Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE's Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
#5 - 1998 Florida
#4 - 2008 Alabama
#3 - 1994 Alabama
#2 - 1995 Tennessee
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #1
1993 Auburn Tigers
AP Preseason: Unranked
Final AP Ranking: #4
Final Coaches Ranking: Unranked (probation)
- The AP Poll ranked teams on probation, but the Coaches Poll did not.
Record: 11-0 (8-0)*
- Unable to play for the SEC Championship, unable to play in the postseason, unable to play on television
Losses:
None
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#4 Florida 38-35
#11 Alabama 22-14
Star Power: QB Stan White, RB James Bostic, RB Stephen Davis, FB Tony Richardson, WR Frank Sanders, OT Wayne Gandy, OT Willie Anderson, DE Willie Whitehead, DT Gary Walker, LB Mike Pelton, CB Chris Shelling, S Brian Robinson, P Terry Daniel (yes, a punter)
Why Ahead of '95 Tennessee?
Won 'em all. Had a knack for knocking off unbeaten Florida teams ('93 and '94) during Florida's run of four consecutive SEC championships (1993-1996).
Bubba says: Easily the team that had the most suprising season on our list, 1993 Auburn had everything go their way with the exception of NCAA probation. It is only the second team on our list to defeat both squads that played in the SEC Championship game, and unlike the other (#9 - 1997 Florida), these Tigers had no blemishes against their record.
If you're Auburn, how do you know Alabama is your main rival? You go undefeated, beat the Tide head to head, and the boys from Tuscaloosa still get a straight up shot at the Sugar Bowl. Seriously, Auburn had a tremedous run through 1993 and 1994 and you can't go against a team that won all of the games it played that season. I still don't get the Stan White thing, he wasn't very good.
Many of Auburn's big plays during this era came from its DB's. Of course, this play wasn't seen live on television because Auburn has a history of cheating. "Giving chase is Weurffel, won't catch him..."
Earl says: Stan White left Auburn as its all-time leading passer, throwing for more yards than 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan. Yeah, it was 1971, but Sullivan threw alot to WR Terry Beasley for the 1970s. Now that we've settled that...
After his successful 11-year run at Auburn, Pat Dye had left the program under a cloud of pending sanctions after accusations of payments to players by a former Auburn player. The cloud of sanctions led to disappointing seasons in 1991 and 1992. And then the NCAA dropped the hammer. Probation for 1993 and 1994. No postseason play for either years, no television for 1993 and the loss of scholarships.
Enter Tater Tot, head coach at tiny Samford in Birmingham. Terry Bowden retained Wayne Hall, who served as defensive coordinator under Dye. And he hired former Auburn offensive lineman Rodney Garner to be his primary recruiter, who would later serve the same role at Tennessee and Georgia. Terry's brother, Tommy Bowden, served as offensive coordinator.
The only team on this list to begin the season unranked in the AP poll announced its presence in October with a surprising win over unbeaten Florida. Of course, nobody saw it because Auburn couldn't play on television. In a theme of many Auburn and Alabama teams from the late '80s and early '90s, the '93 Auburn team just got better with each week. Still filled with players that would have long careers in the NFL like Stephen Davis, Tony Richardson, Frank Sanders, Wayne Gandy, Willie Anderson, Willie Whitehead and Gary Walker, Auburn had the starting 22 to compete in the SEC. It just needed a change of attitude and it got one in 1993. It started to believe after defeating Florida and it played its own "bowl" game against defending national champion Alabama, in which QB Patrick Nix entered the game for an injured Stan White with Auburn trailing 14-5, and led the Tigers to a 22-14 comeback win.
In the long run though, I don't know if going 11-0 in his first season was a good thing for Terry Bowden. He would go on to run off 20 straight victories to start his career at Auburn, including a win at #1 Florida in 1994. But something began to slip in 1995 as Bowden's ego grew. Not a good combination with Auburn's infamously cancerous boosters. Bowden also had a falling out with DC Wayne Hall (although he hired renowned DC Brother Oliver to replace Hall) and recruiter Rodney Garner left for Tennessee.
Going undefeated only to have it mean nothing. An Auburn tradition.
Showing posts with label Where's The Hardware?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Where's The Hardware?. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '95 UT Vols
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE's Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
#5 - 1998 Florida
#4 - 2008 Alabama
#3 - 1994 Alabama
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #2
1995 Tennessee Volunteers
AP Preseason #8
Final AP Ranking: #3
Final Coaches Ranking: #2
Record: 11-1 (7-1)
Losses:
@ #4 Florida 62-37 (UT ranked #8)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #18 Arkansas 49-31
@ #11 Alabama 41-14 (Birmingham)
Citrus Bowl: #4 Ohio State 20-14
Star Power: QB Peyton Manning, RB Jay Graham, WR Marcus Nash, WR Joey Kent, DE Leonard Little, DT Bill Duff, CB Terry Fair, S Tori Noel, K Jeff Hall
Why Ahead of '94 Alabama?
Tennessee had the star power in 1995, but more importantly had the knack for the big play to put the opponent away. That big play knack would continue for the Vols throughout the mid-'90s, although playing second fiddle to Florida the entire time. Other than '07 Georgia, this '95 version of the Vols was the only team on this list to finish as high as #2 in either the AP or Coaches final poll, thanks to Nebraska's absolute thrashing of Florida in the national championship game.
BulldawgJosh (childhood Tennessee fan and resident Bama hater) says: The '95 UT season was absolutely epic. After the mixed bag '94 season that saw Peyton become the starting quarterback for the Vols, there was some high feelings for '95. There was concern having lost "Little Man" James Stewart to the NFL, but Jay Graham filled that role by running for his best season at UT (he would later gain a considerable case of fumbleidis near endzones). When Tennessee lost to Florida, it at first seemed as if things were going to fall off. This was the third year in row Tennessee had lost to Florida, and a repetitive feeling was beginning to emerge (they wouldn't beat Florida until the overtime win in '98 that paved the way for the national title).
Everything about this season would change against Bama. Bama had won 9 in a row over UT, and you knew Bear Bryant was smiling in hell (yes, hell). There wasn't an overwhelming confidence about going down to Birmingham given that streak. However, Tennessee would march into the furnace town and light up Bama 41-14 in one of the most spectacular victories in school history, decimating every elephant they could find in the stadium. This win over Bama made every Vol fan believe again.
This first pass of the Bama game was so thrilling because it was the exact opposite of what you always expected from Tennessee. The second Joey Kent scored that touchdown, you knew Tennessee was going to win, it didn't matter what Bama did (it was very similar to '07 Georgia/Florida and The Celebration).
Beating Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl that year topped off this great '95 season. While some were disappointed at not being able to make it to the Sugar Bowl, there's nothing like stuffing a Heisman Trophy winner to make him go out a loser. Suck it, Eddie George.
Bubba says: This Tennessee team was really good. It should have lost to UGA in Knoxville. Robert Edwards has the frail feet of a weak ballet dancer.
Manning to Kent on the first play vs. Bama. Uncle Ron Franklin with the call. We miss Uncle Ron in the SEC.
Earl says: 1995 was John Chavis' first as Tennessee's defensive coordinator. In the second game of the season, both Georgia and Tennessee were discovering just how good of a running back Robert Edwards was before he got injured, and Tennessee escaped 30-27. Chavis was quickly put on the hot seat in UT's next game after allowing 62 points to Florida in the Swamp, a game in which Tennessee led 30-14. But, 14 years later we know that he was one of the most respected defensive coordinators in Tennessee's history. The '95 Tennessee team would bounce back from the Florida loss to win every game left on its schedule behind the star power of Peyton Manning and making big plays at the right time.
The biggest play of Tennessee's season came on the first play from scrimmage against Alabama in Birmingham. Peyton Manning hit Joey Kent for 80 yards and a touchdown to lead 7-0. Tennessee never looked back, winning 41-14. It was the first time Tennessee had defeated Alabama in 10 years and Manning directed the band's playing of Rocky Top in the post game.
Ranked #5 in the country, Tennesse took down #4 Ohio State and Heisman winner Eddie George in the Citrus Bowl. As talented as Tennesee was, Ohio State was probably more talented with George, OT Orlando Pace, WR Terry Glenn, LB Mike Vrabel and CB Shawn Springs, all long-time NFL players.
It was the second consecutive year that Ohio State lost the Citrus Bowl to an SEC team from this list, and three of the past four years (in 1992 to Georgia, 1994 to Alabama, and 1995 to Tennessee).
