College Football 2012: 50 Teams to Root Against, and 50 Reasons Why

One thing that makes college football as popular as it is today is the passion that its fans have for the game. 

Whether you went to the school, grew up locally around the school or just lacked on and never let go, fans across the nation pledge their allegiance to a school but at the same time find room to care almost as much about other teams failing.

Regardless of whether it is a coach, sanctions, player, constant winning, location or another reason, here are 50 schools that people will root against and why. 

UMass, Texas State, UTSA and South Alabama

Coming into the 2012 season, we can lump UMass, Texas State, UTSA and South Alabama all together. All four teams are moving to the FBS level and as if 120 teams wasn't enough, it is now 124 teams. 

Appalachian State

Your either on one side of the fence or the other but Appalachian State made their impact on college football's top level in 2007.

With their win over Michigan, they sent one of the nations largest fan bases into hiding and brought into question the level of competition. 

Buffalo

Some may read this and say Buffalo? 

Yes, Buffalo.

The reason that Buffalo makes this list is because of how bad they have been for a long period of time. The Bulls continually fail to put out a solid team and is a program that makes the rest of the MAC conference look bad. 

New Mexico

Much like Buffalo, fans in some of the smaller conferences are getting tired of New Mexico. New Mexico is a brutal program that is going nowhere fast. In fact, things have been so bad that fans may have begun to switch from not liking them to feeling bad for them. 

Akron

While Akron is mostly an out of conference cakewalk, the Zips seem to always find their way on to some of the larger programs schedules, like Ohio State and never seem to keep things close.

As much as people dislike teams like Ohio State, those that can't beat them are disliked almost as much.

Florida Atlantic

Florida Atlantic has been so tough to watch that fans hate to find them on their schedule. While it may be an easier win, the Owls are a team that others gain nothing from for winning. 

Indiana

Despite being in the Big 10 basement and only winning one game, the Hoosiers are a frustrating mess for the conference as a whole. Despite being a basketball school, the conference needs them to be more competitive to help with the overall strength and perception of conference. 

BYU

While fans of Utah certainly do not need to look hard for a reason to dislike BYU, other fans are starting to gather their own thoughts. 

Recently, BYU has bone independent and with that move comes some complications. The Cougars are a strong team that could compete in a conference but now they will be a threat to steal a BCS at-large bid. 

SMU

Recently, SMU has started to make their way back in Conference USA but earlier on, the school was rolling out the Pony Express and was one of the best programs in the nation. 

While they may have been great, it was because they had the largest payroll in the nation which eventually led to them receiving the NCAA Death Penalty, an offense that some fans will never forget or forgive. 

Connecticut

For the most part, Connecticut goes unnoticed but when they received a BCS bid in 2010, fans around the country were irate at the fact that a team like Connecticut would be given one of the automatic spots. 

While they have fallen back to being unmentioned, there was a period of time in which Connecticut was under fire along with the rest of the Big East. 

Wisconsin

In case you are missing a reason to cheer against Wisconsin, here is two words that will change your mind: Brett Bielema.

Bielema is a sore loser and is also not afraid to run up the score against inferior talent.

While the Badgers have made it to two straight Rose Bowls, fans that pull against the program have been happy to see them drop both games.  

Vanderbilt

While Vanderbilt is a team that largely is left off most peoples radar, head coach James Franklin has made some noise both on and off the field. 

Last year, Vanderbilt has made some improvements towards becoming a much better team but it seems that this offseason, Franklin has gotten involved with some off the field issues with tampering with potential transfers.

This won't sit well with many people if true. 

UCLA

For the most part, UCLA is a poor man's USC. They have the location and local talent base that is the envy of most college football fans. The one thing that keeps them from being one of the most hated schools in the nation is the fact that UCLA continues to struggle and underachieve with the talent that they bring in. 

Boise State

Since they executed the Statue of Liberty play, Boise State has a feeling of entitlement that no matter who they play, as long as they go undefeated they should be in the national title game. 

Coming into the 2012 season, Boise State has yet to make it to the title game and yet fans have had to listen to the complaints that have come with that.

Boise has quickly gone from America's sweethearts to the pain that America could not get rid of. 

TCU

While not as annoying as Boise State fans, TCU is another team that fans are getting tired of. The difference between the two is that the Horned Frogs have now joined the Big 12 and will prove their worth. 

Either way, fans around the nation had to deal with the argument to include TCU in BCS game regardless of their schedule. 

UNLV

Is it the players or coaches of UNLV that causes the dislike? No. Is it a winning tradition or arrogant fan base that does it? No. 

For UNLV it is simply location.

