Colleges With the Best Football Teams

UA boasts one of the best college football teams in the Crimson Tide, who have won 17 national championship titles since first playing in 1892. The Crimson Tide also have an exceptional record on the field, winning about 73% of their games. Many former players now compete in the NFL.

Students at UA celebrate this rich athletic tradition by singing the school's anthem, Yea Alabama, often to the beat of the 400-member Million Dollar Band — one of the most celebrated university marching bands in the country.

Community members and visitors can learn about the history of the Crimson Tide by going to the Paul W. Bryant museum. Here, they can find multimedia displays of all 15 Heisman Trophy winners, including the 2018 recipient Tua Tagovailoa.

National Championships: 17
Win Percentage: 72%
AP Ranking: 2

The U-M Wolverines are one of the best college football teams in the U.S., boasting one of the highest overall win percentages in the NCAA. In addition to 11 national championship titles, the Wolverines have 42 conference titles. The university is also home to a host of individual award recipients, including tight end Jake Butt, who won the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 2017.

Built in 1927 for $950,000, Michigan Stadium often fills all 107,901 seats, placing the Wolverines at the top of the NCAA's list for largest single-game, regular season crowds. Students with career goals in intercollegiate athletics can apply for the Victors Internship Program to develop event planning, fundraising, and communications skills.

National Championships: 11
Win Percentage: 72%
AP Ranking: 4

The Fighting Irish football team has won 11 national championship titles and maintains one of the best historic win percentages in college football. The team also boasts seven Heisman Trophy winners, including Tim Brown in 1997 and John Huarte in 1964.

Students at ND proudly display their school spirit by wearing gold and blue — the university's official colors. The Band of the Fighting Irish was founded in 1887, making them the oldest continually operating university marching band in the United States.

Fans can walk in the footsteps of their favorite players by requesting a stadium tour. They may download the Fighting Irish app to access a personalized news feed, view behind-the-scenes videos, and manage tickets.

National Championships: 11
Win Percentage: 72%
AP Ranking: 5

USC athletes have won 130 national titles, including 11 in football. The Trojans have competed in the Rose Bowl 33 times, winning 25 of those games. Seven Heisman Trophy recipients have played for the Trojans, including Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush — the winners in 2004 and 2005.

USC's mascot is not a costumed performer but a regal white horse named Traveler. The Trojans play home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a 77,500-seat stadium that was built in 1923 and hosted the Olympics nine years later. Fans can stay current with USC athletics by downloading the Trojan Fever mobile app and tuning into Trojans Live.

National Championships: 11
Win Percentage: 69%
AP Ranking: 6

The OU Sooners are a member of the Big 12 Conference. OU's football team boasts seven national championships, 49 conference titles, and seven Heisman Trophy winners. They also take the number one spot on the AP Poll's ranking of greatest football programs of all time.

On game day, fans gather en masse to tailgate at the historic Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, one of the 20 largest college sports arenas in the nation. OU fosters community engagement through programs like the Sooner Club, which offers member benefits like VIP parking, club seats, and access to exclusive society events.

The university also operates a Spanish-language Twitter account for its athletic teams called Los Sooners.

National Championships: 7
Win Percentage: 72%
AP Ranking: 1

Since their first season in 1890, the Ohio State Buckeyes football team has won eight national championships and 40 conference titles. The team is also famous for its six undefeated seasons. Many players go on to play for the NFL, and several have also received official recognition as being among the best to ever play the sport. Ten former Buckeyes have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Buckeyes are valued at $1.5 billion, according to a 2017 estimate from the Wall Street Journal, making them the most valuable college football team. The team plays its home games at Ohio Stadium. This famous arena can hold 102,780 people, making it the fourth-largest stadium in the United States.

National Championships: 8
Win Percentage: 72%
AP Ranking: 3

Uniformed in Penn State's official colors of blue and white, the Nittany Lions are among the best college football teams. They have completed 13 undefeated seasons, won seven national titles, and compiled a winning percentage near 70%. The team joined the Big Ten Conference in 1993. Since then, the Nittany Lions have won four conference championships.

Current head coach James Franklin joined the Nittany Lions in 2014. Two years later, he helped the team recover from meandering performances in the first four games to a Big Ten championship win. For this achievement, Franklin was named Dave McClain Coach of the Year.

Nittany Lions fans can download the Penn State Athletics mobile app to manage tickets, access breaking news, and watch live streams of games. They can help shape the gameday experience by joining the Fan Council.

National Championships: 7
Win Percentage: 6%
AP Ranking: 9

Taking their name from the state's official moniker, the Tenessee Volunteers football team has won six national championships and 16 conference titles. The Vols have appeared in 52 college bowls, winning 28 of those games. More than 350 former players have gone on to play in the NFL.

The Vols play their home games at Neyland Stadium, which holds a maximum capacity of 102,455 fans. To foster school pride, the university rewards students for attending games and related events through the Rowdy Rewards program. By downloading the Tennessee Athletics Gameday App, fans can access play-by-play information and receive notification about pregame events.

National Championships: 6
Win Percentage: 67%
AP Ranking: 10

Founded in 1890, the Nebraska Huskers football team has won five national titles and 46 conference championships. The team boasts a 69% winning percentage, winning more than 900 games. The Huskers' dominance on the field is so great that ESPN lists the 1971 and 1995 rosters among the best college football teams of all time.

In addition to their three Heisman Trophy winners, the Huskers are known for their coaching leadership. Between 1962 and 1972, head coach Bob Devaney led the team to 10 conference championships and two national championships. Successor Tom Osbourne revolutionized the sport with his I-Formation offense — now one of the most popular formations in American football.

The Huskers play at Memorial Stadium, and the team has sold out every game at this 85,000-seat arena since 1962.

National Championships: 5
Win Percentage: 6%
AP Ranking: 8

The Auburn Tigers have won five national championships in football. The team also boasts 12 conference titles and 12 undefeated seasons. Even the team's mascot, Aubie the Tiger, is a record-holder, winning the UCA Mascot National Champion title nine times.

While the Tigers play their home games at Jordan-Hare stadium, the team's most anticipated matchup is with long-time rivals the Alabama Crimson Tide at the annual Iron Bowl in Birmingham. Dozens of former Tigers currently play in the NFL. Fans can view live stats and enter exclusive contests through the Auburn Athletics mobile app.

National Championships: 5
Win Percentage: 63%
AP Ranking: 13