Top 3 most hated college football teams
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The college football offseason has delivered no shortage of drama. In recent weeks, the biggest storyline has centered on Texas Tech and the ongoing controversy surrounding the injunction granted to its quarterback. The situation has sparked plenty of debate, with some wondering whether the Red Raiders have become the most disliked program in college football.
As it turns out, they have not.
A recent survey revealed the most hated teams in college football, and Texas Tech didn’t even crack the top three. Instead, several of the sport’s traditional powerhouses dominated the rankings.
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The survey identified the most hated college football team in each of the 50 states. Here are the three programs that topped the list.
Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish led the way, with eight states naming Notre Dame as their most hated college football program. Few teams generate stronger opinions among fans and media members, making the Irish one of the sport’s most polarizing brands.
Notre Dame remains independent and recently missed the College Football Playoff. As a result, the program opted out of bowl season, a decision that drew criticism from fans and prominent figures throughout college athletics.
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Many have long called for Notre Dame to join a conference, but that appears unlikely in the near future. For many critics, the program’s independent status remains another reason to root against one of college football’s most historic teams.
Alabama
Alabama finished second on the list. The Crimson Tide have built a legacy of success dating back to the days of legendary coach Bear Bryant, but much of the resentment directed toward the program stems from its dominance during the Nick Saban era.
With Kalen DeBoer struggling to match Saban’s success early in his tenure, Alabama may not remain this high on the list for long. In fact, some believe the program could be only a year or two away from resembling its pre-Saban years.
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Still, if DeBoer can return the Crimson Tide to national championship contention, Alabama could once again challenge for the top spot among college football’s most disliked programs.
Ohio State
Ohio State rounded out the top three. The Buckeyes captured the College Football Playoff championship while defeating both Notre Dame and Alabama along the way, further cementing their status as one of the sport’s premier programs.
The Buckeyes also remain among the favorites to win it all in 2026. Despite losing several high-end talents to the NFL, Ohio State appears positioned to remain a national title contender.
If the Buckeyes make another deep playoff run, could they climb even higher on this list next year?
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