Marching bands ready? These 120 college football trivia questions cover rivalries, conferences, bowl games, the Heisman Trophy, national championship systems, the College Football Playoff, legendary coaches, giant stadiums, strange trophies, rules, traditions, and decades of Saturday drama.
The first quarter is friendly. The fourth gets loud.
Why College Football Makes Great Trivia
College football is not simply the NFL with younger players. Its history includes regional conferences, campus traditions, more than a century of rivalries, bowls, polls, disputed championships, trophy games, and postseason systems that changed repeatedly before today's expanded College Football Playoff.
Historical postseason and rule facts here are checked against the NCAA and College Football Playoff archives. Keep the football round going with our NFL trivia, sports trivia, and college trivia.
College Football Basics & NCAA Structure
Q: What does NCAA stand for?
A: National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Q: What is the highest NCAA football subdivision commonly called?
A: Football Bowl Subdivision, or FBS.
Q: What is the other NCAA Division I football subdivision called?
A: Football Championship Subdivision, or FCS.
Q: What major postseason difference separates FCS from the historical FBS model?
A: FCS has long used an NCAA-run championship playoff, while FBS championships evolved through bowls, polls, BCS, and the College Football Playoff.
Q: How many points is a touchdown worth?
A: Six.
Q: How many points is a successful kicked extra point worth?
A: One.
Q: How many points is a two-point conversion worth?
A: Two.
Q: How many points is a field goal worth?
A: Three.
Q: How many points is a safety worth?
A: Two.
Q: How many yards does an offense normally need for a new first down?
A: Ten yards within four downs.
Q: What is a redshirt season?
A: A season in which an athlete preserves a year of eligibility under applicable participation rules.
Q: What does “true freshman” mean?
A: A first-year college player who has not previously redshirted.
Q: What is a walk-on?
A: A player who joins a team without initially receiving an athletic scholarship.
Q: What does NIL stand for in modern college athletics?
A: Name, image, and likeness.
Q: Why can college football rules differ from the NFL?
A: NCAA football uses its own rulebook, including differences in catches, clock procedures, overtime, down-by-contact rules, and other details.
The Heisman Trophy
Q: What famous award honors an outstanding college football player each year?
A: The Heisman Memorial Trophy.
Q: In what year was the first Heisman Trophy awarded?
A: 1935.
Q: Who won the first Heisman Trophy?
A: Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago.
Q: What was the award originally called before John Heisman's death?
A: The Downtown Athletic Club Trophy.
Q: Who was John Heisman?
A: A pioneering football coach and administrator whose name was added to the trophy in 1936.
Q: Who is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice?
A: Archie Griffin of Ohio State.
Q: In what two years did Archie Griffin win?
A: 1974 and 1975.
Q: Which Notre Dame quarterback won the 1956 Heisman despite playing for a losing team?
A: Paul Hornung.
Q: Which running back won the 1968 Heisman and later became a famous NFL star and actor?
A: O.J. Simpson.
Q: Which Auburn running back won the 1985 Heisman and later starred in both the NFL and Major League Baseball?
A: Bo Jackson.
Q: Which Michigan defensive back and return specialist won the 1997 Heisman?
A: Charles Woodson.
Q: Why was Charles Woodson's win unusual?
A: He was primarily a defensive player, while the award is usually dominated by quarterbacks and running backs.
Q: Which Florida quarterback won the 2007 Heisman as a sophomore?
A: Tim Tebow.
Q: Which Texas A&M quarterback nicknamed Johnny Football won the 2012 Heisman?
A: Johnny Manziel.
Q: Why is the Heisman not simply a “best NFL prospect” award?
A: It honors college performance, and some legendary winners have had very different professional careers afterward.
Bowls, BCS & the College Football Playoff
Q: What famous bowl game is traditionally played in Pasadena, California?
A: The Rose Bowl.
Q: What nickname is commonly used for the Rose Bowl Game?
A: The Granddaddy of Them All.
Q: What Florida bowl is played in Miami Gardens and historically associated with the Orange Bowl name?
A: The Orange Bowl.
Q: What New Orleans bowl is one of college football's major historic postseason games?
A: The Sugar Bowl.
Q: What Dallas-area bowl became one of the sport's major traditional events?
A: The Cotton Bowl Classic.
Q: What did BCS stand for?
A: Bowl Championship Series.
Q: What seasons did the BCS system broadly cover?
A: The 1998 through 2013 seasons.
Q: What replaced the BCS beginning with the 2014 season?
A: The College Football Playoff.
Q: How many teams were in the original College Football Playoff format?
A: Four.
Q: Which team won the first College Football Playoff national championship?
A: Ohio State.
Q: Which team did Ohio State defeat in the first CFP National Championship Game?
A: Oregon.
Q: How many teams did the College Football Playoff expand to beginning with the 2024 season?