BNE's Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
#5 - 1998 Florida
#4 - 2008 Alabama
#3 - 1994 Alabama
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #2
1995 Tennessee Volunteers
AP Preseason #8
Final AP Ranking: #3
Final Coaches Ranking: #2
Record: 11-1 (7-1)
Losses:
@ #4 Florida 62-37 (UT ranked #8)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #18 Arkansas 49-31
@ #11 Alabama 41-14 (Birmingham)
Citrus Bowl: #4 Ohio State 20-14
Star Power: QB Peyton Manning, RB Jay Graham, WR Marcus Nash, WR Joey Kent, DE Leonard Little, DT Bill Duff, CB Terry Fair, S Tori Noel, K Jeff Hall
Why Ahead of '94 Alabama?
Tennessee had the star power in 1995, but more importantly had the knack for the big play to put the opponent away. That big play knack would continue for the Vols throughout the mid-'90s, although playing second fiddle to Florida the entire time. Other than '07 Georgia, this '95 version of the Vols was the only team on this list to finish as high as #2 in either the AP or Coaches final poll, thanks to Nebraska's absolute thrashing of Florida in the national championship game.
BulldawgJosh (childhood Tennessee fan and resident Bama hater) says: The '95 UT season was absolutely epic. After the mixed bag '94 season that saw Peyton become the starting quarterback for the Vols, there was some high feelings for '95. There was concern having lost "Little Man" James Stewart to the NFL, but Jay Graham filled that role by running for his best season at UT (he would later gain a considerable case of fumbleidis near endzones). When Tennessee lost to Florida, it at first seemed as if things were going to fall off. This was the third year in row Tennessee had lost to Florida, and a repetitive feeling was beginning to emerge (they wouldn't beat Florida until the overtime win in '98 that paved the way for the national title).
Everything about this season would change against Bama. Bama had won 9 in a row over UT, and you knew Bear Bryant was smiling in hell (yes, hell). There wasn't an overwhelming confidence about going down to Birmingham given that streak. However, Tennessee would march into the furnace town and light up Bama 41-14 in one of the most spectacular victories in school history, decimating every elephant they could find in the stadium. This win over Bama made every Vol fan believe again.
This first pass of the Bama game was so thrilling because it was the exact opposite of what you always expected from Tennessee. The second Joey Kent scored that touchdown, you knew Tennessee was going to win, it didn't matter what Bama did (it was very similar to '07 Georgia/Florida and The Celebration).
Beating Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl that year topped off this great '95 season. While some were disappointed at not being able to make it to the Sugar Bowl, there's nothing like stuffing a Heisman Trophy winner to make him go out a loser. Suck it, Eddie George.
Bubba says: This Tennessee team was really good. It should have lost to UGA in Knoxville. Robert Edwards has the frail feet of a weak ballet dancer.
Manning to Kent on the first play vs. Bama. Uncle Ron Franklin with the call. We miss Uncle Ron in the SEC.
Earl says: 1995 was John Chavis' first as Tennessee's defensive coordinator. In the second game of the season, both Georgia and Tennessee were discovering just how good of a running back Robert Edwards was before he got injured, and Tennessee escaped 30-27. Chavis was quickly put on the hot seat in UT's next game after allowing 62 points to Florida in the Swamp, a game in which Tennessee led 30-14. But, 14 years later we know that he was one of the most respected defensive coordinators in Tennessee's history. The '95 Tennessee team would bounce back from the Florida loss to win every game left on its schedule behind the star power of Peyton Manning and making big plays at the right time.
The biggest play of Tennessee's season came on the first play from scrimmage against Alabama in Birmingham. Peyton Manning hit Joey Kent for 80 yards and a touchdown to lead 7-0. Tennessee never looked back, winning 41-14. It was the first time Tennessee had defeated Alabama in 10 years and Manning directed the band's playing of Rocky Top in the post game.
Ranked #5 in the country, Tennesse took down #4 Ohio State and Heisman winner Eddie George in the Citrus Bowl. As talented as Tennesee was, Ohio State was probably more talented with George, OT Orlando Pace, WR Terry Glenn, LB Mike Vrabel and CB Shawn Springs, all long-time NFL players.
It was the second consecutive year that Ohio State lost the Citrus Bowl to an SEC team from this list, and three of the past four years (in 1992 to Georgia, 1994 to Alabama, and 1995 to Tennessee).
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '94 Crimson Tide
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE's Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
#5 - 1998 Florida
#4 - 2008 Alabama
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #3
1994 Alabama Crimson Tide
AP Preseason #12
Final AP Ranking: #5
Final Coaches Ranking: #4
Record: 12-1 (8-0)
Losses:
SEC Championship Game: #6 Florida 24-23 (Bama ranked #3)
- first SECCG to be played at Georgia Dome
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #20 Miss. State 29-25
#6 Auburn 21-14 (Birmingham)
Citrus Bowl: #13 Ohio State 24-17
Star Power: QB Jay Barker, RB Sherman Williams, RB Tarrant Lynch, WR Toderick Malone, DT Shannon Brown, S Sam Shade, S Eric Turner, K Michael Proctor
Jay Barker, Jay Barker, Jay Barker, Jay Barker....We probably left off some names, but the important thing to remember is that Jay Barker was a winner. Proved he could do it without that '92 defense.
Why Ahead of '08 Alabama?
Lost one game by one point to the SEC Champion and preseason #1 Florida. Had the same undefeated regular season of 2008 Alabama without laying an egg in its bowl game. Like several teams on our list, would have had the hardware before 1992 division split.
Bubba says: 1994 Alabama didn't have a lot of flash, they just won a lot of football games. QB Jay Barker was one of the greatest compeditors that the SEC has seen over the last 25 years and I remember him making it rain in the comeback victory over the Dawgs, where Eric Zier became the all time leading passer (at that time) in SEC History. You always knew the Tide defense would be solid under Gene Stallings and while this team ultimately had no chance to win the national championship, one loss SEC teams are usually conference champions.
Gene Stallings' reaction to the dog running onto the field says it all about Stallings' personality. A throwback coach in a conference that's had many of them.
Earl says: This Alabama was like so many Alabama teams under Gene Stallings, they just won. With OC Homer Smith at the controls of the offense led by a senior Jay Barker, this '94 squad might've been a little better on that side of the ball than other Alabama teams of the early '90s. Jay Barker led comebacks against Georgia and Miss. State to preserve the Tide's undefeated SEC regular season before it was beaten on a late touchdown pass by Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Its most surprising victory came against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. It wasn't surprising that the Tide won. It was surprising that the Tide was leading 21-0 in the first half against an Auburn program that hadn't lost in 21 games.
Unfortunately, even if Alabama would've defeated Florida in the Dome, it still would've had a difficult time winning the national championship with an undefeated Nebraska and an undefeated Penn State ahead of Alabama in the polls. After the disappointing loss to Florida, Stallings got his crew to bounce back and take care of Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day.
What's that? An SEC team defeats Ohio State? That's never happened before...
Next installment: #2 - 1995 Tennessee Volunteers
BNE's Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
#5 - 1998 Florida
#4 - 2008 Alabama
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #3
1994 Alabama Crimson Tide
AP Preseason #12
Final AP Ranking: #5
Final Coaches Ranking: #4
Record: 12-1 (8-0)
Losses:
SEC Championship Game: #6 Florida 24-23 (Bama ranked #3)
- first SECCG to be played at Georgia Dome
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #20 Miss. State 29-25
#6 Auburn 21-14 (Birmingham)
Citrus Bowl: #13 Ohio State 24-17
Star Power: QB Jay Barker, RB Sherman Williams, RB Tarrant Lynch, WR Toderick Malone, DT Shannon Brown, S Sam Shade, S Eric Turner, K Michael Proctor
Jay Barker, Jay Barker, Jay Barker, Jay Barker....We probably left off some names, but the important thing to remember is that Jay Barker was a winner. Proved he could do it without that '92 defense.
Why Ahead of '08 Alabama?
Lost one game by one point to the SEC Champion and preseason #1 Florida. Had the same undefeated regular season of 2008 Alabama without laying an egg in its bowl game. Like several teams on our list, would have had the hardware before 1992 division split.
Bubba says: 1994 Alabama didn't have a lot of flash, they just won a lot of football games. QB Jay Barker was one of the greatest compeditors that the SEC has seen over the last 25 years and I remember him making it rain in the comeback victory over the Dawgs, where Eric Zier became the all time leading passer (at that time) in SEC History. You always knew the Tide defense would be solid under Gene Stallings and while this team ultimately had no chance to win the national championship, one loss SEC teams are usually conference champions.
