconsin Badgers are at their loudest and most intense moments when the football team plays against known rivalries namely Nebraska Cornhuskers, Minnesota Golden Gophers, and Iowa Hawkeyes.
Michigan State University
Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans is a member of the Big Ten Conference and has garnered prominent rankings for their victories on the field, acclaimed sportsmanship on game days and championship titles. Headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan, Mark Dantonio has been the head coach of the Spartans for the past ten years. Die-hard supporters wear their white and green to home games to listen to the Spartan Marching Band currently in its 148th season and witness the award-winning mascot, Sparty. Michigan State’s Sparty is the first-ever Big Ten mascot to earn a national title.
In 1885, MSU Spartans started as an intramural sports club and did not garner varsity rank until 1896. It saw its milestone during the 1950s when the university was known as the nation’s football factory, resulting in some of the best players in the game.
Currently, MSU Spartans continue their rivalry with Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish, achieving a fevered tone during “the game of the decade” in 1966, which resulted in a 10-10 draw and yielded championships for both football teams. The team has 11 conference titles, six National Championships and 31 All-Americans athletes.
MSU Spartans wear the green, gold, and white uniforms. There are different selections of the uniform, varying whether the team is competing for a home or away match. The university’s mascot, Sparty, accompanies the team to every game. It is a huge, muscular male Spartan warrior emblemed in Greek outfits that use the university’s official colors.
With a seating capacity of over 75,000, Spartan Stadium housed a total of 507,398 supporters at seven home matches in 2017. The Spartans have garnered 70% of victories on their home field matches since Spartan Stadium’s inauguration in 1923. Spartans supporters remained loyal to their home team and even during their away games in 2017. They had an all-around attendance of almost 896,000 people in the previous year. The stadium has been recognized as Big Ten’s 6th biggest stadium. The university has a large fan attendance at home. MSU is ranked in the top 25 collegiate football teams based on game attendance. The liveliest games of the Spartans are those played against their rivalries such as Penn State, Michigan Wolverines, and Indiana.
University of Oregon
Oregon Ducks
Oregon Ducks are University of Oregon’s official collegiate football team and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference. Situated in Eugene, Oregon, the Oregon Ducks is led by head coach Mark Helfrich. The team has garnered four division titles, 12 conference championships, eight All-Americans and one Heisman Trophy winner.
The Oregon Ducks are well-known for its unique and iconic uniforms, resulting in different designs on an almost annual basis. While the color schemes change almost annually, the university tries to integrate feathers and wings. The university’s official colors of green and gold are usually present in the uniforms. The Oregon Duck or otherwise known as “Puddles” wears the same outfit when it makes appearances during the games. Moreover, the university has a special licensing agreement with Disney to adapt the likeness of Donald Duck for its official mascot.
Autzen Stadium is the primary stadium of the University of Oregon. It can accommodate up to 60,000 people in attendance during the games. It is a lively environment that can be also intimidating for visiting teams as the fans fully support their home team. The Oregon Ducks’ greatest rival teams include Washington Huskies and Oregon State Beavers.
University of South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks
The South Carolina Gamecocks play in the SEC Eastern Division and is a member of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The Gamecocks initially competed independently in 1892, in an opening Christmas Eve match against Furman University. Ever since then, supporters have accumulated at games in the Gamecocks’ signature garnet and black colors. The university’s mascot, Cocky, makes appearances during sporting events.
University of South Carolina’s collegiate football team is still recognized for filling stadiums with loud crowds during game days, especially when they play against their arch-rivals since 1896, the Clemson Tigers. Almost one million supporters cheered for the Gamecocks at home and away games. In addition, 550,000 fans supported them at the William-Brice Stadium, the 20th biggest venue of the NCAA, for the Gamecocks’ seven-game home season.
The South Carolina Gamecocks has six Bowl appearances and several top 25 final rankings in the SEC. The Gamecocks have produced one Heisman Trophy awardee, National, SEC, and ACC coaches of the year, as well as four All-Americans awards.
