Sporting News 140: Ranking the 20 greatest college football teams since 1886

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Steve Richardson, the executive director of the Football Writers Association of America, recalled covering the 1995 season opener between No. 2 Nebraska and Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The Huskers were well on their way to a 64-21 blowout when he turned to one of the beat writers on press row. 

"You don't have to worry about this team losing a game this year," Richardson said. "They're going to win it all."

The Huskers had that kind of aura, but they were not alone. 

All 20 teams on our Sporting News 140 greatest teams list won the national championship. None of them lost a game. It's not quite the same order we had during the CFB 150 celebration in 2019. That constant struggle between 1995 Nebraska and 2001 Miami still exists and was evident in our 20-voter panel. True to form, the Huskers and Hurricanes each received seven first-place votes. The 2005 Texas team received four first-place votes, and 2019 LSU and 1971 Nebraska received one first-place vote apiece. 

Who casted those votes? Our panel included eight Sporting News staff members (Bill Bender, Rob Cassidy, Mike DeCourcy, Bob Hille, Vinnie Iyer, Elliott Pohnl, Bill Trocchi, Benson Taylor) and 12 college-football writers, broadcasters and podcasters (Mark Blaudschun, Kirk Bohls, Tim Brando, Bobby Carpenter, Tom Dienhart, Dennis Dodd, Bryan Driskell, Matt Hayes, Ivan Maisel, Tim May, Steve Richardson, Trey Wallace). 

A total of 73 schools received at least one vote. Ties were broken within the top 20 by virtue of which team received the highest individual ranking in the poll. Who's ready to argue?

SN 140 ALL-DECADE ALL-AMERICA TEAMS: 2020s | 2010s | 2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s| 1960s

The Sporting News 20 greatest college football teams since 1886

1. Nebraska 1995  

Record: 12-0 

Coach: Tom Osborne

Points for/against: 52.4 ppg. (1st), 13.6 ppg. (4th) 

All-Americans: QB Tommie Frazier, C Aaron Graham, DE Jared Tomich

Nebraska won every game by 14 points or more in its national title defense. The Huskers rolled up 399.8 rushing yards per game on seven yards per carry with a dominant attack that featured Frazier, Ahman Green and Lawrence Phillips. Seven players had at least 300 rushing yards. Tomich and Grant Wistrom were part of a relentless pass rush for the "Blackshirts." Nebraska hammered Nick Saban-led Michigan State 50-10 in Week 2 and never stopped until the 62-24 victory against Florida in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2, 1996. Frazier's 75-yard TD run against the Gators best embodies the unstoppable nature of his team – which resonates in Lincoln as the standard more than 30 years later. 

Inside the poll: 1995 Nebraska was the only school that appeared on all 20 ballots in our panel.

2. Miami 2001 

Record: 12-0 

Coach: Larry Coker

Points for/against: 43.2 ppg. (3rd), 9.4 ppg. (1st)  

All-Americans: CB Phillip Buchanon, T Joaquin Gonzalez, T Bryant McKinnie, S Ed Reed, K Todd Sievers, TE Jeremy Shockey 

The Hurricanes had an absurd collection of talent that featured 37 future NFL Draft picks. Ken Dorsey led an offense that featured Clinton Portis, Frank Gore and Willis McGahee in the backfield and Andre Johnson and Shockey in the passing game. Reed was the heart of the defense that allowed just 12 TDs all season. That was just two more than the 10 TDs the Hurricanes compiled on defense and special teams. Miami closed the regular season with a 26-24 victory at No. 14 Virginia Tech and dominated No. 4 Nebraska 37-14 in the Rose Bowl. This is the best team of the 21st century.

Expert's take: "The 2001 Miami team was one of the most dominant I covered. That 12-0 season was part of a 34-game winning streak with a star-studded roster with the likes of Willis McGahee, Andre Johnson, Vince Wilfork, Jonathan Vilma." – Tom Dienhart

3. LSU 2019

Record: 15-0

Coach: Ed Orgeron

Points for/against: 48.4 ppg. (1st), 21.9 ppg. (32nd)

All-Americans: QB Joe Burrow, WR Ja'Marr Chase, S Grant Delpit, CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Orgeron led LSU's last national title team. Burrow – the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner – and passing game coordinator Joe Brady clicked with a high-powered offense that featured Chase, Justin Jefferson and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Patrick Queen was part of that star-studded defense with Delpit and Stingley. It was the perfect mix of talent – one that was good enough to beat No. 2 Alabama 42-39 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. LSU beat seven top-10 teams that season – the last a 42-25 victory against Clemson in the CFP championship game. Burrow had one of the greatest individual seasons of all time with 5,671 passing yards and 60 TDs, plus five rushing touchdowns. 

