The Ultimate Guide to College Football Team Names, Nicknames, Histories, and Rivalries

College football isn’t just a sport — it’s a culture deeply tied to tradition, rivalries, and legendary players. From the Alabama Crimson Tide dynasty to the storied history of the Michigan Wolverines, every program has its own unique identity. If you’re looking for the full official names, nicknames, and background on successes, famous players, and rivalries (perfect for hoodies, merch, or fan content), here’s the comprehensive breakdown by conference.

Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

Boston College Eagles — Eagles
Founded in 1892, BC has produced NFL greats like Doug Flutie, whose famous “Hail Mary” pass in 1984 remains iconic.

Clemson Tigers — Tigers
A powerhouse in the modern era, Clemson has won national championships in 1981, 2016, and 2018. Famous players include Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. Their rivalry with South Carolina, the Palmetto Bowl, is fierce.

Duke Blue Devils — Blue Devils
Better known for basketball, Duke has had moments of success in football, producing NFL QB Daniel Jones.

Florida State Seminoles — Seminoles, Noles
Three national championships (1993, 1999, 2013). Famous for the Sunshine Showdown rivalry with Florida.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets — Jackets
National champions four times, last in 1990. Famous alum: Calvin “Megatron” Johnson. Their Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate rivalry with Georgia is legendary.

Louisville Cardinals — Cardinals, Cards
Produced NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Rivalry with Kentucky is known as the Governor’s Cup.

Miami Hurricanes — Hurricanes, Canes
Five national championships, known for swagger and dominance. The Miami–Florida State rivalry is one of the best in college football.

NC State Wolfpack — Wolfpack, Pack
Famous QBs: Philip Rivers, Russell Wilson. Their heated rivalry with UNC is called the Carolina State Game.

North Carolina Tar Heels — Tar Heels, Heels
Produced Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers. Their rivalry with Duke extends from basketball to football.

Pittsburgh Panthers — Panthers
National champs in 1976, producing Dan Marino and Tony Dorsett. Their rivalry with West Virginia, the Backyard Brawl, is legendary.

Syracuse Orange — Orange
Produced Jim Brown and Donovan McNabb. Known rivals with Boston College and Pitt.

Virginia Cavaliers — Cavaliers, Hoos
Known for their Commonwealth Clash rivalry with Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech Hokies — Hokies
Famous for Michael Vick. Rivalry with UVA is fierce.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons — Deacs
Small but competitive, rivals with UNC and Duke.

Big Ten Conference

Illinois Fighting Illini — Illini
Produced Dick Butkus. Rivalry with Northwestern is called the Land of Lincoln Trophy.

Indiana Hoosiers — Hoosiers
Not a football powerhouse but rivals with Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket Game.

Iowa Hawkeyes — Hawkeyes, Hawks
Known for producing NFL tight ends. Rivalries with Iowa State (Cy-Hawk Trophy) and Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale).

Maryland Terrapins — Terps
Produced Stefon Diggs. Rival with Penn State.

Michigan Wolverines — Wolverines
Most wins in college football history, with 12 national titles. Rivalries: The Game vs. Ohio State is the biggest rivalry in college football. Also rivals with Michigan State (Paul Bunyan Trophy).

Michigan State Spartans — Spartans, Sparty
Produced Kirk Cousins. Intense rivalry with Michigan.

Minnesota Golden Gophers — Gophers
Seven-time national champions. Rivalries include Wisconsin (Paul Bunyan’s Axe).

Nebraska Cornhuskers — Huskers, Big Red
Five national titles. Rivalries with Oklahoma and Iowa.

Northwestern Wildcats — Wildcats
Produced Otto Graham. Rival with Illinois.

Ohio State Buckeyes — Buckeyes, Bucks
Eight national championships, two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin. Rivalries: Michigan (The Game) and Penn State.

Penn State Nittany Lions — Nittany Lions
Two national titles. Known as Linebacker U. Rivals include Pitt and Ohio State.

Purdue Boilermakers — Boilers
“The Cradle of Quarterbacks” — Drew Brees, Bob Griese. Rival with Indiana.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights — Scarlet Knights
Played the first-ever college football game in 1869 vs. Princeton.

Wisconsin Badgers — Badgers, Bucky
Three-time Rose Bowl winners in the 1990s. Rivalries include Minnesota (Paul Bunyan’s Axe).

Big 12 Conference

Baylor Bears — Bears
RGIII won the Heisman. Rivalry with TCU is called the Revivalry.

BYU Cougars — Cougars
1984 national champs. Rivalry with Utah is the Holy War.

Cincinnati Bearcats — Bearcats, Cats
Made the College Football Playoff in 2021. Rival with Louisville.

Houston Cougars — Cougars
Produced Heisman winner Andre Ware. Rivalry with Rice is the Bayou Bucket Classic.

Iowa State Cyclones — Cyclones
Rivalry with Iowa is the Cy-Hawk Trophy.

Kansas Jayhawks — Jayhawks, Hawks
Gale Sayers was a star here. Rivalry with Kansas State is the Sunflower Showdown.

