The Top 7 College Football Programs In America
By
I’ve been asked so many times since we started the website, “In your opinion, who are the top college football programs in America?” I had to sit back and do some thinking on this one, so we’ve turned it into a full article. Keep the College Football questions coming because the season starts August 1st here at The Herd’s Word.
Anyone who listens to my radio show during the football season understands my passion for college football. Here now is a brutally honest assessment of the top seven programs in the sport. This list is final and non negotiable. Don’t get worked up over the order. It was first to mind, first on the page.
USC: Seven straight years in the top ten. Get over it haters, they are 4-0 versus the SEC, treat the Big Ten like a speed bag and in big games, seem to elevate their play significantly. Even in their only bowl loss in eight years, they led Texas by 12 in the fourth quarter. Since there is no other top 12 program west of Texas, they pick and chose the top talent from a ten to twelve state region. Nobody else has that luxury in the sport.
Texas: I have a soft spot for the Longhorns. Classy coach, classy fans. Because Austin isn’t a one dimensional cow town, many of their fans, have a broader perspective too, which is often lacking in college football. They are the state school of Texas, enough said. When it comes to running backs and defensive backs and wideouts, their back-ups could start for many other top 25 programs. Elite athletes, in all sports, are in abundance in Austin.
Oklahoma: If you judge the best in the biggest games, this program has slipped in the last five years. The Sooners have been out coached by West Virginia and Boise State in recent years. Arrogance is part of the reason and here’s why: With their athletes, their spread offense can overwhelm lesser opponents. It leads the several blowout wins and creates a feeling of overconfidence. It’s the Mike Tyson syndrome. They got into virtually every big game with a warped sense of perspective and reality, as do their fans, leading to great disappointment.
Ohio State: Take the good with the bad. Jim Tressel is both a rigid and successful task master and an offensive coach, stuck in the 70’s. Too often the Buckeyes take a lead and play not to lose. Or come in with a game plan, built too heavily weighted on field position and clock management. Today’s game is about velocity, multiple weapons, risk taking, spreading the field. Watch the New England Patriots offense for a lesson. Watch the Buckeyes, and you get a sense that you should be watching from a black and white TV. Flashy and fleet QB Terrell Pryor should help change two things: more offensive explosions and more BCS wins. Expect both.
LSU: People just don’t understand how many athletes Louisiana has. Let’s cut to the chase here, poverty and desperation surrounds this state. Sports can get you out. Combine that with a staggering obesity rate and what do you get? 300 pound 17-18 year olds coming out of your ears. No program seemingly has more top defensive lineman than LSU. They have excellent overall athletic depth, second only to USC, coached by the underrated and unconventional Les Miles.
Florida: Urban Meyer’s intense recruiting work has paid off. Nobody has more speed at the crucial positions. 
Combine that with efficient quarterback play and excellent in-game coaching, and you have a recipe for national titles. Meyer, I’m told, can find the Florida high school athlete tedious. Frankly, the public school system in this state is undeniably awful. Meyer has also been the beneficiary of an aging head coach at FSU and instability at Miami. That said, he’s the most intense and detail oriented coach in the sport. Added note: Love the coach, but the denim-shorts wearing fan base is as myopic as they come.
Virginia Tech: Why can’t this program ever seem to land elite quarterbacks? Save Michael Vick, it’s been one 
mediocre dude after another. Defense and great special teams, only get you so far. Bud Foster is one of the top d-coordinators in the game, and they do put out a ton of top DB’s. Yet, to win more big games, they have got to elevate their quarterback play, to the level of USC or Florida. It’s the only thing holding them back.
Honorable Mention: Penn State, Oregon, Georgia, Alabama, West Virginia
This list is way too skewed toward the most recent 5 years of the past 10. Especially concerning your honorable mentions. Alabama, are you kidding me? What about Florida State? They went to two national title games in the past 10 years, won 1 over Va. Tech and beat Va. Tech in the ACC Championship game a few years ago (within the past 5 years). As far as NFL guys, they are on par with the teams on top of the list. Penn St. and Alabama have stunk for periods in the past 10 years, worse than FSU and Va. Tech has had a period of mediocrity as well.
Pretty good list.
I would have probably put Georgia a little higher than Penn State. The Dawgs have been consistently good/great in the last 10 years. Only Florida has really dominated them.
Penn State really has not been that good. Except for the last couple of years, Michigan has been better in the conference.
