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Considering that five of the national championships last decade were won by SEC teams, picking the top teams of the decade within the conference shouldn’t be too hard, right?

The hard part is holding it to 10, and even harder is ranking the 10.

Here’s what we came up with based on the overall strength of the team, the overall talent on the team, what the team accomplished that particular season (quality wins, overall record, road wins) and how impressive the team was during the season:

1. Alabama 2009: The Crimson Tide were the last BCS national champion of the decade, not to mention one of the most impressive. They beat four top-10 teams on their way to becoming the first 14-0 national champion in SEC history. They also produced six first-team All-Americans, including the Heisman Trophy winner and Butkus Award winner. They finished second nationally in total defense and scoring defense. Bottom line: It's hard to find many flaws with the 2009 Crimson Tide.

2. Florida 2008: The Gators (13-1) weren’t unblemished in their sprint to the 2008 national championship. But after losing to Ole Miss by a point in September, they were pretty close to perfect the rest of the way. They won their last 10 games by an average margin of 33.8 points, and the closest anybody came to them was 10 points. The combo of Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin on offense was virtually unstoppable, and Charlie Strong’s defense shut down Oklahoma’s record-setting offense in the BCS National Championship Game.

3. Auburn 2004: Some might be surprised to see the Tigers ranked ahead of three of the SEC national champions from last decade. But that Auburn team was one of the most talented of the last two decades, producing four first-round NFL draft picks. The Carnell Williams-Ronnie Brown backfield tandem was as good as it gets, and the Tigers (13-0) wound up beating five top-15 teams. They were squeezed out of the BCS National Championship Game and had to settle for the Sugar Bowl instead, where they beat Virginia Tech to finish No. 2 in both polls.

4. LSU 2003: It was Nick Saban’s first national championship, and not surprisingly, it was an LSU team built on defense. Marcus Spears and Chad Lavalais were the anchors of a dominant defensive front. The Tigers (13-1) lost at home to Florida in October, but battled back to get themselves in position. The key win was beating No. 15 Ole Miss on the road, and they then took care of No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Oklahoma in the SEC and BCS national championship games to earn the BCS national title. Southern California was voted the national champion in the Associated Press poll. Seven players from that LSU team were taken in the 2004 NFL draft.

5. Florida 2006: In only his second season at Florida, Urban Meyer led the Gators (13-1) to their first of two national championships last decade. They were the picture of resiliency. Time and time again, they escaped with clutch plays or narrow victories and then played their best football when it counted -- blowing out Arkansas in the SEC championship game and then Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game. Jarvis Moss’ blocked field goal saved the Gators against South Carolina, and they also escaped at Tennessee by a point. Their only loss that season was on the road at Auburn.

6. LSU 2007: There’s no question that the 2007 LSU team had some good fortune fall its way and the right teams lost at the end of the season, enabling the Tigers (12-2) to get into the BCS National Championship Game. Nonetheless, they were an immensely talented team and fielded one of the fiercest defenses the league saw last decade, led by Outland Trophy winner and Lombardi Award winner Glenn Dorsey. LSU pummeled Ohio State 38-24 in the BCS National Championship game. Both of the Tigers’ losses came in triple overtime, including a 50-48 loss to unranked Arkansas at home on the final weekend of the regular season.

7. Georgia 2002: The Bulldogs (13-1) broke a 20-year drought with their first SEC championship since the Vince Dooley days. A 20-13 loss to Florida kept them out of the national championship race, but they rebounded to win their next five games, capped by a 26-13 victory over No. 16 Florida State in the Sugar Bowl. Two defensive linemen on that team -- Johnathan Sullivan and George Foster -- were first-round draft picks in the 2003 draft. The Bulldogs finished third in the polls.

8. Tennessee 2001: It was easily Tennessee’s most talented team of the decade, and the Vols appeared to be on their way to playing for a second national championship in four years in the Rose Bowl. But they were upset by LSU in the SEC championship game. That’s after taking down No. 2 Florida at the Swamp a week earlier to clinch the Eastern Division title. The Vols (11-2) went on to crush Michigan in the Florida Citrus Bowl after falling to LSU. The following April, three players from that team were taken in the first round of the NFL draft. Tennessee finished fourth in the polls.

9. Florida 2001: Steve Spurrier has called it the best team he coached at Florida that didn’t win an SEC championship. The Gators (10-2) lost two heart-breakers to Auburn and Tennessee. Florida was ranked No. 2 when it lost at home to the Vols and was in great shape to play in the BCS National Championship game. That Tennessee game was pushed back to the end of the season because of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Eight players from that Florida team were drafted in April. The Gators’ 56-23 blowout of No. 6 Maryland in the Orange Bowl was Spurrier’s last game at Florida. He left for the NFL to coach the Washington Redskins.

