Ah, college football—where hope springs eternal, and reality is often optional. Every fanbase has its share of delusion, but some take it to a whole new level.
Whether it’s exaggerated championship aspirations, blind faith in an overrated coach, or an inability to accept that their glory days are long gone, these 20 fanbases stand out as the most detached from reality. Let’s dive in.
20. NC State Wolfpack
Every few years, NC State fans convince themselves they’re ready to take over the ACC. Then, like clockwork, they lose a random game to Wake Forest, and reality sets in. But don’t worry, there’s always next year—or at least that’s what they keep saying.
19. South Carolina Gamecocks
Gamecock fans believe they belong in the upper echelon of the SEC, despite having one conference title… in 1969. But hey, they have Beamer Ball now, and optimism is undefeated.
18. Texas A&M Aggies
Aggies have spent more money than a billionaire’s midlife crisis trying to buy a championship, yet the closest they’ve come to national relevance in the modern era is being Alabama’s occasional headache. Every year, they swear, “This is the year!” Spoiler: It’s not.
17. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee fans are perpetually convinced they’re “back.” But here’s the thing—they haven’t actually been back since the late 90s. Hendon Hooker gave them hope, but they still have nightmares about the days of Butch Jones.
16. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa fans will argue to the death that they play “great football” while their offense averages fewer points than an average Big 12 basketball game. They still think they can win the Big Ten West with a punter and a prayer.
15. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Mike Gundy could go 8-4 for the next 20 years, and Cowboys fans would still believe they have a shot at a national championship. They’re also still convinced that Bedlam is a “rivalry”—despite Oklahoma owning them historically.
14. Miami Hurricanes
“The U is back!” They say this every single offseason before going 7-5. But hey, at least they have cool uniforms.
13. Florida Gators
Gator fans still talk about their national titles like they happened yesterday, even though they haven’t been truly dominant since Urban Meyer left. They also somehow convinced themselves Billy Napier was the guy. Oops.
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame fans are positive they’re still an elite program, even though every time they make the College Football Playoff, they get exposed faster than an overhyped Netflix show.
11. USC Trojans
USC fans have spent the last decade convinced that the “glory days” are back. Every time they hire a new coach, the hype train leaves the station, only to derail somewhere in Arizona or Utah.
10. Texas Longhorns
“Texas is back!” is a phrase that has lost all meaning. The Longhorns haven’t won anything of significance since 2005, yet every year, their fans are certain that another dynasty is on the horizon. Bless their hearts.
9. LSU Tigers
LSU fans believe they are a perennial powerhouse, despite the fact that their success comes in brief, chaotic bursts before sinking back into mediocrity. They also act like Brian Kelly suddenly developed a Cajun accent overnight.
8. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State fans always talk like they belong in the same tier as Ohio State and Michigan, yet their season inevitably consists of beating up on Indiana and Maryland before getting stomped by a real contender.
7. Florida State Seminoles
FSU fans think they’re returning to the Bobby Bowden glory days, but every time they get a little momentum, something catastrophic happens. They’re also still salty about getting left out of the CFP in 2023. Sorry, guys.
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
Yes, they have the championships to back it up, but Bama fans are convinced they’re entitled to win the national title every single year. The moment they lose a game, the sky is falling, and every sports radio caller in the state loses their mind.
5. Michigan Wolverines
For years, Michigan fans swore they were on par with Ohio State, despite a decade of evidence proving otherwise. Now that they’ve won a few big games, they’re acting like they’ve reinvented football itself.
4. Oklahoma Sooners
Every year, Oklahoma fans believe they’re title contenders, despite repeatedly getting embarrassed in the College Football Playoff. They also refuse to accept that life in the SEC is going to be much harder.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State fans genuinely believe they should win every game, and if they don’t, someone must be fired immediately. In fact, some fans wanted OSU to fire head coach Ryan Day just a month before they won the National Championship! Losing to Michigan recently has sent them into an existential crisis.
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2. Georgia Bulldogs
Winning back-to-back titles has made Georgia fans insufferable. They act like they’re the new Alabama, even though their first championship in 40 years came with a whole lot of luck and a quarterback who was in college longer than most doctors.
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1. Auburn Tigers
Auburn fans live in their own reality where they’re constantly this close to toppling Alabama and taking over the SEC. They’re obsessed with their coaching carousel, convinced every hire will be “the one.” And let’s not forget the yearly tradition of believing they’ll beat Bama, no matter how bad they are.
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