I think you have to include the 1971 Nebraska team. I think that could be the best college football team of all time. They outscored their opponents on average by 31 points, and only let up about eight points per game.
Other teams you should include are: 1947 Michigan "Magicians", 1947 Notre Dame, 1956 Oklahoma, 1961 Alabama (Bear Bryant's first championship with the Tide), 1972 USC.
Teams on the cusp you did not mention are: 1959 Syracuse, 1991 Washington, 1992 Alabama, 1994 Penn State.
Do you want to re-seed some of them? I would not include 1996 + 2002 Ohio State (if you want to include a Buckeyes team, I suggest 1968), 2004 Utah, 1984 BYU.
The thing about this tournament is, most of these teams have great defenses, so you'd have to look for faults with the teams.
1971 Nebraska beats 1996 Florida 38-10. I cannot see Danny Weurffel having much success against that Nebraska defense.
The 1945 Army was a great team, but I think USC's team speed would help them defeat the Black Knights. USC 27, Army 17.
I don't think Michigan's magician team will advance far in this tournament, because teams today would be able to figure out that gimmicky offense. However, I do not think Kerry Collins would succeed against Michigan's defense. Michigan 20, PSU 17.
The 1992 Alabama team may have won the first ever SEC Championship, but I think they beat Miami in the championship game because the 'Canes were arrogant and underestimated the Tide. The Buckeyes will not. 1968 Ohio State 31, Alabama 17.
I'll do the next four of the first round tomorrow night.
1947 Notre Dame is one of the greatest teams of All-Time when compared to their competition, but their offense was really simple, and Washington's defense would come close to shutting them out. That version of the Irish rarely threw the ball. Today's defensive players are stronger and faster. Even though the Huskies didn't have the greatest QB situation in the world, I think they beat Notre Dame. 1991 Huskies 13, 1947 Irish 7.
LSU-Syracuse: This would be a great match up because both defenses were prolific. I think the difference between the two teams is the former late Orange RB Ernie Davis. He's the difference in this close game. 1959 Syracuse 9, 2003 LSU 6.
Oklahoma had a suffocating defense, but they did not come across an offense like Miami's during their championship run. How would they stop Willis McGahee, Kellen Winslow Jr., Andre Johnson, Ken Dorsey? Miami's offensive line was incredible. Oklahoma's offense cannot compare to Miami's. 2001 Miami 17, 2000 Oklahoma 10.
I didn't notice this the other day, but you took out 1995 Nebraska. I think they could be the second- or third-best team in NCAA history. I don't think the 96 Sun Devils stand a chance against Michigan, so would you want to replace Arz St. with 95 Nebraska? If so, Nebraska moves on. If not, Michigan advances
My bad. When talking about the 01 Canes, I started talking about the 02 Canes.
NIT:
I still find it amazing that Tennessee won the year after Peyton Manning left... with Tee Martin. I like the Vols over FSU. Chris Wienke and Travis Minor? No way they beat Tennessee's defense. Vols 24, FSU 13.
I think Ohio State beat Miami in 2002, because the Hurricanes were arrogant and didn't take the Buckeyes seriously. I think if they played in a re-match, Miami would win it. Canes 17, Ohio St. 6.
I really don't think the 2004 Utah team was that good. Doesn't mean they didn't deserve a shot at the National Title. I think they could have given USC a better game than Oklahoma. BYU 34, Utah 20.
Colorado-Ohio State is a pretty even match up. I would have liked to see the Buffaloes play Georgia Tech for a real championship. Colorado 20, Ohio State 17.
I guess we'll be re-seeding the Elite Eight, because #1 would be playing #2 in the Final Four, using this format. So,
#1 1971 Nebraska vs. #12 1991 Washington: There is no way that Nebraksa team loses to Washington. The Cornhuskers' defense could come close to shutting the Huskies out. Nebraska 27, Washington 10.
#2 2004 USC vs. #11 1959 Syracuse: Syracuse had a great running game, and a defense that stuffed the run and shut out five opponents during their championship run. However, today's athletes are stronger and faster than athletes of 50 years ago. USC will have too much speed, and their offense will be too complex for Syracuse. USC 24, Syracuse 17.