10. LSU 2006: You want talent? Go back and check out that 2006 LSU team. The Tigers (11-2) had four players selected in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft, including two of the top six picks. Their only losses that season were on the road at No. 3 Auburn and No. 5 Florida, but they rebounded to win their last seven games and took apart No. 11 Notre Dame 41-14 in the Sugar Bowl. The Tigers finished third in the polls and would end up winning the national title the next season.

The Big 12 had two national championship teams and five others that played in the BCS title game in the decade.

The two championship teams were the best of the conference's last 10 years. Some of the other BCS title participants were good, but not necessarily among the very best teams during the conference's recent history.

Here's how I rank the Big 12's top 10 teams over the last decade.

1. 2005 Texas: A star-studded team paced by All-Americans Michael Huff, Jonathan Scott, Rodrique Wright and Vince Young ran off 13 straight victories, capping the season with a BCS title-game victory over USC. The team averaged 50.2 points per game en route to a then-NCAA record 652 total points, earning Texas’ first undisputed national championship since 1969. It was the greatest team that Mack Brown ever coached and arguably the best team in the rich football history of Texas.

2. 2000 Oklahoma: Bob Stoops claimed a national championship in his second season coaching the Trojans behind Josh Heupel, who finished second in the Heisman race that season. All-Americans Heupel, linebacker Rocky Calmus and J.T. Thatcher helped the Sooners notch the first undefeated season and national championship in Big 12 history. After winning three of their final four regular-season games by less than five points, the Sooners dominated Florida State in a 13-2 triumph in the Orange Bowl for the national championship.

3. 2008 Oklahoma: Sam Bradford won the Heisman Trophy with this team, which overcame a midseason loss to Texas and still claimed the Big 12 title in a 12-2 season that was marred by a 24-14 loss to Florida in the national championship game. The Sooners rolled-up a record 702 points as Bradford passed for 50 touchdowns, Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray each rushed for 1,000 yards and Juaquin Iglesias topped 1,000 yards receiving. The Sooners scored 35 points in each regular-season game and finished the regular season with five straight games of at least 60 points before the BCS title-game loss.

4. 2004 Oklahoma: The Sooners charged to 12 straight victories before a dropping a 55-19 decision to USC in the Orange Bowl for the national title. Freshman running back Adrian Peterson rushed for an NCAA freshman record 1,925 yards to finish second in the Heisman. Jason White claimed the Heisman the previous season and his numbers were down with Peterson's arrival, but he still passed for 3,205 yards and 35 touchdowns. This group had strength in the trenches with All-Americans like Vince Carter, Dan Cody, Jammal Brown and Mark Clayton as it claimed Bob Stoops’ third Big 12 title.

5. 2009 Texas: After streaking to a school-record 13-0 mark through the Big 12 title game, the Longhorns dropped a 37-21 decision to Alabama in the national title game in a contest that changed when Colt McCoy was hurt on the fifth play of the game. McCoy became the winningest quarterback in NCAA history during this season, repeatedly hooking up with favorite target Jordan Shipley, who snagged a school-record 116 receptions, 1,485 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Longhorns led the nation in rush defense, and All-American safety Earl Thomas tied a school record with eight interceptions. Lamarr Houston and Sergio Kindle also added playmaking abilities to the defense.

6. 2004 Texas: The Longhorns overcame a midseason 12-0 loss to Oklahoma to finish the season with seven straight victories in a season capped by a dramatic 38-37 victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl. The Longhorns ranked second nationally in rushing offense and seventh in total offense as Young gradually found his confidence as a passer late in the season. Cedric Benson rushed for 1,834 yards and 19 touchdowns, and Young chipped in with 1,079 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. This team showed a knack for comebacks, overcoming an early 35-7 deficit against Oklahoma State and also coming from behind in an early-season victory at Arkansas.

7. 2007 Oklahoma: Bradford led the first of two consecutive Big 12 championships on a team that enabled the Sooners to become the first Big 12 school to win back-to-back titles. The Sooners dropped road games to Colorado and Texas Tech but still overcame Missouri in the Big 12 title game behind a huge defensive effort keyed by Big 12 defensive player of the year Rufus Alexander. Bradford led the nation in passing efficiency, but the Sooners' bowl struggles continued in an embarrassing 48-28 loss to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.

8. 2003 Kansas State: Don’t let the Wildcats’ 11-4 record fool you. After an early three-game losing streak to Marshall, Texas and Oklahoma State (by a combined margin of 15 points), Bill Snyder’s team won its final seven regular-season games by a combined margin of 271-66. That streak was culminated by a stunning 35-7 upset victory over Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game -- the last victory by a North Division team in the title game. The Wildcats ranked in the top 10 nationally in rushing, scoring, total defense, scoring defense and pass defense as Darren Sproles rushed for 1,986 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Wildcats dropped a 35-28 Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State in a game they fell into an early 21-0 deficit and had a chance to tie on the final play of the game after a frantic comeback directed by Ell Roberson.

