Discover Fan Loyalty Poll: Superstitions May Be Part Of Halloween, But Few College Football Fans Use Them To Bring Luck To Their Teams

October 25, 2012

Only 12% Feel Gameday Rituals Help Their Favorite Team

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2012-- It’s unlikely you’ll catch college football fans sporting any lucky charms on game day as this week’s Discover Fan Loyalty Poll finds that most fans have full confidence in their teams’ ability to win on their own.

In the eighth week of Discover’s national survey designed to gauge college football fan loyalty, fans were asked if they have any superstitions or rituals they follow before or when they are watching their team play. The majority of fans, 86 percent, said no.

Of the 12 percent who said yes and believe in the notion that their pregame rituals play a part in helping their teams win, 58 percent said that they have shared their superstitions with family and friends, while 37 percent prefer to keep it to themselves.

Superstitions aside, Alabama needs no help maintaining the top spot as the best team in the country right now at 48 percent. Once again, the top college football polls all agreed on the five best teams in the country right now; however, Discover Fan Loyalty Poll respondents had a difference of opinion on order. Alabama and Florida finished in the top spots, followed by Notre Dame, Oregon and Kansas State. The rankings are as follows:

  • Alabama, 48 percent
  • Florida, 9 percent
  • Oregon, 7 percent
  • Notre Dame, 7 percent
  • Kansas State, 6 percent
  • LSU, 1 percent
  • Oregon State, 1 percent
  • Oklahoma, 1 percent
  • Some other team, 10 percent
  • Not sure, 10 percent

When it comes to which team fans believe will win the national championship this year, Alabama is the overwhelming favorite at 48 percent, followed by Florida at 14 percent.

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