Oklahoma and Ohio State are shaky in the top 7. Look for Georgia and Va Tech to close the gap in the next couple of seasons.
But it’s definitely a good discussion starter. Can’t wait for college football.
Q: Which of the 7 doesn\’t belong?
A: The one in Blacksburg VA
FSU, Miami and UGA will all win their next MNC before VPI wins their 1st.
Ian, you gotta be kiddin me. Do research before posting…
Virginia Tech has one ATLEAST 10 games for FIVE consecutive seasons. Only USC and Texas have done this. They’re on the list. VT hasn’t touch mediocrity since 2003. Unlike, FSU who hasn’t had a 10 win season since……..2003. If anyone has been disappointing with consistent 7 win seasons, it’s FSU. I call that mediocrity.
Looks like VT > FSU, and has been since after that really big game in 1999.
Q:
Bill and Ian… bet you won’t be able to figure out which one is FSU, Miami, or VT?
TEAM A:
2000: 11-1
2001: 12-0
2002: 12-1
2003: 11-2
2004: 9-3
2005: 9-3
2006: 7-6
2007: 5-7
2008: 7-6
TEAM B:
2000: 11-1
2001: 8-4
2002: 10-4
2003: 8-5
2004: 10-3
2005: 11-2
2006: 10-3
2007: 11-3
2008: 10-4
TEAM C:
2000: 11-2
2001: 8-4
2002: 9-5
2003: 10-3
2004: 9-3
2005: 8-5
2006: 7-6
2007: 7-6
2008: 9-4
A:
TEAM A: UM
TEAM B: VT
TEAM C: FSU
As usual you hit the nail on the head Colin!
Dear Va. Tech fans,
Win a big game, namely vs. Florida State. Florida State has won the ACC Conference title 5 times from 1999 until now. They beat Va. Tech in the ACC title game in 2005, and just this past year as well. I think they are still scraping Va Tech QBs off the field. Since when does a National Title mean nothing? FSU also has a Heisman Winner and since Colin decided to make this part of his criteria, how about NFL players? Like I said before, the list is skewed toward the most recent 5 years and even then Va. Tech has been a second tier team.
I agree with the first 6 schools listed but I would put UGA at 7 followed by VT at 8. I think they have been very close this decade but I take an SEC team over an ACC team any day of the week. UGA has 2 SEC titles and 2 Sugar Bowl wins since 2002. UGA also beat VT in 2006 when Stafford was a freshman and was probably the weakest UGA team since Richt’s first year.
While there are a handful of teams that have an arguement to replace the Hokies on this list, it would be splitting hairs. And, while FSU has a storied past, it\’s not one of them. I\’s a new decade, Seminoles.
I can agree with the top 7, but I would have a different order. I get why Colin has USC and UT 1 & 2, but personally I would have LSU and UF at 3 & 4, either one at 3 or 4, doesn’t matter, then OSU, and I am not even sure OU really belongs in the top 7 but I guess I would put them at 7. VT can stay in although I agree with others that UGA is better but that doesn’t really matter either. OSU loses to teams like USC and SEC teams, we get that no one beats these elite teams consistently. But OU, as Colin says, loses to everybody, Boise, LSU, UF, USC, WVU. I understand this is based on current football team status and recruiting, and past teams, but OU needs to win a BCS game. I don’t think they won one since 2002, even though they have been to one every year except one if I am not mistaken. Anyways that is my thought. Come after me meatball sooner fan!!!
Anyone who even considers Miami is crazy!!! They have a 5-win season this decade! That cancels out any National Championship in this argument. On top of that, the best bowl they’ve played in the last 5 years, the storied Peach Bowl, they lost by 40, sorry ‘Canes. FSU has a slightly stronger case, but come on, how many more top-5 high school QB’s do they need to squander? 4 seasons of 8 or fewer wins, and you wanna put them on the same list as OU, USC, UT etc… Not to mention, Miami and FSU played the worst game ever played with, I believe, 1 yard of rushing between the two in the first half!
Colin:
I would have LSU and Florida ahead of Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio State. Put either team in the Big 11 or the Big 12 and they would win 11 games every year. The Big 12 teams play great passing offense, but their defenses stink. I think Ohio State is an excellent program, but they’re a 9-3 team in the SEC.
As far as Virginia Tech, they have the best coaching staff in the country. Because of their conference schedule, if they get anything out of their QB, they will be playing in the National Championship.
