Fansided

College football’s 15 most passionate and loyal fanbases

By John Buhler

Sep 10, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers fans get ready for the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers fans get ready for the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes enter the field at Kinnick Stadium for their game against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes enter the field at Kinnick Stadium for their game against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa City often gets overlooked as one of the best college towns in America. Iowa frequently makes the list of the top 10 party schools in the country. When the Iowa Hawkeyes football team is playing well, Kinnick Stadium is electric.

Iowa had been a doormat in the Big Ten prior to the arrival of arrival of legendary head coach Hayden Fry. Fry brought a sense of toughness to Iowa City, rebranded the football program, and laid the foundation for one of the better programs in the Big Ten the last 40+ years.

Many of Fry’s former players and coaching staff members have gone on to be successful head coaches, including his eventual successor Kirk Ferentz. Outside of being an NFL offensive lineman factory, Iowa rarely has had the elite talent of a Michigan, Ohio State, or Penn State. That doesn’t mean that Hawkeyes aren’t a tough matchup in every Big Ten game they play.

Hawkeye Nation travels well and is loud late in fourth quarters when Iowa needs a lift in close ball games. Night games are always interesting in Iowa City. Fry built a following and Ferentz has taken the reigns marvelously as the Hawkeyes’ shepherd. When Iowa has a good team, Hawkeye Nation lets you know about it.

Next: 12. Auburn Tigers

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