Mandel Ranks the 25 Best College Football Programs of the 2000s: Should Ohio State Top Alabama?
In a recent deep dive into college football’s defining decade, respected analyst Bruce Feldman and writer Stewart Mandel have released their rankings of the 25 best college football programs of the 2000s. The debate sparked by the list focuses on which program truly dominated the era: Ohio State or Alabama.
Mandel’s ranking places Ohio State at the very top, highlighting the Buckeyes’ consistency, multiple Big Ten titles, and their 2002 national championship under coach Jim Tressel as key reasons for their supremacy. Ohio State compiled an impressive record throughout the decade, regularly contending for national titles and maintaining a strong presence in major bowl games.
Alabama, however, also makes a compelling case. Though the Crimson Tide’s dominance under Nick Saban ramped up toward the end of the decade, including a national championship in 2009, some argue that their overall body of work across the entire 2000s doesn’t quite match Ohio State’s sustained success.
The debate raises questions about what defines the “best” program: is it consistent top-tier performance across the whole decade, or peak dominance in the latter years? Ohio State’s early-to-mid 2000s strength contrasts with Alabama’s late-decade rise, illustrating two different paths to college football greatness.
Fans and analysts continue to discuss whether Ohio State should reign supreme for the 2000s or if Alabama’s impact, which laid the groundwork for their 2010s dynasty, deserves equal or greater recognition.
As college football’s history is continually re-examined, Mandel’s rankings offer a fresh perspective on one of the sport’s most competitive eras. Where do you stand — Ohio State or Alabama?
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