And for all of the FSU supporters who feel the Noles should be on the list, don’t you think that Wake Forest should be on the list also? After all, like Florida, they kick your butt every year.
Slater, you are quick to tell everyone about Miami and their 5 win season in the past decade. Lets look at some of the teams in the past decade.
USC: 6-6 in 1999
5-7 in 2000
5-7 in 2001
LSU: 3-8 in 1999
OSU: 6-6 in 1999
Miami has fallen out of peoples memory, but how nice it is for everyone to not include the entire decade. If you reverse the decade, Miami stands at the top. Over the last 5 years, the teams Colin lists are 100% on the money, just not the past 10.
For the most part I agree with you, accept Alabama. I understand Ohio St has been to 2 national championships. If they were in the SEC they would have been in NO CHAMPIONSHIPS. I would remove OS and add Alabama.
Saban in the new Carroll and he has only gotten started.
First of all despite the recent string of BCS losses, OU is the most consistent power house program in the country bar none, they have won their conference 6 times compared to 1 for the longhorns and have appeared in 4 national title games in the last 10 years and despite losing 3 of them its still not an easy task to get their. Now I know all the OU haters are saying that they cant win the big game and they cant win in the BCS…right? Keep in mind they played a very good Florida team last year in a great game without their All American LB and without their best running back, they also played a great game against LSU in 2003, the only game they should be ashamed of is the USC game and that I will admit…As for Boise and WVU the sooners just didnt care to be there and didnt show up to play and we saw the same thing last year with Alabama and Utah…Keep hating on the sooners cause their going to be right back in the mix this year with their probable 4 or 5 first round NFL draft picks…Anybody who says OU doesnt belong in the top seven teams in the country over the last 10 years is absolutely kidding themselves…UT 1 National Title and 1 conference championship, OU 1 National Title(4 appearances) 6 conference championships and beat Texas 7 out of the last 10 times…and as for Florida from 2000 to 2005 they didnt even play in a BCS bowl game…come on people own up to the truth and get some facts straight before you start acting like you know what your talking about..( bunch of homers)..
Go ahead and tell me Im wrong….Im waiting….
you’re wrong
Prove me wrong if you can…remember I stated facts not my opinion.
USC blah blah blah, Colin you are a USC homer and that’s ok because I’m an OU homer somewhat but that fact is that when USC doesn’t make it into the BCS championship game they get to play against a wimpy Big 10 team in the Rose Bowl which is basically a home game for them so of course they are going to win those games, Imagine if OU got their BCS games in Norman, no one would be talking trash about OU cause their would be blowouts year after year. I know USC destroyed the sooners in 2004 and all I can say about that is USC played great and OU had Jason White syndrome and played terribly. Other than that OU is consistently in the running and they play in a much tougher conference…If OU can keep key players healthy for big games then they should have a great shot to win and keep winning…Boomer Sooner
love to hear your comments…
uga beat va tech but that was QB play. 3 ints and a fumble gave that game away. the first half was all va tech. remember the game not just the final score
Colin, everything you say about U$C is absolutely true. But what you left out is that they also blatantly cheat and, because they’re U$C, the NCAA looks the other way. Anyone here thing anything of substance will ever be done to U$C because of Reggie Bu$h? Of course not.
If U$C had to play by the rules, I’ll bet that their resume wouldn’t look quite so rosy.
I am almost positive UF played Miami in the Sugar Bowl in 2000. That is a BCS title game. Also, Florida was 10-3 in 2000 and 10-2 in 2001. Those are some pretty good records in the SEC in my eyes.
If you want to use the “placing players in the NFL” argument, Miami once again stands at the top (with draft records).
I do though believe OU can argue they are in the top 3 in the last 10 years. They are very strong year in and year out.
