College football Saturdays are a religion in a lot of households, and fans never forget a big win. This One Gotta Go card puts four powerhouse programs on the same field: the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Texas Longhorns and the LSU Tigers.
Three programs keep playing, and one is gone from the sport. Think about the teams your family cheers for, the games you remember and the stadium you would most want to visit. Then pick, and be ready for a few school songs to break out at the table.
The 4 choices on this card
A. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama built a modern dynasty with many national titles under Nick Saban, plus a long history of championships before that. It is the standard many programs chase. Outside of Tide fans, some people are simply tired of seeing Alabama in the playoff picture year after year.
Keep it if: You bleed crimson, you love the history and you think Bryant-Denny on a fall Saturday is unbeatable.
B. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State is a giant of the Big Ten, with a huge stadium, a famous rivalry with Michigan and national titles in the modern era. It is a constant contender. Some fans feel its schedule is easier than other powerhouses, which makes it a candidate to cut.
Keep it if: You love the Buckeyes, the Michigan game is your Christmas and you know every word of Carmen Ohio.
C. Texas Longhorns
Texas has one of the biggest fan bases and budgets in the sport, along with the 2005 season title led by Vince Young. It is a brand people know everywhere. Critics say the Longhorns went through long stretches where the results did not match the hype.
Keep it if: You throw up the Hook 'em sign, you remember the Vince Young Rose Bowl and you believe Texas is back.
D. LSU Tigers
LSU brings a loud, wild home crowd in Death Valley and national titles, including the unbeaten 2019 team led by Joe Burrow. It is pure Louisiana energy. Some see the program as less consistent than the others, which makes it a fair cut.
Keep it if: You love Saturday nights in Death Valley, tailgate food in Baton Rouge and the memory of that 2019 season.
Our take
We would cut Texas. It is a giant program, but Alabama, Ohio State and LSU have more recent national titles between them, and Texas fans themselves will tell you the last couple of decades had some long waits. The most fun debate usually comes down to Alabama against Ohio State, since both are perennial contenders with loyal fan bases. Ask everyone which stadium they would visit first and why, because the answers say a lot.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which program has the most passionate fan base?
- What is the best college football rivalry game?
- Which stadium has the best game day atmosphere?
- Which program would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
College Football Programs: quick answers
Which college football program has the most national championships?
Counting national titles in college football is complicated, because many older titles were awarded by different polls. Programs like Alabama, Notre Dame, Yale, Princeton, Michigan and USC claim many titles. In the modern playoff era, Alabama has been especially successful.
What is Death Valley at LSU?
Death Valley is the nickname for Tiger Stadium at LSU in Baton Rouge, known for its loud crowds, especially at night games. Clemson's Memorial Stadium is also called Death Valley, which leads to some fun debates among fans of both schools.
