I ranked the Top 25 College Football Programs heading into 2021. Multiple factors played into the ranking system. They are:
Pedigree: Being a Blue Blood matters. The brand matters. Relevancy matters.
Success: You've got to be decent on the field, too.
Trending: The "What have you done for me lately?" aspect factors in.
Enjoy the list and please share where I went wrong
1. Alabama
Saban dynasty will be long remembered. Claiming the most recent title in dominant fashion secures their top spot.
2. Clemson
Dabo not far behind. Two true monsters in CFB. You could make the case for Clemson at one because Saban doesn't have many years left and he has tougher competition in the SEC.
3. Ohio State
Tressel did some big things and Urban brought them to new heights. Dominance in the Big Ten. It's good to be Buckeye fan.
4. Oklahoma
Bob Stoops brought this sleeping giant back to life.
5. Notre Dame
Love 'em or hate 'em, this brand is undeniable. They have wins to go with it.
6. Oregon
Standout program and uniforms out west. Popular team. The Ducks are carrying the Pac-12 right now.
7. LSU
Quite a Championship hangover, but they're producing top athletes and lots of wins. Dudes like the Mad Hatter and Joey Burreaux keep it interesting. Coach O too I suppose.
8. Florida
A few bumps in the road recently, but the Swamp remains relevant as ever.
9. Georgia
Living in the shadow of Bama and Florida, but has a top team and talent every year.
10. Texas
Not much recent success, but simply, they are Texas.
11. Wisconsin
Give them air time, or not. They're going to keep winning either way.
12. USC
There's been ups and downs since Pete Carroll, but hey, it's USC.
13. Michigan
I really wanted to drop them lower, but the brand just outweighs the recent mediocrity on the field.
14. Auburn
The potential always seems to be there. High expectations every year and when the stars align they have a special year.
15. Penn State
They are trending down since Saquon and McSorely, but still hell of a turnaround from the JoPa situation.
16. Texas A&M
Manziel and the SEC was a shot in the arm for this program. Can Jimbo get them to higher level?
17. Iowa State
A few surprises start to sprinkle in. Matt Campbell is trending up up up.
18. Miami
Similar to Texas and Michigan, it's a lot of hot air. But it's the U, they have the turnover chain, and they've been turning things around a little bit.
19. Northwestern
Say what? The academic pedigree, recent success, stability at head coach, and a sweet new practice facility all have this program trending up.
20. Florida State
The last few years have been a complete mess. But I think there's a big fan base and the Seminoles aren't going anywhere.
21. Washington
Chris Petersen did some big things with the Huskies. Time will tell if the shine wears off now that he's gone.
22. Iowa
Hawkeyes win a lot of ball games. But no one seems to care.
23. North Carolina
Mack Brown that son of a gun has breathed some life into that program. They get athletes.
24. Nebraska
You can't live off of past glory forever. But new facilities are coming and the team is getting better. A couple winning seasons would send the Huskers flying up this poll. But they've got to prove it.
25. Indiana
The fighting Tom Creen's are the national media's darling for some reason. They are trending up.
Others receiving votes:
Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Baylor, Minnesota, Michigan State, BYU
Pedigree: Being a Blue Blood matters. The brand matters. Relevancy matters.
Success: You've got to be decent on the field, too.
Trending: The "What have you done for me lately?" aspect factors in.
Enjoy the list and please share where I went wrong
1. Alabama
Saban dynasty will be long remembered. Claiming the most recent title in dominant fashion secures their top spot.
2. Clemson
Dabo not far behind. Two true monsters in CFB. You could make the case for Clemson at one because Saban doesn't have many years left and he has tougher competition in the SEC.
3. Ohio State
Tressel did some big things and Urban brought them to new heights. Dominance in the Big Ten. It's good to be Buckeye fan.
4. Oklahoma
Bob Stoops brought this sleeping giant back to life.
5. Notre Dame
Love 'em or hate 'em, this brand is undeniable. They have wins to go with it.
6. Oregon
Standout program and uniforms out west. Popular team. The Ducks are carrying the Pac-12 right now.
7. LSU
Quite a Championship hangover, but they're producing top athletes and lots of wins. Dudes like the Mad Hatter and Joey Burreaux keep it interesting. Coach O too I suppose.
8. Florida
A few bumps in the road recently, but the Swamp remains relevant as ever.
9. Georgia
Living in the shadow of Bama and Florida, but has a top team and talent every year.
10. Texas
Not much recent success, but simply, they are Texas.
11. Wisconsin
Give them air time, or not. They're going to keep winning either way.
12. USC
There's been ups and downs since Pete Carroll, but hey, it's USC.
13. Michigan
I really wanted to drop them lower, but the brand just outweighs the recent mediocrity on the field.
14. Auburn
The potential always seems to be there. High expectations every year and when the stars align they have a special year.
15. Penn State
They are trending down since Saquon and McSorely, but still hell of a turnaround from the JoPa situation.
16. Texas A&M
Manziel and the SEC was a shot in the arm for this program. Can Jimbo get them to higher level?
17. Iowa State
A few surprises start to sprinkle in. Matt Campbell is trending up up up.
18. Miami
Similar to Texas and Michigan, it's a lot of hot air. But it's the U, they have the turnover chain, and they've been turning things around a little bit.
19. Northwestern
Say what? The academic pedigree, recent success, stability at head coach, and a sweet new practice facility all have this program trending up.
20. Florida State
The last few years have been a complete mess. But I think there's a big fan base and the Seminoles aren't going anywhere.
21. Washington
Chris Petersen did some big things with the Huskies. Time will tell if the shine wears off now that he's gone.
22. Iowa
Hawkeyes win a lot of ball games. But no one seems to care.
23. North Carolina
Mack Brown that son of a gun has breathed some life into that program. They get athletes.
24. Nebraska
You can't live off of past glory forever. But new facilities are coming and the team is getting better. A couple winning seasons would send the Huskers flying up this poll. But they've got to prove it.
25. Indiana
The fighting Tom Creen's are the national media's darling for some reason. They are trending up.
Others receiving votes:
Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Baylor, Minnesota, Michigan State, BYU