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College football is an iconic part of the American college experience, and the vibrant and successful college football teams of the top college football schools often attract not just football players but also fans of the sport.
Whether you are a student-athlete or just a fan who wants to enjoy the social aspects of attending a college football school, you may wonder what the best colleges are. There are college football schools all over the country, and choosing the right one for you can seem like an impossible task.
Aside from team rankings when choosing a college football school, there are many factors to consider, but it is important to be informed about the most influential college football teams. In this article, we have compiled a list of the 25 top college football schools in the US.
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Top college football schools
Ohio State University
Ohio State is home to the Buckeyes on the school's main campus in Columbus, Ohio. The team competes in the Big Ten Conference, and Urban Meyer is the current head coach.
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is home to one of the country's most famous college football teams, the Fighting Irish. The team is located in Notre Dame, Indiana.
The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama's football team is the Alabama Crimson Tide, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at the school's main campus. The team's current coach is Nick Saban.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California's football team is the USC Trojans, and they are known as one of the best football teams in America. Located in Los Angeles, California, it is part of the Pac-12 Conference.
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma boasts one of the most easily recognizable college football teams in America, the Oklahoma Sooners. This team is located on the school's main campus in Norman, Oklahoma.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is home to the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The team plays in the Big Ten Conference, and the current head coach is Jim Harbaugh.
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The University of Texas at Austin is home to the Texas Longhorns. The team is part of the Big 12 Conference and is currently coached by Charlie Strong.
The University of Nebraska Lincoln
The University of Nebraska's team in Lincoln, Nebraska is the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This team is in the Big Ten Conference and is currently coached by Mike Riley.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University is home to the LSU Tigers often referred to as the Fighting Tigers. The team is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and competes in the SEC Conference.
Florida State University
Florida State University houses the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee, Florida. The team plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference and is currently coached by Jimbo Fisher.
University of Florida
The University of Florida is home to the Florida Gators, one of the most well-known college football teams. The team is part of the SEC Conference.
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State's main campus in State College, Pennsylvania is home to the Nittany Lions. The team plays in the Big Ten Conference and is currently coached by James Franklin.
The University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee houses the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, Tennessee. The team's nickname is "UT" or "Vols," and they play in the SEC Conference.
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is home to the Georgia Bulldogs. The team is located at the Athens, Georgia, campus and plays in the SEC Conference. They are led by Coach Kirby Smart.
Auburn University
Auburn University houses the Auburn Tigers in Auburn, Alabama. The team plays in the Southeastern Conference, and the head coach is Gus Malzahn.
University of Miami
The University of Miami is home to the Miami Hurricanes. The team is located in Miami Gardens, Florida, plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and is coached by Mark Richt.
Texas A&M University College Station
Texas A&M University's football team is the Texas Aggies, or Aggies or short. The team is located in College Station, Texas, and is part of the SEC Conference.
University of Wisconsin Madison
The University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, Wisconsin is home to the Wisconsin Badgers. The team plays in the Big Ten Conference and is coached by Paul Chryst.
Clemson University
Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina is home to the Clemson Tigers or Tigers for short. The team is part of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
University of Oregon
The University of Oregon houses the Oregon Ducks in Eugene, Oregon. The team plays in the Pac-12 Conference and is currently coached by Mark Helfrich.
University of Washington Seattle
The University of Washington in Seattle, Washington is home to the Washington Huskies. The school plays in the Pac-12 Conference and is best known for having one of the longest-running winning streaks in the nation.
The University of California Los Angeles
The University of California Los Angeles houses the UCLA Bruins. The team is located in Pasadena, California, plays in the Pac-12 division, and is coached by Jim Mora.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is home to the Spartans. The team is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and is well known for winning six national championships. The team plays in the Big Ten Conference.
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas is home to the Arkansas Razorbacks. The team plays in the Southeastern Conference and is coached by Bret Bielema.
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is home to the Pittsburgh Panthers. The University has had a football team since 1890. The current team plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
What is the biggest college football School?
The size and influence of college football at a school can be measured in several different ways, but one easy way to measure is to learn the size of a school's football stadium.
The 5 biggest college football stadiums in the United States are:
- Michigan - Michigan Stadium, Capacity: 107,601
- Penn State - Beaver Stadium, Capacity: 106,572
- Ohio State - Ohio Stadium, Capacity: 102,780
- Texas A&M - Kyle Field, Capacity: 102,733
- LSU - Tiger Stadium, Capacity: 102,321
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Frequently asked questions about college football schools
How many college football schools are there?
There are around 893 football colleges across five division levels: NCAA Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, NAIA, and NJCAA.
Who is #1 in college football?
The number one college football school in 2023 is the University of Georgia.
How many D1 college football schools are there?
There are 125 Division 1 college FCS football teams and 129 FBS football teams. FBS stands for Football Bowl Subdivision and is the highest level of college football in the US. FCS stands for Football Championship Subdivision, the second-highest level of college football in the US.
Can I get a scholarship for playing college football?
The number of scholarships given out for playing college football varies based on division. In NCAA Division 1 FBS there are 85 full-ride scholarships given to each team. In Division 1 FCS there are 63 equivalency scholarships given to each team. In Division 2 there are 36 equivalency scholarships given to each team. In Division 3 there are no scholarships.
In NAIA there are 24 equivalency scholarships for each team. In JUCO there are 85 equivalency scholarships for each team. In CCCAA there are no scholarships given. Note that an equivalency scholarship means that the coach can divide the money up between players as they like, while full-ride scholarships are given entirely to a single student.
