The Most Storied Progame in NCAA College Football History?

[Readyfor8]

So, looking at this objectively, what is the most storied program in all of college football history? If OU wins number 8 we tie Notre Dame in National Championships, and tie for number 1 all time with a strong chance to take the lead in the next decade or so.

So will another National Championship make OU the most storied program in all of college football history? What will it take to move the college football hall of fame to Norman?

I'm interested in what our guests the Gators, Longhorns, and other schools think of this.

[oumartin]

already are the most storied program. people for some reason are infatuated with notre dame.

[Iam4OUru]

No way....Bammer's got like 30 titles......:eek:

[finster]

heh.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7789/bamafrazj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[MichiganSooner]

Will take another 50 years, to convince everybody.

[Crucifax Autumn]

You mean it's not Florida?

[OUAlumni1990]

Oklahoma has won the most national titles in the modern era.

[oupride]

Thanks for the post

[RiddlerOK]

I thought Alabama had 643 championships. You sure about that?

[Dan Thompson]

It willl take a long and excellent PR effort to replace ND.

[tommieharris91]

I thought Alabama had 643 championships. You sure about that?

They won #644 and #645 this season.

Anyway, winning 2 more puts OU in a tie with ND for most MNCs. It should become without question if OU gets to 9 NCs before ND wins another one.

[Crucifax Autumn]

We'll get to 15 before they win another one.

[nytehorn]

No offense to anyone here, but ND will ALWAYS be the darling of college football, IF they get back on their winning ways. Next to them is Michigan. Until someone replaces them on the all time wins list, they are #2 on the "favorite" list.

[Crucifax Autumn]

I think now that Jesus plays for Florida ND is gonna have to try a little harder.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

The media loves the suc program, almost as much as domer.

[Sooner70]

How this question is answered depends entirely upon
What parameters are selected over which timeframe.
I think Alabama has won 12 NC’s, more than anybody,
& that’s no small feat. Some look at overall won-loss
records over time.

I’ve got an accountant/football fan friend that has looked
at it another way. He uses the AP Poll started in 1936 since
that’s the only consistent ranking mechanism since then. He
assigned 20 points to a first place finish, 19 to a second, &
so on. That’s his “Basic Points” analysis over time. Then he
does a “Weighted Points” analysis, which allows 15 points
for a NC, 10 pts for a 2nd-5th finish, 6 points for a 6th-10th finish,
3 points for 11th-15th ranking, and 1 point for a 16th-20th place.

Here’s the results for two time periods. Overall/All Time (1936-
2007), and Modern Era (1946-2007).

OVERALL/ALL TIME

Basic Points

Oklahoma 668
tie-ND, Mich 652
Ohio State 608
Alabama 587
Nebraska 548
USC 525
Texas 510
Tennessee 473
Penn State 426
LSU 368

Weighted Points

Oklahoma 380
Notre Dame 365
Michigan 325
Tie-OSU,Ala 322
USC 285
Nebraska 280
Texas 273
Tennessee 241
Penn State 223
Miami (Fl) 201

MODERN ERA

Basic Points

Oklahoma 649
Michigan 554
Ohio State 538
Notre Dame 526
Alabama 514
Nebraska 509
USC 469
Texas 465
Penn State 424

Weighted Points

Oklahoma 369
Notre Dame 297
Ohio State 285
Alabama 282
Ohio State 275
Nebraska 264
USC 260
Texas 251
Penn State 222
Miami (Fl) 201

Now, I know some of you'all will accuse me of using "Sooner Math" here, but I just got this from the accountant. He gets all the credit (or blame).

It'd be interesting what paramaters others use & the results they might post.

[Crucifax Autumn]

Seems reasonanle to me...We're the best!

[tommieharris91]

How this question is answered depends entirely upon
What parameters are selected over which timeframe.
I think Alabama has won 12 NC’s, more than anybody,
& that’s no small feat. Some look at overall won-loss
records over time.


If Alabama has won 12 MNCs, then OU has won 19 and our last MNC was in 2003.

