Here's the complete list:
1.)
LSU (15-0, 50.1 WP, 0 LP)The Tigers are National Champions and they did it in an impressive 15-0 fashion. 11 of the 15 victories were against teams who appeared in a bowl game, but they do lose some points for scheduling Northwestern State (FCS) even if it is Coach O's alma mater. In the early part of the year, only the Longhorns gave them a tough game. They dispatched of Florida and won close contests against Auburn and Alabama. The Bayou Bengals put a hurtin' on the SEC East Champ Georgia Bulldogs in the title game and obliterated an obviously overwhelmed Oklahoma team in the Semi-Finals. Some asked Coach O is he cared whether or not they were the No.1 seed and he kept saying that they'd beat anyone, anytime, anywhere, and always closed with "Geaux Tigers!"
In the National Championship, the defending champs, Clemson built up a 17-7 lead, but like the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, ignored the whispers and went out and put up points from the second quarter on to win 42-25. It is the fourth national title in school history with three this century and the last coming in 2007 against the Buckeyes.
LSU will have to reload in 2020 as Heisman Trophy winner, and one time Ohio State backup, Joe Burrow is one of four projected first round picks. Unfortunately it looks like Burrow is headed back to Ohio to be saddled with the dumpster fire known as the Cincinnati Bengals front office when they likely take him No. 1 overall.
Best Win: Clemson
Worst Loss: Joe Burrow in 2020
2018 Finish: 10-3(Fiesta Bowl), No. 15
2.)
The defending National Champions came out of the gate and put up points. In three of their first five games they put up at least 41 and knocked off a ranked Texas A&M squad. Their one test came when UNC had a chance to win on a two-point conversion, but came up short for the Tigers to hold on 21-20. They would make sure that wouldn't happen again because they averaged nearly 52 points a game, including a 62-17 beatdown of Virginia in the ACC Championship. Ohio State fans will tell you about a deep state conspiracy to get Clemson into the National Title game again, but it's because they choked multiple times to allow the Tigers a chance to rally in the Semi-Finals and win 29-23. It looked like they would stand toe-for-toe with LSU in the Tiger Bowl, but the Bayou Bengals erased a 17-7 Clemson lead to win 42-25. This was the first time that Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence had ever lost a game in college. Unless the ACC drastically improves in 2020, look for another appearance by Clemson in next year's playoff.
Best Win: Ohio State
Worst Loss: LSU
2018 Finish: 15-0 (National Champs), No. 1
3.)
Ohio State (13-1, 55.3 WP, 3 LP)The Buckeyes were a runaway boulder, sliding down the Big Ten hill and crushing everything in their path. With about 100 Heisman trophy candidates on the roster, the offensive beatdowns meant that only one team finished within 11 points when Penn State lost 28-17. Michigan's efforts were laughable once again as Ryan Day took the keys to the Big House from Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel who became owners of the property starting in 2005. After falling behind in the Big Ten Championship they came back to still win by 13 over Wisconsin. They built a big lead in their home away from home, the Fiesta Bowl, but a dropped touchdown in the end zone, a fumble returned for a touchdown that was somehow reviewed and overturned, and a roughing the punter that raised the big question, "YOU'RE WINNING WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO BLOCK IT?" A couple of big plays by Clemson put the Tigers on top and miscommunication between Justin Fields and Chris Olave led to a game sealing interception for the defending champs.
The bar has been set high now for Day, who is 16-1 as the Buckeyes head coach. They'll lose plenty of talent, but you know that their bench was already the fifth best team in the Big Ten without even playing.
Best Win: Penn State
Worst Loss: Clemson
2018 Finish: 13-1 (Rose Bowl), No. 3
4.)
Buckeye fans favorite former FCS darling is making a name for itself at the FBS level. Since the win over Michigan 12 years ago, the Mountaineers are hungry to add more Power 5 schools to their list and nearly did so against Penn State last season. This year they broke into the Top 25 for the second time in school history thanks to wins over North and South Carolina. This probably would've set Appalachian State in the driver's seat for the Cotton Bowl, but for the second year in a row, a ranked App State lost to the option attack of Georgia Southern. The Mountaineers have lost just three games in the last two seasons and the Eagles are responsible for two-thirds of that losing.
