Which college football program is historically the best of the SEC conference?
The most universally despised conference in all of college sports is undoubtedly SEC football. Although, along with the shared hatred from around the country comes a level of respect. Especially for the dominance of the conference over the last decade. But the SEC’s greatness as a whole stretches back a lot further than ten years. Since the dawn of college football it has been one of the best conferences in the nation. Ten of its 14 current members have been in the conference since 1932 — the conference was officially formed during the Great Depression in 1933. Since then, it has pulled members from the ACC, Big 12, and the Southwestern Conference to complete its current 14-team arrangement.
These 14 teams have amassed 39 National Championships, 247 bowl victories, and 13 Heisman Trophy winners. Of course some of these accomplishments occurred while teams were representing other conferences or even before the SEC existed. But, the SEC holds these programs and these programs’ histories now. It’s not hard to argue that the SEC is the greatest football conference in the country today, no one would have to rank conferences to find that out. Even historically a case could be made that it’s the best all-time. But what about the teams in the conference? How do those teams stack up against each other?
I have decided to take a stab at taking the mystery out of which SEC teams have been the best all-time. I used the following comprehensive point system to let the numbers state which programs have been the best — not just the opinions of the fans. Some fans forget about history and just remember success in recent years, while others desperately hold onto the past. This point system values the past and present equally, so this is a true indicator of how each SEC program compares to each other.
Point Breakdown:
National Championship: 16 Points
Conference Championship: 14 Points
Heisman Trophy Winner: 12 Points
Bowl Win: 10 Points
Bowl Loss: 8 Points
Consensus All-American: 2 Points
Regular Season Win: 1/4 Point
The entire history of all current SEC programs have been put through this point breakdown and all 14 programs have been ranked based on the numerical results. There is more to being a great program than just winning National Championships (although that is a major part of being great). Individual awards portray the greatness of a program. Total wins show the consistency of a program over their entire existence and conference championships show how a program has historically played against its peers — even if it was a different conference that was won prior to joining the SEC. I awarded points for bowl losses, too, because they represent good seasons that just didn’t end great. A bowl loss means that a team put together a successful season, but obviously a win is worth more.
How does your favorite SEC team stack up?
14. Mississippi State: 322.75 Points
The Bulldogs are currently one of the top teams in all of college football. But historically, they haven’t been the most dominant of programs. They have yet to win a National Championship and have only one conference championship under their belt. All-time the Bulldogs have won 11 bowl games, but boast only two consensus All-Americans. This makes their current rise even more impressive, especially playing in the vaunted SEC Western Division. They have a chance to pass Kentucky if they keep their current success going for a the next handful of years.
13. Kentucky Wildcats: 338.50 Points
Kentucky is the lowest ranked team on this list that has won a National Championship. So they do have that going for them. In recent years though, it’s been rough. They’re currently riding a four-year losing season streak and in their overall history they’ve been a lackluster program. They’ve won only two conference championships and only eight bowl games all-time. The Wildcats have featured 10 consensus All-Americans in their history and are looking to get the program going in the right direction again.
12. South Carolina: 358.25 Points
The Gamecocks put together an abysmal history as a program until Steve Spurrier came to town. Since he came in 2005 this program has steadily gotten better and is now one of the more attractive places to play in the country. In their history they’ve won only two conference championships and zero National Championships. They have seven bowl wins all-time and three of those have come in the last three years. They boast only four consensus All-Americans in their history, but expect that number to rise in the coming years. It should be noted that they are the lowest ranked team on this list that has won a Heisman Trophy.
11. Vanderbilt: 409.75 Points
Vanderbilt hasn’t been successful as a program for quite some time. As a program they benefit from early success, because they’ve been anything but dominant since 1932. Prior to that year they did secure 14 conference championships (between 1901-1915 they were a force to be reckoned with) that cannot and should not be forgotten. Although, they’ve only won four conference championships, no National Championships, and have only had six consensus All-Americans come through the program. That history prior to 1932 brings little comfort to this lackluster program — although they have won two straight bowl games and seem to be getting better.
10. Ole Miss: 655 Points
Mississippi features one of the most unique tailgate settings in college football and are one of the top teams in the country at the moment. But those two things do not save it from its own mediocre history. That said, in the 1950s and 60s the Rebels were one of the top programs in the country. Since then they’ve been just ok and in recent years anything but consistent. They have won an impressive three National Championships in their history to go along with 23 bowl wins. Although they’ve only won six conference championships and boast only 11 consensus All-Americans. If they continue to build their program, look for them to climb this list as the next decade unfolds.
9. Missouri: 664.50 Points
The Tigers are one of the newcomers to the SEC, but they don’t come without history. Despite the fact that they’ve never won a National Championship, they have won 15 conference championships and 14 bowl games. Throughout their history they’ve featured 13 consensus All-Americans and have lost 16 other bowl games. Their history could be much more impressive if their bowl record was a bit cleaner. They’re currently one of the top teams in the SEC Eastern Division and seem to be program that will be relevant for while.
