BCS Championship 2011: Power Ranking Auburn Among Last 25 Champions

BCS Championship 2011 are the Auburn Tigers. 

Last night's win in Glendale over number two Oregon was the perfect end to a perfect season and one that was the greatest in school history. 

They swept the SEC, were quarterbacked by a Heisman Trophy winner, and probably have two of the top 10 picks in this year's draft in Cam Newton and Nick Fairley.

But is that enough to earn them the title of greatest team in the last quarter century? 

Inside we rank the last 25 national champions (we'll go with the AFCA's national champion to avoid two entries for one year) based on a few criteria.

-Depth of great players on the roster

-Overall dominance during the regular season

-The quality of their bowl opponent

As a disclaimer, let's just all agree that EACH of these teams was a great champion. But who was the best? Let's find out. 

No. 25: 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

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13 Oct 1990: GEORGIA TECH DEFENSIVE LINEMAN MARCO COLEMAN CELEBRATES DURING THE YELLOW JACKETS 21-19 WIN OVER THE CLEMSON TIGERS AT THE GRANT FIELD IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Head Coach: Bobby Ross

Record: 11-0-1

Bowl: Citrus, 45-21 win over #19 Nebraska 

Stars: QB Shawn Jones, DE Marco Coleman, DE Coleman Rudolph, RB William Bell

The Yellow Jackets were a surprise all season, climbing from an unranked team in the preseason to a number two ranking by the end of the regular season.

Their defense, under George O'Leary, was great, holding five opponents on 10 points or less. Under offensive coordinator Ralph Freidgen, the offense put up plenty of points in critical spots, like when they trailed 28-14 at the half against top ranked Virginia then came back to win 41-38 victory.

And in their bowl game, put up six touchdowns (three by William Bell who led all rushers with 127 yards on 16 carries). 

But they only won the (UPI) national championship by one vote over Colorado and finished second to the Buffaloes in the AP. The infamous "fifth down victory" for Colorado probably landed the Yellow Jackets more votes than they deserved. 

And winning the national championship with a CITRUS BOWL victory? Not exactly the premier bowl game on the docket. 

No. 24: 2007 LSU Tigers

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 07: Matt Flynn #15 of the Louisiana State University Tigers is sacked by Nader Abdallah #93 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the AllState BCS National Championship on January 7, 2008 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louis

Head Coach: Les Miles

Record: 12-2

Bowl: BCS National Championship, 38-24 win over #1 Ohio State

Stars: QB Matt Flynn, RB Jacob Hester, WR Brandon LaFell, WR Early Doucet, DT Glenn Dorsey, CB Chevis Jackson

The only two-loss team to win the national championship, Les Miles team could very well have been undefeated: both of those defeats came in triple overtime. 

Although the Tigers claimed a second national title in five years with a comeback win over top-ranked Ohio State (who was trounced by an SEC team the year before in the National Championship), they weren't terribly dominant, especially in the second half of the season, narrowly defeating Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and, Tennessee in the SEC title game. 

And playing for the national championship as essentially a home game (in New Orleans) is a pretty sizable advantage. 

No. 23: 1991 Washington Huskies

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19 Oct 1991: Defensive tackle Steve Emtman of the Washington Huskies tries to break through the line during a game against the California Bears at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Washington won the game 24-17.

Head Coach: Don James

Record: 12-0

Bowl: Rose, 34-14 win over #4 Michigan

Stars: DT Steve Emtman, QB Billy Joe Hobert, QB Mark Brunnel, OT Lincoln Kennedy, WR Mario Bailey

The Huskies are perhaps the one program that stands out like a sore thumb on this list. They've been a cellar dweller for the most part the past decade.

But twenty years ago they were one of the Pac-10s elite teams, earning three consecutive trips to the Rose Bowl.

Although their offense wasn't as explosive as many of the teams on this list, they had an incredible defense led by the number one pick in the following year's draft, Steve Emtman. By average, they allowed just 9.6 points per game. 

And in the Rose Bowl they shut down the Heisman Trophy winner, Desmond Howard. With Dana Hall covering him, Howard caught just one pass and didn't score a touchdown for the first time all season. 

But were they really better than the Miami Hurricanes team that went 12-0 and shut out Nebraska 22-0 in the Orange Bowl?

