College Football News uses AP Poll history, ranks Ohio State as one of the best programs of all-time
If someone were to ask you for a knee-jerk reaction of what program is the best all-time in college football, a few names would come to mind, and Ohio State would be one of them without a doubt. However, the question can be rather subjective and opinion-based. There are several metrics that can be used like conference championships, wins, winning percentage, national titles, and all, but there’s no real, clear way to settle the argument.
But that didn’t stop Pete Fiutak of College Football News from trying, but by using data from the AP Poll to try and do so.
The method to the madness is simple: College Football News took the AP Poll final rankings dating all the way back to 1936 and used a scoring system that awarded 25 points for a No. 1 finish (national title), 24 points for the No. 2 ranking, and on down.
Ohio State has been a fixture in the poll, arguably showing the greatest consistency of any program in college football, so it’s no surprise that the Buckeyes should be up there right?
Well, yes. Here are the top 25 greatest college football programs of all time judged solely on the AP Poll scoring method used by CFN’s Fiutak. After sorting through the madness, tell us what you think by commenting below the article. Is this a good judge? How would you go about determining the best college program of all time?
Iowa Hawkeyes
Dec 27, 2019; San Diego, California, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz reacts after the Holiday Bowl against the Southern California Trojans at SDCCU Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
344
Ole Miss Rebels
Oct. 12, 2019; Columbia, MO, USA; A general view of a Mississippi Rebels helmet during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
362
Washington Huskies
Oct 26, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Carol James, wife of the late former coach Don James, greets Washington Huskies quarterback Keith Price (17) before a game against California Golden Bears at Husky Stadium. Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
376
Wisconsin Badgers
Jan 1, 2005; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez watches from the sideline during the second half of the Outback Bowl game against Georgia at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Bulldogs held on to win 24-21. Credit: Photo by Joe Robbins-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
376
Texas A&M Aggies
Sept. 8, 2018; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies mascot Reveille runs onto the field before the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Clemson Tigers at Kyle Field. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
397
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas coach Frank Broyles is carried from the field by players Teddy Barnes, left, and Richard LaFargue (52) following his team’s 30-6 NCAA college football game victory over Texas A&M, in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/Ferd Kaufman, File)
Total Points
444
Michigan State Spartans
Dec 27, 2019; Bronx, New York, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio coaches against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the third quarter of the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
472
UCLA Bruins
Sep 4, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) celebrates with offensive lineman Paul Grattan (65) offensive lineman Jon Gaines II (57) and tight end Greg Dulcich (85) his touchdown scored against the Louisiana State Tigers during the second half the at the Rose Bowl. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
481
Clemson Tigers
Clemson offensive lineman Sean Pollard (76) and running back Darien Rencher (21) join teammates in the alma mater after the Tigers beat Alabama 44-16 to win the National Championship after the College Football Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California Monday, January 7, 2019. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
484
Miami Hurricanes
(NCL FIESTA 3JAN03) 2003 Fiesta Bowl — OSU vs. Miami — Ohio State’s Will Smith is held by Miami’s Carlos Joseph as he tries to get to Miami’s quarterback Ken Dorsey during the first quarter of the National College Football Championship at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, January 3, 2003 (Dispatch photo by Neal C. Lauron)
Total Points
534
Florida Gators
September 5, 2008; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow (15) celebrates with teammates after he scored a touchdown during the first half against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
551
Florida State Seminoles
FSU head coach Bobby Bowden holds Osceola’s burning spear aloft before planting it into the turf in front of his players before the start of Friday’s Gator Bowl game which saw the Seminoles winning with a final score of 33 to 21. (The Florida Times-Union, Bob Self)
Total Points
570
Auburn Tigers
Aug 31, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers mascot Aubie the Tiger celebrates with cheerleaders after the victory against the Oregon Ducks at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
584
Georgia Bulldogs
Dec 12, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A detailed view of a Georgia Bulldogs helmet during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
657
LSU Tigers
Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
678
Tennessee Volunteers
Sep 9, 2006; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Philip Fulmer watches his team prepare for the game with the Air Force Falcons at Neyland Stadium. Credit: Photo by Dale Zanine USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Dale Zanine
Total Points
686
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State Coach Joe Paterno stands with his players before taking the field for an NCAA college football game against Ohio State in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
Total Points
702
Texas Longhorns
Texas quarterback and game MVP Vince Young holds the championship trophy with coach Mack Brown, right, after Texas beat Southern California 41-38 in the Rose Bowl, the national championship college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Total Points
797
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Aug 1994; E. Rutherford, NJ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Tom Osborne talks to quarterback Tommie Fraizer during the 1994 season at Giants Stadium. Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
798
USC Trojans
Nov 7, 2009; Tempe, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Pete Carroll reacts after the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. USC defeated Arizona State 14-9. Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
837
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson, races ahead of Ohio State’s Scott Fulton during Woodson’s second-quarter punt return for a touchdown against OSU on Saturday, Nov 22, at Michigan Stadium. Michigan went on to beat OSU 20-14 and earn a trip to the Rose Bowl and the Big Ten Championship. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
1,016
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Nov. 14, 2020; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) lines up for a snap against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
1,028
Ohio State Buckeyes
Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) hands the ball off to Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) during warmups prior to the Buckeyes’ game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
1,119
Alabama Crimson Tide
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban leads his team onto the field before playing then Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Total Points
1,129
Oklahoma Sooners
24 SEP 1988: Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer leads his team onto the field before a 23-7 loss to the USC Trojans. Credit: Stephen Dunn/ALLSPORT
Total Points
1,136
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