ESPN ranks all 119 Div-I schools to determine the best football school of the last decade. It will run until Friday. Make your predictions as to where State palaces. Here are 101-119.

Quote :

"101 Baylor 28-85 .248 0 0-0 The emblematic moment of Bears football the past decade was the 1999 decision by coach Kevin Steele to try to punch in one more score from inside the 10 while up three on UNLV in the final seconds. Naturally, the Bears fumbled. Naturally, the Rebels ran it back 99 yards for the victory. Naturally, Baylor remains without a winning season since 1995. 102 San Jose State 44-72 .379 0 1-0 You know it's tough to sustain excitement here when the team goes 9-4 and still ranks 99th nationally in attendance, as the Spartans did in 2006. Opening with four straight road games, and playing seven overall, might undercut last year's momentum. 103 SMU 39-75 .342 0 0-0 The school has wisely stayed the course for five years with coach Phil Bennett, whose Mustangs last year scored the most points since the cheatin' days of the 1980s. But SMU still hasn't been to a bowl game since pre-death penalty. 104 UNLV 35-80 .304 0 1-0 The John Robinson Era was supposed to bring the Rebels out of obscurity. It didn't. Replacement Mike Sanford, hired off Urban Meyer's hot-shot staff at Utah, is 4-19. And Vegas still hasn't produced back-to-back winning seasons since 1983-84. 105 Florida Atlantic 16-19 .457 0 0-0 The seven-year-old start-up program's high point was undoubtedly starting the 2004 season with five straight victories, all on the road. The only other high point is being able to say that the coach (Howard Schnellenberger) owns a national championship ring (Miami 1983). 106 Idaho 41-74 .357 0 1-0 After being used by Dennis Erickson for a one-year résumé rehab, the Vandals are now on their fifth coach of the past 10 years. That's no way to compete in the WAC -- especially with the glory hogs to the south, Boise State. 107 Arkansas State 39-77 .336 0 0-1 The Indians have improved in their five years under Steve Roberts, even earning a 2005 New Orleans bowl bid and playing respectably in a loss to Southern Mississippi. But when the signature win of the decade is over a Memphis team on its way to 2-10, there's plenty of room for additional improvement. 108 Ball State 37-76 .327 0 0-0 The Cardinals nearly had their greatest moment ever in November, pushing unbeaten Michigan to the wire in the Big House. Of course, they also lost to I-AA North Dakota State on their way to a 10th straight non-winning season. 109 Kent State 32-81 .283 0 0-0 Ugly as the last 20 years have been for the Golden Flashes, the times might be changing. At least one preseason magazine picks them to win their division in the MAC. 110 New Mexico State 38-77 .330 0 0-0 Fifteen years ago, the Aggies were featured in Sports Illustrated as the worst program in America. Thanks to I-A expansion, they're not even in the bottom five anymore. How's that for progress? 111 Army 24-90 .211 0 0-0 The big picture indicates how hard it is to get top-shelf athletic talent to a demanding place like West Point. The small picture indicates that even smart guys can do dumb things with the football: The Cadets are minus-83 in turnover margin the past decade. 112 Louisiana-Lafayette 32-81 .283 1 conf. 0-0 The good news is that the Ragin' Cajuns have gone 12-11 the past two seasons. The bad news is that they've still been outscored every year since 1995 and still haven't earned their first bowl bid since the 1970 Rice Bowl. 113 Louisiana-Monroe 36-78 .316 1 conf. 0-0 UL-M's record is 7-3 versus fellow hyphenated rival UL-L the past decade. The fact that they've won only 29 other games in 10 years is why they're ranked 113th. 114 Utah State 35-78 .310 0 0-1 Four coaches, three conferences and two years as an independent in the past decade indicate that stability is not the strong suit in Logan. The Aggies actually played in the Humanitarian Bowl 10 years ago, but then John L. Smith left. The next nine seasons were most inhumane. 115 Duke 18-95 .159 0 0-0 Stanford and Northwestern have made it to the Rose Bowl in recent times. Even Vanderbilt, playing in a much tougher conference, has threatened to earn a bowl bid. So why can't the ACC's resident brainiac school even come close to competing? The Blue Devils had five double-digit loss seasons in the decade. 116 Eastern Michigan 31-82 .274 0 0-0 They started playing football in Ypsilanti in 1891, and the current 11-year streak of losing records is the longest in program history. In a Mid-American Conference where every dog seems to have its day, the pooches from EMU haven't managed even five wins in a season since '95. 117 Florida International 8-25 .242 0 0-0 It's never good when the signature moment in your program's history is a full-scale, on-field brawl versus Miami. Or when your best win is at Louisiana-Monroe (see No. 113 on this list). 118 Temple 23-90 .204 0 0-0 Gridiron life has rarely been good for the Owls, but it's never been as bad as the past two years: one win in 23 games, and they've been outscored by 757 points in that time. Temple hasn't ranked better than 116th nationally in scoring offense or defense since 2004. 119 Buffalo 12-79 .132 0 0-0 You want the definition of the ultimate underdog program? How's this: The Bulls have been favored once against a fellow Division I-A opponent in eight years of I-A football. At least they came through, beating No. 118 Temple 9-3 last season in the opener."

