🏈 Urban Meyer still thinks 2008 Florida is greatest team ever

[BAMANEWSBOT]

I’ve seen a lot of great college football teams in my lifetime. The 2008 Florida Gators are one of them.

Greatest ever, though? That’s a stretch.

Yet here we find Urban Meyer just spewin’ propaganda at high school kids at the Sound Mind Sound Body football camp in Detroit this week.

Here's the video (go to 6:08 mark):



I don’t know about this one. The Gators lost to Ole Miss in the middle of the season, but to be fair, it did set up one of the most dominant 10-game stretches in the history of the college football and, of course, this.

There are a handful of teams that belong in the “Greatest Team Ever” discussion. Since I was born two years after Barry Sanders won the Heisman, I wasn’t around for many of them. But I’ve seen enough to come up with the top five teams in the last 25 years.

1) 2001 Miami Hurricanes
We will never see a team more stacked with NFL talent than this Hurricanes team. Najeh Davenport was a senior on that team, was picked in the fourth round of the NFL Draft that spring and he was FOURTH string at running back. A ridiculous 38 players from that team were eventually NFL Draft picks.

Let me get one thing straight: A college football team could NEVER beat an NFL team. Period. But a few weeks ago, my buddies and I decided if this Miami team could play the ’08 Detroit Lions in the Orange Bowl, the Lions would be at most a 10-point favorite. Oh, and just imagine how good the ‘Canes would have been if they had anyone butKen Dorsey playing QB.

2) 2004 USC Trojans
This is the only team in NCAA history to start two eventual Heisman Trophy winners at the same time. Are you ready for this stat? FIFTY THREE players on that team made an NFL roster, including somebody named Ryan Powdrell. Welp, that’s all you need to know about this team. They had a guy who rushed for nine yards on three carries in his career at USC and went on to play professional football.

More importantly, they had Reggie Bush, who for my money is the best college football player of the last 25 years. You can vacate this team from the record books, but not from my brain.

3) 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide
This is the best team in college football history to ever lose a game. If Cade Foster doesn’t get the yips and actually makes more than one of his four field goal attempts against LSU, Alabama goes unbeaten and doesn’t have to embarrass the Tigers in a national championship rematch to prove the first game was a total fluke.

Only ’01 Miami had a better defense than that Alabama team. Six of the back seven of that defense (Barron, Milliner, Kirkpatrick, Hightower, Mosley, Upshaw) went in the first round.

For the love of God, Saban, have some mercy. Excuse me while I go pray for Jordan Rodgers' safety again.



4) 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Cornhuskers scored 53 points per game when nobody scored 53 points per game. Oh, and they did it while running the triple option. Think about it this way: last year’s Baylor team, which passed the ball 448 times and led the nation in scoring, did not score as many points per game as that Nebraska team. The 'Huskers beat four top 10 teams by an average of 33 points. What? With all due respect to Eddie George, the fact that Tommie Frazier doesn’t have a Heisman Trophy on his mantle is a sham.

5) 2008 Florida Gators
This team epitomized #SECSpeed. Tebow got most of the glory, so it’s too easy to forget how filthy the rest of that team really was. Surround Tebow was Percy Harvin, Aaron Hernandez, Riley Cooper, Louis Murphy, Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. The defense might have been even faster with Joe Haden, Janoris Jenkins, Carlos Dunlap, Brandon Spikes and Major Wright flying around. This is the fastest team in college football history.

They definitely lose points for having John Brantley ahead of Cam Newton on the depth chart, though. This team was undoubtedly spectacular.

Greatest ever, though? Not a chance.

Sorry Urban, but you’re wrong this time.



FOX Sports...

 

[TerryP]

1. I don't think anyone would disagree Urban is wrong here.
2. Personally, I don't have any problems with this list. It would be interesting to see the 2011 Tide team take on a team like the 2004 USC squad.

But, here's my thought I won't to toss out here...

I'd dare say say there are a few teams that didn't win titles in the last 25 years that could have beaten that 2008 Florida team. Bama's 2011 team would have. I'm pretty certain LSU's 2011 squad would have as well.

