The Top 60
Posted 12-16-2016 at 07:18 AM by chadgates
60) Arkansas State Red Wolves (SUN) (91-93) – After going 10 straight years without a winning season (they did go 6-6 three times) the Red Wolves are currently on a streak of 5 winning seasons in a row. Like their conference foe, Troy, they have earned at least a share of the Sunbelt title 5 times. They are 2-4 in bowl games but do have one edge over Troy, and that is two 10-win seasons, which came back-to-back in 2011-12.
59) North Carolina State Wolfpack (ACC) (99-89) – 9 winning seasons including 2002 when they posted an 11-3 mark. They have only won less than 5 twice and are a respectable 6-4 in their 10 bowl appearances.
58) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (B1G) (95-91) – The Scarlet Knights have 8 winning seasons and 7 losing seasons. In 2002 they lost 11 and in 2006 they won 11. Since that 2002 season they have not won any less than 4 games in a season, their move to the B1G in 2014 seems to have been pretty tough on them however. They did win a share of the Big East title once, and are an impressive 6-3 in their bowl games.
57) Nevada Wolf Pack (MWC) (102-87) – A little surprising to me that Nevada would end up being the higher rated Wolf Pack. They have had 9 winning seasons including a 13-1 campaign in 2010. They’ve won two WAC championships, and their worst season was only 3-8 back in 2001. Nevada has struggled mightily in their bowls however, winning only 3 out of 10.
56) Oregon State Beavers (PAC) (100-87) – The Beavers have 9 winning and 6 losing seasons. They won 10 in 2006 and lost 10 in 2015 and they carry a 6-3 bowl record.
T53) Baylor Bears (Big12) (89-94) – Another team that has made great strides since my first ranking in 2010, in fact, they are the biggest mover of all. The Bears were ranked 107th back then, and had just managed their first winning season. In the five seasons since they have posted 4 seasons of 10 wins or more and won at least a share of two Big12 championships. They did go to two BCS bowls, the Fiesta in 2013 and the Cotton in 2014 but lost both. In non-BCS bowls they hold a 3-1 record. No other team with 9 losing seasons is ranked even close to Baylor, and in fact, all 54 teams in front of them have no more than 7 losing seasons.
T53) Central Florida Knights (AAC) (97-91) – 9 winning seasons and 6 losing seasons, the Knights are the 2nd of only two teams to have had more than one 0-win season, the first was 115th ranked Duke. UCF also have put together 4 seasons of 10 or more wins, including 2013, when they went 12-1 and earned a trip to the Fiesta. In that, their only BCS bowl, they beat one of the teams they are tied with (Baylor) by 10. UCF is only the second team to appear on the list that has won a BCS bowl game. In non-BCS bowls they are a paltry 2-4.
T53) California Golden Bears (PAC) (97-90) – Cal has 10 winning seasons and only 5 losing seasons, with two of each, 10-loss and 10-win seasons. One of their 10 win seasons was good enough to capture a share of the PAC championship, and have won 6 of their 9 bowl games.
52) Maryland Terrapins (B1G) (98-89) – The Terrapins only have 8 winning seasons vs. 7 losing seasons, losing 10 twice (2009 and 2011). At the beginning of the millennium Maryland was very good, winning 10 or more three times in a row. One of those seasons (2001) even earned an Orange Bowl bid as the ACC champs, where the Florida Gators handed them a 56-23 beat down. They have gone 5-3 in their 8 non-BCS bowl games.
51) Hawai’i Warriors (MWC) (104-92) – The Warriors are split 7/7 with one .500 season. During the first 10 years, they had four 10-win seasons, including a 12-1 season where they made their one BCS bowl, getting shellacked in the Sugar Bowl by Georgia 41-10. These last 5 years, however have been hard times for Hawai’i, who haven’t had a winning season since 2010, and in fact, they’ve lost 10 twice. They do claim two conference titles, and have gone 3-3 in their other bowls.
50) Ole Miss Rebels (SEC) (96-89) – 9 winning seasons vs. 6 losing seasons, the Rebels of Ole Miss lost 10 in 2011, and have had two 10-win seasons (2003 and 2015). They have made a New Years Day six bowl the last two seasons in a row, losing the Peach and winning the Sugar. They also have the most non-BCS bowl wins without a loss at six.
49) UCLA Bruins (PAC) (108-83) – The Bruins have 9 winning and 5 losing seasons, and have never finished with less than 4 wins. They have also put together three 10-win seasons, most recently back-to-back in 2013-14. They are the first team to appear on the list with 12 bowl appearances, but have only won 5 of those 12.
48) Texas A&M Aggies (SEC) (108-80) – The Aggies have 10 winning seasons and only 4 losing seasons. In 2012, their first in the SEC, they went 11-2. Like the Bruins, they have not yet had less than 4 wins in a season. In bowl games A&M has a 5-6 record.
47) Arizona State Sun Devils (PAC) (105-84) – The Sun Devils have had 6 losing seasons to go along with their 8 winning seasons. Three times they’ve won 10, including 2007 when they also won a share of the PAC title. Arizona St. has won only 4 of their 10 bowl games.
46) Arkansas Razorbacks (SEC) (108-81) – The Razorbacks have had only 5 losing seasons paired with 10 winning seasons. They’ve won 10 twice and in 2011 they won 11. Their two worst seasons (4-8, and 3-9) came back-to-back in 2012-13, but since then they have not had a losing season. They did play in the Sugar Bowl in 2011 and lost by 5 to Ohio St. This marked the first time the Buckeyes had beaten an SEC team in a bowl game. Arkansas has a 5-4 non-BCS record.
45) Houston Cougars (AAC) (109-82) – This team went 0-11 in 2001, but since then have won less than 5 only once, and have had 4 seasons with 10 or more wins, twice going 13-1. Their last 13-1 season was just last year and they were rewarded with a Peach Bowl bid and beat Florida State by two touchdowns. They have won two conference titles, but are 3-6 in their non-BCS bowl games.
