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There’s an unmistakable energy that fills the air on college football Saturdays. The excitement is palpable, the rivalries fierce, and the fan loyalty unmatched. College football isn't just about the game; it’s a cultural cornerstone, bringing communities together to cheer for their teams. This 2024-2025 season, Ohio State, Alabama, and Michigan stand out—not just for their performances on the field, but for the massive fan bases that fuel their success.
These programs don’t just attract spectators; they draw in passionate supporters who live and breathe college football. Recent estimates from The Athletic show attendance figures that highlight this dedication: Ohio State brings in approximately 105,000 fans per game, Alabama around 100,000, and Michigan leads with around 107,000. Fans can watch college football today on tv right here!
The Buckeyes are off to a strong start this season behind Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard who has completed 71.5% of his passes with 12 touchdowns and 3 INT's. TreVeyon Henderson hasn't had quite the season that many were expecting, but still has 337 yards rushing and 4 TD's. The leading rusher is Quinshon Judkins as the junior has amassed 468 yards on just 60 carries. Both Henderson and Judkins are averaging about 8 yards per carry.
Freshman wideout Jeremiah Smith has just below a 20-yard per catch average with 23 receptions 453 yards and 6 TD's, while senior Emeka Egbuka has 30 catches for 433 yards and 5 scores.
On defense, Jack Sawyer has 17 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He's just one of the leaders on a until that already has collected 38 TFL's led by seniors Lathan Ransom (4.5), J.T. Tuimoloau (4), and Mitchell Melton (3.5).
A huge game awaits the Buckeyes this week when they travel to west face the Oregon Ducks and an equally passionate fan base at Autzen Stadium. Both are top contenders the Big Ten and National titles.
When you think of college football dynasties, Alabama immediately comes to mind. After Nick Saban retired, no one knew what we would get from Kalen DeBoer who who left his post a Washington to fill the shoes of the GOAT. The last two weeks have been a roller coaster for the Tide who rallied for a euphoric 41-34 win over Georgia, but then stumbled and lost at Vanderbilt in an shocking 40-35 upset.
In the log run, Alabama should be okay. There are scintillating players everywhere you look, starting with QB Jalen Milroe and 17-year old freshman phenom Ryan Williams who leads the receiving corps with 544 on just 19 catches that have produced 6 touchdowns.
The Tide, who will host South Carolina this week, need to find their stride on defense as they only rank 11th in the SEC after being a top three unit in the conference over the previous four seasons.
The Michigan Wolverines have done OK, considering they lost 75% of their starters from last year's national championship team with 13 players being drafted, including QB J.J. McCarthy to the Minnesota Vikings and RB Blake Corum to the LA Rams. Like Alabama, Michigan also lost its head coach as Jim Harbaugh had enough of all the suspensions and NCAA investigations and bolted back to the NFL to lead the LA Chargers. Sherrone Moore was the glue that kept the team going during two different 3-game suspensions for Harbaugh, at the beginning and end of the regular season in 2023. In doing so, he earned his stripes to take Harbaugh's place. So far, the Wolverines are 4-2 overall, and 2-1 in the conference. That record is going to get too far in a crowded conference where Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and a surprising Indiana are all 5-0.
One thing Michigan still has is 107,601 fans at the Big House to cheer them on for home games, but the Big House is quite this week as the gets a bye week.
What truly sets Ohio State, Alabama, and Michigan apart, along with many other teams we could have mentioned in this article, is the fervor of their fan bases. Plus, the history and traditions surrounding these programs create an emotional connection that transcends mere attendance numbers. The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is one of the most storied in sports, while Alabama fans embody the “Roll Tide” culture that unites supporters from all walks of life. These elements not only create a robust fan experience but also drive ticket sales, merchandise, and media coverage, solidifying their places as college football titans.