College football fandom is a passionate and often polarizing affair. Some fan bases are admired for their loyalty and enthusiasm, while others garner a reputation for being downright insufferable. In this controversial breakdown, we rank the worst fan bases among five notorious groups: Texas Longhorns, LSU Tigers, Arkansas Razorbacks, Arizona State Sun Devils, and Arizona Cardinals (we’ll consider their college-style fandom for comparison). Brace yourself—this isn’t for the faint of heart.
5. Arizona State Sun Devils
The Verdict: Fair-weather fans with a reputation for apathy.
Arizona State University is known for its party culture, gorgeous campus, and sunny weather. Unfortunately, the same energy doesn’t always translate to its football fan base. While the Sun Devils have had their moments of glory, their fan base often gets criticized for being inconsistent and disengaged.
Why They’re the Worst (But Not the Absolute Worst):
• Fair-Weather Fandom: Sun Devil Stadium rarely sells out, especially when the team isn’t performing well. Fans seem more concerned about tailgating and socializing than actually supporting the team.
• Mediocre Loyalty: When Arizona State does achieve success, suddenly, fans appear out of nowhere, flaunting team gear and acting as if they’ve been die-hards for years.
• Lack of Intensity: Compared to other Pac-12 schools like Oregon or USC, ASU fans lack the fervor that makes a fan base intimidating. Opposing teams don’t fear walking into Sun Devil Stadium—it’s more of a mild inconvenience than a hostile environment.
That said, Arizona State’s fan base isn’t particularly offensive—they just lack the passion that defines a great college football crowd.
4. Arizona Cardinals
The Verdict: A pro team fan base with college football apathy vibes.
The Arizona Cardinals technically don’t belong in the college football discussion, but let’s face it: their fans behave like a mediocre college crowd. For a state obsessed with college sports like ASU, it’s surprising how apathetic Cardinals fans can be toward their own football team.
Why They’re Lacking:
• Bandwagon Mentality: Cardinals fans love to hop on the bandwagon when the team is doing well (see their Super Bowl run in 2008). But when the losses pile up, the fan base is nowhere to be found.
• College-Like Disconnect: Many fans in Arizona are more devoted to their alma maters than their NFL franchise, leaving the Cardinals with a disjointed and unenthusiastic fan base.
• Inconsistent Support: State Farm Stadium struggles with attendance when the Cardinals aren’t contenders, and opposing fans often dominate the crowd.
While Cardinals fans don’t top this list, their apathy and lack of commitment land them here.
3. LSU Tigers
The Verdict: Passionate but obnoxious.
LSU fans are known for their electrifying energy and deafening cheers in Tiger Stadium, but with that passion comes a downside. The LSU fan base often teeters on the edge of obnoxiousness, and for opposing fans, visiting Death Valley can be a nightmare.
Why They’re Controversial:
• Rude Behavior: LSU fans are infamous for being hostile to opposing fans. From jeers to explicit chants, Death Valley isn’t exactly a warm and welcoming environment for visitors.
• Delusional Expectations: Despite LSU’s history of success, their fan base can be unreasonably critical when the team doesn’t perform to national championship standards. Even winning seasons can lead to dissatisfaction if they fall short of perfection.
• Rowdy Game Days: Game day in Baton Rouge is an experience, but for the uninitiated, it can feel more like a drunken free-for-all than a celebration of football.
LSU’s fan base is undeniably passionate, but their intensity often veers into outright hostility, earning them a spot on this list.
2. Texas Longhorns
The Verdict: Entitled and overhyped.
Few fan bases carry as much entitlement as the Texas Longhorns. Texas fans love to remind everyone that “everything’s bigger in Texas,” and their inflated sense of self-worth makes them one of the most disliked fan bases in college football.
Why They’re So Annoying:
• Living in the Past: Texas fans can’t stop talking about their glory days, constantly referencing their national championships from decades ago as if they’re still relevant today.
• “We’re Back” Syndrome: Every time Texas wins a significant game, fans declare that the program is “back,” only for the team to disappoint them in subsequent weeks.
• Arrogance: Longhorns fans truly believe their program is superior to every other school, even when they’re not winning. Their arrogance makes them difficult to tolerate, especially for rival fans.
While Texas has a strong football tradition, their fans’ delusional expectations and self-importance land them near the top of the worst fan bases.
1. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Verdict: Loyal to a fault but excessively toxic.
Arkansas Razorbacks fans are a unique breed. Their passion for their team is undeniable, but that passion often manifests as blind loyalty and toxicity. Whether the team is winning or losing, Razorbacks fans always find a way to make themselves known—for better or worse.
Why They Top the List:
• Over-the-Top Negativity: When Arkansas loses, fans can be incredibly critical, taking to social media to berate coaches, players, and even each other. The level of toxicity can be exhausting.
• Obsession with Rivals: Razorbacks fans love to hate their rivals, especially Texas and LSU. The level of animosity can sometimes overshadow their love for their own team.
• Unrealistic Expectations: Arkansas hasn’t been a consistent powerhouse in recent years, but that doesn’t stop fans from expecting national championship contention every season. When the team falls short, the backlash is swift and brutal.
• Incessant Hog Calls: The signature “Woo Pig Sooie” chant can be endearing at first, but after hearing it 500 times in one game, it quickly becomes grating. Opposing fans might describe it as less of a cheer and more of a relentless assault on the ears.
Despite their loyalty, Arkansas fans often take their passion to toxic extremes, earning them the dubious honor of the worst fan base on this list.
Conclusion: Love Them or Hate Them, They’re Here to Stay
Every college football fan base has its quirks, but some take their fandom to levels that are hard to tolerate. Whether it’s the entitled arrogance of Texas Longhorns fans, the drunken hostility of LSU supporters, or the over-the-top antics of Razorbacks fans, these groups leave a lasting impression—for better or worse.
At the end of the day, the passion of these fan bases is what makes college football special, even if it’s occasionally insufferable. Love them or hate them, they’re not going anywhere—and that’s what keeps the rivalries alive.