25 college football programs with the most tradition

Sep 26, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaac Rochell (90) is congratulated by cornerback Cole Luke (36) after making a tackle against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Massachusetts 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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September 10, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Mossi Johnson (21) celebrates with offensive lineman Conor McDermott (68) and running back Jalen Starks (32) his touchdown scored against the UNLV Rebels during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

24. UCLA Bruins

College football does not quite generate the same level of fervor on the West Coast as it does in the Corn Belt and Southern states, but there are a handful of worthy programs who call the Pacific time zone home. The UCLA Bruins are the first team from the best coast to crack the list.

The Bruins have hit a bit of a rough patch of late but have a lengthy history of excellent football. They also play in arguably the most iconic college football stadium in the country, the Rose Bowl. They have been ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll at least once in every decade since the poll’s inception in the 1930s. How’s that for consistency?

UCLA has only won a single national title (1954) but does have 17 conference titles. They have also played in 12 Rose Bowls, winning five of them. For years, before the rise of the Oregon Ducks, UCLA and its rival, USC, were the two most prominent West Coast teams.

There is just something special about watching UCLA football play on the perfectly manicured Rose Bowl grass in the California sunshine. Throw in those beautiful blue and gold uniforms, and it’s truly a recipe for great college football. The Bruins have been a bit down on their luck since the early 2000s, but Jim Mora has them pointed back in the right direction.

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