With Notre Dame University making the NCAA Championship final last season, many believe the Fighting Irish earned the title of one of College Football’s Blue Blood teams, a historical title granted only to the greatest teams in the sport’s history.
Who Are College Football’s Blue Bloods and What Makes Them Elite?
In an episode of his podcast, ON3 Sports College Football analyst and host Andy Staples explained what it means to be a Blue Blood and listed the schools he believes have earned the honor.
What Is A College Football ‘Blue Blood’
Before you can discuss who College Football’s Blue Bloods are, you must first decide on what the term means, with one Alabama fan breaking it down perfectly in response to the question.
“3+ generations of elite history, one of which has to be in the last two generations. For example, Georgia Tech is no longer a blueblood. Notre Dame is on the cutting block.” The Crimson Tide fan explained that, with Alabama almost certainly making the list with its storied history, other fans also explained their interpretation of the Blue Blood title.
“3 living generations acknowledge a school as a powerhouse in their formative fan years (teens-20s). Once Gen Alpha hits their fandom years, Oregon will be a blue blood along with LSU,” One Penn State fan wrote.
Who Are College Football’s Blue Bloods
Alabama Crimson Tide
As one of the most recognizable brands in the History of College Football, Alabama is the definition of a blue-blood program with its storied history. The Crimson Tide has had multiple periods of College Football dominance throughout the years, including three National Championship titles in the 1920s under Head Coach Wallace Wade and five in the 1960s under Paul Bryant.
To round out their dominance throughout the years, the Crimson Tide won 6 National Titles throughout the 2000s and 2010s under legendary Head Coach Nick Saban, with a 974–341–43 record to complete their Blue Blood Status. Alabama football is the quintessential definition of a blue-blood school.
Ohio State Buckeyes
With the best winning record of any Power Conference team this century (251-46, .845), the Ohio State Buckeyes have been among the most consistent teams in College Football history. Their greatest period of dominance came in the 1950s—1970s, when they won five National Titles under Head Coach Woody Hayes.
For a couple of years, throughout the 2000’s, it looked like the Buckeyes Blue Blood status was at risk, winning a single title in 2002 under Jim Tressel, it would take them another 12 years to earn a second title in the 2000’s under Urban Meyer, their most recent victory against Notre Dame in 2024 under Ryan Day secured their Blue Blood status once and for all, winning their third National Championship of this era.
Georgia Bulldogs
Similar to Ohio State, despite their status as one of the most iconic programs in the history of College Football, up until recently, the Bulldogs have not had the National Championship pedigree to back them up as a blue-blood school. With an 892–432–54 overall record, Georgia had success both in the 1920s and 1940s under Wally Butts and Vince Dooley.
But it would not be until the 2020s that they would establish themselves as a dominant program, winning back-to-back National titles for the first time under Head Coach Kirby Smart. With one of the most dominant runs in the sport’s history, Smart went 14-1 and 15-0 in successive seasons to grant the Bulldogs the National Championships to back up their history, securing their status as a blue-blood school.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Arguably the most at risk school on this list, with their National Championship final appearance last season, the Fighting Irish narrowly secured their status as a Blue Blood school, with a 962-339-42 record, despite dominating the sport for several years, Notre Dame have not had the NCAA Championship success to secure their status as a Blue Blood School like Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State have had.
Under Head Coach Brian Kelly, however, Notre Dame has become a force once again, taking them to two playoff appearances and a National Championship game, the Fighting Irish have narrowly hung on to their status as a Blue Blood program, with the upcoming years becoming vital if they want to continue with the title.
Andy Staples Names Other Blue Blood Schools And Contenders Ahead Of 2025 Season.
Outside of the Big 4 Blue Blood Schools, Andy Staples also named the other schools he believes are worthy of the title, with the Texas Longhorns, Penn State, Michigan, and South Carolina cutting.
College Football Blue Bloods via @Andy_Staples👀
Do you agree? ⬇️https://t.co/IGLWBlkKdM pic.twitter.com/8C6zXoH89u
— On3 (@On3sports) July 9, 2024
One notable exclusion that also sparked debate was Oregon not earning the title of a Blue Blood school, according to Staples, with them being named as a “contender” for the title.
“I don’t think they are. They are a very good program and would consider one of the top programs today, but Blue Bloods, in my opinion, has a long-standing tradition from at least the modern era and has championships to go with it.” One fan wrote in response to the Debate, with ON3 naming Oregon as a ‘newblood’ and not a Blue Blood.
KEEP READING: College Football’s 10 Most Intense Rivalries: Ranking The Sport’s Best Annual Matchups
According to ON3, going into 2025, the schools to watch as future Blue Blood candidates include Auburn, Miami, Florida State, and LSU. These schools seek to earn their Blue Blood status after generating one of the greatest generations of College Football players in recent memory.
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