Each college football season is comprised of several small goals that ultimately lead to the biggest stage.
First, you must set a goal to win the conference. At the very least, the program likely has to enter that championship game undefeated if they have any hope of obtaining their next goal.
Once you’ve made it into the College Football Playoffs, which isn’t an easy task by any means, you’re one step away from the National Championship. If you fall just short, you likely appear in one of the primary bowl games.
That’s exactly what Bill Bender of The Sporting News dissected at when ranking the Top 25 college football programs of the past decade. Bender used an interesting point system, where national championships receive 10 points, national title game appearances are awarded 5 points, College Football Playoffs appearances at 5 points and New Year’s Day Six/BCS bowl appearances are valued at 3 points.
Consistency matters. Unfortunately, that has been Texas’ Achilles heel over the past several years. There’s been a few coaching changes, a quarterback rut and overall the program simply lacked player development. The talent has always been present, but the Longhorns have continued to sit in a puddle of mediocrity.
To be included on this ranking of the best programs of the past decade is quite impressive considering those conditions. Three Big 12 programs appeared ahead of Texas. And, disgustingly, so did Texas A&M.
Take a look at the full rankings below.