College Football’s Top 50 Fanbases

18. Notre Dame

The good

From the iconic statue of Touchdown Jesus to the repeatedly filmed “Play like a Champion” sign, few schools come close to the infatuating tradition of Notre Dame Football. The championship pedigree and the uniqueness of independent like have made the Irish an important fixture in the sport.

The bad

Notre Dame has managed to maintain some of its most hallowed rivalry games, but the continuously rotating schedule and the lack of a conference relationship, for many, put the Irish out of sight and out of mind.

The bottom line

Dozens of programs throughout the country would give all they have in a heartbeat to live the life of Notre Dame. They’re one of the few self-sustaining brands in college football that has survived every dip and downturn, coming back resilient time and time again.

Be it the shamrocks or the leprechauns, everyone knows Notre Dame when they see it. That ethos extends to their fans. Being a Notre Dame fan is more than a tee-shirt; it’s an experience.