With Notre Dame University making the NCAA Championship final last season, many believe the Fighting Irish finally earned the title “blue blood” — a historical title granted only to the greatest teams in college football history.
Let’s break down the current blue-blood schools and what it takes to earn this distinction.
What Is a Blue Blood?
In an episode of his podcast, ON3 Sports College Football analyst and host Andy Staples explained what it means to be a blue blood and listed the schools he believes have earned the honor.
Before we can discuss who college football’s blue bloods are, we must first define the term. One Alabama fan broke it down perfectly in response to the question.
“3+ generations of elite history, one of which has to be in the last two generations. For example, Georgia Tech is no longer a blueblood. Notre Dame is on the cutting block.”
3+ generations of elite history, one of which has to be in the last two generations.
For example, Georgia Tech is no longer a blueblood. Notre Dame is on the cutting block.
— Tuska’s Burner (@Tuskas_Burner) July 8, 2024
The Crimson Tide fan explained that, with Alabama almost certainly making the list with its storied history, other fans also explained their interpretation of the blue blood title.
“3 living generations acknowledge a school as a powerhouse in their formative fan years (teens-20s). Once Gen Alpha hits their fandom years, Oregon will be a blue blood along with LSU,” one Penn State fan wrote.
Who Are College Football’s Blue Bloods?
Alabama Crimson Tide
As one of the most recognizable brands in the history of college football, Alabama is the definition of a blue-blood program with its storied history. The Crimson Tide has had multiple periods of college football dominance throughout the years, including three national championship titles in the 1920s under head coach Wallace Wade and five in the 1960s under Paul Bryant.
To round out their dominance throughout the years, the Crimson Tide won six national titles throughout the 2000s and 2010s under legendary head coach Nick Saban, with a 974–341–43 record to complete their blue-blood status. Alabama football is the quintessential definition of a blue-blood school.
Ohio State Buckeyes
With the best winning record of any power conference team this century (251-46, .845), the Ohio State Buckeyes have been among the most consistent teams in college football history. Their greatest period of dominance came in the 1950s—1970s, when they won five national titles under head coach Woody Hayes.
Throughout the 2000s, it looked like the Buckeyes’ blue-blood status was at risk, winning a single title in 2002 under Jim Tressel. It would take them another 12 years to earn a second title in the 2000s under Urban Meyer. However, their most recent victory against Notre Dame in 2024 under Ryan Day secured their blue-blood status once and for all, as they won their third national championship of this era.
Georgia Bulldogs
Despite their status as one of the most iconic programs in the history of college football, up until recently, the Bulldogs didn’t have the national championship pedigree to back them up as a blue-blood school. Georgia had success both in the 1920s and 1940s under Wally Butts and Vince Dooley, but it wasn’t until the 2020s that they established themselves as a dominant program, winning back-to-back national titles for the first time under head coach Kirby Smart.
With one of the most dominant runs in the sport’s history, Smart went 14-1 and 15-0 in successive seasons to grant the Bulldogs the national championships they needed to back up their history, securing their status as a blue-blood school.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Arguably the most controversial school on this list, the Fighting Irish narrowly secured their status as a blue-blood school with their national championship final appearance last season. Despite dominating the sport for years and boasting an impressive all-time record, Notre Dame hadn’t had the NCAA Championship success to secure their status as a blue-blood school alongside Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State.
However, Notre Dame has become a force once again, advancing to two playoff appearances and a National Championship game. The Fighting Irish have narrowly hung on to their status as a blue-blood program, but the upcoming years will be vital if they want to continue to have the title.
Andy Staples Names Other Blue-Blood Schools And Contenders Ahead Of 2025 Season
Outside of these four blue-blood schools, Staples also named the other teams he believes are worthy of the title, including Texas, Penn State, Michigan, and South Carolina.
One notable exclusion that sparked debate was Oregon not earning the title of a blue-blood school, according to Staples, with them simply being named a “contender” for the title.
“Personally, I don’t think they are,” one fan wrote in agreement. “They are a very good program and would consider one of the top programs today, but blue bloods IMO have long-standing tradition from at least the modern era and have championships to go with it.”
According to ON3, going into 2025, the schools to watch as future blue-blood candidates are Auburn, Miami, Florida State, and LSU.