College football all-time power rankings: The 30 best programs ever

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

• All-Time Record: 922–331–43 (.728)
• All-Time Bowl Record: 42–26–3 (.613)
• National Championships: 17 (claimed) 4 (unclaimed)
• Conference Championships: 31
• Consensus All-Americans: 74
• Heisman Winners: 2

There is an argument that the Alabama Crimson Tide are the greatest football program of all time. The Crimson Tide’s primary argument was coached by two men regarded as the best coaches ever, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Nick Saban. Alabama was a successful football program in the decades before Bryant. Wallace Wade had two undefeated seasons in 1925 and 1930.

Frank Thomas coached the Crimson Tide at the beginning of the AP Coaches poll era finishing in the top five on three occasions (1936, 37, 1945). Red Drew won 10 games and a Rose Bowl in 1952. It was not until Alabama lured Bryant from Texas A&M, however, that Alabama became a national juggernaut. During Bryant’s 25 seasons at Alabama, the Crimson Tide won six national titles and 14 conference titles, five consecutive from 1971-75.

Bryant also coached six players who would become pro football Hall of Famers, Don Hutson, Bart Starr and Joe Namath. After Bryant retired in 1982, the Crimson Tide had a smattering of success winning a National Championship in 1992 under Bryant disciple Gene Stallings. It was not until the Crimson Tide hired Nick Saban in 2007 that Alabama would return to sustained success.

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Under Saban, the Crimson Tide have won six national titles and eight conference titles. Alabama has had their first Heisman Trophy winners (Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry), while Saban has been the head coach. The Crimson Tide has been ranked No. 1 at some point in 13 straight seasons under Saban. The Crimson Tide routinely haul in the top recruiting class every year, finishing in the top five every season under Saban except his first.

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