I initially considered an all-time Top 10 going back to the late 1800’s when Princeton ruled the gridiron. Then I factored in my audience – millennials. So contemporary history it is…2000-2018. Because we’re keeping the ranking (relatively) recent, and since I lived through this period and religiously watched and followed CFB each week, I decided to break from the traditional formulas and scoring systems for the old reliable memory and eyeball test…ok, and some stats. So here we go.
#10 Oregon
The fashion king of college football arrived on the scene when Chip Kelly took over in 2009. When Southern Cal was taking everyone to the woodshed, Kelly knew a change was required to compete in the Pac. Incorporating an ulta-fast paced offense as well as other out-of the-box schemes, Kelly not only produced results on the field but in the process revolutionized the game. The Ducks have played for two national championships since 2000, produced a Heisman in Marcus Mariota, and one of the best winning percentage during that stretch. The program continues to rebuild under Mario Cristobal, especially with the recent stellar 2019 recruiting class. Oregon looks to be a year or two away from once again competing for that ever-elusive National Title.
#9 Texas
Texas has produced 24 All-Americans players since 2000, the third most in the FBS. From 2001–2009 the Longhorns were a powerhouse crushing opponents and had a run of nine straight seasons with double-digit wins. Let’s not forget one of the greatest football games ever played when Texas met the back-to-back National Champion USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl in 2006, and where Vince Young put on his Superman cape and led the Horns to an amazing fourth quarter comeback victory. Like USC, Texas has had some hardships and disappointing seasons since. With Coach Tom Herman behind the wheel the Longhorns are looking to regain its past glory.
#8 Florida St
Florida State has an amazing 175 wins since 2000. The Seminoles have only one national title during that time (they did win the title in 1999 though). FSU also played in eight BCS bowl games (the third-most among all programs). The Seminoles have produced the second most NFL Draft Picks in that time 98. With so much talent in Florida and bordering states, it’s only a matter of time before Florida State is back in the playoff hunt.
#7 Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tiger program for the first part of the century was pretty pedestrian with zero double-digit wins through 2010. Since then (note: Dabo Swinney named Head Coach in 2009) the Tigers have delivered 10+ wins a year. Dabo has built a football factory at Clemson producing numerous All-Americans and NFL talent. Clemson is now delivering epic beatdowns on other blue-blood powerhouses. Example, since Alabama returned to prominence (under Nick Saban) no one has punched them in the face like Swinney’s team did last year when they woodshed the #1 Ranked Crimson Tide in the National Title Game 44-16. That was the Tigers second National Title in three years. Clemson is quickly climbing the ranks, and with Trevor Lawrence leading the team (over the next two seasons) they could easily move up to #2 or possible compete with Alabama for the #1 spot.
#6 LSU
The Tigers have been quite streaky since 2000 with nine seasons finishing with less than 10 wins. However, they did appear in three Championship Games winning two (2003 & 2007). Over the past 20 years, regardless of record, LSU has been one of the most feared and dangerous teams in college football. Year after year LSU is loaded with NFL draft picks, so much so they typically carry the honor of having the most NFL players at any given time. Big things are expected from LSU in 2019, if Coach O can elevate the offense I expect the Tigers to be competing with Bama for this year’s SEC Title.
#5 Florida
The Florida Gators were quickly becoming America’s team in the first half of the 2000’s with Tim Tebow and Coach Urban Meyer taking front stage in college football. In a four year span the Gators won 13 games three times. During that span they won two National Titles beating powerhouses Ohio State 41-14, and Oklahoma 24-14. Although Florida is loaded with talent it’s tough sledding in the SEC these days. Dan Mullen will need to find the right recipe to get his Gators back to the SEC Championship.
#4 USC
Southern Cal’s return to prominence under Pete Carroll in the early 2000’s become the dynasty of the decade. Many have argued that if College Football had a playoff during Pete’s era USC would have five National Titles instead of two. When Carroll was at the helm, the Trojans were annihilating opponents in conference, out of conference, and in the post season. They were producing NFL prospects and top-rated quarterbacks regularly. They were signing the nation’s best recruiting classes year after year, and it looked like a “Patriot-like dynasty” was in the making. That is until the NCAA pulled the plug on the juggernaut program passing down numerous sanctions and barring them from post season play. The Trojans have not looked anything like their former self since Carrol left to the NFL. This is the one program that seems to continue regressing and should find itself sliding right out of the Top 10 in the next couple of years.
#3 Oklahoma
Titles are great, but so is consistency, and Oklahoma is just that. While most programs have peaks and valleys over a 20-year span, the Sooners avoided the roller coaster ride all together. That’s right, since 2000 OU had only three seasons with less than 10 wins, an amazing stat considering the parity in the Big 12. They have produced the second-most All-Americans and owns the third-best winning percentage since 2000. Talk about consistency, Boomer Sooner has appeared in eleven BCS bowl games. The Hall of Fame head coach, Bob Stoops, led Oklahoma to multiple BCS championship games and the 2015 College Football Playoff. Their only National Title this century was an Orange Bowl victory against Florida State in 2000. With Stoops retired and Lincoln Riley running the show it doesn’t appear there’s any drop off as Riley delivered two consecutive 12-win seasons. And with back to back dominant recruiting classes OU is once again primed to reach the College Football Playoffs.
#2 Ohio State
Another program that continues to deliver consistent excellence on the field is THE Ohio State. The Buckeyes have played in four national championship games since 2000 and walked away victorious in two. The Buckeyes have also produced more NFL Draft picks (109) in that period than any other program – and that includes NFL factories like USC, Miami and Florida State! The beat goes on in Columbus with expectations of a Playoff run in 2019. The HOF Urban Meyer is out, and the reigns are now in the hands of Ryan Day. With so much talent on this Buckeye squad a Top 4 finish should once again be in the cards.
#1 Alabama
The Crimson Tide has an incredible 192 wins since 2000, an amazing feat since they only had two double-digit wins the first eight years into the new millennial. Most agree that success is measured by championships, and college football’s all-time blue blood has been at the top since Nick Saban’s arrival. Alabama has five national titles over the past ten years, all of which have come under “Saban The Conqueror”. The phenomenal recruiter, and no-holds bar leader demands nothing short of perfection from his players, which often translates to merciless victories on the field. The Tide is primed for continued success with Mr Saban as captain of the Crimson ship. Prediction: Two more National Championships over the next five years. Saban retires with 8 Natties.