7/24/2007 10:06:27 AM

i'll say 36th

7/24/2007 10:13:07 AM

57

Our winning percentage is probably about 55%, and it's against some weak competition compared to other BCS conference schools.

7/24/2007 10:27:17 AM

#120

7/24/2007 10:27:53 AM

50

7/24/2007 10:28:33 AM

I'll go with 42

7/24/2007 10:29:28 AM

45th

Who is going to be #1? Ill say tOSU

7/24/2007 10:32:55 AM

1 10-win season, a couple solid bowl seasons, and then a bunch of fluff built on the backs of weak scheduling: I say 58.

7/24/2007 10:36:50 AM

at least we are not on this list

7/24/2007 10:38:29 AM

We might make top 50 if draft picks produced are considered.

7/24/2007 10:41:56 AM

mid 50's... maybe even low 60's...

if we break 50 i think i'd be stunned...

7/24/2007 10:45:08 AM

Yeah I was thinking 57ish myself.

It will be interesting to see where we rank 10 years from now. Providing of course TOB pulls us out of the ACC cellar.

7/24/2007 10:54:59 AM

52

7/24/2007 11:11:48 AM

41

7/24/2007 11:13:04 AM

55...you gotta take into account the 97-99 seasons before Amato got here when we weren't considered much of a football school

I would be surprised if we broke top 50

7/24/2007 11:34:54 AM

Well, we did go to the MicronPC bowl in '98. But yeah, other than the Rivers era it's been a shitty decade for Wolfpack football.

7/24/2007 11:40:40 AM

I vote for slightly above the shitter (Buffalo, Temple, FIU)

7/24/2007 11:45:20 AM

here's my top 10 (in order):

1) Michigan
2) Florida State
3) Virginia Tech
4) Ohio State
5) Texas
6) Florida
7) Georgia
8) Miami
9) Tennessee
10) Oklahoma

7/24/2007 12:10:57 PM

Quote :

"you gotta take into account the 97-99 seasons before Amato got here when we weren't considered much of a football school"

We went 6-5, 7-5, and 6-6 respectively. How was that not better than our last 3 years with CTC???



[Edited on July 24, 2007 at 12:13 PM. Reason : ^USC has to be top 10 with that streak]

7/24/2007 12:13:17 PM

^^ How in God's Green Earth is USC not in there?

USC will be #1 or #2 easily.

[Edited on July 24, 2007 at 12:13 PM. Reason : .]

