College football season arrives along with all its glory

Get ready! It’s coming!

The 2026 college football season begins August 29th, and for the teams’ super fan bases, it just won’t be soon enough.

Why is this beloved sport which is so steeped in tradition, rituals, controversies and rivalries so popular?

This may be a clue:

Years ago, and long before anyone could conceive that Indiana University (typically considered a basketball school) would be the reigning NCAA college football champion, I heard a segment on radio that research had been conducted at IU to determine the earliest fond memories of childhood. The answer:  Sitting on the sofa with their family watching college football in first grade. 

And this was during a time when IU was lucky if they won six games during the season!

Actually, my own story validates this research. When I was in grade school, I remember watching two-time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin, run the length of the field to score a touchdown for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the granddaddy of them all, the New Year’s Day Rose Bowl. We were all sitting on the sofa at my Uncle Frank’s house with cousins jumping and cheering amongst the holiday decorations and the sparkling Christmas tree. It was so exciting!

My husband, sister, numerous family members and friends and I have since graduated from The Ohio State University, never wavering in our devotion to the university and the super fandom of its football team.

This is not unusual, writes Diana Roberts in her book, Tribal: College Football and the Secret Heart of America. An English professor and super fan at Florida State, she recounts the thrills and cultural twists and turns in watching her favorite team on Saturdays.

As for us …

Let me first begin with a few of our favorite sayings at OSU:

We have the best damn band in the land.

We have the best damn fans in the land. 

We have the best damn team in the land.

Now, allow me to illustrate and bring it to life.

Best Damn Fans in the Land

If you attend a home game at Ohio Stadium, often referred to as “The Shoe,” you will be greeted by many miles worth of tailgaters who have been camped out for hours to see the game when you arrive. 

As you enter the stadium, you will be welcomed by the students’ “Block O” cheering section, the OSU cheerleaders, and the team mascot, Brutus Buckeye, chanting, “O-H” followed by “I-O.” (Note:  You might also hear this chant on any given day at an Ohio event, wedding or other gathering.) They continue to lead endless cheers to support the team throughout the game.

Best Damn Team in the Land

When the game begins, there will likely be more than 100,000 fans from end-to-end and top to bottom of the stadium wearing the jersey of their favorite player to cheer on their beloved team. The noise that college football fans can generate is intense when the team is winning and treacherous if they are losing. The scoreboards generate amazing replays and the fans just continue to go wild with team spirit. The goal is to win every game and advance to the bowl season, preferably the College Football Playoff. The team rarely disappoints with an all-time total of 985 wins and the highest win percentage (.736) of any team.

Best Damn Band in the Land

For music lovers, the OSU band will delight you beginning with the team fight song as the team enters the building and following every touchdown.

At half-time, the band performs the infamous Script Ohio and other novel numbers.

During the game, you will hear a fan favorite, Hang on Sloopy, the state Rock and Roll song.

And finally, when the game concludes, win or loss, the team, band, cheerleaders and fans sing Carmen Ohio while standing arm-in-arm. 

Rivalries

The team enjoys many traditions, but the most famous is the annual rivalry match up with the Michigan Wolverines. During rivalry week, it is common for OSU fans to “X” out Ms across the landscape (e.g., Xichigan). They also only refer to the rival as, That Team up North (TTUN), There are campus-wide, city-wide, state-wide and everywhere-else-wide pep rallies. My friend. Steve, a graduate from Boston College once observed, “There are more Ohio State fans than ants.” Could be. Fans also carry their lucky buckeyes in their pockets, candy buckeyes with their friends, fly their OSU flags and sport “Block O” face paintings.

There are many fierce rivalries in college football: Alabama-Auburn, Army- Navy, Oklahoma-Texas, and the list goes on. On any given day, you might catch a reference to one.

It Never Ends

As for Sunday mornings:  True fans watch the coverage of yesterday’s games, check the polls and rankings on ESPN, USA Today, AP, get ready for the coming week’s game!

I have shared my beloved college football traditions. What is your favorite team and what gameday traditions are you looking forward to this year? Please share your experiences in the comments.

Enjoy the season. Don’t give in and may the best team win!