Here are the nine schools with the most wins in college football history, using the NCAA's official win-loss records.
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Note: Schools needed at least 25 years in the top division of football, which may have predated the separation of teams into the FBS and FCS levels, to qualify for this list. That explains the inclusion of one school on this list, whose presence may come as a surprise to many.
* This has been updated through Aug. 8, 2024
9. Nebraska
All-time record: 917-424-40
Win percentage: .678
First season: 1890
Nebraska is trying to recapture its success in the 1970s through the late '90s, when the Huskers won five national championships and produced three Heisman Trophy winners. The Cornhuskers' last 10-win season came in 2012, and the program will look to end its eight-year bowl drought in 2024 after finishing 2023 at 5-7.
8. Penn State
All-time record: 930-409-41
Win percentage: .689
First season: 1887
Penn State has a rich football history including two national championships and one Heisman winner. Since 2010, the Nittany Lions have won one Big Ten Championship (2016) and have produced five 10-win seasons. Penn State will look to earn three consecutive 10-win seasons in 2024, taking part in a loaded Big Ten conference.
7. Yale
All-time record: 936-390-55
Win percentage: .698
First season: 1872
Yale played its first football game at least seven years before every other school on this list. The Bulldogs joined the Ivy League in 1956 and the Ivy League moved to Division I-AA in 1982. Yale now plays at the FCS level and the Bulldogs have won the Ivy League four times since 2015.
Oklahoma has seven Heisman winners, tied for most all time.
6. Oklahoma
All-time record: 944-341-53
Win percentage: .725
First season: 1895
Oklahoma has firmly established itself as one of the best programs of all time, as well as this century. The Sooners' resumé boasts seven national championships and the same amount of Heisman winners, including back-to-back Heismans in 2017-18. The program has produced 11 double-digit win seasons since 2010, and it will look to carry its prestige into 2024 in year one competing in the SEC.
texas won at least 10 games every year from 2001 to 2009
T4. Texas
All-time record: 948-392-33
Win percentage: .702
First season: 1893
The Longhorns are one of the most popular programs in history, producing four national titles and two Heisman winners. From 2001-09, Texas churned out nine consecutive double-digit win seasons, peaking in 2005 with its 13-0 national championship run. Since 2010, the Longhorns have only put together two 10-win seasons, but the Texas faithful are optimistic after a 12-2 College Football Playoff berth in the 2023 season.
Notre Dame’s nine championships in the poll era are the second-most all-time
T4. Notre Dame
All-time record: 948-337-42
Win percentage: .730
First season: 1887
Notre Dame has won eight national championships in the poll era starting in 1936, second to only Alabama in that span. The Irish have also produced seven Heisman winners, most recently Tim Brown in 1987. Since 2010, Notre Dame has earned eight 10-win seasons, including a national championship appearance in 2012.
Ohio State's Archie Griffin is the only player in history to win two Heisman trophies
3. Ohio State
All-time record: 964-333-53
Win percentage: .734
First season: 1890
The winners of the inaugural College Football Playoff in 2014, the Buckeyes have mostly been national title contenders year in and year out since the mid-90s. Since 1995, Ohio State has finished in the top six of the AP poll 15 times with two national championships and two runner-up finishes. The program boasts eight national titles and seven Heisman winners, including the only two-time winner in Archie Griffin. In the 2020 season, the Buckeyes finished as the runner-up in the CFP, and Ohio State has produced 12 double-digit win seasons since 2010.
Alabama has won six national championships since 2009
2. Alabama
All-time record: 965-337-43
Win percentage: .733
First season: 1892
Alabama has been the most dominant program of the 21st century, winning six national titles under legendary coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide has appeared in nine title games and produced four Heisman winners since 2009. They will look to continue this dominance into the program's first season post-Saban.
Michigan is the winningest program in college football history.
1. Michigan
All-time record: 1,004-353-36
Win percentage: .734
First season: 1879
In 2024, Michigan put all of the pieces together to capture its first national title since 1997, finishing a perfect 15-0 on the year. The Wolverines are the first program to top 1,000 wins in history.