Still they rebounded and won the Sun Belt Championship for the second year in a row and once again beating the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana. This year they earned a bowl trip to the New Orleans Bowl where they took care of UAB to remain a perfect 5-0 in bowl games since joining the FBS. For the second year in a row they had to play in their bowl without their head coach. Eli Drinkwitz left after just one near perfect season to become the coach at Missouri. Offensive Line Coach Shawn Clark was promoted to be the new head coach.
Best Win: North Carolina
Worst Loss: Georgia Southern
2018 Finish: 11-2 (Dollar General Bowl), No. 10
5.)
After a devastating loss to Auburn to start the season, the Ducks licked their wounds and rattled off nine straight wins. Then they ran into the David of the PAC-12 when the Sun Devils slung their stone and knocked off Oregon to dash their playoff hopes. Still the Ducks wouldn't be set back as they came out and finished the season with wins over Oregon State and a throttling of Utah in the PAC-12 Championship. As PAC-12 Champs they took their rightful spot in the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin. The Badgers controlled most of the game, but Brady Breeze single handedly brought the Ducks back from the brink. He scooped and scored on a disastrous fumble by the Wisconsin punter and then he used another strip to set up the go-ahead touchdown run by QB Justin Herbert, his third of the day. They held on to win 28-27. Mario Cristobal hopes that Oregon is back, but they'll have to do it without Herbert under center as he now heads for the NFL.
Best Win: Utah
Worst Loss: Arizona State
2018 Finish: 9-4 (Redbox Bowl), No. 31
6.)
Oklahoma (12-2, 57.9 WP, 23.5 LP)The Sooners coasted through an easy schedule and dusted off rival Texas 34-27. An easy win over West Virginia had them at 7-0, but they hit a bump in the road, much like Boomer Sooner, when they were stunned by Kansas State. Close wins over Baylor and TCU kept their playoff hopes alive and they made it to the Big 12 Championship for a rematch with the Bears. It took overtime, but the Sooners knocked out Baylor and claimed a spot in the College Football Playoffs. Jalen Hurts had the opportunity to lead two different teams in a CFP game, but unlike his time at Alabama, the Sooners were nowhere close to making it to the National Championship as LSU throttled them 63-28. Hurts will head for the Senior Bowl next and after rumors of a venture to the NFL, coach Lincoln Riley will still be in Norman.
Best Win: Baylor
Worst Loss: Kansas State
2018 Finish: 12-2 (Orange Bowl), No. 6
7.)
The Georgia Bulldogs got a statement win early with a victory against Notre Dame, but everyone thought their playoff chances were doomed just as quickly when they lost in double overtime to South Carolina. They responded with wins over Kentucky, Florida, Auburn, and Texas A&M to secure their spot in the SEC Championship against LSU. Just for good measure, they also punished Georgia Tech in their lopsided rivalry game. A win over the Tigers and they would make the College Football Playoffs, but LSU had no interest in two SEC teams in the playoffs and won 37-10. Instead the Bulldogs settled for the Sugar Bowl against Baylor and won the matchup of two second place finishers, 26-14. Jake Fromm announced that he will be headed for the NFL leaving Kirby Smart in the hunt for a new QB. He might have already found one in the talented Jamie Newman who comes over as a grad transfer from Wake Forest.
Best Win: Baylor
Worst Loss: South Carolina
2018 Finish: 11-3 (Sugar Bowl), No. 13
8.)
The year started with an impressive comeback win on the road against Florida State and then wins over strong Group of 5 schools Marshall and Air Force. They moved through the Mountain West going undefeated as their only blemish came out of conference against BYU. The Cougars might have effectively knocked the Broncos out of the Cotton Bowl, but they still cruised for yet another spot in the MWC Championship, this time against Hawai'i. The Rainbow Warriors were no match in their first MWC Title Game as the veteran Broncos breezed to a 31-10 victory on the blue turf. They got a chance at adding another PAC-12 school to their win resume when they were scheduled to play former coach Chris Petersen and the Washington Huskies. The Las Vegas Bowl was anything but fond memories as the Huskies pounded Boise State into a 38-7 defeat.
Best Win: Air Force
Worst Loss: BYU
2018 Finish: 10-3 (First Responders Bowl), No. 16
9.)
