The ""Top Tier" of college football

[PDXsooner]

A friend and I have always had a group of what we call the "Elite Eleven" -- which are the top 11 programs in college football. It is:

Oklahoma
Nebraska
Texas
USC
Notre Dame
Michigan
Ohio State
Penn State
Alabama
Georgia
Tennessee

We expanded it into the top 13 to add Miami and Florida State due to their sheer dominance throughout the 80's and 90's and partially into the 2000's. I think their recent struggles threaten to take them off the list.

Our list isn't scientific, but it takes history into account, but mostly it's based on performance in our lifetimes (the last 30+ years). We also consider location, fan support, money, University support, etc.

Interestingly enough, Florida isn't on this list. I considered putting them on here. They're probably the next team knocking on the door.

Just curious about other people's thoughts on the matter.

[IronSoonerMan]

Good list Mine would be the same. One question for You though. Is Notre Dame with their recent struggles in danger of being removed? Or is Their history strong enough to keep them on for a while longer or even forever?

[Pieces Hit]

A fiend and I...

You should choose better friends.

[PDXsooner]

Good list Mine would be the same. One question for You though. Is Notre Dame with their recent struggles in danger of being removed? Or is Their history strong enough to keep them on for a while longer or even forever?

Good question. Their history is hard to argue with. I've actually considered this, but it's still hard to argue with their overall record, # of titles, and overall impact.

[PDXsooner]

You should choose better friends.

good point. he's a notre dame fan, though.

[tommieharris91]

ND should be replaced with Florida State.

[fadada1]

i'd take notre dame off the list, but the tebow wouldn't welcome me into the kingdom.

[1890MilesToNorman]

The only reason Notre Dame has a recent history is because of their TV contract with CBS/NBC(?). Every damn Saturday you could watch ND whether they were good or not over the past 30 years.

Eject ND from the list. :P

[Jacie]

If you were keeping it at 11, the one from your list I'd drop in favor of another program would be Tennessee, at least for now.

[P3 Gator]

A friend and I have always had a group of what we call the "Elite Eleven" -- which are the top 11 programs in college football. It is:

Oklahoma
Nebraska
Texas
USC
Notre Dame
Michigan
Ohio State
Penn State
Alabama
Georgia
Tennessee

We expanded it into the top 13 to add Miami and Florida State due to their sheer dominance throughout the 80's and 90's and partially into the 2000's. I think their recent struggles threaten to take them off the list.

Our list isn't scientific, but it takes history into account, but mostly it's based on performance in our lifetimes (the last 30+ years). We also consider location, fan support, money, University support, etc.

Interestingly enough, Florida isn't on this list. I considered putting them on here. They're probably the next team knocking on the door.

Just curious about other people's thoughts on the matter.

Florida has been dominant in the SEC since Spurrier arrived in 1990 (minus a short pause for the Zooker). Maybe they belong, maybe they don't since there is no time frame given here. Tennessee hasn't done squat since 1998 and has been on a long decline. Georgia hasn't done squat really since Herschel Walker and has lost 17 of the last 20 to UF. If you are saying EVER, why not add Army or Navy? At one time they were powerhouses.
As a Gator fan I hate saying this, but Miami belongs somewhere high on that list (at least before you even consider FSU) just based on number of national championships.

Here's my theory on FSU. They were a middling team (even with Bowden) until UF ran into NCAA probation in the mid-late 80s. UF wasn't what it is now at that time either, but when UF lost scholorships, the players went to FSU and Bowden ran with it and the momentum it generated for a number of years. However, that momentum has dried up right before our eyes over the past 4-5 years and they are having very little success getting it back. The longer Bobby sticks around, the worse it will get. It's time for him (and Paterno) to turn over the reigns to an up and comer. They have both done tremendous jobs, but it's time for both to give someone the same opportunity that was handed to them as young men.

[frankensooner]

I don't see Yale. They have the most NC's from the leather helmet era. ;)

[stoops the eternal pimp]

In my opinion Florida should be on that list..more 10 win seasons in the last 20 years than any team on that list

[frankensooner]

P3 is right about Army. Red Blaik fielded some mighty fine teams back in the day.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

frank is right about p3 being right

[PDXsooner]

Army, Princeton, Yale -- they deserve a place somewhere. However, I'm 37 and can't remember a time when any of them were relevant. Not on my list.

[oupride]

You should add Florida and as much as I hate to say it, LSU.

[PDXsooner]

If I were to take 2 off, it would be Georgia and Tennessee.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

PDX is right

[boomermagic]

frank is right about p3 being right



Step is right about Frank being right about p3 being right..

