Here Are the Worst College Football Teams, Ranked

Heisman Trophy, Heisman Trophy, on the wall; who are the worst college football teams of all? Well, if you support Ohio State or Notre Dame, you'll be used to winning, but what if you support the Buffalo Bulls or New Mexico Lobos? Join us as we discover the 35 worst college football teams in the land. Along the way, there'll be laughter, and there'll be tears. Hopefully, there'll be more laughter than tears, but we can't promise anything.

35. Duke Blue Devils

Academics say practice makes perfect, but that's not true for the Duke Blue Devils. North Carolina's Duke University has played college football since 1895, but they are a long way from perfection. Coach Mike Elko's recent two-year stint improved on Coach David Cutcliffe's, but things have slipped since Elko moved on to Texas A&M in August 2023.

With an all-time record of 536-556-31, they've been one of the worst programs in the ACC for decades, and without Old Man Elko, they'd be much higher on this list.

34. San Jose State Spartans

Despite being named after the fiercest soldiers in history, the San Jose State Spartans couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag. Fans might say, "No way, San Jose!" and point out that their 518-538-38 record isn't as bad as many teams on this list.

While that may be true, we reiterate this is a list of the worst college teams in the land. So, while you're near the top, your .491 win percentage is nothing to brag about. You've got soul, but you're not soldiers!

33. Arkansas State Red Wolves

Arkansas. The Natural State. Land of the Ozarks. Famed for its lakes, rivers, hot springs, Southern Hush Puppies, Arkansas Possum Pie, and having to watch college football because there are practically no professional sports teams in the state.

When you do travel all that way across the state to Jonesboro and hand over your hard-earned cash to see current head Coach Butch Jones' team get beaten, their overall record of 496-523-37 will have you howling. No wonder their mascot is called Howl!

32. Vanderbilt Commodores

The Vanderbilt Commodores play out of Nashville, Tennessee, aka Music City. But did you know they were named after the famous Vanderbilt family and Lionel Richie's 1970s funk and soul band, The Commodores? In recent years, beating Vanderbilt University's football team has become Easy like a Sunday Morning.

Playing football since 1890, the Commodores have an all-time record of 618-665-50. The Vanderbilt Commodores, that is, not Lionel Richie's band. They have a record of "Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady".