We worked with “USA Today” to release our updated college football social buzz ranking.  Preseason we reported how the field was shaping up. Now as the BCS closes in, no better time to see what the social web is most passionate about as we head into the almighty national play-offs.

What strikes me about the social ranking is the Southeastern Conference presence and how their teams are really generating buzz and attention through their on-field performance.  The other interesting note is the SEC garners excellent TV exposure that results with a great track record of success.

Another point is Florida State’s social ranking  at #18 despite their 6-6 season, they ranked high on the SMI all season- especially during the last weeks – perhaps you can attribute that to the Bobby Bowden situation - had the entire country talking…and the “demise” of FSU football?

Auburn peaked during the last seven days with build up to the Alabama game as last week it was the featured game with huge TV exposure…possibly had everyone talking about a huge possible upset.

One thing I have state as my Catholic upbringing and my old nun teachers would be upset if I didn’t set the record straight….I essentially said Notre Dame is no longer part of the BCS conversation on a national title basis, they have become irrelevant – my grandparents would be furious if they heard that quote!

And my Dawgs….although not in play-off contention – we did finish the season strong by beating Tech last week and are still high on what people are talking about on the social web.

Social media and college football - two of my biggest passions are coming together.

In conjunction with USA Today we are excited to announce the first annual ranking for college football teams getting the most buzz on the social web as the 2009 season gets ready to kick off.

Using the Vitrue SMI we ranked the teams and listed the top 25 most social teams. There are a few surprises when compared to the USA Today’s coaches poll.

USC scored first in terms of social buzz, with great anticipation riding on the shoulders of true Freshman QB Matt Barkley. The Florida Gators, coming into the season as the most anticipated consensus #1 favorite in years, was surprisingly only #3 in social ranking.

In addition, fans believe the storied programs Michigan and UCLA will snap back into form after underwhelming initial seasons under new coaches Rich Rodriguez and Rick Neuheisel respectively.  Coming off rough seasons last year, the buzz could be attributed to fans hoping they bounce back this year. It is also interesting that Ball State ranks #15 on the social ranking, despite not being a big-time “football” school. They are coming off a great season and were undefeated in the 2008 regular season for the first time since 1949. Although they lost their championship game and Bowl game, their fans are chatting it up across the social web.  Fellow Sigma-Chi David Lettermen frequently boasts his alma mater - perhaps he is pushing some of the conversation as well.

I apologize to my SEC friends as Ole Miss and Tennessee (under full disclose Georgia is my alma mater) did not rank socially - just reporting the data folks. Also, to my WAC/Mountain West friends, sorry to say we don’t see Boise State, TCU or Utah rank socially either (I did play a year for University of New Mexico Lobos).

The point is - social media is a fascinating medium allowing unprecedented conversations.  It enables fans not just to cheer their teams on from the stands or in front of their TVs but to share their personal experiences and passions with their social circles - creating vibrant community and ongoing conversation.  Social media gives fans access, a playbook, whistle and a megaphone unlike ever before.

Get behind your teams and generate some buzz - it is going to be an awesome season!

We will be tracking the teams throughout the season and will provide some updates along the way, so be sure to shout out for your team in your status updates.

The Vitrue 25 Top Social Athletes - July Snapshot

Sports for many of us are a way of life.  Sports unite us and create epic battle cries we rally around to be part of a team and it becomes part of our DNA to a large degree.

Our passion for sports also transcends boundaries from geographic regions to culture, race and sex.

We thought it would be not only interesting but also fun to take a look at the top social athletes to see who is being most buzzed about on the social web.

The Vitrue 25 Top Social Athlete ranking, as covered in USA Today, helps shed light on how truly social our society has become and is meant to provide a simple, directional snapshot of what is being most talked about on the social web – from social networks to photo and video sharing sites to blogs and microblogs, the list represents a week’s average of data in July and is most likely impacted by seasonality with such events as the Tour De France and Wimbledon.

You will no doubt notice the list is heavily occupied by athletes whose appeal transcends borders and the higher propensity for athletes who participate in individual versus team sports.

As a traditional sports guy, I was disappointed no NFL players made the list as I am a huge fan. That said, if you take a step back, many of the athletes on the list participate in sports which are played on a global level and is illustrative of the phenomenon social media has become connecting us all.

Sports stars are in and of themselves brands which build followings that create buzz not to mention legacies.  This social currency is extremely valuable with its far reaching and powerful effects.  As marketers continue to look to more tightly couple their sponsored athletes and sporting events with their social media presence, we would expect these numbers to continue to grow across the spectrum. We all are getting more social at an exponential rate and to reach the hearts and minds of consumers you have to be social.

