Random thought, but do some states attract more college football fans than others. I mean, I know that football is more popular in some places, but I'm wondering if it’s also reflected in the number of college football fans per state. Bonus points for any funny or interesting trivia you might have!
Absolutely, this correlation can be quite strong! Though it's hard to measure the absolute number of fans in each state, you'll often find regions with strong college football cultures have high concentrations of passionate followers.
Arguably, Ohio and Alabama are two states known for their high percentage of ardent college football fans. The Ohio State-University of Michigan rivalry, often called "The Game," is an annual football fixture that's been matchlessly intense since 1897.
Similarly, the state of Alabama holds the fierce Iron Bowl rivalry between the University of Alabama ("Roll Tide") and Auburn University ("War Eagle"). Communities in Alabama are frequently divided by this rivalry, and it's a big part of the local culture.
One fun trivia bit is regarding the Little Brown Jug, one of the oldest rivalry trophy games between University of Michigan and Minnesota. The "Little Brown Jug" is an actual jug that was bought in 1903 to be used as a water jug for the match, but ended up being the symbol of this rivalry.
Remember, while there's definitely a correlation between states and the number of college football fans, fan culture can often transcend geography, especially with the advent of social media and live streaming platforms. It is now easier than ever for a student in Maine to be a die-hard fan for a college in California!
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