College football is a sport built around rivalry, contention and good ol’ fashioned hate. Which programs are the most hated schools in the nation?
“Hate is healthy, it’s a sign that you know you’re alive” — I just made this up so I’m gonna give myself credit.
What make college football so great is that it’s about love and hate. The love for your school and the hate for the school that you love to hate. It’s a tale that’s old as time and a song as old as rhyme. It’s college football hate. So what makes a college football program hated? Well, I’ve gone into the lab and have done some analysis and here is what I believe the perfect formula to make this list.
- Hate worthy players (You know, the guy you injured on purpose playing an NCAA Football game)
- Hate worthy moments (Those moments that make your blood boil if they’re mentioned)
- Hate worthy coaches (The coach you’ve always wanted to catch a case from the NCAA)
Ok, so you know what goes into this so who is the most hated? Well, lets go to SEC country for the team at the No. 10 spot.
10. Florida
Like some of the other teams on this list, the Florida Gators have cult heroes at the two most critical spots in a college football program and that’s your head coach and quarterback. From Steve Spurrier to Tim Tebow, there is a lot to hate about the Florida Gators.
Most hated Florida Gator: Tim Tebow
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When you think of the SEC at it’s most annoying and most hated, you have the beginning and the SEC’s star of the era, Tim Tebow. The Gator legend was college football’s answer to John Cena but his “five moves of doom” consisted of draw plays, read options, bubble screen passes, slants and jump passes at the goal line. Also, when you add in the speech he gave following a loss to Ole Miss in 2007, it makes that his own version of “hustle, loyalty and respect”.
Other moments that have sparked Florida Gators hate
- Steve Spurrier throwing shade at just about any and everybody.
- Urban Meyer looking the other way when it came to off field issues.
- Florida Gators “flopping” during a win over Miami in 1971.
- “Insert random Florida QB” from the 1990’s and 2000’s.
9. Oklahoma
The wagon, hearing “Boomer Sooner” a thousand times without fail. Oklahoma has a lot of hatable elements that I appreciate. If you didn’t know, the term “Sooners” comes from a group of people who entered the designated land (which now Oklahoma) before the assigned date. So basically, Oklahoma’s cheating ways started well before Barry Switzer was head coach.
Most hated Oklahoma Sooner: Brian Bozworth
In the era of excess, greed and flash that it the 1980’s, no player put himself on the map like “The Boz”. The sport was really starting to get love via cable TV with ESPN and Bozworth fit the character of college football’s rebel perfectly. A player that disrespected opponents and the game in general, fans thought that he had got payback when he was busted for a failed drug test. Well, during the NBC’s broadcast of the game “The Boz” decides to increase the hate level a bit more wearing a homemade shirt that said “National Communists Against Athletes”.
Hate, sealed forever.
Other moments that sparked Oklahoma Sooner hatred.
- Barry Switzer, “The Bootleggers Boy” and his era of thumbing his nose at the NCAA.
- Barry Switzer putting up “half a hundred” on teams with no regard.
- Bob Stoops handling of the Joe Mixon case.
- Oklahoma let downs in big moments.
No. 8 Florida State
Florida State Football’s journey to the national scene is something out of a fairytale. They were an independent for decades who built their program off of beating heavyweights of the 70’s and 80s. Once the 1990’s rolled around, the program became among the elite and they were now apart of the same group as Michigan and Notre Dame. At the same time, the Noles took the mantle form their fell Floridians, the Miami Hurricanes as the official bad boys of college football. That label returned with the return of the Jameis Winston led-revive of Florida State Football, the titles and controversy both returned.
Most hated Florida State Seminole: Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston’s time at Florida State was filled with titles, awards and controversy. Even before he stepped on the field, he was part of a lengthy and controversial incident that took place during his redshirt season of 2012. He was accused of raping a student and was arrested for having a pellet gun. All of this was before he won a Heisman, got in trouble for stealing crabs from the grocery store and screaming obscenities while on campus. The Winston run at FSU is very memorable indeed.
Other hate worthy moments from Florida State
- The Tomahawk Chop and FSU War Chant
- Bobby Bowden’s folksy ways while his program was having issues
- Florida State trying to be like Miami when it came it swagger
- Peter Warrick’s off field issues
7. Penn State
The Penn State Football program is another school that was a lifelong independent until they joined the Big Ten in 1993. One thing about the Nittany Lions program that makes them standout is their traditional and old school ways.
