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 25, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) celebrates after the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa won 40-10 and secured the Heroes Game trophy. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

The Iowa Hawkeyes nearly had a perfect season in 2015, going 12-0 before the Big Ten Championship, but falling to Michigan State and then again in the Rose Bowl against Stanford. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise tremendous season.

It also happened to be Kirk Ferentz’s first Big Ten West title and he was looking to win his first conference championship since 2004. He fell just short, but the 18th-year head coach received a big-time extension with the program.

Iowa has an impressive past filled with 14 bowl victories in 29 appearances, five total national titles (claimed and unclaimed), two Rose Bowl victories and 13 conference titles. The Hawkeyes have also won a Peach Bowl and an Orange Bowl.

This program has produced some serious NFL linemen over the past couple of decades and these country strong trench stars will continue to develop under Ferentz.

Besides having 25 consensus All-Americans in school history, the Hawkeyes also have a Heisman Trophy winner in Nile Kinnick back in 1939 — the stadium is also named after him. Big names to come out of the program are Bob Stoops, Chuck Long, Dallas Clark, Chad Greenway, Adrian Clayborn, Bryan Bulaga and Jonathan Babineaux.

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