Gene Stallings' reaction to the dog running onto the field says it all about Stallings' personality. A throwback coach in a conference that's had many of them.
Earl says: This Alabama was like so many Alabama teams under Gene Stallings, they just won. With OC Homer Smith at the controls of the offense led by a senior Jay Barker, this '94 squad might've been a little better on that side of the ball than other Alabama teams of the early '90s. Jay Barker led comebacks against Georgia and Miss. State to preserve the Tide's undefeated SEC regular season before it was beaten on a late touchdown pass by Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Its most surprising victory came against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. It wasn't surprising that the Tide won. It was surprising that the Tide was leading 21-0 in the first half against an Auburn program that hadn't lost in 21 games.
Unfortunately, even if Alabama would've defeated Florida in the Dome, it still would've had a difficult time winning the national championship with an undefeated Nebraska and an undefeated Penn State ahead of Alabama in the polls. After the disappointing loss to Florida, Stallings got his crew to bounce back and take care of Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day.
What's that? An SEC team defeats Ohio State? That's never happened before...
Next installment: #2 - 1995 Tennessee Volunteers
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '08 Crimson Tide
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE's Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
#5 - 1998 Florida
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #4
2008 Alabama Crimson Tide
AP Preseason #24
Final AP Ranking: #6
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Record: 12-2 (8-0)
Losses:
SEC Championship Game: #4 Florida 31-20 (Bama ranked #1)
Sugar Bowl: #7 Utah 31-17 (Bama ranked #4)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#9 Clemson 34-10 (Georgia Dome)
@ #3 Georgia 41-30
@ #15 LSU 27-21 (OT)
Star Power: QB John Parker Wilson, RB Glenn Coffee, RB Mark Ingram, WR Julio Jones, TE Nick Walker, OT Andre Smith, C Antoine Caldwell, DE Bobby Greenwood, DE Brandon Deaderick, DT Terrence Cody, LB Rolando McClain, LB Donta Hightower, LB Brandon Fanney, S Rashad Johnson, PR/KR/CB Javier Arenas
Why Ahead of '98 Florida?
Undefeated SEC regular season - the first on this list. Ranked #1 in the nation for 5 weeks. Controlled its destiny going into SEC Championship Game.
Bubba says: This is another team on our list that really exemplified the team concept. Nick Saban took advantage of a great defense and offensive line to control the clock and grind down teams that might have had superior depth. Glen Coffee was very impressive in his breakout/final season and Mark Ingram proved that he was able to handle the pressures of the SEC as a freshman backup. You have to give credit to a team that went undefeated during the regular season in the SEC and you can never count out teams that grind out tough victories like this one did down the stretch. The knock on this team will always be the humiliating loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl (Utah wasn’t too shabby themselves). Let’s face it though, the Tide more than proved themselves during the course of the season by not only creating breaks for themselves, but taking advantage of them in the biggest situations. Senior leadership with the right mix of hungry, young talent will always be a dangerous combination and 2008 Alabama had the right people in the right place to make this surprising run.
"Busch Lite, which you can get at Winn-Dixie." Thank you Lord for providing us with fans like these...
Earl says: This Bama team set the tone early for its season as it laid the smackdown to an overrated Clemson team in August at the Georgia Dome. As much I enjoyed watching that one, I was still very confident that the Georgia Bulldogs would handle the Tide in late September. But, this Tide team did what you want to do as a football team - it got better every week. That is a sign of good coaching. The Tide used a formula of a strong rushing attack behind a strong offensive line and good defense to jump on opponents early. It had to hold off some teams like Ole Miss and Kentucky, but business was handled week in, week out. Nick Saban instilling his approach in Year 2 and the added threat of Julio Jones made this a different Alabama team from the previous year.
You can't argue against a team that was ranked #1 in the nation for an extended period of time during the season. Under the pre-1992 SEC rules, this Alabama team would've been crowned SEC Champions (like '01 Tennessee would've been), and Florida would've never won the national championship. But in the end, this Alabama team ran into a better football team in the SEC Championship Game because of the leadership of Tim Tebow (ugh).
This '08 version of the Tide would be ranked higher if not for the dismantling Utah handed it. That game really showed the value of Alabama's offensive line in 2008 as the Utes dominated Alabama's patchwork offensive line all night.
Next installment: #3 - 1994 Alabama Crimson Tide
BNE's Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
#5 - 1998 Florida
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #4
2008 Alabama Crimson Tide
AP Preseason #24
Final AP Ranking: #6
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Record: 12-2 (8-0)
Losses:
SEC Championship Game: #4 Florida 31-20 (Bama ranked #1)
Sugar Bowl: #7 Utah 31-17 (Bama ranked #4)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#9 Clemson 34-10 (Georgia Dome)
@ #3 Georgia 41-30
@ #15 LSU 27-21 (OT)
Star Power: QB John Parker Wilson, RB Glenn Coffee, RB Mark Ingram, WR Julio Jones, TE Nick Walker, OT Andre Smith, C Antoine Caldwell, DE Bobby Greenwood, DE Brandon Deaderick, DT Terrence Cody, LB Rolando McClain, LB Donta Hightower, LB Brandon Fanney, S Rashad Johnson, PR/KR/CB Javier Arenas
Why Ahead of '98 Florida?
Undefeated SEC regular season - the first on this list. Ranked #1 in the nation for 5 weeks. Controlled its destiny going into SEC Championship Game.
Bubba says: This is another team on our list that really exemplified the team concept. Nick Saban took advantage of a great defense and offensive line to control the clock and grind down teams that might have had superior depth. Glen Coffee was very impressive in his breakout/final season and Mark Ingram proved that he was able to handle the pressures of the SEC as a freshman backup. You have to give credit to a team that went undefeated during the regular season in the SEC and you can never count out teams that grind out tough victories like this one did down the stretch. The knock on this team will always be the humiliating loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl (Utah wasn’t too shabby themselves). Let’s face it though, the Tide more than proved themselves during the course of the season by not only creating breaks for themselves, but taking advantage of them in the biggest situations. Senior leadership with the right mix of hungry, young talent will always be a dangerous combination and 2008 Alabama had the right people in the right place to make this surprising run.
"Busch Lite, which you can get at Winn-Dixie." Thank you Lord for providing us with fans like these...
Earl says: This Bama team set the tone early for its season as it laid the smackdown to an overrated Clemson team in August at the Georgia Dome. As much I enjoyed watching that one, I was still very confident that the Georgia Bulldogs would handle the Tide in late September. But, this Tide team did what you want to do as a football team - it got better every week. That is a sign of good coaching. The Tide used a formula of a strong rushing attack behind a strong offensive line and good defense to jump on opponents early. It had to hold off some teams like Ole Miss and Kentucky, but business was handled week in, week out. Nick Saban instilling his approach in Year 2 and the added threat of Julio Jones made this a different Alabama team from the previous year.
You can't argue against a team that was ranked #1 in the nation for an extended period of time during the season. Under the pre-1992 SEC rules, this Alabama team would've been crowned SEC Champions (like '01 Tennessee would've been), and Florida would've never won the national championship. But in the end, this Alabama team ran into a better football team in the SEC Championship Game because of the leadership of Tim Tebow (ugh).
This '08 version of the Tide would be ranked higher if not for the dismantling Utah handed it. That game really showed the value of Alabama's offensive line in 2008 as the Utes dominated Alabama's patchwork offensive line all night.
Next installment: #3 - 1994 Alabama Crimson Tide
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '98 Florida Gators
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #5
1998 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #3
Final AP Ranking: #5
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Record: 10-2 (7-1)
Losses:
@ #6 Tennessee 20-17 (OT) (UF ranked #2)
- eventual SEC and National Champion
@ #5 Florida State 23-12 (UF ranked #4)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#11 LSU 22-10
#11 Georgia 38-7
Orange Bowl: #18 Syracuse 31-10 (Big East Champion)
Star Power: WR Travis McGriff, WR Darrell Jackson, OT Zach Piller, OT Cooper Carlisle, DE Tim Beauchamp, DT Reggie McGrew, DT Ed Chester, LB Mike Peterson, LB Jevon Kearse, LB Johnny Rutledge, S Tony George
Why Ahead of '01 Tennessee?
Took the eventual national champion to overtime on the road. Its other loss, also on the road, came to the other participant in the national championship game. Got revenge on both LSU and Georgia for the '97 losses.