No frills on the uniforms, blank helmets and no names on the backs of jerseys. The Nittany Lions give off a true “team first” mentality. All of that came crashing down in 2011 as Paterno’s kingdom dissolved amid a horrific child abuse scandal. The school and the football program have rebounded but the scars are still there.
Most Hated Penn State Nittany Lion: The Nittany Lion Culture
No, it’s not a player or even late head coach Joe Paterno – the Penn State culture was everything you love and hated about college football. However, once the Jerry Sandusky sexual assault scandal was revealed, followed by Paterno’s firing, Penn State went from disliked to downright despised by detracting fans.
Nittany Lion loyalists took to the streets in attempt to defend their coach and their culture, but the opposing masses were having none of it. Even after Paterno’s firing and the removal of his revered statue, there was still a PSU contingent who could not move on from what happened to their legendary coach.
Other hatable Penn State Moments
- The Paterno family battles with the NCAA and investigators
- Penn State’s unwillingness to challenge themselves as a independent in the 1970’s
- Punter John Bruno’s comments about the Miami Hurricanes prior to the 1987 Fiesta Bowl
6. Texas
They are among the upper crust of college football. They have to remind you that they are Texas every five minutes. The program has notably stood among the greats in the history of college football. While all of that is great and informative, the Texas Longhorn program is the most hated in Big 12 territory. Their reign of hate warranted arrogance started in the Southwest Conference then moved to the Big 12 in 1996.
Most Hated Texas Longhorn: DeLoss Dodds
It’s not a player or a coach, the most hated person in the history of the burnt orange and white is it’s former AD, DeLoss Dodds. He’s everything that one hates when it comes to Texas arrogance, he is the Alpha and Omega. He reached his height of villainy during the college football realignment in 2010. The birth of the Longhorn Network is still an albatross for the Big 12, I think Dodds has earned his villain status.
Other hate worthy moments in Longhorn history
- Texas getting home cooking with the clock in the ’09 Big 12 Title Game
- The Longhorns beating Texas A&M in the final UT-A&M as time expired
- Texas getting calls in a game vs Kansas that prompted coach Mark Mangino to say Texas got special treatment and blamed it on the BCS.
5. Michigan
Ah Michigan. They didn’t play in the first college football game ever, but by the way they carry themselves, you’d think that they did. They are one of the few remaining football powers of the sport’s formative years. While they’ve been to their share of Rose Bowls, they actually have a losing record in the grandaddy of them all, but you’d think they would actually won a few more (8-12 All Time). When it comes to national titles, they’ve won three in the AP Poll era but claim eleven. You see where I’m going here? The arrogance of Michigan is lifelong pain for those who live in South Bend, Columbus and East Lansing. Like I get it, you’re good. Congrats Michigan!
Most hated Michigan Wolverine: Bo Schembechler
I know, I know, you are all thinking why can anybody hate Bo? Well it’s pretty simple. For someone who was a Woody Hayes loyalist all the way back from his playing days at Miami-Ohio, the fact that someone who played and coached for Woody would coach at the rival school and cost his mentor at winning a national title? He tormented Michigan treating them like the “little brother” that they to this very day struggle with. Bo didn’t shy away from the elitism of Michigan and elevated the elitist culture to what it is today.
Other Michigan hate worthy moments
- Mike Hart referring to Michigan State as “Little Brother”
- Desmond Howard’s Heisman pose vs. Ohio State
- Brady Hoke referring to Michigan State as “State” and Ohio State as “Ohio”
4. Ohio State
Although Michigan is elitist, even their biggest rival has to be more “elite” than them. If you’ve ever heard any Ohio State alum, fan, or admirer of the school they don’t refer it to as “Ohio State”. They refer the school in Columbus as “THEE” Ohio State university. Like there is another Ohio State university somewhere in America. It doesn’t get more “thumb your nose” at everybody else than that.
Most hated Ohio State Buckeye: Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow Hayes. Woody as you and I know him. He was the petulant crybaby of a coach who roamed the Ohio State sidelines from 1951-1978. While he won his fair share of games, there wasn’t a moment where Woody wasn’t inciting hate along with laughs and cringes from fans and foes alike. Woody Hayes often used war reference to get through to his players as he would call “Patton” for audibles. His temper got the best of him as he ended his career in shameful fashion as he punched a Clemson player in the 1978 Gator Bowl.
