Best College Football Teams of All Time

In the US, there is nothing like college football and the fandom behind these universities.There have been many good football teams, but only a few who have reached legendary status.

Here’s a list of ten of the best college football teams of all time. Check out the list and see why these teams are still talked about til this day.

10. 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish starts off our list of the best college football teams of all time. This was the famous team led by hall of fame coach Lou Holtz was one of the famous teams of the 1980s.

What made the 1988 Notre Dame team so good was the level of competition they beat. On their way to winning the national title, the Fighting Irish beat the #2, #4, #5, and #7 nationally ranked teams.

Then they capped off an undefeated season by beating the #3 ranked West Virginia in the national championship. 

9. 2019 LSU Tigers

One of the best college football teams of all time in recent memory is the 2019 LSU Tigers. Under the lead of QB Joe Burrow, they started the season ranked at #6, but dominated nearly every game.

After a perfect regular season, where they beat four top-ten teams, LSU coasted into the playoffs. In the semifinals, they trounced the Oklahoma Sooners 63-26 in the Peach Bowl.

LSU then capped off their perfect year with a huge 42-25 win over Clemson. Securing their second national title in ten years and outsourcing their opponents 726-338. 

8. 1956 Oklahoma Sooners

The 1956 Oklahoma Sooners were one of the best college football teams of all time, who started the university’s winning tradition. They were one of the most dominant teams of the 1950s with their 40-game win streak during this time. 

They would’ve repeated as champions if not for the Big Seven’s non-repeat rule, which was later revoked. During this undefeated season, Oklahoma shut out si teams, which included their arch-rival Texas with a huge 45-0 win.

7. 2004 USC Trojans

The 2000s had a few of the best college football teams of all time. One of the most talked about was Pete Carrol’s 2004 USC Trojans. 

This team featured two Heisman trophy winners in Matt Leinhart and Reggie Bush, along with the bruising back LenDale White. During the 2004 season, the Trojans were untouchable and the must-watch team of the year.

They nearly scored 500 points for the year on their opponents before soundly beating Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. The 2004 USC Trojans are easily one of the most memorable teams of the last 25 years.

6. 1947 Michigan Wolverines

The 1947 Michagan Wolverines weren’t just one of the best college football teams of all time, but a revolutionary team. They were one of the first college football teams to include players, which were specialized in offense and defensive positions.

This 1947 team is considered the greatest team in the history of Michigan football and the numbers back up the claim. During this undefeated season, Michigan only gave up a combined 53 points in their ten straight wins. 

5. 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers

Going into the 1995 season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers were the defending college champions. They somehow managed to top their previous season to become one of the best college football teams of all time.

This year, the Cornhuskers made Tommie Frazier the starting QB, who was a great passer and runner. During this season, not one team even came close to challenging Nebraska as they outscored opponents 638 to 174.

Under legendary coach Tom Osborne, Nebraska won 3 national titles in a four-year span(1994, 1995, & 1997).

4. 1972 USC Trojans

During the late 1960s and 1970s, west coast college teams began forming good college football teams. The 1972 USC Trojans are considered one of the best college football teams of all time, which started this trend.

This team started USC’s culture of winning titles and being one of college football’s best teams. The ‘72 Trojans were led by fullback/half-back Sam Cunningham, who demolished opposing defenses and later won that year’s Heisman Trophy.

They capped off a dominant year of wins by easily taking out the Ohio State Buckeyes 42-17 in the Rose Bowl.

3. 1945 Army Black Knights

We’re going back to the 1940s to spotlight one of the best college football teams of all time. The 1945 Army Black Knights were part of the greatest era in the school’s history, which included a 32-game undefeated streak.

Army’s 1945 season is by far, the best in the school’s history and their most dominant year of football. This Army Black Knight team featured two Heisman Trophy winners in Doc Blanchard and later Glenn Davis.

During their perfect season, the Black Knights only gave up 46 points, while putting up 412 points in nine games.

2. 2001 Miami Hurricanes

The 2001 Miami Hurricanes are always mentioned at the top of the list of the best college football teams of all time. Head Coach Larry Coker recruited from the roughest parts of Florida and his Miami teams embraced the hard-nosed athletic style.

This team was filled with talented pro-level players who made a name for themselves in the NFL, who dominated this year. Over seventeen players from this national title team went on to become first round picks in the pros. 

Everyone from Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee, Ed Reed, Kellen Winslow, Jeremy Shockey, Sean Taylor and Ken Dorsey were on this team.

1. 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers

At #1, the 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers is considered by many as the best college football team of all time. During the 1971 season, the Cornhuskers were the definition of perfection.

They outscored all, but one of their opponents that year by at least 24 points. The only game they didn’t dominate was against Oklahoma, which was called “the game of the century.”

Of Nebraska’s five national titles, the 1971 team is considered the greatest of them all.