7/24/2007 12:13:29 PM

USC has been good from 2002 to now, but from 1997-2002 they were ranked in the 30s-60s at the end of the season

they rank around 12 or 13 over the last decade

now if this system is based solely on the team's ranking, then thats how it should turn out...but knowing ESPN, it'll be like the "who's now" crap with the most popular teams ranking at the top. If this is the case, then USC will be #1 or 2

7/24/2007 12:32:41 PM

its ESPN... they'll have USC in the top 5 for sure

for state, im thinkin 50s, but since its ESPN, probably like 65 and UNC will be 28th

7/24/2007 12:35:30 PM

by winning % from 1997-2006 its:

1 Texas 0.77778
2t Boise State 0.77600
2t Ohio State 0.77600
4 Michigan 0.77419
5 Miami-Florida 0.76423
6 Georgia 0.76190
7 Florida State 0.75591
8 Virginia Tech 0.75397
9t Florida 0.74603
9t Tennessee 0.74603

7/24/2007 12:42:06 PM

59th

7/24/2007 12:42:28 PM

74

7/24/2007 1:11:16 PM

All-NCSU team of the last ten years:

QB: Philip Rivers
HB: Philip Rivers
FB: Philip Rivers
TE: Philip Rivers
WR: Torry Holt
WR: Jerricho Cotchery
OL: Philip Rivers
OL: Philip Rivers
OL: Philip Rivers
OL: Philip Rivers
OL: Philip Rivers

DE: Philip Rivers
DT: Philip Rivers
DT: Philip Rivers
DE: Philip Rivers
LB: Levar Fisher
LB: Dantonio Burnette
LB: Philip Rivers
CB: Philip Rivers
FS: Philip Rivers
SS: Philip Rivers
CB: Philip Rivers

7/24/2007 1:17:27 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2946385

76-100

[Edited on July 24, 2007 at 1:40 PM. Reason : d]

7/24/2007 1:39:45 PM

38

7/24/2007 1:44:54 PM

Quote :

