Can You Guess the College Football Team Based on the Number of National Championship Wins?

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Guess the College Football Team Based on the Number of National Championship Wins?
Image: Wikicommons by Thecoiner

About This Quiz

We love to watch the seasons change: Winter transforming into crisp spring days, spring giving way to summer’s heat, summer melting into college football season. Wait ... you didn’t know college football was one of the four seasons? Shame on you. OK, we’re kidding, it’s actually autumn, but college football gets us all in our fall feels for other reasons.  The pageantry, the rivalries, the tailgates – they’re all part of the main course that leads to dessert: Bowl season and the march to the championship.

While some schools have been greedy the past few years, racking up national championships like Thanksgiving sides, others have taken a bit of a backseat. But, don’t sleep on them: There are lots of schools out there with trophy cases full of national championship hardware. The Crimson Tide has a dozen, but the Fighting Irish aren’t far behind. One Ivy League school boasts 28! And, a school in the “Peace Garden State” is the most decorated among FCS contenders.

The question is: Just how championship-crazed are you? Could you identify the team based on the number of titles it has? From one championship to nearly 30, we’ve curated a quiz that celebrates the best of the sport. We need you to tell us the titleholders, It’s time to take the field!

Question 7
Wikicommons by West Point - The U.S. Military Academy
The Fighting Irish earned some of its 11 national championship titles with coaches like Ara Parseghian, Lou Holtz and Knute Rockne. What school is it?
Tennessee
Oklahoma
USC
Notre Dame
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame have 11 titles that are recognized as official by the NCAA. Rockne led them to three titles; Frank Leahy, four; Parseghian, two; Dan Devine, one; and Lou Holtz, one.

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Question 10
Wikicommons by Petty Officer 1st Class Sarah Villegas
You’ll likely recognize this team from the first part of the cheer, “Go ______! Beat Navy!” Which of these programs has three national championship titles?
Marines
Coast Guard
Army
Air Force
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The United States Military Academy doesn’t just excel on the battlefield, but the football field as well. It holds three recognized national championship titles – 1944, 1945 and 1946 – when it was particularly dominant.

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Question 12
Wikicommons by Travis Stoffs
Even “The Swamp” is host to three national title trophies. Which team won championships in 1996, 2006 and 2008?
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Florida State
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The football program at the University of Florida has brought three championship trophies to the Swamp, its home field, including one under the direction of Steve Spurrier and two under the guidance of Urban Meyer.

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Question 16
David Madison/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
The most decorated program in the Big 12 has gotten to seven national championships “sooner” than any other school. Which university is it?
Kansas
WVU
Texas
Oklahoma
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Oklahoma Sooners are considered the most decorated program in the Big 12 thanks, in part, to its seven Associated Press national championships from 1950 to 2000.

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Question 15
David Madison/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
These championships were for the ‘dogs, literally! Which school has national titles from 1942 and 1980?
Georgia
Mississippi State
Wake Forest
North Carolina
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Georgia Bulldogs have two NCAA-acknowledged national championships to their name, including a 1942 title and matching votes from both the Coaches’ and AP Polls in 1980.

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Question 8
ftwitty/ E+/ Getty Images
Coach Pete Carroll led this team to its most recent title in 2004, one of 11 it claims. What school is it?
WVU
Oklahoma State
Clemson
USC
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Southern California has 11 nationally recognized college championships, the most recent of which came in 2004 when Pete Carroll was coach of the football program. The other titles came in 1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978 and 2003.

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Question 29
Wikicommons by Thundrplaya at English Wikipedia
A member of the Big 12, this team won three championships in four years under Coach Tom Osborne. What team is it?
Nebraska
Kansas State
Baylor
Illinois
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nebraska earned three of its five national championship titles in near back-to-back-to-back fashion in 1994, 1995 and 1997 under then Coach Tom Osborne. Its remaining titles came in 1970 and 1971.

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Question 23
Wikicommons by Robert J. La Verghetta
Joe Pa led this team to two national titles in 1982 and 1986. What is the team’s name?
Boise State
Wisconsin
Utah
Penn State
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Penn State earned two national championships in the 1980s, under the direction of legendary football coach Joe Paterno. Both titles were considered consensus national championships.

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Question 5
Wikicommons by Brady1984
One of this school’s two title wins came with QB Cam Newton at the helm. Which school was it?
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Auburn
Missouri
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Auburn University’s most recent NCAA championship win came in 2010 when a quarterback named Cam Newton led them to the promised land. Auburn’s other consensus national title came in 1957 with a 10-0 record.

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Question 9
South_agency/ E+/ Getty Images
The years 1951 and 1953 were good to the Terrapins, delivering its two national championships. Which school are we talking about?
Cincinnati
Pitt
Maryland
Virginia Tech
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Maryland Terrapins have two, albeit aged, national trophies in their trophy case. The first came in 1951 and the second two years later. Both were achieved under the coaching leadership of Jim Tatum.