Others?

 

[bamaraider]

I don't think '11 LSU squad could have beaten them. I remember them having troubles with WVU's receivers and Florida that year had 3 things going for them, a passionate self-motivated leader at QB who didn't want to lose, a deep WR score lead by Percy Harvin, Riley Cooper, and Louis Murphy, and then a highly underrated defense. LSU had question marks at QB and only one receiver that was a threat in Rueben Randle. I can't imagine seeing Lee or Jefferson throwing against a team that had Spikes, Major Wright, and Joe Haden on the same field. Then I also remember Alabama's run game was fairly dominant that year in '08 and was not "held in check" really, but they were doing a pretty damn good job at containing Coffee and Ingram. Then their special teams unit was pretty damn good too. Even on kick off coverage, they were all over the returner. That team had a lot of speed and was very physical in the trenches. Once their mind was set, they just dominated. Granted, Alabama was one quarter away from beating them in '08, but that shouldn't downplay Florida's team that year, morose show how good Alabama was in '08.

 

[BamaFan334]

I think our 2012 team would have challenged that Florida team. We were very solid all around and even better offensively, so I would like to see that challenge,if we're talking teams not on this list to challenge that Florida team.

 

[TerryP]

@bamaraider I considered that WVU game when I started thinking about those two teams facing each other. I don't think it's comparing apples to oranges. Tebow certainly isn't close to the passing threat that Geno Smith was and I don't see it possible that Meyer would call a game where he had Tebow throwing the ball as much as Smith did against LSU. What was it? Close to 70 passing attempts? I'd dare say Geno completed as many passes that day as Tebow had attempts in a game; if not more.

Now, the UF defense against that LSU offense? It was a great UF defense but I think you're selling that LSU offense a little short. Don't forget they dropped 40+ on Oregon, Florida, UGA, Arkansas, and Auburn that year—that's top 20 competition.

 

[bamaraider]

@bamaraider I considered that WVU game when I started thinking about those two teams facing each other. I don't think it's comparing apples to oranges. Tebow certainly isn't close to the passing threat that Geno Smith was and I don't see it possible that Meyer would call a game where he had Tebow throwing the ball as much as Smith did against LSU. What was it? Close to 70 passing attempts? I'd dare say Geno completed as many passes that day as Tebow had attempts in a game; if not more.

Now, the UF defense against that LSU offense? It was a great UF defense but I think you're selling that LSU offense a little short. Don't forget they dropped 40+ on Oregon, Florida, UGA, Arkansas, and Auburn that year—that's top 20 competition.

Tebow that year was very efficient. You're not wrong that Tebow wasn't the passing threat like Geno was, but his mobility does make it the secondary have to cheat up a bit, which is difficult to be concerned about seeing how they did have 3 good WR's, two who are doing fairly well in the NFL right now. Lets forget about efficient Tebow was in 2008. Even in their loss to Ole Miss, he still racked up 319 yards passing wise, one TD pass, and had a 63% completion percentage (average). LSU also scored a lot on special teams (with a lot of great plays by Tyrann). Two TD's against Oregon were fumbles by Thomas, Arkansas had a pretty sub-par defense that year and had one punt return from Tyrann, and I don't even think we have to discuss how awful Auburn was on defense. I'm not saying their offense was "bad", but of those teams you listed, Arkansas gave up 362 yards per game, Oregon gave up 390 per game (they only allowed around 200 against LSU), Auburn gave up 408, Florida 300, and Georgia gave up only 277 (a lot due to a very favorable schedule). LSU had a very good running game that year with 4 good running backs, but to me, against UF, its too predictable and I think it would be a lot similar to how Alabama played Florida in '08 with the offense relying on the running game too much.

Lets not forget Florida's average margin of victory either. Yeah, they didn't have the "best" of schedules, but anyone who saw them knew they were great. In every one of their wins, they won by at least 10 points.

Very fun discussion.

 

[bamaraider]

I think our 2012 team would have challenged that Florida team. We were very solid all around and even better offensively, so I would like to see that challenge,if we're talking teams not on this list to challenge that Florida team.

