College Football: The Mount Rushmore for the 30 best programs of all time

Peyton Manning, Tennessee Volunteers. (Photo By Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Peyton Manning, Tennessee Volunteers. (Photo By Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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college football hall of fame
A general view of miniature helmets in the lobby at SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

There have been some incredible programs in college football history, and here are the Mount Rushmores for the top 30 programs of all time.

On November 6, 1869, the first-ever college football game took place between two schools in the State of New Jersey. Rutgers took on neighbor Princeton on a patch of grass in New Brunswick, New Jersey, beating them, 6-4. It starting what would become one of the more popular sports in the United States.

Since then, programs have popped up all over the country. Some have established themselves as powerhouses across the last century and a half. In the history of college football, Michigan stands as the winningest program of all-time, while rival Ohio State trails by 40 victories. Those two schools have one of the best rivalries in college football.

As we take a look at some of the better programs in the country, we have to look at those people who would be considered on the Mount Rushmore of their specific school. In every school’s history, there are players and coaches who leave a mark for eternity. We do our best to include them all within this piece.

Here is the Mount Rushmore for the top 30 college football programs of all time.