Editor’s word: All week, The Athletic is wanting again at one of the best of the primary 25 years of the 2000s in school soccer. Verify again for the highest 25 gamers, coaches, video games and applications.
When our editors started doling out assignments for our greatest of the 2000s in school soccer sequence, I raised my hand to do the 25 finest groups.
Then I instantly regretted it.
It isn’t straightforward to match squads that competed 20 or extra years aside, some that performed 15 video games, others that performed 12. Some have been dominant however performed gentle schedules. Others have been much less gifted however beat a gauntlet of robust opponents.
The principle components I regarded for have been:
Season-long dominance (utilizing common scoring margin)
Large wins (utilizing end-of-season AP ballot rankings)
Schedule power (utilizing School Soccer Reference’s rankings)
Elite expertise (utilizing NFL Draft numbers over a three-year span)
No dangerous losses (both a blowout, or to a mediocre opponent)
The groups on the high of the listing checked each field. The groups additional down have been superb however lacking one or two of these standards.
Whereas the overwhelming majority of those groups received a nationwide championship, a number of didn’t, nor did each champ make the minimize (together with reigning champ Ohio State, which misplaced twice). There are even a few circumstances the place a crew that misplaced its final sport is larger than the crew that received it.
I’m positive you’ll agree with all of it.
25. 2006 Florida (13-1)
AP All-Individuals: LB Brandon Siler, CB Ryan Smith, S Reggie Nelson
Signature wins: No. 2 Ohio State (41-14 in BCS championship), No. 3 LSU (23-10), No. 15 Arkansas (38-28), No. 23 Georgia (21-14,) at No. 25 Tennessee (21-20)
Loss: at No. 9 Auburn (27-17)
City Meyer’s first nationwide title crew wasn’t overpowering through the common season, then exploded when it mattered most. Freshman receiver Percy Harvin broke open the SEC title sport towards then-No. 8 Arkansas with a 67-yard landing run. And defensive ends Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey led an unbelievable efficiency towards season-long No. 1 Ohio State, holding Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and the Buckeyes to 82 whole yards.
24. 2014 Ohio State (14-1)
AP All-Individuals: QB J.T. Barrett, DE Joey Bosa, DT Michael Bennett
Signature wins: No. 2 Oregon (42-20 in CFP championship), No. 4 Alabama (42-35 in CFP semifinal), at No. 5 Michigan State (49-37), No. 13 Wisconsin (59-0)
Loss: Virginia Tech (35-21)
With Cardale Jones changing the injured Barrett at quarterback, working again Ezekiel Elliott went off for 3 consecutive 200-yard video games to rout Wisconsin within the Large Ten title sport, upset Alabama within the Sugar Bowl and humble Marcus Mariota’s Geese to win the primary School Soccer Playoff nationwide championship.
Should you judged this crew solely by the postseason, it might be a lot larger. When it comes to total resume, the Buckeyes are downgraded for that Week 2 upset by Virginia Tech, which completed 7-6 — making it the worst loss by any crew on this listing.
23. 2016 Clemson (14-1)
AP All-Individuals: QB Deshaun Watson, DT Carlos Watkins, DT Christian Wilkins, LB Ben Boulware, CB Cordrea Tankersley
Signature wins: No. 2 Alabama (35-31 in CFP championship), No. 6 Ohio State (31-0 in CFP semifinal), at No. 8 Florida State (37-34), No. 16 Virginia Tech (42-35), No. 21 Louisville (42-36), at No. 24 Auburn (19-13)
Loss: Pittsburgh (43-42)
A final-second discipline objective by Pitt (8-5) to win at Loss of life Valley marred an in any other case spectacular season wherein Watson outdueled Louisville star Lamar Jackson, threw a last-minute landing to win at Florida State and hit Hunter Renfrow with one second left within the nationwide championship to snap Alabama’s 26-game profitable streak. Oh, and the Tigers protection shut out then-No. 3 Ohio State in a semifinal blowout.
However that darn Pitt loss.
22. 2010 Auburn (14-0)
AP All-Individuals: QB Cam Newton, T Lee Ziemba, C Ryan Pugh, DT Nick Fairley
Signature wins: No. 3 Oregon (22-19 in BCS championship), No. 8 LSU (24-17), at No. 10 Alabama (28-27), No. 12 Arkansas (65-43), at No. 15 Mississippi State (17-14), No. 22 South Carolina (35-27), No. 22 South Carolina (56-17)
Auburn was a modestly gifted crew with simply six draft picks over the subsequent three years. It had the third-lowest common level differential amongst nationwide champions (17.1) within the 2000s. However the Tigers deserve credit score for ending with seven wins towards the ultimate Prime 25, tied with 2019 LSU and 2022 Georgia for probably the most this century.