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Question 18
Wikicommons by surelyitsjohn
This Big 12 school has “hooked” four national championships between 1963 and 2005. Who is it?
Baylor
Buffalo
Texas
Texas A&M
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Texas Longhorns (Hook ‘em, Horns!) has collected four national championship trophies since it started playing NCAA football in 1893. The last came in 2005 under the direction of Mack Brown.

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Question 3
WIkicommons by Carol M. Highsmith
What school cheers “Roll Tide,” earning 12 titles? Or is it 17?
Alabama
Auburn
LSU
Florida
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It’s easy to see why so many college football programs covet what the University of Alabama has been able to do. There's a debate about how many titles they've won, with some saying up to 17 national championships; this is due to the confusion before the BCS was established.

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Question 2
Wikicommons by Funnyhat at the English language Wikipedia
This maize-and-blue squad holds 11 national titles, the most recent of which came under Coach Lloyd Carr. What school was it?
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
Illinois
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Michigan claims 11 national titles, dating back as far as 1901. Two of the school’s championships came after the Associated Press started its poll, including one title in 1948 and another in 1997 (that time with Lloyd Carr).

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Question 34
Wikicommons by Cmire4 at English Wikipedia
This team would “geaux” on to win national championships in 1958, 2003 and 2007. Which of these is it?
Georgia
Texas A&M
Ole Miss
LSU
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Tigers of Louisiana State University (better known to college football fans as LSU) have earned three national titles, including championships in 1958, 2003 and 2007. Fans of the program often celebrate by saying, “Geaux Tigers!,” a play on the school’s French Cajun roots. The school has a strong chance to add another title in 2020.

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Question 11
David Madison/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
Don’t be “green” with envy. This Big 10 school has won or shared in six national championship titles. Which squad is it?
Oregon
Michigan State
Ohio
South Florida
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Michigan State Spartans football team was dominant in the 1950s and 60s, earning or sharing in six national championship titles during that time, the first in 1951 and the last in 1966.

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Question 26
Wikicommons by Melizabethi123
Seven of this school’s eight NCAA championship came under Coach Bobby Bowden. Which team is it?
Virginia Tech
Florida State
Florida
Clemson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though Florida State only claims three of its eight selected NCAA titles, the school actually has been voted the best in college football eight times. Its championships span a period of time from 1980 to 2013.

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Question 30
Getty Images/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
This team brought a single national championship to its hometown of Boulder in 1990. Which is it?
Colorado
Colorado State
Wyoming
UNLV
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Colorado Buffaloes earned a national championship title in 1990, bringing a trophy home to its hometown of Boulder, Colorado. The title that year was actually split between Colorado and Georgia Tech.

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Question 27
Wikicommons by Ecansler
Visit this six-time NCAA championship winner and you’ll probably have to sing, “Rocky Top.” Which school is it?
Missouri
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Tennessee
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Tennessee has been selected for six national championships and claims each and every one. Four of its six titles were earned under Coach Robert Neyland, for whom the stadium is now named.

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Question 13
David Madison/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Sylvester Stallone both went to this university, which has five national titles. Which of these is it?
Duke
North Carolina
USC
Miami
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Miami, or “The U” as it is affectionately known by its athletes and fans, has garnered six AP national championships, including victories in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 2001.

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Question 1
David Madison/ Photodisc/ Getty Images
Before committees decided national championship playoff contenders, this Yellow Jackets team claimed four titles. Which team was it?
Arkansas
Georgia Tech
Georgia
Old Miss
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Georgia Tech was selected as the national champion multiple times before the College Football Playoff system was created. The school claims titles from 1917, 1928, 1952 and 1990.

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Question 14
Wikicommons by KT King
In 2016, these Cowboys were retroactively awarded a national championship for the 1945 football season. Which team are we talking about?
Texas A&M
Dallas
Oklahoma State
Kansas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oklahoma State’s football program has one of the newest – and oldest – national championships to its name. Awarded retroactively in 2006, the title was given to the 1945 team by the American Football Coaches Association.

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Question 35
Wikicommons by Kipp Jones
The “12th man” at this school has celebrated three national championships. Which university is it?
Washington State
Nebraska
Memphis
Texas A&M
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Texas A&M Aggies, home to the official “12th man,” has welcomed three national titles to its campus in College Station, Texas. Fun fact: The program lent its “12th man” nickname to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks in a five-year, $140,000 deal.

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Question 17
skynesher/ E+/ Getty Images
You might be seeing red ... er, scarlet, at this team’s 8 NCAA championships. Which squad are we referencing?
Ohio State
N.C. State
Georgia
Arkansas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ohio State University’s eight national championships span a period of time from 1942 and Coach Paul Brown to 2014 and Coach Urban Meyer. Will the team add another in 2020? Stay tuned ...