THE REAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL HEAVYWEIGHTS
It would seem as if an era has passed and the time of all the consistent power house programs is behind us…perhaps the recent development of high speed internet, high school recruiting websites and youtube has encouraged prep star athletes to commit to college football programs with a different perspective in mind, now days the high school athlete can get just as much attention as an NFL player through the internet. The teams that are winning consistently now are the teams that were winning at the right time and the right time was 2004 and beyond. It seems as if since the internet and technology( video media, video games) have accelerated into the next level that the teams that got rich are and will continue to get richer( UT, LSU, USC, OU, OSU, FLA, AL ), these 7 teams have dominated the college football scene since 2003 and there is no sign of slowing down coaching wise or recruiting. The days of Florida State, Miami, Nebraska, Penn State, Michigan are done and if Notre Dame doesn\’t come up with a huge year in 2009 their in this category to. Winning has always produced more winning in college football but now its exclusive to the teams that win and get the most attention and attention is easy to come bye in today\’s young football market…
\" Im going to play my first game on a national stage week 1 of the season and everyone already knows my name more than anyone else on the team and I have never played a snap but I\’m ready to prove the hype….Let\’s Go!!!! \"
\"The days of Florida State, Miami, Nebraska, Penn State, Michigan are done\"
LOL - So if any of these teams goes 12-2 or 11-3 you don\’t think they are going to be preseason top 5 heading into 2010? All 5 of those schools are huge programs with tons of young talent. Penn St. finished #1 in The Big Ten last year (11-2), hardly a reason to think they are \"done.\"
Michigan hires a new head coach and they are \"done?\" West Virginia was not a fun team to play when Rich had the players he needed to run it. Too early to say they are done.
Why would you even bring up ND? They haven\’t been worthy of talk since the early 90\’s.
Sorry JP but when is the last time any of those teams has competed for a national championship…? Not only that but it would seem as if every single one of those teams has seen a significant drop off in their level of recruiting while the top seven that I named consistently compete for championships except for Alabama and are always on top of the board in level of high school recruits and their doesn’t seem as if a change is coming anytime soon. The Big Ten does not deserve any credit for having a winning records right now because the level of competition is laughable, go look at Penn States schedule for 09′ its a joke…I mentioned Notre Dame because they actually schedule tough year in and year out and they were competing just a few years ago. The top seven teams that I named compete in tough divisions except for Ohio State and have plug and play athletes, they have so many that theirs just not enough room on the field.
Bruce, I agree that over the last 5 years those teams have been at the top (except AL). My argument was if you are going to argue the top 7 in the last 10 years, then include the last 10 years….not only 5.
Over the last 10 years OU and UT have the highest winning percentage. They each have won a national title and play great football each year. Just rephrase your argument to the last 5 years and Miami is nowhere even close to being in the argument. The last 10…yes!
Also, every single one of those teams has not seen a drop off in recruiting. Miami was #1 last year and was in the top 10 this year in recruiting. Not sure how that is dropping off.
ND schedule tough??? Not sure playing Army/Navy/Air Force is very tough. Well they played Syracuse and also face BC and Pitt usually. Hmmmm, decent programs but not tough. They have had 2 teams worth stating “competing” in the last 10 years and they refuse to join a conference. They have “special rights” when it comes to the BCS because of their tradition and they still don’t play in those games enough. ND is great for College Football and I can’t wait for them to get back to being a force, but they are just not there yet.
Once again, OU is powerful over 5 and 10 year spans. Just not all those teams can say the same.
Ok JP I understand what you are trying to say but I never said that Miami or Florida State or any other team that you would like to mention has not been successful in the last 10 years I simply stated that they have not been successful since 2003-2004 and it looks like that is not going to change any time soon….wouldn’t you agree? If not if you think any other team is gonna jump up and be a power house in the next 10 years then let me know and let me know why? As for recruiting well I’m and expert it’s my job and though were not perfect we do a pretty good job and I would like you to know just because some kids are ranked higher than others in high school doesn’t really mean a thing, some of these kids aren’t even close to being fully developed when they come to college so sometimes ranking prospects is an absolute crap shoot…try this if you don’t believe me, go back and look at all the teams I mentioned commits over the last 5 or 6 years at http://www.rivals.com and you will find plenty of 4 and 5 star kids…but look deeper at all the 2 and 3 star kids that did not get the credit that they deserved and you will see why some teams get it and some teams don’t….I’m suppose to be an expert but obviously big boy college coaches and scouts know a lot more than we do….?
Enjoy your comments JP keep’em coming…
As a Georgia fan I admit a bias, but facts are facts.
UGA is the winningest team in the SEC over the past decade.
UGA has the same number of SEC Titles as LSU and Florida.
UF and LSU have gotten to play for the MNC every time they won the SEC due to other teams losing games in front of them. UGA had NO SHOT either time due to the fact in 2002 Miami and OSU went undefeated and in 2005 USC and Texas did the same.
UF can thank USC for a shocking loss to UCLA for one of their trips in 2006 and again last year when USC blew that game at Oregon State, in addition to several other factors including the voters who barely got them in over Texas.
