College Football: The Top 50 Programs of the BCS Era

The BCS has changed the way college football is viewed and operated since its start in 1998. Whether you agree with the way the system works is up to you, but anyway you slice it, we are in the midst of the "BCS Era."

For this read, I'm going to give you the top 50 programs of the era so far. Hope you have a safe Fourth of July.

Thanks for reading. 

Clemson

The Tigers have won over 90 games in the BCS era and have an ACC Atlantic Division title under their belts as well. I'm still a bit shocked that Clemson has not had as much success as initially thought, evidenced by the Tigers not having a 10-win season since 1990.

However, as we move forward in this BCS era, look for Clemson to make a move up the ACC. They have recruited well over the past few years, and there is a large amount of optimism internally in the program.

Washington State

The Cougars have fallen on hard times, but we forget too easily how they had a great run in the Pac-10 at the start of the new Millennium.

From 2001-2003, Wazzu went 30-8 and were the toast of the Pac-10 conference. They made it to the Rose Bowl in 2003 and finished in the top 10 rankings all three years during this run.

Washington

The Huskies have won 69 games and really have been a door mat in the Pac-10 for many of the years. They even went 0-12 in 2008.

But they have an 11-1 season under their belts in 2000, highlighted by their Rose Bowl appearance vs. Kansas State. They're on the rise again under Steve Sarkisian.

Pitt

The Panthers have won 90 games since the BCS was started and have been a steady program. Things haven't always gone their way each year, but they have two Big East titles and one BCS bow appearance.

They have won four Bowl games and have seen two different Biletnikoff winners in Antonio Bryant and Larry Fitzgerald run around campus.

Virginia

The Cavs have been to eight bowl games in the era, but have no conference championships. Their best record is the 9-3 regular season in 1998.

Yet, they have had great talent in the program from Matt Schaub to Ahmad Brooks to Chris Canty to Chris Long to Brandon Albert.

Makes you wonder why they've never been able to win the ACC at least once.

North Carolina

With all the talent that North Carolina has had, especially in recent years, it's quite shocking to see they have never been able to win more than eight games in a season during the BCS era.

Butch Davis is a very good coach, and you'd have to think upon first glance he's had more success at Chapel Hill.

UNC is just 3-3 in bowl games during this era.

Maryland

The Terps have one ACC title and one BCS bow appearance in the era. They have been to seven bowl games total since the BCS era and even a run of 10,11 and 10 win seasons from 2001-2003.

Now with Randy Edsall in charge as the BCS era continues, one has to imagine they will make a few more BCS bowl games in the coming years.

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders have over 100 wins in the era but really haven't been able to have a break out Big 12 season, thanks in part to Texas and Oklahoma. Their highest accomplishment is the Big 12 South Division title in 2008.

However, they still have been on the better programs thanks to their gaudy passing offense. If they can get better defensive lay going forward, look out. 

Arizona State

The Sun Devils best record of the era came during the 2007 season where they went 10-3 and won a piece of the Pac-10 title.

They're 2-5 in bowl games during the BCS era and have failed to make it to a BCS bowl. Terrell Suggs, Todd Heap, Zach Miller, Andrew Walter and Levi Jones have been notable players of the era.

Nevada

The Wolfpack's top season of the BCS era came in 2010, as they went a remarkable 13-1. They have two WAC titles during the era in 2010 and 2005, and the top player of their era is the offensive one man wrecking crew that was Colin Kaepernick.

Chris Ault is a solid coach, but I highly doubt he ever gets a player as good as Kaepernick was in Reno.

Missouri

The Tigers have three Big 12 North Division titles under Gary Pinkel and their best season easily is the 12-2 season in 2007. Pinkel has certainly turned the Tigers into one of the more stable programs in college football.

They're 4-4 in bowl games in the era and have featured players like Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, Blaine Gabbert, Brad Smith, Aldom Smith and Justin Smith among others.

UConn

Five bowl games, two Co-Big East titles, three bowl wins and one BCS appearance during the era is not shabby for a program that just became a full time D-1A member in 2002.

The program has had pretty good talent as well, with Darius Butler, Donald Brown, Jordan Todman, Dan Orlovsky and William Beatty all being alumni.

Michigan State

The 2010 season was the Spartans' coming out party during the BCS era, as they won 11 games, for the first time in school history and 10 or more games for the first time since 1999. They also have seven bowl appearances well since the BCS system was installed.