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Question 25
secret agent mike/ Moment/ Getty Images
This team has been “golden” seven times, earning seven national championships between 1904 and 1960. Which team are we talking about?
Kansas
Minnesota
Michigan State
Iowa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Minnesota Golden Gophers, members of the Big 10 conference, collected seven national titles between 1904 and 1960. The Gophers were led to back-to-back championships in 1940 and 1941 by its lone Heisman Trophy winner, Bruce Smith.

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Question 4
David Madison/ Photodisc/ Getty Images
You might want to “bow down to” this purple and gold squad, which holds two national titles recognized by the NCAA. Which of these is it?
Washington
Washington State
Oregon
Cal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Washington Huskies claims NCAA-recognized national championships from the 1960 and 1991 seasons. The last one came as a result of a Rose Bowl win over the University of Michigan.

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Question 28
David Madison/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
LaVell Edwards led this team to its sole national championship in 1984, the same year it went undefeated. What squad are we referring to?
UNLV
Utah
BYU
San Diego State
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1984, the Brigham Young University Cougars went undefeated, winning the Holiday Bowl. The school was selected as the national champion for the season, the only undefeated school at the end of the year.

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Question 31
Wikicommons by J1n9
The Tigers had only won one national championship prior to 2016; then, they won two more. Which team are we talking about?
Auburn
LSU
Clemson
Missouri
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Clemson earned only one national title prior to 2016, a championship that came at the end of an undefeated season in 1981. Since 2016, the Tigers have earned two national championships in the modern playoff era.

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Question 32
David Madison/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
The Bison have the most FCS national championship titles, with seven, through 2018. What school is the Bison?
North Dakota State
South Dakota State
Buffalo
Colorado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The North Dakota State Bison have seven FCS championships through 2018, winning the title every year from 2011 to 2018, with the exception of 2016. Prior to 2011, the school claimed eight additional trophies.

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Question 6
Wikicommons by Blervis
This team, which calls the Rose Bowl home, shared a part of a national championship with Ohio State in 1954. Which was it?
Notre Dame
UCLA
USC
San Diego State University
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of California, Los Angeles, better known as UCLA, has never won a national championship outright. Rather, it shared a part of a title in 1954 with Ohio State. UCLA was No. 1 in the Coaches’ Poll, while OSU was No. 1 in the AP Poll.

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Question 19
David Madison/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
One national championship is held by this team, thanks to a 1959 victory over the University of Texas. Which team is it?
UCF
North Carolina
Syracuse
Pitt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Syracuse won its first and only national championship in football in 1959, thanks to a 23-14 victory in the Cotton Bowl over the University of Texas. You probably think “basketball” when you hear this school’s name, but don’t rule out its football team either!

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Question 21
David Madison/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
Fans of this Big 12 school “jump” for joy over their two national championships in 1935 and 1938. What program is it?
Iowa State
TCU
WVU
Penn State
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The TCU (or Texas Christian University) Horned Frogs have jumped on two national championships, both in the 1930s. Heisman winner Davey O’Brien, for whom a college football trophy is now named, played for the Frogs.

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Question 33
adamkaz/ E+/ Getty Images
According to the Official NCAA Division 1 Football Records Book, this Pennsylvania school has championships in 11 different seasons. Which school is it?
Pitt
Penn State
Villanova
St. John’s
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Pittsburgh, according to NCAA records, has championships (as selected by major outlets) in 11 different seasons, though the school itself only claims nine of those. The school’s most recent championship came in 1981.

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Question 22
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Let’s throw a little I-AA national championship action in here. Which school “rattled” its way to its first – and only - championship title in 1978, the first year the game was played?
Georgia Southern
Florida A&M
Marshall
Appalachian State
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Florida A&M Rattlers won its only national championship game in 1978, the same year that the then-named NCAA I-AA division hosted a title game. They have a whopping 37 conference titles to their name, too.

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Question 24
miodrag ignjatovic/ E+/ Getty Images
Before transitioning to FBS in 2014, this team soared to six national championships at the FCS level. Which is it?
UCF
Boise State
Georgia Southern
Montana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Georgia Southern Eagles soared to six national championship titles at the FCS level, before moving to FBS in 2014. The team’s last championship title came in 2000, a 27-25 win over Montana.

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Question 20
Wikicommons by Roman Fuchs
An Ivy League education AND a championship powerhouse? Which of these noteworthy programs has 28 titles, all but one of which were earned prior to the Associated Press polling system?
Harvard
Yale
Princeton
Brown
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Princeton Tigers might have been the Alabama of the 1800s and early 1900s, racking up 27 titles between 1869 and 1935. The 28th national championship came in 1950.

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You Got:
/35
Wikicommons by Thecoiner