Over a third of baby boomers love this college sports team

There’s something undeniably exciting about college sports, whether you’re watching in person or sitting in front of the TV: the intense camaraderie and sense of being part of something bigger, the smells and sounds of the tailgate, the excitement behind it. -second buckets or near touchdowns. Watching college sports also brings you more than great games. In 1982, the band took the field before the Cal vs. Stanford to end, causing mayhem, confusion and a few good laughs. During the 2006 game LSU vs. South Carolina, the referee flagged down the South Carolina quarterback. What we love about college sports is that we can’t expect anything. Indeed, that’s why people of all ages watch – to be entertained and enjoy the surprise. (Here are the most popular soccer teams by baby boomers, ranked.)

Many baby boomers follow sports in college. Some do it to bond with younger family members, some to support their alma maters, and some just for the genuine love of the game. For whatever reason, it’s awarded every week (in season, of course). But we were curious: What are the most popular college sports teams for people of this generation (1946-64). To answer our question, 24/ Wall St. analyzed data from YouGovan online voting service. Specifically, we used his second quarter 2024 study, which takes a close look at the most popular college sports teams that baby boomers regularly root for. No matter how this descending list looks, there will be controversy over number one.

Why is this important?

College sports are some of the most competitive in the country.

Many people are more into college sports than professional sports. College sports programs are huge revenue generators for the schools themselves, and we’ve seen increased investment in sports equipment, facilities and even coaching staff. But college income is actually controversial. College athletes are now looking to get paid, especially considering the number of sponsors that many college teams work with. (These college football stars collect the highest NIL offers.)

15. Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State has a long reputation for being great at sports.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 26%

Competing as members of the Big 10, the Penn State Nittany Lions are one of the most popular schools in the country. The school has 31 varsity teams, making it one of the most athletic schools on this list. The team’s longtime popularity and success undoubtedly influenced many baby boomers to tune in whenever Penn State appeared on nationally televised games.

14. Clemson Tigers

The Clemson Tigers football team is a long, dominant name.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 27%

Located in South Carolina, the Clemson Tigers have 21 different teams, many of which are former national champions. The school has won three national titles in football, the most recent coming in 2018 when the team defeated arch-rivals Alabama. The school has appeared in the last six College Football Playoff games and frequently wins more than 60 percent of its games, which ranks it in the top 25 all-time for winning percentage in college football.

13. Tennessee Volunteers

It’s not uncommon to see the Tennessee Volunteers rank high.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 27%

Another popular school beloved by baby boomers, the Tennessee Volunteers, or “Vols” for short, are a huge name in college athletics. With 20 different teams, the SEC has long been a hunting ground in Tennessee as the school looks to dominate in basketball, football, baseball and every other sport it offers. The school’s rivalry with the University of Alabama is almost always on national television whenever college football season is around.

12. Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines are one of the best teams in college football.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 29%

Whether it’s the University of Michigan’s rivalry with Michigan State or Ohio State, the Wolverines are one of the most popular college sports teams in the country. With 29 varsity teams, the Wolverines also run one of the most athletic programs in the country. The football team, the school’s most beloved sport, won 1,004 games, the most wins of all time, and won 12 national championships.

11. North Carolina Tar Heels

The North Carolina Tar Heels are one of the winningest college teams.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 29%

Running the oldest collegiate program in North Carolina, the North Carolina Tar Heels are extremely popular with baby boomers. The school has won 50 NCAA Division One team national championships in a variety of 28 varsity sports, which is eighth all-time. Better yet, the school has won 52 individual national titles, further validating why it is so popular among baby boomers who have watched its many successes.

10. Florida Gators

The Florida Gators are a dominant name in many college athletic events.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 29%

If you have ever heard of or visited the University of Florida, you know that the Florida Gators are known for being one of the of the most dominant football and basketball schools in the South, making it unsurprisingly popular with baby boomers. A big reason could be that Florida is full of baby boomers who often have children and grandchildren attending the school, which helps boost the popularity of its 19 athletic programs.

9. Michigan State Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans offer one of the largest college athletics programs.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 29%

Michigan State University is one of the largest schools in the Midwest. The Michigan State Spartans are frequently ranked in basketball and football. Even the ice hockey team had many dominant seasons. These are just a few of the 23 different sports programs the college offers. One of the school’s most famous athletes, Magic Johnson, went on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, while the basketball team’s head coach, Tom Izzo, is one of the top in the country.

8. Indiana Hoosiers

The Indiana Hoosiers are one of the most recognizable names in college basketball.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 29%

The Indiana Hoosiers are well-known in the world of college sports. With 24 NCAA championships, the Hoosiers are beloved by baby boomers. Once coached by the infamous Bob Knight, the university’s basketball team won five NCAA championships, and its 1976 team remains the last undefeated NCAA men’s basketball champion. The school is also highly regarded for its soccer program and regularly leads players to the NWSL.

7. Alabama Crimson Tide

“Go Bama” is a common thing you hear about the University of Alabama.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 29%

You almost can’t go to Alabama without hearing the words “Roll Tide,” which is why it appears on this list for baby boomers. The team’s 100,077-seat football stadium is one of the largest in the country and further confirms why the Crimson Tide is so popular with the boomer crowd. Better yet, the team’s rivalry with Auburn is one of the best in all of college sports.

6. Arkansas Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks are one of the best teams in many athletic events.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 30%

Of course, the Arkansas Razorbacks — as the base SEC team — made the moves. The university has 19 different sports teams. While its football and basketball programs are the most important, baseball and softball influence the Razorbacks’ popularity. The baseball team has even reached every NCAA postseason tournament since 2003 and reached the College World Series twice in that same span.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs are often linked to the championship in college football.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 31%

Home to 21 different sports programs, the University of Georgia has the fifth most popular college sports program with baby boomers. In its long history, the college has won 48 national championships in its 21 sports programs and 173 SEC championships. The school’s students have even won 56 Olympic medals, which highlights how strong the Georgia Bulldogs sports program is.

4. Texas Longhorns

There is no college sports stadium like the University of Texas.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 34%

In 21 different sports, the Longhorns are one of the biggest brands in collegiate athletics, which no doubt plays a role in the school’s popularity among baby boomers. The school’s football team ranks 2nd for all-time wins in history with 891 wins, second only to Nebraska. And more than anything else, they’re fun to watch.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes have one of the largest college programs.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 35%

One of the largest universities in the country, Ohio State University also has one of the largest athletic programs. Ohio State is also among only seven schools to win an NCAA national title in baseball, basketball and football. With 33 different teams, the Ohio State Buckeyes have a lot of success. The football team is consistently ranked in the top 25 in football and draws high ratings across the country due to its die-hard fan base.

2. Navy Aspirants

The Army versus Navy football game is one of the best rivalries.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 37%

If it’s a surprise to see Navy Midshipmen in second place, remember that plenty of baby boomers served in the Navy. As such, this school and its 36 sports teams are easy favorites among the baby-bomber crowd. Best of all, the annual Army-Navy football game is one of the most watched in college sports, even for those who don’t root for either team.

1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are the most popular boomer football team.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 39%

When you think of sports teams that pump up fans, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish undoubtedly come to mind. It’s one of the most loved and hated sports programs at the same time, and Fighting Irish fans have a lot to be proud of. One of the best programs in college football history, Notre Dame also has a very competitive basketball program, which is just two of the 26 total athletic programs the school offers.

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