On Tuesday, August 22nd, ESPN released a comprehensive list of the “Happiest Fanbases in College Football.” ESPN based their rankings on 6 key factors.
- Program Power - Combination of strength records from 2012 - 2016 and current FPI compared to recent history.
- Rivalry Dominance - Combination of wins above expectation over rivals in past five seasons and how a team’s FPI compares its rivals.
- Coaching Stability - How close a coach is to being fired, per Phil Steele’s coaching stability rankings
- Recruiting Trend - Difference in percentage of five, four, and three star recruits in current class vs.