1. 2018 Clemson Tigers– I remember the “quarterback controversy” Dabo Swinney had on his hands. Was Kelly Bryant the answer for them moving forward? Or was it time to finally give Trevor Lawrence a shot? Trevor was eventually be named the starting quarterback in week five and the team never looked back. The Clemson Tigers were simply stacked last season. They had that potent offense who seemed to move the football down the field on everybody they faced. The defense came into the year with a lot of hype surrounding them. The defensive line was labeled as the best in the country. They lived up to the hype. Clellin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence handled their business all season long. Trevor threw 30 touchdown passes on the season. The defense allowed 19 per contest. They dominated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the playoff game then a week later, they punched the Alabama Crimson Tide in the national title game with a 28-point win to complete a perfect 15-0 season.
2. 2013 Florida State Seminoles– When the 2013 season started, I remember watching their first game of the season that year. A kid named Jameis Winston was starting his first game against the Pittsburgh Panthers. I was wowed from what I saw. At that moment, I knew it would be a special season for the Florida State Seminoles. Jameis was the best player in the country that year. There wasn’t a doubt about it. The Seminoles offense 30 or more points in every game they played that season. Jameis was named the Heisman Trophy winner in 2013 for his spectacular season. He threw 40 touchdown passes and helped lead the Seminoles to a national championship victory over the Auburn Tigers. This team was stacked on both sides of the football. They also did their jobs in each phase of the game (offense, defense and special teams). They were one of my all-time favorite teams to watch. This is a well-deserved spot for them in my opinion.
3. 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide– They’ve won a few titles during this decade. It was tough to narrow it down to which team was their best. The 2011 group was what stood out to me the most. The saying to this day is still very true. Offense will win you games, but defense will always win championships. Nick Saban has had many solid defensive units in his years at Tuscaloosa, the 2011 group was by far the best he had. They were all about defense. That season, they allowed a total of 106 points. You read that right. The Tide’s defense pitched three shutouts that year. They were led by linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Mark Barron. They suffered their only loss of the season against the LSU Tigers in a 9-6 defensive struggle. However, the Tide got their revenge when it mattered the most. In the national championship, they got another shot at LSU again and dominated them. They shut out the Tigers. LSU didn’t even cross the 50-yard line. Talk about dominant, they were the definition of it that season.
4. 2010 Auburn Tigers– This was the year when the world of college football was introduced to a young man named Cam Newton. Each week that year, he was featured on the sports news for obvious reasons. The Auburn Tigers that season were led by head coach, Gene Chizik. Current head coach of Auburn today Gus Malzahn was the team’s offensive coordinator. What I liked about this team was how they were able to win games in a variety of ways. The Tigers could blow you out, but they also had no issue winning the close games that year to grind out wins. To me, that shows the making of a good football team. Cam was on a tear that year. He accounted for 51 touchdowns (30 passing, 20 rushing & one receiving). He also led the SEC that season in total yards and passing efficiency. Cam would go to win the Heisman that year for his magical season. Auburn won the SEC championship with a big win over the South Carolina Gamecocks and finished their season with a win in the national title game over the Oregon Ducks.
