Quote: 

 

I kinda like the idea of Michigan or UCF, Denard and Bortles/Storm obviously, especially how the fans of those teams still root for those players now.

 

On your last point: I like teams like the Jags. I don't pick a team when they're winning all the time, that's not the kind of thing I look for. I want a good fanbase that sticks around even if the team sucks, someone who has a chance in games but isn't usually the favourite to win the games. West coast isn't a good idea as the time difference is terrible, before I had kids I would happily watch every TNF/MNF/SNF game (they finish at 3/4am here) but now it just isn't possible, I make exception for Jags late games but that's it.

 

I'm sure the UCF fans wont appreciate this but......  Historically they were a commuter school that built themselves a nice campus recently and is trying to replicate the college town/campus feel but its hard to pull off over night.  The other tough thing about UCF is that most of the kids there are actually Florida or Florida St or Miami fans that didnt go to any of those schools because a) they couldnt get in or b) chose UCF for some reason (money, stay close to home, etc...).  Plus UCF plays in a 2nd tier conference and will struggle to ascend to a power conference level.  It's doable.  But when you're 4th banana in a state it's tough.  They'll need something magical to happen like what happened at TCU or Baylor where they strike gold with a coach at the right time.

 

I laughed at your point about a fanbase sticking around even when the team stinks because that may rule out Michigan.  They've been taking grief recently because students havent been using their tickets.  Although i still think Michigan would be a cool choice.  I even like their mascot the Wolverines.  They just never use it.  Most logo's you are see are the big 'M'.  they need more actual wolverine images.  

 

My first thought when reading your description though was South Carolina.  Historically they've stunk but they would sell out that stadium no matter what.  (there are no pro sports in South Carolina so they bleed college sports).  Recently though they've become good under Spurrier.  But even as good as they've become, they arent one of the elite teams.  They are always lacking that one key piece... typically the really good QB.  I will say their college town isnt quite as fun as others but the tailgating on gameday is pretty spectacular.  The mascot is kind of cool in the sense that its a fighting rooster yet cockfighting is illegal in America.  And they play in the best conference in college football.

 

You could also think about Virginia Tech.  They've got passionate fans.  Are usually pretty good but not great.  Play in the ACC so are in a major conference.  Their mascot is a Hokie or basically a turkey which sounds dumb but I actually kind of like it.  Their fans are a bit crazy.  If you could combine hunting and football, that's your typical hokie's fan.  Blacksburg Virginia is way out in the western part of the state near where Tennessee meets Kentucky meets West Virginia... so its a little hillbilly out there.  Growing up I would be sent to a camp out there where we'd fish, hunt, horseback ride, camp out, whitewater raft... was pretty cool.

---