Besides PSU '94 FB, what was or is the greatest College FB team?

BostonNit

All-Conference
Mar 15, 2003
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They lost to Michigan.
2019 LSU
The Joe Burrow LSU team was a machine.

Burrow, Justin Jefferson, JaMarr Chase, Edwards-Helaire, Terrance Marshall, Derek Stingley, Patrick Queen, Lavon Chaiseon, Grant Delpit, Damone Clark, Rashard Lawrence all drafted.
 

Pennstatel0

Senior
Oct 10, 2018
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There have been recent idiots who claimed one of the SEC champion Alabama or UGA team could beat the worst NFL team and 100x over NFL guys tell them how ridiculous that is but I believe Ed Reed and/or maybe Clinton Portis said one time that if that 2001 team would have played the 1-15 Carolina panthers that year they would have won.
Hold on there whippersnapper..

Until 1975, a team of college all stars played the BEST team in the nfl. And won about 25% of the time

so I don’t think it’s ridiculous to suggest that a college team could beat the Jets. Did you see the Bills Jets game last week?
 

Bison13

All-American
May 26, 2013
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Hold on there whippersnapper..

Until 1975, a team of college all stars played the BEST team in the nfl. And won about 25% of the time

so I don’t think it’s ridiculous to suggest that a college team could beat the Jets. Did you see the Bills Jets game last week?
there is no way a college all star team beat the super bowl champs
 

LionJim

Heisman
Oct 12, 2021
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there is no way a college all star team beat the super bowl champs
There was what was called the College All-Star Game played at Soldier Field from 1934-1976. The reigning NFL champion would play an all-star team of players entering their rookie years in the NFL. Record was NFL 31-9 All Stars, with two ties.
 

HarrisburgDave

All-Conference
Dec 29, 2016
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Penn State in 68 and 69 were the best. Mike Reid is a legend who was better than his legend!

That team was an incredible collection of talent. We had an AA linebacker and a DB who intercepted 10 passes in a season, and they didn’t stick in the NFL. A backup RB on that team is in the NFL HOF. An underclassman LB is in the NFL HOF and on many all-time NFL lists.

Back to back undefeated seasons and two Orange Bowl Victories.

No other team of the Paterno era could match them.

That defense was bullying. The best we ever had. There were games opponents struggled to cross the 50 more than once.

The offense dominated time of possession rotating 3 or more great running backs into the game.

The quarterback? Good enough never to lose a game he started. He was responsible for a two point conversion that won a bowl game and kept the season record perfect.

The best name any football player ever had? Steve Smear, the other DT on those teams.
 
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OptionBob

Senior
Oct 12, 2021
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Penn State in 68 and 69 were the best. Mike Reid is a legend who was better than his legend!

That team was an incredible collection of talent. We had an AA linebacker and a DB who intercepted 10 passes in a season, and they didn’t stick in the NFL. A backup RB on that team is in the NFL HOF. An underclassman LB is in the NFL HOF and on many all-time NFL lists.

Back to back undefeated seasons and two Orange Bowl Victories.

No other team of the Paterno era could match them.

That defense was bullying. The best we ever had. There were games opponents struggled to cross the 50 more than once.

The offense dominated time of possession rotating 3 or more great running backs into the game.

The quarterback? Good enough never to lose a game he started. He was responsible for a two point conversion that won a bowl game and kept the season record perfect.

The best name any football player ever had? Steve Smear, the other DT on those teams.
Really like this post, Dave. So many younger fans forget how truly awesome that 1969 defense was and how good the players were.

I'll add a few comments to your excellent ones:
1. Inside LB Denny Onkotz also returned punts, avg nearly 14 yds per return. He also intercepted 13 passes over 3 seasons. He was a 2-year first team AA. Yet when fans talk about great Penn State LBs, he is often not among the top 3.

2. Neal Smith added 2 more interceptions in the OB giving him 12 in just 11 games. It seems as if modern DBs are lauded if they get 5 or 6, despite a huge increase in pass attempts.

3. I don't remember the exact number now, but I do recall The Daily Collegian posting how many points the starting defense allowed in 1969 (we all know how Joe routinely pulled starters, often to our dismay -- 1994 Indiana). It was some stunningly low number, like 36, in 12 games.

4. The defense was so good, it (a) shut out #1 ranked rushing offense of West Va (2) caused Colorado to move Heisman candidate Anderson from QB to TE and (3) held the Missouri team that put 40 on Michigan (which beat the unbeatable Buckeyes that year) to 3.

5. As you mentioned, the offense boasted 1 RB who set numerous then-NCAA individual records in 1971 (Lydell Mitchell), 1 NFL HOF RB in Franco Harris, and 1 consensus AA RB in Charlie Pittman.
 
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Fred8811

Sophomore
Aug 27, 2006
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Blackledge hit Garrity for the winning TD and 1982 National Champship, beating #1 ranked Georgia.
 

Mr. Potter

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Oct 18, 2021
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Indiana just proved it to me last night. They execute with surgical precision whether they are on Offense or Defense.

Shabbat Shalom
 
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psu31trap

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Oct 29, 2021
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Different eras different rules. When you could hit a WR & QB without worrying about being thrown out of a game. When steroids was rampant and your O-linemen were benching 600+ pounds and your defensive played like possessed mercenaries…….

2020 Alabama
2006 Florida
1997 Nebraska & Michigan
1994 Penn State

Any of the teams above would push Indiana around and probably have a handful of players helped off the field.
 
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Nitt1300

Heisman
Nov 2, 2008
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That 1994 team would absolutely destroy this garbage Indiana team. The defense would sack Mendoza all game
1994 defense was not nearly the strength of the team, and that game would be a high scoring slugfest with the last possession probably winning it one way or the other
 
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Pennstatel0

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Oct 10, 2018
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there is no way a college all star team beat the super bowl champs
Thats true. Sort of .
The game stopped shortly after the Super Bowl began. Early 70s. So there were only 5 games played between College All Stars and SUPER BOWL champs. But the College All Stars won or tied 11 of 34 games played against NFL champs prior to AFL NFL merger (1934-1968).

This isnt a debate. Its a fact.

 

slwlion01

Senior
Jul 24, 2023
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Sticking to Penn State

The 1978 Penn State team that lost to Bama in the Sugar Bowl was really effing good.
The 1969 team that got hosed by the White House.

Outside of Penn State

I will give credit to the 1976 Pitt team and perpetual academic sophomore Tony Dorsett.
1995 Nebraska
1999 F$U
Amen to the 69 team.
 
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