4. Texas 2005

Record: 13-0 

Coach: Mack Brown

Points for/against: 50.2 ppg. (1st), 16.4 ppg. (9th) 

All-Americans: S Michael Huff, T Jonathan Scott, DT Rodrique Wright, QB Vince Young

The Longhorns broke through with Young – who orchestrated an offense that put up 40-plus points in 12 games. Young's late TD pass to Limas Sweed clinched a 25-23 victory at No. 4 Ohio State in Week 2, and the Longhorns fulfilled their obligation to meet No. 1 USC in the Rose Bowl. Texas won a 41-38 thriller in which Young – who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting – compiled 267 passing yards, 200 rushing yards and three TDs. That included the game-winner. It was the perfect ending to the crown jewel game of the BCS era. 

Expert's take: "That team was loaded with NFL picks, a killer offensive line and secondary and of course the incomparable Vince Young. I consider the 2006 Rose Bowl the best game ever played because it matched No. 1 vs No. 2, a pair of teams that averaged over 50 points a game, a supposedly unbeatable defending champion in USC, the perfect setting in Pasadena, Keith Jackson on the mic and the highest of drama with Young's final touchdown dance on fourth-and-5 and the fourth-down stop of the Trojans before the winning drive." – Kirk Bohls 

SN 140: Vince Young's mad dash ends greatest title game ever

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY

5. USC 2004

Record: 13-0 

Coach: Pete Carroll

Points for/against: 38.2 ppg. (6th), 13.0 ppg (2nd) 

All-Americans: AP Reggie Bush, DT Shaun Cody, LB Matt Grootegoed, QB Matt Leinart, DE MIke Patterson 

The Trojans were the dynasty of the early 2000s – and this team validated that with a second straight national championship run behind Leinart, who won the Heisman Trophy; and Bush, the electric playmaker who kept the high-powered offense running. The defense probably does not get enough credit given only three teams scored 20 or more points. USC held off No. 7 Cal and Aaron Rodgers in a 23-17 thriller in the regular season and routed No. 2 Oklahoma 55-19 in the BCS championship game. 

Inside the ballot: Despite that dominance, USC did not receive a first-place vote among 20 ballots and was left off four ballots among our 20 voters. 

6. Nebraska 1971 

Record: 13-0 

Coach: Bob Devaney

Points for/against: 39.1 ppg (3rd), 8.2 ppg. (3rd) 

All-Americans: DT Rich Glover, DE Willie Harper, DT Larry Jacobson, WR Johnny Rodgers

Nebraska also won the national championship in 1970 – but this team had the right combination of star power with Rodgers, who had 53 catches for 873 yards and 11 TDs. Glover and Jacobson formed one of the greatest interior defensive tandems ever, and the Huskers beat No. 2 Oklahoma 35-31 in the "Game of the Century," which was defined by Rodgers' 72-yard punt return for a TD. Nebraska stamped their legacy with a 38-6 victory against No. 2 Alabama in the Orange Bowl. 

Expert's take: "This star-loaded team which rolled to a second straight national title just as easily could have been No. 1 on this list. With Johnny Rodgers and Rich Glover dazzling as well as beating others, this was the cream of the Bob Devaney era." – Tim May 

7. USC 1972 

Record: 12-0 

Coach: John McKay

Points for/against: 38.6 ppg. (3rd), 10.6 ppg. (7th) 

All-Americans: T Pete Adams, TE Charle Young, LB Rich Wood 

USC won three national championships in the 1970s, but this was the only one the Trojans did not share in that era. USC opened the season with a 31-10 win at No. 4 Arkansas – which showed the power of the backfield led by Anthony Davis, Rod McNeill and Sam Cunningham. Davis rushed for 1,034 yards and 16 TDs – and dominated a schedule that included six ranked teams. That included victories against rivals No. 14 UCLA and No. 10 Notre Dame at the end of the regular season before a convincing 42-17 victory against No. 3 Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. 