[Sooner70]

1869-present (Wikipedia)
Below is a list of all of the championships from 1869-present. The national championships won by Yale, Princeton, Harvard, and Pennsylvania during the nineteenth century are included, along with Pennsylvania's championships in 1904 and 1908.
School Championships Seasons
Yale 18 1874, 1876, 1877, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1891, 1892, 1894, 1900, 1907, 1909, 1927
Princeton 15 1869, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1885, 1889, 1893, 1896, 1903, 1906, 1911, 1922
Notre Dame 13 1919, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
Alabama 12 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
USC 9 1931, 1932, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, 2004
Michigan 9 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1933, 1948, 1997
Harvard 8 1875, 1890, 1898, 1899, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
Oklahoma 7 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
Ohio State 7 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002
Tennessee 6 1938, 1940, 1950, 1951, 1967, 1998
Michigan State 6 1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, 1966
Minnesota 6 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
Miami 5 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
Nebraska 5 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
Pittsburgh 5 1910, 1916, 1918, 1937, 1976
LSU 4 1908, 1958, 2003, 2007
Texas 4 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
Penn State 4 1911, 1912, 1982, 1986
Pennsylvania 4 1895, 1897, 1904, 1908
Georgia Tech 3 1917, 1928, 1990
Army 3 1914, 1944, 1945
California 3 1920, 1921, 1922
Cornell 3 1915, 1921, 1922
TCU 2 1935,1938
Florida 2 1996, 2006
FSU 2 1993, 1999
Colorado 1 1990
Georgia 1 1980
Clemson 1 1981
Arkansas 1 1964
Auburn 1 1957
Maryland 1 1953

Heck, looks like Yalies are the NC kings. Now,, if one takes 1936 AP Poll as beginning year that counts for everybody, then Ala has 8, ND 9. Does it surprise anybody that Michigan has that strong a record and only won 2 NC's since AP Poll began? Surprised me.

[OUAlumni1990]

I'm surprised Texas A&M is not on there. I think they have one MNC from 1939 or something like that...

[Readyfor8]

1869-present (Wikipedia)
Below is a list of all of the championships from 1869-present. The national championships won by Yale, Princeton, Harvard, and Pennsylvania during the nineteenth century are included, along with Pennsylvania's championships in 1904 and 1908.
School Championships Seasons
Yale 18 1874, 1876, 1877, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1891, 1892, 1894, 1900, 1907, 1909, 1927
Princeton 15 1869, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1885, 1889, 1893, 1896, 1903, 1906, 1911, 1922
Notre Dame 13 1919, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
Alabama 12 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
USC 9 1931, 1932, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, 2004
Michigan 9 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1933, 1948, 1997
Harvard 8 1875, 1890, 1898, 1899, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
Oklahoma 7 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
Ohio State 7 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002
Tennessee 6 1938, 1940, 1950, 1951, 1967, 1998
Michigan State 6 1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, 1966
Minnesota 6 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
Miami 5 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
Nebraska 5 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
Pittsburgh 5 1910, 1916, 1918, 1937, 1976
LSU 4 1908, 1958, 2003, 2007
Texas 4 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
Penn State 4 1911, 1912, 1982, 1986
Pennsylvania 4 1895, 1897, 1904, 1908
Georgia Tech 3 1917, 1928, 1990
Army 3 1914, 1944, 1945
California 3 1920, 1921, 1922
Cornell 3 1915, 1921, 1922
TCU 2 1935,1938
Florida 2 1996, 2006
FSU 2 1993, 1999
Colorado 1 1990
Georgia 1 1980
Clemson 1 1981
Arkansas 1 1964
Auburn 1 1957
Maryland 1 1953

Heck, looks like Yalies are the NC kings. Now,, if one takes 1936 AP Poll as beginning year that counts for everybody, then Ala has 8, ND 9. Does it surprise anybody that Michigan has that strong a record and only won 2 NC's since AP Poll began? Surprised me.

First of all quoting Wikipedia as factual is like quoting some random person you meet at a bar as a factual source. For example the two polls the NCAA lists for the 1930 National Championship for Alabama is the "Football Research, Parke Davis."

If you count every time Oklahoma shows up on this list you get 16, we have 16 National Championships, including 2003 "Berryman Poll," 1980, 1986, 1978, etc. etc...

We all know we didn't win a championship in those years. Here is the link.

http://collegefootball.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=collegefootball&cdn=sports&tm=35&f=10&su=p504.1.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html

[SicEmBaylor]

College football has a progame?

[Sooner70]

I'm surprised Texas A&M is not on there. I think they have one MNC from 1939 or something like that...