Who wouldn't love to be near Vegas so that maybe after a game, you head to the strip and play some cards. 

Hawaii

Listen, lets be honest, the Hawaii Warriors get to play in paradise. For half the year, they are playing at home in Hawaii and that alone is enough to make anyone envious and dislike the Warriors out of jealousy. 

Tennessee

Another member of the SEC to make the list is Tennessee. While they have recently slipped off the national radar, some of their fans acts like they don't realize that like the rest of us. 

After having a ton of success in the 90's the Vols bandwagon and detractors reached an all-time high and as soon as they come back, so will both of those groups. 

West Virginia

Over the past few years, people have begun to dislike West Virginia because it would seem that they have a free pass to a BCS game every year. With the decline of the Big East, the Mountaineers came in as favorites for the past few years but have still found a way to fumble things away. 

Now with the Mountaineers moving to the Big 12, a whole new fan base will be exposed to them and will expand the dislike for the program. 

Michigan State

While some see Michigan State as the lovable losers, fans around the Big 10 and midwest know that Michigan State has come a long way and the fans of the school are starting to get a bit louder and more confident.

If the Spartans continue to challenge for Big 10 titles, more and more people around the nation will start to draw opinions of Michigan State. 

Washington

While newer fans to college football may be unaware of this, Washington use to be a power out west and made life difficult on teams around the nation. 

Things were going well until the Huskies were hit with some stiff penalties that set the program back and still have them trying to find their previous form. 

Mississippi State

Since Dan Mullen has come to town, he has been extremely vocal around the SEC but has not had much to show for it. While Mullen has dominated the Egg Bowl, that is about his biggest accomplishment since joining Mississippi State.

Oregon State

While nationally the Beavers may go unnoticed, they are a huge pain in the butt to the Pac-12. For most of the past decade, the Beavers found a way to ruin various teams seasons around the conference and most specifically seemed to have USC's number. 

Ole Miss

Ole Miss has continued to fall farther and farther off the radar and to make things worse, they are routinely losing to rival Mississippi State. While the wins haven't been their, the fan base continues to act like they are part of the superiority of the conference. 

Colorado

Before entering the Pac-12, Colorado along with Nebraska  helped start us down the road of realignment that we are going down today. The move hasn't paid off in their new conference and has left a bad taste in most teams mouths from the Big 12. 

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech seemingly has a strong team every year. One thing that always works against them is they never seem to play up to their potential the entire year. Along with losing games they shouldn't, many were made at them being selected to play in a BCS bowl despite being blown out by Clemson in the ACC title game. 

Maryland

While for the most part going unnoticed, Maryland broke out of their shell last year and gave fans a few reasons to be annoyed by them.

First is Randy Edsall, who appears to be over his head and is now creating issues for Danny O'Brien and his request to transfer. 

Secondly, the hideous jerseys that they wore last year made everyones eyes hurt. 

Kansas

Kansas has now hired Charlie Weis as their head coach and it will automatically give fans a reason to dislike them. Besides for the Weis hire, former coach Mark Mangino was also a controversial figure at the program and left the program divided when he was let go.  

North Carolina

Before the 2011 season began, Butch Davis was let go at North Carolina. While at the university, Davis started to take the Tar Heels down a path that was leading to potential infractions and ultimately resulted in his release. 

Missouri

Most teams that have abandoned their previous conference do not leave without picking up a few enemies along the way. This year, the Tigers are heading to the SEC and while they may think it is a good move, the program will soon see that they are in way over their head. 

Nebraska

Speaking of teams that changed conference, Nebraska made that some choice but that is not the reason that people love to see them lose. 

Back when the Huskers were rolling in the 90's they were not afraid to run up the scoreboard against any team that they faced. The move may have worked with voters but it is not something that fans will ever forget if they were on the wrong side of the scoreboard. 

Texas A&M

Not sure if fans should not like them or feel bad for them. Last year, Texas A&M could not hold on to a lead even if their life depended on it. This year, they head to the SEC and while some will feel bad for them, most in the Big 12 will cheer against them for leaving the conference. 

Arizona

While the team does not do much on the field for fans to dislike them, former coach Mike Stoops was a hot head that fans in the Pac-12 could not stand. 

Now that he is gone, fans can turn their attention to being jealous of the sunny and warm campus that Arizona gets to play on year round. 

South Carolina

While bringing Steve Spurrier to the program has done a lot of good, the hire also came with its downsides. The hiring of Spurrier has allowed South Carolina to inherit a lot of the ill will that people had for the old ball coach while he was at Florida. 

