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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Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators tight end DeAndre Goolsby (30) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Martez Ivey (73) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Playing in one of the toughest venues for opposing teams, the Florida Gators have used The Swamp to their advantage over the years. Despite not being considered quite the overwhelming national title contender they were in the mid-2000s, the Gators are still relevant in SEC play.

In fact, second-year head coach Jim McElwain has led the Gators to two straight division titles, losing in the SEC Championship to Alabama, of course. One of these years, he’s going to bring Florida back to the national spotlight and make a playoff with the resources the program has in place for him.

Florida has won eight conference titles, though, and all of them have come since 1991.

After playing for the Gators in the 1960s, Steve Spurrier came back as a head coach, leading them to their first claimed national title back in 1996 by winning the Sugar Bowl. Since then, Florida has won two national crowns, both under Urban Meyer, in 2006 and 2008.

Florida also has three Heisman winners. The first was Spurrier, the second was Danny Wuerffel and the last was the great Tim Tebow.

The Gators have also produced 32 consensus All-American players, including Jack Youngblood, Emmitt Smith, Tebow and Spurrier. Smith happens to be one of the greatest running backs to ever lace up his cleats in the NFL.

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