9. 2007 Missouri: Chase Daniel led Missouri into the Big 12 title game for the first time in school history, taking the team to No. 1 nationally heading into the conference championship game. The Tigers lost twice to Oklahoma during a 12-2 season that was capped by 38-7 beatdown over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. Tony Temple made that game memorable by rushing for a record 281 yards and four TDs that pushed Missouri to No. 4 nationally at the end of the season. A star-studded collection of talent including Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman, Martin Rucker and Sean Weatherspoon helped the Tigers rank among the top-10 teams nationally in passing, total offense and scoring and 11th in turnover margin.

10. 2007 Kansas: The Jayhawks earned Mark Mangino the national coach of the year award by running to an 11-0 start before losing to Missouri in the regular-season finale. The Jayhawks rebounded for a 24-21 victory over Virginia Tech in their first BCS bowl appearance in school history, finishing a 12-1 season that set a school record for victories. Todd Reesing passed for 33 touchdowns to highlight a high-powered offense that scored 76 points against Nebraska and scored at least 43 points in eight games. The Jayhawks were a balanced team that ranked second nationally in scoring offense, fourth in scoring defense and in the top 10 nationally in eight different team statistics. Anthony Collins and Aqib Talib earned consensus All-America honors.

There were no national champions, but there were plenty of 11- and 10-win teams and top 10 finishes to choose from. There were major bowl wins and upsets along the way, and three coaches -- Ralph Friedgen, Paul Johnson and Jeff Jagodzinski -- saw success quickly in their new ACC jobs. Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer, though, has sustained that success, as the Hokies have produced three of the conference's best teams over the past 10 years -- maybe more, if you debate long enough.

Here's a look at the ACC's top 10 teams since 2000:

1. Florida State 2000 (11-2) – FSU finished the season with an 11-2 record, undefeated in conference play, and ranked No. 5 by the Associated Press. The Noles led the nation in total offense under Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke and were ranked No. 7 in total defense.

2. Virginia Tech 2005 (11-2) - Frank Beamer was named the ACC’s Coach of the Year for a second straight season after guiding the Hokies to an 8-0 start and a perfect 4-0 nonconference record, including a win over Louisville in the Gator Bowl. The Hokies led the ACC with seven non-offensive touchdowns and finished the season ranked No. 7 by the Associated Press.

3. Boston College 2007 (11-3) – In their first season under former coach Jeff Jagodzinski, the Eagles started 8-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country (BC’s highest ranking since 1940). They won the Atlantic Division and finished 11-3 (most wins since 1940) and ranked No. 10 (highest ranking since 1984). Quarterback Matt Ryan, the ACC’s Player of the Year, set single-season ACC records in pass completions and passing yardage.

4. Maryland 2002 (11-3) – The Terps finished the season 11-3 and ranked No. 13 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ polls. Led by E.J. Henderson, the Terps capped the season with a 30-3 win over Tennessee in the Peach Bowl. Scott McBrien threw for 2,781 yards, and was second in the conference in pass efficiency. Maryland’s special teams paved the way as Brooks Barnard led the league in punting, Steve Suter returned an ACC record four punts for touchdowns, and Nick Novak led the league in scoring. Chris Downs had 1,154 yards rushing.

5. NC State 2002 (11-3) – Philip Rivers was responsible for 30 touchdowns, as he threw for 20 and ran for 10 and totaled 3,453 yards of offense. T.J. McClendon tied the season record for rushing touchdowns with 18 and ran for 1,101 yards. Jerricho Cotchery led the league in receiving yardage per game with 85.1 and was Rivers’ primary target. They ended the season with a win over No. 12 Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl and a No. 12 ranking by the Associated Press.

6. Georgia Tech 2009 (11-3) – In only the Jackets’ second season under Paul Johnson, they won the first outright ACC title since 1990 and racked up the most wins the program has seen since 1990. They were ranked as high as No. 7 in the country and made their first appearance in a major bowl since 1967. This team featured standout players such as defensive end Derrick Morgan, B-back Jonathan Dwyer, safety Morgan Burnett and receiver Demaryius Thomas.

7. Virginia Tech 2007 (11-3) – The Hokies won their second ACC title in four years and avenged their only regular season loss to Boston College in the ACC title game. The Hokies ranked third nationally in scoring defense and fourth in total defense. This team was comprised of first-team, all-conference stars like Chris Ellis, Xavier Adibi, Macho Harris and Eddie Royal.