"RANK TEAM RECORD WIN % TITLES BOWL RECORD 76 Western Michigan 61-55 .526 0 0-1 Bill Cubit is 15-9 during his two seasons as head coach and has the Broncos heading in the right direction. Western Michigan's trip to the International Bowl was the program's first bowl berth in the last 10 years. Despite a respectable winning percentage (.526), the Broncos failed to win the MAC during that same 10-year period. 77 Connecticut 37-44 .457 0 1-0 UConn won the Motor City Bowl as a first-year member of the Big East in 2004. Since then, Randy Edsall has experienced more headaches than victories. Poor recruiting classes, injuries and off the field issues have led to consecutive losing seasons. 78 Central Florida 53-62 .461 0 0-1 There is enough talent in the state of Florida for UCF to contend consistently for Conference USA titles. Coach George O'Leary proved that point in 2005, when the Golden Knights won the East Division with a 7-1 conference record. However, it's tough to get excited about such an inconsistent program. Remember, UCF isn't far removed from a 17-game losing streak and it's coming off a four-win season under O'Leary in 2006. 79 Nevada 52-65 .444 1 conf. 1-1 Chris Ault returned as Nevada's coach for the third time in 2003. Since then, the Wolf Pack program has been on the rise since. This fall, Ault's club will be looking for its third consecutive bowl berth and its second WAC title in three years. 80 Memphis 49-67 .422 0 2-1 In 2001, Tommy West took over a program that hadn't seen a winning season since 1994 and led the Tigers to three consecutive bowl games between 2003-2005. But all momentum came to a screeching halt in 2006, when a two-win season led to the revamping of his coaching staff. 81 Houston 47-70 .402 1 conf. 1-1 Houston is a program on the rise following a 10-4 overall record and a C-USA title in 2006. The Cougars will miss four-year starting quarterback Kevin Kolb (Philadelphia's second-round draft pick in 2007). However, coach Art Briles has enough returning talent and the unconventional offensive scheme to maintain recent success. 82 Stanford 46-67 .407 1 conf. 0-2 Jim Harbaugh is Stanford's third coach since Ty Willingham left for Notre Dame following the 2001 season. Harbaugh inherits a Cardinal program that has won just 29 percent of its games the past five seasons. 83 Kansas 47-69 .405 0 1-1 The Jayhawks have pulled off some impressive upsets during Mark Mangino's five-year tenure. They also have been bowl eligible three times in the last four years. However, the team's overall record under Mangino is 25-35, which is only a slight improvement over the previous five seasons (22-34). 84 Illinois 39-76 .339 1 conf. 1-1 Ron Zook's recruiting classes have been extraordinary during his two-year tenure at Illinois. While there's a good deal of hope for the Champaign faithful, the team has won just two games in each of the past two seasons. In fact, Illini fans haven't had much to cheer about since QB Kurt Kittner took the team to the 2002 Sugar Bowl. 85 Troy 36-35 .507 1 conf. 1-1 Troy is one of the nation's fast-rising programs. Coach Larry Blakeney has led the Trojans to two bowl appearances since moving up to Division I-A in 2002, including an impressive blowout victory over Rice in last year's New Orleans Bowl. 86 Tulsa 44-75 .370 1 conf. 1-2 Steve Kragthorpe took a previously incompetent Tulsa program to new heights during his four seasons (2003-'06) as head coach. The bad news is that Kragthorpe bolted for greener pastures at Louisville. The good news is that Todd Graham (former defensive coordinator under Kragthorpe) takes over after performing miracles as Rice's head coach in 2006. 87 Louisiana Tech 58-60 .492 1 conf. 0-0 Jack Bicknell was fired in 2006 after leading the Bulldogs to just one winning season (2005) since 2001. Bicknell's teams enjoyed some high-powered offensive units over the years. Unfortunately for Bulldogs fans, a nonexistent defense has led to a sub-.500 winning percentage and zero bowl bids the past 10 years. 88 UTEP 47-71 .398 1 conf. 0-3 The program seemed to be ascending under Mike Price, who led the Miners to a 16-8 record and consecutive bowl berths during his first two years (2004-'05). However, a five-win season with a veteran team in 2006 proved to be an unexpected disappointment for the El Paso faithful. UTEP has now won fewer than 40 percent of its games over the course of the last 10 years. 89 Tulane 55-61 .474 1 conf. 1-0 Despite grooming a couple NFL first-round draft picks in Patrick Ramsey (2002) and J.P. Losman (2004), coach Chris Scelfo enjoyed just two winning seasons during his eight-year tenure, which ended in his firing following a four-win campaign in 2006. Tulane endured unprecedented trials following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. But even with that season excluded, the Green Wave have been a non-factor for a while now. 90 Akron 52-64 .448 1 conf. 0-1 J.D. Brookhart has Akron on the rise thanks to an effective wide-open spread offense. Since he took over three seasons ago, the Zips have enjoyed two winning records and notched the program's first MAC title in 2005. 91 UAB 52-62 .456 0 0-1 Watson Brown is a good coach who might have maximized UAB's potential during his 12-year stint, which ended last season. With that in mind, the Blazers have been a sub-.500 program with only one bowl berth (2004) in the past decade. 92 Wyoming 49-67 .422 0 1-0 Coach Joe Glenn injected some much needed life into this program when he took over four seasons ago. Wyoming peaked with an upset victory over UCLA in the 2004 Las Vegas Bowl. Sustaining that success has proven to be a much tougher task, as the Cowboys have sputtered to a 10-13 record the past two seasons. 93 Middle Tennessee 41-51 .446 2 conf. 0-1 Middle Tennessee has won a respectable 45 percent of its games over the last 10 years and tied Troy for the Sun Belt title in 2006. 94 Indiana 35-78 .310 0 0-0 The tragic passing of coach Terry Hoeppner has rocked a Hoosiers program that finally was making progress."Coach Hep" had Indiana headed in the right direction and gave this year's team a legitimate shot to end the Big Ten's longest bowl drought (13 years). 95 North Texas 46-71 .393 4 conf. 1-3 The Mean Green won four straight Sun Belt titles and went to the New Orleans Bowl every year from 2001-04 under former coach Darrell Dickey. However, Dickey's final two seasons produced just five wins and led to his dismissal. Former assistant Todd Dodge is left picking up the pieces as North Texas' first-year head coach. 96 Rice 48-66 .421 0 0-1 After leading Rice to its first winning season since 1993 and its first bowl appearance since 1961, Todd Graham bolted for the Tulsa opening this offseason. New coach David Bailiff has his work cut out for him attempting to sustain success at a program that has won 42 percent of its games the past 10 years. 97 Ohio 49-66 .426 0 0-1 Ohio has not won a league title since 1968 and its record over the past 10 years is 49-66 (.426). However, the Bobcats won the MAC East in 2006 and are heading in the right direction under head coach Frank Solich. 98 Vanderbilt 30-83 .265 0 0-0 Vanderbilt has no chance of legitimately competing in the SEC. The administration isn't supportive enough from a financial or admissions standpoint, yet it doesn't want to lose out on the paycheck. Thus, the result is Vandy's spot among the least competitive programs within the "Big Six" conferences over the past 10 years. 99 Central Michigan 44-71 .383 1 conf. 1-0 Once considered a doormat in the MAC, Central Michigan defied the odds by claiming the conference title last season and beating Middle Tennessee in the Motor City Bowl. Former coach Brian Kelly took advantage of the opening at Cincinnati, which leaves Butch Jones in the unenviable position of sustaining last year's success. 100 San Diego State 45-72 .384 0 0-1 Long gone are the days of head coach Al Luginbill and star running back Marshall Faulk. In fact, the Aztecs have enjoyed only one winning record (2004) the past four seasons. Chuck Long took over this downtrodden program a year ago and finished with a 3-9 record in 2006. In order to right the ship this fall, Long and his staff need to get offensive with 10 returning starters on that side of the ball."