OUAlumni1990. You're correct. I don't know why the above list left them off. Mistake I gather. Here's another listing that shows them. That A&M Team was undefeated.

The following table contains the National Championships that have been recognized through one or more of the above polling systems, which is largely considered the "Modern Era" of college football.
This omits the numerous championships won by Ivy League schools (currently in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly named Division I-AA) in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Of the current 119 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS, formerly I-A Division) schools, only 30 have won at least a share of a National Title. Of these 30 teams, only 18 teams have won multiple Titles. Of the 18 teams, only 7 have won 5 National Titles or more (Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, USC, Nebraska, Miami, & Ohio State).
The years listed below in the table are Associated Press (AP) awarded titles, unless otherwise indicated as United Press International (UPI), USA Today/ESPN Coaches (USAT), or Bowl Championship Series (BCS, formerly Bowl Alliance or Bowl Coalition)
School Championships Seasons
Notre Dame 8 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
USC 7 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974 (UPI), 1978 (UPI), 2003 (AP), 2004 (BCS/AP/USAT)
Oklahoma 7 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000 (BCS/AP/USAT)
Alabama 7 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973 (UPI), 1978, 1979, 1992
Ohio State 5 1942, 1954, 1957 (UPI), 1968, 2002 (BCS/AP/USAT)
Nebraska 5 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997 (USAT)
Miami 5 1983, 1989, 1991, 2001 (BCS/AP/USAT)
Texas 4 1963, 1969, 1970 (UPI), 2005 (BCS/AP/USAT)
Minnesota 4 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
LSU 3 1958, 2003 (BCS/USAT), 2007 (BCS/AP/USAT)
Florida 2 1996, 2006 (BCS/AP/USAT)
Florida State 2 1993, 1999 (BCS/AP/USAT)
Tennessee 2 1951, 1998 (BCS/AP/USAT)
Michigan 2 1948, 1997 (AP)
Penn State 2 1982, 1986
Pittsburgh 2 1937, 1976
Syracuse 2 1959, 1987
Michigan State 2 1952, 1965 (UPI)
Army 2 1944, 1945
Washington 2 1960 (UPI/USAT), 1991
Colorado 1 1990
Georgia Tech 1 1990 (UPI)
BYU 1 1984
Clemson 1 1981
Georgia 1 1980
Auburn 1 1957
UCLA 1 1954 (UPI)
Maryland 1 1953
Texas A&M 1 1939
TCU 1 1938

[ETGator1]

All-time most storied program: Notre Dame - the Irish have a national following that is unmatched in all of college football. I think it's safe to say that you either love or hate ND. Being a life-long Gator, I fall into the 2nd category.

Best program in the modern era: Nebraska - Five national championships and a winning percentage that no one else comes close to.

Modern era defined - From 1965 forward, we've played the game with two platoons and unlimited substitution. We played two platoon football in 1964 with limited substitution. Prior to 1964, players played offense and defense.

[jkm, the stolen pifwafwi]

heh, 65-72 was also the period of unlimited scholarships

[tommieharris91]

Well... OU went 388-128-8 since 1965, good for .748 win%. I can't find Nebraska's or anyone else's winning percentage since then though.

EDIT: It's good for 6th best if you exclude 2008.

[ETGator1]

heh, 65-72 was also the period of unlimited scholarships

Scholarships limits and also integration affected the quality of the game, but not the way we play the game. The game we play today is basically the same that we played in 1965 with minor rules changes. Kicking off from the 30 instead of the 40 is still a kickoff as it only affects field position. Penalties for blocking below the waist, chop blocks, and blows to the head help to make the players safer.

To me, two platoon football as established in 1964 with unlimited substitution added in 1965 marks the modern era.

UNL's winning percentage in the modern era is 79%. The second top winning percentage is 76%. It's really amazing what UNL has accomplished in winning percentage from 1965 forward.

[Leroy Lizard]

Modern era defined - From 1965 forward, we've played the game with two platoons and unlimited substitution. We played two platoon football in 1964 with limited substitution. Prior to 1964, players played offense and defense.

Two-platoon football goes back to the early 1950s.

[Crucifax Autumn]

and again...ok leroy...we read too.

ya think maybe bud having 2 teams had something to do with this assertion? And maybe OU invented the workaround that is "2 platoon" football?

[ETGator1]

Two-platoon football goes back to the early 1950s.