44) Navy Midshipmen (AAC) (113-76) – Just like Houston, Navy did not win a single game in 2001, and followed that up with a 2-10 season. Since those back-to-back 10-loss debacles, Navy has had only one losing season and have won 10 or more 3 times. They have gone 6-6 in their twelve bowl games and are the first team on the list to have lost less than 80 games or win more than 110.
43) Tennessee Volunteers (SEC) (112-78) – Tennessee had four 10-win seasons through 2007 and haven’t had another since. They have never won less than 5 games in a season and have split their bowl appearances going 5-5.
T41) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (ACC) (114-82) – The Yellow Jackets are the first team to appear with less than 3 losing seasons (they have had 2). Last season they went 3-9, which marked the first time they had failed to reach at least 6 wins in a season. They have two seasons of 10 or more wins, going 11-3 twice, both times earning them a trip to Orange Bowl where they won once and lost once. They have one ACC title and have gone 4-8 in their other 12 bowls. Georgia Tech is the first team on the list to have played in a bowl in all but one season.
T41) Bowling Green Falcons (MAC) (111-78) – The Falcons have had 11 winning seasons and only 3 losing seasons, but did lose 10 in 2010. They have won 10 or more 3 times including 2 of the last three seasons. They can claim 2 MAC titles, and have gone 3-5 in their 8 bowls.
40) Pittsburgh Panthers (ACC) (108-81) – The Panthers have had 9 winning seasons, including a 10-win season in 2009, and 5 losing seasons. They’ve won at least a share of 2 Big East titles and in 2004 went to the Fiesta Bowl, where an unbeaten Utah team took care of them easily 35-7. In their 11 non-BCS bowls they have gone 5-6.
39) Fresno State Bulldogs (MWC) (115-76) – Fresno State has had 11 winning seasons compared to only four losing seasons, but they’ve just had back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 2014-15. They are the first team to appear on the list with a winning % above .600. The Bulldogs have had two 11-win seasons, their last coming as recently as 2013. They have 2 WAC titles to their credit but have only won 4 of 11 bowl games.
38) Boston College Eagles (ACC) (111-80) – The Eagles have had only 3 losing seasons, all of them coming since 2010, and one time they lost 10 (2012). They had back-to-back seasons of 10 or more wins (2006-7), a conference title, and won 7 bowl games in a row to start the millennium. Since then, however they have lost 5 bowls in a row.
37) South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC) (112-76) – The Gamecocks have 11 winning seasons and only 3 losing seasons. They had not ever won less than 5 games, until last season when they went 3-9. They did put together a streak of three 11-2 seasons from 2011-13. They are 6-4 in bowl games, and are currently on a 4 game win streak in bowl games.
36) Kansas State Wildcats (Big12) (111-78) – Kansas St. has 8 winning seasons and 5 losing seasons. Their worst season was 4-7 in 2004, and they’ve put together back-to-back seasons of 10 or more wins twice (2002-3 & 2011-12). They’ve won the Big12 twice but lost both BCS bowls they went to. In their other 8 bowls, they are a lousy 2-6.
T34) Marshall Thundering Herd (USA) (109-79) – Marshall has had 8 winning seasons and 6 losing seasons. The Thundering Herd are the highest ranked Conference USA member and the first team to appear on the list with 5 seasons of 10 or more wins. They won one MAC championship as well as a Conference USA title and have a very impressive 7-1 bowl record, including a current streak of having won 5 in a row.
T34) Toledo Rockets (MAC) (115-72) – The Rockets have 11 winning seasons, including two10-win campaigns, and only 4 losing seasons which all came between 2006-2009. They have won two MAC championships and have compiled a 5-4 bowl record.
33) Missouri Tigers (SEC) (118-73) – Missouri has 10 winning seasons compared to only 5 losing seasons, winning 10 or more games 5 times. Those 10-win seasons have all come during an eight season span between 2007-2014, and they have never won less than 4. They have won six of the 10 bowl games they’ve played in.
32) Texas Tech Red Raiders (Big12) (118-73) – The Red Raiders are the first team to appear with 13 winning seasons, and are the highest ranked team to have had no more than one 10-win season (they went 11-2 in 2008). The problem with Texas Tech is that those two losing seasons both occurred in the last 5 years. They do not have any other hardware, but do possess a pretty stout 9-4 bowl record.
31) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (IND) (116-72) – The Irish have had 10 winning seasons, including winning 10 or more 4 times. Notre Dame is the first team to appear on the list that has played in more than two BCS bowl games. They’ve been in a total of 4 and have been beaten every single time. This is the worst BCS performance of any school. Only 2 schools have lost more BCS bowl games, but those schools have also won some. In non-BCS bowls they are better, holding a 4-3 record.
30) Nebraska Cornhuskers (B1G) (127-69) – Nebraska is the first team to appear with less than 70 losses and also the first with 120 wins. They have 11 winning seasons, winning 10 or more 5 times, and only 3 losing seasons though they never won fewer than 5 games. They made a Rose Bowl appearance in 2001 and Miami beat them 37-14. In non-BCS bowls they are an even 6-6.
29) Stanford Cardinal (PAC) (108-78) – With only 8 winning seasons vs. 7 losing seasons, the Cardinal are the highest ranked team with less than 10 winning seasons. They are also the first team on the list to have won more than 2 BCS bowls (they’ve won 3). They lost 11 in 2006, but starting in 2010 they have won at least 10 games five of the last 6 seasons and have collected three PAC titles. They’ve been to a total of 5 BCS-bowls and have only lost twice. In non-BCS bowls they are 1-2; which makes them one of only 5 schools to have more BCS-bowl wins than regular bowl wins.
