ChatGPT ranks college football's 10 best modern teams
The modern era has given us some of the greatest college football players and teams in the history of the sport as offenses opened up, play-callers got more creative, players got bigger, stronger, and faster, and we finally got a playoff system to help determine the national championship on the field rather than in the rankings.
How can we be sure which teams are the best in a given time period? There are plenty of the usual metrics we can use, but this being a ranking based on the modern era, let's use a thoroughly modern metric: asking artificial intelligence what it thinks the best national title teams are in the 21st century.
College Football HQ turned to ChatGPT with one simple question: Could you rank the 10 best national championship teams dating back to the start of the BCS era to the present?
Ranking College Football's 10 Best Modern National Champions
10. Auburn (2010)
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What ChatGPT says: Led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton, this team possessed a potent offense and showcased remarkable talent, particularly in their ability to come back from deficits and win close games.
Need to know: Head coach Gene Chizik and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn both made the most out of their second season on The Plains, taking down four ranked teams behind an offense led by Newton, who ranked No. 1 in college football with 51 total touchdowns responsible for (30 passing, 20 rushing, 1 receiving). Auburn preserved its undefeated season with a dramatic comeback against arch-rival Alabama, coming back from a 24-0 deficit to win by 1 point, the biggest turnaround in Iron Bowl history.
9. Alabama (2009)
What ChatGPT says: Anchored by a ferocious defense and a strong rushing attack, this team displayed exceptional talent and determination throughout the season, culminating in a dominant championship performance.
Need to know: It took three years for Nick Saban to lay his first foundation in what has become arguably the greatest dynasty in college football history, avenging the prior season's loss to Florida in the SEC Championship Game, the team's fourth win over an AP top 25 ranked team, and saw the Crimson Tide win its first Heisman Trophy, awarded to tailback Mark Ingram after his 1,678 yard, 17 touchdown performance. The '09 side was Bama's ninth perfect team since 1925.
8. Texas (2005)
What Chat GPT says: Led by quarterback Vince Young, this team overcame tremendous odds and showcased resilience and talent to secure a thrilling championship victory against the USC Trojans.
Need to know: We're not sure what "tremendous odds" the Longhorns overcame in 2005, according to AI's memory of that team, given their remarkable success in 2004 that included a Rose Bowl victory and Vince Young's promise that they'll be back in Pasadena. Texas certainly was back in '05, scoring a college football record 652 points and led the nation with 50.2 points per game. It demolished Colorado, 70-3, in the Big 12 Championship Game, and rolled into the Rose Bowl against powerhouse USC for the BCS title, where Young scored arguably the most famous TD in history, the game-winner as time wore down.
7. Clemson (2018)
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What Chat GPT says: Led by freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence and an elite defensive unit, this team showcased an impressive blend of talent, precision, and dominance on their path to the national championship.
Need to know: The first team to win 15 games since Penn did it back in 1897, the '18 Tigers had the best defense and the No. 3 offense in the nation. They allowed just 13.1 points per game, led the NCAA with 54 sacks, and averaged almost 45 points per game behind phenom quarterback Trevor Lawrence. And to cap it off, the Tigers smothered top-ranked Alabama in the title game, handing Nick Saban his worst-ever defeat with the Crimson Tide.
6. Florida State (2013)
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What Chat GPT says: Behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston and a suffocating defense, the Seminoles went undefeated and demonstrated a remarkable level of skill and dominance.
Need to know: Jameis Winston won the Heisman Trophy leading the Seminoles to a program record 14 wins. The '13 team became the most dominant champion in college football history, winning games by a 39.5 point margin on average. FSU led the NCAA with 94 total touchdowns and allowed just 12.1 points per game.
5. LSU (2019)
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What Chat GPT says: Led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow, the Tigers boasted a high-powered offense that shattered records and showcased exceptional talent at every position.
Need to know: It's not often you see a team run the table against a schedule this tough. Behind the passing brilliance of Joe Burrow, LSU beat a whopping seven teams ranked in the Top 10. Burrow threw a record 60 touchdown passes and led college football with 48.4 points per game, winning the Heisman Trophy.
4. Alabama (2020)
What Chat GPT says: Led by Heisman Trophy-winning receiver DeVonta Smith and an exceptional roster of talent, this team showcased a relentless offense and dominant defense, capturing the championship with ease.
Need to know: Nothing about the 2020 season was normal, except for the Crimson Tide. A historically-great group of skill players propelled Bama to another national championship in dominating fashion. Mac Jones at quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith at wide receiver, and Najee Harris at running back shredded the SEC with an average of 48.5 points per game. That's still the most by an Alabama team under Saban.
3. Florida State (1999)
What Chat GPT says: With a powerful offense led by quarterback Chris Weinke and a suffocating defense, the Seminoles went undefeated and showcased incredible talent across the board.
Need to know: After losing to Tennessee in the previous season's (and first-ever) BCS title game, the Seminoles had very high expectations. And they came through, becoming the first wire-to-wire No. 1 team in college football history, culminating in head coach Bobby Bowden's 13th straight season finishing in the top-five of the AP rankings.
2. USC (2004)
What Chat GPT says: Led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart and dynamic running back Reggie Bush, this team boasted an explosive offense that set numerous records en route to a national title.
Need to know: "Leave No Doubt" was the Trojans' motto coming into '04. USC split a natty with LSU the year before, earning the AP honors, but wanted to prove it on the field in the BCS game. That they did in a 55-19 rout against an undefeated Oklahoma team in the Orange Bowl. Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush both won Pac-12 Offensive Player honors while Lendale White scrambled for over 1,100 yards and 15 TDs as the backup.
1. Miami (2001)
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What Chat GPT says: Known as one of the most dominant college football teams ever, their exceptional speed, skill, and depth on both sides of the ball led to an undefeated season and a championship win.
Need to know: Often ranked among the greatest teams in college football history — if not the greatest — the '01 Canes beat opponents by almost 33 points per game. They placed No. 1 in overall defense and No. 3 in total offense, producing an astonishing 17 first-round NFL Draft picks. A dominant, physical, imposing group, the Hurricanes boasted what still rates as the finest collection of raw talent ever on one team.
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