25 college football programs with the most tradition

4. Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines are the NCAA’s all-time leader in wins and have been competing since 1879. They are one of the earliest adopters of college football, especially outside of the Ivy League enclave of the Northeast. Nearly everything about Michigan’s program oozes tradition. From the Big House to the winged helmet, to the yearly battles with Ohio State, Michigan is all about tradition.

The Maize and Blue have won 11 national titles, but only one since 1948. That lack of consistent contention for the national championship is enough to knock them down to number four on this list.

The Wolverines were at their best under Bo Schembechler, who coached them for 20 years from 1969 to 1989. He helped ratchet up the intensity of the rivalry with the Buckeyes and won 13 conference titles.

Outside of their rivalry with Ohio State, the Wolverines have a handful of other fierce rivalries, with the annual clash with Notre Dame serving the most important on a national scale. Michigan also has a reputation for developing NFL quarterbacks, including Tom Brady, Brian Griese, Elvis Grbac and Chad Henne. Lloyd Carr was instrumental in developing this QB pipeline.

Michigan has been doing college football for a long time and doing it very, very well. The program is now led by a “Michigan Man,” Jim Harbaugh, and that bodes well for the future.