8. Oklahoma 1974 

Record: 11-0

Coach: Barry Switzer

Points for/against: 43.0 ppg. (1st), 8.4 ppg. (5th) 

All-Americans: G Kyle Davis, G John Roush, LB Rod Shoate, RB Joe Washington, S Randy Hughes 

Switzer's best team at Oklahoma also featured Lee Roy and Dewey Selmon on the interior defensive line. The Sooners were ineligible for the Coaches Poll and not allowed to be on TV while under NCAA probation, but that did not stop this team from dominating the Big 8. Washington starred at running back with 1,321 yards and 13 TDs. A 16-13 victory against No. 17 Texas on a field goal by Tony DiRienzo with 5:25 remaining set up the unbeaten season. Oklahoma did not play in a bowl game, but Alabama's 13-11 loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl clinched a national title. 

9. Alabama 2009 

Record: 14-0

Coach: Nick Saban

Points for/against: 32.1 ppg. (22nd), 11.7 ppg. (2nd) 

All-Americans: CB Javier Arenas, DT Terrence Cody, RB Mark Ingram, G Mike Johnson, LB Rolando McClain, K Leigh Tiffin 

This team re-established Alabama as a national power and marked the beginning of the Saban dynasty. Greg McElroy and Ingram, who won the Heisman Trophy with 1,658 rushing yards and 17 TDs, were the leaders on an offense that also featured Julio Jones and Trent Richardson. The defense was smothering – and Cody made a season-defining play with a block field goal that preserved a 12-10 victory against Lane Kiffin-led Tennessee. Alabama beat No. 1 Florida 32-13 in the SEC championship game and routed No. 2 Texas 37-21 in the BCS championship game.

10. Indiana 2025

Record: 16-0

Coach: Curt Cignetti

Points for/against: 41.6 ppg. (3rd), 11.6 ppg. (2nd)

All-Americans: LB Aiden Fisher, QB Fernando Mendoza, CB De'Angelo Ponds, T Carter Smith

Indiana burned through the 205 season behind Cignetti, who proved his first CFP appearance in 2024 was not a fluke. The Hoosiers won road games at Oregon, Iowa and Penn State with four-quarter heroics from Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy after passing for 3,535 yards, 41 TDs and six interceptions. Indiana ranked third in scoring offense and second in scoring defense. A 13-10 victory against No. 1 Ohio State in the Big Ten championship preceded a playoff run through No. 11 Alabama, No. 5 Oregon and No. 10 Miami. Cignetti pulled off the unthinkable with the highest ranked Big Ten team on our list. 

SN 140: Indiana completes miracle turnaround with perfect season

11. Clemson 2018 

Record: 15-0 

Coach: Dabo Swinney

Points for/against: 44.3 ppg. (4th), 13.1 ppg. (1st)

All-Americans: RB Travis Etienne, DE Clelin Ferrell, T Mitch Hyatt, DT Dexter Lawrence, DT Christian Wilkins  

This marked the peak of the Swinney era during a pair of national championship runs in a three-year stretch. The 2018 team was better around Trevor Lawrence, who took over the starting job as a freshman and passed for 3,280 passing yards, 30 TDs and four interceptions while playing catch with Justyn Ross, Tee Higgins and Hunter Renfrow. The defensive line talent was menacing for the top-scoring defense in the country. A September scare from Syracuse – a 27-23 nail-biter – was the only blip in a season where the Tigers beat up on everybody — including No. 1 Alabama in a 44-16 CFP championship blowout.

Inside the poll: Clemson appeared on 15 of 20 ballots – more than 2025 Indiana and 2009  Alabama – which were on 12 ballots each.

