Hey there, football fans! If you’re anything like me, you probably find yourself getting into heated debates about college football stats and history during tailgates or while watching games with friends. I remember once stunning my brother-in-law with a random fact about the 1984 BYU championship team that had him speechless for a good minute (small victories, right?). That’s the magic of college football trivia – it brings out our competitive spirit while celebrating the rich history of the game we love.
In this article, I’ve put together more than 100 college football trivia questions covering everything from legendary players and iconic coaches to record-breaking performances and historic moments. Whether you’re looking to stump your friends at your next watch party or just brush up on your college football knowledge, these questions are perfect for any fan.
Classic College Football History Questions
Let’s start with some questions about the foundations and history of college football. From the first game ever played to the evolution of conferences and rules, these questions will test your knowledge of how college football became the beloved institution it is today.
- Question: What two teams played in the first-ever college football game in 1869?
Answer: Rutgers and Princeton (then known as the College of New Jersey) - Question: In what year was the first Rose Bowl game played?
Answer: 1902 - Question: What conference was formerly known as the Pacific Coast Conference?
Answer: Pac-12 (before that, the Pac-10) - Question: Which university claims the most national championships in college football history?
Answer: Alabama (18 claimed national championships) - Question: What year did the NCAA split Division I into I-A and I-AA (now FBS and FCS)?
Answer: 1978 - Question: Which school’s football program is known as “The Birthplace of College Football”?
Answer: Rutgers University - Question: What was the first bowl game to use the modern four-team playoff system?
Answer: The 2015 Rose Bowl (between Oregon and Florida State) - Question: What year was the forward pass legalized in college football?
Answer: 1906 - Question: Which college football program was known as the “Galloping Ghosts” in the 1920s?
Answer: Army - Question: What team won the first BCS National Championship Game?
Answer: Tennessee (defeated Florida State in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl) - Question: Which university played in the first night football game in 1892?
Answer: Wyoming Seminary and Mansfield State Normal (now Mansfield University) - Question: What year did freshmen become eligible to play varsity football at all NCAA schools?
Answer: 1972 - Question: Which team holds the record for the longest winning streak in NCAA Division I history?
Answer: Oklahoma (47 games from 1953-1957) - Question: What was the original name of the Sugar Bowl?
Answer: It was always called the Sugar Bowl (from its inception in 1935) - Question: Which conference was formed first: the SEC, Big Ten, or ACC?
Answer: Big Ten (1896) - Question: Who was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy?
Answer: Ernie Davis (Syracuse, 1961) - Question: What team was nicknamed the “Four Horsemen” in the 1920s?
Answer: Notre Dame’s backfield - Question: What year did the NCAA adopt the current overtime format for Division I games?
Answer: 1996 - Question: Which school won the first College Football Playoff National Championship?
Answer: Ohio State (2015) - Question: What was the highest-scoring major college football game in history?
Answer: Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland 222-0 in 1916
If you’re a fan of challenging trivia, you might also enjoy these philosophical questions that make you think deeply.
Legendary Players and Heisman Winners
College football has given us some incredible athletes who have dazzled fans with their skills and gone on to become legends of the game. Let’s test your knowledge of the greatest players to ever grace the college gridiron, including those who took home the coveted Heisman Trophy.
- Question: Which player won the Heisman Trophy by the largest margin of votes?
Answer: O.J. Simpson (USC, 1968) - Question: Who is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice?
Answer: Archie Griffin (Ohio State, 1974 and 1975) - Question: Which college did Barry Sanders play for when he won the Heisman Trophy?
Answer: Oklahoma State - Question: Who holds the NCAA Division I record for most rushing yards in a career?
Answer: Donnel Pumphrey (San Diego State, 6,405 yards) - Question: Which player was nicknamed “The Tyler Rose”?
Answer: Earl Campbell (Texas) - Question: Who was the youngest player to win the Heisman Trophy?
Answer: Jameis Winston (Florida State, 19 years old) - Question: Which quarterback threw for a record 7 touchdown passes in a single bowl game?
Answer: Cooper Rush (Central Michigan, 2014 Bahamas Bowl) - Question: Which player holds the record for most receiving yards in a single season?