They ran the desk due to an otherworldly season from Newton, a future No. 1 choose who completed with 2,854 yards passing, 1,473 speeding yards and 50 mixed TDs to win the Heisman. He willed his crew to massive win after massive win, most famously a comeback from down 24-0 within the Iron Bowl.
21. 2004 Auburn (13-0)
AP All-Individuals: RB Carnell Williams, T Marcus McNeill, CB Carlos Rogers, S Junior Rosegreen
Signature wins: No. 7 Georgia (24-6), No. 10 Virginia Tech (16-13 in Sugar Bowl), at No. 13 Tennessee (34-10), No. 13 Tennessee (38-28 in SEC championship), No. 16 LSU (10-9)
I give the 2004 Auburn crew a slight edge over 2010 Auburn as a result of it had extra high-end expertise — 5 first-round picks, together with QB Jason Campbell, RBs Williams and Ronnie Brown and Rogers — and its personal share of huge wins. It’s not the Tigers’ fault that the BCS had room for under two groups and USC and Oklahoma went undefeated as nicely.
USC, which is way larger on this listing, made a closing assertion by hanging 55 factors on Oklahoma within the BCS Championship Sport, whereas Auburn didn’t beat Virginia Tech convincingly sufficient to win over AP voters.
And sure, girls and boys, that’s actually how school soccer labored for the primary half of this century.
Oklahoma surged to the 2000 nationwide title following six consecutive unranked finishes. (Andy Lyons / Getty Photos)
20. 2000 Oklahoma (13-0)
AP All-Individuals: QB Josh Heupel, LB Rocky Calmus, LB Torrance Marshall, S J.T. Thatcher
Signature wins: No. 5 Florida State (13-2 in BCS championship), No. 8 Nebraska (31-14), at No. 9 Kansas State (41-31), No. 9 Kansas State (27-24 in Large 12 championship), No. 12 Texas (63-14)
Like 2010 Auburn, this crew didn’t match the mildew of a nationwide champion, producing simply six draft picks, although one was future Professional Bowl security Roy Williams. However credit score the place credit score’s due: After beginning ranked nineteenth, Bob Stoops’ Sooners beat three consecutive top-10 foes in October, together with then-No. 1 Nebraska. A banged-up Heupel, the Heisman runner-up, struggled down the stretch, however the protection shut out an explosive Florida State offense led by Heisman winner Chris Weinke within the Orange Bowl.
19. 2002 Ohio State (14-0)
AP All-Individuals: WR/CB Chris Gamble, LB Matt Wilhelm, S Mike Doss, Okay Mike Nugent, P Andy Groom
Signature wins: No. 2 Miami (31-24 2OT in BCS championship), No. 9 Michigan (14-9), No. 10 Washington State (25-7), No. 16 Penn State (13-7)
The Buckeyes, led by freshman working again Maurice Clarett, two-way star Gamble, Doss and defensive finish Will Smith, endured a whole lot of mockery on the time for Jim Tressel’s uber-conservative offense. They completed forty first in scoring, and half of their Large Ten wins got here by 5 or fewer factors whereas scoring fewer than 20.
However then they ended Miami’s 34-game profitable streak in a traditional title sport on the Fiesta Bowl. (Sure, a controversial name helped.) OSU gained much more respect in 2004 when it produced a then-NFL document 14 draft picks (together with three first-rounders).
18. 2015 Alabama (14-1)
AP All-Individuals: RB Derrick Henry, C Ryan Kelly, DT A’Shawn Robinson, LB Reggie Ragland, S Eddie Jackson
Signature wins: No. 2 Clemson (45-40 in CFP championship), No. 6 Michigan State (38-0 in CFP semifinal), No. 16 LSU (30-16), No. 21 Wisconsin (35-17), No. 22 Tennessee (19-14), No. 25 Florida (29-15 in SEC championship)
Loss: No. 10 Ole Miss (43-37)
That is the primary of six appearances by Nick Saban Alabama groups — although his 2017 nationwide championship crew, which misplaced by double digits to Auburn, will not be one among them.