University of Washington
Washington Huskies
The University of Washington’s official collegiate football team, the Washington Huskies are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I FBS and the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference. The Huskies represent a long tradition of winning streaks and high all-time records throughout its football history. The Oregon Ducks and the Washington State Cougars have been the Huskies’ most intense rivalries.
The Washington Huskies had a 27-season winning streak during the late 1970s until the early 2000s. The team has become popularly known for being one of the reputable producers of quarterbacks for the National Football League, recording 17 out of 20 team quarterbacks that have become active players for the NFL. Chris Petersen is the head coach of the Washington Huskies. Furthermore, the Huskies garnered 64-game winning streak, an FBS record and is considered the 2nd longest NCAA winning streak at 40 succeeding matches.
The team’s uniforms are supplied by Nike that uses the university’s purple and gold colors, including white. There are also different variations of the uniforms, depending on if the Huskies play for a home or away game. The university’s mascot is named Dubs and Harry the Husky is the costumed mascot that travels with the Huskies in all its games.
The Huskies play all of its home games at the Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium which is headquartered on campus. The stadium is considered one of the biggest college stadiums in the Pacific Northwest, accommodating 70,000 people. It is also recognized as one of the rowdiest and loudest sporting venues in the nation, especially when the Huskies play against one of its rivalries.
University of Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes
As one of the members of the Big Ten Conference, the Iowa Hawkeyes are headed by coach Kirk Ferentz during his 20th season and is currently the longest-running coach in the FBS Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. In 2017, ESPN has recognized the team for beginning a bold new tradition in collegiate football through camaraderie and outreach. Hawkeye supporters turn and wave to the patients at the University of Iowa’s adjacent children’s hospital during home games. In return, the patients can witness an unhindered view of the football field from the top three floors.
Currently, Iowa boasts 13 conference championships, four national titles, and 27 All-Americans. The University of Iowa named its football field after the Hawkeye’s lone Heisman Trophy awardee, Nile Kinnick. The Nile Kinnick Stadium is the 7th biggest stadium in the NCAA.
During 2016, there were a total of 520,290 Hawkeye supporters wearing black and gold and cheering the football team on as they made their entrance to the field. While they made their entry, AC/DC’s “Back in Black” and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” was on the play. The Hawkeye’s greatest rivalries include the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Iowa State Cyclones.
University of California-Los Angeles
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins is the official collegiate football team of the University of California – Los Angeles and is best known for being consistent in the top ten of every AP Poll of football teams once every ten years. Located in Pasadena, California, the UCLA Bruins is led by head coach Jim Mora and plays in the Pac-12 Division.
The UCLA Bruins has a long tradition of success in winning streaks of collegiate football through the coaching performance of Terry Donahue. He was responsible for steering the Bruins to a 151-74-8 record during the 1980s and 1990s period. The university is known for yielding almost 30 first-round draft picks in the National Football League. In addition, it has produced one Heisman Trophy winner, Gary Beban.
The Bruins’ team uniforms are made of “true blue” and gold, the university’s official colors. Joe Bruin, the university’s official mascot, also dons the same outfit when he appears at any UCLA sporting event.
Rose Bowl Stadium is the official sporting venue for the Bruins’ home games. It can accommodate almost 95,000 people. The stadium can be full-packed when its rival, USC Trojans, plays against the Bruins as the visiting team.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers
The University of Pittsburgh and football are conjoined. The university, which is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has had a collegiate football team since 1890. It is recognized for its active participation in developing changes to collegiate football such as desegregating the Sugar Bowl. The Pittsburgh Panthers is currently led by head coach Pat Narduzzi. The university competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The Pittsburgh Panthers garnered nine National Championships in its 116-year history of collegiate football, the latest occurring in 1976. The university is recognized as one of the top 20 college football teams in the U.S. but its reputation is far more remarkable. In 1955, the University of Pittsburgh became the 1st football team to desegregate collegiate football when the former head coach John Michelsen, played Bobby Grier, an African-American fullback athlete, in the Sugar Bowl game.