That would probably be a more competitive game than the 2011 team. 2011 team IMO would have won by a fairly comfortable margin. The only question that would make people stop and think is how the offense would have done vs their defense, with Maze our #1 receiver, McCarron first year starting, we relied heavily on Trent. But the one thing we had going was a great secondary and a man in the middle to collapse the pocket (Gentry), and two guys on the outside to get after the QB (Upshaw and Hightower). '12 would be interesting because McCarron is a more polished QB by then and the emergence of Cooper. The secondary that year wasn't "as good", but still pretty respectable. Milliner vs Harvin would be interesting, but Cooper and Murphy vs Deon Belue and Geno Smith with Lester and Ha-Ha to help would be an even more intriguing match-up. Mosley would have to cover Aaron Hernandez, and then Nico would spy on Tebow.

 

[TerryP]

Tebow that year was very efficient. You're not wrong that Tebow wasn't the passing threat like Geno was, but his mobility does make it the secondary have to cheat up a bit, which is difficult to be concerned about seeing how they did have 3 good WR's, two who are doing fairly well in the NFL right now. Lets forget about efficient Tebow was in 2008. Even in their loss to Ole Miss, he still racked up 319 yards passing wise, one TD pass, and had a 63% completion percentage (average). LSU also scored a lot on special teams (with a lot of great plays by Tyrann). Two TD's against Oregon were fumbles by Thomas, Arkansas had a pretty sub-par defense that year and had one punt return from Tyrann, and I don't even think we have to discuss how awful Auburn was on defense. I'm not saying their offense was "bad", but of those teams you listed, Arkansas gave up 362 yards per game, Oregon gave up 390 per game (they only allowed around 200 against LSU), Auburn gave up 408, Florida 300, and Georgia gave up only 277 (a lot due to a very favorable schedule). LSU had a very good running game that year with 4 good running backs, but to me, against UF, its too predictable and I think it would be a lot similar to how Alabama played Florida in '08 with the offense relying on the running game too much.

Lets not forget Florida's average margin of victory either. Yeah, they didn't have the "best" of schedules, but anyone who saw them knew they were great. In every one of their wins, they won by at least 10 points.

Very fun discussion.

Here's where we're seeing that 2011 LSU defense differently. Would Tebow's mobility make the LSU defense look at an eight man front? LaMichael James didn't and he was arguably the best running back in the NCAA that season. Remember, not only did he lead the NCAA in rushing yards in 2011 he did it while missing two regular season games. We had a strong running game that season and didn't do squat against them. Mississippi State was running over everyone until they ran into (no pun intended) LSU.

Above that, here's the kicker. When Chavis and his LSU defensive squads have faced mobile quarterbacks what kind of success have those QB's been able to achieve? They are the only team that not only contained, but practically removed Manziel from the A&M offensive scheme. This 2011 squad we're discussing had more talent than 2012 and 2013.

This hypothetical match-up we're talking about here...a few things I think bear consideration. One, if it were to have happened it would have been in the regular season, right? At that point we had an LSU team that was finding ways to win. You're right, a lot of it was momentum turning plays coming from guys like Tyrann. On the other hand, we're talking about a Florida team that wasn't doing the same. If you recall, when those Gator teams with Tebow found themselves down they didn't find their way back to win. If I recall correctly, when trailing in the second half they won one of six games—the SECCG against Bama as that only win.

In the end, I find myself comparing the mental fortitude from those two teams. In 2008 and 2009 it was something I didn't see. It's a lot like what we didn't see out of the Tide in ATL in 2008 (and I'm not taking anything away from Tebow's performance in that SECCG—great ball game.) Tebow crossing his arm and making a speech after the lose of Ole Miss still seems to me like it was more about trying to convince himself than the collegiate football world. The tears shed in 2009 evidence a spirit that could be broken.

On the other hand, the loss LSU suffered in 2011? Dumbass coaching. To this day I'm still left bewildered why they were blocking our inside linebackers while trying to get Jordan around the corners.