No. 22: 1992 Alabama Crimson Tide

Head Coach: Gene Stallings

Record: 13-0

Bowl:  Sugar, 34-13 win over #1 Miami

Stars: CB George Teague, WR David Palmer, WR Antonio Langham, RB Derrick Lassic

In Gene Stallings third season at the helm, the Bear Bryant's protege restored the Crimson Tide to glory with a magical season in 1992. 

They won the first ever SEC Title Game, shut out rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl, and clobbered the defending (AP) national champions Miami in the Sugar Bowl.

The only reason we can't put them higher? Compared to most other entries on this list here wasn't much star power on this squad, especially at the prominent spots like running back and quarterback. 

No. 21: 1989 Miami Hurricanes

Head Coach: Dennis Erickson

Record: 11-1

Bowl: Sugar, 33-25 win over #7 Alabama

Stars: QB Craig Erickson, WR Wesley Carroll, TE Randal Hill, OT Leon Searcy, DT Russell  Maryland, DT Cortez Kennedy

While Jimmy Johnson was suffering through a miserable season, his successor, Dennis Erickson, led the Hurricanes to another outstanding season. 

They embarrassed Wisconsin at Camp Randall, 51-3 and defeated the reigning national champion and top ranked Fighting Irish.

But in the Sugar Bowl, against an Alabama team fresh off a loss in the Iron Bowl, they had trouble putting away the Crimson Tide. 

And had Colorado not laid an egg against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, the Buffaloes would have been the national champs. 

No. 20: 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers

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6 Dec 1997: Quarterback Scott Frost of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks to pass the ball during a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Nebraska won the game, 54-15.

Head Coach: Tom Osborne

Record: 13-0

Bowl: Orange, 42-17 win over #3 Tennessee

Stars: QB Scott Frost, RB Ahman Green, OT Aaron Taylor, DE Grant Wistrom, S Mike Brown

Maybe it was because they were the "worst" team of the Nebraska dynasty of the mid-1990s, but this Cornhusker squad wasn't as memorable as the 1994-95 team.

And although they ran the table, defeated #2 Washington, clobbered ranked Big XII rivals Texas and Kansas State, and thumped Peyton Manning in his last collegiate game, many people thought that Michigan deserved the national title. 

No. 19: 2003 LSU Tigers

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 4: Head coach Nick Saban of the Loiusiana State Tigers stands next to the Bowl Championship Series Trophy after his team defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in the Nokia Sugar Bowl National Championship on January 4, 2004 at the Louisiana

Head Coach: Nick Saban

Record: 13-1

Bowl: Sugar, 21-14 win over #3 Oklahoma

Stars: QB Matt Mauck, RB Justin Vincent, WR Michael Clayton, DE Marcus Spears, DT Chad Lavalais, CB Corey Webster

A home loss to Florida cost the Tigers an undefeated season but they rebounded to win the SEC Title Game handily over Georgia and set up a pretty controversial BCS Championship Game. 

In the Superdome the Tigers outstanding defense terrorized Heisman Trophy winner Jason White and the seemingly unstoppable Sooners offense. 

But that team might be better remembered for having more coaching stars than stars on the field: Saban, Jimbo Fisher, Will Muschamp. 

And since USC finished with the same record, defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl, and finished the season as the AP #1, it's hard to argue that they were unequivocally the best team in the nation. 

No. 18: 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Head Coach: Lou Holtz

Record:12-0

Bowl: Fiesta, 34-21 win over #3 West Virginia

Stars: WR Rocket Ismail, WR Ricky Waters, CB Todd Lyght, DT Chris Zorich, RB Rodney Culver, QB Tony Rice

The only independent to win the national championship in the modern era, this Notre Dame team was loaded with NFL talent. 

On their way to an undefeated season, they posted victories over four Top 10 teams, including rivals USC and Michigan and top ranked, defending national champion Miami. 

And in one of the few undefeated/untied vs. undefeated/untied bowl games of the modern era, the Irish handled Don Nehlen's Mountaineers. 

The only reason we can't put them higher? That WVU team was probably not worthy of a #3 ranking: their only win over a ranked team came against #14 Syracuse. Furthermore, in the Fiesta Bowl, an injured left shoulder greatly limited Mountaineers quarterback Major Harris' ability to run the option. 