Pittsburgh Panthers’ uniforms are designed with the university’s blue and gold colors. The official mascot, Pittsburgh Panther or otherwise known as Roc, can be witnessed in 20 varied places around the university campus and football amenities.
Heinz Field is host to all of the university’s home games as well as the city’s football team, Pittsburgh Steelers. The school’s die-hard supporters are lively and crowded and enjoy good matches between the Panthers’ rivals namely the University of Notre Dame, Syracuse University, and Penn State.
University of Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks
Established in 1894, the first inauguration of the Arkansas Razorbacks was led by former head coach, John Futrall. The University of Arkansas’ collegiate football team is ranked among the top 25 teams in terms of a winning streak in the collegiate football history. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Razorbacks is led by head coach, Bret Bielema, who became coach in 2013. The university plays in the Southeastern Conference. In 1909, the team modified its name and embraced its enduring “calling the hogs” chant as a tradition in 1920.
The Arkansas Razorbacks garnered a record of 13 conference titles as well as produced 45 All-Americans. This is an excellent record for a collegiate football team that has been running since 1894. Frank Boyles, the Razorbacks’ most famous head coach, led the football team from 1958 to 1976. It was during Boyles’ reign that the Razorbacks found glory at the national and conference competitions. The Razorbacks earned a spot in the top 25 most-winning teams of all time. The team has an all-time record of 702-476-40.
The Arkansas Razorbacks wear uniforms of cardinal red and white that are supplied by Nike. Tusk, the official mascot of the Razorbacks, is a live Russian boar who makes numerous appearances in the field and during home games. The live mascot named Tusk IV has a home located in Dardanelle, Arkansas.
The Razorbacks utilize two different stadiums. The core stadium is the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, located near the university’s main campus, which can accommodate up to 80,000 people per match. The other stadium is the War Memorial Stadium, which is the 2nd home for the Razorbacks and is typically utilized during Conference games.
Razorback matches are filled with enthusiasm and anticipation, making for a vibrant atmosphere between games. Die-hard supporters always make it to a point to witness the Razorbacks compete against their well-known contenders namely the Texas Longhorns, LSU Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels, Missouri Tigers, and Texas A&M Aggies. Ole Miss Rebels and Texas Longhorns are the university’s fiercest rivalries; however, the last playoff against the Texas Longhorns was in 2014.
University of Mississippi
Rebels
The University of Mississippi’s Rebels, also commonly known as “Ole Miss”, is a member of the SEC Western Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I FBS. Upholding a long tradition of excellence and success in collegiate football history for more than 100 years, the Rebels mark the 1st football team in Mississippi.
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the largest stadium in Mississippi as well as the highest all-time attendance record for a sporting venue, is the official venue for home games of the Ole Miss Rebels. Die-hard supporters can get intimidating and loud when the Ole Miss Rebels play against rivals such as LSU Tigers and Mississippi State Bulldogs. In 2017, 410,414 supporters were present during its home game, while there were over 750,000 fans attended both home and away games.
Ole Miss has retrieved its beloved football team nearly every year since the team’s inauguration in 1893, except during the Yellow Fever Epidemic and World War II. The Rebels garnered six conference championships, 12 All-Americans and three National Championships.
Texas Christian University
Horned Frogs
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs are one of the contenders in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Big 12 Conference. The team ranks among the top four private collegiate football programs and is considered one of the 30 best all-time collegiate football teams. In December 1896, the Horned Frogs acquired its first game and won.
The TCU Horned Frogs play home matches at Amon G. Carter Stadium, starting a record for attendance in 2009 where 50,307 supporters watched the Horned Frogs defeated the Utah Utes. In 2017, a total attendance of 764,596 people supported the Horned Frogs at home and away games, wearing white and spirited purple, snooping to the “TCU March” and witnessing the Super Frog mascot.