Georgia

The interesting thing about Georgia right now was just a year ago, fans of the program were among those who did not like how things were going. Until their 10 straight wins, fans were clamoring for Mark Richt's job but now they are feeling more confident.

On the other hand, there are still plenty of people who dislike them for bring a SEC team and part of the conference hype. 

Utah

Before Boise State was making a run at getting into the BCS national title game, Utah was giving it their best shot. While they never got in, Utah has now moved to the Pac-12 and will have a greater chance but they have already found their share of difficulties in their new conference. 

Penn State

After the year that Penn State had in 2011, there are more reason than ever to dislike the Nittany Lions. From all of the twists and turns the Jerry Sandusky story has taken, to the way that the Board of Trusties handled the firing of Joe Paterno, people have begun to turn their back on Penn State. 

Oregon

While they certainly don't have a long and storied history, Oregon has given fans around the nation plenty of reason to dislike them. 

With their affiliation to Nike, to their uniforms, to now their winning, Oregon has become a national target. To top things off, the sarcastic tone of head coach Chip Kelly tends to rub people the wrong way as well. 

Michigan

Large fanbase, check. Winning tradition, check. Over hyped by the media, check. Like Ohio State, Michigan carries the same baggage and if your not a Michigan fan, you likely cannot stand them. 

Over the past few years, Michigan had started to slip out of the national eye but after a great 2011 season under Brady Hoke, the Wolverines appear to be back. 

Auburn

While their is plenty of distaste for Auburn around the SEC, it hit a national level in 2010. During their undefeated season, plenty of rumors and speculation came out about Cam Newton that had many believing he should not be eligible to play. Ultimately his recruitment was viewed as a gray area in the rules and the Tigers went on to win the national title. 

Florida State

Seems like every year, Florida State enters the season with high expectations and a ton of hype to them. Recently, the Seminoles have fallen short of these expectations and when you combine that with the success they have had in previous decades, lots of fans have had enough of the Seminoles. 

Notre Dame

Where do we start with Notre Dame? Their tradition? Some of their coaches or players? No, lets start with their fans.

Notre Dame fans seem to have a feeling of entitlement. While the Irish had periods of domination, the fans of this program act as if it is their birth rite to win. 

While every season may begin with hopes of the school being "back," it has ended with disappointment for quite some time now. 

Florida

The dislike for Florida reached an all-time high and has stayed their since Tim Tebow was in school. Now before Tebow arrived, people already were on edge from the Steve Spurrier years but Tebow-mania took it to a new level.

With the hourly coverage of Tebow and the success that did follow, fans around the nation had enough of hearing about the Gators. 

LSU

LSU is a team that also suffers from the jealousy tag as they have won a couple of national titles lately but even more than that, they are part of the SEC.

If you are a fan of the SEC you love them but for the rest of the nation, the seniority of the SEC is shoved down fans throats and with LSU being near the top, they become a focal point of that anger and dislike. 

The "U" Miami

Much like Ohio State, the University of Miami has a laundry list of strikes against them. Among the reasons fans love to see Miami fail is the creation of the nickname "The U," the way the program acted back in the late 70's and 80's and now the recent scandal that is beginning to unfold. 

Texas

One thing that is for sure is that most teams that are disliked are teams that have had success and a history of success. Texas fits that bill and is also a team fans love to see lose. 

Along with a strong history of winning, Texas also was key in blocking a potential move to power conferences and with the creation of their own television network, they have created ill will around the Big 12. 

Oklahoma

When you talk about Texas, Oklahoma seems to naturally follow. The Sooners are another historically strong program and with the success comes the detractors. 

One knock against the program is the inability to cash in on the potential that they have. Bob Stoops does a great job of keeping this program strong but fans love seeing him lose the big game. 

Alabama

Year in and year out, Alabama has a wealth of talent on the field and is one of the most enviable programs in the nation. 

With Nick Saban as their head coach, Alabama continues to challenge for national titles in one of the nations toughest conferences and if your not a fan of the school, you are sick and tired of hearing about them. 

"The" Ohio State

There are a lot of reasons that people love to see Ohio State fail. From their winning tradition, putting "The" in front of their school name, Tattoo-gate, to their fans arrogance, fans never mind seeing the Buckeyes fall short. 

USC

Beautiful location, beautiful women, history of winning, Heisman trophies, national titles, NCAA sanctions and more are all reasons why fans around the world cannot stand the men of Troy.

When USC landed on the NCAA's radar and was punished, fans around the nation took joy in that fact but while the overwhelming dislike for USC may have died down, the Trojans are back to being bowl eligible and the interest in USC failing will pick back up.