No. 17: 1998 Tennessee Volunteers

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19 Sep 1998: Running back Jamal Lewis #31 of the Tennessee Volunteers in action against free safety Teako Brown #33 of the Florida Gators during a game at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Volunteers defeated the Gators 20-17. Mandatory Cr

Head Coach: Phillip Fulmer

Record: 13-0

Bowl: Fiesta, 23-16 win over #1 Florida State

Stars: QB Tee Martin, RB Travis Henry, OT Chad Clifton, WR Peerless Price, OG Cosey Coleman

The first ever BCS Championship Game featured a minor upset when the Vols edged out Bobby Bowden's Seminoles. 

But that Vols team wasn't completely dominant throughout the regular season, so it was fitting that they would need a last minute defensive stand to hang on to a seven-point victory.

They barely got by Syracuse, needed overtime to (finally) defeat Florida, struggled at home against Arkansas, and trailed in the fourth quarter of the SEC title game to the 8-2 Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Still, replacing Peyton Manning with Tee Martin and winning a national championship takes a tremendous collection of talent. 

No. 16: 2006 Florida Gators

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Chris Leak #12 of the Florida Gators drops back to pass in the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2007 Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on January 8

Head Coach: Urban Meyer

Record: 13-1

Bowl: BCS National Championship, 41-14 win over #1 Ohio State

Stars: QB Chris Leak, QB Tim Tebow, WR Pervy Harvin, DE Jarvis Moss, DE Derrick Harvey, S Reggie Nelson, WR Dallas Baker

The team that started the SEC's current streak of five consecutive championships squeeked through most of their regular season schedule, narrowly defeating Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida State, and even Vanderbilt. 

And at the outset of the title game against Ohio State, they again looked to be in for a nail-bitter: the Buckeyes' Ted Ginn returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. 

But after that, they crushed Ohio State, something that would have been more impressive had LSU not done the same the following season. 

No. 15: 1986 Penn State Nittany Lions

Head Coach: Joe Paterno

Record: 12-0

Bowl: Fiesta, 14-10 win over #1 Miami

Stars: LB Shane Conlan, RB D.J. Dozier

Aside from a stunning 23-3 win at Bryant-Denny Stadium over #2 Alabama, the Nittany Lions didn't face a terribly difficult schedule, although they did beat Notre Dame and West Virginia on the road.

But what they did in the Fiesta Bowl, over Jimmy Johnson's seemingly invincible Miami team has to put higher up on this list. They held Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde, Alonzo Highsmith, Michael Irvin, and the 11-0 Hurricanes to 10 points. 

No. 14: 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes

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TEMPE, AZ - JANUARY 3: Running back Maurice Clarett #13 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is interviewed by Lynn Swann after deafeating the Miami Hurricanes in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on January 3, 2003 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Ohio State won t

Head Coach: Jim Tressel

Record: 14-0

Bowl: Orange, 31-24 (2 OT) win over #1 Miami

Stars: RB Maurice Clarett, S Mike Doss, DE Will Smith, CB Chris Gamble, CB Michael Jenkins, QB Craig Krenzel, K Mike Nugent

There weren't any future NFL hall of famers on Jim Tressel's second Buckeye team: although there were a handful of first round draft picks. 

They weren't one of the most dominant teams in the BCS era: they very easily could have lost games to Illinois, Purdue, Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State and even Cincinnati. 

And they probably should have lost the BCS title game: that wasn't pass interference by Glen Sharpe on Chris Gamble in the end zone during the first overtime.

But as huge underdogs, they did defeat an incredible Hurricanes team that featured Heisman finalist Ken Dorsey, Willis McGahee, Andre Johnson, Kellen Winslow, Sean Taylor, Jonathan Vilma, Vernon Carey, Antrell Rolle, and Vince Wilfork. 

Pretty similar to their Big Ten counterpart's win in January 1987. 

No. 13: 1996 Florida Gators

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2 Jan 1997: Florida Gators head coach Steve Spurrier confers with quarterback Danny Wuerffel during the Nokia Sugar Bowl against the Florida State Seminoles at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Florida won the game, 52-20.

Head Coach: Steve Spurrier

Record: 12-1

Bowl: Sugar, 52-20 win over #1 Florida State

Stars: QB Danny Wuerffel, WR Reidel Anthony, WR Ike Hilliard, RB Fred Taylor, DE Jevon Kearse, LB Mike Peterson

The Fun'N'Gun may have overshadowed the rest of the team, but Spurrier's lone national championship group was much more balanced  than people remember. 

