Top Colleges for Football Fans

A die-hard football fan can be found on the campuses of many colleges and universities throughout the country, even those that don’t have varsity football teams! This list of top college football schools is compiled based on the number of games attended, size of crowds and schools represented by alumni in the NFL, as well as other factors. If you love football and are looking for your next school, look no further than this list of the best colleges for football fans.

We define best -

Whether you're a diehard football fan or just enjoy watching a good game, the best colleges for football are typically the ones with winning records. Some of the best colleges for football offer ample opportunities for student-athletes to grow their skills, study hard and play their hearts out. For students who love football but also want to balance sports and academics, these schools might be the perfect fit.

Best For NFL Players -

With many National Championships, the University of Alabama is undoubtedly one of the best colleges in the country. It's also home to some famous football players including four-time Super Bowl champion Joe Namath and current NFL quarterback AJ McCarron. The Crimson Tide play their games at Bryant Denny Stadium which can seat over 101,000 people. For those who want a taste of college life before they graduate, they should look into attending this university as it has an amazing acceptance rate.

Best For Structure & Atmosphere -

This list is in no particular order, but again, Alabama would certainly be a hard one to beat. Located in the Southeastern part of the United States, the University of Alabama is known as The Crimson Tide. If you're looking for an outstanding atmosphere, this may just be a good bet. Their games are never boring! Just make sure to prepare for some harsh weather if you're planning on visiting during the winter months.
Just south of Alabama is LSU, also called the Tigers. They've been around since 1893 and it's easy to see why they have such a loyal following.
Heading out west we have Notre Dame (Irish), who plays their home games at iconic Notre Dame Stadium, which holds 80K people and has hosted many Heisman Trophy winners. And then there's Texas A&M (Aggies) - just like LSU, they too play their home games at Kyle Field. In recent years, Kyle Field was upgraded with world-class amenities and can seat more than 100K fans. One notable feature of this stadium is its ability to hold two college football fields within its structure. There are so many incredible football stadiums across America that deserve recognition, but these will get your heart racing whether you're a diehard fan or not!

Best For Tailgating -

Tailgating and football go hand in hand so naturally there is an extensive amount of universities that have taken the sport to heart. Among these schools are Miami, Alabama, and Penn State. Each has it's pros and cons, but all provide a top-notch gameday experience. Miami boasts one of the most active tailgating atmospheres around with over 10,000 fans per game showing up early to cook burgers and drink beer on school grounds. Alabama has a lot more space than other SEC rivals like Tennessee or Florida, which means they can't be outdone when it comes to tailgating. The food is also not too shabby either as many people will set up grills and barbecues while enjoying live music. Penn State may not have such a big campus to work with, but what they lack in size they make up for in spirit as Nittany Lions fans are proud to pack into their stadium come Saturday morning regardless of how warm the weather may be.

Look, there are tons of colleges out there that might be more to your liking but we had to acknowledge the ones we've named. All that matters is the experience you have when you show up to the game. As long as the atmosphere brings joy, then its the right place to be!

*Note/Source: This article is based on opinion. A poll/survey was given to small select groups. They were asked questions about their preferred football colleges as it pertains to: NFL players, atmosphere and tailgating.