28) Penn State Nittany Lions (B1G) (117-70) – Penn St. has had three losing seasons, but the last one was in 2004. Since then they have rattled off 11 winning seasons in a row and have not won less than 7 in any of those seasons. They’ve won 11 three times (2005, 2008 & 2009). They have two conference championships and have appeared in two BCS bowls splitting them. In non-BCS bowls they are .500 as well sporting a 4-4 record.
27) Northern Illinois Huskies (MAC) (127-67) – The highest rated MAC team, the Huskies have only 2 losing seasons (back-to-back in 2007-8) and in ’07 they lost 10. They are the highest ranked team to have had a 10-loss season. They are also the first team on the list to have more than five 10-win seasons (they have 6). Northern Illinois has won 3 MAC titles and even has one BCS appearance to their credit. Florida State routed them pretty badly 31-10 in that 2012 Orange Bowl match-up. In non-BCS bowls they haven’t fared much better, winning only 3 of 9.
26) Oklahoma State Cowboys (Big12) (122-68) – The Cowboys have gone 4-7 twice, and otherwise they have posted at least 7 wins each season. They’ve won at least ten 4 different times, earned one Big12 championship, and have split two BCS bowl berths. In non-BCS bowls they are 6-5.
25) Michigan Wolverines (B1G) (120-69) - Michigan went 3-9 in 2008 and that was their first losing season since 1967. They added two more in 2009 and 2014 but Jim Harbaugh looks to have righted the ship in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have won 10 or more 5 times and have earned two B1G titles. They have been to 4 BCS bowls but have only won 1 of them (2012 Sugar vs. Virginia Tech). In non-BCS bowls they have a 3-5 record with all three victories coming against the Florida Gators.
24) Brigham Young Cougars (IND) (125-66) – The Cougars have 11 winning seasons, including 6 times winning 10 or more. All three of their losing seasons came from 2002-2004. They are the highest ranked team to have never appeared in a BCS bowl and in regular bowls they have posted a 6-6 record. BYU also won 3 Mountain West titles before going independent in 2011.
23) Michigan State Spartans (B1G) (120-72) – Sparty has 10 winning seasons and is the highest ranked team to have 5 losing seasons, partly due to the fact that between 2010 and 2015 they had won 11 or more 5 out of 6 seasons. They have collected three B1G championships and have gone 2-1 in the BCS bowls they’ve played in. In non-BCS bowls they are an awful 2-5.
22) Iowa Hawkeyes (B1G) (123-68) – Iowa is only 1 of 3 teams to have had the same head coach for all 15 seasons (well Georgia had Richt for the first 15, but he’s gone now so…). They’ve done well, having only 2 losing seasons, and of their 12 winning seasons 5 times they’ve won 10 or more. Twice they’ve captured the B1G title and have posted a 1-2 record in BCS bowls. In non-BCS bowls they have split 5 wins and 5 losses.
21) Cincinnati Bearcats (AAC) (120-71) – The highest ranked AAC team has had 11 winning seasons, including five 10-win seasons. They are the first team to appear on the list with more than 5 conference titles, and they are only one of 2 teams on the list to have won a championship in three different conferences (USA in 2002, Big East 4 times, and AAC in 2014). They have played in 2 BCS Bowls but have lost both and have gone 5-5 in their other bowl games. Only one Group of 5 school ranks higher than the Bearcats.
20) Clemson Tigers (ACC) (132-63) – Clemson is the first team on the list to have 130 wins. They are also the first to have winning seasons in all but one year, which was a 6-7 campaign in 2010. Since that season all they have done is win 10 or more games each year and have appeared in 4 BCS bowls splitting them 2-2. In non-BCS bowls they have gone 6-5, and they have 2 ACC titles to their credit.
19) West Virginia Mountaineers (Big12) (124-66) – The Mountaineers have only had one losing season, a 3-8 season in 2001, so they are on a current 14 year streak of winning seasons. They have hit 10 or more wins 4 times, but none since they moved to the Big12 in 2012. They do have 6 Big East conference championships, and are a perfect 3-0 in BCS bowl games. They are one of only three teams to have played in more than 1 BCS bowl and never taken a loss. In non-BCS bowl games they have been far less successful, winning only three of 10.
18) Wisconsin Badgers (B1G) (137-60) – Similar to West VA., the Badgers last had a losing season in 2001 when they went 5-7. They have accumulated seven 10-win seasons, the most we’ve seen by any team to this point, and have won 3 B1G championships. Unlike West VA., they have lost all 3 of their BCS bowls and are 6-5 in non-BCS bowl games.
17) Utah Utes (PAC) (129-58) – Utah is the first team to appear with less than 60 losses, and the first of 10 teams that will appear having had a perfect season. The Utes are actually one of only 4 teams to have two unbeaten seasons and they also won 3 Mountain West titles before moving to the PAC in 2011. Utah has 6 seasons with 10 or more wins and they do have 3 losing seasons, though they’ve never won less than 5 in any given year. Lastly, they are 2-0 in BCS bowls, and have the best non-BCS bowl record at 9-1.
16) Miami, FL Hurricanes (ACC) (124-65) – The Hurricanes have had 12 winning seasons, 3 of them with 10 or more wins, including the 2001 perfect season when they won the first National Championship of the new millennium. They have 3 conference titles from the Big East, but since joining the ACC in 2004, have never even played in the championship game. The Hurricanes are 2-1 in BCS bowls and 2-7 in non-BCS bowls, including a current streak of losing 6 bowl games in a row.
15) Louisville Cardinals (ACC) (128-52) – Louisville is the first team on the list to have a winning percent in the .700s. They have had 12 winning seasons and only 2 losing seasons (back-to-back in 2008-9) as well as 5 seasons of 10 wins or better. They have a total of 5 conference championships, 2 from Conference USA and 3 from the Big East. They are 2-0 in BCS bowls, and 5-5 in regular bowls.