[frankensooner]

Army, Princeton, Yale -- they deserve a place somewhere. However, I'm 37 and can't remember a time when any of them were relevant. Not on my list.

And Jim Thorpe wasn't the greatest athlete of the 20th Century, right? ;)

[talsooner]

Since 1950
ranked by winning %

Your list looks like the 500 win list.

games wins lose tie %

1. Oklahoma Sooners 549 172 13 .757
2. Ohio State Buckeyes 512 166 20 .748
3. Penn State Nittany Lions 519 184 9 .735
4. Texas Longhorns 523 197 11 .723
5. Michigan Wolverines 500 190 15 .720
6. Boise State Broncos 340 143 2 .703
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers 511 215 9 .701
8. Alabama Crimson Tide 513 214 19 .700
9. Southern California Trojans 498 207 23 .700
10. Tennessee Volunteers 499 213 23 .695
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 484 209 15 .694
12. Florida State Seminoles 459 221 17 .671 1947-
13. Georgia Bulldogs 475 235 22 .664
14. Miami (FL) Hurricanes 461 244 8 .652
15. Florida Gators 462 244 20 .650
16. Arizona State Sun Devils 446 243 10 .645
17. Miami (OH) RedHawks 427 232 19 .644
18. Auburn Tigers 452 247 16 .643
19. Louisiana State Tigers 452 249 24 .640

[CrimsonJim]

Good list PDX. Everybody's additions and subtractions bear some weight here, but remember folks, part of his initial criteria was "the last 30+ years".

[frankensooner]

Good list PDX. Everybody's additions and subtractions bear some weight here, but remember folks, part of his initial criteria was "the last 30+ years".

30+ takes into account everything I think. ;)

[DCGator]

In the last 30 years...

1 Nebraska 0.79091
2 Florida State 0.78158
3 Miami-Florida 0.75946
4 Michigan 0.75594
5 Ohio State 0.74934
6 Oklahoma 0.73607
7 Boise State 0.73292
8 Penn State 0.72533
9 Brigham Young 0.71100
10 Texas 0.70933
11 Georgia 0.70777
12 Tennessee 0.70635
13 Florida 0.70292
14 Southern Cal 0.69496
15 Auburn 0.69377
16 Alabama 0.67725
17 Clemson 0.67663
18 Notre Dame 0.66486
19 Texas A&M 0.65188
20 Washington 0.64810

[PDXsooner]

Another fun tier would be the "schools that should/could be good, but aren't" tier

This would be headlined by Texas A&M, UCLA, Washington, and Virginia.

[talsooner]

Since 1990 here are the MNCamps that have won more than 1

2 -Florida
2 -Florida State
2 -LSU
2 -Miami
2 -USC
3 -Nebraska

Looks like LSU, UF and FSU should be added....

[Mark_in_Tulsa]

I would think post WWII would be a great starting point. It removes the Ivy schools and the millitary schools.

[frankensooner]

Dang, all these numbers and whatnot are making my head swim. ;)


There are a few really good teams. I'm just glad the team I like is among the cream of the crop. ;)

[PDXsooner]

LSU - no way. They've had a decent run in the last 5-7 years, but really haven't maintained any kind of consistency. No chance.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I think taking anything post WW2 and excluding the 90's is the correct method

[DCGator]

Total count of MNCs in the last 30 years (BCS, then either AP/Coachs, then AP/UPI)

Miami (Fla.) 5
Nebraska 3
Alabama 3
Penn St. 2
Notre Dame 2
Southern California 2
Florida 2
Oklahoma 2
Florida St. 2
Louisiana State 2
Ohio State 1
Texas 1
Georgia Tech 1
Clemson 1
Georgia 1
Tennessee 1
Washington 1
Colorado 1
Brigham Young 1
Michigan 1

[PDXsooner]

Total count of MNCs in the last 30 years (BCS, then either AP/Coachs, then AP/UPI)

Miami (Fla.) 5
Nebraska 3
Alabama 3
Penn St. 2
Notre Dame 2
Southern California 2
Florida 2
Oklahoma 2
Florida St. 2
Louisiana State 2
Ohio State 1
Texas 1
Georgia Tech 1
Clemson 1
Georgia 1
Tennessee 1
Washington 1
Colorado 1
Brigham Young 1
Michigan 1

Let's make it 34 years, and go ahead and give OU 4

[Frozen Sooner]

If we're looking last 30 years, you'd have to put Florida on the list. Championships under different coaches certainly qualifies you as an elite program. That'd put LSU on there as well. Sure, they had some down seasons, but so has OU and Florida in that 30 year span.