We know the list may strike healthy debate because competition is what drive us.  One thing we also wanted to note, some stars are active social media users as we see from the velocity of Michael Phelps’s tweets to Dwight Howard’s multi-faceted social approach, some too have made the list not because they actively push content themselves but because they are just currently popular personas on the social web.

Want to check out your favorite?  Enter their name and see their score.  You can easily share and debate….long live rivalry!

For more on the Vitrue Social Media Index methodology

This weekend proves to be another epic weekend of college basketball as March Madness continues with the Sweet 16.  Excited to see who will be in the Final Four and if my social picks will get me closer to winning the office pool.

Using the Vitrue Social Media Index (SMI) we pulled new data after this past weekend’s games to see which teams are now most social in terms of web chatter so we can make our picks for the Final Four Showdown.

Vitrue SMI Picks for the Final Four
UConn (1), UNC (1), Kansas (3), Duke (2)

This should be interesting to see as last year there were four #1 seeds in the Final Four.  The Vitrue SMI is predicting an upset to this as we see Kansas and Duke able to make the final cut while the two #1 seeds of Louisville and Pittsburgh will be out of contention.

Time will tell but I am ready for the ride and want so see who makes it.

We have also listed the Sweet 16 teams in order of social rank and it is interesting to see the most social chatter is  coming out of the West followed by the South with the East far behind.

NCAA Basketball Tournament Social Share of Voice by Region

Vitrue SMI Ranking of Sweet 16

1. UConn Huskies (1)
2. UNC Tar Heels (1)
3. Kansas Jayhawks (3)
4. Syracuse Orange (3)
5. Missouri Tigers (3)
6. Memphis Tigers (2)
7. Michigan State Spartans (2)
8. Duke Blue Devils (2)
9. Louisville Cardinals (1)
10. Arizona Wildcats (12)
11. Oklahoma Sooners (2)
12. Purdue Boilermakers (5)
13. Pittsburgh Panthers (1)
14. Gonzaga Bulldogs (4)
15. Villanova Wildcats (3)
16. Xavier Musketeers (4)

Based on our social picks last week, the Vitrue SMI accurately predicted 6 out of 10 (60%) upsets in the first round.
Two of the most notable predictions were Arizona (as #12 seed over  #5 seed Utah ) and Dayton (as #11 seed over #6 seed West Virginia).  While the Arizona/Utah game was tight the whole way through – they pulled it out while Dayton had little issue stomping over West Virginia.

We also wanted to look at the 10 biggest movers and losers of overall social chatter of the 64 teams since the tourney started for additional insights.

Top 10 Social Gainers
There are 4 teams in the Sweet 16 (**) who are getting a real morale boost from their fans based on increased social chatter.  UConn has the biggest point improvement overall, most likely due to the fact they entered the tournament perceived as a weaker #1 seed but have outperformed expectations with two very commanding wins in the opening rounds.  Dayton also surprised everybody (except the SMI rankings) with a win in the first round and saw significant increase in social chatter as a result.

1.  ** UConn Huskies
2.  Dayton Flyers
3.  ** Syracuse Orange
4.  Texas Longhorns
5.  ** Kansas Jayhawks
6.  USC Trojans
7.  ** Memphis Tigers
8.  Siena Saints
9.  Maryland Terrapins
10.  LSU Tigers

All top 10 social gainer teams this week won at least one game in the opening rounds.

Top 10 Social Losers
For most of this list, losing games and being out of the tournament is the reason for the drop-off in social chatter, with Boston College fans being the most disappointed.  Close behind, also with disappointed fans are the UCLA Bruins, the #1 ranked social team before the tournament started.  But what about Michigan State and Arizona, who are in the Sweet 16 (**) and still have a shot at the title?  Where are those fans?  Also, the prize for the most consistent fans go to the Washington Huskies and Cal State Northridge Matadors, whose fans love their teams just the same, win or lose.

1.  Boston College Eagles
2.  UCLA Bruins
3.  Utah Utes
4.  West Virginia Mountaineers
5.  ** Michigan State Spartans
6.  ** Arizona Wildcats
7.  East Tennessee State Buccaneers
8.  Washington Huskies
9.  Cal State Northridge Matadors
10.  Chattanooga Mocs

6 out of 10 of these teams lost in the first round.

Who do you think will make it to the Final Four?