The historical records and notable accomplishments of college football have cemented its place of significance in American sports culture. The sport has witnessed significant advancements, ranging from long winning streaks to changes in the processes used to determine championships.
The thrilling element of collegiate football is reflected in the impact that teams have on the gridiron, including their accomplishments and records. The long-lasting legacy of college football in the larger context of American athletics is shaped by legendary rivalries, powerful coaches, and ardent fans.
The Longest Winning Streak in College Football
The Oklahoma Sooners have the longest winning streak in NCAA Division I college football history, having won 47 straight games from 1953 to 1957. The North Dakota State Bison, who enjoyed a winning streak of 39 straight victories between 2017 and 2021, have the longest FCS winning streak.
Oklahoma was back on top three years after their 31-game winning streak. The Sooners' season began with a 28-21 loss to Notre Dame, the top-ranked team, and a 7-7 draw with Pitt, the team ranked lower. Oklahoma would not lose or draw a game for the following 1,505 days.
Before the streak was broken in the eighth game of the 1957 season against Notre Dame, the Sooners would win national titles in 1955 and 1956. Bud Wilkinson, who led Oklahoma to winning streaks of 31 and 47 games, retired following the 1963 season, having spent 17 years at Norman with a record of 145-29-4.
17 national titles have been achieved by North Dakota State: three when competing in the College Division, which was the division before Division II; five while competing in Division II; and nine while competing in Division I FCS. The Bison have participated in 20 national championship games and finished second four times (1967, 1981, 1984, and 2022).
NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
| # | Team | Streak | Spoiler | Seasons |
| 1. | Oklahoma | 47 | Notre Dame | 1953–1957 |
| 2. | Washington | 40 | Oregon State | 1908–1914 |
| 3. | Toledo | 35 | Tampa | 1969–1971 |
| 4. | Miami (FL) | 34 | Ohio State | 2000–2002 |
| 5. | Nebraska | 32 | UCLA | 1969-1972 |
| 6. | Pittsburgh | 31 | Cleveland Naval Reserve | 1914–1918 |
| Oklahoma | 31 | Kentucky | 1948–1950 | |
| 8. | Texas | 30 | Notre Dame | 1968–1970 |
| 9. | Michigan | 29 | Minnesota | 1901–1903 |
| Miami (FL) | 29 | Alabama | 1990–1992 | |
| Florida State | 29 | Oregon | 2012–2014 | |
| Clemson | 29 | LSU | 2018–2019 | |
| Georgia | 29 | Alabama | 2021–2023 | |
| 14. | Oklahoma | 28 | Kansas | 1973–1975 |
| Alabama | 28 | Mississippi State | 1978–1980 | |
| Michigan State | 28 | Purdue | 1950–1953 | |
| 17. | Michigan | 26 | Chicago | 1903–1905 |
| Nebraska | 26 | Arizona State | 1994–1996 | |
| Alabama | 26 | Clemson | 2015–2016 | |
| 21. | USC | 25 | Oregon State | 1931–1933 |
| Army | 25 | Notre Dame | 1944–1946 | |
| Michigan | 25 | Army | 1946–1949 | |
| San Diego State | 25 | Utah State | 1965–1967 | |
| BYU | 25 | UCLA | 1983–1985 | |
| UCF | 25 | LSU | 2017–2018 |
NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)
| # | Teams | Streak | Spoiler | Season(s) |
| 1. | North Dakota State | 39 | Southern Illinois | 2017–2020 |
| 2. | North Dakota State | 33 | Northern Iowa | 2012–2014 |
| 3. | South Dakota State | 27 | TBD | 2022– |
| 4. | James Madison | 26 | North Dakota State | 2016–2017 |
| 5. | Penn | 24 | Columbia | 1992–1995 |
| Montana | 24 | Eastern Washington | 2001–2002 | |
| 7. | Harvard | 22 | Penn | 2013–2015 |
| Sam Houston State | 22 | Montana State | 2019–2021 | |
| 9. | Montana | 21 | Marshall | 1995–1996 |
| Colgate | 21 | Delaware | 2002–2003 | |
| 11. | Holy Cross | 20 | Army | 1990–1992 |
| Dayton | 20 | Cal Poly | 1996–1997 | |
| 13. | Duquesne | 19 | Robert Morris | 1995–1996 |
| 14. | Eastern Kentucky | 18 | Western Kentucky | 1982–1983 |
| Davidson | 18 | Jacksonville | 1999–2001 | |
| San Diego | 18 | UC Davis | 2005–2006 | |
| 17. | Robert Morris | 17 | Buffalo | 1999–2000 |
| Penn | 17 | Villanova | 2002–2004 | |
| Appalachian State | 17 | Wofford | 2006–2007 | |
| Richmond | 17 | Villanova | 2008–2009 | |
| Princeton | 17 | Dartmouth | 2017–2019 | |
| 22. | Georgia Southern | 16 | Middle Tennessee | 1989–1990 |
| Sam Houston State | 16 | North Dakota State | 2010–2011 | |
| 24. | Marshall | 15 | moved to FBS | 1996 |
| Dartmouth | 15 | Lehigh | 1996–1997 |
FAQs
A. The Oklahoma Sooners have the longest winning streak in NCAA Division I history, with 47 consecutive victories (1953–1957).
A. The North Dakota State Bison hold the longest winning streak in FCS with 39 consecutive victories (2017–2021).
A. Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak ended in the eighth game of the 1957 season against Notre Dame.
A. North Dakota State won nine national titles in FCS and a total of 17 national titles in various divisions.
A. Bud Wilkinson coached Oklahoma during their longest winning streak, retiring after the 1963 season with a record of 145-29-4.
