re: How does Bama's current run compare to other dynasties in their prime?

quote:

---

Bama's current run is very strong. First off, here is what I would consider a "Dynasty"

#1 Must include at least 2 National Titles during the run
#2 Has to be at least 4 seasons in length
#3 Cannot include consecutive seasons ranked outside the Final AP Top 20
#4 Average Final Rank in AP Poll must be at least Top 10
#5 At least 50% of the seasons must include a Top 5 AP Finishs
#6 Overall winning percentage must be at least 82%

Using this criteria, there have been 5 dynasties during the modern era (1980-present). Here they are listed in chronological order:

MIAMI
Years: 1983-2003 (21 total)
National Titles: 5
Top 5 Finishes: 12 (57%)
Avg. AP Rank: #8.0
Total Record: 212-42-0 (83.5%)
**Produced 2 Heisman Trophy winners

FLORIDA STATE
Years: 1987-2000 (14 years)
National Titles: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 14 (100%)
Avg. AP Rank: #2.6
Total Record: 152-19-1 (88.7%)
*Produced 2 Heisman Trophy winners

USC
Years: 2002-2008 (7 years)
National Titles: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 7 (100%)
Avg. AP Rank: #4.3
Total Record: 68-9 (88.3%)
*Produced 3 Heisman Trophy winners (though Reggie Bush later vacated his)

FLORIDA
Years: 2006-2009 (4 years)
National Titles: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 3 (75%)
Avg. AP Rank: #4.5
Total Record: 48-7 (87.3%)
*Produced 1 Heisman Trophy winner

ALABAMA
Years: 2008-present (currently 8 years)
National Titles: 3
Top 5 Finishes: 4 or 5 (50-62.5% depending on this year)
Avg. AP Rank: #4.3
Total Record: 96-12 (88.9%)
*Produced 2 Heisman Trophy winners

***Ohio State only needs one more title in the coming years to be able to say they have been in a dynasty dating back to 2012.


In my opinion, Miami's dynasty is most impressive... simply because it spanned 2+ decades and claimed 5 National Titles.

The fact that Florida State finished in the AP Top 5 in 14 consecutive seasons is a feat that will likely never be equaled. I also think that makes that dynasty extra special.

If Bama were to lose in the playoff and sputter out over the next few seasons, I would say that the Saban dynasty would rank #3 in the modern era behind Miami's and Florida State's. To me, FSU's 14-consecutive seasons in the Top 5 + 2 MNCs would trump Bama's 3 MNC's in 9 years with just 4 Top 5 fnishes.

If Bama were to win the Title this season, then it would be a for-sure #2 best dynasty of the modern era, and they'd be well on their way to equaling Miami's impressive dynasty

---

You missed Nebraska 1993-1997 (5 seasons)

National Titles: 3 (a missed FG from winning 3 straight; a missed 4th down stop from playing for 5 straight)
Top 5 finishes: 4
Average rank: 2.6