A: Twelve.
Q: What does a first-round bye mean in a playoff format?
A: A qualifying team advances without playing in the opening round under the rules of that format.
Q: Why did college football use polls and bowls for so long instead of a large playoff?
A: Historic conference agreements, bowl traditions, scheduling, institutional politics, and the decentralized nature of FBS football shaped the postseason.
Q: Why can “national championship” counts vary among old college football programs?
A: Before modern title games, different polls and selectors could name different champions in the same season.
Famous Rivalries & Trophy Games
Q: What rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State is often simply called The Game?
A: Michigan versus Ohio State.
Q: What rivalry pits Alabama against Auburn?
A: The Iron Bowl.
Q: What rivalry pits Army against Navy?
A: The Army-Navy Game.
Q: What rivalry is played between Oklahoma and Texas?
A: The Red River Rivalry.
Q: In what city is the Red River Rivalry traditionally played?
A: Dallas, Texas, at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas.
Q: What rivalry pits USC against Notre Dame?
A: The USC-Notre Dame rivalry.
Q: What trophy goes to the winner of Minnesota versus Wisconsin?
A: Paul Bunyan's Axe.
Q: What trophy is contested by Indiana and Purdue?
A: The Old Oaken Bucket.
Q: What trophy is associated with Michigan State versus Michigan?
A: The Paul Bunyan Trophy.
Q: What rivalry trophy is a bronze pig contested by Iowa and Minnesota?
A: Floyd of Rosedale.
Q: What trophy is contested between Iowa and Wisconsin?
A: The Heartland Trophy.
Q: What rivalry between Florida and Georgia is traditionally played in Jacksonville?
A: Florida versus Georgia.
Q: What rivalry is played between Harvard and Yale?
A: The Game, an older use of the nickname than the Michigan-Ohio State version.
Q: Why do neutral-site rivalry games stand out?
A: They can turn one city or stadium into an annual shared stage rather than alternating between campuses.
Q: Why are rivalry trophies so useful for trivia?
A: Their names often come from local legends, governors, historical bets, folklore, or bizarre objects that make each series memorable.
Legendary Programs, Coaches & Dynasties
Q: Which Alabama coach won six national championships there after previously winning one at LSU?
A: Nick Saban.
Q: Which Alabama coach was nicknamed Bear?
A: Paul “Bear” Bryant.
Q: What school did Knute Rockne coach?
A: Notre Dame.
Q: What famous motivational phrase is associated with Notre Dame player George Gipp?
A: “Win one for the Gipper.”
Q: Which Penn State coach led the program for decades and became one of the sport's winningest coaches before his career ended amid institutional scandal?
A: Joe Paterno.
Q: Which Florida State coach led the Seminoles through a long run of national prominence?
A: Bobby Bowden.
Q: Which Nebraska coach won three national championships in the 1990s?
A: Tom Osborne.
Q: Which Miami teams became known for swagger and elite talent in the 1980s and early 2000s?
A: The Miami Hurricanes.
Q: Which program is nicknamed the Crimson Tide?
A: Alabama.
Q: Which program is nicknamed the Fighting Irish?
A: Notre Dame.
Q: Which program is nicknamed the Wolverines?
A: Michigan.
Q: Which program is nicknamed the Buckeyes?
A: Ohio State.
Q: Which program is nicknamed the Sooners?
A: Oklahoma.
Q: Which program is nicknamed the Longhorns?
A: Texas.
Q: Why is dynasty talk complicated in college football?
A: Scholarship limits, conference strength, playoff systems, polls, coaching eras, recruiting, and title-selection methods differ across generations.
Stadiums, Mascots & Game-Day Traditions
Q: What Michigan stadium is nicknamed The Big House?
A: Michigan Stadium.
Q: What school plays in Ohio Stadium, nicknamed the Horseshoe?
A: Ohio State.
Q: What LSU stadium is famously called Death Valley?
A: Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Q: What Clemson stadium also carries the Death Valley nickname?
A: Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
Q: What Texas A&M tradition calls its fan base the 12th Man?
A: The idea that students stand ready to support the eleven players on the field.
Q: What live mascot represents Georgia?
A: Uga, an English bulldog.
Q: What animal is Auburn's live eagle tradition associated with even though its teams are the Tigers?
A: An eagle flies before games as part of the “War Eagle” tradition.
Q: What tree-based gathering spot became famous for Auburn celebrations?
A: Toomer's Corner.
Q: What song is strongly associated with West Virginia football crowds?
A: “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
Q: What entrance does Virginia Tech famously make to Metallica's “Enter Sandman”?
A: The team runs onto the field as the crowd jumps to the song.
Q: What school is famous for dotting the “i” in Script Ohio?
A: Ohio State.
Q: Who traditionally dots the “i” in Script Ohio?
