Colleges in Ohio With Football Teams

Learn about Ohio college football, including which schools compete, school rivalries, and recent successes.
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Updated on December 19, 2023
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  • Ohio's college football scene is known for its intense rivalries and passionate fans.
  • The state offers various college football programs, from Division I powerhouses to smaller DII and DIII schools.
  • Ohio's football traditions run deep, with iconic stadiums and historic matchups.
  • College football in Ohio is a source of pride and excitement, uniting communities across the state.

The vibrant college football culture in Ohio is exciting to explore. With over 60 four-year colleges in the state, about half have football teams that create a culture of game-day enthusiasm and campus camaraderie.

Whether you're a sports enthusiast or curious about the Ohio college experience, dive into the world of collegiate football at these institutions. Since college football season kicked off in late August, Ohio sports fans are already in the school spirit.

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Ohio Football Teams

All Ohio Football Teams
University Mascot Division Total Student Enrollment Avg. Annual Net Price
Bowling Green State University Falcons NCAA DI 16,920 $20,485
Kent State University Golden Flashes NCAA DI 25,854 $19,046
Miami University RedHawks NCAA DI 19,107 $23,031
Ohio State University Brutus Buckeye NCAA DI 60,540 $19,582
University of Akron The Zips NCAA DI 13,465 $14,667
University of Cincinnati The Bearcats NCAA DI 41,155 $20,149
University of Dayton The Flyers NCAA DI 11,674 $30,590
Ashland University Tuffy the Eagle NCAA DII 4,174 $20,342
Lake Erie College Stormy the Seahawk NCAA DII 906 $22,678
Notre Dame College Falcons NCAA DII 1,444 $20,151
Ohio Dominican University Panthers NCAA DII 1,276 $21,881
Tiffin University Dragon NCAA DII 3,044 $25,636
University of Findlay Oilers NCAA DII 4,869 $24,069
Walsh University Cavaliers NCAA DII 2,309 $20,032
Baldwin Wallace University Stinger the Yellow Jacket NCAA DIII 3,220 $28,705
Bluffton University Beavers NCAA DIII 745 $21,247
Capital University Comets NCAA DIII 2,617 $24,439
Case Western Reserve University Spartans NCAA DIII 12,201 $38,279
Denison University Big Red NCAA DIII 2,416 $38,267
Heidelberg University Student Princes NCAA DIII 1,086 $20,053
Hiram College Terriers NCAA DIII 1,018 $19,384
John Carroll University Blue Streaks NCAA DIII 2,922 $30,496
Kenyon College Owls NCAA DIII 1,885 $43,044
Mount St. Joseph University Lions NCAA DIII 2,027 $17,506
Muskingum University Muskies NCAA DIII 2,117 $19,682
Oberlin College Yeomen and Yeowomen NCAA DIII 2,992 $46,462
Ohio Northern University Polar Bears NCAA DIII 3,015 $27,398
Ohio Wesleyan University Battling Bishops NCAA DIII 1,410 $27,311
Otterbein University Cardinals NCAA DIII 2,458 $22,661
The College of Wooster Fighting Scots NCAA DIII 1,967 $28,976
University of Mount Union Purple Raiders NCAA DIII 2,130 $23,259

D1 Colleges in Ohio

Ohio's DI football schools: where the best of the best compete.

Bowling Green State University

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Nestled in Bowling Green, Ohio, this vibrant institution with an undergraduate student body of 16,920 boasts a dynamic academic and athletic atmosphere. The Falcons, BGSU's football team, compete in the NCAA Division I. With a legacy including Mid-American Conference Championships and intense rivalries, such as their showdowns with Toledo, the Falcons continually captivate their local community and football enthusiasts nationwide. They play home games at Doyt Perry Stadium.

Kent State University

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Kent State is where education and gridiron excitement collide. Located in Kent, Ohio, Kent State University is a public institution with 25,854 undergraduates. But Kent State isn't all about academics — it's where the Golden Flashes light up the football field. Their mascot, Flash, embodies the school's spirit. Competing in the thrilling Mid-American Conference, their fiercest opponents are the Akron Zips. Home games take place at Dix Stadium.

Miami University

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Nestled in Oxford, Ohio, Miami University boasts a dynamic undergraduate community of 19,107 students. With multiple Mid-American Conference championships under their belt, The Miami Redhawks are a fierce team, especially against Bowling Green. Competing in NCAA Division I, the RedHawks make gridiron history at Yager Stadium.