Other hate worthy Buckeye moments
- Big Ten ADs vote Ohio State over Michigan to go to the Rose Bowl after a 10-10 tie in 1973
- Ohio State’s tattoo scandal and Jim Tressell’s lack of punishment
- Ohio State getting in the Playoff over TCU in 2014.
3. Alabama
There’s something nostalgic about Alabama football, the iconic uniforms and the classic love of southern football but enough of that. Alabama football is a the best and worst of southern aristocracy. Lately it’s been the worst. Alabama had a low period from about 1995-2007 where not many good things happened. Now that Nick Saban has returned the program to it’s king of the hill status, the Alabama hate is at an all time high.
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Most hated member of the Crimson Tide: Nick Saban
Everybody hates the king right? It’s pretty easy to see that Nick Saban is the most hated person in the history of the program. Yes, partly it is because he wins but beyond that he comes off as the king who’s never happy. We know he has a “process” and while that is all good and well, it becomes borderline obsessive. Actually it’s just downright obsessive. Even after winning a national title, he finds a way to complain. Smile Nick, you won! Add in his ability to recruit genetic freaks from all over the country and you’ve got college football’s version of Dr. Frankenstein.
Other hate worthy moments in Alabama history
- Alabama reaching the 2012 BCS Title Game vs. LSU while bypassing Oklahoma State in the polls
- Harvey Updyke. Enough said.
- Alabama fans calling into the Finebaum show.
2. Miami
The arrogance of Miami football, I love it if we’re being honest here. However, it makes people mad. When I mean people, I’m talking middle america, play the right way type of people. For some reason, Miami (when good or just mediocre) becomes some of the most polarizing subjects in all of college football. From Lamar Thomas, The Rock and Michael Irvin to Kellen Winslow, Ed Reed and the 7th Floor Crew, the Miami hate is long lasting and I love it so much.
Most hated Miami Hurricane ever: Jimmy Johnson
The Miami Hurricanes had won a national title the season before Jimmy Johnson arrived in Coral Gables, FL in the winter of 1984. It took a few seasons and a few bumps and bruises but Jimmy Johnson turned into college football’s Darth Vader and his stormtroopers dressed in green, orange and white reigned over college football. From encouraging players to showboat to not feeling sorry for Gerry Faust as he blew his Irish out in the final game he coached. Jimmy Johnson ran out of damns to give after about 1985.
Other hate worthy Miami moments
- Showing up to the 1987 Fiesta Bowl in fatigues
- The 7th Floor Crew (NSFW)
- Lamar Thomas threatening to go fight members of the FIU Football team while broadcasting a game (ok, that might be considered hateful but I thought it was hilarious)
1. Notre Dame
Of course Notre Dame is number one on the list of most hated programs in college football history. Is water wet? Is the internet overloaded with cat pictures? Notre Dame hate is the most common but most most particular type of hate. Everybody that’s not a Notre Dame fan has their reasons for hating the Fighting Irish. Whether it be how they’re steeped in lore and mythology or they have an easy way into the any bowl they choose or you know that they went 4-8 in 2016. You have your Notre Dame hate trigger, don’t worry you aren’t alone.
Most hated member of the Fighting Irish: Rudy
There are a lot of directions you can go here. I mean there’s Charlie Weis who dragged the program down to the pits of humanity quicker than you can say Jimmy Clausen. However, it has to be Rudy. The walk-on who was turned into the modern day Gipper by Hollywood. Now I know that Sean Astin is not at fault here but let’s be real here, Rudy is an overrated walk-on who was offsides and took up a spot on a meh Notre Dame team. Hell, even Joe Montana (Rudy’s actual teammate) knows that the story of the scrappy walk-on is crap. You know you have to be hated if you’re a damn walk-on.
Other Notre Dame moments that incited hate
- Paul Horning winning the Heisman Trophy over Johnny Majors even though Notre Dame was 2-9
- Ara Parseghian going for the 10-10 tie against Michigan State in 1966
- Notre Dame getting love in every preseason poll no matter what they did the previous season.
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We can’t help ourselves. When the broadcast turns on and we see one of these teams playing we instantly have to root against them. The challenge becomes what do you when Notre Dame plays Texas? Cheer for them to play to a 0-0 tie?