SB Nation uses analytics to rank 50 best teams, programs in 2000s
Ever wonder who the 50 best teams were from 2000-09? What about the 50 best programs over that span?
On Wednesday, SB Nation’s Bill Connelly took a stab at it using a specific analytical formula, using what he calls S&P+, which takes into account several things, including efficiency, explosiveness and factors related to field position and finishing drives. You can find out more about that formula here.
Based on Connelly’s data, Florida had the three best teams in the SEC during that stretch in 2008 (3rd overall), 2009 (13th overall) and 2001 (14th overall). In fact, the Gators had six separate teams out of the top 50.
LSU had three different teams (2003, 2006, 2007), Alabama had two (2008, 2009) and Auburn (2004), Georgia (2003) and Tennessee (2001) all had one.
The results might give you and your friends something to discuss, but the takeaways kind of make you scratch your head.
The only two squads better than the 2008 Gators were, ironically, 2008 Oklahoma (which Florida beat 24-14 for the national title that season) and 2005 USC. Florida’s 2008 team was the highest-rated team that won a national title.
Plus, the metric also shows 2009 Florida being ranked above 2009 Alabama despite the Crimson Tide beating the Gators in the SEC title game and going on to win the national title against Texas in resounding fashion.
Connelly also rated the FBS programs over that span, and Oklahoma also came away with the top ranking in that metric using the S&P+. Rounding out the top five were No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Florida, No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 USC.
Here’s where the other current SEC teams ranked nationally:
No. 6 LSU
No. 8 Georgia
No. 10 Tennessee
No. 13 Alabama
No. 17 Auburn
No. 21 Arkansas
No. 24 South Carolina
No. 37 Texas A&M
No. 44 Missouri
No. 57 Ole Miss
No. 65 Kentucky
No. 74 Mississippi State
No. 83 Vanderbilt