College football isn’t just a sport. It’s a cultural phenomenon with a rich history, fun traditions and unforgettable games. As the 2025 gridiron season gets underway, we answer common football questions and share some fun facts!

Frequently Asked Football Questions

How many teams are in the SEC East and West?
Before 2025, there were seven teams in each division. However, that has changed. Beginning with this football season, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has officially eliminated the East and West divisions to operate under a single, 16-team, no division format.

What is a "true freshman"?
A true freshman football player is a student-athlete in their first year of college and first year of eligibility who plays games in that same year. This is different from a “redshirt freshman” who played no or very limited games in their first year of college. A redshirt freshman is likely to be in their second year of college, but still qualifies by rule as being in the first year of athletic eligibility.

Who is the winningest college football team?
Michigan. From their first season in 1879 through July 2025, the Wolverines have an all-time W-L record of 1,012 wins, 358 losses and 36 ties. That gives the program a win percentage of .733. No other team has reached 1,000 total wins. But that may change in the next few years!

How many points are in a touchdown? How many points are in a field goal?
A touchdown is worth six points. The scoring team may try for an extra point attempt by kicking a field goal worth one additional point or a running or passing play worth two additional points. A field goal is worth three points.

What is a “pick six” in football?
A “pick six” is when a defending team intercepts a pass from the offensive team and runs the ball into the endzone for a touchdown on the same play. The term comes from an interception frequently being called a “pickoff” or “pick” and the fact that the touchdown scores six points (not counting an extra point attempt after the touchdown.)

Historic Firsts that Shaped the Game

• The first game ever: College football began in 1869 with a matchup between Rutgers and Princeton. The game was a mix of soccer and rugby and would have looked little like the modern game.
• The first radio broadcast: In 1921, the rivalry game between West Virginia and Pittsburgh was the first college football game broadcast on radio.
• First TV Broadcast: Fordham vs. Waynesburg was the first televised college game in 1939.
• First concrete football stadium: The first concrete football stadium is Harvard Stadium, build in 1903, which the team still uses today.

SEC College Football Traditions

• Alabama: Before kickoff, Bama fans gather at Bryant-Denny Stadium’s Walk of Champions, cheering on players as they enter through a tunnel of bronze statues honoring past coaches. The fans often belt out the “Rammer Jammer” cheer after a win.
• Mississippi State: The tradition of ringing cowbells at MSU games dates back nearly a century and some say it was inspired by a lost cow that once wandered onto the field.
• Auburn: Rolling Toomer’s Corner is a tradition of adorning trees with toilet paper. It dates back to a bygone era when fans would throw ticker tape over the telegraph lines at Toomer's Drug Store after a win.
• Ole Miss: The University of Mississippi’s Grove has one of the largest and most elaborate tailgate party traditions in college football. There’s an old saying that while the school may not win every game, they never lose the party.

What’s your favorite college football memory? Let us know on social media. Want to share your school pride with your Cadence Bank debit card? Cadence offers select teams as affinity cards. Click to learn more and see if your team is available.

Sources:
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/look-sec-16-team-superconference-164628449.html
https://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2025-01-20/college-football-history-notable-firsts-and-milestones
https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-college-sports-tradition

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