14) Virginia Tech Hokies (ACC) (128-60) – The Hokies are the first team (and only 1 of 5 teams) to appear on the list without a losing season. In fact, to find Virginia Tech’s last losing season you have to go back to 1992. They’ve had a very impressive total of 9 seasons of 10 or more wins (only six teams have more), but the last one was in 2011. They’ve secured 4 ACC championships, lost 4 out of 5 BCS games and in regular bowls hold a 6-4 record.
13) Georgia Bulldogs (SEC) (146-51) – The first team to eclipse the 140 win mark does so despite the fact that they had a losing season, finishing 6-7 in 2010. They’ve had 10 seasons with 10 or more wins and have captured the SEC crown twice. The Bulldogs have appeared in 3 BCS games, winning two of them and are 8-4 in non-BCS bowls.
12) Auburn Tigers (SEC) (131-62) – Auburn has had 2 losing seasons (2008 and 2012), and have won 10 or more 4 times. Every other team in the top15 have at least 6 seasons of 10-wins, but Auburn does have 2 perfect seasons, including a National Title in 2010. They have 3 SEC championships, are 2-1 in BCS bowls and are 7-3 in non-BCS bowls.
11) Texas Christian Horned Frogs (Big12) (143-46) – The first team to appear on the list with less than 50 losses, the Horned Frogs are the second of 2 teams to be champions of three different conferences (USA in 2002, MWC four times and the Big12 once), and the second of 3 teams to have had the same coach for all 15 seasons. They’ve won 10 or more 10 times and have one perfect season (13-0 in 2010). TCU has gone 2-1 in BCS bowl games and are 7-3 in the non-BCS bowls.
10) Oregon Ducks (PAC) (146-48) – The Ducks 5-6 record in 2004 is there only losing season this millennium. They’ve won 10 or more 9 times and have collected 5 PAC titles. Oregon has appeared in 7 BCS bowls (only three teams have appeared in more), and they won 4 of those. In non-BCS bowls they have a 3-5 record.
09) Texas Longhorns (Big12) (142-51) – Texas has had three losing seasons, unfortunately 2 of those three were back-to-back in their two most recent seasons. They started off with 9 consecutive seasons of 10 or more wins, but haven’t had one since. The Longhorns have won 2 Big12 titles and in 2005 they went 13-0 and won the National Championship. Texas is 3-1 in BCS bowl games and 6-3 in non-BCS bowls.
08) Florida Gators (SEC) (137-57) – The Gators have one losing season (4-8 in 2013) and have 6 seasons of winning 10 or more. They’ve won 2 conference championships, both times going on to win the National Championship (2006 & 2008), which makes them the first team on the list to have won multiple National Titles. Florida has won 4 out of 5 BCS games and in regular bowls they hold a 5-4 record.
07) Florida State Seminoles (ACC) (142-56) – The second team without a losing season (their last one was back in 1976), the Seminoles have had 6 seasons of 10 wins or better and have also won 6 ACC championships. They went 14-0 in 2013 and won the National Championship. While their BCS bowl record is pretty bad (at 2-5 only one team has more losses), their non-BCS bowl record is a very solid 7-1.
06) Boise State Broncos (MWC) (166-30) – Boise St. has the best W/L record of any school since 2000, and in fact only one other school is even close. Their last losing season was 1997 and they’ve won 10 conference titles, which is two more than the next closest school. Not only are they one of only three schools to have more than ten 10-win seasons (they have 11), 8 times they lost one or less, going unbeaten twice. While their non-BCS record is a mediocre 6-5, they are unbeaten in three trips to the Fiesta Bowl.
05) Oklahoma Sooners (Big12) (159-41) – The Sooners are the highest ranked team to not yet have a National Championship. They are the 3rd of three teams to have kept the same coach for all 15 seasons and their last losing season was 1998. They are tied for the most 10-win seasons with 12 and finished with 8 wins the three seasons they failed to hit 10. They have appeared in 9 BCS bowls; which is second most among all teams, but have only won 3 of them. Oklahoma is also tied for the most Power 5 titles having won the Big12 8 times. The 6 times they didn’t make a BCS bowl they have won 4 and lost 2.
04) Southern California Trojans (PAC) (149-46) – The Trojans only have 14 winning seasons, because in 2001 they went 6-6. Nine times they’ve won 10 or more, including an unbeaten season in 2004 that netted them a National Title. USC has won the PAC title 7 times, and not counting the teams who have never lost a BCS bowl, they have had the most success going 6-1. Their lone loss coming in that epic 2005 Rose Bowl battle with Texas. They are one of only 3 teams to have won more than 4 BCS bowl games and have a 3-3 record in non-BCS bowls.
03) Louisiana State Tigers (SEC) (152-44) – LSU has had 15 straight winning seasons (their last losing season was 1999) and have won 10 games or more 9 times. They are the highest ranked team to have never gone unbeaten, and they’ve captured 4 SEC championships and two National Titles. The Bayou Bengals have won 4 out of 5 BCS games losing only to Alabama in the NCG of 2011, and have split their other bowl appearances 5-5.
T01) Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC) (148-50) – The Tide actually have 2 losing seasons; 2003 and 2006 and even a 6-6 record from 2004. However, prior to Nick Saban arriving they already had two 10-win seasons and Nick has rattled off 8 in a row, including an unbeaten season (2009) and four National Titles, no other team has more than 2. Alabama also has 4 SEC championships, a 5-3 BCS bowl game record and is 4-2 in non-BCS bowls games.
T01) Ohio State Buckeyes (B1G) (162-33) – The Buckeyes have only one losing season, when they posted a 6-7 record in 2011. Besides that season they’ve posted 10 wins or better all but 2 years, including 2 perfect seasons. They’ve won 14 twice, both times winning the National Championship (2002 & 2014). They have only appeared in 3 bowls that weren’t BCS bowls and have posted a 1-2 record in those (basically the only knock you can find on this Ohio State squad). As for their BCS success they have 2 more wins than any other team with 8 and have lost 4.
