25 college football programs with the most tradition
9. Florida State Seminoles
Florida State’s iconic coach, Bobby Bowden, has the most victories in NCAA Division 1 history.
Bowden built the Seminoles into a dynasty in the late 1980s and ’90s. His teams won national titles in 1993 and 1999. His 1999 team went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the country. Overall, from 1987 to 2000, Florida State went 152-19-1, winning two national titles, nine ACC titles, 11 bowl games and never finished lower than fourth in the rankings.
Florida State is also home to many famous traditions. Their spear helmets and pride stickers are instantly recognizable. Chief Osceola and his horse, Renegade, provide a stirring display before every home game. Florida State has done an excellent job to honor the history of the Seminole tribe after which they are named.
One of the more interesting traditions that continues at Florida State is the Sod Cemetery, which began in 1962. After every big road game in which the Seminoles are an underdog, a piece of sod from the opposing team is brought back to the FSU campus by the victorious captains. The most recent “sod game” came in 2013, when the ‘Noles traveled to Clemson and delivered a 51-14 beatdown.