Miami for sure.

Florida State certainly

Texas.

A&M was pretty badass in the 80s and late 90s. Remember Quentin Coryatt and Sam Adams? Don't think I'd put 'em on the list of elites over the last 30 years, but if they'd have won a championship they'd be close.

Washington had a very strong program through the time period being discussed with the exception of recently. Several Pac-8/10 titles, long win streaks, and a national title. Probably not on the elite level, but probably should be in the conversation.

[sooneron]

I would definitely dump Tenn.

[sooneron]

PDX is right, let's make it 34 years.

[Boomer Mooner]

I think taking anything post WW2 and excluding the 90's is the correct method

I have no recollection of any college football during the 90's.

[BoulderSooner79]

Let's hope Army never gets a mention again or we're in another WW. :(

[Frozen Sooner]

I have no recollection of any college football during the 90's.

Oddly enough, I remember 1993.

Heh. Wins vs. A&M (I think we were their only loss that year), Texas, Tech, and TCU.

[1890MilesToNorman]

They didn't play college foosball during the Clinton years. It was hide the cigar and scrabble time. (IS) had the most value in those days, it could mean anything.

[CrimsonJim]

30+ takes into account everything I think. ;)

I understood PDX's "30+" to mean that teams included had to be of Top Tier caliber for at least that long. Did I misinterpret, PDX?

[PDXsooner]

There isn't a specific criteria, the reason I said 30+ years was because I'm 37. The list has to be relevant to your own lifetime. Otherwise it's less what you've seen and more what you've read about.

[redtornado33]

1. USC
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma
4. Florida
5. Ohio State
6. Michigan
7. Alabama
8. LSU
9. Penn State
10. Virgina Tech

[sooneron]

1. USC
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma
4. Florida
5. Ohio State
6. Michigan
7. Alabama
8. LSU
9. Penn State
10. Virgina Tech

Please tell me that's not your order, because if it is, it's flippin retarded. Putting a one NC texas team over OU is dumb, not to mention the number of conf titles OU has won while they shared the same conference makes it single digit IQ dumb. How many years has Vateck been winning much now?
Not many. If you completely sucked for the first half of 30 something years, you don't make the list.:rolleyes:

[HungaryGator]

I'm 38 so I have about the same frame of references as you do. If your list is a historical list dating back to the early part of the century I won't argue. If we're talking about 30 years.....

Oklahoma-yes despite a swoon in the 90's and a fairly mediocre period in the 80's except for 3 years in the middle of the decade. The program was strong in the 70's and the 00's.

Nebraska-yes for their tremendous run in the 90's. They were the best program in the country in that decade and racked up 3 MNC's.

Texas-so so choice. They won 1 MNC and that was the only MNC game they made it to over that time. They've been pretty good over the last 10 years but weren't so hot before that.

USC-the last 8-9 years gets them on this list barely. They were not good in the 80's or 90's and gobbled up more than a couple losing seasons.

Notre Dame-no. They last won an MNC in 87 and haven't been relevant as a national power since 93. They've had multiple losing seasons rammed down their throats.

Michigan-yes. Only one split MNC but they've generally been solid before gobbling up a losing season this year.

Ohio State-see Michigan.

Penn State-yes. They've also had a few down periods and losing seasons but they also won an MNC in 86 and went undefeated in 94.

Alabama-so so choice like Texas. They won one MNC in 92 but had a few down cycles and losing seasons too.

Georgia-hmm one MNC in 1980 and no other appearances. Mediocre from the mid 80's to the early 2000's and a few losing seasons. I would not include them.

Tennessee-were up and down in the 80's. They were outstanding in the 90's-probably a top 5 program for the decade and won an MNC in 98 but have been mostly down since then. I'm not sure if what they did in the 90's alone is enough.

If you are going to include some of the above you must include the 3 Florida schools and LSU.

scUM-much as I hate their guts they have won 5 MNC's by courting a thug/gangsta element and getting to play a lot of their bowl games in the big crackhouse in the slums-aka the old Orange Bowl....but those 5 MNC's are impossible to ignore.

fsu-a program built entirely by UF's probation in the mid 80's, still they were able to successfully sell the snake oil to recruits and the media long enough to have a very strong 14 year run and win 2 MNC's. The wheels have come off since then and they've sunk back to what they always were-ie mediocre, but that 14 year run was very strong. Longest nonlosing streak in the nation.

UF-won 2 MNC's under 2 different coaches and is in the MNC game for the 4th time over the last 13 years. Winningest program in the country over the last 20 years and the second longest nonlosing streak in the nation (last was 1979).