Mark Dantonio is a heck of a coach, and I think the Spartans are here to stay among the Big Ten powers. They captured a piece of the Big Ten title last year and appear to be one of the favorites again in 2011.

Oregon State

The Beavers have been to nine bowl games, have won six of them and one of those bowl wins is a 2001 massacre of Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

2006 also saw a 10 win season and OSU even won nine games a piece in 2007 and 2008. The best player of the era is Steven Jackson, along with others like Dennis Weathersby, Mike Hass, Sammie Stroughter and the Rodgers brothers. 

Arizona

Some say the Wildcats have not reached their potential as a program, while others feel they'll always be a middle of the road Pac-12 team.

The top BCS era season in Tuscon came in 1998, as they went 12-1 and won the Holiday Bowl. They've been to four bowls total, but have failed to capture a Pac-10/12 title.

Fresno State

The Bulldogs have won nine games five times, including 11 wins during that magical 2001 season that saw them beat Colorado, Oregon State and Wisconsin.

The Pat Hill era in Central California started in 1997 and he has won 100 games for Fresno State. We all know they're willing to play anybody, anywhere at any time.

Louisville

Much of Louisville's success in the BCS era has been thanks to great offensive play. Their best season is the 12-1 2006 season, that also featured an Orange Bowl win over Wake Forest.

They have won four out of the nine total bowl games of the era, and have featured players like Brian Brohm, Elvis Dumervil, Harry Douglas, Dave Ragone, Michael Bush, Amobi Okoye and Stefan LeFors.

California

The 2004 season saw Cal get robbed thanks to Mack Brown's passionate and albeit desperate speech for help from the voters. The Bears should have gone to the Rose Bowl that year and everyone knows it.

They've won 10 games twice this era and have been to seven bowl games, winning five of them. From great talent to solid coaching, Jeff Tedford has done a solid job since 2002.

Ole Miss

The Rebels' top season in the era was their 2003 run, which saw them take 10 games and only give up three. Easily, their best player of the era has been none other than Patrick Willis. 

They've been to six bowl games in the era, have won five of them. Yet they have not been able to win the SEC nor make it to a BCS bowl game.

Boston College

BC went 21-6 from 2006-2007, and has won nine games in the BCS era six times, including a 2004 Co-Big East title.

Matt Ryan has been the top player of the era, with Matthias Kiwanuka, Mark Herzlich, Damien Woody, Williams Green and Chris Hovan also being notables of the BCS era.

Hawaii

Hawaii was won or shared three WAC titles in the BCS era and has four 10 or more win seasons. They also have a BCS bowl appearance, in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.

The BCS era got off to a bad start for the Warriors, as in 1998 they went 0-12, but by 2002 Hawaii was a 10 win team. From Timmy Chang to Colt Brennan to Bryant Moniz, the QBs at Hawaii always find ways to put up some record setting stats.

BYU

The Cougars have won four MWC titles during the BCS era and have been to nine bowls, winning four of them. They're an Independent program now, but still should remain as one of the notable teams in the country.

They have five top 25 finishes during the era, with the highest being 12th in 2009. With Jake Heaps in Provo, it looks like the old QB tradition at BYU may be on the rise again.

North Carolina State

The Wolfpack are a program that is viewed similarly to Arizona, as even I think they kind of are a sleeping giant. It's a surprise they only have one 10 win season in the BCS era, with 11 wins coming in 2002.

They have no ACC titles, but have been to eight bowl games, winning five of them. They have seen top talents like Phillip Rivers, Torry Holt, Mario Williams, Koren Robinson and Nate Irving play for NC State during the BCS era.

Texas A&M

The Aggies haven't been a dominant program during the era, as their best season actually was in 1998. They won 11 games that year, won the Big 12 and have been to eight bowls in the era.

While they seem to be in the shadow of Texas and Oklahoma as they fight to break through the Big 12 conference, Mike Sherman has this program headed in the right direction and they surely will be a force going forward.

Notre Dame

The BCS era hasn't been overly kind to perhaps the most proud and storied college football program ever. The Irish only have two 10 win seasons, coming in 2002 and 2006.

They have a 2-6 record in BCS era bowl games, with two losses coming in BCS bowls in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl and the 2007 Sugar Bow and took their medicine in both to Oregon State and LSU. Yet, Notre Dame does have a chance to creep back up the ladder under Brian Kelly going forward.  

Georgia Tech

Looking at the gist of Georgia Tech's seasons during the BCS era, it seems seven wins is the norm for the Yellow Jackets as they have won exactly seven games five times, including four years in a row from 2002-2005.

