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:…