 

[TerryP]

That would probably be a more competitive game than the 2011 team. 2011 team IMO would have won by a fairly comfortable margin. The only question that would make people stop and think is how the offense would have done vs their defense, with Maze our #1 receiver, McCarron first year starting, we relied heavily on Trent. But the one thing we had going was a great secondary and a man in the middle to collapse the pocket (Gentry), and two guys on the outside to get after the QB (Upshaw and Hightower). '12 would be interesting because McCarron is a more polished QB by then and the emergence of Cooper. The secondary that year wasn't "as good", but still pretty respectable. Milliner vs Harvin would be interesting, but Cooper and Murphy vs Deon Belue and Geno Smith with Lester and Ha-Ha to help would be an even more intriguing match-up. Mosley would have to cover Aaron Hernandez, and then Nico would spy on Tebow.

I'm nit-picking here...

Gentry had a good game in that NC against LSU, but he wasn't the key to the middle of that defensive line. Josh Chapman held that starting role all season. Upshaw was playing an outside 'backer, Hightower was lined up inside along with Nico. In our true 3-4 Harris held the other outside position.

 

[XXL TideFan]

G-D knows that I am the biggest homer on the planet. (Bama makes the playoffs and wins the inaugural NC) but that 95 Huskers team was scary.

 

[TerryP]

G-D knows that I am the biggest homer on the planet. (Bama makes the playoffs and wins the inaugural NC) but that 95 Huskers team was scary.

I really enjoyed the few games I was able to see them play.

There was a lot of about that 1995 season for Bama that pissed me off—I'd be hard pressed to say whether the Arkansas or Tennessee loss got to me the worst. (Peyton sealed his fate with me in Birmingham that day.)

As little joy as I got out of seeing Florida have success, a small part of me relished their win over Arkansas in ATL. If there was ever a case of "backdooring your way into a championship game," that's it.)

My gawd...just remembering the beat down Nebraska put on Florida that day in Tempe...

 

[bamaraider]

Here's where we're seeing that 2011 LSU defense differently. Would Tebow's mobility make the LSU defense look at an eight man front? LaMichael James didn't and he was arguably the best running back in the NCAA that season. Remember, not only did he lead the NCAA in rushing yards in 2011 he did it while missing two regular season games. We had a strong running game that season and didn't do squat against them. Mississippi State was running over everyone until they ran into (no pun intended) LSU.

Above that, here's the kicker. When Chavis and his LSU defensive squads have faced mobile quarterbacks what kind of success have those QB's been able to achieve? They are the only team that not only contained, but practically removed Manziel from the A&M offensive scheme. This 2011 squad we're discussing had more talent than 2012 and 2013.

This hypothetical match-up we're talking about here...a few things I think bear consideration. One, if it were to have happened it would have been in the regular season, right? At that point we had an LSU team that was finding ways to win. You're right, a lot of it was momentum turning plays coming from guys like Tyrann. On the other hand, we're talking about a Florida team that wasn't doing the same. If you recall, when those Gator teams with Tebow found themselves down they didn't find their way back to win. If I recall correctly, when trailing in the second half they won one of six games—the SECCG against Bama as that only win.

In the end, I find myself comparing the mental fortitude from those two teams. In 2008 and 2009 it was something I didn't see. It's a lot like what we didn't see out of the Tide in ATL in 2008 (and I'm not taking anything away from Tebow's performance in that SECCG—great ball game.) Tebow crossing his arm and making a speech after the lose of Ole Miss still seems to me like it was more about trying to convince himself than the collegiate football world. The tears shed in 2009 evidence a spirit that could be broken.

On the other hand, the loss LSU suffered in 2011? Dumbass coaching. To this day I'm still left bewildered why they were blocking our inside linebackers while trying to get Jordan around the corners.

Some great points, but I just can't agree. My main points is how LSU's offense will do against Florida's defense with Charlie Strong as the defensive coordinator. Just agree to disagree here.

 

[bamaraider]

I'm nit-picking here...

Gentry had a good game in that NC against LSU, but he wasn't the key to the middle of that defensive line. Josh Chapman held that starting role all season. Upshaw was playing an outside 'backer, Hightower was lined up inside along with Nico. In our true 3-4 Harris held the other outside position.

