College Football Fan Index presented by Degree is a cumulative data-based ranking of America’s most active and engaged fan bases, as determined by social media and online polling. Here are this week’s results, a day early due to Thanksgiving. Come back Thursdays for each new Fan Index.
The Fan Index Top 10
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
1. Ohio State (627,005 social mentions, 4,844 voting points) — Don’t look now, but Ohio State has won nine straight, and the Buckeyes are currently sixth in the College Football Playoff poll. With rival Michigan on tap, OSU students have decided to erase all “Ms” on campus.
2. Alabama (1,015,193 social mentions, 2,335 voting points) — This week, #ThingsILikeMoreThanAuburn trended nationally. Here’s an example:
3. Oregon (647,219 social mentions, 1,875 voting points) — A student reporter made Oregon coach Mark Helfrich crack up at last Saturday’s postgame press conference.
4. Tennessee (556,706 social mentions, 3,194 voting points) — This poor fan got a bit too excited after the Vols scored on a fake field goal:
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
5. USC (573,965 social mentions, 2,075 voting points) — This week, the Trojans are in prime position to play spoiler. Read more about what a win over rival UCLA could mean for the playoff picture.
6. Texas A&M (462,950 social mentions, 4,725 voting points) — Tired of the NFL dominating Thanksgiving? Check out Texas A&M-LSU, which kicks off Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST.
7. Notre Dame (577,596 social mentions, 1,872 voting points) — Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith was named a Butkus Award finalist. He’s only a sophomore, too.
8. Florida State (1,509,814 social mentions, 1,017 voting points) — Here’s why Jameis Winston wasn’t ejected for this:
9. Nebraska (353,749 social mentions, 6,899 voting points) — Read SB Nation’s story about the trophy the Internet created for the newly minted Nebraska-Minnesota rivalry.
10. Georgia (952,586 social mentions, 993 voting points) — Our Erik Brady, Steve Berkowitz, and Christopher Schnaars recently profiled head coach Mark Richt, who makes $3.3 million a year.
Interesting takeaways: Ohio State topped the poll for the first time since Week 1. Once again, there are no Big 12 teams are in the top 10; rivals Texas (No. 18) and Oklahoma (No. 19) came closest.
The Bonus 5
This is where we highlight a handful of notable teams from outside the top 10. Five fan bases and squads that made news this week:
11. Auburn (412,674 social mentions, 2,190 voting points) — If you’re brave/masochistic/in the mood to laugh, tune in to the SEC Network during the Iron Bowl. Paul Finebaum is hosting a live call-in show that will be simulcast with ESPN’s broadcast of the game.
20. Florida (734,298 social mentions, 349 voting points) — Tim Tebow brought a fan some cake. She got … emotional.
28. Texas Tech (171,773 social mentions, 748 voting points) — Apparently, Texas Tech receiver Kenny Williams knows karate. He showed the world his skills after scoring a touchdown against Iowa State.
62. Maryland (75,699 social mentions, 135 voting points) — Head coach Randy Edsall was rather pleased with his team’s win over Michigan, eh?
73. Virginia (91,343 social mentions, 24 voting points) — Behold! A boy and his goose:
Week 14 poll results: best rivalries
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
1. West Virginia (28% of the fan vote) — Beginning in 1895, West Virginia took on Pittsburgh in what became known as the Backyard Brawl. (The two schools are 70 miles apart.) However, the rivalry ended after the teams met for the 104th time in 2011. WVU moved to the Big 12 in 2012, Pitt moved to the ACC in 2013, and the Backyard Brawl is — at least for the time being — no more.
Runners-up: — Ohio State (19%), Alabama (8%)
Interesting takeaways: Navy finished just ahead of Army. Ohio State placed second and outpaced rival Michigan by a wide margin.
Previous poll results: Week 1, best uniforms
Previous poll results: Week 2, best fight songs
Previous poll results: Week 3, best tailgates
Previous poll results: Week 4, best school colors
Previous poll results: Week 5, best stadiums
Previous poll results: Week 6, best helmets
Previous poll results: Week 7, best mascots
Previous poll results: Week 8, best fields
Previous poll results: Week 9, best bands
Previous poll results: Week 10, best entrances
Previous poll results: Week 11, best student sections
Previous poll results: Week 12, best cheerleaders
Previous poll results: Week 13, best traditions
Week 15 topic: best football towns
Check in with Fan Index on Monday to see our top 10 best college football towns in the country and vote for your own. Until then, support your school on social media, like a good fan should. And happy Thanksgiving!
