Sporting News ranks top 20 college football teams since 1886
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 12, 2026, 12:54 PM
Last updated Aug 12, 2026
Sporting News has released its ranking of the 20 greatest college football teams since 1886, with a panel of 20 voters participating. The list features teams that all won national championships without losing any games during their respective seasons. The 1995 Nebraska team tops the list, followed by Miami's 2001 squad and LSU’s 2019 team. The evaluation included input from Sporting News staff and various college football writers and broadcasters, with 73 schools receiving at least one vote. Ties among the top teams were resolved based on individual rankings from the panel.
- •1995 Nebraska is ranked first with a record of 12-0.
- •2001 Miami and 2019 LSU follow in the rankings.
- •A total of 73 teams received votes from the panel.
- •The list was created by a 20-member voting panel.
- 12:54 PMYahoo Sports — Sporting News 140: Ranking the 20 greatest college football teams since 1886
"Our 20-voter blue ribbon panel names the best of the best.
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