Answer: Trevor Insley (Nevada, 2,060 yards in 1999) - Question: Who was the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy?
Answer: Tim Tebow (Florida, 2007) - Question: Which Heisman Trophy winner had the nickname “The Hefty Lefty”?
Answer: Jared Lorenzen (Note: He didn’t win the Heisman, but was known by this nickname) - Question: Who holds the record for most touchdowns responsible for in NCAA history?
Answer: Keenan Reynolds (Navy, 88 touchdowns) - Question: Which player rushed for an NCAA record 427 yards in a single game in 2014?
Answer: Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) - Question: Who is the only defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy?
Answer: Charles Woodson (Michigan, 1997) - Question: Which college did Jerry Rice attend?
Answer: Mississippi Valley State - Question: What Heisman Trophy winner was known as “The Kansas Comet”?
Answer: Gale Sayers - Question: Who holds the NCAA record for most career interceptions?
Answer: Al Worley (Washington, 14 interceptions in 1968) - Question: Which player had the nickname “He Hate Me” in the XFL before playing in the NFL?
Answer: Rod Smart (played college ball at Western Kentucky) - Question: Who was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy?
Answer: Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M, 2012) - Question: Which running back holds the NCAA record for most rushing yards in a game?
Answer: Samaje Perine (Oklahoma, 427 yards) - Question: What position did Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown play at Notre Dame?
Answer: Wide Receiver
If you enjoy these player questions, you might also like these random questions to ask a guy to spark interesting conversations.
Famous Coaches and Dynasties
Behind every great college football team is a legendary coach who shaped the program and left their mark on the game. These questions test your knowledge of the sideline generals who built dynasties and revolutionized college football.
- Question: Who has won the most national championships as a head coach in college football?
Answer: Nick Saban (7 – 6 with Alabama, 1 with LSU) - Question: Which coach has the most career wins in Division I college football history?
Answer: Joe Paterno (409 wins) - Question: What coach is known for creating the “wishbone” offense?
Answer: Emory Bellard (Texas assistant coach) - Question: Which coach won national championships at both Alabama and LSU?
Answer: Nick Saban - Question: Who was the head coach for Miami during their dominant run in the 1980s?
Answer: Jimmy Johnson (1984-1988) - Question: Which coach is known for the quote “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”?
Answer: Commonly attributed to Vince Lombardi, though he likely borrowed it from UCLA coach Red Sanders - Question: What coach led Boise State during their famous Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma?
Answer: Chris Petersen - Question: Which coach has the highest winning percentage in college football history (minimum 10 years)?
Answer: Knute Rockne (.881, Notre Dame) - Question: Who was the longest-serving head coach at a single institution?
Answer: Joe Paterno (46 seasons at Penn State) - Question: Which coach invented the “West Coast Offense”?
Answer: Bill Walsh (though he developed it primarily in the NFL, its roots were in his time at Stanford) - Question: What coach led the Michigan Wolverines to their most recent national championship?
Answer: Lloyd Carr (1997) - Question: Which coach was known as “The Old Ball Coach”?
Answer: Steve Spurrier - Question: Who was the coach of the Auburn “War Eagle” team during their perfect 2010 season?
Answer: Gene Chizik - Question: Which coach led Ohio State to the first College Football Playoff National Championship?
Answer: Urban Meyer - Question: What legendary coach was known for wearing a houndstooth hat on the sidelines?
Answer: Bear Bryant - Question: Which coach holds the record for most consecutive bowl appearances?
Answer: Bobby Bowden (28 consecutive bowls at Florida State) - Question: Who was the coach of the “Miracle at Michigan” game in 1994?
Answer: Gary Moeller was Michigan’s coach (Colorado’s coach was Bill McCartney) - Question: Which coach is known for the “Junction Boys” training camp?
Answer: Bear Bryant (at Texas A&M) - Question: Who coached Southern Cal during their dominant years with Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush?
Answer: Pete Carroll - Question: What coach has won national championships at both Florida and Ohio State?
Answer: Urban Meyer
For more interesting conversations, try these questions to ask your crush over text when you’re not discussing football.