Ohio State University

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Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, boasts a robust undergraduate community of 60,540 students. Along with being known as an exemplary educational institution, it's where the Buckeyes, led by mascot Brutus Buckeye, craft football glory. With eight national championships and 35 bowl game appearances, Ohio State is a force to reckon with. Their fiercest rival? The Michigan Wolverines. Competing in the Big Ten Conference, East Division, the legendary Ohio Stadium is their battleground.

University of Akron

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Located in the heart of Akron, Ohio, the University of Akron, a public research university, buzzes with an undergraduate community of 13,465 students. This is where the Zips, led by their mascot, Zippy the Kangaroo, make waves on the football field. Competing in the Mid-American Conference, East Division, they work their magic at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field.

University of Cincinnati

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The University of Cincinnati is beloved by its undergraduate community of an impressive 41,155 students. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this is where the Bearcats make their mark on the football field. With a known rivalry against the University of Louisville, they've journeyed through conferences like the Big 12, American, and Big East. The iconic Nippert Stadium is where the Bearcats roar.

University of Dayton

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In the heart of Dayton, Ohio, the University of Dayton thrives as a private institution, embraced by its undergraduate community of 11,674 students. Here, the Dayton Flyers take to the field. With their arch-nemesis, the University of Cincinnati, they fuel a fiery rivalry. As trailblazers in the Pioneer Football League, they call Welcome Stadium home.

D2 Colleges in Ohio

Explore DII schools in Ohio and learn about their football teams, mascots, conferences, and rankings.

Ashland University

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Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, thrives as a dynamic private institution with 4,174 close-knit undergraduates. But it's more than classrooms — it's where the Eagles soar. Competing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), they've clinched two conference championships. The pursuit of a national championship continues. Their battleground? Jack Miller Stadium.

Lake Erie College

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In Painesville, Ohio, Lake Erie College is a small private institution with 906 undergraduates. Here is where their football theme, the Storm, takes the field, led by their mascot, Stormy the Seahawk. Competing in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), the Storm goes for the glory of conference and national championships. The Ferris State Bulldogs make for an exciting rival. They play in Jack Britt Memorial Stadium.

Notre Dame College

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Located in South Euclid, Ohio, Notre Dame College is a private college with 1,444 devoted undergraduates. It is where the Falcons take flight, led by their mascot, Ace the Falcon. Competing in the exhilarating Mountain East Conference (MEC), the Falcons chase victories and strive to climb the MEC rankings. Normandy Field is their home turf.

Ohio Dominican University

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In the vibrant heart of Columbus, Ohio, Ohio Dominican University thrives as a private institution with 1,276 undergraduates. Here, the Panthers rule the football field, led by Ace the Panther. Competing in G-MAC, the Panthers' biggest football rivals are the Walsh University Cavaliers and the Ashland University Eagles. Panther Stadium in Columbus is where the action happens.

Tiffin University

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Tiffin University is a private institution in Tiffin, Ohio, with 3,044 rising undergraduates. In Tiffin, it's where the Dragons heat up the field, accompanied by their fiery mascot, Puff the Dragon. Competing in G-MAC, the team faces off against rivals like Walsh University and Hillsdale. The Dragons play their home games at Frost Kalnow Stadium.

University of Findlay

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In the vibrant town of Findlay, Ohio, the University of Findlay is a private institution with a robust undergraduate community of 4,869 students. It is where the Oilers make their mark on the field, with Derrick the Oiler leading the way. They compete in G-MAC, and their biggest rivals are the Walsh University Cavaliers and the Tiffin University Dragons. Their stage for greatness? Donnell Stadium.

Walsh University

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Walsh University is a private institution in North Canton, Ohio, home to an undergraduate community of 2,309 students. Here is where the Cavaliers take center stage, guided by their mascot, Ace the Cavalier. The team competes in G-MAC and engages in match-ups with their rivals, the University of Findlay Oilers. The iconic Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is where the Cavaliers play their home games with pride.

D3 Colleges in Ohio

Explore diverse and competitive DIII schools with unique football programs and rich traditions.

Baldwin Wallace University

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Nestled in the vibrant town of Berea, Ohio, Baldwin Wallace University is a dynamic private institution embraced by its undergraduate community of 3,220 scholars. Berea is where the Yellow Jackets shine on the field, cheered on by their mascot, the BW Bird. Competing in the fiercely-contested Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), the team's biggest rivals are the Mount Union Purple Raiders. They play home games at the George Finnie Stadium.

