College sports could be considered a religion in America and, in some states, it’s even bigger than professional disciplines.
The country boasts some historic colleges, yet they aren’t all equal when it comes to sports. As such, this list takes a look at some of the best sports schools in the nation.
Keep reading to find out which ones they are.
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut's women's basketball team is renowned for its incredible success over the years, having won an impressive 11 national championships and setting a record with 111 consecutive wins. Meanwhile, the men's program has also achieved a lot lately, including two tournament titles in the past decade, and are the current NCAA champs. Both programs made it to the Final Four this year as well.
Florida State University
Florida State University is big on sports, especially during the fall football season when students and fans come out to support the Seminoles. The Seminoles football team has produced three Heisman trophy champions while the FSU baseball team has qualified for the College World Series close to 20 times.
The football program won the ACC Championship last season, having gone unbeaten, but were left out of the College Football Playoff, much to the disgust of plenty of fans, because they lost starting quarterback Jordan Travis to a season-ending injury.
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is known for its rich heritage and strong sports program. Particularly during football season, the community comes together to support The Fighting Irish on the field. The football program has achieved great success, earning 11 national titles, while the women's basketball team has also had an impressive record, making it to the Final Four nine times and winning two national championships of their own. Overall, the university has a rich tradition in sports and is a great source of pride for the community.
University Of Alabama
The University of Alabama has established itself as a football powerhouse with a remarkable 18 national championships under its belt. Other sports, such as baseball, softball, golf, and gymnastics, also thrive on the Tuscaloosa campus, but the excitement of game day for the Crimson Tide football team is unparalleled.
The Crimson Tide are likely headed into next season as the most intriguing team in college football as head coach Nick Saban has retired after 16 years in charge of the team, with Kalen DeBoer leaving the Washington Huskies to become the new top man at Alabama.
University Of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina is widely recognized as one of the best sports colleges in the United States due to its exceptional athletic programs and numerous championship wins. UNC boasts a long and storied history of success in a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse. The university has produced countless All-Americans and Olympians, and its athletes consistently rank among the best in the country. UNC's state-of-the-art facilities and top-notch coaching staff also contribute to its reputation as a premier sports college.
The fact that there are now sports betting promos in North Carolina given the recent legalization of online sports betting makes UNC teams even more interesting.
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University boasts successful football and baseball programs, winning a combined total of 11 national championships. However, the true appeal for LSU fans is the lively atmosphere in the stadiums during games.
The women’s basketball program won a national championship last year but was eliminated at the Elite Eight stage this time around. They will also undergo big changes as their best player, Angel Reese has declared for the WNBA Draft, while another star player, Hailey Van Lith, has entered the transfer portal.
University Of Michigan
The University of Michigan has produced over 50 team national championships and numerous Olympic athletes. They just won a national championship, with Jim Harbaugh leading the Wolverines to glory despite being suspended for multiple games.
Unfortunately, Harbaugh has since returned to the NFL, filling the Los Angeles Chargers’ coaching vacancy. Starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy has also declared for the NFL Draft while star running back Blake Corum is on his way to the pros as well.
University Of Florida
The University of Florida has excelled in numerous sports including golf, baseball, and football, earning more than 15 national championship titles in the past decade. Game day at The Swamp is known for having one of the most enthusiastic and energetic crowds in college sports.
Indiana University
Indiana University boasts a rich tradition of athletic excellence, with its men's basketball team standing out as a dominant force. Over the years, they've clinched several conference championships and have made multiple appearances in the NCAA tournament. Despite the ups and downs of the season, the entire IU community, from student-athletes to regular students, rallies behind the Hoosiers with a shared sense of pride and loyalty.