They allowed a combined 37 points during a five game SEC winning streak over Kentucky, Arkansas, 12th ranked LSU, 16th ranked Auburn, and rival Georgia. 

And considering that they lost to Florida State in Tallahassee by a field goal then trounced the Seminoles five weeks later in the Sugar Bowl, they had to be a supremely talented team on both sides of the ball. 

No. 12: Florida State Seminoles

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11 Sep 1993: FLORIDA STATE QUARTERBACK CHARLIE WARD ON THE SIDELINES DURING A VICTORY AGAINST CLEMSON.

Head Coach: Bobby Bowden

Record: 12-1

Bowl: Orange, 18-16 win over #2 Nebraska

Stars: QB Charlie Ward, RB Warrick Dunn, FB William Floyd, WR Tamarick Vanover, LB Derrick Brooks, DE Derrick Alexander, S Devin Bush

Bobby Bowden's first national championship team would have been higher on this list had they not dropped the "Game of the Century" to Notre Dame in mid-November. 

But their win in the Orange Bowl more than made up for it. 

When Scott Bentley's 22-yard field goal sailed through the uprights with 21 seconds remaining to give the Seminoles a two-point win over undefeated Nebraska, it was the only loss the Cornhuskers were dealt from 1993 to 1995. 

No. 11: 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 27: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 27, 2009 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Head Coach: Nick Saban

Record: 13-0

Bowl: BCS National Championship, 37-21 win over #2 Texas

Stars: QB Greg McElroy, RB Mark Ingram Jr., RB Trent Richardson, WR Julio Jones, DT Marcel  Dareus, DT Terrence Cody, LB Rolando McClain

Although they had a few close calls (like a 12-10 win over Tennessee and a late touchdown to win the Iron Bowl) the Tide were clearly the best team in the nation throughout the 2009 season. 

They handled seventh-ranked Virginia Tech in the Kickoff Classic, bested the LSU Tigers in with a great fourth quarter, and manhandled the Gators in the second half of the SEC title game.

But it would have been nice to see how they fared in the BCS Title Game against Texas WITH Colt McCoy playing. As it stood, they needed two late touchdowns to best Mack Brown and his unprepared freshman quarterback, Gale Gilbert. 

No. 10: 1994 Nebraska Cornhuskers

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9 Sep 1995: Running back Lawrence Phillips of the University of Nebraska carries the football during the Cornhuskers 50-10 win over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.

Head Coach: Tom Osborne

Record: 12-0

Bowl: Orange, 24-17 win over #3 Miami

Stars: QB Tommie Frazier, RB Lawrence Phillips, OT Zach Wiegert, OG Brendan Stei, FB Cory Schlesinger

The Cornhuskers rebounded from their disappointing 18-16 loss to Florida State in the Orange Bowl and were a dominating force in 1994.

They ended the undefeated streak of Kordell Stewart and the second-ranked Colorado Buffaloes in November and held rival Oklahoma to just three points in their Norman-hosted annual showdown. 

The offense was outstanding with Tommie Frazier at the helm and Lawrence Phillips rushing for 100-yards in 11 straight games. But because they trailed the Hurricanes 17-9 heading into the fourth quarter, they weren't the most dominant Cornhuskers team of the modern age. 

No. 9: 1987 Miami Hurricanes

Head Coach: Jimmy Johnson

Record: 12-0

Bowl: Orange, 20-14 win over #1 Oklahoma

Stars: WR Michael Irvin, CB Bennie Blades, DE Daniel Stubbs, QB Steve Walsh, CB Bubba McDowell, WR Brian Blades

Losing Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde, Alonzo Smith, and defensive tackle Jerome Brown (each a Top 10 pick) to the NFL draft could have ruined Jimmy Johnson;s hopes of winning a national title one year after coming so close against Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions.

But Johnson and the Hurricanes simply reloaded. 

They blasted Florida in the season opener, did the same to 10th ranked Arkansas, then edged out #4 Florida State in early October. 

After a pretty easy stretch, they shut out 10th ranked Notre Dame, and defeated the eighth ranked South Carolina Game Cocks to earn a home game versus top ranked, undefeated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. 