59) North Carolina State Wolfpack (ACC) (99-89) – 9 winning seasons including 2002 when they posted an 11-3 mark. They have only won less than 5 twice and are a respectable 6-4 in their 10 bowl appearances.
58) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (B1G) (95-91) – The Scarlet Knights have 8 winning seasons and 7 losing seasons. In 2002 they lost 11 and in 2006 they won 11. Since that 2002 season they have not won any less than 4 games in a season, their move to the B1G in 2014 seems to have been pretty tough on them however. They did win a share of the Big East title once, and are an impressive 6-3 in their bowl games.
57) Nevada Wolf Pack (MWC) (102-87) – A little surprising to me that Nevada would end up being the higher rated Wolf Pack. They have had 9 winning seasons including a 13-1 campaign in 2010. They’ve won two WAC championships, and their worst season was only 3-8 back in 2001. Nevada has struggled mightily in their bowls however, winning only 3 out of 10.
56) Oregon State Beavers (PAC) (100-87) – The Beavers have 9 winning and 6 losing seasons. They won 10 in 2006 and lost 10 in 2015 and they carry a 6-3 bowl record.
T53) Baylor Bears (Big12) (89-94) – Another team that has made great strides since my first ranking in 2010, in fact, they are the biggest mover of all. The Bears were ranked 107th back then, and had just managed their first winning season. In the five seasons since they have posted 4 seasons of 10 wins or more and won at least a share of two Big12 championships. They did go to two BCS bowls, the Fiesta in 2013 and the Cotton in 2014 but lost both. In non-BCS bowls they hold a 3-1 record. No other team with 9 losing seasons is ranked even close to Baylor, and in fact, all 54 teams in front of them have no more than 7 losing seasons.
T53) Central Florida Knights (AAC) (97-91) – 9 winning seasons and 6 losing seasons, the Knights are the 2nd of only two teams to have had more than one 0-win season, the first was 115th ranked Duke. UCF also have put together 4 seasons of 10 or more wins, including 2013, when they went 12-1 and earned a trip to the Fiesta. In that, their only BCS bowl, they beat one of the teams they are tied with (Baylor) by 10. UCF is only the second team to appear on the list that has won a BCS bowl game. In non-BCS bowls they are a paltry 2-4.
T53) California Golden Bears (PAC) (97-90) – Cal has 10 winning seasons and only 5 losing seasons, with two of each, 10-loss and 10-win seasons. One of their 10 win seasons was good enough to capture a share of the PAC championship, and have won 6 of their 9 bowl games.
52) Maryland Terrapins (B1G) (98-89) – The Terrapins only have 8 winning seasons vs. 7 losing seasons, losing 10 twice (2009 and 2011). At the beginning of the millennium Maryland was very good, winning 10 or more three times in a row. One of those seasons (2001) even earned an Orange Bowl bid as the ACC champs, where the Florida Gators handed them a 56-23 beat down. They have gone 5-3 in their 8 non-BCS bowl games.
51) Hawai’i Warriors (MWC) (104-92) – The Warriors are split 7/7 with one .500 season. During the first 10 years, they had four 10-win seasons, including a 12-1 season where they made their one BCS bowl, getting shellacked in the Sugar Bowl by Georgia 41-10. These last 5 years, however have been hard times for Hawai’i, who haven’t had a winning season since 2010, and in fact, they’ve lost 10 twice. They do claim two conference titles, and have gone 3-3 in their other bowls.
50) Ole Miss Rebels (SEC) (96-89) – 9 winning seasons vs. 6 losing seasons, the Rebels of Ole Miss lost 10 in 2011, and have had two 10-win seasons (2003 and 2015). They have made a New Years Day six bowl the last two seasons in a row, losing the Peach and winning the Sugar. They also have the most non-BCS bowl wins without a loss at six.
49) UCLA Bruins (PAC) (108-83) – The Bruins have 9 winning and 5 losing seasons, and have never finished with less than 4 wins. They have also put together three 10-win seasons, most recently back-to-back in 2013-14. They are the first team to appear on the list with 12 bowl appearances, but have only won 5 of those 12.
48) Texas A&M Aggies (SEC) (108-80) – The Aggies have 10 winning seasons and only 4 losing seasons. In 2012, their first in the SEC, they went 11-2. Like the Bruins, they have not yet had less than 4 wins in a season. In bowl games A&M has a 5-6 record.
47) Arizona State Sun Devils (PAC) (105-84) – The Sun Devils have had 6 losing seasons to go along with their 8 winning seasons. Three times they’ve won 10, including 2007 when they also won a share of the PAC title. Arizona St. has won only 4 of their 10 bowl games.
46) Arkansas Razorbacks (SEC) (108-81) – The Razorbacks have had only 5 losing seasons paired with 10 winning seasons. They’ve won 10 twice and in 2011 they won 11. Their two worst seasons (4-8, and 3-9) came back-to-back in 2012-13, but since then they have not had a losing season. They did play in the Sugar Bowl in 2011 and lost by 5 to Ohio St. This marked the first time the Buckeyes had beaten an SEC team in a bowl game. Arkansas has a 5-4 non-BCS record.
45) Houston Cougars (AAC) (109-82) – This team went 0-11 in 2001, but since then have won less than 5 only once, and have had 4 seasons with 10 or more wins, twice going 13-1. Their last 13-1 season was just last year and they were rewarded with a Peach Bowl bid and beat Florida State by two touchdowns. They have won two conference titles, but are 3-6 in their non-BCS bowl games.