Bowl Games and Championships
College football’s postseason traditions are unlike any other sport, with historic bowl games and championship battles that have provided some of the most memorable moments in sports history. Test your knowledge of the biggest games on the biggest stages.
- Question: What is the oldest bowl game in college football?
Answer: The Rose Bowl (first played in 1902) - Question: Which team has made the most College Football Playoff appearances since its inception?
Answer: Alabama - Question: What is the largest comeback in bowl game history?
Answer: Texas Tech overcame a 31-point deficit against Minnesota in the 2006 Insight Bowl - Question: Which two teams played in the highest-scoring bowl game in history?
Answer: Marshall and East Carolina (2001 GMAC Bowl, 125 total points) - Question: What team ended Miami’s 34-game winning streak in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl?
Answer: Ohio State - Question: Which coach has the most bowl wins in college football history?
Answer: Bobby Bowden (22 bowl victories) - Question: What was the first bowl game to be played at night?
Answer: The Orange Bowl (1965) - Question: Which conference has won the most national championships in the 21st century?
Answer: SEC - Question: What team was ranked #2 in both polls but won the national championship in the 2007 season?
Answer: LSU - Question: Which bowl game features the phrase “The Granddaddy of Them All”?
Answer: The Rose Bowl - Question: What team defeated Florida State to win the final BCS National Championship?
Answer: Auburn - Question: Which bowl game is played in the stadium known as “The Big House”?
Answer: None (Michigan Stadium does not host bowl games) - Question: What was the original name of the Orange Bowl?
Answer: The Festival of Palms Bowl (for its first game in 1933) - Question: Which non-Power Five team was the first to play in a BCS bowl game?
Answer: Utah (2005 Fiesta Bowl) - Question: What was the score of the “Game of the Century” between Ohio State and Michigan in 2006?
Answer: Ohio State 42, Michigan 39 - Question: Which team has the most Rose Bowl appearances?
Answer: USC (34 appearances) - Question: What team has never lost a bowl game despite playing in at least 10?
Answer: No team has this distinction (as all major teams with 10+ bowl appearances have lost at least once) - Question: Which team has the longest active consecutive bowl appearance streak?
Answer: Georgia (26 consecutive bowl appearances as of the end of the 2022 season) - Question: What was unique about the 2011 Fiesta Bowl between Oklahoma and Connecticut?
Answer: It featured the largest point spread in BCS history (Oklahoma was favored by 17 points) - Question: Which two teams played in the highest-attended college football game of all time?
Answer: Michigan vs. Notre Dame (2013, with 115,109 fans)
Looking for more game-day fun? Try these would you rather questions to keep the conversation flowing during halftime.
Records and Statistics
College football is a game of numbers, and these questions will test your knowledge of the most impressive statistical achievements and record-breaking performances in the sport’s history.
- Question: Which team holds the NCAA record for the longest home winning streak?
Answer: Miami (58 games from 1985-1994) - Question: Which quarterback holds the NCAA record for most passing yards in a career?
Answer: Case Keenum (Houston, 19,217 yards) - Question: What is the highest number of points scored by one team in a bowl game?
Answer: West Virginia (70 points in the 2012 Orange Bowl against Clemson) - Question: Which player holds the record for most rushing touchdowns in a single season?
Answer: Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State, 37 touchdowns in 1988) - Question: What is the longest field goal ever made in college football?
Answer: 69 yards (Ove Johansson, Abilene Christian, 1976) - Question: Which team has the most consecutive conference championships in FBS history?
Answer: Oklahoma (12 consecutive Big 8/Big 12 titles from 1948-1959) - Question: Who holds the record for most receptions in a single college football game?
Answer: Tyler Jones (Eastern Michigan, 30 receptions in 2008) - Question: What is the largest margin of victory in an FBS conference championship game?
Answer: Miami defeated Syracuse 59-0 in the 2000 Big East Championship - Question: Which quarterback holds the record for most passing touchdowns in a single season?
Answer: Joe Burrow (LSU, 60 touchdowns in 2019) - Question: What is the most points scored by a single player in a bowl game?
