College Football Quiz: How Much Do You Know?

The history of NCAA college football is a fascinating tale that spans over a century, showcasing the evolution of the sport and its profound impact on American culture. From its humble beginnings in the late 19th century to becoming a multi-billion dollar industry, college football has captured the hearts of millions of fans across the nation.

The origins of college football can be traced back to November 6, 1869, when Rutgers University and Princeton University played the first intercollegiate football game. However, it was not until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the sport gained significant popularity and began to resemble the game we know today.

One of the pivotal figures in the early development of college football was Walter Camp, often referred to as the “Father of American Football.” Camp, a player and coach at Yale University, played a crucial role in establishing standardized rules for the game and introducing innovations such as the line of scrimmage and the system of downs. His contributions laid the foundation for the modern game of football and helped shape its growth.

In the early years, college football was primarily a regional phenomenon, with teams from the Northeast, Midwest, and South dominating the landscape. The sport grew in popularity, drawing large crowds and fostering fierce rivalries between schools. Traditional powerhouses such as Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Michigan emerged as early football dynasties.

As the sport continued to gain traction, the need for organized competition and governance became evident. In 1906, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) was formed, which later became the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NCAA’s role was to establish rules, regulate competition, and ensure the welfare of student-athletes.

The early decades of the 20th century witnessed the rise of legendary coaches and iconic teams. Knute Rockne at Notre Dame, Pop Warner at Stanford, and Fielding H. Yost at Michigan were among the coaching giants who left an indelible mark on college football. Meanwhile, teams like Notre Dame, Alabama, and Ohio State all began to build storied legacies, capturing national attention and setting the stage for the sport’s continued growth.

The introduction of bowl games in the 1920s and 1930s added a new dimension to college football. The Rose Bowl, first played in 1902, gained prominence as the “Granddaddy of Them All” and became a symbol of postseason success. Other bowl games, such as the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl, provided opportunities for teams to showcase their talents on a national stage.

The period following World War II witnessed a significant expansion of college football. Television broadcasts brought the sport into living rooms across the country, attracting larger audiences and generating substantial revenue. The 1950s and 1960s saw the integration of African-American players, breaking down racial barriers and adding diversity to the game.

In the latter half of the 20th century, college football experienced significant changes. Conferences realigned, creating new rivalries and altering the balance of power. The implementation of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in 1998 aimed to determine a national champion, but it was met with criticism and controversy.

The BCS eventually gave way to the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2014, which introduced a four-team tournament to determine the national champion. The CFP system has brought excitement and debate to the sport, with fans eagerly anticipating the annual selection of the playoff teams.

Today, NCAA college football stands as a cultural phenomenon, captivating fans with its pageantry, traditions, and thrilling competition. The sport’s popularity continues to soar, with stadiums filled to capacity and millions tuning in to watch games on television and online platforms. College football has become one of America’s most popular sports. And for good reason!

Here’s a 50-question quiz about college football:

1. Which organization governs college football in the United States?
Answer: NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)

2. How many divisions are there in NCAA college football?
Answer: There are three divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III.

3. What does FBS stand for in college football?
Answer: FBS stands for Football Bowl Subdivision, which is the highest level of college football.

4. Which team won the College Football Playoff National Championship in the 2020 season?
Answer: Alabama Crimson Tide

5. Who is the all-time leading passer in NCAA college football?
Answer: Case Keenum (University of Houston)

6. Which college football team has won the most national championships?
Answer: The University of Alabama (Crimson Tide)

7. Which legendary coach has the most wins in NCAA Division I college football history?
Answer: Joe Paterno (Formerly of Penn State University, with 409 wins)

8. What is the oldest college football bowl game in the United States?
Answer: The Rose Bowl Game

9. Which college football team has the longest winning streak in history?
Answer: Oklahoma Sooners (47 consecutive wins from 1953 to 1957)

10. Who was the first Heisman Trophy winner in college football?
Answer: Jay Berwanger (University of Chicago, 1935)

11. Which college football team has the most Heisman Trophy winners?
Answer: The University of Southern California (USC) with 7 Heisman Trophy winners.

