In a recent article, Business Insider magazine ranked Appalachian State University football as the 23rd-most dominant college football program in America.
In its “25 Most Dominant College Football Programs” article, Business Insider ranks NCAA football programs based on its Niche college ranking (a measure designed to give prospective students an idea of which schools have the best football atmosphere based on a number of factors), games and championships won in the last 15 years and the amount of athletics department revenue generated by the football program.
Coming in at No. 23 nationally, Appalachian State is the only Sun Belt Conference institution and the only program from the Carolinas listed in Business Insider’s listing of the 25 most dominant college football programs.
Appalachian is also the only NCAA Division I FBS “Group of 5” conference member among the top 25 — the only non-“Power 5” conference programs listed besides App State are four-time-defending NCAA Division I FCS national champion North Dakota State (No. 22) and Division III power Mount Union.
Here’s what Business Insider had to say about App State football:
- Appalachian State spent most of the last 15 years playing in FCS (formerly Division I-AA). They moved up to FBS in 2014.
- 2014 football revenue: $4.3 million
- Average Home Football Attendance: 24,894
- Football Championship Score*: 6
- BCS Appearances: 0 (0 wins)
- Total NFL Players: 36 (0 Hall of Famers)
- Student Surveys on Athletics: 3.7 out of 5
BUSINESS INSIDER’S 25 MOST DOMINANT COLLEGE FOOTBALL PROGRAMS
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Texas
4. Ohio State
5. Florida
6. Oklahoma
7. Michigan
8. Florida State
9. Notre Dame
10. Georgia
11. USC
12. Oregon
13. Miami (Fla.)
14. Auburn
15. Penn State
16. Wisconsin
17. Tennessee
18. Virginia Tech
19. Nebraska
20. Mount Union
21. Iowa
22. North Dakota State
23. Appalachian State
24. Stanford
25. Texas A&M