Against Barry Switzer, his future Dallas Cowboys successor (and with his future franchise quarterback Troy Aikman watching from the sidelines), Johnson and the Hurricanes edged out the Sooners thanks in part to seven catches, 102 yards and a touchdown by receiver Melvin Bratton. 

No. 8: 2005 Texas Longhorns

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Texas Longhorns fakes a pass as he is run down by Fili Moala #75 of the USC Trojans and runs in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the BCS National Championship Rose Bowl Game at the

Head Coach: Mack Brown

Record: 13-0

Bowl: Rose, 41-38 win over #1 USC

Stars: QB Vince Young, RB Jamaal Charles, RB Selvin Young, WR Limas Sweed, S Michael Griffin, CB Cedric Griffin, S Michael Huff

Aside from their narrow 25-22 win over the #4 Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, the Longhorns scored 40 or more points every week of the 2005 season. 

Although the 7-4 Colorado Buffaloes weren't the greatest of teams, a 70-3 victory in the Big XII Title Game victory is a remarkable feat. 

And against the USC dynasty, they edged out the Trojans in arguably the greatest championship game of the modern era. 

No. 7: 2010 Auburn Tigers

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Ar

Head Coach: Gene Chizik

Record: 14-0

Bowl: BCS National Championship, 22-19 win over #2 Oregon

Stars: QB Cam Newton, DT Nick Fairley, RB Michael Dyer, RB Onterrio McCalebb

Although they didn't explode the scoreboard in the National Championship Game last night, the Tigers completed one of the greatest seasons in modern history last night.

Consider who they bested in 2010.

-The reigning national champion, Alabama (by way of a miraculous comeback)

-Undefeated LSU

-Undefeated and Sugar Bowl bound Arkansas

-Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks (twice)

-The undefeated Pac-10 champion Oregon Ducks

With that run and potentially a pair of Top 10 picks in next year's draft (one on each side of the ball) that's a remarkable resume. 

No. 6: 1999 Florida State Seminoles

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23 Sep 2000: Quarterback Chris Weinke #16 of the Florida State Seminoles scrambles with the ball during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at the Doke Campbell Stadium in Talahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Cardinals 31-0.Mandatory Cre

Head Coach: Bobby Bowden

Record: 12-0

Bowl: Sugar, 49-26 win over #2 Virginia Tech

Stars: QB Chris Weinke, RB Travis Minor, WR Peter Warrick, DT Corey Simon, K Sebastian Janikowski, WR Snoop Minnis, WR Anquan Boldin, WR Laverneus Coles

The Seminoles offense (which helped Mark Richt earn the head job at Georgia) was incredible in 1999, only being held under 30 points once (against Clemson in Bowden Bowl I). 

But that defense deserves just as much credit for grabbing a second national championship in seven years.

Against Michael Vick's Virginia Tech  Hokies in the title game, that defense did a pretty good job, sacking the redshirt freshman seven times and limiting him to two touchdowns.

No. 5: 2000 Oklahoma Sooners

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02 Dec 2000: Josh Heupel #14 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks for a receiver against the Kansas State Wildcats in the Big 12 Championship at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. < DIGITAL IMAGE> Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT

Head Coach: Bob Stoops

Record: 13-0

Bowl: Orange, 13-2 win over #3 Florida State 

Stars: QB Josh Heupel, RB Quentin Griffin, S J.T. Thatcher, LB Torrance Marshall

The Sooner offense (led by coordinator Mark Mangino) was very good in 2000: Josh Heupel had a fantastic season. But their defense was one of the all time greatest units. 

Under Bob Stoops brother Mike, that unit dominated third-ranked Nebraska and 11th ranked Texas in the Red River Shootout, then shutout Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke and the powerful Seminoles offense in the Orange Bowl.

No. 4: 2008 Florida Gators

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators throws a pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Championship on December 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Gators defeated the Crimson Tide 31-20. (Ph

Head Coach:  Urban Meyer

Record: 13-1

Bowl: BCS National Championship, 24-14 win over #1 Oklahoma

Stars: QB Tim Tebow, RB/WR Percy Harvin, LB Brandon Spikes, DE Carlos Dunlap, CB Joe Haden

Tebow's famous speech after the surprising home loss to Ole Miss is part of Gator lore, but that whole team should be remembered for what happened after that 31-30 defeat. 