Yet they have two ACC titles, and three Coastal Division titles in the BCS era. They've been to 13 bowl games, including the Orange Bowl vs. Iowa in 2010. The best player for them this era has been Calvin Johnson.

Oklahoma State

We all know last year was the best year for Oklahoma State during the BCS era. The Pokes went 11-2, and showed that they are a force in the Big 12, which is why big things are expected out of Stillwater this year.

They've won nine games four times during this era, and have been to eight bowl games with a 4-4 record. Led by Bob Simmons, Les Miles and Mike Gundy in the BCS era, Oklahoma State has been an overall solid program during the BCS era.

Iowa

Iowa has four 10 or more win seasons in the BCS era with two Co-Big Ten titles. They have appeared in nine bowl games, with two of them being the Orange Bowl.

One of the more stable and consistently competitive programs in the country, Iowa saw a run of 11, 10 and 10 win seasons from 2002-2004. A model for consistency, you'd have to imagine the norm will continue for Ferentz and Co.

Tennessee

The Vols have 10 or more games five different times in the BCS era, and were the first BCS champions in 1998. They have won over 110 games and have appeared in two BCS bowls.

While they have had three different head coaches in the era, which is very uncharacteristic of the program, Tennessee still remains as one of the top tier programs of the BCS era.

West Virginia

The Mountaineers of Morgantown have won 111 games during the era, while having three straight years of 11 win seasons from 2005-2007. They've appeared in and won two BCS bowl games and have a terror in the Big East.

Dana Holgorsen actually has a pretty big job to do moving this ship forward, because WVU is a far, far more potent program than given credit for when compared to others.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a program that I admire heavily because they play a tough brand of smash mouth football and are masters of the run game portion of an offense. The strength of their program lies in the trenches and it's help them win nearly 120 games during the BCS era.

They have won two out of three BCS bowls and two shares of the Big Ten title. They appear primed to make another run at the Rose Bowl in 2011.

Penn State

Joe Pa has adjusted well to the radical change to the BCS system, as he has won over 100 games during the era so far.

The Nittany Lions have two BCS bow appearances, four 10 or more win seasons, three 11 win seasons, and won the 2006 Orange Bowl.

Whether you agree with Joe Paterno staying on the job so long or not, he's still gotten the job done overall in the BCS era.

Georgia

Jim Donnan took the Bulldogs into the BCS era and Mark Richt has manned the ship since 2001. The remarkable stat is the six seasons of 10 or more wins during the era, 13 bowl wins and three BCS appearances.

Georgia is one of the elite programs in college football, and a prime SEC team. Those are two more facts.

Michigan

The Wolverines have appeared in four BCS bowls and have almost 110 wins during this era. They've fallen on some hard times recently, but you have think they'll be back soon enough.

Overall, they're one of the better programs of the era. They have eight nine win seasons, and five 10 or more win seasons. Big Blue is one of the top programs of all time, in any era.

TCU

If you haven't been following college football closely then you're shocked TCU is on this list; this high. If you have, then you're not because you figure the Horned Frogs have over 120 wins and have gone to two BCS bowls, winning the Rose Bowl last year.

Gary Patterson has enhance mightily what Dennis Francione began, and is one of the very best overall head coaches in the country. This program's profile will only rise as they move to the Big East next year. 

Nebraska

Sans their dismantling by Miami on the BCS title game, the Cornhuskers have been ho-hum Nebraska during the BCS era. They've have some tough seasons in the middle to late parts of the last decade, but Big Red still has over 120 victories in the BCS era.

They have six 10 or more win seasons and two BCS bowl appearances. The Big 12 surely is happy to see them go, while teams in the Big Ten are getting ready for a sea of red.

Utah

The Utes have been a great program overall in the BCS era. They have over 110 wins and have been to two BCS bowl games, the Fiesta and Sugar.

Kyle Whittingham has been in a similar boat to Gary atterson, manning a ship that a mentor left them, but making the program even better. Whittingham is a very good defensive coach, and has shifted the Utes to a more pro-style offensive attack in 2011 as they move to the Pac-12.

Virginia Tech

VaTech is the model program for consistency and stability. They have 10 seasons, count 'em 10 seasons, of 10 or more wins. Wowsers.

They have won exactly 130 football games, and four ACC titles. The only knock on them is the four loses in fve BCS bowl games. 

Other than that, they're won of the elite programs on this list.

