Last week, The Athletic ranked a handful of things since the turn of the century, like individual teams, players, and head coaches. Naturally, Ohio State has ranked highly in just about every category. The Buckeyes have been the most consistent program in football over that span, with only one losing season (2011). Three of the program’s five seasons with fewer than 10 wins came in the first four seasons of the century (and one was in the COVID-shortened season).
As a result, the Buckeyes were named as The
best program in college football over the last 25 seasons. It’s a prestigious honor, but how deserving are the Buckeyes? There are plenty of great programs out there, so should one of the others be ranked higher?
Has Ohio State Been the Best Program Since 2000?
The Arguments For
In the entire history of college football, Ohio State has been one of, if not the most consistent. It’s almost considered “recession-proof.” Considering the Buckeyes are the only program to never lose eight games and only have 14 losing seasons in 135 years, and only two since 1966.
In the time since 2000, the Buckeyes have the most wins (273), most AP Top-Five finishes (16), most players drafted (181), Top-10 wins (39), weeks in the top-10 (75.4%, weeks in the Top 25 (92.7%), and best win percentage (.840). Throughout 25 seasons, the Buckeyes have played in 25 BCS or CFP games, winning 16. They’ve appeared in six National Championship games, with three coming in the CFP era.
Every other team in the top five has had stretches of disappointing play. Ohio State opened the century with two middle-of-the-road seasons and one of which resulted in the firing of a legendary coach.
Ohio State has only had one bad season, and it went 6-7.
There were a few seasons where the Buckeyes fell just short, as with any top-tier program. What if Ohio State had self-imposed a bowl ban in 2011 and allowed the 2012 undefeated team to play for a National Championship in Urban Meyer’s first season? What if Ted Ginn Jr. had not suffered an injury after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the 2007 National Championship? Could Jim Tressel have added another title to his resumé? Would Ryan Day have won a title sooner if not for Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing scheme? What if he kept his foot on the gas in the Peach Bowl loss to Georgia?
The fact of the matter is that Ohio State is among the elite in college football. Is this enough to declare it the best?
The Arguments Against
When the graphic dropped, the reactions were, as usual, well-thought-out and nuanced as one would expect from the most fervent and passionate fans of college football. However, sifting through the outrage, there were fine points made for all sides.
In the 25 years since the turn of the century, Ohio State has won three National Championships. For most programs, that’s an incredible stretch. Even in Ohio State’s history, it’s the best stretch since the team captured six over 28 years. There was a 32-year dry spell between the two runs, of course.
However, there is one program that was better in that regard: Alabama. Arguably, the Crimson Tide is the greatest college football program in history, with its New York Yankees-like 18 claimed titles. Since 2000, the Nick Saban-led program has captured six titles in 12 years. Ohio State’s three rings are good for the second-most, tied with LSU. Rings talk, and Alabama’s dynastic run screams.
In that time, Ohio State won 11 Big Ten titles (three shared). When compared to other Big Ten teams, it’s easily the most in that time. When compared to the rest of college football, it falls short. Oklahoma took the Big 12 crown 14 times. Alabama, meanwhile, won the SEC nine times over the course of 16 seasons with Saban.
When it comes to NFL talent, Alabama leads the way over that stretch as well. The Crimson Tide’s 51 first-round picks lead the Buckeyes by six.
Verdict
If you prefer the Buckeyes at the top of the list, you are more than justified. If you prefer Alabama, you’d be just as justified. It’s all about what you hold in higher regard.
There is no denying that Ohio State has been the most consistent program in college football. Alabama has had down years in its history, and even opened up the century poorly.
Both Ohio State and Alabama have been at the pinnacle. There are some areas where Ohio State stands out, whereas there are areas that favor the Tide.
Do you consider winning titles or being competitive year in and year out, paramount? If we were comparing the two programs since Saban took over, Alabama would win handily. However, we cannot discount the six seasons before he came to Tuscaloosa.
The Athletic is correct. Ohio State was the premier program of the last 25 seasons. The Buckeyes could be in their new Golden Age. Day has been right there a handful of times and finally got over the hump last year. He has a long way to go before catching the likes of Woody Hayes and his five titles over 16 seasons. Imagine the titles Hayes might have been in contention for if the College Football Playoff had been around.
Let’s check back after the 2049 season to compare the Buckeyes against the rest of college football over the course of 50 years.
| OSU | Alabama | |
| Wins | 273 | 261 |
| Win % | 0.84 | 0.781 |
| BCS/NY6/CFP | 25 | 20 |
| BCS/NY6/CFP Wins | 16 | 13 |
| Conference Titles | 11 | 9 |
| National Titles | 3 | 6 |
| Top 10 Wins | 39 | 39 |
| Top 25 Wins | 84 | 94 |
| Weeks in Top 10 | 75.40% | 65.70% |
| Week in Top 25 | 92.70% | 76.40% |
| Losing Seasons | 1 | 3 |
| Head to Head | 1-1 | 1-1 |
Main Image: Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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