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 /

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Nov 19, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Chad Hansen (6) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The distant past has provided plenty of success for California as the Golden Bearswere one of the powerhouses of pre-1950 college football. In fact, they won five national titles during that time between the years of 1920 and 1937.

Since then, not much has gone right in the way of national supremacy. However, you can’t leave a program off the list that has five national titles to its name, ranking 22nd in college football history.

Sometimes you have to look past the recent struggles to find a team worthy of a top-50 ranking. Everything is taken into consideration, such as past and current success, national titles, all-time wins and bowl games along with notable alumni.

The Golden Bears have been mediocre lately, but they do have 14 conference titles in school history. The last one came in 2006 under Jeff Tedford and Sonny Dykes is currently leading the program out of the basement once again.

Cal is 11-10-1 — including winning 9-of-13 — all-time in bowl games and ranks in the top-50 in wins by a collegiate football program.

Notable alumni include Ron Rivera, Tony Gonzalez, Keenan Allen, C.J. Anderson, Jared Goff, DeSean Jackson, Marvin Jones, Cameron Jordan, Aaron Rodgers and Shane Vereen.

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