The Sports Corner

Ranking the Top Programs in College Football

After Will Muschamp’s comments about Texas being the best program and job in college football, I decided to figure out where the Longhorns rank in my mind right now.

For argument’s sake let’s say every job in college football is open. Here’s what I think the most sought after jobs would be based on the ease of recruiting players to the school and the current talent level on campus. 

1. USC

Pete Carroll has everyone chasing the Trojans in terms of talent. He dominates recruiting in California and then dips into Colorado, Texas, New Jersey, Tennessee and Florida for the best talent out there, bar none. They have their mental lapses, but this team could play in the NFL’s NFC West and win a few games. 

2. Florida

Bear Bryant once said that if Florida ever got the right coach, the rest of the SEC would be in trouble. Well Steve Spurrier showed it was possible and now Urban Meyer is making history repeat itself. The Gators are basically USC-East at this point. If Tim Tebow sticks around for one more year they will be national title favourites. If not, John Brantley and Cam Newton will form one hell of a duo. 

3. Texas

You can make the argument that they should be higher but I think because of Oklahoma’s dominance in this decade they are taken down a notch. Still, the school brings in the best 25 players the state of Texas can offer every year. There’s a quarterback in place for next season and plenty of young players at the skill positions, who wouldn’t want this job?

4. Ohio State

They’ve been right up there in the recruiting rankings every year and even though two consecutive disappointments in the national championship game have the faithful examining the program, they’re still in position to win the Big 10 this week. Next year Terrelle Pryor takes over full-time. Big 10 defensive coordinators beware. Also the only teams they’re really competing with year-in-year-out are Michigan and Penn State. Every couple of years Wisconsin shows up. 

5. Oklahoma

This might even be too low for the Sooners, but you can make a case to drop them even lower. They have proven they can take recruits away from Texas and in Sam Bradford and DeMarco Murray they have two players you can build a offense, or a program around. The defense isn’t what it used to be though. 

After those five schools, I feel there is a significant drop off. The next tier of teams would include Notre Dame, Alabama, LSU, Michigan and Miami. I was very close to grouping Oklahoma in with these teams but couldn’t based on their recent success in the Big 12.

Notre Dame didn’t crack the top five because they haven’t been producing this year, and difficult requirements for academics make it harder to recruit there. Alabama is more of a result of Nick Saban’s efforts than their current talent level, though give him a year or two to recruit and they would be four or five on this list.

LSU is a great job because high school football in Louisiana is full of talent and so is their current roster, I think they are the class of this second tier. Michigan is a program in disarray right now but their tradition and history is nearly unrivaled. Also like OSU, only two other teams in their conference are really that worrisome. Miami has a great base of young talent on their team right now and under the right coaching they’re only a few years away from national championship contention.