You should know better as old as you are with your playoff views. (wink)

Two platoon football was used for 4 or 5 years in the last 40s and early 50s. It was dropped for over 10 years before it was permanently reestablished as the rule of the game in 1964. Single platoon football was played from the early 50s through 1963. Check it out before you correct me with incorrect statements.

[Leroy Lizard]

Two platoon football was used for 4 or 5 years in the last 40s and early 50s.

In other words, two-platoon football goes back to the early 1950s. Thank you for agreeing.

Now if you don't agree, then you are simply setting the modern era mark to eliminate OU's titles in the 1950s. If you're going to play that game, why not just call the BCS the "modern era"? That way OU only has one title.

[Leroy Lizard]

To me, two platoon football as established in 1964 with unlimited substitution added in 1965 marks the modern era.

It shouldn't matter which players are on the field. You still played with 11 men back in 1955. A touchdown and field goal counted the same. The basic rules were not that different. You would have had a hard time distinguishing game film from a 1964 team to a 1965 team based on the way the game was played.

[okcusooner]

So, looking at this objectively, what is the most storied program in all of college football history? If OU wins number 8 we tie Notre Dame in National Championships, and tie for number 1 all time with a strong chance to take the lead in the next decade or so.

So will another National Championship make OU the most storied program in all of college football history? What will it take to move the college football hall of fame to Norman?

I'm interested in what our guests the Gators, Longhorns, and other schools think of this.


This is an interesting question, but one which I think has no single very good answer.

By way of comparison, consider two similar questions...

One, Who is the most storied basketball player of all time?

Two, Who is the most storied Hockey player of all time?

If you polled 100 veteran sportswriters on each question, I think more than 50 percent would immediately (without too much thought) choose Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky. Personally, I think those are the "right" answers.

I don't think you'd get more than 50 percent of sportswriters to reflexively choose any single team; be it OU, SC, Alabama, Notre Dame

[Sooner70]

If I figured it right, Nebraska went 414-105 during the period of 1965-2007, for a winning percentage of .798

[Readyfor8]

Ok, so I think I have gotten a consensus here. The top 4 in no particular order is OU, Notre Dame, USC, Nebraska, and Alabama.

The Question now is, if I went to wearesc.com, tidefans.com, huskerpedia.com and irishenvy.com, would the list be the same?

If you look at this objectively, not only must you state your own case but everyone else must state your case as well. I think if I went to huskerpedia, without an OU screen name, OU would be listed. Same thing for tidefans. Wearesc and irishenvy well i'm not so sure, I don't think they can see that far east of the rockies, or outside of the southbend city limits.

[patzer]

"Storied" program can't just be stats. Notre Dame is top 3 in wins, winning percentage, and claimed titles. But they're also one of the most hated/loved teams in sports (Yankees, Cowboys, etc.) and full of tradition and lore. Touchdown Jesus, Win one for the Gipper, gold domes. There probably isn't a team that's recognized by more non-sports fans than Notre Dame. They win easily.

[Soonermagik]

I would say several programs should be included: Oklahoma, Ohio State, Nebraska, USC, Michigan and Alabama.

[BigHouseDon]

While its true that the question was for the most "storied" program, much of the answer there will be subjective. For instance, I have one of those big 'coffee table' books about CFB tradition. As I recall , (since its not right in front of me) it was produced by The Sporting News. I couldn't argue with most of the top 10. However, I was outraged that Tennessee was ranked #1. I didn't think they even belonged in the top 20. Well, They didn't ask my opinion on it, so I can complain all I want. LOL Anyway back to the question at hand. There are a dozen or so programs that could lay claim to being "the most storied" I know Y'all won't mind me being a homer here and claiming #1 for my Wolverines (I know they sucked this year) followed closely and in no particular order by: OU, BAMA, ND, SUC, NEB, UT, ATM, tOSU, PSU and LSU. As much as it hurt to put some of these programs on this list, you can't argue with success.

Just for fun check out http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/rankings/rankings_index.php for team and conference ranking going back 1869.


BHD

[soonerfan28]

OU is for sure my #1 team, but I've loved Notre Dame since Tulsa's Reggie Brooks and Bettis was running through there. I would have to agree that nationally they have a bigger following then any other progran including the Sooners. People love the history of Notre Dame bacause hell they haven't don't anything since probably 1992.

[Soonersince57]

There were 3 national champions in 1970?