Bluffton University

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Bluffton University is home to a close-knit undergraduate community of just 745 students in the picturesque town of Bluffton, Ohio. The school's football team, the Beavers, competes in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC). Their battleground? The Dwight Salzman Stadium, where the Beavers face off against schools like Manchester, Anderson, and Hanover.

Capital University

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Capital University is a dynamic private institution in Columbus, Ohio, with an intimate undergraduate class of 2,617 students. At Capital University, the Comets light up the field with the Crusader, their mascot, exhilarating fans at every game. Competing in the OAC, the Comets have clinched two NCAA national championships. Their big rivals are the Otterbein Cardinals, and Bernlohr Stadium is where you'll find the Comets fierce on the field.

Case Western Reserve University

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Case Western Reserve University is where Spartans conquer. Nestled in Cleveland, Ohio, Case Western Reserve University is home to a diverse undergraduate community of 12,201 students. The Spartans compete in the University Athletic Association (UAA) and play home games at the DiSanto Field.

Denison University

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Denison University is a distinguished private liberal arts college in the charming town of Granville, Ohio. It is home to a close-knit undergraduate community of 2,416 students. Their team, the Big Red, competes in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). Deeds Field-Piper Stadium is their home.

Heidelberg University

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In Tiffin, Ohio, Heidelberg University is a distinguished private institution home to 1,086 students. It is where the Student Princes put football first, led by their spirited mascot, "Siggy." Competing in the OAC, they play against Mount Union Purple Raiders and the Tiffin University Dragons. The team's home advantage is at Hoernemann Stadium.

Hiram College

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Hiram College is a distinguished school with a close-knit undergraduate student body of 1,018. Nestled in Hiram, Ohio, the Hiram College Terriers compete in the NCAC. Hiram embraces spirited rivalries with schools like Heidelberg, Mount St. Joseph, and Kenyon. Their home turf is Charles A. Henry Field.

John Carroll University

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John Carroll University has an undergraduate community of 2,922 students in the exciting city of University Heights, Ohio. This is where the school's Blue Streaks make their mark in college sports. Competing in the OAC, they play their best games against schools like the University of Mount Union and Capital University. Their home field is Don Shula Stadium.

Kenyon College

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Kenyon College is an esteemed institution with an undergraduate class of 1,885 students located in Gambier, Ohio. But Kenyon is far more than lectures; it's where the Owls flock to the football field. The Owls compete in the NCAC, and their biggest rivals are with the teams at Bluffton University, Kalamazoo College, and Hiram College. McBride Field is their home field.

Mount St. Joseph University

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Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, is home to an undergraduate community of 2,027 students. At Mount St. Joseph, the Lions roar! Competing in the HCAC, the team rivals schools like Defiance College and Hanover College. They play home games at Schueler Field.

Muskingum University

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Situated in picturesque New Concord, Ohio, Muskingum University has an undergraduate population of 2,117 students. Here, the Fighting Muskies have rivalries against Baldwin Wallace and Ohio Northern. McConagha Stadium is their home base.

Oberlin College

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Oberlin, Ohio, is a charming town where the historic Oberlin College enrolls an undergraduate class of 2,992 students. This is where the Yeomen show what they're made of in football games against schools like Kalamazoo College, DePauw University, and Denison University. The Yeomen's home field is Dick Bailey Field.

Ohio Northern University

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Located in the charming city of Ada, Ohio, Ohio Northern University has a thriving undergraduate community of 3,015 students. The school's Polar Bears keep football cool on their home field at Dial-Roberson Stadium. They're always ready to rival teams like the Mount Union Purple Raiders.

Ohio Wesleyan University

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Nestled in Delaware, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan University is home to a close-knit undergraduate community of 1,410 students. The Battling Bishops make every game a must-see at Selby Stadium. Spirited matchups with schools like Otterbein, Wooster, and Kenyon make games worth watching.

Otterbein University

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Otterbein University, located in Westerville, Ohio, has an undergraduate community of 2,458 students. The Otterbein University Cardinals play against schools like Wesleyan, Muskingum, and Wilmington. Home games are played at Memorial Stadium.

The College of Wooster

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The College of Wooster is an intimate college in Wooster, Ohio, with an undergraduate population of 1,967 students. The school's Fighting Scots showcase their skills on the football field at John P. Papp Stadium. They rival teams like Wilmington, Kenyon, and Olivet.

University of Mount Union

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The University of Mount Union is situated in Alliance, Ohio, and has 2,130 undergraduate students. At the Kehree Stadium, the Purple Raiders play against teams like Heidelberg, Capital, and Wilmington.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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