Memphis (12-2, 72 WP, 20 LP)The American Athletic Conference made the case once again that they could run with the Power 5 schools and Memphis showcased this with an opening week win over Ole Miss. They began 5-0 before stumbling against Temple, but then won their next six games, including thrillers against Tulsa and SMU. They beat the Bearcats in back-to-back weeks, once to end the regular season and then again in the AAC Championship. They were the top Group of 5 team and earned a trip to the Cotton Bowl against Penn State. The Nittany Lions and Tigers put up video game numbers as defense was not invited to the Penn State 53-39 victory. Memphis played that game without Mike Norvell, who left to become the head coach at Florida State. Ryan Silverfield was promoted from Offensive Line coach to head coach before the bowl game.
Best Win: SMU
Worst Loss: Temple
2018 Finish: 8-6 (Birmingham Bowl), No. 55
10.)
Penn State (11-2, 59.7 WP, 5 LP)As mentioned above, the Nittany Lions put up video game numbers in their big win over Memphis in the Cotton Bowl, but how did they get there. They jumped out to an 8-0 start despite being pressed by Iowa, Michigan, and Pitt. They finally ran out of magic when they ran into the surprising Golden Gophers and then had to escape Indiana before watching Ohio State run away with their half of the Big Ten. Their bowl win marked the third time in four seasons that they've won 11 games.
Best Win: Memphis
Worst Loss: Minnesota
2018 Finish: 9-4 (Citrus Bowl), No. 28
11.)
Notre Dame (11-2, 60.4 WP, 24 LP)The Fighting Irish didn't particularly end up with a difficult schedule thanks to a down year in the ACC teams they played, but they missed in their two big tests of the season. The first came in a competitive contest with Georgia, but the second was a rain soaked affair with Michigan that washed away their playoff hopes. The Wolverines dismantled Notre Dame 45-14 and it didn't even matter that they won their final five games. They even received a less than stellar bowl invite in the Camping World Bowl against Big 12 thorn, Iowa State. Some even worried the Irish might not show up, but that was far from the case as they came out swinging and romped to an easy 33-9 win to finish with six straight wins.
Best Win: Virginia
Worst Loss: Michigan
2018 Finish: 12-1 (Cotton Bowl), No. 4
12.)
Air Force (11-2, 69.6 WP, 33 LP)The Falcons started the season with a big win over Power 5 school and in-state foe, Colorado in overtime. However, they followed that by losing two of their next three games to Boise State and Navy. Air Force looked at itself in the mirror and found the answer as they went on to coast through the Mountain West with six straight conference wins and a slim victory over Army for seven in a row. Unfortunately that loss to Boise State kept them out of the MWC Championship. They settled for a Cheez-It Bowl showdown with Washington State and quickly made the Cougars their second win over a PAC-12 school. Air Force had the greatest turn around for a Top 25 school with an improvement of 85 spots.
Best Win: Washington State
Worst Loss: Navy
2018 Finish: 5-7, No. 97
13.)
Florida (11-2, 70.2 WP, 14 LP)If you aren't going to win a National Championship, the Orange Bowl is the next best thing at Florida. The Gators avenged their loss to Kentucky last season and rolled out to a 6-0 start that included a win over Auburn, but then came a brutal chunk of the schedule. A win over South Carolina was the lone bright spot in a three week period as LSU made boots out of the Gators while Georgia sealed their fate in the SEC East with a 24-17 victory. Florida won their next three in case the Bulldogs faltered, but there was no such luck and they settled for an Orange Bowl appearance against Virginia. The Gators led big most of the game, but the Cavaliers had a chance to recover an onside kick and tie the game, but Florida held on to win 36-28. They won double figure games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the Urban Meyer era in 2008-09.
Best Win: Auburn
Worst Loss: Georgia
2018 Finish: 10-3 (Peach Bowl), No. 18
14.)
The Midshipmen were dreadful in 2018, so much that they were the biggest improvement of the year going from three wins to 11 and going from No. 118 to No. 14. Navy did so thanks to Malcolm Perry, who helped win the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy back from Army. The Midshipmen did so with wins over both Air Force and the Black Knights, beating Army for the first time since 2015. They had a chance in AAC, but lost to Memphis kept them out. Navy returned the favor by beating SMU and keeping the Mustangs from making it to championship game. The Midshipmen were invited to the Liberty Bowl where they held off a Kansas State comeback to win 20-17.
Best Win: Air Force
Worst Loss: Memphis
2018 Finish: 3-10, No. 118
15.)