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12. Georgia 2022 

Record: 15-0 

Coach: Kirby Smart

Points for/against: 41.1 ppg. (5th), 14.3 ppg. (5th) 

All-Americans: TE Brock Bowers, DT Jalen Carter, LB Jamon-Dumas Johnson, S Christopher Smith II 

Georgia won back-to-back national championships under Smart in the four-team CFP era with a team that set the tone on defense. The Bulldogs allowed just 77.1 rushing yards per game behind a unit that featured All-Americans on every level, led by Carter on the interior. Stetson Bennett passed for 4,128 yards, 27 TDs and seven interceptions. Bowers emerged as a premier playmaker at tight end for a team that stormed to the SEC championship.  Bennett rallied Georgia to victory in a 42-41 thriller with No. 4 Ohio State in the CFP semifinal. The Bulldogs then smashed No. 3 TCU 65-7 in the CFP championship game. 

13. Alabama 1979 

Record: 12-0

Coach: Bear Bryant

Points for/against: 32.6 ppg. (8th), 5.3 ppg. (1st) 

All-Americans: T Jim Bunch 

The Crimson Tide had just one first-team All-American – which personified a deep team that still featured more than enough substance with a tough offensive line that featured Bunch and Dwight Stephenson and a defense led by E.J. Junior and defensive back Don McNeal. Quarterback Steadman Shealy led the offense, and the defense had five shutouts. Alabama pulled out a 25-18 victory against No. 14 Auburn in the Iron Bowl before clinching the national title with a 24-9 victory against No. 6 Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. This was Bryant's last national championship team – and our voters felt it was the best one.

14. Ohio State 1968 

Record: 10-0

Coach: Woody Hayes

Points for/against: 32.9 ppg. (10th), 14.9 ppg (22nd) 

All-Americans: T Dave Foley, T Rufus Mayes 

Seven Ohio State teams received votes in the poll, but none had the impact of Hayes' best national championship team. Quarterback Rex Kern and running back Jim Otis led the offense, and Jim Stillwagon and Jack Tatum were the leaders of a hard-hitting defense. Ohio State beat No. 1 Purdue 13-0 and routed No. 4 Michigan 50-14 in a game where Hayes famously said, "I couldn't go for three" when asked about a late two–point conversion attempt, which lit the spark for The Ten Year War. The Buckeyes capped the run with a 27-16 victory against No. 2 USC in the Rose Bowl. 

15. Oklahoma 1956

Record: 10-0

Coach: Bud Wilkinson

Points for/against: 46.6 ppg. (1st), 5.1 ppg. (2nd) 

All-Americans: T Ed Gray, HB Tommy McDonald, C Jerry Tubbs 

Wilkinson had a machine at Oklahoma in the 1950s that won an FBS-record 47 consecutive games, and this team was right in the middle of that dominant run. The Sooners were led by quarterback Jimmy Harris and do-everything back Tommy McDonald, who led Oklahoma with 853 rushing yards on 7.2 yards per carry. Clendon Thomas added 817 yards and 13 TDs. Oklahoma had six shutouts that season and was held to less than 30 points only one time. The Sooners did not play in a bowl game because of the conference's no-repeat role, but that does not diminish this national title run. 

16. Notre Dame 1988 

Record: 12-0

Coach: Lou Holtz

Points for/against: 32.6 ppg. (15th), 12.3 ppg. (3rd) 

All-Americans: T Andy Heck, DE Frank Stams, LB Michael Stonebreaker 

The Irish have 11 national championships to choose from – and many Notre Dame fans will argue there were better teams. Are they more memorable than 1988? Quarterback Tony Rice led a methodical offense that spliced in big plays with Raghib Ismail and Ricky Watters, and the defense dominated around Stams and Stonebreaker. Walk-on kicker Reggie Ho hit four field goals in a 19-17 victory against No. 9 Michigan in the opener, including the game-winner in the final minutes. The epic "Catholics vs. Convicts" game against No. 1 Miami – a thrilling 31-30 victory – set the table for the national championship run – which culminated with a 34-21 victory against No. 3 West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. 

17. Alabama 2020 

Record: 13-0

Coach: Nick Saban

Points for/against: 48.5 ppg. (2nd), 19.4 ppg. (13th) 

All-Americans: C Landon Dickerson, RB Najee Harris, QB Mac Jones, LB Dylan Moses, WR DeVonta Smith, CB Patrick Surtain II 

The Crimson Tide dominated the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season to deliver Saban his sixth national championship with the school. This was a season where Saban turned the offense loose around Smith, who became the first receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since 1991. Jones and Harris finished third and fifth, respectively, in the voting. This trio put up unbelievable numbers. Jones had 41 TDs and four interceptions. Harris had 26 rushing TDs, and Smith added 23 receiving TDs. Alabama scored 40-plus points in 11 games – and they closed the College Football Playoff run with a 52-24 blowout against No. 3 Ohio State. 

