Quote:
Originally Posted by All-American
The reason College Football is the greatest sport in the world has a lot to do with tradition. Part of that tradition is knowing that when one looks at the top 10, he will see certain teams at the top, clawing for the #1 position. Cinderella stories are nice every so often, but a surprise run from Johnny-come-lately Rugters doesn't get the heart beating quite like seeing the monolithic USC perennially stationed toward the top of the rankings. The game is just better when certain teams are perpetual powers in the game.
Among them:
Notre Dame. Like 'em, love 'em, or hate them if you must, but to like/love/hate the Fighting Irish is an important part of the identity of college football fans everywhere. Notre Dame IS college football.
Florida State. The war chant, the Garnet and Gold, and Chief Osceola are stirring traditions-- as long as Florida State is in the top 5. Otherwise, they are quite cute.
Michigan & Ohio State. With the recent decline of FSU, this is now the most high-profile rivalry in the nation, and rivalries are as much a part of College Football as the oblong-shaped ball.
USC. By now, they get the preseason #1 vote out of sheer habit more than anything else. No team has achieved powerhouse status to the extent that USC has.
Penn State. So long as JoePa's heart is still beating, you want to see the Nittany Lions winning. Maybe it's just out of sympathy.
Others: Miami, Nebraska, Texas/Oklahoma.
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College football is great because of the schools and programs. Because of the recruiting and financial advantage these schools enjoy, it's doubtful they'll slip too far or for too long. But if they do, others will be there to pick up the slack: Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Washington, UCLA, TA&M, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, BYU!, etc.