This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/jimbobbypaul on 2024-08-07 17:59:35+00:00.

Best of the Best: Simulating a Season with the Greatest Modern Era Teams

In an effort to figure out how each program’s best modern team stacks up against each other, I’ll be simming the 2024 season schedule. But, instead of using next year’s rosters, I’m using each program’s best team since 1996. By the end of this, we’ll have determined the best team, QB, RB, WR, offensive line, you name it–of the modern era. And we’ll have a full 134-team ranking of where every program’s best team stacks up with each other. I sim one time for every matchup, so some shocking one-off results may occur. That’s part of the fun, anybody’s got a shot to win it all. If you view these posts using the old Reddit layout, you’ll be able to see team and conference flairs.

If you missed the previous weeks/results, the Main hub thread link is here.

Schedule For Next Few Days

Just a reminder, today and tomorrow (Wednesday, Thursday) are Army-Navy, Friday/Saturday is award voting and winners, then the bowl games are Sunday/Monday. Playoff Preview is next Tuesday (the 13th) and the Playoff starts the 14th.

Playoff Selection

We’ve made it. After weeks of simming games, it’s Selection Wednesday. We’ve seen teams that shocked the world: Colorado State beating Texas, Duke beating Florida State, UTSA beating Texas. We’ve seen amazing performances: Joe Burrow’s 51 touchdowns to 2 interceptions, Ray Rice’s 2400 rushing yards, Eric Warfield’s 31 sacks for Nebraska…as a corner. And we’ve seen 12 teams rise to the top. Some teams have already solidified their place with with auto-bids. Some were ranked high enough last week that their standing is safe. Bubble teams include 2004 Cal, 2009 Cincinnati, 2008 Florida, 2006 Louisville, 1999 Marshall, 2001 Miami, 2007 Missouri, 1998 Tennessee, 2023 Washington, 9 teams fighting for 5 at-large spots.

Without further ado, let’s reveal the teams.

4 Auto-Bids (BYEs)

In the first spot we have a team that’s been head and shoulders above everyone else all season long, no surprise here…#1 2020 Alabama (13-0).

Up next, it’s a team that’s been under the radar in terms of the best teams in the country all season long, but deserves their place here…#2 2004 USC (11-2).

This next team was #1 preseason, only started 4-2, but since then has been on a tear, winning 7 straight with their latest victory being 57-20 in the ACC Championship…#3 2018 Clemson (11-2).

The final spot in the auto-bid goes to a team that was unexpected, to say the least. They’ve had an even better year than expected, and are as good as anybody in this field…#6 2009 Boise State (12-1).

8 At-Large Bids

The highest ranked at-large team, hosting their first round matchup with a chance to play Boise State next, it’s a team that many have as one of the favorites…#4 2019 LSU (10-3).

From the same year as LSU, a team many consider one of the best to not play in a national championship game. Hosting their first round matchup is…#5 2019 Ohio State (10-2).

This next team’s been doubted all season long, just like they were in real life. It’s one of the biggest surprises of the season, but well deserved…#7 2023 Washington (11-2).

The Playoff wouldn’t have been credible without this next team. At times, they’ve been the best team in the country, just hampered by the toughest schedule in the country…#8 2008 Florida (9-3).

The team who will play Florida in the Swamp. They were the preseason favorite for their conference, and pulled it off. We’re in for a high-scoring, high-flying treat…#9 2011 Oklahoma State (10-3).

Visiting Washington for the first round. The underdog of all underdogs. They’ve had a magical season, and maybe have the best defense in this whole thing…#10 1999 Marshall (12-1).

Just 2 spots left. 6 teams to choose from. This team was ranked #1 at one point, for a very brief moment. Visiting Ohio State for a rematch of the most recent Cotton Bowl…#11 2007 Missouri (10-2).

And the final spot. 5 teams up for it: Cal, Cincinnati, Louisville, Miami, Tennessee. Just barely sneaking into the final spot, after an impressive season…#12 2009 Cincinnati (10-3).

Playoff Matchups

BYEs:

  • #1 2020 Alabama (13-0)
  • #2 2004 USC (11-2)
  • #3 2018 Clemson (11-2)
  • #6 2009 Boise State (12-1)

First Round:

  • #12 2009 Cincinnati (10-3) @ #4 2019 LSU (10-3)
  • #11 2007 Missouri (10-2) @ #5 2019 Ohio State (10-2)
  • #10 1999 Marshall (12-1) @ #7 2023 Washington (11-2)
  • #9 2011 Oklahoma State (10-3) @ #8 2008 Florida (9-3)

