SEC Top 10 Teams of BCS Era

Ever since the BCS was put in place in 1998 the SEC has been a perfect picture of success.

Of the 11 BCS Champions five have been won by the SEC. On top of that, they have never lost a BCS Championship game either.

However, there have been numerous other teams that have had tremendous seasons without the benefit of a crystal ball.

The SEC has had a one loss team miss out on the the big game, an undefeated one as well. They've had a two loss team win it, as well as numerous one loss teams. They also have two schools that have won the National Championship twice.

So it begs the question, what are the top 10 teams of the BCS Era?

10. Florida 2001

It's probably Steve Spurrier's best team that didn't win an SEC championship. The Gators lost to the Vols in the regular-season finale, but finished with a bang, ripping Maryland 56-23 in the Orange Bowl in what turned out to be Spurrier's last game at Florida.

Record: 11-2 (6-2), second is SEC East

Final Standing: 3rd in both AP and Coaches Poll.

Notable Players: Rex Grossman, Earnest Graham, Jabar Gaffney, and Reche Caldwell, Alex Brown, and Lito Sheppard.

9. Tennessee 2001

The Vols went into the Swamp and beat Florida 34-32 to put themselves in position to face Miami in the Rose Bowl for the national title. But they were upset by LSU in the SEC title game. They went on to destroy Michigan in the Citrus Bowl by a score of 45-17.

Record: 11-2 (7-1), 1st in SEC East.

Final Standing: 4th in AP and Coahes Poll

Notable Players: Donte Stallworth, Travis Stephens, Kelly Washington, Casey Clausen, and Jason Witten.

8. LSU 2007

Even though the Tigers lost two games (both in triple OT), they were easily one of the most talented teams in the country. It was a team that found different ways to win and got a late-season reprieve to reach the national title game, which was bad news for Ohio State.

Record: 12-2 (6-2), 1st in SEC West. Won SEC Championship.

Final Standing: 1st in AP and Coaches Poll.

Notable Players: Matt Flynn, Jacob Hester, Ali Highsmith, Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, and Early Doucet.

7. Georgia 2007

The 2007 Bulldogs didn't get a chance to play for the national title, nor did they get a chance to play for the SEC title. But when the bowl season rolled around, few teams in the country were playing any better. Georgia beat Florida and Auburn down the stretch and drilled Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl.

Record: 11-2 (6-2), 2nd in SEC East.

Final Standing: 2nd in AP and 3rd in Coaches.

Notable Players: Matthew Stafford, Thomas Brown, Knowshon Moreno, Sean Bailey, and Asher Allen.

6. Georgia 2002

The Bulldogs were painfully close to playing for a national championship in 2002, but an upset loss to Florida kept them out of the national title chase. The Bulldogs regrouped to win their first SEC title since 1982. They would go on to beat FSU in the Sugar Bowl, 26-13.

Record: 13-1 (7-1), 1st in SEC East. Won SEC Championship.

Final Standing: 3rd in AP and Coaches.

Notable Players: David Greene, Reggie Brown, Musa Smith, Terrence Edwards, Boss Bailey, and Johnathan Sullivan.

5. Florida 2008

Unlike 2006, Tim Tebow was the driving force behing the Gators second National Championship in three years. They won with a young but talented defense and an electric spread offense. After an early season upset Florida went on to beat #1 Alabama in the SEC Championship game and followed that up by beating Oklahoma in the National Championship game.

Record: 13-1 (7-1), 1st in SEC West. Won SEC Championship

Final Standing: 1st in AP and Coaches.

Notable Players: Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Louis Murphey, Brandon Spikes, Jeff Demps, Carlos Dunlap, Major Wright, and Joe Haden.

4. LSU 2003

One of the most well-rounded defensive teams you'll ever see, LSU won with a suffocating defense and a disciplined offense that had a way of wearing down its foes. The Tigers beat No. 3 OU in the Sugar Bowl to win their first national title in 45 years.

Record: 13-1 (7-1), 1st in SEC West. Won SEC Championship.

Final Standing: 1st in AP and 2nd in Coaches.

Notable Players: Matt Mauck, Justin Vincent, Michael Clayton, Devery Henderson, Joseph Addai, Marquise Hill, and Stephen Peterman.

3. Florida 2006

The Gators used a two-quarterback system with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow to perfection, mastered the art of pulling out the close ones and then put it all together in the BCS National Championship Game with a 41-14 stomping of Ohio State.

Record: 13-1 (7-1), 1st in SEC East. Won SEC Championship.

Final Standing: 1st in AP and Coaches.

Notable Players: Chris Leak, Tim Tebow, Brandon Siler, Reggie Nelson, Dallas Baker, Jarvis Moss, Ray McDonald, and Andre Caldwell.

2. Tennessee 1998

The only unbeaten SEC national champion of the BCS era beat four top-10 opponents en route to the title. It was a team built on defense and complemented by big-play stars.

Record: 13-0 (8-0), 1st in SEC East. Won SEC Championship.

Final Standing: 1st in AP and Coaches.

Notable Players: Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, Tee Martin, Peerless Price, Al Wilson, Chad Clifton, and Casey Coleman.

1. Auburn 2004

The 13-0 Tigers are living proof that you don't have to win a title to be considered the best, at least not in the BCS era. Auburn had a good passing game along with a great running game, and speed everywhere on defense. They were truly a national title team that never got a chance to play for one.

Record: 13-0 (8-0), 1st in SEC West. Won SEC Championship.

Final Standing: 2nd in AP and Coaches.

Notable Players: Jason Cambell, Ronnie Brown, Carnell Williams, Carlos Rogers, Reggie Torbor, and Travis Williams.

Best of the Rest

LSU 2006
Alabama 1999
Georgia 2005
LSU 2005
Florida 2000
Florida 1998

Best of the Rest

LSU 2006
Alabama 1999
Georgia 2005
LSU 2005
Florida 2000
Florida 1998
LSU 2001