[bob]

I didn't see OSU on the list of NC winners. Must be a mistake.

[tigepilot]

All-time most storied program: Notre Dame - the Irish have a national following that is unmatched in all of college football. I think it's safe to say that you either love or hate ND. Being a life-long Gator, I fall into the 2nd category.

Best program in the modern era: Nebraska - Five national championships and a winning percentage that no one else comes close to.

Modern era defined - From 1965 forward, we've played the game with two platoons and unlimited substitution. We played two platoon football in 1964 with limited substitution. Prior to 1964, players played offense and defense.

I've heard 'modern era' thrown around several places before. It's always been defined as either post WWII or once the AP started. I've never heard anyone give some year as late as the 1960s as the 'modern era'.

To the orignal point though... I don't think anyone is getting close to Notre Dame any time soon for most 'storied program'... 'storied progarm' being a term which I don't think has any statistical reference. If you want to add a reference like most wins, winning percentage, bowl wins, national titles, or whatever that's fine but I don't think it matters to most 'storied program'.

[Crucifax Autumn]

You gotta remember, we're talking to guys who seem 12, so the 80s was like the leather helmet days to them.

[Readyfor8]

I've heard 'modern era' thrown around several places before. It's always been defined as either post WWII or once the AP started. I've never heard anyone give some year as late as the 1960s as the 'modern era'.

To the orignal point though... I don't think anyone is getting close to Notre Dame any time soon for most 'storied program'... 'storied progarm' being a term which I don't think has any statistical reference. If you want to add a reference like most wins, winning percentage, bowl wins, national titles, or whatever that's fine but I don't think it matters to most 'storied program'.

I understand what you are saying but with one win in 15 years in the postseason, you would think someone would be closing in on the Golden Domers. I think that team would probably be any of the tradition rich schools who have won a title since 93. Alabama isn't making much progress although they got close this year, Nebraska made some progress early, but I think it's a two person race between OU and USC.

Michigan might be in the mix, but I doubt it they had the lead on the chase of the Irish in 93 but haven't made a hell of a lot of progress since. OU or USC have to overtake them at some point.

What's it going to take 15 more years? 20? If Notre Dame doesn't get to a BCS title game in the next 20 years are they still going to be more "storied?"

[Readyfor8]

Oh and everyone knows that the modern era of college football began with the demise of the Blue vs. Grey game.

[Crucifax Autumn]

haven't you guys been paying attention to the other threads?

It's the hokies! They get to live through their neighbors so they get all of Florida, Miami, Florida State, Alabama, and Aunburn's storyness!

[ETGator1]

USC? They are all about what have you done for me lately under Pete Carroll. The previous 25 years were mostly mediocre.

The modern era can be pegged starting with the 1945 season, but I prefer 1965. Two platoon football was allowed with limited substitution in 1945 and 1946. From 1947 through 1952, two platoons with unlimited substitution was allowed. From 1953 through 1963, the college game went back to one platoon football with limited substitution. In 1964, we went back to two platoon football with limited substitution. In 1965, we finally got back to where we were in 1952, two platoon football with unlimited substitution. The college game has played under this system uninterrupted since then and that is why I define the modern era as starting in 1965. I can see 1964 instead of 65, but single platoon football with limited substitution is not the way we play the game today.

If there are any oldsters or history buffs here, from 1945 through 1952, did all college football programs actually use two platoon football when it was allowed?

[Crucifax Autumn]

In a discussion of most storied program I think the modern era crap is irrelevant. If we are merely talking statistics or championships maybe so, but this is a case of overall tradition and the early days count toward that. It would be just as ignorant to discount the modern era in this context. If you do that then Harvard and Yale become among the most storied.

This discussion is all time and all time there are only a few contenders. Only an elite few who have upheld tradition through all ages of the game.

[Leroy Lizard]

In 1965, we finally got back to where we were in 1952,

So the modern era began in 1947. By your own accounts, the game played in 1950 was similar to what we are playing now. So why shouldn't those championships count? Is it the fault of the 1950 Sooners team that college football changed the rules three years later?

Otherwise, we could just as well say that the modern era began with the demise of the single-wing or the flying wedge. Or the arrival of instant reply.

[Crucifax Autumn]

WTF Leroy?????

How can I rag on you and make fun if you say something sensible???? You are ruining your reputation!

