Fallen on hard times

In the 26 years between 1977 and 2002:

• 16 top 20 finishes
• 7 top 10 finishes
• 3 top 5 finishes
• 1 NC
• 8 conference championships
• 22 Bowls (+2 years of missed bowls while on probation)
• 5-2 in the Rose Bowl
• 1-0 in the Orange Bowl

I would consider that a national power.

No winning records since 2002.  It's hard times.

Thanks UWDawgs, I knew they were good, and I knew about the championship. But being here on the East Coast and the South, we don't pay too much attention to the left coast. I knew they put out some pretty good talent.

Some one mentioned Arizona....and even though Desert Storm was a great defense, Arizona was not good for very long. Their track record didn't strike fear into any one. They did have a few good teams though.

Alabama- yes, they have fallen a bit, but you still don't feel well about a game scheduled in Tuscaloosa. They might make honorable mention. But if I have Miami and FSU on there, I guess Alabama must be on the list.

Stanford was mentioned, but they were never really dominant over stretches of time. They did produce some good QB's.

I guess an argument could be made for Michigan. Hard for me to put them on the list though, especially since they handled my Gators in the Cap One Bowl. Losing to App State and then the following week getting pumped at home again by Oregon. But, playing at the Big House should be a concern for any one.....well maybe not tOSU.

Love the responses. Best of all, there hasn't been a troll sighting or bickering.

Thanks folks, this restores my faith in these boards.

Easy Ng,

I'm not trying to diss 'Bama. I have great respect for the Tide (you know, that SEC homerism we get tabbed with all the damn time). But If I was keeping 'Bama off the list because they had a NC title in the 90's and have been pretty solid. But, so does FSU, and while 7-5,7-6,8-5 maybe terrible for Miami, FSU, and Alabama (and my Gators for that matter) it's not for most other teams. That's why Miami and FSU made the list. With that same rationale, 'Bama gets honorable mention....c'mon....you lost to UL Monroe last year.

I will say this.....look for the SEC to mirror the SEC from 91-96....with UF and Alabama waging war for the SEC title almost every year during that stretch. You guys have one hell of a class coming in (and so do we!)