Bubba says: I can take the blame for this team in our rankings as it was my argument that got this version of the Gators up at #5. Like the 1997 squad, they were a QB away from being a very good football team and the defense, led by 3 outstanding linebackers, was better than the season before. Yes, they lost Fred Taylor the season before, but Terry Jackson was a serviceable SEC tailback and it's not like Spurrier coached teams couldn't score points. Florida had some outstanding teams in this time period and yes, it's weird to have this team as high as they are on our list. However, even with their flaws, the quality of their losses were far stronger than any of the other UF squads on this list. If I have to choose between 1997 Florida and this team, I go with the 1998 version head to head.
Tim Couch's highlights against the '98 Gators. Included because BulldawgJosh and BFR partied with former Kentucky RB Anthony White (#32) when the Dawgs traveled to Lexington last year.
Earl says: Even though the '98 Gators had some "quality" losses to the two national championship game participants, which is why they are ranked this high, I don't think they could beat many teams on this list. The same trouble at quarterback that the '97 Florida team (also featured on this list) had, plus the departure of RB Fred Taylor left this team highly reliable on Bob Stoops' final defense at Florida. The linebackers on this team were monsters, but they were the exact same starting three that the '97 Gators had.
The wins over ranked opponents came against an LSU team that turned out to be pretty pathetic by year's end; a Georgia team that psyched itself out by wearing black pants following the '97 win over the Gators; and a Syracuse team that featured QB Donovan McNabb but represented a very weak Big East conference, which hadn't seen the resurgence of Miami yet.
In my mind, Fred Taylor made '97 Florida better than the '98 version. My first and only major disagreement of our Top 10.
Side note: If the '98 Gators would've beaten FSU and finished the regular season with one loss, would they have backed into a rematch with Tennessee in the very first BCS title game? Imagine the Vol fans reaction to that!
Next installment: #4 - 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #5
1998 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #3
Final AP Ranking: #5
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Record: 10-2 (7-1)
Losses:
@ #6 Tennessee 20-17 (OT) (UF ranked #2)
- eventual SEC and National Champion
@ #5 Florida State 23-12 (UF ranked #4)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#11 LSU 22-10
#11 Georgia 38-7
Orange Bowl: #18 Syracuse 31-10 (Big East Champion)
Star Power: WR Travis McGriff, WR Darrell Jackson, OT Zach Piller, OT Cooper Carlisle, DE Tim Beauchamp, DT Reggie McGrew, DT Ed Chester, LB Mike Peterson, LB Jevon Kearse, LB Johnny Rutledge, S Tony George
Why Ahead of '01 Tennessee?
Took the eventual national champion to overtime on the road. Its other loss, also on the road, came to the other participant in the national championship game. Got revenge on both LSU and Georgia for the '97 losses.
Bubba says: I can take the blame for this team in our rankings as it was my argument that got this version of the Gators up at #5. Like the 1997 squad, they were a QB away from being a very good football team and the defense, led by 3 outstanding linebackers, was better than the season before. Yes, they lost Fred Taylor the season before, but Terry Jackson was a serviceable SEC tailback and it's not like Spurrier coached teams couldn't score points. Florida had some outstanding teams in this time period and yes, it's weird to have this team as high as they are on our list. However, even with their flaws, the quality of their losses were far stronger than any of the other UF squads on this list. If I have to choose between 1997 Florida and this team, I go with the 1998 version head to head.
Tim Couch's highlights against the '98 Gators. Included because BulldawgJosh and BFR partied with former Kentucky RB Anthony White (#32) when the Dawgs traveled to Lexington last year.
Earl says: Even though the '98 Gators had some "quality" losses to the two national championship game participants, which is why they are ranked this high, I don't think they could beat many teams on this list. The same trouble at quarterback that the '97 Florida team (also featured on this list) had, plus the departure of RB Fred Taylor left this team highly reliable on Bob Stoops' final defense at Florida. The linebackers on this team were monsters, but they were the exact same starting three that the '97 Gators had.
The wins over ranked opponents came against an LSU team that turned out to be pretty pathetic by year's end; a Georgia team that psyched itself out by wearing black pants following the '97 win over the Gators; and a Syracuse team that featured QB Donovan McNabb but represented a very weak Big East conference, which hadn't seen the resurgence of Miami yet.
In my mind, Fred Taylor made '97 Florida better than the '98 version. My first and only major disagreement of our Top 10.
Side note: If the '98 Gators would've beaten FSU and finished the regular season with one loss, would they have backed into a rematch with Tennessee in the very first BCS title game? Imagine the Vol fans reaction to that!
Next installment: #4 - 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide
Monday, August 24, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '01 UT Vols
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #6
2001 Tennessee Volunteers
AP Preseason #8
Final AP Ranking: #4
Final Coaches Ranking: #4
Record: 11-2 (7-1)
Losses:
Georgia 26-24 (UT ranked #6)
- "We stepped on their face with a hobnail boot and broke their nose!"
#21 LSU 31-20 (SEC Championship Game)
- UT ranked #2
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#14 LSU 26-18 (eventual SEC Champion)
#12 South Carolina 17-10
@ #2 Florida 34-32
Citrus Bowl: #17 Michigan 45-17
Star Power: QB Casey Clausen, RB Travis Stephens, WR Kelley Washington, WR Donte' Stallworth, TE Jason Witten, DT John Henderson, DT Albert Haynesworth, DE Will Overstreet, LB Kevin Burnett, LB Dominique Stevenson, CB Andre Lott, S Reshad Baker
Why Ahead of '07 Georgia?
Ranked #2 in the nation, UT controlled its own destiny in the SEC Championship Game against LSU. Win it and play in the National Championship Game, only three years removed from Big Orange's 1998 National Championship.
Bubba says: This was a very talented group that played well as a team. These Vols featured a young Casey Clausen at QB and a hard working 5th year senior at tailback in Travis Stephens. They had their biggest moment of the year when they shocked the 2001 Florida Gators in the Swamp in December. Unfortunately, they couldn't finish the deed in Atlanta for the SEC title and a bad half of football cost them a chance to play for the National Championship. This was the second, and closest, chance the "iceman" had to beat UGA with one arm. I hated that clown.
You thought maybe we'd include some footage of that '01 UT-UF game...Nah...
Earl says: Hobnailed. This '01 UT team will go down in Dawg history as the team that helped Georgia turn everything around in Bulldog Nation. But this Tennessee team was legit. They beat Florida in Gainesville for the first time in 30 years. With Texas' loss in the Big XII Championship Game, the Vols controlled their destiny to play for the national championship if they could just beat LSU, something they had already done earlier in the season. But, a dentist came off LSU's bench to lead the Tigers to an upset victory.
It's great that Casey Clausen didn't get a chance at the national championship. But Travis Stephens was a really good running back. He destroyed Florida for over 200 yards that year, and who can forget the screen pass he took 70+ yards against the Dawgs, setting up Hobnail Time. I was in Neyland Stadium that day, sitting 11 rows from the endzone in which Verron Haynes scored. He literally caught the pass directly in front of me and the group I was with (and I still swear it was in slow motion, he was that wide open). It was a noon kickoff, but I had never heard an outdoor stadium that loud before as Stephens took it to the house, and I haven't since. Forty four (44) seconds in game time later, I've never heard a stadium so quiet. I've never been back to Neyland Stadium. That's hard to top, but I imagine the '03 and '05 games were very fun too. I'll get back there someday.
Does this '01 Tennessee team deserve to be ranked four spots higher than the '01 Florida team? I don't know. But the Vols had to be included if that '01 Florida team made the list. The Vols beat the Gators when it mattered the most that year. Maybe Tennessee should try to get that game moved to December every year.
Next installment: #5 - 1998 Florida Gators
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #6
2001 Tennessee Volunteers
AP Preseason #8
Final AP Ranking: #4
Final Coaches Ranking: #4
Record: 11-2 (7-1)
Losses:
Georgia 26-24 (UT ranked #6)
- "We stepped on their face with a hobnail boot and broke their nose!"
#21 LSU 31-20 (SEC Championship Game)
- UT ranked #2
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#14 LSU 26-18 (eventual SEC Champion)
#12 South Carolina 17-10
@ #2 Florida 34-32
Citrus Bowl: #17 Michigan 45-17
Star Power: QB Casey Clausen, RB Travis Stephens, WR Kelley Washington, WR Donte' Stallworth, TE Jason Witten, DT John Henderson, DT Albert Haynesworth, DE Will Overstreet, LB Kevin Burnett, LB Dominique Stevenson, CB Andre Lott, S Reshad Baker
Why Ahead of '07 Georgia?