TCU’s Horned Frogs represent one of only four lineups in the FBS to play in every College Football Playoff Bowl to date and won its two games. The team has 18 conference championships and 17 All-Americans and has inaugurated eight former participants into the Hall of Fame.
Mississippi State University
Mississippi Bulldogs
A public land-grant research facility located in Starkville, Mississippi, the Mississippi State University is the official home of the Mississippi State Bulldogs collegiate football team. MSState’s football team competes in the Football Bowl Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as well as the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. In 1941, the Bulldogs won its first SEC championship title. In 1998, the team has gained another championship title in the Division. Overall, the Mississippi Bulldogs have 16 post-season bowl appearances. The team has yielded 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC picks and 124 National Football League (NFL) players.
In 1895, Mississippi State, formerly known as Mississippi A&M Aggies, first formed its collegiate football team. The team was formerly led by head coach W. M. Matthews. During his one-season term as head coach, Matthews had a record of 0-2. In addition, he has been given due credit with the selection of the university’s official colors – maroon and white, before the Aggies 1st official game at the Union University.
On other recognitions, the Mississippi State University has received another recognition from the Sports Turf Managers Association as a top college football turf in the United States through its Davis Wade Stadium. The Sports Turf Manager Association awarded MSState’s Scott Field at Davis Wade Stadium for the third time in 2020. A panel of judges has chosen the awards that score entries judging from a wide range of criteria such as the utilization of innovative materials, implementation of an extensive agronomic initiative, playability, effective utilization of budget, and surface appearances.
Brandon Hardin is responsible for the overall management and maintenance of the Davis Wade Stadium turf. They make sure that the Davis Wade Stadium grass performs well for the athletes and is visually pleasing for thousands of spectators and millions of audiences watching MS State home games through online and television. MSState’s grass stadium is based on Bermuda surfaces, integrated with ryegrass over-seeded during the Fall season. Scott Field is mowed daily during summer seasons and three times weekly during Fall.
Sports Turf Management is part of MSState’s initiatives and campus service department for maintaining and managing all campus landscaping. In addition, the department has garnered national awards for campus grounds management.
Mississippi State University has numerous outreach programs and community engagement initiatives. Student-athletes engage in developing bonds with the community, organizations, and companies outside MS State. Community engagement is a crucial role for everyone at MS State. The university has partnerships and collaborations with initiatives and business entities, sports events, external recognition, several outreach programs as well as donations from different members of the society.
Yale University
Yale Bulldogs
Yale University has formed one of the elite college football teams of all time and decided to house it decently. To witness the Yale Bowl nowadays is similar to tunneling into history.
During the first 50 years of collegiate football, the sport’s prevailing power was in New Haven, home to the Yale University’s Bulldogs. Yale University was once in the top 10 as the Father of American Football, Walter Camp, played at Yale and created rules as he progressed along the way.
The plan of Yale University to open the Bowl in October 1914 was just the perfect timing for the scheduled visit of Notre Dame on a 27-game winning streak made possible by Knute Rockne, a star athlete since 1913, as his first term as an Irish assistant coach. On the contrary, the Bowl wasn’t ready for another month. Yale University’s 28-0 win came at an old Yale stadium. Yale had no issues inaugurating its grand new arena for Harvard during the final games of the 1914 season.
Thousands of spectators came to New Haven from Boston and other parts of the state, turning the venue into similar aspects to the resemblance of Manhattan. An attendance of 70,000 fans was considered the biggest ever at a sporting venue at that time in the United States. New Haven made huge preparations for the masses the best way possible. The residents were already warned to keep their doors closed and windows locked. Numerous medical facilities were prepared near the Bowl in case of emergencies. The event went off successfully with no major accidents and incidents ever recorded. The only downside is that Harvard dominated the game by a score of 36-0.
