Best Football College Teams Of All Time

The Best Single-Season College Football Teams Ever

Ranked by a Panel of 150 Media Members

Which college football national champions had the best seasons? Which college football team is the best of all time?

Of all the lists Sporting News has compiled to celebrate the 150th anniversary of college football, this one might be the most important. We asked a panel of 150 media members to rank the best single-season teams ever, and the results are fascinating.

The top 10 teams on the list are all national champions, but there are some surprises in the order. The 2001 Miami Hurricanes, who went 12-0 and won the national championship by a score of 37-14 over Nebraska, are ranked No. 1. The 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers, who went 12-0 and won the national championship by a score of 42-17 over Florida, are ranked No. 2. And the 2004 USC Trojans, who went 13-0 and won the national championship by a score of 55-19 over Oklahoma, are ranked No. 3.

There are a few teams on the list that didn't win national championships, but they still had great seasons. The 1984 BYU Cougars, who went 13-0 and finished the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, are ranked No. 4. The 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers, who went 13-0 and finished the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, are ranked No. 5. And the 2007 Alabama Crimson Tide, who went 13-0 and finished the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, are ranked No. 6.

The Sporting News panel also ranked the best teams of all time, regardless of whether they won a national championship. The 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers are ranked No. 1, followed by the 2001 Miami Hurricanes, the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers, the 2004 USC Trojans, and the 1984 BYU Cougars.

These are just a few of the great teams that have played college football over the years. The Sporting News panel's rankings are sure to spark debate, but they are also a reminder of the great history of the game.

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