Ranked #2 in the nation, UT controlled its own destiny in the SEC Championship Game against LSU. Win it and play in the National Championship Game, only three years removed from Big Orange's 1998 National Championship.
Bubba says: This was a very talented group that played well as a team. These Vols featured a young Casey Clausen at QB and a hard working 5th year senior at tailback in Travis Stephens. They had their biggest moment of the year when they shocked the 2001 Florida Gators in the Swamp in December. Unfortunately, they couldn't finish the deed in Atlanta for the SEC title and a bad half of football cost them a chance to play for the National Championship. This was the second, and closest, chance the "iceman" had to beat UGA with one arm. I hated that clown.
You thought maybe we'd include some footage of that '01 UT-UF game...Nah...
Earl says: Hobnailed. This '01 UT team will go down in Dawg history as the team that helped Georgia turn everything around in Bulldog Nation. But this Tennessee team was legit. They beat Florida in Gainesville for the first time in 30 years. With Texas' loss in the Big XII Championship Game, the Vols controlled their destiny to play for the national championship if they could just beat LSU, something they had already done earlier in the season. But, a dentist came off LSU's bench to lead the Tigers to an upset victory.
It's great that Casey Clausen didn't get a chance at the national championship. But Travis Stephens was a really good running back. He destroyed Florida for over 200 yards that year, and who can forget the screen pass he took 70+ yards against the Dawgs, setting up Hobnail Time. I was in Neyland Stadium that day, sitting 11 rows from the endzone in which Verron Haynes scored. He literally caught the pass directly in front of me and the group I was with (and I still swear it was in slow motion, he was that wide open). It was a noon kickoff, but I had never heard an outdoor stadium that loud before as Stephens took it to the house, and I haven't since. Forty four (44) seconds in game time later, I've never heard a stadium so quiet. I've never been back to Neyland Stadium. That's hard to top, but I imagine the '03 and '05 games were very fun too. I'll get back there someday.
Does this '01 Tennessee team deserve to be ranked four spots higher than the '01 Florida team? I don't know. But the Vols had to be included if that '01 Florida team made the list. The Vols beat the Gators when it mattered the most that year. Maybe Tennessee should try to get that game moved to December every year.
Next installment: #5 - 1998 Florida Gators
Friday, August 21, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '07 Dawgs
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #7
2007 Georgia Bulldogs
AP Preseason #13
Record: 11-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #2
Final Coaches Ranking: #3
Losses:
South Carolina 16-12 (UGA ranked #12)
@ Tennessee 35-14 (UGA ranked #11)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #20 Alabama 26-23 (OT)
#11 Florida 42-30
#17 Auburn 45-20
#20 Kentucky 24-13
Sugar Bowl: #10 Hawaii 41-10
Star Power: QB Matthew Stafford, RB Knowshon Moreno, FB Brannen Southerland, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, WR Sean Bailey, OT Trinton Sturdivant, OG Clint Boling, DE Marcus Howard, DT Jeff Owens, DT Geno Atkins, LB Rennie Curran, CB Asher Allen, K Brandon Coutu
Why Ahead of '06 LSU?
Both '06 LSU and the '07 Dawgs had the star power and a #1 NFL draft pick at quarterback. The '07 Dawgs, though, hit their stride harder down the stretch than '06 LSU. While Georgia lost to two unranked teams early in the season, it defeated every ranked team it faced (5-0) - one of only two teams on this list to do so. Georgia also had an argument for being the best team in the country at the end of the 2007 season.
Bubba says: To be honest, I don't have much to say about this team. The majority of the readers of this blog know the exploits of this squad and they were red hot to finish the season. Unfortunately, they were very inconsistent early and you can't rank a team with a blowout loss to unranked Tennessee any higher. Once 2007 UGA found their identity in Jacksonville, they were playing some of the nation's best football and had the ability to match up with any team in the country. Mark Richt's most intriguing team, in my mind, at UGA as they were a unique combination of agressive attitude and raw young talent.
The 2007 season in pictures from the Athens Banner-Herald
Earl says: Once the Dawgs were shutout of the National Championship Game, we all wanted to see a matchup with USC in the Rose Bowl. Unfortunately, the Pasadena boys are still living in the past with their preferred Pac-10/Big Ten matchup and freakin' Juice Williams was chosen to get maimed by the Trojans. That left Colt Brennan with a bad diagnosis in New Orleans as well.
After the blowout loss to Tennessee, nobody could've predicted that this Georgia team would leave Dawg fans with such great memories such as sacking Tebow six times, the Auburn blackout and showing the Rainbow Warriors a dance of our own.
Ultimately, we couldn't rank '07 Georgia any higher due its two losses to unranked opponents - the first team we've run across on this list to do so.
Next installment: #6 - 2001 Tennessee Volunteers
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #7
2007 Georgia Bulldogs
AP Preseason #13
Record: 11-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #2
Final Coaches Ranking: #3
Losses:
South Carolina 16-12 (UGA ranked #12)
@ Tennessee 35-14 (UGA ranked #11)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #20 Alabama 26-23 (OT)
#11 Florida 42-30
#17 Auburn 45-20
#20 Kentucky 24-13
Sugar Bowl: #10 Hawaii 41-10
Star Power: QB Matthew Stafford, RB Knowshon Moreno, FB Brannen Southerland, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, WR Sean Bailey, OT Trinton Sturdivant, OG Clint Boling, DE Marcus Howard, DT Jeff Owens, DT Geno Atkins, LB Rennie Curran, CB Asher Allen, K Brandon Coutu
Why Ahead of '06 LSU?
Both '06 LSU and the '07 Dawgs had the star power and a #1 NFL draft pick at quarterback. The '07 Dawgs, though, hit their stride harder down the stretch than '06 LSU. While Georgia lost to two unranked teams early in the season, it defeated every ranked team it faced (5-0) - one of only two teams on this list to do so. Georgia also had an argument for being the best team in the country at the end of the 2007 season.
Bubba says: To be honest, I don't have much to say about this team. The majority of the readers of this blog know the exploits of this squad and they were red hot to finish the season. Unfortunately, they were very inconsistent early and you can't rank a team with a blowout loss to unranked Tennessee any higher. Once 2007 UGA found their identity in Jacksonville, they were playing some of the nation's best football and had the ability to match up with any team in the country. Mark Richt's most intriguing team, in my mind, at UGA as they were a unique combination of agressive attitude and raw young talent.
The 2007 season in pictures from the Athens Banner-Herald
Earl says: Once the Dawgs were shutout of the National Championship Game, we all wanted to see a matchup with USC in the Rose Bowl. Unfortunately, the Pasadena boys are still living in the past with their preferred Pac-10/Big Ten matchup and freakin' Juice Williams was chosen to get maimed by the Trojans. That left Colt Brennan with a bad diagnosis in New Orleans as well.
After the blowout loss to Tennessee, nobody could've predicted that this Georgia team would leave Dawg fans with such great memories such as sacking Tebow six times, the Auburn blackout and showing the Rainbow Warriors a dance of our own.
Ultimately, we couldn't rank '07 Georgia any higher due its two losses to unranked opponents - the first team we've run across on this list to do so.
Next installment: #6 - 2001 Tennessee Volunteers
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '06 LSU Tigers
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #8
2006 LSU Tigers
AP Preseason #8
Record: 11-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #3
Final Coaches Ranking: #3
Losses:
@ #4 Auburn 7-3 (LSU ranked #7)
@ #5 Florida 23-10 (LSU ranked #10)
- eventual SEC and National Champion
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #8 Tennessee 28-24
@ #5 Arkansas (Little Rock) 31-26
Sugar Bowl: #11 Notre Dame 41-14 (what a joke of a team)
Star Power: QB JaMarcus Russell, ATH Trindon Holliday, FB Jacob Hester, WR Dwayne Bowe, WR Early Doucet, WR Craig Davis, DT Glenn Dorsey, DE Tyson Jackson, LB Ali Highsmith, S LaRon Landry, S Jessie Daniels, S Craig Steltz
Why Ahead of '97 Florida?
Star power. Les Miles' second year at LSU bore the fruits of Nick Saban's recruiting classes just like '05 LSU did. To his credit, Miles has continued LSU's dominance on the recruiting trail during his four years in Baton Rouge. The '06 version of the Bayou Bengals could compete on a Who's Who list with any other team in BNE's Top 10.