Oregon

120 wins. Three BCS bowl appearances, including a title game appearance. Four Pac-10 titles. Oregon football is a top tier BCS era program.

There's no denying that. The Ducks play an exciting brand of football, at a breathless pace, and have a chance to compete for the national title in 2011.

Will things come crashing down due to the Willie Lyles scandal?

Boise State

The Broncos have 10 10 or more win seasons, with six of them being 12 or more win seasons. 140 wins during this era with two BCS bowl wins, will get you on this list.

People can knock them for their conference affiliation, or their lack of playing big games in the regular season, but hey, BSU wins games...a lot of them.

They've won 10 or more games for the past five years.

Auburn

Auburn has two BCS bowl appearances, and one of them saw them win the BCS title in 2010. They have 110 wins during the era, and I think after this year, will be one of the top programs in college football for a long time.

In fact, you can make an argument in 2004, the Tigers got jobbed so they should have three BCS bowl appearances. They've become a lead dog team in the toughest division in college football, the SEC West.

Auburn's on their way to new heights.

Florida State

Florida State fell back to the pack in the middle portions of the decade, but Jimbo Fisher has shown on the recruiting trail and last season that he is bent on getting FSU back up to speed.

The 'Noles have over 100 wins during the BCS era, six BCS bowl appearances and that includes the 1999 national title. With their past two recruiting classes and expected success of 2011, Florida State is coming back, hard.

Miami

Miami is similar to Florida State in the fact they were a dominant program at the start of the era but fell to the pack. They have 117 wins, a national title and a run of four straight BCS bowl games. The talent that has come through the program is perhaps second to none.

Hopefully as we move forward, we see the Canes get re-started up by Al Golden and his staff. 

Alabama

'Bama is a bit of hard choice as to where to put on this list, as they were not what they are now for most of the time before Nick Saban came. Sure Alabama fans talk a lot of smack, now, but there are BCS era seasons that saw the Tide notch three, four and six wins in it.

But they've been on a run since 2007.

From 2008-2010, Alabama won 36 games and the 2009 BCS title. They are among the elite favorites to win it again this upcoming season, thanks in large part to their defense.

Texas

The Longhorns have over 130 wins, four BCS bowl appearances, two title game appearances, and the 2005 title from that Rose Bowl thriller over USC.

I'm not sure what else to say about the Longhorns. They're one of the two staple teams in the Big 12, have a legendary head coach, are a recruiting juggernaut every February and sans last year, win a ton of games.

Moving on.

Ohio State

They say in college football, the goal is to win your conference and get to a BCS bowl game. Well, if that's true, then it seems the Buckeyes are among the best at it as they have been to nine BCS bowls and have won six of them.

They have over 130 wins, the 2002 national title and eight Big Ten titles. The only knock is the fact the Buckeyes have been ambushed in a couple big games, showing problems vs. speedy teams.

Will they survive the potential oncoming NCAA sanctions?

LSU

Speaking of getting to BCS bowls, LSU gets to them and wins them. The Tigers are 4-0 in the BCS, and half the time they play in a huge bowl game, it's for the whole cake since they have two national titles from 2003 and 2007.

They have nearly 120 wins, and six seasons of 10 or more wins in the BCS era. They have three SEC titles and are ready to rock in 2011 for another SEC and BCS title run.

Oklahoma

Just over 130 wins for the Sooners in the BCS era, with eight BCS bowl appearances, three BCS bowl wins and a national title in 2000. 

They're always among the heavy favorites to win the Big 12 and title contenders every year. Bob Stoops went through a bad stretch in losing five straight BCS bowl games, but a 10 win season and BCS bowl appearance is the norm around Norman. 

USC

For USC's sake, I really don't care about the NCAA making give up wins, and titles and championships. Nothing the Trojans did really affected their play on the field in my opinion and that's what matters.

USC won those games, those titles and those awards and no one can take that from our memories.

So their 100 and something crazy wins, seven BCS bowls, two national titles and three Heisman winners all stand in my book and on this list. Even if you hate them, you still have to respect what the Trojans have accomplished in the BCS era

Florida

Florida grades out well in all the criteria. They're like a five tool baseball player that has a little bit of everything in it's skill set.

Over 120 wins? Check. A national title? Check. A Heisman? Check. Over five BCS bowl appearaces? Check. Five BCS bowl wins? Check.

They Gators have three 13 win seasons, and six seasons of atleast nine wins, and have done this playing in the SEC.

Let the debating begin!