Answer: Howard Griffith (Illinois) scored 8 touchdowns for 48 points against Southern Illinois in 1990 - Question: Which team has the longest streak of games with at least one touchdown pass?
Answer: Texas Tech (69 games from 2006-2011) - Question: What is the record for most overtime periods in an FBS game?
Answer: 7 overtimes (achieved multiple times, including Arkansas vs. Kentucky in 2003) - Question: Which player holds the record for most all-purpose yards in a career?
Answer: DeAngelo Williams (Memphis, 7,573 yards) - Question: What team set the record for most points in a single quarter of an FBS game?
Answer: Houston (49 points in one quarter against Tulsa in 2011) - Question: Which player holds the record for most interceptions thrown in a single game?
Answer: John Reaves (Florida, 9 interceptions against Auburn in 1969) - Question: What is the NCAA record for consecutive passes completed in a single game?
Answer: Dominique Davis (East Carolina, 26 consecutive completions in 2011) - Question: Which team holds the record for most points scored in a single season?
Answer: LSU (726 points in 2019) - Question: What player holds the record for most punt return touchdowns in a career?
Answer: Wes Welker (Texas Tech) and Antonio Perkins (Oklahoma) with 8 each - Question: Which team scored the most points in a single half of football?
Answer: Houston (59 points in the first half against SMU in 1989) - Question: What is the record for the longest punt in college football history?
Answer: 99 yards (Pat Brady, Nevada, 1950)
Want to test your knowledge in other areas? Check out these common sense trivia questions that everyone should know.
Rivalries and Traditions
What makes college football special are the intense rivalries and unique traditions that have developed over decades. These questions explore the pageantry, passion, and sometimes heated competitions that define the college football experience.
- Question: What is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the Michigan-Minnesota game?
Answer: The Little Brown Jug - Question: Which rivalry is known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party”?
Answer: Florida vs. Georgia - Question: What animal leads Ralphie’s Run before Colorado home games?
Answer: A buffalo (technically a bison) - Question: What rivalry game features the “Victory Bell”?
Answer: UCLA vs. USC and also North Carolina vs. Duke (both rivalries have a Victory Bell) - Question: What is the name of Texas A&M’s 12th Man tradition?
Answer: The 12th Man (the student body stands throughout the game) - Question: Which rivalry is known as the “Iron Bowl”?
Answer: Alabama vs. Auburn - Question: What tradition involves cadets “stealing” Navy’s goat mascot before the Army-Navy game?
Answer: The Army cadets’ goat-napping tradition - Question: What is the name of the cannon fired after Purdue scores?
Answer: The “Boilermaker Special” (their locomotive mascot) or “Old Oaken Bucket” (the trophy) - Question: Which rivalry features the “Apple Cup”?
Answer: Washington vs. Washington State - Question: What tradition involves throwing oranges onto the field?
Answer: When Clemson qualified for the Orange Bowl (though now discouraged) - Question: What is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the Iowa-Iowa State game?
Answer: The Cy-Hawk Trophy - Question: Which school’s fans ring cowbells during games?
Answer: Mississippi State - Question: What is the oldest continuous rivalry in college football?
Answer: Yale vs. Princeton (since 1873) - Question: What rivalry game is played for the “Golden Egg Trophy”?
Answer: Mississippi (Ole Miss) vs. Mississippi State - Question: Which school’s marching band is known for “dotting the i” in Script Ohio?
Answer: Ohio State - Question: What is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game?
Answer: There is no official trophy (just bragging rights) - Question: What tradition involves Howard’s Rock at Clemson?
Answer: Players touch the rock before running down “The Hill” onto the field - Question: Which rivalry is referred to as “The Game”?
Answer: Harvard vs. Yale (also used for Ohio State vs. Michigan) - Question: What tradition involves the “Sooner Schooner”?
Answer: The wagon races onto the field after Oklahoma scores - Question: Which rivalry game is known as the “Civil War”?
Answer: Oregon vs. Oregon State
For even more fun conversation starters, check out these this or that questions that can lead to lively debates.
College Football Fun Facts
Every sport has its quirky facts and surprising tidbits of information that even the most dedicated fans might not know. These questions cover the more unusual and interesting aspects of college football history and culture.