LSU-some down periods after Bill Arnsparger left and then Mike Archer recruited them into the ground in the late 80's. Still, they recovered in 00 under Nick Saban and won 2 MNC's.

[stoopified]

Weel thoseare the top teams in NCAA history.Yale,Princeton,Hravard,Army before the NCAA was founded were tough but Harvard,Princeton,Yale have not been relevat for 80 years,Army for 50.

[Frozen Sooner]

Texas-so so choice. They won 1 MNC and that was the only MNC game they made it to over that time. They've been pretty good over the last 10 years but weren't so hot before that.

Depending on how you're counting them, I believe Texas actually has 2 national titles in that time frame.

[EskimOU]

I was discussing a topic similar to this one with some friends. The proposition was to use a system like this to establish a type of 'Premier' Conference. By including 12 teams it could be divided geographically into a say West-East alignment. The teams included would be extracted from their traditional conferences. Playing 8 conference games and then using remaining 3-4 games to continue longstanding rivalry games with traditional conference opponents would pretty much supplant any need for a playoff system to determine a BCS champion. Each year the bottom 3 teams could be dropped back to traditional conferences and be replaced by new nominations by some mechanism (AP/Coaches Poll)?

I realize there are issues with the concept, for instance the chaos it would cause for the traditional conferences losing members, loss of ability of weaker Div I-A and I-AA teams to schedule top opponents, and lack of mechanism to include cinderella teams like Boise St. etc. Not really feasible but it certainly would provide some interesting matchups throughout the year.

[HungaryGator]

Depending on how you're counting them, I believe Texas actually has 2 national titles in that time frame.

They do? I remember 2005. When was the other time? I don't remember it.

[PDXsooner]

1970 I believe.

[HungaryGator]

1970 I believe.

OK...but that's taking us back almost 40 years. I was born in 1970 so that MNC for them was before my time.

[Frozen Sooner]

OK...but that's taking us back almost 40 years. I was born in 1970 so that MNC for them was before my time.

You must have been born so late in the year your birth certificate read 1971.

I think they also lost a couple of Cotton Bowls where they went in ranked #1 or #2 and a win would have sealed a national title in that time frame.

[tulsaoilerfan]

If I were to take 2 off, it would be Georgia and Tennessee.

Agreed; neither belong on that list no matter what kind of fan support they have

[soonervegas]

I don't think lsu belongs on the list yet. You need to win one away from home first....or at least show up for a bcs national title game more than 30 minutes away from your campus. They were gift wrapped one last year. Two losses? No problem. You can play a home game against a good, not great, big 10 team.

[A-M]

Here's my theory on FSU. They were a middling team (even with Bowden) until UF ran into NCAA probation in the mid-late 80s. UF wasn't what it is now at that time either, but when UF lost scholorships, the players went to FSU and Bowden ran with it and the momentum it generated for a number of years. However, that momentum has dried up right before our eyes over the past 4-5 years and they are having very little success getting it back. The longer Bobby sticks around, the worse it will get. It's time for him (and Paterno) to turn over the reigns to an up and comer. They have both done tremendous jobs, but it's time for both to give someone the same opportunity that was handed to them as young men.

P3 Gator, thanks for your insight on the FSU issue. Back in the 80's without the internet, I didn't pay any attention to schools outside of our conference so I didn't know about this issue. But, knowing it now explains a lot of things.

[A-M]

I have no recollection of any college football during the 90's.

I lived in Kansas during the 90's and I saw from the Wichita Eagle (Wichita paper) that a few college teams did play, but not any from Oklahoma. :D

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

I think taking anything post WW2 and excluding the 90's is the correct methodYou are correct, sir! The '60's could be ignored, as well.

[THEE12NV]

A friend and I have always had a group of what we call the "Elite Eleven" -- which are the top 11 programs in college football. It is:

Oklahoma
Nebraska
Texas
USC
Notre Dame
Michigan
Ohio State
Penn State
Alabama
Georgia
Tennessee

We expanded it into the top 13 to add Miami and Florida State due to their sheer dominance throughout the 80's and 90's and partially into the 2000's. I think their recent struggles threaten to take them off the list.

Our list isn't scientific, but it takes history into account, but mostly it's based on performance in our lifetimes (the last 30+ years). We also consider location, fan support, money, University support, etc.

Interestingly enough, Florida isn't on this list. I considered putting them on here. They're probably the next team knocking on the door.

Just curious about other people's thoughts on the matter.

Definately drop Tennessee. They don't belong on this list. Miami should be added before Florida State.