[secsportsfan]

As the calendar page turns to August, the thoughts of sports fans across the country turn to College Football.

And, why not. With the scandals rocking pretty much every other sport – College Football stands out for its good, clean competition. It’s epitomizes what sports should be all about.

Of course, the various National Polls are coming out with their opinions of who is the Number 1 college football team in the land. And that controversial issue will be debated around thousands of water coolers for the next five months at least.

Before we get into the frenzy of the college football season (I can’t wait), this might be a good time to take a step back and dispassionately explore the topic of which was the best college football team in history.

Certainly, which was the best team ever is a debatable issue. But, as an SEC fan, I have a strong opinion. And, I think the answer is easy:

The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide was the best college football team ever.

The team was led by the legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Of course the “Bear” ultimately became, perhaps, the best college football coach ever. Among many accomplishments, his teams won fifteen SEC championships and six national championships.

But, his 1961 team was the first. Five more National Championship teams would follow in its footsteps. But, the 1961 team blazed the trail for the rest.

The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide went an undefeated (11-0) and was crowned the undisputed National Champion. With the numerous national polls, at the time, it was very unusual to finish the season as the “undisputed” National Champ. The ’61 Crimson Tide did it.

But, the really amazing thing about that team was its defense. It outscored its opponents 297 – 25! No one scored more than 7 points against the ’61 Crimson Tide defense and, in fact, six opponents failed to score at all. They beat Tennessee 34-3 and ended the season by beating Arkansas 10-3 in the Sugar Bowl.


The team was led by offensive lineman Billy Neighbors and linebacker Lee Roy Jordan (both in the College Football Hall of Fame); as well as QB Pat Trammell (Heisman Trophy finalist).

Considering the legend of Bear Bryant; the undefeated record; the undisputed national championship; the amazing defense; the fact they were “the first” in a long line of Alabama champions – it’s easy to see why the 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide was the best team in college football history.

See you at the water cooler.



Check out this article documenting the SEC having the best all-time college football record.


Top All-Time College Football Conference Record

[john255]

the 98 vols came out from under the table unexpectedlu at the begining

of the season to take the sec by storm

[Lefty Noob]

The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide was the best college football team ever.

Good stuff, Mo. I'm sure there's a lot of folks who will debate with this statement, though. 1971 Nebraska. 1945 Army. Lots of good teams out there. So everyone, who would you pick as the greatest NCAA football team of all time?

[Racer Duck]

for me it was a toss up .. one team two different years, but I finally settled on the '56 Oklahoma Sooners.

while the '55 Sooners seemed worthy of the title:

• an NCAA winning streak record of 47.
• season 11-0 record that included an astonishing four straight shutouts to end the regular season
• spotting No. 3 Maryland six points and a halftime lead before defeating them 20-6 in the Orange Bowl

the '56 Sooners just seemed the better team:

• finished 10-0 and led the nation in total offense (NCAA prohibited making bowl appearances in consecutive years)
• logged six shutouts, including a 40-0 blanking of Paul Hornung and Notre Dame
• Jerry Tubbs captured the Walter Camp Trophy and Tommy McDonald won The Sporting News' top honor.

.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

for me it was a toss up .. one team two different years, but I finally settled on the '56 Oklahoma Sooners.

a Texas guy going with the Sooners ......... surely a sign of the Apocolypse

of course the answer here is the 1988 ND Fighting Irish

12-0
they beat #9 Michigan --- # 1 Miami --- #2 USC ---- and #3 WV in the Fiesta Bowl

[john255]

Originally Posted by simple simon

a Texas guy going with the Sooners ......... surely a sign of the Apocolypse

of course the answer here is the 1988 ND Fighting Irish

12-0
they beat #9 Michigan --- # 1 Miami --- #2 USC ---- and #3 WV in the Fiesta Bowl

That was one of the most domonative Nd teams ive seen that was a rough schedual and to go 12-0 thats above and beyond but i still stand my judjment about the 98 vols but thats only my opnion

[john255]

Originally Posted by secsportsfan

As the calendar page turns to August, the thoughts of sports fans across the country turn to College Football.

And, why not. With the scandals rocking pretty much every other sport – College Football stands out for its good, clean competition. It’s epitomizes what sports should be all about.

