DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Best college football teams of the past decade?

Updated: July 27, 2007

What are the top programs of the past decade? That's the question ESPN.com has attempted to answer this week. Fifteen college football experts and analysts ranked all 119 Division I-A programs, taking into account record, traditions, recruiting, facilities, coaches, attendance and support, among other criteria.

Editor's note: Each day, one writer will attempt to explain why these teams were ranked in this order. The rankings reflect the average from the 15 ballots cast and are not the writer's individual ballot. Ivan Maisel breaks down Nos. 1 to 25 below.

1. USC RECORD 90-35 WIN % .720 TITLES 2 national; 5 conf.
Tradition, a talent pool that is local and deep, a coach who is both football smart and people smart, and a national identity among recruits as the "it" school: The Trojans have it all.

2. Ohio State RECORD 97-28 WIN % .776 TITLES 1 national; 4 conf.
There may be eight Division I-A schools in the state, but there's only one that rules it from Toledo to Cincinnati. Coach Jim Tressel has polished the Buckeyes program to a fine sheen.

3 Texas RECORD 98-28 WIN % .778 1 TITLES national; 1 conf.
Vast resources and vaster tradition. Coach Mack Brown has brought back the Darrell Royal touch with the common folk, and he wins like Royal, too.

4. Florida

5. Oklahoma
REST

USC is #1 because of the Bush/Leinart era... They were amazing together.

If this individual teams, I think Miami's 2001 team (2002 champs) would be way up there.

How the hell is miami not in top 5?! They went to 2 titles and almost won both of them back to back. When Florida has won only 1

they are being hated on because they didnt just embarrasse schools. We never try to embarrase a team and that almost cost us a couple of games. As much as I h8 to say it Maurice could have been one of the best runningbacks OSU would have ever had.

I am the ultimate homer, so take what I say with a grain of salt,...not only are the Buckeyes the best "team" -- according to the question -- of the past decade based on great performance, I also like to consider the fact that in those 10 years the Buckeyes were probably "in the hunt" more times than any of these other schools.

I would like to see an "average finish" --even based on BCS standings-- as to how these programs rated.

Then, you can get wild and factor in your character, GPA, # of graduates, NFL draftees and other issues. My GUESS is Ohio State would still be at or very near the top of such a list, compared to other WINNING programs.

Side note: Clarett had the inside track on being the next 2-timer at Ohio State and listened to the wrong people. Bad choices.

I don't understand why FLORIDA is in the top 5 either....

Miami and Florida State are 8 , 7 respectively...
MEEchiCAN'T is #6

Louisiana is a high school talent laden hotbed that gets overlooked. These kids have nothing else.

IF this list was based on best teams of all time Florida would not be in top 10. Although OSU might still be in top 5.

I didnt intend it as smack. Just like I believe when you said that 41-14 wasnt meant to be smack.

I know you didn't.....I don't disagree.

But this list is a last 10 year list......and OSU is ahead on this as well.

Based on titles shouldnt you guys be ahead of Texas. Especially considering you have a close winning % and your in the SEC.

We should be #1.....but I didn't make the list, so it is flawed!

You can put Florida whereever you want just put the scUM last.

temple

Seriously..he's such a troll. Why hasn't he been banned yet?

lolz @ bowling green getting beaten by temple last year

i rode my buddy, a bg alum, for that 2 straight weeks

wow...where did u get thoes #s frm?

The website has Florida at 94-32 .746% NOT 105-33 at 761% also Florida won 2 national titles in last 10 years? it says 1 on the website...

Well....I don't run from mistakes and hope the thread buries itself....I screwed up and added the 12-1 national championship season of 96....making it 11 seasons.

Sorry about that....but we still made #5.