Updated on: August 14, 2024 / 06:26 AM

College Football: Top 10 most successful college football teams

College football has always been up there as one of the most eagerly anticipated and celebrated sports in America, dating back to the late 1800s. Across a century and more, legends have been made and legacies created, littering the game’s history books with remarkable stories. Over those years, there have been remarkable dynasties, ranging from the early dominance of Yale to the more recent unstoppable force that was Nick Saban’s Alabama. In this guide, we will take a trip back in time and dive into the elite ranks of those teams who have produced the most success and claimed the most national championships.

As we explore the rich history of college football, remember that you can find all the TV and streaming information you need for the upcoming season on Livesportsontv.com.

10. Minnesota (6 National Championships)

Championships: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
First season: 1882
Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium
Last season’s record: 6-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Other information: The Golden Gophers had a challenging 2023 season, finishing with a losing record. Head coach P.J. Fleck continues to focus on rebuilding the program, prioritizing a strong run game, but also by bringing in Max Bosmer to lead his offense from the quarterback position. The upcoming 2024 season will be critical as the team looks to regain its footing in the competitive Big Ten conference, which has just gained four new teams.

9. Oklahoma (7 National Championships)

Championships: 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
First season: 1895
Stadium: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Last season’s record: 10-3 (7-2 Big 12)
Other information: Oklahoma remains a powerhouse in college football, despite its last national title being in 2000. The Sooners had a strong 2023 season under head coach Brent Venables, securing ten wins, which increased their tally of double-digit wins to 7 in the last 9 years. The Sooners are known for their explosive offense, which posted the third-highest points per game total in 2023, with 41.7. They now have Jackson Arnold under center and an exciting cohort of new names. Can they continue the offensive dominance?

8 (Tied). Ohio State (8 National Championships)

Championships: 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002, 2014
First season: 1890
Stadium: Ohio Stadium
Last season’s record: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Other information: Ohio State is a perennial contender, with its last national title coming in 2014. The Buckeyes came close in 2023, producing a perfect record until their regular season finale against Michigan, which they lost 30-24. Still, it was an admirable effort considering the Wolverines posted an unbeaten 15-0 record en-route to the National Championship. This year, they will aim to get back on top of Michigan, which won’t be easy given they are losing the best wide receiver in college football, Marvin Harrison Junior. They also have to overcome the unknown at the quarterback position.

8 (Tied). Harvard (8 National Championships)

Championships: 1875, 1890, 1898, 1899, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
First season: 1873
Stadium: Harvard Stadium
Last season’s record: 8-2 (5-2 Ivy)
Other information: Despite their prestigious standing, it has been over a century since Harvard’s last national title. However, they are coming off a very good year, in which they were one of three co-champions in the Ivy League, finishing with a 5-2 conference record. This year, they will be hoping to get the conference title all to themselves, benefitting from last year’s Ivy League-leading rusher, Shane McLaughlin. They have lost players to the portal, but remain a strong contender.

6. Southern California (9 National Championships)

Championships: 1931, 1932, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, 2004
First season: 1888
Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Last season’s record: 8-5 (5-4 Pac-12)
Other information: The Trojans struggled to maintain consistency in 2023, finishing with five losses, despite having the future number one overall pick at quarterback, Caleb Williams. Williams dazzled, of course, but he was often given too much work to do as a result of a porous offensive line and defense. There is a tough schedule ahead for the Trojans, but a new defensive coordinator and intrigue surrounding new quarterback Miller Moss means there is plenty to be excited about.

6. Michigan (10 National Championships)

Championships: 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1933, 1948, 1997, 2023
First season: 1879
Stadium: Michigan Stadium
Last season’s record: 15-0 (9-0 Big Ten)
Other information: Jim Harbaugh ended his tenure as the Michigan Wolverine’s head coach in the perfect way, with the team executing a perfect 15-0 record and winning a national championship. They were dominant, but now enter a new season in 2024 without their mastermind head coach, Harbaugh, and a whole host of starters, including quarterback JJ McCarthy. As the season fast approaches, there is still no announcement on who will be the starter at QB, but that player will at least benefit from a top-tier running back in Donovan Edwards and tight end in Coleston Loveland.

4. Notre Dame (13 National Championships)

Championships: 1919, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
First season: 1887
Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium
Last season’s record: 10-3
Other information: The Fighting Irish had a strong 2023 season, finishing with ten wins and a Sun Bowl victory. Dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard has been brought in to replace Sam Hartman, and there have been several other transfers who should upgrade this team immediately. With more college playoff places now available, Notre Dame would be very disappointed to miss out.

3. Princeton (15 National Championships)

Championships: 1869, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1885, 1889, 1893, 1896, 1903, 1906, 1911, 1922
First season: 1869
Stadium: Princeton Stadium
Last season’s record: 5-5 (4-3 Ivy)
Other information: Princeton were once a dominant force in college football, but they haven't won a national championship since 1922. The Tigers had a respectable 2023 season but fell short of joining in the three-way tie for the Ivy League title. The team boasted a sturdy defense, but were poor offensively, particularly in the run game. With several key defensive players returning, Princeton aims to improve its offensive output in 2024 to challenge for the top spot in the Ivy League once again.

2. Alabama (16 National Championships)

Championships: 1925, 1926, 1930, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020
First season: 1892
Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium
Last season’s record: 12-2 (8-0 SEC)
Other information: Alabama remains at the forefront of college football, despite undergoing a significant transition in 2024 after the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide secured 12 wins in 2023, narrowly missing the national championship game. With a new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, fresh from a successful spell with the Washington Huskies, Alabama is poised to continue its legacy of excellence, relying on a mix of veteran talent and promising newcomers to prove they still deserve ‘powerhouse’ status.

1. Yale (18 National Championships)

Championships: 1874, 1876, 1877, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1891, 1892, 1894, 1900, 1907, 1909, 1927
First season: 1872
Stadium: Yale Bowl
Last season’s record: 7-3 (5-2 Ivy)
Other information: Our third and final Ivy League team get the top spot on this list, and they almost nabbed the top spot in the conference in 2023. The Yale Bulldogs were one of three co-champions in 2023, but head coach Tony Reno is aiming for an outright title in 2024 despite significant roster turnover. With questions at quarterback and losses on both sides of the ball, Yale will rely heavily on the continued development of its returning stars to maintain its dominance in what is expected to be another tight Ivy League race. Most notably, keep an eye on running back Joshua Pitsenberger and defensive back Sean Guyton.

Author: Venuse, Inc.