#3 1947 Michigan vs. #10 2001 Miami: The Michigan Magicians were able to perplex defenses who have not seen trick plays on offense before. That will not work in today's football world. Miami's athletes will be too much for Michigan to handle. Surprise blowout. Miami 34, Michigan 0.
#4 1968 Ohio State vs. #9 1995 Nebraska: This version of Nebraska could be better than our #1-ranked 1971 team. They shut down Spurrier's offense in the Fiesta Bowl. 1995 Nebraska was mean and vicious, and they'll make the 1968 Ohio State team wish they were still in 1968. Nebraska 31, Ohio State 14.
And Walt, make the Final Four and the Final Two matches played tonight.
The Trojans are getting fired up for their match against the Huskers from 71. The Hurricanes are playing partial contact to get ready for the Huskers team from 95. What a story, the Huskers covers half of the Best College Football Teams of All-Time Final Four.
1998 Tennessee is getting ready and pounding their heads in excitement and motivation.
Brigham Young University is on the field practicing for 6 hours.
Sorry, forgot to post here yesterday. It's hard for me to post before midnight because I work from 4-10, and I get home around 11 and eat dinner and stuff.
#1 1971 Nebraska vs. #4 1995 Nebraska: Wow, what a match up. This could actually be the all-time national championship. While the 1971 Nebraska may have dominated their competition more, the 1995 had a great offense led by Ahman Green and Lawrence Phillips. As a tie-breaker, I'd like to refer to something I said earlier. Today's athletes are faster, stronger and smarter (coaching-wise) than the athletes of 30+ years ago. In an epic-thriller: 1995 27, 1971 24.
#2 2004 USC vs. #3 2001 Miami: It's a shame that this USC team did not have Mike Williams. They'd stand a chance if they had him. I think Miami has way too many weapons for USC to handle. Miami 31, USC 20.
#1 1998 Tennessee vs. #4 1990 Colorado: I really don't think this is a close game. Tennessee's defense will shut down Colorado's offense. Tennessee 28, Colorado 10.
#2 2002 Miami vs. #3 1984 BYU: I really don't think the 1984 BYU team has the athletes to keep up with 2002 Miami. BYU benefitted from winning a weak conference. Miami would obliterate them. Miami 38, BYU 6.
I'm having a tough time deciding between 2001 Miami and 1995 Nebraska. I'll give you the champ tomorrow night.
In the practice field, 2001 Miami is getting fired up. Clinton Portis is running the ball and catching some passes. Ken Dorsey is throwing and scrambling. Jeremy Shockey, Andre Johnson, Daryl Joes and Kellen Winslow Jr are catching a few passes. Their defense is diong their part.
2002 Miami was a great team, but not as good as 2001 Miami. The 2002 version was arrogant, and did not give it their best against Ohio State. I think they come into this game as big favorites and lose again. 1998 Tennessee 20, 2002 Miami 17.
1995 Nebraska might be the best college football team of all time, but I don't think they match up well against 2001 Miami. That Hurricane team would focus on the run, shutting down Lawrence Phillips and forcing the late Brook Berringer to throw a lot. Nebraska didn't have the best passing attack in the world, which would be their downfall against Miami. The Canes have too many weapons for Nebraska. In a great game, 2001 Miami 17, 1995 Nebraska 10.
The Vols crowd, their mascot, their bandwagoners, and their cheerleaders stormed to the middle of the field and chants GO VOLS! GO VOLS! GO VOLS! and when Jamal Lewis hoists the NIT Trophy (Looks similar to the Lombardi Trophy but Orange.)
The 2001 Miami crowd, their mascot, their bandwagoners, and their cheerleaders stormed to the middle of the field and chants GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 'CANES as Ken Dorsey holds the Best Team Trophy (Looks like the Stanley Cup but with a Football on top and Orange and Green everywhere. In the locker room, Their Offensive Co-ordinator holds the trophy and says " The Greatest team in the NCAA EVER"