44) Navy Midshipmen (AAC) (113-76) – Just like Houston, Navy did not win a single game in 2001, and followed that up with a 2-10 season. Since those back-to-back 10-loss debacles, Navy has had only one losing season and have won 10 or more 3 times. They have gone 6-6 in their twelve bowl games and are the first team on the list to have lost less than 80 games or win more than 110.
43) Tennessee Volunteers (SEC) (112-78) – Tennessee had four 10-win seasons through 2007 and haven’t had another since. They have never won less than 5 games in a season and have split their bowl appearances going 5-5.
T41) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (ACC) (114-82) – The Yellow Jackets are the first team to appear with less than 3 losing seasons (they have had 2). Last season they went 3-9, which marked the first time they had failed to reach at least 6 wins in a season. They have two seasons of 10 or more wins, going 11-3 twice, both times earning them a trip to Orange Bowl where they won once and lost once. They have one ACC title and have gone 4-8 in their other 12 bowls. Georgia Tech is the first team on the list to have played in a bowl in all but one season.
T41) Bowling Green Falcons (MAC) (111-78) – The Falcons have had 11 winning seasons and only 3 losing seasons, but did lose 10 in 2010. They have won 10 or more 3 times including 2 of the last three seasons. They can claim 2 MAC titles, and have gone 3-5 in their 8 bowls.
40) Pittsburgh Panthers (ACC) (108-81) – The Panthers have had 9 winning seasons, including a 10-win season in 2009, and 5 losing seasons. They’ve won at least a share of 2 Big East titles and in 2004 went to the Fiesta Bowl, where an unbeaten Utah team took care of them easily 35-7. In their 11 non-BCS bowls they have gone 5-6.
39) Fresno State Bulldogs (MWC) (115-76) – Fresno State has had 11 winning seasons compared to only four losing seasons, but they’ve just had back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 2014-15. They are the first team to appear on the list with a winning % above .600. The Bulldogs have had two 11-win seasons, their last coming as recently as 2013. They have 2 WAC titles to their credit but have only won 4 of 11 bowl games.
38) Boston College Eagles (ACC) (111-80) – The Eagles have had only 3 losing seasons, all of them coming since 2010, and one time they lost 10 (2012). They had back-to-back seasons of 10 or more wins (2006-7), a conference title, and won 7 bowl games in a row to start the millennium. Since then, however they have lost 5 bowls in a row.
37) South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC) (112-76) – The Gamecocks have 11 winning seasons and only 3 losing seasons. They had not ever won less than 5 games, until last season when they went 3-9. They did put together a streak of three 11-2 seasons from 2011-13. They are 6-4 in bowl games, and are currently on a 4 game win streak in bowl games.
36) Kansas State Wildcats (Big12) (111-78) – Kansas St. has 8 winning seasons and 5 losing seasons. Their worst season was 4-7 in 2004, and they’ve put together back-to-back seasons of 10 or more wins twice (2002-3 & 2011-12). They’ve won the Big12 twice but lost both BCS bowls they went to. In their other 8 bowls, they are a lousy 2-6.
T34) Marshall Thundering Herd (USA) (109-79) – Marshall has had 8 winning seasons and 6 losing seasons. The Thundering Herd are the highest ranked Conference USA member and the first team to appear on the list with 5 seasons of 10 or more wins. They won one MAC championship as well as a Conference USA title and have a very impressive 7-1 bowl record, including a current streak of having won 5 in a row.
T34) Toledo Rockets (MAC) (115-72) – The Rockets have 11 winning seasons, including two10-win campaigns, and only 4 losing seasons which all came between 2006-2009. They have won two MAC championships and have compiled a 5-4 bowl record.
33) Missouri Tigers (SEC) (118-73) – Missouri has 10 winning seasons compared to only 5 losing seasons, winning 10 or more games 5 times. Those 10-win seasons have all come during an eight season span between 2007-2014, and they have never won less than 4. They have won six of the 10 bowl games they’ve played in.
32) Texas Tech Red Raiders (Big12) (118-73) – The Red Raiders are the first team to appear with 13 winning seasons, and are the highest ranked team to have had no more than one 10-win season (they went 11-2 in 2008). The problem with Texas Tech is that those two losing seasons both occurred in the last 5 years. They do not have any other hardware, but do possess a pretty stout 9-4 bowl record.
31) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (IND) (116-72) – The Irish have had 10 winning seasons, including winning 10 or more 4 times. Notre Dame is the first team to appear on the list that has played in more than two BCS bowl games. They’ve been in a total of 4 and have been beaten every single time. This is the worst BCS performance of any school. Only 2 schools have lost more BCS bowl games, but those schools have also won some. In non-BCS bowls they are better, holding a 4-3 record.
30) Nebraska Cornhuskers (B1G) (127-69) – Nebraska is the first team to appear with less than 70 losses and also the first with 120 wins. They have 11 winning seasons, winning 10 or more 5 times, and only 3 losing seasons though they never won fewer than 5 games. They made a Rose Bowl appearance in 2001 and Miami beat them 37-14. In non-BCS bowls they are an even 6-6.
29) Stanford Cardinal (PAC) (108-78) – With only 8 winning seasons vs. 7 losing seasons, the Cardinal are the highest ranked team with less than 10 winning seasons. They are also the first team on the list to have won more than 2 BCS bowls (they’ve won 3). They lost 11 in 2006, but starting in 2010 they have won at least 10 games five of the last 6 seasons and have collected three PAC titles. They’ve been to a total of 5 BCS-bowls and have only lost twice. In non-BCS bowls they are 1-2; which makes them one of only 5 schools to have more BCS-bowl wins than regular bowl wins.
28) Penn State Nittany Lions (B1G) (117-70) – Penn St. has had three losing seasons, but the last one was in 2004. Since then they have rattled off 11 winning seasons in a row and have not won less than 7 in any of those seasons. They’ve won 11 three times (2005, 2008 & 2009). They have two conference championships and have appeared in two BCS bowls splitting them. In non-BCS bowls they are .500 as well sporting a 4-4 record.
