Longest Drought of Top 10 Finishes Since 1960

Since 1960, there have been 16 Elite programs that have performed far better than all other programs. Since 1960, these 16 programs have all won at least 1 AP National Title, and they combine to claim 51 of the 56 AP National Titles during the time period. Two of the five titles NOT won by this group of 16 were claimed in the bookend years of the period, 1960 (by Minnesota) and 2016 (by Clemson). The only other 3 Titles won by other schools outside the group were 1981 (Clemson), BYU (1984), and Colorado (1990).

These 16 programs also rank 1-16 in Total AP Poll points based on Final Rankings since 1960. There is a bigger gap between #16 and #17 than there is between #12 and #16.... so its very clear there have been a distinct Top 16 programs since the 1960s.

Some may say Clemson should be included due to their two National Titles. But Clemson frankly doesn't belong in the group. They rank #19 in AP Poll points since 1960, and they'd have to finish #10 in the nation every single year for 9 years in order to pass #16 Tennessee... assuming Tennessee had zero Top 25 finishes over the same period of time. In other words, they aren't close.

So now that we have our 16, what is the longest run of consecutive seasons each program has had to endure without a Top 10 finish? We'll rank them best to worst:

5- Alabama (2000-2004)
6- Oklahoma (1988-1993)
8- Georgia (1984-1991)
8- Ohio State (1987-1994)
8- Penn State (1997-2004)
9- Auburn (1995-2003)
9- Michigan (2007-2015)
11- Notre Dame (1994-2004)
12- USC (1990-2001)
13- LSU (1988-2000)
14- Miami (1967-1980)
15- Tennessee (2002-PRESENT)
15- Nebraska (2002-PRESENT)
17- Texas (1984-2000)
19- Florida State (1960-1978)
23- Florida (1960-1982)

To be fair, Florida State and Florida both claimed their very first Top 10 finish in 1979 and 1983, respectively. Since those seasons, Florida saw a streak of 5 years without a Top 10 finish (1986-1990) and Florida State saw a streak of 11 years without a Top 10 finish (2001-2011).

Interesting that both Tennessee and Nebraska are in the midst of historic droughts without a Top 10 finish. If they fail to finish in the Top 10 in both 2017 and 2018, they'll each tie Texas as having the longest drought without a Top 10 finish for any of the elite programs during the modern era, at least following a program's initial Top 10 finish.

Pretty historic, Tennessee. At least you have Nebraska to go through this with you, hand-in-hand.