Team of the Decade

With the double 00’s just a little more than 2 years from conclusion, we thought it high time to initiate the argument now – who is college football’s team of the decade?

We are going to present several reasonable contenders, ordered by their win percentages since 2000 (as of November 25, 2007). We also note conference titles and “national” titles (While we firmly don’t believe there is a “national” title, we believe even firmer that there cannot be more than one “national” title holder. Thus, only BCS titles count).

Oklahoma

Winning Percentage – 83.5% (2nd)
Conference Titles – 4 (00’, 02’, 04’, 06’)
“National” Titles – 1 (2000)
Best Year – 13-0 (2000)
Worst Year – 8-4 (2005)
This Year – 10-2

While it is virtually impossible the Sooners will be your 2007 MNCs, they stand a decent shot of adding to that conference title total.

Texas

Winning Percentage – 83.2% (3rd)
Conference Titles – 1 (05’)
“National” Titles – 1 (2005)
Best Year – 13-0 (2005)
Worst Year – 9-3 (2000)
This Year – 9-3

Texas, although the model of win consistency with no year with less than 9 wins, has but 1 conference title for the decade.

Ohio State

Winning Percentage – 81% (4th)
Conference Titles – 4 (02’, 05’, 06’, 07’)
“National” Titles – 1 (2002)
Best Year – 14-0 (2002)
Worst Year – 7-5 (2001)
This Year – 11-1

Ohio State has won the last 3 Big 10 titles (1 shared), and won it this year. They have the opportunity to compete in this year’s BCS.

Southern California

Winning Percentage – 79% (5th)
Conference Titles – 5 (02’, 03’, 04’, 05’, 06’)
“National” Titles – 1 (2004)
Best Year – 13-0 (2004)
Worst Year – 5-7 (2000)
This Year – 9-2


While they started the decade weakly, the Trojans can add a 6th conference title with a win this weekend against UCLA.

LSU

Winning Percentage – 78.4% (6th)
Conference Titles – 2 (01’, 03’)
“National” Titles – 1 (2003)
Best Year – 13-1 (2003)
Worst Year – 8-5 (2002)
This Year – 10-2

LSU can capture its 3rd conference title this coming weekend, but another MNC in 2007 seems a very, very long shot.

Georgia

Winning Percentage – 77.5% (7th)
Conference Titles – 2 (02’, 05’)
“National” Titles – 0
Best Year – 13-1 (2002)
Worst Year – 8-4 (2000,2001)
This Year – 10-2

Georgia has perhaps one of the oddest outside shots at this year’s MNC, which would be their first since 1980.

Miami

Winning Percentage – 76.8% (8th)
Conference Titles – 4 (00’, 01’, 02’, 03’) Big East
“National” Titles – 1 (2001)
Best Year – 12-0 (2001)
Worst Year – 5-7 (2007)
This Year – 5-7

As much as USC has been gained strength during the decade, Miami has fallen with their best years near the century mark.

Florida

Winning Percentage – 73.3% (13th)
Conference Titles – 2 (00’, 06’)
“National” Titles – 1 (2006)
Best Year – 13-1 (2006)
Worst Year – 7-5 (2004)
This Year – 9-3

While the worst of the winning percentages, UF is even a more come lately than USC with their 2nd conference title and MNC in 2006. They will compete for neither this year.

Thus far the first decade of the century has been one of relative competitiveness, with no single dominating school. Ohio State stands perhaps the best chance of separating themselves from the pack if they can get to and win this year’s BCS title game.

In all objectivity, I would submit that the team of the decade has yet to be decided. A second BCS title win by any of the above would likely make for a definitive statement by the school winning it. Likewise, the SEC team of the decade seems to be coming down to a contest between LSU, Georgia and Florida, with LSU to take a definite edge if it wins next weekend over Tennessee.

The next two years should be very interesting. Our recruiting model shows USC, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Texas with the most talented rosters right now, so all might make a serious attempt at a MNC in the near future.

Note: The most winning team of the decade is Boise State at 85.1%. In the 1990’s it was Marshall, but certainly FSU and Nebraska were the dominant overall teams of the 90’s.