College football isn’t just a game—it’s a battleground of rivalries and grudges that never seem to fade. According to a recent RotoWire study, Alabama football has snagged the title of the second-most hated team in the country, right behind Notre Dame.
This ranking came from a pretty thorough process, weighing factors like conference rivalries, recent on-field drama, and old-school feuds. RotoWire even made sure to look past local grudges by focusing on each state’s most-hated team that isn’t from there.
Understanding the Methodology Behind the Rankings
So, how did RotoWire decide which teams people love to hate? They used four main factors:
- Conference rivalries
- Recent on-field damage (2016–2025)
- Historic blood feuds
- Universal-villain narratives—the kind that go beyond any one league
By weighing all these, they painted a pretty vivid picture of the teams that get under people’s skin nationwide.
Alabama: A Polarizing Powerhouse
Alabama football’s dominance in the SEC, and frankly, across the country, has made it a lightning rod for animosity. The states that hate Alabama the most?
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Tennessee
- Alaska
- Hawaii
No shocker with those first four, given the SEC rivalries. But Alaska and Hawaii? That’s a curveball. Alabama’s reputation definitely travels far.
Notre Dame: The Broadly Hated Team
Notre Dame, topping the list, carries a different kind of villain energy. People seem to dislike the Fighting Irish from coast to coast, from California all the way to Maine.
Here are the states where Notre Dame gets the most side-eye:
- California
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Their status as a “universal villain” seems to go way beyond conference beefs. There’s just something about Notre Dame that rubs people the wrong way, isn’t there?
Other Teams in the Spotlight
Alabama and Notre Dame aren’t alone. A few other teams get plenty of hate, too:
- Ohio State – Ranked third
- Georgia, Nebraska, and Penn State – Tied for fourth
Ohio State’s decades-long feud with Michigan is legendary. Georgia’s recent rise in the SEC has put a target on their back, while Nebraska and Penn State have their own histories that keep them in the conversation.
The Impact on Fans and Teams
Being one of the most hated teams? It’s a mixed bag. For fans, it’s almost a badge of honor—a reason to dig in and support their team even harder. For the teams themselves, maybe it’s fuel to keep pushing for wins, just to prove everyone wrong.
Rivalries and Their Role in College Football
Rivalries are the heartbeat of college football. They crank up the intensity and make every game feel bigger than life. The feuds highlighted in RotoWire’s study show just how deep these grudges run.
Whether it’s the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn or the old-school Notre Dame vs. USC battles, these matchups are what make college football unforgettable. If you want to dig deeper, check out the full RotoWire breakdown over at AL.com.
Conclusion: Embracing the Hate
In college football, being hated usually means you’re doing something right. Teams like Alabama and Notre Dame have built a kind of dominance that just seems to attract animosity.
This hatred isn’t just background noise—it’s part of the show. It cranks up the drama and keeps the sport interesting.
As fans, we can’t help but get swept up in these rivalries. Honestly, they’re a big reason college football feels so alive.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