Minnesota (11-2, 81.6 WP, 32 LP)It was a strange way to get where they got, but the Gophers were nearly in the College Football Playoffs and Big Ten Championship for the first time ever. It started rough as they nearly lost to South Dakota State (FCS), Fresno State (double overtime), Georgia Southern (35-32), and Purdue (38-31). Then against Illinois they found a rhythm and rattled off wins against the bottom tier of the conference to get to 8-0, but the real tests were coming. They passed the first test with a thrilling win over Penn State, but they ran out of steam against Iowa and were blown out by Wisconsin with a chance to win their half of the Big Ten. Still they hadn't won ten games since 2003 and had a chance for to win 11 for the first time.
They drew a tough match in Auburn, but gave the Tigers everything they had and pulled off some gutsy calls. It all paid off as they rowed the boat to a 31-24 victory in the Outback Bowl for their best season win total.
Best Win: Penn State
Worst Loss: Iowa
2018 Finish: 7-6 (Quick Lane Bowl), No. 60
16.)
The Crimson Tide had their worst season in the playoff era and the worst showing since 2013. Alabama's soft non-conference schedule was also aided by the fact that they didn't see Florida or Georgia this season. In Nick Saban's tenure, the 82.9 WP is the worst the Tide have had in these rankings. They had two money games and lost both by five points or fewer. The fist to LSU as the Tigers exposed the defense in a 46-41 back and forth affair and then Auburn did the same thing with a 48-45 win that knocked Alabama out of the playoff race.
With no SEC Championship and no playoffs, Alabama settled for the Citrus Bowl against Michigan. There is certainly no love loss between the two coaches thanks to Harbaugh's shirtless satellite camp he ran in Alabama a few years back. The Wolverines surprised many with a 16-14 lead going into the half, but the Tide rolled in the second half and even added an extra score, rather than kneeling the clock out. Saban meanwhile still made it to the National Championship as an analyst for some ESPN stuff.
Best Win: Michigan
Worst Loss: Auburn
2018 Finish: 14-1 (National Championship), No. 2
17.)
The Utes were primed to take the vacancy that the Crimson Tide left open in the playoffs. Despite a loss to USC, Utah jumped out to an 11-1 start and earned a date in the PAC-12 Championship with Oregon. It was offense vs defense and the Ducks unfortunately found success in both areas while the Utes did not in a 37-15 drubbing. Utah headed to the Alamo Bowl instead of the Rose Bowl and failed to make it to San Antonio as Texas hit them in the mouth early and often en route to a 38-10 victory.
Best Win: Washington
Worst Loss: Texas
2018 Finish: 9-5 (Holiday Bowl), No. 38
18.)
Baylor (11-3, 77.1 WP, 8.3 LP)The Bears were the cardiac kids of college football. They made it to 9-0 despite going to double overtime against Texas Tech and then triple overtime versus TCU. Baylor gave the Sooners everything they had, but fell short 34-31. The Bears won their next two games and earned their first ever appearance in the Big 12 Championship for a rematch against Oklahoma. This time the Sooners and Bears battled to a thrilling overtime finish, but it was Oklahoma coming away with the 30-23 win. Baylor still made a New Year's Six Bowl, but struggled against the tough Georgia defense and losing quarterback Charlie Brewer didn't help the comeback efforts.
The big question for 2020 will be, who's going to be the coach? Matt Rhule left for the NFL as he accepted the Carolina Panthers head coaching job. Rhule inherited a team that was under investigation for Title IX violations under Art Briles and he went 1-11 in his first year. They improved to 7-6 before reaching the pinnacle this year.
Best Win: Texas
Worst Loss: Georgia
2018 Finish: 7-6 (Texas Bowl), No. 67
19.)
FAU (11-3, 78.5 WP, 50 LP)After blowout losses to Ohio State and UCF, the Owls won nine of their next ten games with Marshall picking up the lone victory. FAU punished their inferior Conference USA competition and showcased their talent with a dismantling of UAB in the CUSA Championship Game, 49-6. The Owls stayed home and took care of the favored SMU Mustangs in the Boca Raton Bowl in a convincing 52-28 win. Now they must live without the success that Lane Kiffin brought to the program. Kiffin heads to Ole Miss, but he left his mark on the program, earning two conference championships and two 11 win seasons in his three seasons. FAU brought in Willie Taggart to replace Kiffin after Taggart was fired by FSU early in the year. Taggart had much better success at Group of 5 schools Western Kentucky and USF, so his familiarity with recruiting in the state and the conference should help.
