One of the many great things about college football is all of the wonderful and historic rivalries.
It’s these true rivalries that we all can count on year-after-year that helps college football separate itself from virtually every other sport.
Pick any college football rivalry https://t.co/unPg6qwwYM
— water resources enjoyer🤘🏽 (@kingbolby) March 3, 2024
With rivalries comes some good old-fashioned hatred. Sometimes that hatred comes from a singular team. Sometimes it comes from an entire conference.
But once in a while, you have a team that is so universally despised, that they become the focal point of the entire country’s disgust.
Jameis Winston stealing crab legs from Publix really was top 3 moments in sports Twitter history pic.twitter.com/zDV17kJ45A
— Lucas (@NotMikeTolbert) July 4, 2016
Interestingly, Brad Crawford of 247Sports compiled a list of the most hated teams in college football history.
Earning his honors as the most hated team EVER is none other than the 1986 Miami Hurricanes.
College football’s most-hated teams of all-time, according to our Brad Crawford. Which team did you despise the most? Who got snubbed? 🤔
(✍️: @BCrawford247)
MORE: https://t.co/vQNYPBvLb4 pic.twitter.com/E6SeJYsmBG
— 247Sports (@247Sports) March 7, 2024
Crawford explained his choice on 247sports.com…
“The birth of swag, so they say. Miami was so talented in this era, the Hurricanes caused instant chaos for the opposition. This is when “The U” became college football’s bad boys.
Then-Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly said it best, “Miami may be the only squad in America that has its team picture taken from the front and from the side.”
“On a team loaded with future NFL talent, coach Jimmy Johnson basically didn’t believe in suspensions and handled all disciplinary action in-house. That included several slap-on-the-wrist penalties for alleged shoplifting and fraud infractions.”
“Miami’s swag wasn’t enough in the national championship game against Penn State after the Hurricanes infamously stepped off the plane in military fatigues. Heisman-winning Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde threw five interceptions and the Hurricanes fell, 14-10, for their only loss of the season.”
“The widespread hate started the previous season when Johnson and the Hurricanes blasted Notre Dame by 51 points in a “Catholics vs. Criminals” showdown.”
“Over five seasons with the Hurricanes, Johnson went 52-9 with a national title in 1987 and three top-3 finishes, putting together one of the greatest runs of all-time.”
While his top pick may not come as much of a surprise, the rest of his top ten features several interesting selections…
#10. UCF (2017)
#9. Texas A&M (2012)
#8. Notre Dame (1993)
#7. Ohio State (2002)
#6. Oklahoma (2017)
#5. Florida (1996)
#4. Florida State (2014)
#3. Auburn (2010)
#2. USC (2005)
#1. Miami (1986)
If Notre Dame and Miami played in 2006 when replay was added to the NCAA… Jimmy Johnson may have some extra hardware. #CatholicsVsConvicts pic.twitter.com/Aj8ocFKWtd
— 30 for 30 (@30for30) December 11, 2016
What are your thoughts on Crawford’s list?
Do you agree that the 1986 Canes are the most hated team in college football history?
Who would be your top 3???