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 26, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; SMU Mustangs quarterback Ben Hicks (8) celebrates his touchdown pass against the Navy Midshipmen during the second quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Don’t understand why a program with a win rate of just 47.9 percent made the list? Well, if it wasn’t for the death penalty handed down to the program by the NCAA, the SMU Mustangs may have turned into one of the best Group of Five teams ever.

After sanctions were handed down to SMU in 1987, the Mustangs were forced to abandon the entire season. The only program to ever receive the death penalty, SMU was forced to shut it down because it was already on probation for recruiting violations when it was discovered boosters had been paying players with the coaching staff and administration’s knowledge.

The Mustangs also missed the 1988 season as punishment.

Since then, the program has been in complete rebuilding mode. Through the first seven seasons after the penalty was lifted, the Mustangs won a total of three conference games.

Show off your SMU pride with this t-shirt from Fanatics.

Although the recent struggles have made the program a laughing stock of the AAC, the Mustangs’ storied past should not be overlooked. They have three claimed national titles, including two in the 1980s, and one of the best running backs to ever play the game, Doak Walker, attended the university from 1945-49.

Maybe SMU will be knocked off the list one day, but for now its past is too hard to overlook.

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