If you’ve heard the fight song “War Eagle,” then you’ve undoubtedly witnessed an Auburn Tigers football game. Also known as the Alabama Crimson Tide’s archrival, the Tigers have achieved tremendous success in NCAA football. That includes a 1957 Associated Press ranking as the best soccer team in the nation. While Auburn’s legacy certainly involves a winning tradition, it’s only one aspect of Auburn Tigers football:

1. A history of high rankings in the polls

The numbers don’t lie. Various polls have ranked the Auburn Tigers as one of the greatest football teams of all time. The Associated Press has ranked Auburn No. 11, in its final AP polls. Meanwhile, the College Football Research Group has ranked Auburn 14th, on their list of the greatest college football teams of all time. Additionally, the AP Poll and Coaches Poll ranked Auburn in their final list of the top 20 teams for 33 seasons. All of these statistics are particularly impressive considering that currently 119 schools are included in NCAA Division IA. That puts Auburn in the top 10% of final AP polls.

2. An “official” national championship

As any dedicated NCAA football fan knows, the term “national champion” has until recently been somewhat discussed due to the lack of a championship game and split polls. Officially, Auburn lays claim to a national champion team: the 1957 team that finished the season with a 10-0 record. However, Auburn has had several notable teams throughout its history, which were not officially “national champions”:

o 1914: Outscored opponents by a whopping 193-0.
1983: Commendable 11-1 record and beats Michigan in the Sugar Bowl (9-7)
o 2004: 13-0 record and #2 in AP Poll and Top 25 Coaches poll

3. The birth of an eagle-War Eagle, that is

Where did “War Eagle”, the Auburn Tigers fight song, originate? In truth, it is not clear and there are several theories. One of the oldest involves the Battle of the Wilderness, which occurred in Virginia during the Civil War. The battle involved General Ulysses S. Grant of the Union and General Robert E. Lee of the Confederates. The battle resulted in heavy casualties for both sides. Furthermore, neither side won a strategic victory during the battle.

4. Jackson and Sullivan Heisman Trophies

Quarterback Pat Sullivan was the first Auburn player to win the Heisman Trophy award (1971). During his college career, Sullivan threw for almost 6,300 yards and 57 touchdowns, and even personally rushed for 18 touchdowns!

Before playing the professional sports of football and baseball, Jackson was a star football player at Auburn. In addition to playing soccer there, he also played baseball and ran track! Bo Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 1985.

From Bo Jackson to the 1957 National Championship team, the Auburn Tigers epitomize NCAA football excellence. The team spirit has paralleled the team’s history of victories. Wear Auburn Tigers merchandise to cheer on the team as they race toward a second NCAA football title.