27) Northern Illinois Huskies (MAC) (127-67) – The highest rated MAC team, the Huskies have only 2 losing seasons (back-to-back in 2007-8) and in ’07 they lost 10. They are the highest ranked team to have had a 10-loss season. They are also the first team on the list to have more than five 10-win seasons (they have 6). Northern Illinois has won 3 MAC titles and even has one BCS appearance to their credit. Florida State routed them pretty badly 31-10 in that 2012 Orange Bowl match-up. In non-BCS bowls they haven’t fared much better, winning only 3 of 9.
26) Oklahoma State Cowboys (Big12) (122-68) – The Cowboys have gone 4-7 twice, and otherwise they have posted at least 7 wins each season. They’ve won at least ten 4 different times, earned one Big12 championship, and have split two BCS bowl berths. In non-BCS bowls they are 6-5.
25) Michigan Wolverines (B1G) (120-69) - Michigan went 3-9 in 2008 and that was their first losing season since 1967. They added two more in 2009 and 2014 but Jim Harbaugh looks to have righted the ship in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have won 10 or more 5 times and have earned two B1G titles. They have been to 4 BCS bowls but have only won 1 of them (2012 Sugar vs. Virginia Tech). In non-BCS bowls they have a 3-5 record with all three victories coming against the Florida Gators.
24) Brigham Young Cougars (IND) (125-66) – The Cougars have 11 winning seasons, including 6 times winning 10 or more. All three of their losing seasons came from 2002-2004. They are the highest ranked team to have never appeared in a BCS bowl and in regular bowls they have posted a 6-6 record. BYU also won 3 Mountain West titles before going independent in 2011.
23) Michigan State Spartans (B1G) (120-72) – Sparty has 10 winning seasons and is the highest ranked team to have 5 losing seasons, partly due to the fact that between 2010 and 2015 they had won 11 or more 5 out of 6 seasons. They have collected three B1G championships and have gone 2-1 in the BCS bowls they’ve played in. In non-BCS bowls they are an awful 2-5.
22) Iowa Hawkeyes (B1G) (123-68) – Iowa is only 1 of 3 teams to have had the same head coach for all 15 seasons (well Georgia had Richt for the first 15, but he’s gone now so…). They’ve done well, having only 2 losing seasons, and of their 12 winning seasons 5 times they’ve won 10 or more. Twice they’ve captured the B1G title and have posted a 1-2 record in BCS bowls. In non-BCS bowls they have split 5 wins and 5 losses.
21) Cincinnati Bearcats (AAC) (120-71) – The highest ranked AAC team has had 11 winning seasons, including five 10-win seasons. They are the first team to appear on the list with more than 5 conference titles, and they are only one of 2 teams on the list to have won a championship in three different conferences (USA in 2002, Big East 4 times, and AAC in 2014). They have played in 2 BCS Bowls but have lost both and have gone 5-5 in their other bowl games. Only one Group of 5 school ranks higher than the Bearcats.
20) Clemson Tigers (ACC) (132-63) – Clemson is the first team on the list to have 130 wins. They are also the first to have winning seasons in all but one year, which was a 6-7 campaign in 2010. Since that season all they have done is win 10 or more games each year and have appeared in 4 BCS bowls splitting them 2-2. In non-BCS bowls they have gone 6-5, and they have 2 ACC titles to their credit.
19) West Virginia Mountaineers (Big12) (124-66) – The Mountaineers have only had one losing season, a 3-8 season in 2001, so they are on a current 14 year streak of winning seasons. They have hit 10 or more wins 4 times, but none since they moved to the Big12 in 2012. They do have 6 Big East conference championships, and are a perfect 3-0 in BCS bowl games. They are one of only three teams to have played in more than 1 BCS bowl and never taken a loss. In non-BCS bowl games they have been far less successful, winning only three of 10.
18) Wisconsin Badgers (B1G) (137-60) – Similar to West VA., the Badgers last had a losing season in 2001 when they went 5-7. They have accumulated seven 10-win seasons, the most we’ve seen by any team to this point, and have won 3 B1G championships. Unlike West VA., they have lost all 3 of their BCS bowls and are 6-5 in non-BCS bowl games.
17) Utah Utes (PAC) (129-58) – Utah is the first team to appear with less than 60 losses, and the first of 10 teams that will appear having had a perfect season. The Utes are actually one of only 4 teams to have two unbeaten seasons and they also won 3 Mountain West titles before moving to the PAC in 2011. Utah has 6 seasons with 10 or more wins and they do have 3 losing seasons, though they’ve never won less than 5 in any given year. Lastly, they are 2-0 in BCS bowls, and have the best non-BCS bowl record at 9-1.
16) Miami, FL Hurricanes (ACC) (124-65) – The Hurricanes have had 12 winning seasons, 3 of them with 10 or more wins, including the 2001 perfect season when they won the first National Championship of the new millennium. They have 3 conference titles from the Big East, but since joining the ACC in 2004, have never even played in the championship game. The Hurricanes are 2-1 in BCS bowls and 2-7 in non-BCS bowls, including a current streak of losing 6 bowl games in a row.
15) Louisville Cardinals (ACC) (128-52) – Louisville is the first team on the list to have a winning percent in the .700s. They have had 12 winning seasons and only 2 losing seasons (back-to-back in 2008-9) as well as 5 seasons of 10 wins or better. They have a total of 5 conference championships, 2 from Conference USA and 3 from the Big East. They are 2-0 in BCS bowls, and 5-5 in regular bowls.