The Tide’s second loss in a row to Ole Miss in Week 3 briefly despatched followers panicking. However two weeks later, the Tide pummeled then-No. 8 Georgia in Athens. With Jake Coker — who went undrafted — at quarterback, the offense revolved totally round Heisman-winning workhorse Henry (2,219 yards, 28 TDs), although tight finish O.J. Howard’s profession night time (5 catches, 208 yards) helped Bama survive practically 500 yards from Clemson’s Watson in a nationwide championship shootout.
17. 2008 Florida (13-1)
AP All-Individuals: QB Tim Tebow, LB Brandon Spikes, AP Percy Harvin
Signature wins: No. 5 Oklahoma (24-14 in BCS championship), No. 6 Alabama (31-20 in SEC championship), No. 13 Georgia (49-10), at No. 21 Florida State (45-15)
Loss: No. 14 Ole Miss (31-30)
After stumbling towards Ole Miss within the fourth sport, reigning Heisman winner Tebow made an inspirational speech at his information convention that wound up on a plaque after the Gators delivered City Meyer’s second nationwide title. Tebow led the nation in go effectivity, Harvin was electrical with massive performs and the protection, led by Spikes, cornerback Joe Haden and defensive finish Carlos Dunlap, held an Oklahoma crew averaging 54 factors per sport to only 14 within the BCS title sport.
16. 2011 Alabama (12-1)
AP All-Individuals: RB Trent Richardson, T Barrett Jones, LB Don’ta Hightower, LB Courtney Upshaw, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, S Mark Barron
Signature wins: No. 2 LSU (21-0 in BCS championship), No. 5 Arkansas (38-14)
Loss: No. 2 LSU (9-6)
The 2011 Tide have been loathed nationally for getting a BCS title rematch with LSU following the groups’ ugly 9-6 additional time sport within the common season. However Bama beat its foes by a median of 26.7 factors behind a ridiculous protection that allowed 8.2 factors per sport — the fewest by any crew since 1988. That unit had 14 starters/key contributors get drafted, six of them within the first spherical. LSU averaged 40.9 factors towards everybody else however couldn’t attain the tip zone in two video games towards Alabama.
15. 2012 Alabama (14-1)
AP All-Individuals: QB AJ McCarron, T D.J. Fluker, G Probability Warmack, C Barrett Jones, LB C.J. Mosley, CB Dee Milliner
Signature wins: No. 4 Notre Dame (42-14 in BCS championship), No. 5 Georgia 32-28 (in SEC championship), at No. 14 LSU (21-17), No. 24 Michigan (41-14)
Loss: No. 6 Texas A&M (29-24)
The 2012 Tide get a slight nod over 2011 because of a extra explosive offense.
Alabama bookended its season by destroying Michigan in Texas and humiliating Brian Kelly’s undefeated Irish, nevertheless it took late-season losses by undefeated Oregon and Kansas State to sneak again into the BCS image after falling at house to Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M. The underappreciated McCarron unexpectedly grew to become the nation’s top-rated passer, whereas Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon ran for 1,000 yards every en path to the Crimson Tide’s third nationwide title in 4 seasons.
14. 2019 Ohio State (13-1)
AP All-Individuals: QB Justin Fields, RB J.Okay. Dobbins, G Jonah Jackson, G Wyatt Davis, DE Chase Younger, LB Malik Harrison, CB Jeff Okudah
Signature wins: No. 9 Penn State (28-17), No. 11 Wisconsin (38-7), No. 11 Wisconsin (34-21 in Large Ten championship), at No. 18 Michigan (56-27), No. 21 Cincinnati (42-0)
Loss: No. 2 Clemson (29-23 in CFP semifinal)
Name me loopy, however I consider this squad, regardless of shedding within the CFP semifinals, to be higher than any of Ohio State’s three nationwide title groups this century.
Ryan Day’s first OSU crew was a beast. The Buckeyes averaged a 33.1-point scoring margin towards the fourth-toughest schedule on this listing. Younger had 16.5 sacks, Dobbins ran for two,003 yards and Fields threw 41 TDs towards simply three picks. Sadly for him, a type of three was in the long run zone within the last seconds of a CFP loss to Clemson.
That Clemson crew didn’t make the minimize for these rankings because of the truth it confronted zero groups within the common season that completed within the Prime 25.
13. 2005 USC (12-1)
AP All-Individuals: QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush, RB LenDale White, WR Dwayne Jarrett, OT Deuce Lutui, OT Sam Baker, S Darnell Bing
Signature wins: at No. 9 Notre Dame (34-31), at No. 12 Oregon (45-13), No. 16 UCLA (66-19), at No. 25 Cal (35-10)
Loss: No. 1 Texas (41-38 in BCS championship)
ESPN aired a week-long sequence over the vacations debating whether or not this USC crew, after sharing the nationwide title in 2003 and profitable the BCS in 2004, was the best of all time — which proved regrettably untimely. Heisman winner Bush produced a profession’s value of highlights in a single season, to not point out the traditional Bush Push of Leinart to win at Notre Dame, however Pete Carroll’s 2005 crew lacked an elite protection prefer it had the 2 prior seasons and at last paid the value for it towards Vince Younger and Texas.
Heisman winner Jameis Winston and Florida State scored 51.6 factors per sport in 2013. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Photos)
12. 2013 Florida State (14-0)
AP All-Individuals: QB Jameis Winston, T Cameron Irving, C Bryan Stork, DT Timmy Jernigan, CB Lamarcus Joyner, Okay Roberto Aguayo
Signature wins: No. 2 Auburn (34-31 in BCS championship), at No. 8 Clemson (51-14), No. 23 Duke (45-7 in ACC championship)
I went into this train considering the 2013 Noles could be a no brainer top-10 crew, however then I took a more in-depth take a look at their resume. Whereas FSU demolished its opponents by 39.5 factors per sport — simply the very best of any crew this century (next-closest: 2001 Miami at 33.8) — it performed by far the best schedule of anybody on this listing (No. 59 that season). However Heisman winner Winston was phenomenal, and the rout at Clemson was a jaw-dropper.
11. 2023 Michigan (15-0)
AP All-Individuals: RB Blake Corum, G Zak Zinter, DT Kris Jenkins
Signature wins: No. 2 Washington (34-13 in CFP championship), No. 5 Alabama (27-20 OT in CFP semifinal), No. 10 Ohio State (30-24), at No. 13 Penn State (24-15), No. 24 Iowa (26-0 in Large Ten championship)
Some might contend Jim Harbaugh’s crew must be disqualified due to the Connor Stalions investigation, however the Wolverines are right here for what they did on the sector. Whereas missing in star energy, that crew has already produced 20 draft picks (together with 4 first-rounders) in two years and it allowed simply 10.4 factors per sport. Over its final 4 video games, Michigan beat an 11-0 Ohio State crew, bounced Saban’s final Alabama crew and shut down Washington star Michael Penix Jr. within the nationwide championship.
10. 2000 Miami (11-1)
AP All-Individuals: T Joaquin Gonzalez, AP Santana Moss, LB Dan Morgan, S Ed Reed
Signature wins: No. 5 Florida State (27-24), No. 6 Virginia Tech (41-21), No. 10 Florida (37-20 in Sugar Bowl)
Loss: at No. 15 Washington (34-29)
After Butch Davis spent 5 seasons constructing Miami again from NCAA sanctions, the Canes introduced their return by beautiful then-No. 1 Florida State within the sport that grew to become generally known as “Large Proper III” when the Seminoles missed a decisive late kick to the correct towards their rivals for the third time in a decade.
Miami trucked its final six opponents, however a 34-29 Week 2 loss at Washington, which additionally completed 11-1, value Miami a shot on the BCS title. Morgan, receivers Moss and Reggie Wayne and defensive deal with Damione Lewis have been drafted within the first spherical that spring. Hold studying to see what occurred subsequent.
9. 2009 Alabama (14-0)
AP All-Individuals: RB Mark Ingram, G Mike Johnson, DT Terrence Cody, LB Rolando McClain, CB Javier Arenas, S Mark Barron, Okay Leigh Tiffin
Signature wins: No. 2 Texas (37-21 in BCS championship), No. 3 Florida (32-13 in SEC championship), No. 10 Virginia Tech (34-24), No. 17 LSU (24-15), at No. 20 Ole Miss (22-3)
Saban’s first nationwide championship crew at Alabama snuck up on of us, till the Tide throttled Tebow’s final Florida crew in a changing-of-the-guard second within the SEC. Heisman winner Ingram led a ground-and-pound offense, whereas McClain and large defensive deal with Cody — who blocked a last-second discipline objective to outlive Lane Kiffin-led Tennessee — grew to become the faces of a protection that allowed simply 11.7 factors per sport.
Saban received seven nationwide championships, however this was one among solely two to do it whereas going undefeated.
8. 2016 Alabama (14-1)
AP All-Individuals: TE O.J. Howard, T Cam Robinson, DE Jonathan Allen, LB Reuben Foster, Tim Williams, DB Minkah Fitzpatrick
Signature wins: No. 3 USC (52-6), No. 4 Washington (24-7 in CFP semifinal), at No. 13 LSU (10-0), No. 14 Florida (54-16 in SEC championship), No. 22 Tennessee (49-10), No. 24 Auburn (30-12)
Loss: No. 1 Clemson (35-31 in CFP championship)
Had the Tide held on towards Clemson for one second longer, this is able to doubtless go down as Saban’s finest Alabama crew. Watson and Renfrow spoiled that (and Kiffin getting fired because the OC earlier than the sport didn’t assist). As it’s, I’ve them second highest, even with out hoisting one among his six title trophies.
This was a completely terrifying crew for 14 video games (ask USC, Florida and Tennessee). It scored a ridiculous 15 defensive and particular groups touchdowns and produced 33 draft picks, probably the most of any crew on this listing. That features 11 first-rounders, plus then-freshman beginning quarterback Jalen Hurts.
7. 2022 Georgia (15-0)
AP All-Individuals: TE Brock Bowers, DT Jalen Carter, LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, DB Christopher Smith
Signature wins: No. 2 TCU (65-7 within the CFP championship), No. 4 Ohio State (42-41 within the CFP semifinal), No. 6 Tennessee (27-13), No. 15 Oregon (49-3), No. 16 LSU (50-30 in SEC championship), at No. 20 Mississippi State (45-19), at No. 23 South Carolina (48-7)
Georgia’s 2021 title crew earned extra respect on the time because of its star-studded protection, however that crew received blown out by Alabama within the SEC Championship Sport. Kirby Sensible’s 2022 squad, which produced eight first-round picks, not solely didn’t lose, but additionally bookended its season by humiliating each Oregon and TCU. Quarterback Stetson Bennett, Bowers and vast receiver Ladd McConkey led an offense that averaged 41.1 factors per sport.
The 58-point nationwide title win towards TCU is the biggest ever towards an opponent ranked within the high three of the AP ballot on the time of the sport.
6. 2018 Clemson (15-0)
AP All-Individuals: T Mitch Hyatt, DT Christian Wilkins, DE Clelin Ferrell
Signature wins: No. 2 Alabama (44-16 in CFP championship), No. 5 Notre Dame (30-3 in CFP semifinal), No. 15 Syracuse (27-23), at No. 16 Texas A&M (28-26)
That modest listing of All-Individuals is deceiving; Clemson’s offense boasted then-freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence, working again Travis Etienne and vast receivers Tee Higgins and Renfrow. The D-line included three future first-rounders in Wilkins, Ferrell and defensive deal with Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence started the season as a backup and ended it shredding a 14-0 Alabama crew by 28 factors — only a week after beating 12-0 Notre Dame 30-3.
Matt Leinart, Pete Carroll and USC had a 34-game profitable streak from 2003-05. (Brian Bahr / Getty Photos)
5. 2004 USC (13-0)
AP All-Individuals: QB Matt Leinart, DT Shaun Cody, LB Matt Grootegoed, AP Reggie Bush
Signature wins: No. 3 Oklahoma (55-19 in BCS championship), No. 9 Cal (23-17), No. 10 Virginia Tech (24-13), No. 19 Arizona State (45-7)
This stays the final crew to go wire-to-wire at No. 1 within the AP ballot. Leinart and Bush have been the Trojans’ undisputed stars, however defensive tackles Cody and Mike Patterson led a dominant protection that held foes to 82 speeding yards per sport. USC endured scares, holding off Aaron Rodgers-led Cal on a goal-line stand, and surviving at Oregon State due to Bush’s 65-yard punt return. But it surely capped the season by thumping 12-0 Oklahoma in probably the most lopsided nationwide title video games ever.
