Lawless Republic
Fansided

BYU Cougars fans miss out on FanSided’s Fandom 250

By Nathan Cunningham

(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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FanSided ranked the top 250 fanbases in the world, but BYU Cougars fans missed the cut. What say you, loyal, strong and true Cougar Nation?

Fansided’s Fandom 250 rankings are an attempt to identify the greatest fans on the planet. But can you have a list of the best fans without including BYU Cougars fans?

Apparently so, because we Cougar fans missed the cut. Overall, just 24 schools were in the Fandom 250. The programs included are mostly the ones you would’ve guessed. Here’s the breakdown of the best fanbases in college sports.

24. East Mississippi Community College

23. Nebraska

22. UCLA

21. Louisville

20. Washington

19. North Dakota State

18. Tennessee

17. LSU

16. Texas

15. Florida

14. Florida State

13. Wisconsin

12. Kansas

11. Michigan

10. Penn State

9. USC

8. Clemson

7. Duke

6. Kentucky

5. Oklahoma

4. North Carolina

3. Notre Dame

2. Alabama

1. Ohio State (Buckeyes were also No. 1 overall)

As you can see, no team from Utah made the list and only two schools in the west made it (UCLA and USC).

It’s tough. BYU Cougars fans stretch worldwide – arguably more global than any other university. This is due, in large part, to the LDS Church. After all, it’s no secret that a great number of BYU fans are LDS.

But just because the base is there, doesn’t mean it’s the most passionate. However I don’t think you can blame Cougar Nation. Not one bit.

BYU Cougars fans have shown time and time again that they can show up in droves – if they’re given a reason. The trouble is, as of late, they haven’t had much of a reason.

I remember sitting in the stands at LaVell Edward Stadium – as a student – during the 2014 football season. Taysom Hill was considered a Heisman Trophy dark horse. The schedule was light enough and the Cougars had the talent, so fans were thinking a NY6 bowl was coming.

The stands were full. Packed. Admission lines wrapped halfway around the stadium. Attendance hovered around 60,000. And it’s not like the teams coming to Provo were great. We’re talking Houston and Virginia.

The same could be said for the 2016 season. Fans flocked to LaVell Edwards Stadium to watch the 1-3 Cougars take on Toledo. So you can’t tell me that BYU Cougars fans aren’t passionate.

But two blowout losses to end the hoops season last year and a terrible football season this year put a real damper on things. I’m sure that once the on-field product improves, Cougar Nation will flock to Provo again.

There’s always next year, right?

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