[Leroy Lizard]

OU will lose to Florida.

There, that should get you started.

(I hate myself when I do this.)

[Crucifax Autumn]

That's ok, we all hate you too! lol

[ETGator1]

Leroy, MNCs count regardless of era. MNCs and the time when the modern era started have no relationship.

You choose to count 1953 through 1963 when single platoon football with limited substitution was the rule of the game as part of the modern era. I do not. We'll just have to agree to disagree.

[BigRedJed]

If you want the "most storied" program of all time, I hate to say it, but you will ALWAYS have to say Notre Dame, if you are being totally objective. Until the day Grantland Rice rises from his grave and adopts OU as his pet project, ND will always have the benefit of a mythical status that nobody else can ever aspire to. And lemme tell you, they aren't minting new scribes like Rice these days.

Notre Dame has something that extends beyond the playing field, far more than OU, or USC, or Ohio State, or anybody else can ever hope for. First of all, a large portion of the U.S. population pulls for them because of their RELIGION. I don't mean in the same way that football is a religion for most of us; I mean they literally get football and their belief in God all intertwined.

But beyond that, they have the benefit of ingrained cultural references that once again go beyond football. "Win one for the Gipper?" Uttered on celluloid by an actor who would go on to become perhaps the most popular president of the 20th century? They have Knute Rockne: All American and Rudy; the closest we come to Hollywood greatness is being slyly mocked in The Program. Notre Dame, for many reasons, captured the imagination of America. Oklahoma, again for many reasons, captured the scorn of just as many.

Notre Dame will always be "the most storied program in college football." They have had the best PR machine for more than 75 years.

However, if you want to talk about on-the-field heroics, actual season results, and legendary players, I would call it a push between Oklahoma and Notre Dame, especially if OU wins next week. Alabama and USC are very close on OU and ND's heels. Michigan and Nebraska are a slot or two back, Ohio State behind them, and everybody else is a wannabe. However, as much as I hate to say it, Miami probably also belongs in the discussion, or will if they eventually rise from the ashes like OU did this decade. They need more than twenty years of great seasons before they are a "great" program, though.

And for the record, I hate Notre Dame.

[BigHouseDon]

I have to agree with you BRJ, Miami had some great teams going back to around 1984 or so. My agreement stops there though. As great as those teams were, they don't belong here. IMHO 15 yrs in the top 5 for Florida State doesn't get them here either. Since the leather helmet days were long before the 80's, then IMHO, consideration for "most storied program" status has to go back at least that far.



BHD

[OUAlumni1990]

I always thought of it as USC, ND, and OU as being the big dogs as far as storied programs and national championships goes.

If you look at just the last 20 years or so, you almost have to give the nod to Miami and Nebraska. Both those programs are in the toilet these days though...

[ETGator1]

There is no way you can leave Ohio State and Michigan out of the most storied discussion. Alabama is up there too.

[BigRedJed]

I have to agree with you BRJ, Miami had some great teams going back to around 1984 or so. My agreement stops there though. As great as those teams were, they don't belong here. IMHO 15 yrs in the top 5 for Florida State doesn't get them here either. Since the leather helmet days were long before the 80's, then IMHO, consideration for "most storied program" status has to go back at least that far.



BHD
Read my post again. I never said Miami belongs anywhere in the "most storied program" discussion. I agree with you; they don't. And I think the leather helmet litmus test is a pretty good one. The rest of the teams that we have given serious consideration to here have been teams that had success in that era. But again, that is as far as "storied program" status goes.

The place where I said Miami belongs in the discussion is "on the field accomplishments." Yeah, it happened over a relatively short period, but they have won more national championships than a few of the teams we've discussed here. They definitely are a program that saw extended dominance for an extended period of time.

And again, for the record, I also hate Miami. Something awful. In fact, I hate them in the abstract worse than any program in college football. Including Texas. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Texas haters.

[BigRedJed]

Also, I can't remember if this thread is better than any of the 100 other threads over the history on this board covering this exact topic.

[TexasLidig8r]

There is no way you can leave Ohio State and Michigan out of the most storied discussion. Alabama is up there too.

If you're going to include Ohio State and Michigan, and with as much as the hillbillies on this site will disagree, you have to include Texas.

Look at the overall number of victories, national championships, bowl wins, traditions, "games of the century" played in and won, athletes, award winners.

[BigRedJed]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA