This list is going to be unconventional. Let me preface my work by saying that. For example Miami has won five national championships, yet several of those teams did not make my list, while other Miami teams that did not win a title did make the list. Why? I factored in schedule strength, margin of victory, quality of opponents difficulty of consecutive games, etc. Going undefeated by a flukish play or two or backing into national title games isn't something that history remembers but I have taken pains to recall the wide right games, lucky plays, blown referees calls and make this list unique. Chances are most of you won't agree with the list but it is meant to be thought and discussion provoking. So without further adieu, let's get started.
#10 1996 Florida State
This team went undefeated in the Regular Season including a 24-21 win at home over then #1 Florida. Warrick Dunn returned for his Senior year and had a season for the ages. Thad Busby who was little appreciated by the Nole fans led the team to 11 consecutive wins before the crash in Sugar Bowl against Florida. EG Green led the team in receiving.
The Noles defense featured Reinard Wilson, and Peter Boulware up front two players whose effort and pass rushing skill set the tone for the whole Noles defense. Sam Cowart was also an impact player on defense and the secondary was solid even though it collapsed in the Sugar Bowl game versus Florida.
This team was a scheduling quirk away from winning the National Title. In 1998, the BCS was created and had the BCS been in place in 1996 FSU would have played Arizona State in the bowl game.
The 1996 Noles
Duke 44-7
@NC State 51-17
UNC 13-0
Clemson 34-3
@ # 6 Miami 34-16
#17 Virginia 31-24
@ #22 Ga Tech 49-3
Wake Forest 44-7
Southern Miss 54-14
Maryland 48-10
#1 Florida 24-21
#3 Florida 20-52 (Sugar Bowl)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
The Best Teams in State of Florida History
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4 comments:
This team was screwed by the pre BCS, Bowl Coaltion that forced a rematch with a Florida team that they had beat in the last Regular Season game. It's amazing how Florida won one title by getting a rematch and another by shouting that nobody should get remat5ches.
I'm sure 9 of the 10 teams will be Seminole teams. That's the way NOLEBOY works.
The Pre BCS screwed a lot of people.
However, I do think a 32 point margin of victory at a neutral site does count for a lot.
You make it sound as if this rematch was something Florida conceived all on its own. In 1996, Florida got a lot of help from Texas.
Had Michigan played OSU, it might have made for a more enteratining game (for non Florida fans), but it would have been a shameful example of how the BCS is complete garbage.
Florida never shouted for anything other than its fair shot at the top team. And once we got that shot... it sure looked like OSU was the team that didnt belong.
I cant say 1996 FSU doesnt deserve this #10 spot, however I do expect #9 or lower will be the 1996 UF team.
Will UF fall into the #1 spot? I surely doubt they will but if K-gun read the Sun Sentinel's recap of Florida's season... 10 bowl team opponents, #1 strength of schedule... Its hard not to put UF at #3, #2, or #1.
Other Thoughts...
If you took the media out of the equation and looked at the entire "body of work" It would be impossible to then exclude teams like 1994 Auburn from this list as well.
Screwed by the BCS? Just like a "superior" Michigan team was screwed this year? If FSU was so good that year, why were they used as Florida's toilet paper that night?
God Bless
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