Bubba says: 2006 LSU was a big time team that didn't perform up to their talent level in their two biggest moments, at Florida and at Auburn. Based off of on field results, 2005 LSU could easily hold this spot with their 7-1 conference record, but this team was virtually the same, only a year older and stronger. The Bayou Bengals had the unfortunate privilege to face all of their ranked opponents on the road while all four were ranked in the top 10, and funny things happen on the Plains no matter who you are (some questionable officiating in that one). This team was over loaded with talent and you could easily include DC Bo Pelini and OC Jimbo Fisher as stars of this squad as well.
Holtz plugs Notre Dame (surprise!), while Corso wouldn't want to play LSU even with the Indianapolis Colts.
Earl says: "That was a war!" Those words were proclaimed by Kirk Herbstreit after ESPN's highlights of the 7-3 defensive struggle between LSU and Auburn. That was/is the SEC. The '06 Bayou Bengals faced four teams ranked in the top 8 all on the road. They split those contests 2-2. The other game that LSU dropped featured the very first Tim Tebow jump pass and the national media fawned.
LSU was trending up at the end of the season with road wins over ranked opponents Tennessee and Arkansas. Ultimately, the tough schedule tripped up this LSU team though, and while JaMarcus Russell had a tremendous arm, his leadership skills as a quarterback were tremendously lacking.
Basically, the '06 Tigers are ranked this high because of their talent level. Even with the tough schedule, I just don't believe they should've lost two games. However, LSU perfected losing twice the very next year and proved a two-loss team could still win the national championship. Of course, Les would remind us that LSU was undefeated in regulation in 2007.
Next installment: #7 - 2007 Georgia Bulldogs
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #8
2006 LSU Tigers
AP Preseason #8
Record: 11-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #3
Final Coaches Ranking: #3
Losses:
@ #4 Auburn 7-3 (LSU ranked #7)
@ #5 Florida 23-10 (LSU ranked #10)
- eventual SEC and National Champion
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #8 Tennessee 28-24
@ #5 Arkansas (Little Rock) 31-26
Sugar Bowl: #11 Notre Dame 41-14 (what a joke of a team)
Star Power: QB JaMarcus Russell, ATH Trindon Holliday, FB Jacob Hester, WR Dwayne Bowe, WR Early Doucet, WR Craig Davis, DT Glenn Dorsey, DE Tyson Jackson, LB Ali Highsmith, S LaRon Landry, S Jessie Daniels, S Craig Steltz
Why Ahead of '97 Florida?
Star power. Les Miles' second year at LSU bore the fruits of Nick Saban's recruiting classes just like '05 LSU did. To his credit, Miles has continued LSU's dominance on the recruiting trail during his four years in Baton Rouge. The '06 version of the Bayou Bengals could compete on a Who's Who list with any other team in BNE's Top 10.
Bubba says: 2006 LSU was a big time team that didn't perform up to their talent level in their two biggest moments, at Florida and at Auburn. Based off of on field results, 2005 LSU could easily hold this spot with their 7-1 conference record, but this team was virtually the same, only a year older and stronger. The Bayou Bengals had the unfortunate privilege to face all of their ranked opponents on the road while all four were ranked in the top 10, and funny things happen on the Plains no matter who you are (some questionable officiating in that one). This team was over loaded with talent and you could easily include DC Bo Pelini and OC Jimbo Fisher as stars of this squad as well.
Holtz plugs Notre Dame (surprise!), while Corso wouldn't want to play LSU even with the Indianapolis Colts.
Earl says: "That was a war!" Those words were proclaimed by Kirk Herbstreit after ESPN's highlights of the 7-3 defensive struggle between LSU and Auburn. That was/is the SEC. The '06 Bayou Bengals faced four teams ranked in the top 8 all on the road. They split those contests 2-2. The other game that LSU dropped featured the very first Tim Tebow jump pass and the national media fawned.
LSU was trending up at the end of the season with road wins over ranked opponents Tennessee and Arkansas. Ultimately, the tough schedule tripped up this LSU team though, and while JaMarcus Russell had a tremendous arm, his leadership skills as a quarterback were tremendously lacking.
Basically, the '06 Tigers are ranked this high because of their talent level. Even with the tough schedule, I just don't believe they should've lost two games. However, LSU perfected losing twice the very next year and proved a two-loss team could still win the national championship. Of course, Les would remind us that LSU was undefeated in regulation in 2007.
Next installment: #7 - 2007 Georgia Bulldogs
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '97 Florida Gators
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida Gators
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC (post-1992): #9
1997 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #2
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #4
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Losses:
@ #14 LSU 28-21 (UF ranked #1)
#14 Georgia 37-17 (UF ranked #6)
(had some trouble against 14th ranked teams, huh)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#4 Tennessee 33-20 (eventual SEC Champion)
@#6 Auburn 24-10
#2 Florida State 32-29 (ACC Champion)
Citrus Bowl: #11 Penn State 21-6 (AP Preseason #1)
Star Power: RB Fred Taylor, WR Jacquez Green, OT Mo Collins, OT Zach Piller, DT Reggie McGrew, LB Jevon Kearse, LB Mike Peterson, LB Johnny Rutledge, CB Fred Weary, S Tony George
Why Ahead of '01 Florida?
More meaningful wins. Defeated both teams that participated in the SEC Championship Game, Tennessee and Auburn, while both were ranked in the top 6. But, most importantly, ruined Florida State's undefeated season and #2 ranking in what many Florida fans consider the best game they've experienced in the Swamp...EVER (when your history begins in 1990, EVER isn't a long time though).
Bubba says: 1997 was probably the most entertaining year in terms of quality teams and competition that the SEC saw in the 1990s. As much as it pains me to say it, the Florida team was probably the strongest team in the confrence that season with dominant wins over both the West and East champions. Yes, UGA beat this team by 20, but how did the Dawgs handle Tennessee and Auburn?
This was the first Florida team that really saw the results of the Ole' Ball Coach bringing Bob Stoops to his staff. The defense was outstanding and would only get better with the young stars listed above. The biggest knock on this team was the simple lack of good quarterback play and inconsistencies at that position would haunt the Gators for the rest of the decade. The offense was loaded with little Quizzy and Fred Taylor, but Doug Johnson was a head case and Noah Brindise was not a scolarship player for a reason. If this team has Rex Grossman, Shane Matthews, or even an upperclassmen Jessie Palmer on the roster, the Gators most likely would have been SEC Champions. In my mind this team won in spite of Doug Johnson and as much as it kills me, deserves to be here over 1997 UGA due to their quality wins.
Eighty yards in three plays to beat FSU. Sean McDonough and Terry Donahue on the call for CBS. Best part of the video? Sebastian Janikowski mocking the chomp at the beginning...
Earl says: The 1997 SEC season was incredibly competitive. Five teams finished with two conference losses or less: Tennessee (SEC Champion), Florida, Georgia, Auburn and LSU. Because of that, I had some difficulty with this selection of 1997 Florida in the top 10, especially with the 20-point loss to Georgia. A loss in which the Gators were a 20-point favorite (of course, Florida was always about a 17- to 20-point favorite against every other good SEC team in the '90s). Ultimately though, the Gators defeated four teams in the top 11, including handing their first losses of the season to Tennessee, Auburn and Florida State.
When Florida won on the Plains in mid October, Tennessee people thought the SEC East was done. The Gators had locked it up again. Peyton Manning wouldn't get his SEC championship. But along came the Dawgs on the St. John's River for the first time since 1989. How good was Georgia? How good was Florida? How good was Auburn? How good was LSU? For that matter, how good was the eventual SEC Champion Tennessee? I think the answer to those questions is the same. They all deserved their top 10 rankings in 1997 at some point during the season. They were all good. But it can be argued that Florida had more meaningful wins than any of those other four SEC teams in 1997. And for the first time under Spurrier, the Gators relied on a stud senior RB in Fred Taylor and a stingy defense under the direction of Bob Stoops.
Next installment: #8 - 2006 LSU Tigers
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida Gators
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC (post-1992): #9
1997 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #2
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #4
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Losses:
@ #14 LSU 28-21 (UF ranked #1)
#14 Georgia 37-17 (UF ranked #6)
(had some trouble against 14th ranked teams, huh)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#4 Tennessee 33-20 (eventual SEC Champion)
@#6 Auburn 24-10
#2 Florida State 32-29 (ACC Champion)
Citrus Bowl: #11 Penn State 21-6 (AP Preseason #1)
Star Power: RB Fred Taylor, WR Jacquez Green, OT Mo Collins, OT Zach Piller, DT Reggie McGrew, LB Jevon Kearse, LB Mike Peterson, LB Johnny Rutledge, CB Fred Weary, S Tony George
Why Ahead of '01 Florida?