8. Arkansas: 728.50 Points
Arkansas is an SEC team that features an impressively loyal and boisterous fan base despite lacking a consistency of greatness. They’re currently in a down time as a program, but seem to be already pulling themselves out of it a bit. They’ve seen good success in the 1960s, 80s, and 90s. In their history they’ve won one National Championship, 13 conference championships, and 13 bowl games. They’ve lost another 23 bowl games and have had 23 consensus All-Americans represent their university. If this program can stabilize it has the potential to reach greatness again in the toughest division in college football — the SEC Western Division.
7. Florida: 789.50 Points
The Gators are at their lowest point as a program since the late 1970s, but I expect them to bounce back out of it quickly. The 1990s and 2000s were truly special times in Gainesville and they helped out their overall historical ranking significantly. Florida has won three National Championships, an impressive three Heisman Trophies, and 20 bowl games. It has also lost 20 bowl games and has only won its conference a less than desirable eight times. Although, the Gators’ 686 all-time wins and 31 consensus All-Americans are numbers that cannot be ignored. They’re won of college football’s best programs over the last 25 years and they’ll be elite again soon enough.
6. Texas A&M: 856.75 Points
Texas A&M might be a bit higher on this list than many would have imagined, but their spot is definitely earned. Their history is evenly spread out throughout the last eight decades. They’re routinely relevant, but rarely elite. That said, they have won three National Championships (the latest one coming in 1939). To go along with those they’ve won 18 conference championships, 16 bowl games, and two Heisman Trophies. They’ve lost 19 bowl games, have featured 22 consensus All-Americans, and won 707 games all-time. They’re one of the newest teams to join the SEC and they’re doing just fine at the highest level of competition. The Aggies have helped turn the SEC Western Division into the toughest division to play in throughout the country.
5. Auburn: 887.25 Points
The Tigers are one of the proudest fan bases in all of college football. And they should be, they’ve seen some incredible success as a program over the years. They’ve won two National Championships and 12 conference championships. They’ve also won 22 bowl games and are tied with Florida for the most Heisman Trophy winners (3). The Tigers’ 68 consensus All-Americans are the most all-time in SEC history. Their bowl record is impressive, too, as they’ve lost only 12 bowl games all-time. Their 733 wins are good for fifth-best in the conference. They’ve been an elite program for the last few years and will definitely continue to be for the foreseeable future.
4. LSU: 896.25 Points
The Tigers from Baton Rouge have enjoyed a great deal of success for almost the entirety of their program’s existence. They have a passionate fan base and they should; they’re routinely one of the top teams in the country. LSU has won three National Championships and 14 conference championships in their history. Not to mention they’ve won 23 bowl games and lost another 21. They’ve brought home one Heisman Trophy and had 27 consensus All-Americans. Overall they’ve won a total of 753 games and despite having a mediocre season, they’re always a threat to beat anyone. Over the next few seasons look for them to return to an elite status and add a lot more points to their total.
3. Georgia: 906 Points
Georgia has put together one of the most impressive histories of all SEC teams. Despite currently being in the national spotlight it is often overlooked, but definitely shouldn’t be. In their history the Bulldogs have won two National Championships and won 14 total conference championships. They also boast two Heisman Trophies winners all-time. Perhaps their most impressive accomplishment is their all-time bowl record. They have won 27 bowls, the second most in SEC history, and lost 18. Now that is a statistic that should get your attention. They have 768 all-time wins and have had 24 consensus All-Americans. Look for them to continue to be dangerous year-in and year-out.
2. Tennessee: 1,039.50 Points
The Volunteers are the second greatest program in SEC history all-time. They owe it to their impressive history as they are in the midst of a rough patch as a program. Even so, their accomplishments speak for themselves. They’ve won six National Championships, the second most of all SEC teams, and won 16 conference championships. They have won 25 bowl games and lost 24. Although, Tennessee is the highest ranked team on this list to not win the Heisman Trophy. Its 38 consensus All-Americans are impressive as are its 806 all-time wins (second-most in conference history). Watch for the Volunteers to return to their former glory in the coming years, they’re too successful of a program all-time to stay down for too long.
1. Alabama: 1,475.50 Points
Could it have been anyone else? The Crimson Tide are, by far, the greatest football program in SEC history. Their dominance in recent years has been extremely evident, but it’s their all-time success and consistency of greatness that is most impressive. To get the full picture of their greatness we might as well dive into their accomplishments as a program — buckle up.
They’ve won 15 National Championships, that’s nine more than the next SEC team all-time. They’ve won 27 conference championships which is also good for nine more than the next closest program. They do only boast one Heisman Trophy winner though. Alabama has won 34 bowl games, which is seven more than the next team, and they’ve lost 23 more. Its 55 consensus All-Americans are the second most in conference history, but its 838 wins are by far the most.
The Crimson Tide took the No. 1 spot on this list in a landslide. History does not lie and neither do the numbers. It’s not just that they’re the number one program all-time in SEC history, it’s that they could stop playing for ten years and still be in the No. 1 spot for total points (which directly represent greatness). Enjoy this title ‘Bama fans, although this is something you’ve known for quite some time isn’t it?
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