14) Virginia Tech Hokies (ACC) (128-60) – The Hokies are the first team (and only 1 of 5 teams) to appear on the list without a losing season. In fact, to find Virginia Tech’s last losing season you have to go back to 1992. They’ve had a very impressive total of 9 seasons of 10 or more wins (only six teams have more), but the last one was in 2011. They’ve secured 4 ACC championships, lost 4 out of 5 BCS games and in regular bowls hold a 6-4 record.
13) Georgia Bulldogs (SEC) (146-51) – The first team to eclipse the 140 win mark does so despite the fact that they had a losing season, finishing 6-7 in 2010. They’ve had 10 seasons with 10 or more wins and have captured the SEC crown twice. The Bulldogs have appeared in 3 BCS games, winning two of them and are 8-4 in non-BCS bowls.
12) Auburn Tigers (SEC) (131-62) – Auburn has had 2 losing seasons (2008 and 2012), and have won 10 or more 4 times. Every other team in the top15 have at least 6 seasons of 10-wins, but Auburn does have 2 perfect seasons, including a National Title in 2010. They have 3 SEC championships, are 2-1 in BCS bowls and are 7-3 in non-BCS bowls.
11) Texas Christian Horned Frogs (Big12) (143-46) – The first team to appear on the list with less than 50 losses, the Horned Frogs are the second of 2 teams to be champions of three different conferences (USA in 2002, MWC four times and the Big12 once), and the second of 3 teams to have had the same coach for all 15 seasons. They’ve won 10 or more 10 times and have one perfect season (13-0 in 2010). TCU has gone 2-1 in BCS bowl games and are 7-3 in the non-BCS bowls.
10) Oregon Ducks (PAC) (146-48) – The Ducks 5-6 record in 2004 is there only losing season this millennium. They’ve won 10 or more 9 times and have collected 5 PAC titles. Oregon has appeared in 7 BCS bowls (only three teams have appeared in more), and they won 4 of those. In non-BCS bowls they have a 3-5 record.
09) Texas Longhorns (Big12) (142-51) – Texas has had three losing seasons, unfortunately 2 of those three were back-to-back in their two most recent seasons. They started off with 9 consecutive seasons of 10 or more wins, but haven’t had one since. The Longhorns have won 2 Big12 titles and in 2005 they went 13-0 and won the National Championship. Texas is 3-1 in BCS bowl games and 6-3 in non-BCS bowls.
08) Florida Gators (SEC) (137-57) – The Gators have one losing season (4-8 in 2013) and have 6 seasons of winning 10 or more. They’ve won 2 conference championships, both times going on to win the National Championship (2006 & 2008), which makes them the first team on the list to have won multiple National Titles. Florida has won 4 out of 5 BCS games and in regular bowls they hold a 5-4 record.
07) Florida State Seminoles (ACC) (142-56) – The second team without a losing season (their last one was back in 1976), the Seminoles have had 6 seasons of 10 wins or better and have also won 6 ACC championships. They went 14-0 in 2013 and won the National Championship. While their BCS bowl record is pretty bad (at 2-5 only one team has more losses), their non-BCS bowl record is a very solid 7-1.
06) Boise State Broncos (MWC) (166-30) – Boise St. has the best W/L record of any school since 2000, and in fact only one other school is even close. Their last losing season was 1997 and they’ve won 10 conference titles, which is two more than the next closest school. Not only are they one of only three schools to have more than ten 10-win seasons (they have 11), 8 times they lost one or less, going unbeaten twice. While their non-BCS record is a mediocre 6-5, they are unbeaten in three trips to the Fiesta Bowl.
05) Oklahoma Sooners (Big12) (159-41) – The Sooners are the highest ranked team to not yet have a National Championship. They are the 3rd of three teams to have kept the same coach for all 15 seasons and their last losing season was 1998. They are tied for the most 10-win seasons with 12 and finished with 8 wins the three seasons they failed to hit 10. They have appeared in 9 BCS bowls; which is second most among all teams, but have only won 3 of them. Oklahoma is also tied for the most Power 5 titles having won the Big12 8 times. The 6 times they didn’t make a BCS bowl they have won 4 and lost 2.
04) Southern California Trojans (PAC) (149-46) – The Trojans only have 14 winning seasons, because in 2001 they went 6-6. Nine times they’ve won 10 or more, including an unbeaten season in 2004 that netted them a National Title. USC has won the PAC title 7 times, and not counting the teams who have never lost a BCS bowl, they have had the most success going 6-1. Their lone loss coming in that epic 2005 Rose Bowl battle with Texas. They are one of only 3 teams to have won more than 4 BCS bowl games and have a 3-3 record in non-BCS bowls.
03) Louisiana State Tigers (SEC) (152-44) – LSU has had 15 straight winning seasons (their last losing season was 1999) and have won 10 games or more 9 times. They are the highest ranked team to have never gone unbeaten, and they’ve captured 4 SEC championships and two National Titles. The Bayou Bengals have won 4 out of 5 BCS games losing only to Alabama in the NCG of 2011, and have split their other bowl appearances 5-5.
T01) Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC) (148-50) – The Tide actually have 2 losing seasons; 2003 and 2006 and even a 6-6 record from 2004. However, prior to Nick Saban arriving they already had two 10-win seasons and Nick has rattled off 8 in a row, including an unbeaten season (2009) and four National Titles, no other team has more than 2. Alabama also has 4 SEC championships, a 5-3 BCS bowl game record and is 4-2 in non-BCS bowls games.
T01) Ohio State Buckeyes (B1G) (162-33) – The Buckeyes have only one losing season, when they posted a 6-7 record in 2011. Besides that season they’ve posted 10 wins or better all but 2 years, including 2 perfect seasons. They’ve won 14 twice, both times winning the National Championship (2002 & 2014). They have only appeared in 3 bowls that weren’t BCS bowls and have posted a 1-2 record in those (basically the only knock you can find on this Ohio State squad). As for their BCS success they have 2 more wins than any other team with 8 and have lost 4.
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