Top 25

Rank Team Record Change
1 2020 Alabama 13-0 0
2 2004 USC 11-2 1
3 2018 Clemson 11-2 3
4 2019 LSU 10-3 -2
5 2019 Ohio State 10-2 0
6 2009 Boise State 12-1 3
7 2023 Washington 11-2 -3
8 2008 Florida 9-3 0
9 2011 Oklahoma State 10-3 4
10 1999 Marshall 12-1 1
11 2007 Missouri 10-2 -1
12 2009 Cincinnati 10-3 -5
13 2006 Louisville 9-3 1
14 1998 Tennessee 9-3 1
15 2001 Miami (FL) 9-3 1
16 2004 California 9-3 1
17 2015 Western Kentucky 11-2 2
18 2013 Florida State 9-4 -6
19 1996 BYU 9-3 1
20 2003 Miami (OH) 10-3 5
21 1998 Arizona 9-3 0
22 2021 Pittsburgh 8-4 0
23 2020 San Jose State 10-3 -5
24 2018 Fresno State 9-3 -1
25 2007 West Virginia 8-4 -1

Also Receiving Votes: 2020 Buffalo 10-2, 2013 Michigan State 8-4, 2020 Louisiana 9-3, 2017 UCF 8-4, 2013 Baylor 7-5, 2017 Wisconsin 8-4, 2012 Louisiana Tech 9-3, 2007 Hawaii 9-3, 2009 Central Michigan 10-3, 2006 Rutgers 7-5

Dropped From Top 25:

2015 Navy (5-6) @ 2018 Army (3-8)

2015 Navy 2018 Army
Team Stats (nat’l rank) 21.7 PPG (117th) 24.7 PAPG (49th) 17.7 PPG (130th) 26.5 PAPG (64th)
Notable Player 1 QB Keenan Reynolds 56% CMP%, 577 yards, 3 TD 0 INT, 701 rush yards, 3 TD QB Kelvin Hopkins Jr. 53% CMP%, 814 yards, 2 TD 3 INT, 773 rush yards, 3 TD
Notable Player 2 RB Chris Swain 1318 rush yards, 7 TD, 5.8 YPC RB Darnell Woolfolk 1103 rush yards, 4 TD, 4.6 YPC

It’s Army-Navy time. Final score prediction: 1776-1776.

Pick 'Em Winners

Thanks to everyone who participated in the spread pick 'ems! It gave a helpful boost to the posts and it was a photo finish at the end. I’ll shout some people out when this whole series is over, but these are your FINAL STANDINGS. I’ll have a separate pick 'em for the bowl games in a few days.

u/anojan12345 and u/RipRaycom, YOU ARE COLLEGE FOOTBALL GENIUSES.

Everyone in the top 10 of the overall tally gets a Reddit award. Reply to my comment below to claim your prize!

Last week’s results:

u/RipRaycom - 7
u/The_Mystery_Knight - 7
u/anojan12345 - 6
u/amoss_303 - 6
u/Mousebastard - 6
u/IPyro17 - 6
u/jlgar - 6
u/UMeister - 6
u/Tornadohunter24 - 5
u/verynotcool2 - 5
u/Staind075 - 4
u/FuronPox123 - 4
Overall Tally 
1. u/anojan12345 - 37
2. u/amoss_303 - 36
3. u/Mousebastard - 35
4. u/IPyro17 - 32
5. u/The_Mystery_Knight - 31
5. u/UMeister - 31
7. u/FuronPox123 - 28
8. u/RipRaycom - 27
9. u/Tornadohunter24 - 26
10. u/Staind075 - 25
11. u/Electrical_Mayhem - 12
11. u/jlgar - 12
13. u/BounceMan - 10
13. u/shmilling - 10
15. u/ymi17 - 10
16. u/Inside-Drink-1311 - 7
17. u/ChrispeeChringle - 6
17. u/jmcfarren22 - 6
19. u/LiVexReFlex - 5
19. u/verynotcool2 - 5
21. u/NIL-ess - 4
22. u/Rickbox - 3
22. u/QuadrilateralDamage - 3
24. u/ark_47 - 2
25. u/Sooners9727 - 1
25. u/PsychologicalTale479 - 1
25. u/CausticvWattson - 1
25. u/bluebenjamin_ - 1
Number of Weeks Won 
1. u/RipRaycom - 4 (2 perfect 5s)
2. u/anojan12345 - 3 (1 perfect 5)
3. u/IPyro17 - 2 (1 perfect 5)
3. u/The_Mystery_Knight - 2 (1 perfect 5)
5. u/Tornadohunter24 - 2
5. u/FuronPox123 - 2
5. u/amoss_303 - 2
5. u/Mousebastard - 2
9. u/BounceMan - 1 (1 perfect 5)
10. u/QuadrilateralDamage - 1
10. u/Staind075 - 1
10. u/UMeister - 1
10. u/jmcfarren22 - 1