Yale’s Bowl has hosted some of the nation’s best games. When the Army visited the town in 1923, it attracted 80,000 people, making it the biggest attendance recorded at the Bowl. The audiences have surpassed the 70,000-seating capacity of the bowl for 20 times, most recently in 1983 for Yale-Harvard’s 100th edition. Ticket sales were unlike anything in the United States, giving advantages to both Yale and Harvard. In 1920-1929, Yale University played 11 games in total away from the Bowl.
During the 1920-1970s period, Power Five schools regularly visited the Bowl. Some of the prominent attendance were from the Air Force, Navy, Wisconsin, Boston College, Maryland, Iowa, and North Carolina.
Two Heisman winners, namely Clint Frank and Larry Kelley, considered the Yale Bowl home. Four other Heisman awardees, Doug Flutie, Glenn Davis, Tom Harmon, and Dick Kazmier, have played at the Bowl as visiting collegiate football teams.
The Yale Bulldogs won every home game in nine different playing seasons. It was in the Fall season where the Bulldogs have garnered their 1st Ivy League championship title in 37 years.
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State Bison
North Dakota State University is home to the North Dakota State Bison football team and represents in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision category and played in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
NDSU’s Bison football team has garnered 16 national championship titles and 36 conference titles. In addition, they have won five succeeding NCAA Division I FCS National Championships between 2011-2015 as well as three other victories in 2017 and 2019. It is the only collegiate football team to have won five consecutive NCAA national championship titles and earn the record for the highest number of wins in the FCS championships.
Since 2011, North Dakota State University earns a record of 121-8, including a 22-game winning streak making it the most successful and promising collegiate football program in Division I for the past decade. In 2004, Bison has a record of 166-35 prior to moving in Division I. Considered one of the best in all collegiate ball, NDSU had only three losing seasons and an all-time record of 515-137-4. With 700 total wins, the Bison has the most all-time collegiate football program winning streak than any non-Ivy League FCS program. Other than North Dakota State University, Oklahoma is the only team to have won a higher percentage of its playoffs after 1894. Moreover, the Bison football team has the longest winning streak in FCS, with 37 consecutive games from 2017 until the present.
In 1984, North Dakota State University formed its first team and was formerly known as NDAC Farmers. During the 1900s-1921, the name of the university then recognized as North Dakota Agricultural College became the “Aggies”. Henry Bolley was the first head coach for the new NDAC collegiate football team. He was also responsible for the first collegiate football program at Purdue University in 1887. In 1890, Bolley challenged the University of North Dakota to a football game; however, they did not have enough participants until 1894. It was also that same year that the first official football year was held at North Dakota State University. In 1902, Eddie Cochems, the father of forwarding passes, was employed as head coach for the Bison football team. It was on his term as head coach that he experimented with building an offensive strategy on his new technique. During the 1906 college football season, it became legal.
Princeton University
Princeton Tigers
In 1869, Princeton University (formerly known as the College of New Jersey) and Rutgers played against each other; the match finished in a Rutgers victory in which they scored six points to Princeton’s four. Though it was played with a circular and round-shaped ball, closely related to American rugby and used Football Association regulations, the match marked the start of intercollegiate football. Two weeks after the opening game, Princeton gave Rutgers its first defeat by a score of 8-0. Both teams were granted the 1869 National Championship Title. Since that matchup, the Tigers garnered 28 National Championship Titles, a Heisman Trophy winner Dick Kazmaier and 10 Conference Championships. Princeton University’s all-time record is 791-369-51.
In 1935, Herbert O. Crisler, the former head coach, introduced the football team. The former head coach would later adapt the design with him to the University of Michigan after commanding the Princeton Tigers to two of its 28 records of the National Championship Titles.
Dick Kazmaier steered Princeton to its 28th and latest National Championship Title in 1950. The 1950 football team of Princeton consisted of All-American awardees Reddy Finney, Dick Kazmaier, and Hollie Dollan. In addition, they were granted the Lambert Trophy as the prominent team in the East. Charles Caldwell, the head coach during that reign, was recognized as coach of the year.
Harvard University
Harvard Crimson
Die-hard supporters of the FBS powers placed in the next ten powers may need smelling salts, but all that is required is a tip of the hat toward Harvard Stadium, considered as the oldest venue in sporting events.