7/24/2007 1:44:58 PM

43

7/24/2007 2:10:23 PM

Quote :

"QB: Philip Rivers HB: Philip Rivers FB: Philip Rivers TE: Philip Rivers WR: Torry Holt WR: Jerricho Cotchery OL: Philip Rivers OL: Philip Rivers OL: Philip Rivers OL: Philip Rivers OL: Philip Rivers DE: Philip Rivers DT: Philip Rivers DT: Philip Rivers DE: Philip Rivers LB: Levar Fisher LB: Dantonio Burnette LB: Philip Rivers CB: Philip Rivers FS: Philip Rivers SS: Philip Rivers CB: Philip Rivers "

You could have at least included Adrian Wilson on this list. Also where the fuck is Kiker??

7/24/2007 2:13:41 PM

Lol, we lost to #90 last season.

7/24/2007 2:13:41 PM

i say we are around 55 actually

Michigan and Texas are one and two

7/24/2007 2:17:45 PM

53

7/24/2007 2:23:34 PM

I will go on the high side and say 42.

7/24/2007 2:27:56 PM

Quote :

"You could have at least included Adrian Wilson on this list. Also where the fuck is Kiker??"

And apparently a player drafted #1 in the NFL Draft couldn't make that roster either.

7/24/2007 3:16:45 PM

Quote :

"1) Michigan 2) Florida State 3) Virginia Tech 4) Ohio State 5) Texas 6) Florida 7) Georgia 8) Miami 9) Tennessee 10) Oklahoma"

then you're an idiot. OSU's natl title came much more recently than Michigan's, as well as they've been to more BCS games. USC is nowhere to be found on your list whereas Georgia who hasnt won SHIT is?? And where's LSU? If you're putting VT on there, then you might as well have Wisconsin. I have too many problems with that list to continue.


I'm pretty sure USC will be #1.

7/24/2007 3:24:14 PM

we will be right around 49

I think USC will be number #1.
Multiple National Titles
3 heismans

7/24/2007 3:24:21 PM

^^ I agree... Oklahoma should be higher, LSU should be on there, FSU lower, Michigan lower

7/24/2007 3:36:32 PM

^^^relax dude, I put together that list based on where each team finished in the final rankings over the past 10 years, get your panties out of your asscrack.

I just added up their final rankings and took the average.