12. What college football program is known as “The U”?
Answer: The University of Miami

13. Who is the winningest coach in Ohio State University football history?
Answer: Woody Hayes

14. Which college football team has the most all-time wins?
Answer: Michigan Wolverines

15. Who holds the record for the most rushing yards in a single season in college football?
Answer: Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State University, 1988)

16. What is the annual matchup between Army and Navy called?
Answer: The Army-Navy Game

17. Which college football team has the longest active bowl streak?
Answer: Virginia Tech Hokies (28 consecutive bowl appearances from 1993 to 2020)

18. Which university has the largest college football stadium in the United States?
Answer: The University of Michigan (Michigan Stadium, also known as “The Big House”)

19. What is the term used for the process of college football teams selecting players to join their programs?
Answer: Recruiting

20. Who is the all-time leading rusher in NCAA college football?
Answer: Ron Dayne (University of Wisconsin)

21. Which college football team is known as the “Fighting Irish”?
Answer: University of Notre Dame

22. What is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual game between Ohio State and Michigan?
Answer: The Paul Bunyan Trophy

23. Who is the current head coach of the Clemson Tigers football team?
Answer: Dabo Swinney

24. Which college football team has the most conference championships?
Answer: The University of Alabama (Crimson Tide)

25. What is the nickname of the LSU football team?
Answer: The Tigers

26. Who won the first College Football Playoff National Championship in the 2014 season?
Answer: Ohio State Buckeyes

27. Which college football team has the longest active home winning streak?
Answer: Clemson Tigers (30 consecutive home wins as of 2021)

28. What is the name of the annual college football game between Texas and Oklahoma?
Answer: The Red River Showdown

29. What is the name of the annual game between Auburn and Alabama?
Answer: The Iron Bowl

30. Who is the all-time leading receiver in NCAA college football?
Answer: Justin Hardy (East Carolina University)

31. Which college football team has the most appearances in the College Football Playoff?
Answer: Alabama Crimson Tide (8 appearances as of 2021)

32. Who holds the record for the most touchdown passes in a single season in college football?
Answer: Joe Burrow (LSU, 2019)

33. What is the annual rivalry game between Florida State and Miami called?
Answer: The Sunshine Showdown

34. Which college football team has the most players selected in the NFL Draft?
Answer: The University of Alabama (Crimson Tide)

35. Who holds the record for the most career interceptions in college football?
Answer: Terrell Buckley (Florida State University)

36. What is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual game between Alabama and Tennessee?
Answer: The Third Saturday in October Trophy

37. Who won the Heisman Trophy in the 2020 college football season?
Answer: DeVonta Smith (University of Alabama)

38. Which college football team has the longest active winning streak against a conference opponent?
Answer: Clemson Tigers (26 consecutive wins against ACC opponents as of 2021)

39. What is the name of the annual game between Harvard and Yale?
Answer: The Game

40. Who holds the record for the most career rushing touchdowns in college football?
Answer: Montee Ball (University of Wisconsin)

41. Which college football team is known as the “Trojans”?
Answer: University of Southern California (USC)

42. What is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual game between USC and UCLA?
Answer: The Victory Bell

43. Who won the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship game in the 2014 season?
Answer: Ohio State Buckeyes

44. Which college football team has the most Heisman Trophy winners in a single season?
Answer: The Ohio State Buckeyes (3 Heisman Trophy winners in 2006)

45. Who is the current head coach of the University of Oklahoma football team?
Answer: Lincoln Riley

46. Which college football team is known as the “Longhorns”?
Answer: University of Texas at Austin

47. What is the name of the annual game between Georgia and Florida?
Answer: The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (now officially known as the Florida-Georgia game)

48. Who holds the record for the most career passing touchdowns in college football?
Answer: Graham Harrell (Texas Tech University)

49. What is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual game between Oklahoma and Texas?
Answer: The Golden Hat

50. Who won the Heisman Trophy in the 2021 college football season?
Answer: Bryce Young (University of Alabama)

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