Ranking the top 50 college football programs of all time

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the second overtime at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

1 of 50

Which team tops our list of the top 50 college football programs of all time?

Alabama has run the table in the 2016 regular season and looks to be the favorite to win the national title for the second straight year. The Crimson Tide are clearly the best team in the country this season, but where does the program stack up all-time?

There’s no easy way to rank the top college football programs around — there are at least a dozen teams that could legitimately compete for No. 1 — but with a month until the College Football Playoff, we’ve got some time to burn.

These rankings are based on each program’s all-time wins, national titles, Heisman Trophy winners and notable alumni in the NFL, past or present. In some instances, even those criteria aren’t enough, but that’s all part of the fun.

Nov 26, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo (7) runs to score on a touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. PITT won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The Syracuse Orange may not be the first team you think of when you think college football, but they have a storied past. While they’ve made just five bowl games since 2000, the Orange have 714 all-time wins and one claimed national title.

Ben Schwartzwalder was the head coach during the most successful era in Syracuse football history, going 153-91-3 from 1949-73 and leading the Orange to a national championship during that time.

Believe it or not, the program also has plenty of star pedigree. Donovan McNabb, Marvin Harrison and the great Jim Brown, among others, played football for the Orange, which contributed to their ranking on this list.

Gear up with this Syracuse sweatshirt from Fanatics.

Syracuse may not be known as a football school these days, but its glory years under Schwartzwalder, coupled with the NFL Hall of Famers it has produced, are enough to earn it a place among the best programs of all time.

Home/College Football