18. Miami 1987 

Record: 12-0

Coach: Jimmy Johnson

Points for/against: 35.6 ppg. (5th), 10.1 ppg. (2nd) 

All-Americans: S Bennie Blades, DE Danny Stubbs 

The Hurricanes beat six ranked teams as part of a perfect season under Johnson – and they did that with an unforgettable swagger that defined "The U." Blades, running back Melvin Bratton and receiver Michael Irvin were the leaders of this this national championship team – one that beat No. 3 Florida State 26-25 in an instant classic in September and closed the season with a 20-14 victory against No. 1 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl – which added to the mystique of the program as the team of the 1980s. 

19. Army 1944 

Record: 9-0

Coach: Red Blaik

Points for/against: 56.0 ppg. (1st), 3.9 ppg. (2nd) 

All-Americans: FB Doc Blanchard, HB Glenn Davis, E Barney Poole, G Joe Stanowicz 

The Black Knights averaged 56.0 points per game – which is still the FBS standard today. Davis – "Mr. Outside" – and Blanchard – "Mr. Inside" – formed a dominant backfield that piled up 298.6 rushing yards per game on 7.1 yards per carry. Army never allowed more than seven points in a single game – and they routed No. 5 Notre Dame 59-0 before sealing the unbeaten season with a 23-7 win against No. 2 Navy in the regular-season finale. The 1945 Army team – which also won the national championship – received 24 votes in our poll. 

Inside the poll: Two voters had Army at No. 2 on their ballots.

20. Miami 1991 

Record: 12-0

Coach: Dennis Erickson

Points for/against: 33.1 ppg. (15th), 9.1 ppg. (1st) 

All-Americans: K Carlos Huerta, T Leon Searcy, LB Darrin Smith, KR Kevin Williams, S Darryl Williams

This is the third Miami team on our list – a national championship team that dominated the 1991 season. Quarterback Gino Torretta passed for 3,095 yards and 20 TDs, and Smith was the leader behind the defense. The Hurricanes beat No. 1 Florida State 17-16 in the "Wide Right" game on Nov. 16, 1991 – which opened the door for a national championship run capped with a 22-0 victory against No. 11 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. 

Just missed 

Notre Dame 1947 

Florida 2008 

Florida State 1999 

Washington 1991 

Alabama 1961 

SN 140 greatest college football teams poll results

A look at the votes received in our Sporting News 140 greatest college football teams of all time poll. First-place votes in parentheses 

Others receiving votes: Ohio State 2002 (35), Alabama 1992 (30), Notre Dame 1973 (30), Georgia 1980 (30), Michigan 1997 (29), Auburn 2010 (29), Penn State 1994 (28), Florida State 2013 (26), Syracuse 1959 (25), Army 1945 (24), Ohio State 2014 (23), Michigan 1901 (21), Florida 1996 (20), Alabama 2011 (20), Notre Dame 1966 (20), Notre Dame 1924 (19), Notre Dame 1946 (18), Texas 1969 (18), Michigan 1947 (14.5), Nebraska 1994 (14), Michigan 2023 (14), Notre Dame 1949 (13), Oklahoma 1971 (13), Penn State 1986 (13), Clemson 1981 (13), Michigan State 1952 (12), Ohio State 1973 (12), Nebraska 1997 (10), USC 2005 (8), Michigan State 1954 (8), Oklahoma 1975 (8), Oklahoma 1955 (7), USC 1967 (7), Ohio State 2024 (6), Tennessee 1998 (5), Yale 1894 (5), Alabama 1966 (5), LSU 1958 (4), Notre Dame 1930 (3), Sewanee 1899 (3), Alabama 1925 (3), Nebraska 1983 (3), TC 1938 (2), UCLA 1954 (1), Arkansas 1964 (1), Ohio State 1995 (1), Ohio State 1954 (1)

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