4. 2020 Alabama (13-0)
AP All-Individuals: QB Mac Jones, RB Najee Harris, WR DeVonta Smith, C Landon Dickerson, T Alex Leatherwood, DT Christian Barmore, LB Dylan Moses, CB Patrick Surtain II
Signature wins: No. 2 Ohio State (52-24 in CFP championship), No. 4 Texas A&M (52-24), No. 5 Notre Dame (31-14 in CFP semifinal), No. 7 Georgia (41-24), No. 13 Florida (52-46 in SEC championship)
Essentially the most dominant crew of the Saban period did its injury towards a pandemic-modified schedule comprised totally of Energy 5 foes. Jones set the FBS document for go effectivity (since damaged), finishing 77.4 p.c of his passes for 41 touchdowns and simply 4 interceptions, whereas Heisman winner Smith produced arguably the best receiving season within the historical past of the game with 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 TDs. Alabama beat 4 of the ultimate high seven by a median of twenty-two.5 factors, went 11-0 towards the SEC and beat each crew however Florida by no less than 15 factors.
3. 2005 Texas (13-0)
AP All-Individuals: QB Vince Younger, LT Jonathan Scott, RT Justin Blalock, G Will Allen, DT Rodrique White, LB Aaron Harris, S Michael Huff
Signature wins: No. 2 USC (41-38 in BCS championship), at No. 4 Ohio State (25-22), No. 20 Texas Tech (52-17), No. 22 Oklahoma (45-12)
Regardless of averaging 50.2 factors per sport, Texas was overshadowed by the extra glamorous Leinart-Bush USC crew — till the Longhorns upset the Trojans in Pasadena. Heisman runner-up Younger, who in September threw a game-winning landing at Ohio State, threw for 267 yards, ran for 200 and cruised to a last-minute landing run on fourth-and-5 to finish the Trojans’ 34-game profitable streak.
Texas received 13 video games by a median of 33.8 factors, together with a 70-3 win towards Colorado for the Large 12 title — probably the most lopsided convention championship sport ever.
2. 2019 LSU (15-0)
Consensus All-Individuals: QB Joe Burrow, WR Ja’Marr Chase, S Grant Delpit, CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Signature wins: No. 2 Clemson (42-25 in CFP championship), No. 4 Georgia (37-10 in SEC championship), No. 6 Florida (42-28), No. 7 Oklahoma (63-28 in CFP semifinal), at No. 8 Alabama (46-41), No. 14 Auburn (23-20), at No. 25 Texas (45-38)
Enjoying the nation’s sixth-toughest schedule, the Tigers had solely two video games nonetheless doubtful within the final two minutes. Heisman winner Burrow led probably the most harmful offenses of all time, with a receiving corps that included future All-Execs Chase and Justin Jefferson. They have been simply two of 30 eventual NFL draftees. The Tigers protection wasn’t elite (No. 31 in factors allowed), nevertheless it didn’t must be.
LSU is the one crew in school soccer historical past to beat 5 of the ultimate high eight groups within the AP ballot — and it averaged 46 factors in these 5 video games.
1. 2001 Miami (12-0)
AP All-Individuals: QB Ken Dorsey, RB Clinton Portis, TE Jeremy Shockey, OT Bryant McKinnie, G Martin Bibla, DE Jerome McDougle, DT William Joseph, CB Phillip Buchanon, S Ed Reed, Okay Todd Sievers
Signature wins: No. 8 Nebraska (37-14 in BCS championship sport), No. 14 Syracuse (59-0), at No. 15 Florida State (49-27), at No. 18 Virginia Tech (26-24), No. 19 Washington (65-7), at No. 21 Boston School (18-7)
The 2001 Hurricanes, who hammered their foes by a median of 43-9, are universally acknowledged as top-of-the-line of all time. I did strongly contemplate 2019 LSU right here, as a result of it performed a a lot more durable schedule. However Miami nonetheless beat six groups ranked within the last Prime 25 and received out due to its stingier protection (9.4 factors per sport, one among solely three groups within the 2000s within the single digits) and ridiculous wealth of expertise — 15 future first-round picks and 9 future All-Execs, together with Corridor of Famers Reed and WR Andre Johnson, over the subsequent three drafts.
Dorsey completed third within the Heisman vote and had a backfield that includes Portis, Willis McGahee, Frank Gore and Najeh Davenport, whereas throwing to Johnson and Shockey and getting protected by McKinnie, who completed eighth within the Heisman vote.
Simply missed the minimize: 2008 USC (12-1), 2015 Clemson (14-1), 2002 Miami (12-1), 2019 Clemson (14-1), 2012 Oregon (12-1)
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Tom Pennington, Chris Trotman, Andy Lyons/Allsport, Mike Zarrilli / Getty Photos)