Without the support of Harvard and one of its notable graduates, former president Theodore Roosevelt, collegiate football may not have made it to 50 years, much less 150 years. After being considered as one of the Big Three for the first 50 years of collegiate football, Harvard Crimson has taken the difficult path to the top of the Ivy League.
University of Mount Union
Purple Raiders
The Purple Raiders were headed by the legendary Larry Kehres, who led the team to the most number of wins in the history of collegiate football at the University of Mount Union. Under Kehres, the Purple Raiders garnered victory in 54 straight matches – a National Collegiate Athletic Association record – and were defeated once before gaining 55 straight wins. The former head coach retired in 2012 but not before leading the Purple Raiders to a whopping 24 wins in the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships before ending the streak in 2016.
Stanford University
Cardinal
Headed by coaching legends John Ralston, Pop Warner, David Shaw, and Clark Shaughnessy, Stanford University gained numerous victories in the world of football. From the triumphs within the 20 years before the World War II (seven Rose Bowls won in 17 seasons) to the early stages of the 21st century (this time, Stanford University chose to drop out of the Pacific Ten Conference) to the excellence of the previous decade, the Cardinals garnered three league championships and ranked in the top 12 in six out of seven playoff seasons from 2010-2016.
Brigham Young University
BYU Cougars
Brigham Young University’s collegiate football program has some of the greatest accomplishments and achieved two of these in one season. In 1894, the BYU Cougars were a force to reckon with, as it earned the national championship title. Star athlete Ty Detmer took the Heisman Trophy in the same year. The university is also known for its legendary head coach LaVell Edwards, as well as star athletes Jim McMahon and Steve Young. In 2011, Brigham Young University transitioned to become independent.
University of Colorado
Buffaloes
While Gary Barnett formed some reputable teams from 1999-2005, the University of Colorado earned its national championship in 1990. After several years, the university has earned its only Heisman Trophy through Rashaan Salaam. The Buffaloes also yielded the country one of its most memorable plays when Kordell Stewart upset the Michigan crowd with a Hail Mary moment to defeat the Wolverines. The University of Colorado joins Utah and moves to the Pac-12 for a new beginning in a news conference in 2011.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Currently led by head coach Paul Johnson, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have achieved four national championship titles throughout its history of collegiate football. Together with its four championship titles, Georgia Tech earned 16 conference titles. During the recent year, Georgia Tech sent star athlete Calvin Johnson to the National Football League and the school is hoping to earn back their winning streak.
University of Illinois
Fighting Illini
Most of the successful games of the Illinois Fighting Illini emerge before the 1970 era. The University of Illinois has earned five national championship titles, all claimed before 1951 as well as 15 conference championships, with three of which have resulted in the past 4 decades. In recent times, the Fighting Illini football team has fallen off the map and may need to transition to the Ron Zook period.
Appalachian State University
The Mountaineers
Spectators can’t blame a Mountaineers supporter for being disappointed that the collegiate football public firmly believes App State football started in 2007 with a stunning defeat at Michigan. The Mountaineers have won since they dominated the field in 1928. Their greatest matches started during the quarter of a century under Jerry Moore, a head coach who had winning streaks in five seasons at Texas Tech. In 1989, Moore arrived and had a stellar performance as head coach. He led the App State to ten Southern Conference and three I-AA/FCS Championship Titles, which made the Mountaineers advance to the FBS. Some supporters think it wasn’t a good idea; however, App State just continued winning in its scheduled games.
Dartmouth College
Big Green
The Big Green earned the 1925 national championship title in which they played against Tuscaloosa, but Dartmouth College is said to have made other historical claims in the previous years. Dartmouth didn’t upset Yale until 1935. In addition, the school didn’t respond to the invitation to the Rose Bowl in 1937.
