#5 2000 Oklahoma Sooners (13-0)

  • Average margin of victory: 22.1ppg
  • Division I-A opponents’ record: 87-70 (.554)
  • Wins v. Top 10 teams in the final AP poll: 3 — #5 Florida State, #8 Nebraska, #9 Kansas State
  • Wins v. Top 25 teams in the final AP poll: 4 — #5 Florida State, #8 Nebraska, #9 Kansas State, #12 Texas
  • Cool stat/fact: Oklahoma defeated (then) #11 Texas, #2 Kansas State & #1 Nebraska in consecutive weeks.

Bottom line: After years of disappointment and heartbreak, the 2000 Oklahoma Sooners blew out archrival Texas 63-14, then rode into the Orange Bowl for a triumphant victory over Florida State in the National Championship game.

The 2000 Oklahoma Sooners are one of the most underrated and overlooked BCS National Championship teams of the BCS era.

#4 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide (14-0)

  • Average margin of victory: 20.4ppg
  • Division I-A opponents’ record: 101-67 (.601)
  • Wins v. Top 10 teams in the final AP poll: 3 — #2 Texas, #3 Florida, #10 Virginia Tech
  • Wins v. Top 25 teams in the final AP poll: 5 — #2 Texas, #3 Florida, #10 Virginia Tech, #17 Louisiana State, #20 Mississppi
  • Cool stat/fact: #1 Alabama needed to block 2 field goals versus Tennessee to stay undefeated.

Bottom line: What would have happened had Texas’ McCoy not had a freak injury in the early moments of the 2010 National Championship game? We may never know. In my opinion, it’s not relevant to the greatness of the ‘09 Crimson Tide. They should not be penalized for an injury to an opposing team’s quarterback. This is football, and injuries happen.

The Crimson Tide dominated the most powerful conference in college football in 2009, and showed grit and tenacity numerous times to overcome possible upsets.

#3 2004 Southern California Trojans (13-0)

  • Average margin of victory: 25.2ppg
  • Division I-A opponents’ record: 82-70 (.539)
  • Wins v. Top 10 teams in the final AP poll: 3 — #3 Oklahoma, #9 California, #10 Virginia Tech
  • Wins v. Top 25 teams in the final AP poll: 4 — #3 Oklahoma, #9 California, #10 Virginia Tech, #19 Arizona State

Bottom line: A team that might soon be forgotten due to the NCAA bringing down the hammer should never be forgotten by those who merely appreciate elite college football teams. The 2004 USC Trojans featured one reigning Heisman winner (M. Leinart) and the following season’s Heisman winner (R. Bush). USC absolutely dominated Oklahoma in the 2004 Orange Bowl National Championship to secure its repeat as National Champions.

#2 2005 Texas Longhorns (13-0)

  • Average margin of victory: 35.8ppg
  • Division I-A opponents’ record: 88-66 (.571)
  • Wins v. Top 10 teams in the final AP poll: 2 — #2 Southern California, #4 Ohio State
  • Wins v. Top 25 teams in the final AP poll: 4 — #2 Southern California, #4 Ohio State, #20 Texas Tech, #22 Oklahoma
  • Cool stat/fact: Texas posted 7 50+ point games, 4 60+ point games & 1 70-point game.

Bottom line: The Longhorns averaged over 50ppg for the season, which could have been 60ppg+ had Mack Brown not decided to rest most of his starting unit in 9 of their 13 games. 30 players of this Texas team who helped engineer their National Championship season continued their success in the NFL.

#1 2001 Miami Hurricanes (12-0)

  • Average margin of victory: 32.9ppg
  • Division I-A opponents’ record: 81-60 (.574)
  • Wins v. Top 10 teams in the final AP poll: 1 — #8 Nebraska
  • Wins v. Top 25 teams in the final AP poll: 6 — #8 Nebraska, #14 Syracuse, #15 Florida State, #18 Virginia Tech, #19 Washington, #21 Boston College
  • Cool stat/fact: Miami almost had its undefeated season spoiled when Virginia Tech nearly produced a triumphant comeback, failing to convert their two-point conversion in the closing seconds of the final regular season game.

Bottom line: If you weren’t impressed with Texas’ 2005 team producing 30 NFL players, you darn well should be impressed with the 2001 Hurricanes’ 38, with 17 being taken in the 1st round. The ‘01 ‘Canes were probably one of a handful of college teams that could honestly go toe to toe with the worst NFL team in any given season.