College football rankings: 5 best college football teams this century

2. Best college football teams this century: 2004 USC

Titles can be vacated, but the footage and the moments do not disappear from the vault. That defines the star-studded USC team of 2004.

Head coach Pete Carroll’s Trojans were the team of the mid-2000s, taking the mantle from Miami. Matt Leinart had taken the quarterback mantle from Carson Palmer, a No. 1 overall pick of the Cincinnati Bengals. Reggie Bush was the next big star of college football and led a dynamic, one-two punch with LenDale White in the backfield. Add Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett on the outside and a slew of future NFL players on defense, and this was a group few others could compete with.

USC was a perfect 13-0. Pac-12 games against California, Stanford and UCLA proved difficult, but the obliteration of a ranked Arizona State team and long-time rival Notre Dame pushed momentum in the second half of the season, leading to the winning year.

Leinart was the Heisman Trophy winner that season, and Bush was not far behind, winning his own piece of hardware in 2005. They were the forces that drove this electric team. Leinart was efficient with the football and a big playmaker, and Bush was the multi-purpose back that opposing teams had to plan for. Heck, it’s easy to forget that White led the way in rushing yards and total touchdowns.

To win the title, USC ran over No. 2 Oklahoma, 55-19. It was a no-contest and solidified not only the Trojans’ place atop college football but as one of the best teams to ever complete a season.

In 2010, however, the NCAA imposed sanctions on USC, highlighted on improper benefits given to Reggie Bush. They were forced to vacate the UCLA win and the 2004 National Championship.

While no longer official in the record books, USC’s impact on college football will never disappear. Their 2004 run holds a spot among the sport’s best teams of the century, and they still deserve their credence.