Discover Fan Loyalty Poll: College Football Fans Disagree With Major Polls On Which Team Should Be No. 1

November 15, 2012

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2012-- For 10 consecutive weeks, Alabama reigned as the best college football team in the country among fans, coaches and sportswriters, but the tide has quickly turned with the team’s loss to Texas A&M, leaving fans from this week’s Discover Fan Loyalty Poll in disagreement with major polls as to which team should take over the top spot.

Discover Loyalty poll fans gave the most votes to Oregon as the best team in the country right now, pushing the Crimson Tide to second. Last week’s Texas A&M win also put them in the top five teams this week among fans, pushing Georgia off the list. When compared to other polls, coaches and sportswriters ranked Kansas State first, followed by Oregon, Notre Dame, Alabama, and Georgia. The Discover Fan Loyalty Poll rankings this week are as follows:

  • Oregon, 25 percent
  • Alabama, 17 percent
  • Kansas State, 15 percent
  • Notre Dame, 13 percent
  • Texas A&M, 4 percent
  • Florida, 3 percent
  • Georgia, 3 percent
  • Louisiana State University, 3 percent
  • Some other team, 10 percent
  • Not sure, 6 percent

Alabama also lost favor with fans when asked which of the above teams they thought would win the national championship this year. Oregon rose to the occasion and is in first place at 31 percent, followed by:

  • Alabama, 21 percent
  • Notre Dame, 16 percent
  • Kansas State, 13 percent
  • Georgia, 3 percent
  • Florida, 2 percent
  • Louisiana State University, 2 percent
  • Texas A&M, 2 percent
  • Some other team, 3 percent
  • Not sure, 7 percent

On a lighter note, when fans were asked to choose from among five A-List celebrities to crash their tailgate or gameday parties, Will Ferrell and Matthew McConaughey tied for the top spot at 24 percent, followed by:

  • Beyonce, 13 percent
  • Ashton Kutcher, 12 percent
  • LeBron James, 9 percent
  • Not sure, 18 percent

Not surprisingly, McConaughey stole the heart of most women and Ferrell was the most popular among men.

The 15-week Discover Fan Loyalty Poll is conducted by Rasmussen Reports, a nationally recognized leader in polling, who gathers sentiment by phone from 800 college football fans who follow games at least once per week on television, radio, in person or online.

Discover launched the Fan Loyalty Poll to give die-hard fans a platform to showcase their dedication and love for their favorite college football team leading up to the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game and 2013 Discover Orange Bowl. Each week the poll will offer new questions about what college football fans are thinking this season.

Beyond title sponsorship of the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game and 2013 Discover Orange Bowl, Discover’s commitment to college football includes relationships with ESPN and Notre Dame Football on NBC.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company operates the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers home loans, private student loans, personal loans, online savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its direct banking business. Its payment businesses consist of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.

Source: Discover Financial Services

Katie Henry
Discover
224-405-4437
kathrynhenry@discover.com
or
Matthew Towson
Discover
224-405-5649
matthewtowson@discover.com