In 1940, Dartmouth did not achieve more points than Cornell but won the match instead. It was the popular “Fifth Down Game”, in which Cornell surrendered after knowing its 7-3 win hinged on a touchdown earned on 5th down. All these occurred under the term of Red Blaik, who resigned from Dartmouth to leave for the Army after the 1940 season. As a charter member of the Ivy League in 1956, Dartmouth College has garnered 18 conference championships under five different head coaches. There was no other Ivy Team who have achieved the same winning streak.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokie
Virginia Tech appeared in 18 seasons before it had a losing record in 1920; however, it played ten more seasons before it had another losing record. The arrival of the former head coach and Hokies defensive player, Frank Beamer, meant the start of Virginia Tech as a dominating power. Beamer steered the Hokies to seven conference championships, including four ACC and three Big East and released the star athlete Michael Vick on an unexpected moment. To say it has etched its own legacy in collegiate football is an understatement.
Central Michigan University
Chippewas
Towards the end of World War II until the early 1990s, it is undeniable that the Chippewas was one tough team back then. It might have been influenced by their head coaches. Wild Bill Kelly managed Central Michigan to seven conference championships. Succeeding him was Roy Kramer and eventually led the university to a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Championship title in 1974.
After that, Kramer became a world-class athletic director and commissioner for the SEC. Kramer was replaced by Herb Deromedi and earned three MAC championships and 110 plays in 16 years on his path to the College Football Hall of Fame. Recently, Butch Jones and Brian Kelly have driven the Chippewas to marquee roles. For some schools, it was easier to compete.
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern Eagles
The Georgia Southern’s Eagles football team stopped playing during the start of World War II and didn’t continue their games until 1981. The legendary Erk Russell, Georgia’s assistant coach, transferred to Statesboro to restart the football program. In 1984, the Eagles progressed to Division I-AA.
In the succeeding season, the Eagles won the national championship. The team has won again in the years 1986 and 1989 and is known as the first team in the 20th century to run 15-0. Georgia’s football team earned succeeding wins in the national championships in 1999-2000 under the head coach, Paul Johnson. The university has such a strong reputation that it became a feeder to the FBS. Over the past 20 years, Willie Fritz, Jeff Monken, and Paul Johnson have continued the winning momentums at Georgia Southern into bigger accomplishments.
University of North Carolina
Tar Heels
Similar to Kansas and Kentucky, the North Carolina collegiate football program had its fair share of victories. The Tar Heels won nine conference championship titles and produced superstar athletes Julius Peppers and Lawrence Taylor; however, the team struggled to gain momentum at the national level. In the past playoff season, the football program let go of the former head coach, Butch Davis, and it will be in its transitioning period for the succeeding years to come.
Boston College
Boston Eagles
Boston College has been consistent in its matches but never bested in some aspects. The collegiate football team of Boston College is popularly associated with Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary moment in 1984. With that event, Flutie won the Heisman Trophy. The Boston Eagles took home one Big East Championships in 2004, currently holding a program winning entitlement of .586.
University of Maryland
Maryland Terrapins
The University of Maryland has been currently competing in the ACC and has been consistent since then. Maryland’s football team earned 11 conference championship titles mostly during the year 2001. In addition, it has one National Championships under its name. With a new head coach under Randy Edsall, the Maryland Terrapins is aiming to reclaim its winning streak.
Arizona State University
Arizona Sun Devils
Arizona State University has been nationally recognized during the 1960s and 1970s. During these periods, Arizona Sun Devils earned 176 wins and improved the collegiate football program to a whole new level. Despite all of its achievements, they are aiming to win a National Championship title. In addition, the Sun Devils already garnered 17 conference championships. Over several years, Arizona State University has been the humble abode of Terrell Suggs, Jake Plummer, and Pat Tillman.
Duke University
Blue Devils
Duke University became a significantly dominant team from the 1930s until the 1960s, but not a lot of young college football supporters are aware of this. Throughout the school’s football history, Duke University has earned 17 conference championships and has four All-Americans awards, with the Blue Devils earning one victory after another.