Where is Ohio State in study of largest college football fanbases?
If you’ve followed us for any duration of time at all, then you know what we always say; Ohio State football turns on television sets.
And it’s true. The Buckeyes are often slotted in networks’ game of the week slots because they want to get the most rating they can. Ratings often reflect that took with OSU’s games more often than not appearing at or near the top of the most-watched college football games annually.
So, it sure feels like Ohio State has a bigger fanbase than almost every other program, but there really wasn’t a study to look at to confirm. Until now.
Self-proclaimed strategy analyst Tony Altimore underwent a process to analyze the fanbases of all 130 FBS teams and the Buckeye Nation ended up representing very, very well.
In fact, 50% of the entire fanbase was surprisingly made up of the top sixteen teams. And that’s what we’re going to focus on here. Here are the top 50% that make up the top sixteen FBS fanbases in college football from No. 16 down to No. 1.
We have a good feeling you are going to like it.
Tennessee Volunteers (SEC)
Nov 23, 2019; Columbia, MO, USA; A general view of a Tennessee Volunteers helmet during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
3.27 million
Auburn Tigers (SEC)
Aug 31, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers mascot Aubie the Tiger celebrates with cheerleaders after the victory against the Oregon Ducks at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
3.27 million
Syracuse Orange (ACC)
Sep 16, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; General view of a Syracuse Orange helmet on the turf prior to the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at the Carrier Dome. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
3.45 million
Texas A&M (SEC)
Nov 27, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher looks on during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
3.87 million
Georgia Bulldogs (SEC)
Nov. 15, 2014; Athens; Georgia mascot UGA IX is shown on the field during their win over the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 34-7. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
3.99 million
LSU Tigers (SEC)
April 17, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers running back Tyrion Davis-Price (3) runs the ball behind LSU Tigers tight end Nick Storz (85) during the second half of the annual Purple and White spring game at Tiger Stadium. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
4.02 million
USC Trojans (Pac-12)
Dec 4, 2021; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears tight end Elijah Mojarro (81) celebrates with USC Trojans wide receiver John Jackson III (80) after scoring a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
4.46 million
Wisconsin Badgers (Big Ten)
Dec 30, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Wisconsin Badgers gather around their winning trophy after beating Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Bank of America Stadium. Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
4.57 million
Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC)
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Shane Lee (35) against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
5.34 million
Oregon Ducks (Pac-12)
Jan 2, 2021; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Sean Dollars (5) against the Iowa State Cyclones in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
5.54 million
Florida Gators (SEC)
Nov 20, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Florida Gators’ helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
5.89 million
Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten)
Nov 20, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins (25) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half H| at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
6.26 million
Penn State Nittany Lions (Big Ten)
Oct 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Rasheed Walker (53) and linebacker Jesse Luketa (40) and safety Jaquan Brisker (1), and safety Jonathan Sutherland (0) walk on the field for the coin flip prior to the game Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
6.36 million
Texas Longhorns (Big 12)
Nov 7, 2020; Austin, Texas, USA; West Virginia cornerback Dreshun Miller blocks a pass by Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger in the first quarter at Royal-Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 7, 2020. Credit: Jay Janner-USA TODAY NETWORK
Total Number of Estimated Fans
7.82 million
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent)
Sep 5, 2021; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Joe Wilkins Jr. (5) celebrates with running back Kyren Williams (23) after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
8.21 million
Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten)
Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, CA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) after making a catch for a touchdown against the Utah Utes in the fourth quarter during the 2022 Rose Bowl college football game at the Rose Bowl. Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Total Number of Estimated Fans
11.26 million
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