These lists are fun but of course no one will agree.

To me the key is LONG TERM success. When talking long term things like recent history and brand are far less important. Programs rise and fall, especially if they don't have the fundamentals in terms of population base, recruiting base, money, alumni size, and academic prowess behind them.

Long term I see it this way:

1. Florida
2. A&M
3. Georgia
4. Bama
5. LSU
6. UT
7. Auburn
8. USC
9. Mizzou
10. Ole Miss
11. Arky
12. State
13. UK
14. Vandy

BTW, some of you need to realize when bagging on A&M that when you talk about how much we have sucked in the last 15 years it actually strengthens this argument. A&M hasn't won a conf title since '98 and a Natty since '39 and yet we are going toe to toe with LSU, Bama, and UF all of which have multiple NC's in the last decade. What do you think happens when A&M breaks through?

UF is built to last in similar fashion. Florida isn't as big as Texas but the recruiting quality is very close and growing. They also have huge numbers behind them. FSU is no Texas but FSU and Miami combined are probably similar in terms of competition level.

UGA, Bama, and LSU are all powerhouses with tremendous resources as well and Bama has by far the strongest brand. Still the fundamentals are much stronger at A&M and UF GOING FORWARD. Doesn't mean that those teams might not dominate the next 20 years, it just means they have to work harder to do it.