College Football Fan Index presented by Degree is a cumulative, data-based ranking of America’s most engaged fan bases as determined by social media activity and online polling. These are the final results for the 2014 season.

1. Ohio State (1,097,295 social mentions, 5,578 voting points)

The regular season ended on an insanely high note, with Urban Meyer’s wife Shelley shedding tears after finding out Ohio State had earned the last College Football Playoff spot. For the Buckeyes and their fans, though, it was at times a trying year.

Quarterbacks Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett both got hurt. OSU also endured the tragic death of football walk-on Kosta Karageorge, who defensive tackle Michael Bennett honored by wearing his number during the Big Ten title game. Still, their fans kept the faith, and now get to watch the Buckeyes play for a championship.

Highest ranking: No. 1 (four times)

Lowest ranking: No. 14

Poll trophies: Best Band (runner-up), Best Rivalry (runner-up), Best Tradition (runner-up)

2. Alabama (1,406,837 social mentions, 4,333 voting points)

After their team lost to Ole Miss on Oct. 4, national title-craving Alabama fans were apoplectic. Then, like clockwork, the Crimson Tide righted the ship. Every week, piano-playing wide receiver Amari Cooper put on a show. New offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin even became a likeable figure. And now, ‘Bama has a shot at winning another championship.

Highest ranking: No. 1 (twice)

Lowest ranking: No. 11

Poll trophies: Best Cheerleaders (runner-up)

3. Tennessee (624,952 social mentions, 3,634 voting points)

The Volunteers (6-6) were middling this season, but don’t tell their fans. For 14 of the last 16 weeks, Tennessee has ranked in the Fan Index top five. Vols fans are vocal, loyal, and extremely well-organized. Just look at the above photo.

Highest ranking: No. 2 (twice)

Lowest ranking: No. 10

Poll trophies: Best Field, Best Fight Song (runner-up)

4. Oregon (974,719 social mentions, 1,996 voting points)

Playing pong at tailgates is old news. Oregon fans play in the stands: (via @JeffWhiteee) http://t.co/evdlyyPhNv pic.twitter.com/sXd7cq6boZ — SB Nation (@SBNation) October 21, 2014

For six straight weeks in the middle of the season, Oregon topped the Fan Index. Whether we were talking about their spectacular uniform combinations or their creative fans (see above), this fall the playoff-bound Ducks were a constant topic of conversation.

Highest ranking: No. 1 (six times)

Lowest ranking: No. 5

Poll trophies: Best Uniform, Best Helmet (runner-up)

5. Texas A&M (486,804 social mentions, 4,937 voting points)

A&M’s season began with a bang — remember Kenny Trill? — and ended with a whimper, but there’s been no shortage of Aggies chatter. Let’s end with the above photo of receiver Speedy Noil making what might’ve been the year’s best catch.

Highest ranking: No. 1

Lowest ranking: No. 22

Poll trophies: Best Student Section

6. USC (613,383 social mentions, 2,128 voting points)

The 2014 Trojans were downright fascinating. First there was the bizarre Josh Shaw story. Then athletic director Pat Haden went rogue. But USC persevered, thanks to quarterback Cody Kessler and plenty of bro-therly love.

Highest ranking: No. 1 (three times)

Lowest ranking: No. 7

Poll trophies: none

7. Nebraska (440,551 social mentions, 7,434 voting points)

You really think we wouldn't meet with Coach Bo? Think again. Everyman got their chance to say goodbye tonight pic.twitter.com/HjXchlpXl3 — Samuel Hahn (@daHAHNi) December 3, 2014

It’s been a strange year for Nebraska fans, who watched their team go 9-3 then had to endure the firing of Bo Pelini, who was seemingly beloved (see above) by players and Cornhuskers fans. (A fitting coda to a weird season: defensive end Jack Gangwish’s strange adventures with a raccoon.)

Highest ranking: No. 5

Lowest ranking: No. 17

Poll trophies: Best Entrance

8. Florida State (1,745,270 social mentions, 1,178 voting points)

For better or worse, autumn belonged to Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. Discussion of the controversial signal-caller made the Seminoles the most discussed on social media this fall. When it seemed like things couldn’t get any more surreal, comedian Kevin Hart upped the ante.

Highest ranking: No. 6

Lowest ranking: No. 13

Poll trophies: none

9. Notre Dame (617,443 social mentions, 1,996 voting points)

It was a busy season for Notre Dame diehards, who watched their team nearly knock off Florida State, saw their coach wear the ugliest plaid jacket this side of Rodney Dangerfield’s in Caddyshack, and proved themselves to be one of the most devoted fan bases in sports.

Highest ranking: No. 3 (twice)

Lowest ranking: No. 12

Poll trophies: Best Helmet

10. Georgia (1,049,323 social mentions, 1,246 voting points)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHc-CtJwlAo

How dedicated are Georgia fans? Consider their support of suspended running back Todd Gurley. They built a shrine to him, they recorded a song about him, and petitioned President Obama to pardon him. Gurley ended up getting reinstated, then tore his ACL. Here’s hoping he returns and becomes an NFL star.

Highest ranking: No. 3 (twice)

Lowest ranking: No. 16

Poll trophies: Best Mascot

For the full rankings, including teams 11-128, visit Fan Index.

Conference power rankings

Here’s how the five major conference stack up, as determined by their teams’ average finish in the Fan Index rankings.

Weekly poll results

As part of the Fan Index formula, USA TODAY Sports asked fans to vote on a range of college football-related topics each week throughout the season. Here are the results of the most recent poll, along with a list of all 15 previous weekly poll winners.

Best fan base — Alabama (34% of the vote)

If you’d like a good example of how hopelessly devoted Alabama fans are to their team, look no further than the above photo. In January 2013, on the day of their wedding, bride and groom Ashleigh and Brett Horst stopped by the Crimson Tide’s national championship celebration. (The crimson bridesmaid dresses and tuxedo vest are nice touches.)

Runners-up: — Ohio State (9%), Nebraska (8%), Auburn (7%)

Previous poll winners:

Week 1: Best Uniforms — Oregon

Week 2: Best Fight Song — Georgia Tech

Week 3: Best Tailgate — LSU

Week 4: Best School Colors — Texas

Week 5: Best Stadium — Clemson

Week 6: Best Helmet — Notre Dame

Week 7: Best Mascot — Georgia

Week 8: Best Field — Tennessee

Week 9: Best Band — Penn State

Week 10: Best Entrance — Nebraska

Week 11: Best Student Section — Texas A&M

Week 12: Best Cheerleaders — Kentucky

Week 13: Best Tradition — Auburn

Week 14: Best Rivalry — West Virginia

Week 15: Best Football Town — Boise State

Thanks for weighing in this season, congratulations to the winners, and see you in 2015!