They trounced Arkansas in Fayetteville, manhandled the defending national champion LSU Tigers, 51-21 the following week, did the same to rivals Georgia (49-10) and Florida State (45-15) to earn a spot in the SEC title game. 

A Tebow-led fourth quarter comeback gave the Gators the conference title and great defense against the Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford, earned them the national title.

Those consecutive wins over the nation's top ranked teams earns this Gator team our highest spot for a  team that didn't finish the season with a perfect record. 

No. 3: 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers

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2 Jan 1996: Quarterback Tommie Frazier #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers is sacked by the Florida Gators including linebacker Dexter Daniel #48 of the Florida Gators in the Fiesta Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Nebraska defeated Florida 62-2

Head Coach: Tom Osborne

Record: 12-0

Bowl: Fiesta, 62-24 win over #2 Florida

Stars: QB Tommie Frazier, RB Lawrence Phillips, RB Ahman Green, DB Jared Tomich, DE Grant Wistrom, CB Chris Dishman

The Cornhuskers weren't as one dimensional on offense as they were a year before: Frazier threw 18 touchdowns and completed 55% of his passes. 

And although they lost their All American running back Lawrence Phillips for part of the season because of his legal problems, Ahman Green filled in admirably as a freshman.

The defense, was just as good. At the end of the regular season, against 10th ranked Kansas and rival Oklahoma, they allowed three combined points. They also shut out Missouri 57-0. 

But it was what they did in the Fiesta Bowl that earns them the bronze medal on this list. 

Behind 10-6 at the end of the first quarter, the Cornhuskers exploded for 36 unanswered points.

To do that against a team that would win the National Championship the next year and a quarterback (Danny Wuerffel) who would win the Heisman the next season made that Cornhusker team the greatest in school history. 

No. 2: 2001 Miami Hurricanes

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3 Jan 2002: Ken Dorsey #11 quarterback for Miami rolls out during the Rose Bowl National Championship Game versus Nebraska at the Rose Bowl versus Nebraska in Pasadena, California. Miami won 37-14. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn/Gett

Head Coach: Larry Coker

Record: 12-0

Bowl: Rose, 37-14 win over #1 Nebraska

Stars: QB Ken Dorsey, RB Clinton Portis, WR Andre Johnson, TE Jeremy Shockey, OT Bryant McKinnie, DT Jerome McDougle, DT  William Joseph, LB Jonathan Vilma, FS Ed Reed, CB Mike Rumph, CB Phillip Buchanon, LB D.J. Williams

The only close game Miami played that entire season was a 26-24 defeat of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Along the way, they crushed Florida State in Tallahassee, beat West Virginia 45-3, and in consecutive weeks outscored ranked opponents in Syracuse and Washington by a combined score 124-7. 

Although Colorado or Oregon probably should have been the Hurricanes opponent that night in Pasadena, Miami would have trampled them too: There were 17 future first round draft picks on that team.

In the Rose Bowl, they jumped out to a 34-0 lead as Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch was no match for that incredible defense. 

No. 1: 2004 USC Trojans

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PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 30: Running back Reggie Bush #5 of the USC Trojans celebrates with quarterback Matt Leinart #11 after scoring a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars on October 30, 2004 at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by

Head Coach: Pete Carroll

Record: 13-0 (Forget about that "vacated" status of those victories)

Bowl: Orange, 55-19 win over #2 Oklahoma

Stars: QB Matt Leinart, RB Reggie Bush, RB LenDale White, WR Dwayne Jarrett, WR Steve Smith, C Ryan Kalil, OT Winston Justice, DE Mike Patterson, DE Shaun Cody, LB Lofa Tatupu

Only the second team in the last quarter century to spend every day of the season atop the Associated Press polls, the 2004 Trojans team were incredible. 

Leinart threw 33 touchdowns and only six interceptions to earn the Heisman, while Bush and White combined for over 2,000 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns.

And although the defense certainly took a back seat to that slew of future first rounders on offense, they allowed only 13 points per game. 

In the Orange Bowl victory and Leinart's Heisman showdown with Oklahoma's Jason White, the Trojans picked off White twice, allowed Adrian Peterson just 82 yards, and forced five turnovers against a Sooners offense that finished ninth in the nation in yards per game.