College Football 2011: The 10 Dumbest, Ugliest Mascots in the Sport

This list is devoted to the most bizarre, ugly, dumb, pointless and just plain ridiculous mascots in college football.

A mascot can be many things. They can be the head cheerleader, a jester and even a school icon. Unfortunately they can also be an eye-sore, annoying and unnecessarily ridiculous.

Many of the mascots on this list are beloved by their school. There are plenty of great mascots on this list, but that does not mean they cannot be dumb or ugly mascots.

If you think I missed anyone on this list, feel free to comment below. Lastly I apologize if I offend any schools for including their beloved mascot on this list.

These are the top ten dumbest/ugliest mascots in FBS college football.

10. Big Al- Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Big Al, mascot of the Alabama Crimson Tide, against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

I actually think Big Al is a cool mascot. However, Alabama’s nickname is the Crimson Tide, yet their mascot is an Elephant?

The story goes that in 1930 a fan yelled “here come the elephants” as the Alabama football team took the field. Everett Strupper, a sportswriter,  then wrote this quote in a story he wrote about the game.

Alabama went on to be national champions that year, and the nickname has stuck ever since.

I don’t think a lame nickname given by a fan in the 1930s is worth making a mascot out of. Big Al the elephant makes no sense.

9. Zippy the Kangaroo- Akron

The nickname the Zips is actually drawn from the  word Zippers. Zippers are a overshoes made by a company based in Akron, Ohio. Akron’s first mistake is having their team named after a type of overshoe.

Then Akron decided to vote in 1953 to create a mascot, they chose Zippy. An awkward sweater wearing Kangaroo with a dopey smile, a ridiculous hat and an unnecessarily large tail.

I know the first thing I think of when I think Zips is a kangaroo.

Zippy is even more off the wall and makes even less sense than Big Al. At least Big Al had an interesting story.

8. Brutus the Buckeye- Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus Buckeye carries a flag during a game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ohio Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 73-20. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Ohio State Buckeyes are named after a poisonous nut, unfortunately they designed their mascot around this nut.

Brutus is simply a guy with a large nut shaped head with an ugly sweater and a goofy hat.

I am sorry Ohio State fans, but Brutus the Buckeye is the most overrated mascot in college football. All he does is bang his head and do push-ups like every other mascot in the nation.

One of my favorite moments of the 2010 season was when they Ohio Bobcat attacked Brutus at the beginning of the their game. Sure it was a cheap shot, but hasn’t everyone wanted to jump Brutus at some point?

7. Lil’ Red-Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: Mascot Lil Red of the Nebraska Cornhuskers walks on the sidelines during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes on November 24, 2006 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska won 37-14. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Imag

Herbie the Husker is actually Nebraska’s official mascot, but Lil’ Red has been well known since he came in to existence in 1993. He was originally designed to be a more kid friendly mascot.

Half of me loves Lil’ Red because he is hilarious. If you have never seen him dance, then you need to go to Youtube right away.

The other half of me just thinks Lil’ Red is the most ridiculous thing in the world. I like Herbie the Husker, and don’t see the need for another mascot. His odd inflatable suit is anything but the norm for a mascot.

I am a fan of old style mascots. There is no need for Lil’Red.

6. Lightning- Middle Tennessee State

Middle Tennessee State’s actual nickname is the Blue Raiders. I see a lot of potential in creating a good mascot using that name.

Unfortunately, Middle Tennessee State’s mascot is a blue Pegasus like thing. Why do they do this? I have absolutely no idea.

Lightning has wings, but for some reasons still wears a cape as well. I am not sure why this is their mascot, but it is by all means idiotic. It looks like an 8-year old girl's Halloween costume

5. Rocky the Rocket- Toledo

I was not aware the blue power ranger got a job after he retired from fighting bad guys.

The idea behind Rocky isn’t horrible, but the execution was awful. The people who designed this costume tried way too hard to make Rocky look futuristic .

I am not totally sure if Rocky is supposed to be a robot, a space man or anything. Although his newest costume was just created in 2008, I think it is already time for Toledo to unveil a replacement for this monstrosity. 

4. Otto the Orange- Syracuse

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SYRACUSE, NY - JANUARY 24: Otto the Orange, the Syracuse Orangemen mascot performs during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers on January 24, 2004 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Pitt defeated the Orangeman 66-45. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty

Otto did not become the official Syracuse mascot until 1995, maybe things were better before Otto.

He is no more than a giant orange with arms legs and a hat. Apparently they put the least creative students in the entire school in charge of  thinking of a mascot, because Otto is boring.

I know that Otto the Orange is supposed to be one of the best mascots in the nation, but I just don’t see the humor in it.

3. Cayenne- UL Lafayette

UL Lafayette has a strong proud tradition of having awful mascots. They have had such gems as Mr. Ragin’ Cajun, the Fabulous Cajun Chicken and now the one and only Cayenne.

Cayenne is a large, oddly colored and seemingly cross-eyed pepper.

I had never even heard of this mascot until a few days ago. I was happier when I didn’t know this embarrassment of a mascot existed.

2. Big Red- Western Kentucky

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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers mascot on the court during a break in the action against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Por

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have one of the most recognizable mascots in the nation, Big Red. Nobody knows anything about how well the school does in any sports, but they know their mascot.

Big Red is a large, furry, red blob. He might be the only mascot in the nation less imaginative than Otto the Orange.

I know that Big Red has one numerous awards before, but I think this is due to how poor of a mascot he is. People think of this overweight Elmo as a joke.

1. The Stanford Tree- Stanford

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: The Stanford Cardinal Tree performs on the court during the game against the Washington Huskies in the Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Staples Center on March 12, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo

This really wasn’t a fair fight. Is there any question that the Stanford Tree is not the single dumbest, ugliest and just the worst mascot in college sports?

From 1930-1972 the Stanford was actually referred to as the Indians, and their mascot was named Prince Lightfoot.

In 1975 the Tree started appearing with the zany Stanford band and has been a well-known figure ever since.

Not only is the Stanford Tree boring, but he also appears to be the most poorly crafted mascots in the nation.

Stanford needs to do something about their mascot badly. The Tree is an embarrassment.