More meaningful wins. Defeated both teams that participated in the SEC Championship Game, Tennessee and Auburn, while both were ranked in the top 6. But, most importantly, ruined Florida State's undefeated season and #2 ranking in what many Florida fans consider the best game they've experienced in the Swamp...EVER (when your history begins in 1990, EVER isn't a long time though).
Bubba says: 1997 was probably the most entertaining year in terms of quality teams and competition that the SEC saw in the 1990s. As much as it pains me to say it, the Florida team was probably the strongest team in the confrence that season with dominant wins over both the West and East champions. Yes, UGA beat this team by 20, but how did the Dawgs handle Tennessee and Auburn?
This was the first Florida team that really saw the results of the Ole' Ball Coach bringing Bob Stoops to his staff. The defense was outstanding and would only get better with the young stars listed above. The biggest knock on this team was the simple lack of good quarterback play and inconsistencies at that position would haunt the Gators for the rest of the decade. The offense was loaded with little Quizzy and Fred Taylor, but Doug Johnson was a head case and Noah Brindise was not a scolarship player for a reason. If this team has Rex Grossman, Shane Matthews, or even an upperclassmen Jessie Palmer on the roster, the Gators most likely would have been SEC Champions. In my mind this team won in spite of Doug Johnson and as much as it kills me, deserves to be here over 1997 UGA due to their quality wins.
Eighty yards in three plays to beat FSU. Sean McDonough and Terry Donahue on the call for CBS. Best part of the video? Sebastian Janikowski mocking the chomp at the beginning...
Earl says: The 1997 SEC season was incredibly competitive. Five teams finished with two conference losses or less: Tennessee (SEC Champion), Florida, Georgia, Auburn and LSU. Because of that, I had some difficulty with this selection of 1997 Florida in the top 10, especially with the 20-point loss to Georgia. A loss in which the Gators were a 20-point favorite (of course, Florida was always about a 17- to 20-point favorite against every other good SEC team in the '90s). Ultimately though, the Gators defeated four teams in the top 11, including handing their first losses of the season to Tennessee, Auburn and Florida State.
When Florida won on the Plains in mid October, Tennessee people thought the SEC East was done. The Gators had locked it up again. Peyton Manning wouldn't get his SEC championship. But along came the Dawgs on the St. John's River for the first time since 1989. How good was Georgia? How good was Florida? How good was Auburn? How good was LSU? For that matter, how good was the eventual SEC Champion Tennessee? I think the answer to those questions is the same. They all deserved their top 10 rankings in 1997 at some point during the season. They were all good. But it can be argued that Florida had more meaningful wins than any of those other four SEC teams in 1997. And for the first time under Spurrier, the Gators relied on a stud senior RB in Fred Taylor and a stingy defense under the direction of Bob Stoops.
Next installment: #8 - 2006 LSU Tigers
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '01 Florida Gators
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC (post-1992): #10
2001 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #1
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #3
Final Coaches Ranking: #3
Losses:
@ Auburn 23-20 (UF ranked #1)
#4 Tennessee 34-32 (UF ranked #2)
- game postponed to Dec. 1 due to 9/11
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #18 LSU 44-15 (eventual SEC Champion)
#15 Georgia 24-10
@ #14 South Carolina 54-17
#21 Florida State 37-13
Orange Bowl: #6 Maryland 56-23 (ACC Champion)
Star power: QB Rex Grossman, WR Jabar Gaffney, WR Reche Caldwell, WR Taylor Jacobs, RB Earnest Graham, DE Alex Brown, LB Mike Nattiel, LB Andra Davis, CB Lito Sheppard, S Marquand Manuel
Why in Top 10?
The preseason #1 ranked team and defending SEC Champion was less than a touchdown away from keeping a #1 or #2 ranking all season.
Bubba says: The two premier teams of 2001 were Miami and Florida. It was clear early in the season that those two squads were dynamic and potentially dominant. Florida ended up with two losses, in my mind, because of situations surrounding the two games they lost. The Auburn game was after a hurricane and the Tennessee game was rescheduled because of September 11th. Both teams caught the Gators in the perfect spot, took advantage of the situation and I will forever have an image of Travis Stephens running down the Swamp sideline for over 200 yards. The biggest knock I have on these two losses was that neither Auburn nor Tennessee won the conference. However, a 29-point win over the eventual SEC Champions is something to be impressed with. From a talent standpoint, this could have been one of the all time great SEC teams. The bounces didn't go they way of the Gators in 2001 and the Ole' Ball Coach bounced his way to the NFL.
Poor Alex Brown came back for his senior season and didn't get that National Title. What a pity.
Duval's three field goals in winds left over from a hurricane that beat Florida. Remember when Duval got into a shoving match with the LSU band? What a douche.
Earl says: This team ultimately played three close games and lost two of them. The Georgia game was 17-10 for what seemed like forever as Georgia squandered possession after possession in the second half and Florida finally tacked on the final score. This 2001 Gator team, however, absolutely dominated some quality opponents. Winning by 29 points in Death Valley is nothing to sneeze at. With everything on the line, though, the '01 version of Florida lost at home to the highest ranked team it played all season (#4 UT).
As for the Auburn loss, when doesn't Auburn beat Florida? Really. The Tigers rotating off Florida's schedule is always a Godsend for the Gators. The sin of this particular loss to the Tigers/Plainsmen/War Eagles is that Damon Duval made three field goals in winds due to an earlier hurricane, including the game winning 44 yarder with 10 seconds left, as Rexy taunted the Auburn fans. Of course, Damon Duval was a household name in the SEC, only not for his kicking sometimes.
And what happens to a preseason #1 team when it loses two games? Spurrier's career at Florida ends playing Maryland, that's what. Seriously!?! Maryland!?! At least it would've been poetic if somehow Duke would've risen up in that weak sister conference and the Gators could've played the Blue Devils in Spurrier's final game. Now that would've deserved a top 25 vote from SOS...or from SOS's sports information director...
Next installment: #9 - 1997 Florida Gators (10-2)
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC (post-1992): #10
2001 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #1
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #3
Final Coaches Ranking: #3
Losses:
@ Auburn 23-20 (UF ranked #1)
#4 Tennessee 34-32 (UF ranked #2)
- game postponed to Dec. 1 due to 9/11
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #18 LSU 44-15 (eventual SEC Champion)
#15 Georgia 24-10
@ #14 South Carolina 54-17
#21 Florida State 37-13
Orange Bowl: #6 Maryland 56-23 (ACC Champion)
Star power: QB Rex Grossman, WR Jabar Gaffney, WR Reche Caldwell, WR Taylor Jacobs, RB Earnest Graham, DE Alex Brown, LB Mike Nattiel, LB Andra Davis, CB Lito Sheppard, S Marquand Manuel
Why in Top 10?
The preseason #1 ranked team and defending SEC Champion was less than a touchdown away from keeping a #1 or #2 ranking all season.
Bubba says: The two premier teams of 2001 were Miami and Florida. It was clear early in the season that those two squads were dynamic and potentially dominant. Florida ended up with two losses, in my mind, because of situations surrounding the two games they lost. The Auburn game was after a hurricane and the Tennessee game was rescheduled because of September 11th. Both teams caught the Gators in the perfect spot, took advantage of the situation and I will forever have an image of Travis Stephens running down the Swamp sideline for over 200 yards. The biggest knock I have on these two losses was that neither Auburn nor Tennessee won the conference. However, a 29-point win over the eventual SEC Champions is something to be impressed with. From a talent standpoint, this could have been one of the all time great SEC teams. The bounces didn't go they way of the Gators in 2001 and the Ole' Ball Coach bounced his way to the NFL.
Poor Alex Brown came back for his senior season and didn't get that National Title. What a pity.
Duval's three field goals in winds left over from a hurricane that beat Florida. Remember when Duval got into a shoving match with the LSU band? What a douche.
Earl says: This team ultimately played three close games and lost two of them. The Georgia game was 17-10 for what seemed like forever as Georgia squandered possession after possession in the second half and Florida finally tacked on the final score. This 2001 Gator team, however, absolutely dominated some quality opponents. Winning by 29 points in Death Valley is nothing to sneeze at. With everything on the line, though, the '01 version of Florida lost at home to the highest ranked team it played all season (#4 UT).