I understand that USC and LSU have been hot lately, but not so much at the start of the decade. Teams like FSU and Michigan have been consistently good over the last 10 years. If it makes you feel any better, Wisconsin is ranked 12th and USC is 13th.

and I dont really think that ESPN will base their ranking solely on each teams final BCS rankings and that National Championships, Conference championships, Heisman winners, celebrity fans, best mascots, etc. will wind up being factors



[Edited on July 24, 2007 at 3:39 PM. Reason : asdf]

7/24/2007 3:36:52 PM

LOLers my real 1st team lineup for the last 10 years would probably be:

QB: Philip Rivers
HB: TA McLendon (based on a freshman year TA)
H-Back: Sean Berton or WR3: Koren Robinson
TE: Willie Wright
WR: Torry Holt
WR: Jerricho Cotchery
OT: Chris Colmer
OG: Leroy Harris
C: Jed Paulsen
OG: Sean Locklear
OT: Scott Kooistra

DE: Mario Williams
DT: John McCargo
DT: Tank Tyler
DE: Shawn Price
LB: Levar Fisher
LB: Dantonio Burnette
LB: Stephen Tulloch
CB: Marcus Hudson
FS: Terrence Holt
SS: Adrian Wilson
CB: Brian Williams

K: John Deraney
P: Austin Herbert
KR: Koren Robinson, Darrell Blackman
PR: Koren Robinson

7/24/2007 4:02:51 PM

but bowl game wins are going to be a part of it, so that rules scUM out off gate.

7/24/2007 4:02:59 PM

Quote :

"QB: Philip Rivers HB: TA McLendon (based on a freshman year TA) H-Back: Sean Berton or WR3: Koren Robinson TE: Willie Wright WR: Torry Holt WR: Jerricho Cotchery OT: Chris Colmer OG: Leroy Harris C: Jed Paulsen OG: Sean Locklear OT: Scott Kooistra DE: Mario Williams DT: John McCargo DT: Tank Tyler DE: Shawn Price LB: Levar Fisher LB: Dantonio Burnette LB: Stephen Tulloch CB: Marcus Hudson FS: Terrence Holt SS: Adrian Wilson CB: Brian Williams K: John Deraney P: Austin Herbert KR: Koren Robinson, Darrell Blackman PR: Koren Robinson "

that team + TOB = 4 national titles

7/24/2007 4:08:39 PM

...in 1 year!!!!!

7/24/2007 4:23:23 PM

in 1 year

7/24/2007 4:27:57 PM

^^^Jarvis Borum, Ian Rafferty, Ray Robinson, Lloyd Harrison, Tony Scott and Andre Maddox might have some say to that list.

We seriously could field a damn all-star team as good as any ACC team and have shit to show for it.

[Edited on July 24, 2007 at 5:21 PM. Reason : How could you leave out Manny?]

[Edited on July 24, 2007 at 5:22 PM. Reason : MANNY LAWSON!!!!]

7/24/2007 5:21:31 PM

^lloyd harrison i agree with, take off BDub, he really wasn't that great in college. edit: oh and Lloyd is the #1, hudson the #2.

maddox played rover and he is nowhere near A-Dub. Ray-rob nowhere near TA.

also, i think KRob was the best WR to ever play at NC State. He was def better than Cotchery. He had more talent than Holt, but unfortunately he didnt have the attitude or work ethic of Holt

[Edited on July 24, 2007 at 7:20 PM. Reason : a]

7/24/2007 7:18:58 PM

^^ i remember the good old days, when Ray Rob was called butterfingers for dropping the ball a few times, most of them unimportant...

now it's just kinda accepted that one of our running backs is going to drop the ball a few time a game...

7/24/2007 7:49:24 PM

Quote :

"USC has been good from 2002 to now, but from 1997-2002 they were ranked in the 30s-60s at the end of the season"

yes but you must remember that Joe Messageboard Douche only has a 5 year memory

7/24/2007 7:53:42 PM

how is holt not pr

7/24/2007 8:19:55 PM