- Question: Which future U.S. President played football at the University of Michigan?
Answer: Gerald Ford - Question: What college team’s helmets were initially designed to reduce sun glare?
Answer: Michigan (their iconic wing design) - Question: Which university has produced the most NFL players?
Answer: USC (over 500 players) - Question: What college football team once played in the “Dust Bowl”?
Answer: Oklahoma - Question: Which player famously struck the “Heisman pose” after scoring a touchdown against Michigan?
Answer: Desmond Howard (Michigan) - Question: What future Hollywood actor played linebacker for Florida State?
Answer: Burt Reynolds - Question: Which college football team has never had a losing season?
Answer: No team can claim this (though Michigan’s streak from 1968-2008 is impressive) - Question: What school’s fans are known for the “Jump Around” tradition?
Answer: Wisconsin - Question: Which future Supreme Court Justice played football at Colorado?
Answer: Byron “Whizzer” White - Question: What item is traditionally thrown onto the field during the Tennessee-Alabama game?
Answer: Cigars (they’re smoked by the winning team) - Question: Which college football coach appeared on the cover of Time magazine seven times?
Answer: Knute Rockne (Notre Dame) - Question: What unusual penalty led to the “Fifth Down Game” between Colorado and Missouri?
Answer: Officials lost track of downs and allowed Colorado a fifth down - Question: Which NFL quarterback never lost a game as a college starter?
Answer: Marcus Mariota went 36-5 at Oregon, so this claim is false (but close) - Question: What animal was brought to home games by Georgia’s first mascot?
Answer: A goat (before the bulldog became their mascot) - Question: Which future NFL coach won the Heisman Trophy as a quarterback at Navy?
Answer: Roger Staubach (though he was primarily a player, not a coach) - Question: What school’s stadium is known as “Death Valley”?
Answer: Both Clemson and LSU use this nickname - Question: Which college football rivalry featured a live tiger mascot?
Answer: LSU (has a live tiger mascot named Mike) - Question: What record-setting quarterback was originally a walk-on at Texas Tech?
Answer: Baker Mayfield - Question: Which college football team’s helmets feature a different sticker for each player based on their position?
Answer: Army (different branch insignia) - Question: What was the first college football game to be televised nationally?
Answer: Waynesburg vs. Fordham in 1939
Looking for more challenging brain teasers? Check out these math trivia questions that will really make you think.
Why College Football Trivia is Perfect for Game Day
There’s something uniquely exciting about testing your college football knowledge against friends and family during game day. I’ve found that a good trivia session not only entertains everyone during commercial breaks or halftime but also sparks amazing conversations about memorable games and players.
My family has made college football trivia a tradition during our Thanksgiving gatherings (which conveniently coincide with some of the best rivalry games), and it’s amazing how even the quietest relatives suddenly have strong opinions about the 1997 split national championship!
Not only is college football trivia entertaining, but it’s also a fantastic way to learn more about the sport’s rich history and appreciate how the game has evolved over decades. Plus, having a few obscure facts in your back pocket can really impress your fellow fans when you’re tailgating before the big game.
Looking for more ways to connect with friends? Check out these interesting topics to talk about that go beyond football.
Final Thoughts
Whew! That was quite the journey through college football history, wasn’t it? From the game’s humble beginnings at Rutgers and Princeton to the modern playoff era, college football has given us countless memorable moments and legendary figures to celebrate.
I hope these trivia questions brought back some fond memories of your favorite teams and players, or maybe taught you something new about this amazing sport. My family has used questions like these during our game-day gatherings for years, and they never fail to spark great conversations and friendly competitions.
Did you know all the answers? Or were there a few that stumped even the most dedicated fan in your group? That’s the beauty of college football – there’s always more to learn and appreciate about its rich history and traditions.
Next time you’re hosting a watch party, waiting through halftime, or just looking to impress your fellow fans, pull out a few of these questions and see who knows their college football best. And remember, the real winner is anyone who gets to enjoy the pageantry, passion, and excitement of college football!
If you enjoyed testing your college football knowledge, you might also like these sports trivia questions covering a wide range of athletic competitions.