If you want to spark a debate among friends or really piss off a sensitive message board poster, talking about a program’s tradition, or lack thereof, is one of the best ways to do it.
With that in mind, what better way to kick off our ‘bests’ series than by taking a look at who the most storied programs are. And when we think of ’storied,’ we (most of us, at least) think of sustained success, championships, and how recognizable the program is, from iconic coaches and players to the stadium.
In the ‘what have you done for me lately?’ world that we live in, the accomplishments of some certainly carry more weight than others with many fans, so as tempted as I was to include Yale, Princeton, Harvard, or even Army, Minnesota, or Michigan State, those missed the cut.
Alabama
The program that the Bear built has fallen out of the national spotlight over the last several years thanks to a few questionable coaching hires and the SEC being a lot deeper than it was back when the man in the houndstooth hat roamed the sidelines in Tuscaloosa.
But, the Tide have enough success to last a few lifetimes, with their 12 national championships, 25 outright or shared conference titles (21 in the current SEC), 56 bowl appearances (most all-time), 32 bowl wins (most all-time), and 92 First-Team All-Americans.
The only thing that Alabama is lacking is a Heisman Trophy winner, but that’s a minute blemish on a laundry list of accomplishments before and after Bear Bryant.
Florida
Nearly all of Florida’s success has happened over the last 50 years, or more notably, the last few decades, but they’ve built up a nice resume over that time period.
The Gators have won two national championships, produced three Heisman Trophy winners and made 35 postseason appearances.
We think the most about what they’ve done since the start of the Steve Spurrier era, but they had a lot of success before that, back to when the Ol’ Ball Coach was a Heisman Trophy-winning QB in the 60s.
Florida State
FSU got a little later jump on their history than most of the rest of the programs on this list, seeing as how they were a women’s college until 1947, and though there were some good years, pre-1976, the Seminoles weren’t really on the map until Bobby Bowdenarrived to save the day.
The current decade has seen a lot of frustration of FSU fans, but two national championships, two Heisman Trophy winners, a run of 14 straight 10-win seasons and top-five finishes from 1987-2000, and 26 straight bowl appearances (18-7-1 record) is a nice resume for a late starter.
Georgia
A commenter brought it to my attention that I’d left out the Georgia Bulldogs, which given my SEC roots, I feel pretty bad about.
11 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Havaiisteve 11 months ago
Somehow, I think the answers you get will be strongly influenced by the age of the person commenting! With that in mind.
#1 Army/Navy
#2 Notra Dame
#3 Alabama
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james dougherty 11 months ago
AT THE END OF THIS YEARS SEASON AT NOYTRE DAME- THE LAST FOR CHARLIE WEIS - HAVE HIS RECORD TATOTED ON HIS RIGHT HAND -SO YOU CAN SEE IT ON TOP OF HIS HAND -BELOW HIS SUPER BOWL RINGS -- 6 AND 6 IN 08
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David Boduch 11 months ago
Spend a day in Ann Arbor on a fall Saturday. March up Hoover to the Big House with the band. Step into the stadium filled with 100,000+. Watch the winged helmets rush onto the field and hi-five the GO BLUE banner. Sing along to Hail To The Victors.
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Thomas Brown 11 months ago
Been there done that, thats nothing
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Berry Cannon 11 months ago
The first commentor got it right. Navy has always been a tough competitor (even though some may not admit it) and they're toughness is unsurpassed. I respect them very much.
Notre Dame: Wow...too much tradition here.
Alabama: All I can think of is Bear Bryant. He was a major success, and will always be remembered.
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J D 11 months ago
JD Nebraska by far. I've checked there history back and they are the only team to beat the four horsemen. Not to mention they were unreal for so many years.
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Thomas Brown 11 months ago
Harvard/Yale
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BabyTate 11 months ago
Good article. Good idea for discussion.
Always good to find a Maroons fan in here.
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ross stansbery 11 months ago
Ohio State and USC are the top two
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Lanie Destefano 11 months ago
Ask a non-college football fan to tell you anything they know about college football and Notre Dame something is going to come out of their mouths. Ask a college football fan to discuss other teams outside of their conference and I would wager they will know more about ND's traditions and history than any other.
No school tops ND in tradition, fame, and glory. That's just facts.
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ross stansbery 11 months ago
im a big ten fan and USC has more tradition look at the heisman trophy winners they have had most of them were great in the NFL and they play in a conference which is harder than being a independent if u dont think so look at Penn St. before 1994 and after
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