College football's GOATs: The best in 150 years of CFB history

quote:

---

COACH: NICK SABAN

---

quote:

---

This is a two-man debate and pits Alabama legend against Alabama legend: Saban vs. Bear Bryant. But Saban has the edge in nearly every category, and he locked up GOAT status on Jan 9, 2018 with his sixth national championship. Saban’s all-time win percentage (.79 vs. .78) is higher than Bryant, and his Alabama winning percentage (.874 vs. .824) is as well.

Considering Saban accomplished what he has in an era of scholarship limitations, there shouldn’t be much debate with this query. This is what ESPN radio host Paul Finebaum told 247Sports last January about Saban vs. Bryant.

“Bear Bryant is unique beyond anyone in college football history,” Finebaum said. “But in a relatively short period of time, nobody’s done what Saban has done. He will eclipse Bear.”
Taken through an all-time lens, Saban’s win percentage in his 12-year run at Alabama would be good for second all-time among coaches.

Only Knute Rockne (88 percent) fares better, and he did so from 1918-30, years before the sport desegregated. Saban is tied with Bryant for the most national championships (6), and Saban won his at two separate schools (LSU, Alabama).

But the true separating factor between Saban and everyone else is the Tide's sustained dominance under Saban. Bryant’s best run at Alabama saw the Tide win 10-plus games in five straight seasons. Saban’s won 10-plus games for 11 straight years with no signs of slowing. The Tide’s five national championships in 11 years is a wholly unique post-1950 run.

No other coach has won five national championships in an 11-year stretch. Reduce that number to four and you'd still come up empty. The closest to accomplishing that was USC’s John McKay, who won four titles between 1962-1974.

Miami also won a quartet of titles between 1983-91 with a trio of coaches (Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson).
Nobody in history has done it like Saban. He's the GOAT. 

---

quote:

---

QUARTERBACK: TIM TEBOW, FLORIDA (2006-09)

---

quote:

---

There is simply no reasonable way to cross eras with passers. Kyler Murray just put together the best passing season in college football history. But his numbers are also incomparable to what Tommy Frazier did in the 90s as a part of Nebraska’s option-based system. So as much as I’d like to compare stats and make an analytical decision, it’s unreasonable to try. Rational thought, however, dictates a few QBs must be in this argument: Frazier, Vince Young, Roger Staubach and Tebow.  

You could make a sound argument for any of those players. Staubach was the best pro and nearly won a title at Navy.
Frazier led Nebraska to back-to-back perfect seasons while ushering in an era of dual-threat QBs. Vince Young might have been the most dominant presence among the options listed. But Tebow, a player who seemed to transcend sport and often impacted the national conversation, gets the nod here.

Tebow is a two-time national champion, a Heisman winner, a three-time All-American selection and era-defining player. He won as much as Frazier. He had a longer reign than Young by staying in Gainesville for four seasons.

And while he didn’t serve like Staubach, Tebow’s had a similar impact nationally with his charitable work – and yes, off-field efforts matter, especially given the visibility of a QB's post.

Additionally, Tebow’s remained around the game. He’s a staple of ESPN’s coverage and is the face of the AFCA’s Good Works Team. Taken all together, and Tebow isn’t just great. He’s a figure who's seeped into the seams of college football's essence.

 

---

quote:

---

RUNNING BACK: HERSCHEL WALKER, GEORGIA (1980-82)

---

quote:

---

There is no wrong answer for the running back GOAT. Tailback defined stardom in college football for well over 100 years. Archie Griffin is the only two-time Heisman winner.

Barry Sanders put forth the greatest individual offensive season of all time when he rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 1988 (not even counting bowl stats!).

Earl Campbell defined an era of college football at Texas, and Bo Jackson might be the best overall athlete in the sport’s history. Let’s not forget Ron Dayne, who is the sport’s all-time leading rusher, or Tony Dorsett, who held the NCAA's career rushing record for 20-plus years.

But it’s hard to pick anyone but Walker when you consider the totality of his career. Walker led Georgia to its first and only national championship as a true freshman in 1980, rushing for 1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns.

He followed that up with back-to-back seasons of 1,750-plus yards, capping his career with a Heisman Trophy. The Bulldogs finished 33-3 in Walker’s career and he still holds the SEC record with 5,259 career rushing yards.

Walker entered Georgia like a flamethrower, and nobody ever managed to extinguish his greatness. Some backs have been better for a time (Sanders flashed brighter than anyone), but Walker had the best career from start to finish.  

---

quote:

---

PASS CATCHER: RANDY MOSS, MARSHALL (1996-97)

---

quote:

---

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: ORLANDO PACE, OHIO STATE (1994-96)

---

quote:

---

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: HUGH GREEN, PITTSBURGH (1977-80)

---

quote:

---

LINEBACKER: DERRICK THOMAS, LB, ALABAMA (1985-88)

---

quote:

---

This category is harder to sift through than most. How do you compare Thomas to Tommy Nobis, who played at an All-American level on both sides of the ball? How do you compare Brian Bosworth’s freakish size and skillset to Dick Butkus in the ‘60s at Illinois? In the end, 247Sports leaned to the overall dominance that was Thomas’ 1988 senior season.

Thomas put up a staggering 27 sacks that year, which would be an NCAA record if the NCAA recognized stats prior to 2000.

Thomas’ 52 career sacks would also be an NCAA record if not for the NCAA’s 2000 cutoff. Thomas won the Butkus Award as a senior, becoming the first SEC player to do so.

There’s never been a more disruptive linebacker from a pass-rushing perspective. Thomas was unlockable as a senior in 1988. Thomas went on to be the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft and had a Hall of Fame NFL career.

---

quote:

---

DEFENSIVE BACK: CHARLES WOODSON, MICHIGAN (1995-97)

---

quote:

---

PRE-WWII GOAT: RED GRANGE, ILLINOIS (1923-25)

---

quote:

---

ALL-AROUND ATHLETE: JIM THORPE, CARLISLE (1907-08, 1911-12)

---