Athlon Ranks the Top 25 Football Dynasties of the AP Era

[Quattro]

Athlon Ranks the Top 25 Football Dynasties of the AP Era

1. Oklahoma Sooners (1948-1958): 107-8

Legendary head coach Charles “Bud” Wilkinson began a miraculous run in his second season at Norman. Over this 11-year span, Oklahoma had four undefeated seasons, six with just one loss and only one year (1951, 8-2) in which it lost more than one game. The Sooners claimed three national championship (1950, '55, '56), all 11 conference championships and one Heisman Trophy winner (Billy Vessels, 1952). The most impressive aspect of this dynasty? Two of the top 10 longest winning streaks in NCAA history, including the the all-time mark of 47 straight victories from 1953-57. Oklahoma also won 31 straight from 1948-50, which ranks 10th all-time in the record books. Oklahoma's historic run in the 1950s was the most dominant dynasty in college football history.

2. Nebraska Corn****ers (1993-1997): 60-3

Is winning more than 95 percent of your games a good thing? That is what Tom Osborne did at Nebraska over his final five seasons. Led by arguably the greatest college quarterback of all-time in Tommie Frazier, the Big Red posted four unbeaten regular seasons, all of which culminated in a trip to the national championship game. One loss to Florida State in the ’93 Orange Bowl is the only thing that kept the Huskers from four national championships in five seasons. A huge upset in the inaugural Big 12 title game to Texas was one of just three losses during this stretch. This Nebraska run produced the 19th longest winning streak in NCAA history with 26 straight wins from 1994-96.

3. Miami Hurricanes (1986-1992): 78-6

On the heels of Howard Schnellenberger’s 1983 championship, Miami returned to the promised land under Jimmy Johnson in 1987 and Dennis Erickson in 1989 and '91. Over this seven-year span, the Canes lost less than one game per season, moved into the Big East and won two Heisman Trophies with Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992). The 29-game winning streak that was snapped by Alabama in what was Miami’s fifth national title game appearance in seven years is the 13th longest streak in NCAA history. From 1983-92, Miami posted a record of 107-14.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide (2008-Present): 61-7

There is more than one dynasty in Crimson Tide history, but it’s tough to argue that Saban’s run isn’t the most impressive. After nearly 20 years without a title and against the most ruthless conference ever built, Alabama claimed the national championship and the school’s first-ever Heisman Trophy in 2009. The undefeated ’09 team is arguably the most talented Alabama team ever constructed. Then, after a 10-3 year in 2010, the defense and quarterback A.J. McCarron have dominated college football’s biggest stage with a combined 63-14 drubbing of LSU and Notre Dame in the past two BCS National Championship Games. A narrow loss in the 2008 SEC title game to Tim Tebow and Florida after a 12-0 regular season is the only thing keeping Alabama from going for its fifth title in six years. The most interesting tidbit about this five-year dynasty? Alabama has won more national championships (3) than SEC titles (2).

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1941-1949): 75-7-6

Led by the great Frank Leahy — who took a two-year leave to serve in the U.S. military — Notre Dame won four national championships (1943, '46, '47, '49) and posted five unbeaten seasons during this remarkable nine-year window. From 1946-49, Notre Dame didn’t lose a game and only tied twice — costing the Irish a fifth national title in 1948. Leahy coached three Heisman Trophy winners in Angelo Bertelli, Johnny Lujack and Leon Hart during this dynasty.

FSU should be higher IMO and should have started in 1987 and not 1992. Solid list overall though. I always wonder how our all-time championships and win totals would have been if we didn't play NU and OU (up until 1997) every year.

 

[leftybuff]

In before BC points out Bama is on the list thrice....

 

[Mick Ronson]

kinda hurting a bit to round out the 25....an excellent 3 or 4 year run is not really a dynasty imo. Mac from 88-94 impresses me more than Vince Dooley's 4 best streak at UGA or Neb's 3 years at the end of the Devaney era. at the very least, it shows a sustained program (which, admittedly, Devaney had...in the 60's and you have shoehorn in the 71 team i guess)....more than a nice few recruiting classes and things going good.

heck, for a dynasty i don't think you can bookend the definition with one Senior class. it's got to be sustained.

 

[Bama Charlie]

CHS was a disciple of CPB and his transformation of UM is most impressive. He was thought to be the pick to replace CPB at UA instead of CRP. SIAP but I hate ND.

 

[whatthebuff]

CHS was a disciple of CPB and his transformation of UM is most impressive. He was thought to be the pick to replace CPB at UA instead of CRP. SIAP but I hate ND.

Roger Roger, whats our vector Victor?

 

[SINKRATZ]

Boise, Va Tech, and TCU as Best of the Rest are a joke. Seems like you probably need to win at least ONE national championship to be considered a dynasty.

 

[BuffNut99]

If CU were at all relevant today, our 88-96 run would be at least in the honorable mention category.

 

[Quattro]

If CU were at all relevant today, our 88-96 run would be at least in the honorable mention category.

Agreed, although it really shouldn't matter

 

[jpbuff]

If CU were at all relevant today, our 88-96 run would be at least in the honorable mention category.

Just did a quick look at 87-96. We were 93-22-5. Not a bad run with NC in the middle.

In addition our non-conf. schedule was kick ass back then.


Boy do I miss the good old days.