Kansas State Wildcats — Wildcats, Cats
Strong under Bill Snyder. Rival with Kansas.

Oklahoma Sooners — Sooners
Seven national titles. Rivalries: Texas (Red River Showdown) and Oklahoma State (Bedlam).

Oklahoma State Cowboys — Cowboys, Pokes
Produced Barry Sanders. Rival with OU in Bedlam.

TCU Horned Frogs — Frogs
Runner-up in 2022. Rival with Baylor (Revivalry).

Texas Longhorns — Longhorns, Horns
Four national titles. Vince Young’s 2006 Rose Bowl is legendary. Rivalries: Oklahoma (Red River Showdown), Texas A&M.

Texas Tech Red Raiders — Red Raiders, Raiders
Produced Patrick Mahomes. Rivalries: Texas and Texas A&M.

UCF Knights — Knights
Claimed 2017 national title. Rivalry with USF is the War on I-4.

West Virginia Mountaineers — Mountaineers, Eers
Rivalry with Pitt (Backyard Brawl).

Southeastern Conference (SEC)

Alabama Crimson Tide — Crimson Tide, Bama
18 national titles. Rivalries: Auburn (Iron Bowl) and LSU.

Arkansas Razorbacks — Razorbacks, Hogs
National champs in 1964. Rivalries with Texas and LSU.

Auburn Tigers — Tigers, War Eagle
National title in 2010 (Cam Newton). Rivalry with Alabama (Iron Bowl).

Florida Gators — Gators
Three national titles. Rivalries: Georgia (World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party), FSU, Miami.

Georgia Bulldogs — Bulldogs, Dawgs
Back-to-back champs in 2021, 2022. Rivalries: Florida, Auburn (Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry), Georgia Tech.

Kentucky Wildcats — Wildcats, Cats
Primarily a basketball school, but rivals with Louisville.

LSU Tigers — Tigers, Bayou Bengals
2019 champs with Joe Burrow. Rivalries: Alabama, Ole Miss.

Mississippi State Bulldogs — Bulldogs, State
Rivalry with Ole Miss is the Egg Bowl.

Missouri Tigers — Tigers, Mizzou
Strong Big 12 history, rivalry with Kansas.

Ole Miss Rebels — Rebels, Rebs
Produced the Manning family. Rivalry with Mississippi State (Egg Bowl).

South Carolina Gamecocks — Gamecocks, Cocks
Rivalry with Clemson is the Palmetto Bowl.

Tennessee Volunteers — Vols
1998 champs with Peyton Manning era. Rivalries: Alabama (Third Saturday in October), Florida, Georgia.

Texas A&M Aggies — Aggies
Rivalries with Texas and LSU.

Vanderbilt Commodores — Commodores, Dores
Best known for academics, rivals with Tennessee.

Pac-12 Conference

Arizona Wildcats — Wildcats
Produced Rob Gronkowski. Rival with Arizona State (Territorial Cup).

Arizona State Sun Devils — Sun Devils
Produced Pat Tillman. Rival with Arizona.

California Golden Bears — Bears
Produced Aaron Rodgers. Rival with Stanford (Big Game).

Colorado Buffaloes — Buffaloes, Buffs
1990 national champs. Rivalries: Nebraska and Colorado State.

Oregon Ducks — Ducks
Famous for Nike uniforms. Rivalry with Oregon State is the Civil War (now called the Oregon–Oregon State Rivalry).

Oregon State Beavers — Beavs
Rivalry with Oregon.

Stanford Cardinal — Cardinal
Produced John Elway. Rival with Cal (Big Game).

UCLA Bruins — Bruins
Produced Troy Aikman. Rivalry with USC is the Victory Bell Game.

USC Trojans — Trojans
11 national titles, 7 Heismans. Rivalries: Notre Dame (Greatest Intersectional Rivalry), UCLA.

Utah Utes — Utes
Fiesta Bowl champs 2005. Rival with BYU (Holy War).

Washington Huskies — Huskies
National titles in 1960 and 1991. Rivalry with Washington State (Apple Cup).

Washington State Cougars — Cougars, Wazzu
Produced Drew Bledsoe. Rivalry with Washington (Apple Cup).

Other Notable Programs

• Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent) — 11 national titles, 7 Heismans. Rivalries: USC, Michigan, Navy.

• Boise State Broncos (MWC) — Known for blue turf and 2007 Fiesta Bowl win. Rivalry with Idaho (Battle of the Domes).

• Army Black Knights (Independent) — Rivalry with Navy is the historic Army-Navy Game.

• Navy Midshipmen (AAC) — Produced Roger Staubach. Rivalry with Army.

From The Game (Michigan–Ohio State) to the Iron Bowl (Alabama–Auburn), rivalries define college football as much as national titles and Heisman winners. Every program’s name and nickname isn’t just a mascot — it’s tied to decades of pride, players, and unforgettable Saturdays. Perfect inspiration for hoodies, merch, or celebrating the team you love.