Chapman definitely held his own during that season, and all on a torn acl if I remember, but I was talking more about the pass rush on 3rd downs. Chapman though is a player I surely do wish we still had, seeing how last year, Ivory was pretty inconsistent.

 

[planomateo]

Losing to Ole Miss in the Swamp...not the greatest team ever. End of subject.

 

[PhillyGirl]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...might-have-forgotten?campaign=Facebook_nfl_cb

Over the weekend, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer labeled his 2008 Florida Gators team as the best to ever play college football.

Not only is it a bold statement, it's also unprovable, incomparable and pretty much beyond the scope of examination. After all, we're guessing former Gators head coach Steve Spurrier's not even sure they were the best Florida team ever. After all, Spurrier's 1996 national champs suffered a far more respectable loss (to No. 2-ranked Florida State in Tallahassee) than did Meyer's '08 squad (to unranked Ole Miss in Gainesville). Had Meyer called the Tim Tebow-led Gators of '08 the best national champion of his 13-year career as a head coach, that would at least carry the credibility of perspective.
Spurrier's best Gators team aside, we offer five teams from years past -- none of which lost a game -- who put up a strong argument against Meyer's assertion. No, we don't think all these teams would line up and beat the 2008 UF team head-to-head. That's another list. Here, we're simply highlighting teams that thoroughly dominated relative to their period in history and ranking them in order from least to most dominant.
5. 1999 FSU

The Seminoles became the first team in NCAA history to go wire-to-wire as the nation's No. 1 ranked team in the polls. In going 12-0, FSU faced five ranked teams and scored 30 points or more against all of them. A road win at rival Florida, ranked No. 4 at the time, put Florida State in the Sugar Bowl, where it beat a Michael Vick-led Virginia Tech team, 46-29. Wide receiver Peter Warrick, though his pro career wasn't great, was one of college football's most electrifying talents.

4. 1961 Alabama

Regarded as one of Alabama's most dominant national-title teams, the defense of the '61 squad was without peer. It posted six shutouts and gave up just 25 points the entire season. A 26-7 win over North Carolina State represented the highest point total by an Alabama opponent that season. A Sugar Bowl win over No. 9-ranked Arkansas, 10-3, capped the season for the national title. Linebacker Lee Roy Jordan would later become a first-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys.
3. 2001 Miami

As far as pure talent, this club is the gold standard for college football. The roster is something to behold, highlighted by the likes of future NFL stars Willis McGahee, Andre Johnson, Jeremy Shockey, Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Clinton Portis and Jonathan Vilma. And that just scratches the surface. This UM team went 12-0 and blasted Nebraska, 37-14, for the national title.
2. 1972 USC

With Lynn Swann on offense and Richard "Batman" Wood on defense, the Trojans rolled to a 12-0 record capped by a dominating Rose Bowl win over Ohio State, 42-17. In seven of 12 games, the USC defense held opponents to 10 points or fewer. A season-opening road win over fourth-ranked Arkansas vaulted USC to the No. 1 spot in the polls, and the Trojans never looked back. And as long as one man's opinion matters, legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson called them the best team he ever saw.
1. 1995 Nebraska

In this context, why not start with the team best remembered for shredding Florida to win it all? Tommie Frazier's dismantling of the Gators' defense couldn't have been more thorough in a 62-24 thrashing of UF in the Fiesta Bowl for the national title. The Cornhuskers went 12-0 and weren't held to less than 35 points the entire season, destroying every opponent on the schedule with an unbeatable triple-option offense.

 

[planomateo]

But 12 starters (that’s a majority for you World Cup fans unfamiliar with American futbol) were arrested in college, or have been since leaving Gainesville. Or they’ve been suspended for violating NFL drug policies.

 

[alabama mike]

Good team? Absolutley! Greatest team? No way! Down through the years, there have been many very good football teams. The Nebraska and Oklahoma teams of the 70's come to mind quick, some of the Alabama teams, Miami, etc... No way can Florida be the best college team ever.