As for the Auburn loss, when doesn't Auburn beat Florida? Really. The Tigers rotating off Florida's schedule is always a Godsend for the Gators. The sin of this particular loss to the Tigers/Plainsmen/War Eagles is that Damon Duval made three field goals in winds due to an earlier hurricane, including the game winning 44 yarder with 10 seconds left, as Rexy taunted the Auburn fans. Of course, Damon Duval was a household name in the SEC, only not for his kicking sometimes.
And what happens to a preseason #1 team when it loses two games? Spurrier's career at Florida ends playing Maryland, that's what. Seriously!?! Maryland!?! At least it would've been poetic if somehow Duke would've risen up in that weak sister conference and the Gators could've played the Blue Devils in Spurrier's final game. Now that would've deserved a top 25 vote from SOS...or from SOS's sports information director...
Next installment: #9 - 1997 Florida Gators (10-2)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Where's The Hardware?
A few months ago, this blog post on SECFans.com matching 16 of the past 17 SEC champions since the league split into two divisions in 1992 in a bracket format led Bubba and Earl to their own discussion of the best SEC champions of the past 17 seasons. In turn, this led to another discussion about the best SEC teams during that same time period (1992-present) that DIDN'T win the conference championship. There are many. During the course of the next two weeks, we will present a BNE Top 10 list of the best SEC teams since the 1992 division split that didn't win the SEC title. We began with the goal of having a representative from each year since 1992, but in discovering multiple teams from specific years (i.e., 2001), we needed to set some guidelines and began to eliminate teams with three losses. Unfortunately, that eliminated teams such as 1998 Arkansas, 2003 Georgia (Earl's favorite UGA team of the past decade), 2003 Ole Miss, 2002 Alabama and 2005 Auburn. All teams that were heavily debated plus others.
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
We will begin with an honorable mention list of four teams in chronological order.
Honorable Mention:
1992 Georgia
Bubba says: Star laden with Eric Zeier, Garrison Hearst and Andre Hastings but coached by a Zaxby's manager and the spokesman for Aaron's Rents. The big names and a little homerism gets this team on the list.
Damn.
Earl says: Who knew Ray Goff could coach a double-digit winner? Even with the close loss to Florida, it was the disaster against Tennessee earlier in the season Between the Hedges that cost this team a shot at eventual national champion Alabama in Birmingham in the inaugural SEC Championship Game. Unfortunately for us, this team inspired Kirk Herbstreit's current career.
1994 Auburn
Bubba says: This bunch was 9-0 before tying UGA 23-23, a game in which Terry Bowden lost his offensive playbook and a 23-9 lead, but extended their unbeaten streak to 21 games.
A poorly coached LSU team allows Auburn to continue its unbeaten streak. Curly Hallman's team continued to throw the football even after leading late in the game and previously throwing two pick-six's. This is Auburn's third pick-six of the day and put the Tigers in front 30-26.
Earl says: A 20-game winning streak and defeating #1 Florida in the Swamp helps put this team on the list. However, a sour way to end the season, tying Georgia and losing to Alabama 21-14, brought Auburn's latest probation stint to an end. Tater Tot proved he couldn't hold his own when it started to count in 1995...
1996 Tennessee
Bubba says: As talented if not more than 1995 Tennessee (which may just be in the Top 10). A puzzling midseason loss to Memphis holds this group out of the upper echilon of "almost" teams. Still worked a Big 10 squad, although it was Northwestern, in the Citrus Bowl, a UT tradition just like blowout losses to Florida in the mid-90's.
The Memphis kick returner's elbow was clearly down, but we'd give Memphis the benefit of the doubt too. How could we include an SEC team that lost to Memphis!?! But, we did.
Earl says: Possibly the most talented SEC team in the era not to win a title. How talented? They are still on the honorable mention list even with a loss to Memphis!?! Sure, Tennessee couldn't beat Florida in the mid-90's, but just as important to Tennessee people is the fact that the Peyton Manning-led UT teams turned the tide against Alabama on the Third Saturday in October.
2005 LSU
Bubba says: A weird half of football on Monday night against Tennessee kept these Cajun Tigers from an 11-0 regular season. Less (get it) Miles' bunch was star filled and proved it during the next two seasons. Their blowout loss to UGA in Atlanta dropped this team out of BNE's Top 10 even though it had the best SEC regular season record.
This has nothing to do with LSU's 2005 season, it's just Les being Les...
Earl says: You can look at Hurricane Katrina one of two ways as to how it affected this team. It could either motivate them to a great season or let it destroy them, especially with a new head coach. They went 10-1 with an overtime loss to Tennessee. I'd say it brought this team together. However, the 34-14 blowout loss to Georgia at the Dome keeps this team from entering the Top 10. They are the only team that would've won the conference under the old rules (pre-1992) that didn't crack our Top 10.
After many debates trying to decide on five honorable mention teams, we could settle on only four teams. The beauty of parity is that ALL of these teams are flawed including the teams that were left off. Add your own fifth team in the comments, just remember that your team might be covered in our Top 10 list to come later this week, starting tomorrow with #10, the 2001 Florida Gators (10-2).
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
We will begin with an honorable mention list of four teams in chronological order.
Honorable Mention:
1992 Georgia
Bubba says: Star laden with Eric Zeier, Garrison Hearst and Andre Hastings but coached by a Zaxby's manager and the spokesman for Aaron's Rents. The big names and a little homerism gets this team on the list.
Damn.
Earl says: Who knew Ray Goff could coach a double-digit winner? Even with the close loss to Florida, it was the disaster against Tennessee earlier in the season Between the Hedges that cost this team a shot at eventual national champion Alabama in Birmingham in the inaugural SEC Championship Game. Unfortunately for us, this team inspired Kirk Herbstreit's current career.
1994 Auburn
Bubba says: This bunch was 9-0 before tying UGA 23-23, a game in which Terry Bowden lost his offensive playbook and a 23-9 lead, but extended their unbeaten streak to 21 games.
A poorly coached LSU team allows Auburn to continue its unbeaten streak. Curly Hallman's team continued to throw the football even after leading late in the game and previously throwing two pick-six's. This is Auburn's third pick-six of the day and put the Tigers in front 30-26.
Earl says: A 20-game winning streak and defeating #1 Florida in the Swamp helps put this team on the list. However, a sour way to end the season, tying Georgia and losing to Alabama 21-14, brought Auburn's latest probation stint to an end. Tater Tot proved he couldn't hold his own when it started to count in 1995...
1996 Tennessee
Bubba says: As talented if not more than 1995 Tennessee (which may just be in the Top 10). A puzzling midseason loss to Memphis holds this group out of the upper echilon of "almost" teams. Still worked a Big 10 squad, although it was Northwestern, in the Citrus Bowl, a UT tradition just like blowout losses to Florida in the mid-90's.
The Memphis kick returner's elbow was clearly down, but we'd give Memphis the benefit of the doubt too. How could we include an SEC team that lost to Memphis!?! But, we did.
Earl says: Possibly the most talented SEC team in the era not to win a title. How talented? They are still on the honorable mention list even with a loss to Memphis!?! Sure, Tennessee couldn't beat Florida in the mid-90's, but just as important to Tennessee people is the fact that the Peyton Manning-led UT teams turned the tide against Alabama on the Third Saturday in October.
2005 LSU
Bubba says: A weird half of football on Monday night against Tennessee kept these Cajun Tigers from an 11-0 regular season. Less (get it) Miles' bunch was star filled and proved it during the next two seasons. Their blowout loss to UGA in Atlanta dropped this team out of BNE's Top 10 even though it had the best SEC regular season record.
This has nothing to do with LSU's 2005 season, it's just Les being Les...
Earl says: You can look at Hurricane Katrina one of two ways as to how it affected this team. It could either motivate them to a great season or let it destroy them, especially with a new head coach. They went 10-1 with an overtime loss to Tennessee. I'd say it brought this team together. However, the 34-14 blowout loss to Georgia at the Dome keeps this team from entering the Top 10. They are the only team that would've won the conference under the old rules (pre-1992) that didn't crack our Top 10.
After many debates trying to decide on five honorable mention teams, we could settle on only four teams. The beauty of parity is that ALL of these teams are flawed including the teams that were left off. Add your own fifth team in the comments, just remember that your team might be covered in our Top 10 list to come later this week, starting tomorrow with #10, the 2001 Florida Gators (10-2).
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