A: A sousaphone player in the Ohio State University Marching Band.
Q: What Clemson tradition involves players touching Howard's Rock before running down a hill?
A: Clemson's famous stadium entrance.
Q: What Notre Dame symbol do players traditionally touch before taking the field?
A: A sign reading “Play Like a Champion Today.”
Q: Why do traditions matter so much in college football trivia?
A: Bands, mascots, chants, stadium rituals, trophies, student sections, and campus customs make schools distinct even before the game begins.
College Stars, Famous Plays & Rule Differences
Q: Which Boston College quarterback won the 1984 Heisman after a famous Hail Mary against Miami?
A: Doug Flutie.
Q: What play ended the 1982 California-Stanford game with laterals through the Stanford band?
A: The Play.
Q: What 2007 upset saw Appalachian State defeat a top-ranked Michigan team in Ann Arbor?
A: Appalachian State's 34-32 victory over Michigan.
Q: What 2013 Auburn return of a missed Alabama field goal became known as the Kick Six?
A: Chris Davis returned the missed kick for a game-winning touchdown.
Q: Who ran the Kick Six?
A: Chris Davis.
Q: Which quarterback won national titles at Florida and became known for a jump-pass touchdown play?
A: Tim Tebow.
Q: Which Auburn quarterback won the 2010 Heisman and national championship before becoming NFL MVP?
A: Cam Newton.
Q: Which LSU quarterback won the 2019 Heisman after a record-setting championship season?
A: Joe Burrow.
Q: Which USC running back was nicknamed the Juice and won the 1968 Heisman?
A: O.J. Simpson.
Q: What happens to a ball carrier in NCAA football when a knee touches the ground voluntarily or involuntarily, even without defensive contact?
A: The player is generally down by rule.
Q: How many feet must a college receiver normally get down in bounds for a catch?
A: One.
Q: How many feet must an NFL receiver generally get down in bounds?
A: Two, which makes this a common college-versus-NFL trivia distinction.
Q: How does college overtime begin rather than using a normal kickoff?
A: Teams receive alternating possessions from a designated yard line under the current NCAA overtime procedure.
Q: Why have NCAA overtime rules changed over time?
A: The sport has adjusted starting positions and mandatory two-point attempts to reduce extremely long games and improve player safety.
Q: What makes college football famous plays especially memorable?
A: Rivalries, student crowds, one-game seasons, unusual rules, and dramatic laterals or returns can turn a single play into campus folklore for generations.
Hard College Football Challenge
Q: Who won the first Heisman Trophy?
A: Jay Berwanger.
Q: Who is the only two-time Heisman winner?
A: Archie Griffin.
Q: What system preceded the College Football Playoff?
A: The Bowl Championship Series.
Q: Which team won the first four-team College Football Playoff championship?
A: Ohio State.
Q: When did the CFP expand from four teams to twelve?
A: Beginning with the 2024 season.
Q: Which rivalry is called the Iron Bowl?
A: Alabama versus Auburn.
Q: Which rivalry is played for Paul Bunyan's Axe?
A: Minnesota versus Wisconsin.
Q: Which rivalry trophy is a bronze pig?
A: Floyd of Rosedale, contested by Iowa and Minnesota.
Q: Which stadium is nicknamed the Big House?
A: Michigan Stadium.
Q: Which two major programs use the nickname Death Valley for their home stadiums?
A: LSU and Clemson.
Q: Which famous 1982 ending ran through the Stanford band?
A: The Play.
Q: Which famous 2013 ending returned a missed field goal 100-plus yards as time expired?
A: The Kick Six.
Q: What is the key catch-rule difference between NCAA and NFL sidelines?
A: College generally requires one foot down in bounds, while the NFL requires two.
Q: Why can old championship claims be disputed?
A: Different selectors, polls, bowls, and retroactive systems sometimes chose different national champions.
Q: Why is college football especially deep trivia material?
A: Rivalries, conferences, student traditions, changing postseason systems, trophy games, polls, giant stadiums, marching bands, Heisman winners, legendary coaches, unusual rules, and generations of regional history give the sport far more texture than one championship bracket.
How Did You Score?
If Jay Berwanger, Floyd of Rosedale, the BCS, the Kick Six, the Big House, the one-foot catch rule, and the 12-team CFP expansion all came easily, your college football trivia deserves a prime Saturday kickoff.
Keep playing with our NFL trivia, sports trivia, and college trivia.
Ellie Ewert is the founder and author of RandomTrivia.co, blending her passion for research with years of experience in content creation to deliver accurate, engaging, and well-sourced trivia. Dedicated to providing readers with trustworthy and entertaining facts, she applies meticulous fact-checking and SEO expertise to ensure every article meets the highest standards. Read more about our high standards in our Editorial Guidelines.