Of course, the various National Polls are coming out with their opinions of who is the Number 1 college football team in the land. And that controversial issue will be debated around thousands of water coolers for the next five months at least.

Before we get into the frenzy of the college football season (I can’t wait), this might be a good time to take a step back and dispassionately explore the topic of which was the best college football team in history.

Certainly, which was the best team ever is a debatable issue. But, as an SEC fan, I have a strong opinion. And, I think the answer is easy:

The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide was the best college football team ever.

The team was led by the legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Of course the “Bear” ultimately became, perhaps, the best college football coach ever. Among many accomplishments, his teams won fifteen SEC championships and six national championships.

But, his 1961 team was the first. Five more National Championship teams would follow in its footsteps. But, the 1961 team blazed the trail for the rest.

The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide went an undefeated (11-0) and was crowned the undisputed National Champion. With the numerous national polls, at the time, it was very unusual to finish the season as the “undisputed” National Champ. The ’61 Crimson Tide did it.

But, the really amazing thing about that team was its defense. It outscored its opponents 297 – 25! No one scored more than 7 points against the ’61 Crimson Tide defense and, in fact, six opponents failed to score at all. They beat Tennessee 34-3 and ended the season by beating Arkansas 10-3 in the Sugar Bowl.


The team was led by offensive lineman Billy Neighbors and linebacker Lee Roy Jordan (both in the College Football Hall of Fame); as well as QB Pat Trammell (Heisman Trophy finalist).

Considering the legend of Bear Bryant; the undefeated record; the undisputed national championship; the amazing defense; the fact they were “the first” in a long line of Alabama champions – it’s easy to see why the 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide was the best team in college football history.

See you at the water cooler.



Check out this article documenting the SEC having the best all-time college football record.



Top All-Time College Football Conference Record

im sory tuck herd this from me to but the reason bama has been doing so borly is because theyve had a dead bear on there back for to long

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by john255

im sory tuck herd this from me to but the reason bama has been doing so borly is because theyve had a dead bear on there back for to long

Bear was quite alive and well in 1961, though, and his team that year was awesome.

Whatever you think of Bama today, you can't deny that the team mentioned in the article is one of the best ever.

[secsportsfan]

don't know about 45 Army.

but 61 bama outscored opponents 297-25! undefeated, shut out 6, no one scored more than 7.

just can't beat the Bears 61 team.

and, i'm a Vols fan

[suedon70]

Originally Posted by secsportsfan

don't know about 45 Army.

but 61 bama outscored opponents 297-25! undefeated, shut out 6, no one scored more than 7.

just can't beat the Bears 61 team.

and, i'm a Vols fan

Very interesting - didn't know that about Bama, but always knew Bryant's teams were some of the best ever....

[john255]

Originally Posted by secsportsfan

don't know about 45 Army.

but 61 bama outscored opponents 297-25! undefeated, shut out 6, no one scored more than 7.

just can't beat the Bears 61 team.

and, i'm a Vols fan

ive just been trained as a tenneesian to be a friendly alabama rival

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by secsportsfan

don't know about 45 Army.

but 61 bama outscored opponents 297-25! undefeated, shut out 6, no one scored more than 7.

just can't beat the Bears 61 team.

and, i'm a Vols fan

The 1945 Army team featured Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside, Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis. Both would wind up winning Heismans, and during this season, they ran up a 48-0 win on Notre Dame before winning the National Title with a 32-13 win over Navy.

And that 1971 Nebraska team I mentioned? Undefeated while averaging 39 points per game and allowing just over 8.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by secsportsfan

but 61 bama outscored opponents 297-25! undefeated, shut out 6, no one scored more than 7.

just can't beat the Bears 61 team.

56 Sooners outscored opponents 466-51! undefeated 10-0-0, shut out 6, narrowest margin of victory: 8 points (Colorado 27-19)

I think the 56 Sooners could have beaten 61 Bama. but it would have been a hellava game!

[bucky889]

Has anyone mentioned mid-90's nebraska? Because someone inevitably will.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by bucky889

Has anyone mentioned mid-90's nebraska? Because someone inevitably will.

well tell us about them bucky ....... fight the fight