Best Win: SMU
Worst Loss: Marshall
2018 Finish: 5-7, No. 93
20.)
Cincinnati (11-3, 79.8 WP, 17 LP)Like the Owls, the Bearcats largely ignored their check collecting beatdown at the hands of the Buckeyes, but they did pick up a win over a Power 5 school when they beat UCLA for the second straight season. Even more impressive is that they took down a conference giant in UCF and were sitting at 10-1 after a close win over Temple. UC would drop their next two games, both to Memphis, as the second meeting was for the AAC Championship. With no answer for the Tigers, the Bearcats headed to the Birmingham Bowl where the hardest thing they had to endure was a weather delay. The easily handled a struggling Boston College squad 38-6 to finish with 11 wins for the second straight year.
Best Win: UCF
Worst Loss: Memphis
2018 Finish: 11-2 (Military Bowl), No. 11
21.)
Louisiana (11-3, 95.4 WP, 16.7 LP)The Ragin' Cajuns gave Mississippi State a run for their money, but fell short 38-28. They responded by going 10-1 for the rest of the season with Appalachian State continuing to have their number. That proved troublesome as the two faced off for the second straight year in the Sun Belt Championship. The rematch was in stark contrast to the earlier 17-7 meeting, as both teams found the end zone often, but the Mountaineers prevailed again, this time 45-38. Louisiana had to wait for their bowl appearance as it was the second to last game of the FBS season. The wait was worth it as they knocked off MAC Champion Miami, 27-17.
Best Win: Miami (OH)
Worst Loss: Mississippi State
2018 Finish: 7-7 (Cure Bowl), No. 79
22.)
Iowa (10-3, 67.7 WP, 25.3 LP)It must be an Iowa thing, as both of the state's Power 5 schools are less than ideal to play, despite some major talent gaps at certain positions. While they didn't win, the three losses to Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin were all decided by one score. They finally got their big win when they spoiled Minnesota's perfect season and then finished on a three game win streak. They met USC in the Holiday Bowl and stunned many when they dropped 49 on the Trojans. They had only scored more than 30 just three times this season, all coming against inferior talent in Miami (OH), Middle Tennessee State, and Rutgers.
Best Win: Minnesota
Worst Loss: Michigan
2018 Finish: 9-4 (Outback Bowl), No. 27
23.)
The Mustangs jumped out to their best start since the Pony Express days in the early 80's at 8-0. During that start they snapped a seven-game skid against TCU to reclaim the Old Iron Skillet. They finally lost to Memphis and Navy, but finished with 10 wins for the first time in 35 years. They were favored to win their bowl against FAU, but the home team defended their field and the Owls went on the throttle SMU in the Boca Raton Bowl. There are some rumors that they may be without a coach as Sonny Dykes could take the Baylor job.
Best Win: TCU
Worst Loss: FAU
2018 Finish: 5-7, No. 91
24.)
UCF (10-3, 80.2 WP, 82.3 LP)The Knights run came to an end during last year's Fiesta Bowl, but they were looking to rack up the wins once again. It started great with a win over Stanford, but a wild ending in Pitt sent them home losers by one point, 35-34. It spiraled with a loss to UC and then four games later they were shocked by Tulsa, who had been trying to all year to knock off a conference giant. UCF watched as they missed out on the AAC Championship for the first time since 2016. They still had a shot at a third straight season of 10+ wins, but got a Marshall team that had never lost a bowl game under Doc Holliday. That was until the Gasparilla Bowl when UCF lit up the scoreboard in a rain soaked 48-25 victory.
Best Win: Stanford
Worst Loss: Tulsa
2018 Finish: 12-1 (Fiesta Bowl), No. 5
25.)
The Aztecs have been a steady hand in the Mountain West and 2019 was no different. The defense was one of the toughest to score on as they allowed just 12 points per game. The issue was the offense didn't score much more and they lost some close games. After a win over UCLA, San Diego State lost by six to Utah State, five games later they lost by four to Nevada, and then by three to Hawai'i which sent the Rainbow Warriors to Mountain West Championship. They silenced BYU 13-3 in the regular season final and then hammered Central Michigan 48-11 in the New Mexico Bowl.
Best Win: UCLA
Worst Loss: Nevada
2018 Finish: 7-6 (Frisco Bowl), No. 64
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