LSU can thank the computers for putting them in the game with #3 Oklahoma in 2003 when it was obvious USC should have been playing them (and it was possible they could have been the odd man out) and they can thank Pitt for shocking WVU in 2007 and speaking of 2007 UGA got shut out of the MNC by a non-existent rule about not winning your conference. (If you recall UGA was sitting next in line in all the rankings but got passed by 3 teams for NO REASON in the final polls.)
As a program I think I heard that UGA is about the most profitable as well.
The coach is also the dean of the SEC so there is also the stability of the program to consider.
What more can you ask for? I get the crystal trophies. I really do, but a program can only control what it can control.
GEORGIA IS NOT ON THE LIST BECAUSE NOBODY GIVES A SH-T ABOUT THEM. THEY WERE RANKED VERY HIGH IN LAST YEARS’S PRE-SEASON POLLS AND ENDED UP IN THE TOILET.
IF I USE YOUR LOGIC, WEST VIRGINIA SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE THEY KICKED YOUR BUTT A FEW YEARS AGO IN THE SUGAR BOWL.
NOW GO BACK TO SLEEPING WITH YOUR SISTER.
Bruce,
Thoughts on the OU/BYU game?
Miami isn’t one of the top programs? Get off the huka pipe….please. Miami has more players on NFL rosters than any of those programs. Jealousy does not become you people. They have been to 2 national championships this decade. Va Tech? Child Please!!!
Where have you been for the last 5 years bro?
Colin:
“Bruce” may not know his history, but USC has a substantial winning record over some of their best teams and coaches.
“JP” doesn’t understand what he’s talking about. If the NCAA had something against USC, they wouldn’t have taken 5-6 years to figure out what it was.
Unless “JP” was the FLY ON THE WALL, he wouldn’t, couldn’t and shouldn’t make claims about a school, person or family that he has no knowledge of.
I’m retired from the LAPD with 30 years of service. Here is a bit of advice. The longer an investigation takes, the weaker the evidence is, be it criminal,civil or regulatory.
I’m tired of the “it’s (the investigation) is almost done and USC is in deep trouble. Yea, sure, I guess they’re shutting done their football program.
“Doug” I never once said anything about USC and an investigation. Calm down you have your “flies” confused.
USC is having a tough year breaking in their new players and coaches. Don’t take things so personal. They should be back to 10 wins next year with a horrible loss to Eastern Idaho State.
Stay classy San Diego!
Colin,
Once again, as in the Dons of the College Mafia story, you have neglected to include the best team in the country that shows no signs of slowing down. Bama. In a season when they were predicted to be third in the West, they went undefeated until the SEC championship game where they lost to the best team in of this decade. They lost to a Utah team who went undefeated, without their best lineman, and in a game that no one in their right minds could have gotten up for emotionally after losing to Florida in the final two minutes of the game.
This year, Bama has proven that last year was only the beginning of what is to become, one again, a dynasty for the ages. Bama has more 1st team All-Americans than any team in the country. They went undefeated in the stoutest conference in the country. They piled one on the other best team in the country. I understand it has been a down decade for the Bama-nation, but to say they aren’t in the Top 7 clubs in the country is unpardonable. Va. Tech? Really? Bama has proven the past two years, quite handily, what happens when a highly ranked ACC opponent goes up against an SEC powerhouse at a neutral site.
Instead of telling me why other schools belong in this list Colin, how bout you tell why Bama doesn’t? Do you really see LSU or Va. Tech in the same place as Bama right now?
Furthermore, as an instructor at LSU, I can tell you that your opinion of Miles is way off. The man is incompetent and LSU fans all agree. He lacks basic time management, strategic, personnel, and for that matter grammatical speaking skills. By bringing back an incompetent offensive coordinator who led them to a stout 100 out 110 offensive ranking, he has assured himself on one more year at LSU before he is fired.
And why is the show on TV not just a live recording of your radio show like Mike and Mike? It would be much more entertaining. I simply do not care if “the guy on the bike is going to run into the ramp, do a double back-flip, or fall off the bike.” I watch you because I like your style and sports talk… not because I care what you or MIchelle think is going to happen on a youtube video.
Much love,
~Joe
One more thing:
The Akron Hammer is the dumbest nickname I have ever heard. Yet another reason your radio show should be on TV… if I watch Sportsnation I have to listen to people debate about something that is as obvious as…well… Bama’s return to glory.
~Joe