Winning a national title doesn’t always go to the best team in college football. Nobody’s arguing that any national titles should be taken away from teams that did what they needed to hoist the trophy, but sometimes a break here, a call there, or a day in which things don’t go right can leave a team with all kinds of talent left out of all the fun.
What if?
ESPN compiled a list of the top 25 teams in college football history to not have won a national championship, and Ohio State has two teams that appear on the list. The 1973 team that engaged in the infamous tie with Michigan at the end of the year is listed, and so too is the Buckeyes’ squad from last season that set all kinds of metrics records.
But where does Bill Connelly of ESPN rank each team, and where does he have them on the list of the top 25? The top four of all-time include 1983 Nebraska, 1987 and 1986 Oklahoma, and the top team — Ole Miss from 1959.
Next … Woody Hayes’ 1973 Ohio State team
No. 7 – The 1973 Ohio State team (10-0-1)
What Connelly says about the 1973 team
“Here’s what we remember about the 1973 Buckeyes: the tie. Woody Hayes’ squad drew 10-10 with Bo Schembechler’s Michigan, and because both teams finished with the same conference record, Big Ten ADs voted on whom to send to the Rose Bowl. Because of some combination of injury (Wolverines QB Dennis Franklin broke his collarbone in the final minutes) and Michigan resentment (a theory forever espoused by Schembechler), they chose the Buckeyes.”
“Here’s what we sometimes forget: This might have been Hayes’ best team. Archie Griffin rushed for 1,577 yards, and a defense driven by linebacker Randy Gradishar and end Van DeCree held opponents under six points per game. The Buckeyes pummeled USC 42-21 in the Rose Bowl, too. The tie in Ann Arbor dropped Ohio State from the No. 1 spot in the AP poll, however, and assured the Buckeyes a spot on this list instead.”
Next … Last year’s Ohio State team
No. 5 – The 2019 Ohio State team (13-1)
What Connelly says about the 2019 team
“Ryan Day’s first Ohio State squad is remembered mostly for its final game, a brilliant, somewhat controversial 29-23 loss to Clemson in the CFP semifinals. Between that and LSU’s late-season brilliance, that could lead us to forget how incredible this team was.”
“During a 13-0 regular season, Ohio State played eight teams that would finish with eight-plus wins, and the Buckeyes averaged a 49-13 outcome. Only two opponents stayed within 24 points, none within single digits. J.K. Dobbins rushed for 2,000 yards; Justin Fields threw 41 touchdown passes (with only three INTs); guard Wyatt Davis was a consensus All-American; and a Buckeyes defense with three 2020 first-round picks was first in the nation in sacks, tackles for loss and passer rating allowed. Day’s Ohio State tenure started by fielding maybe the best Ohio State team. The only way to top that is by winning the title.”
What do you think? We were sure the 2015 OSU team was going to be on this list. Do you think Ohio State should have taken home the title last season?
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