Front Porch FootballRanking SEC Programs Based on Tradition
Ranking these programs was no easy task. We didn’t rank them with mathematical formulas, convoluted algorithms, or a computer. We did it based solely on how we felt the programs ranked based on wins, conference titles, national titles, All-Americans, College Football Hall of Famers, and Heisman Trophy winners. We felt that when you take the human aspect out of ranking and comparing each SEC program, you lose what is truly special about college football. Just ask the 2004 Auburn Tigers what can happen when a computer deems which team is more worthy than the other. The reason why we love comparing SEC programs is because we watch the games, the players, and the coaches – not computers. Behind each of these stats are thousands of stories.
Keep in mind, a computer doesn’t agonize over these rankings. Deciding the second best program through the sixth best program was painful (and it changed many times). Also, how do you rank A&M and Missouri when they just joined the SEC (just kidding, Missouri is always last)? Then, of course, there was the torment of who is the worst program in the SEC. So, without further adieu:
1) The University of Alabama: 864 wins, 25 SEC Titles, 16 National Titles, 64 All-Americans, 24 College Football Hall of Famers, 2 Heisman Trophy winner
2) The University of Tennessee: 811 wins, 13 SEC Titles, 3 National Titles, 38 All-Americans, 23 College Football Hall of Famers, 0 Heisman Trophy winners
3) University of Georgia: 778 wins, 12 SEC titles, 2 National titles, 24 All-Americans, 16 College Football Hall of Famers, 2 Heisman trophy winners
4) Louisiana State University: 762 wins, 11 SEC Titles, 3 National Titles, 27 All-Americans, 13 College Football Hall of Famers, 1 Heisman Trophy winner
5) Auburn University: 742 wins, 8 SEC Titles, 2 National Titles, 68 All-Americans, 12 College Football Hall of Famers, 3 Heisman Trophy winners
6) The University of Florida: 691 wins, 8 SEC titles, 3 National titles, 31 All-Americans, 11 College Football Hall of Famers, 3 Heisman Trophy winners
7) The University of Arkansas: 676 wins, 19 conference titles (0 SEC titles), 1 National title, 45 All-Americans, 13 College Football Hall of Famers, 0 Heisman Trophy winners
8) Texas A&M University: 710 wins, 18 conference titles (0 SEC titles), 3 national titles, 22 All-Americans, 16 College Football Hall of Famers, 2 Heisman Trophy Winners
9) The University of Mississippi: 645 wins, 6 SEC titles, 3 National titles, 11 All-Americans, 10 College Football Hall of Famers, 0 Heisman Trophy winner
10) The University of Missouri: 663 wins, 15 conference titles (0 SEC titles), 0 National titles, 14 All-Americans, 12 College Football Hall of Famers, 0 Heisman Trophy winner
11) The University of Kentucky: 587 wins, 2 SEC titles, 1 (claimed) National title, 10 All-Americans, 7 College Football Hall of Famers, 0 Heisman Trophy winner
12) The University of South Carolina: 584 wins, 2 conference titles (0 SEC titles), 0 National titles, 4 All-Americans, 3 College Football Hall of Famers, 1 Heisman Trophy winner
13) Vanderbilt University: 585 wins, 14 conference titles (0 SEC titles), 0 National titles, 6 All-Americans, 10 College Football Hall of Famers, 0 Heisman Trophy winners
14) Mississippi State University: 532 wins, 1 SEC title, 0 National titles, 2 All-Americans, 0 College Football Hall of Famers, 0 Heisman Trophy winners
How can you have Auburn 5th?! 68 ALL-AMERICANS! I think they should be second right behind Bama. Great list though… definitely gets the juices flowing.
Jimbo, like we said, Front Porch Football really struggled to place those teams. At the end of the day, Auburn really sets itself apart from most programs in how many great players they have had over the years-that is for sure. BUT, unlike Bama, UT, and UGA,LSU and Auburn have won half of their conference championships in a decade. Take away the 21st century and LSU is farther down on the list. Take away the 80s and Auburn is farther down on the list. The top three schools on this list have won throughout the decades. UGA has the ’40s, ’80s, and 2000s as prosperous years in the SEC. UT has the Neyland years, solid years throughout the ’70s and ’80s, and then the Fulmer era. But, it is hard to argue with 68 All-Americans. Definitely a debate starter.
Auburn shouldn’t even be 5th! Their program does not have the tradition like some of these schools. Who cares about the All-Americans? They’re no good if they don’t win national titles or even SEC championships for that matter.
But of course the Auburn fan is complaining. Auburn is no where near Alabama when it comes to traditionally winning.
ROLL TIDE!
There is NO WAY Vanderbilt is better than Mississippi State. That is an error in judgement on your part.
Although Mississippi State currently has more success than Vanderbilt on the field, neither program has particularly had that much success in the SEC. Vanderbilt has more overall wins, all-americans, and hall of famers. While the Bulldogs are turning their program in the right direction the Commodores continue to struggle.
I’d argue that if auburn was in any other state in the country that it would have more tradition and support. It just so happens to have to share a state that happens to have the most traditional, supported and one of the most winingest programs in history. No not Birmingham-southern, not Troy, but the almighty tide. Alabama will always be more popular in the state, simply because it’s name is Alabama. Auburn does have great tradition and some of the best players in CFB history. It’s a close argument that Bo Jackson and Cam Newton had the two most dominant seasons in CFB history.
That being said, my last point is that Mississippi state does have the LEAST amount of tradition in the SEC. I mean come on. Their own tradition of cowbells has always been questionable….but I guess whatever it takes to win
Oates, I completely agree about the shadow Alabama casts on Auburn. Really, every other team in the SEC struggles with that. Alabama dominates so much of the college football conversation that it is hard for other SEC schools to get the recognition so many of them deserve. Auburn has a great football tradition, atmosphere, stadium, fan base, etc.
PS: BSC is a great school. It may not be known as a football powerhouse, but there are some great people that go to that school.
great job i totally agree with this