8. Virginia Tech 2004 (10-3) – The ACC’s Coach of the Year, Frank Beamer, and the ACC’s Player of the Year, Bryan Randall, led the Hokies to the ACC title and a BCS Sugar Bowl berth during their first year in the league. Virginia Tech finished the regular season with eight straight wins, including three against ranked teams. The Hokies led the ACC and were ranked second nationally in scoring defense (12.8). Randall threw for 2,264 yards and 21 touchdowns and led all conference quarterbacks with 511 yards rushing. Tech finished the season No. 10 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls.

9. Maryland 2001 (10-2) – In the first season under coach Ralph Friedgen, the Terps, led by All-American linebacker E.J. Henderson, won their first ACC title since 1985. It was the first time a first-year coach ever won the ACC title. It was also a record for the most wins by a first-year coach. Bruce Perry was the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns. Henderson was named the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year. The Terps finished the year ranked No. 11 by the Associated Press.

10. Wake Forest 2006 (11-3) – The Deacs won the ACC's Atlantic Division title, defeated Georgia Tech 9-6 in the ACC Championship game and advanced to the FedEx Orange Bowl – the first BCS bowl game in school history. Wake Forest won a school-record 11 games and ACC Rookie of the Year Riley Skinner led the conference in passing efficiency (139.6). The ACC championship was Wake Forest's first since 1970 and its second-ever ACC title. Sam Swank set an ACC single-season record for most 50-yard field goals with five.

Unlike the lists for top players and top moments from 2000-09, I had an easier time identifying the top 10 Big Ten squads from the most recent decade. For starters, the Big Ten produced only one national champion and six BCS bowl winners, all but one of which made the top 10 (actually 11). You won't see any three-loss teams on the following list, and 10 wins was the minimum criteria for selection.

Bowl victories counted, but I also put a lot of emphasis on how a team performed during Big Ten play. This is, after all, the Big Ten blog.

Here they are:

1. Ohio State 2002: The only Big Ten squad to win a national title during the aughts tops the list. Ohio State rode a ferocious defense, a clutch quarterback (Craig Krenzel) and a dynamic freshman running back (Maurice Clarett) to a 14-0 record and its first national title since 1975.

2. Penn State 2005: If not for a Michigan touchdown on the final play at the Big House, Penn State could have been playing for a national title. The Nittany Lions still went on to an 11-1 finish and an Orange Bowl championship as Big Ten MVP Michael Robinson led the way at quarterback.

3. Ohio State 2006: No Big Ten team this decade looked more dominant than these Buckeyes, who steamrolled their way through the Big Ten behind Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Ohio State outlasted No. 2 Michigan in a shootout at The Shoe, but lost its mojo before the national title game against Florida. Despite an ugly final result, this team was a juggernaut.

4. Iowa 2002: Only three teams went undefeated in Big Ten play this decade, and the 2002 Hawkeyes were one of them. Quarterback Brad Banks came out of nowhere to become the Heisman Trophy runner-up, while Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders and others helped the Hawkeyes to a share of the league title and road wins against both Penn State and Michigan.

5. Michigan 2006: LaMarr Woodley, Alan Branch and Leon Hall led one of the decade's top defenses as Michigan won its first 10 games, allowing just 13.3 points per contest. The Wolverines ended the year with losses to Ohio State and USC but boasted three All-Americans and several impressive wins.

6. Penn State 2008: Much like Ohio State in 2006, the Nittany Lions were dominant for much of the year, as a dynamic and experienced offense put up points in bunches. Penn State scored 38 points or more in seven of its first eight games. A last-second field goal kept Penn State out of the national title game, but the Lions claimed their second Big Ten championship in four years.

7. Ohio State 2009: Teams are usually remembered by how they finished, and this group got better as the season progressed. Ohio State wasn't much fun to watch in September or October, but a November surge and a very impressive Rose Bowl win against Oregon completely changed the buzz around this squad. Few Big Ten defenses this decade were better than the 2009 Buckeyes.

8. Ohio State 2007: In a season where nothing went according to plan, the Buckeyes surged out of the gate with 10 consecutive wins. A stunning upset loss to Illinois seemed to end Ohio State's national title hopes, but a truly wacky season put the Buckeyes back in the spotlight, where they lost to LSU. The national runner-ups certainly deserve a spot on the list.

9. Iowa 2009: If this were a list of teams not for the faint of heart, these Hawkeyes would be at the top. Every week seemed to bring new drama, and Iowa constantly faced doubts about its success. The truth: This team wasn't far away from an undefeated season and a trip to the Rose Bowl, and it silenced the critics with a very impressive performance in the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech.

T-10. Wisconsin 2006: The Badgers didn't win any Big Ten titles this decade, but their best team deserves a spot on the list. BCS rules kept Wisconsin from the big bowls, but Bret Bielema's first squad was one of only three Big Ten teams to win 12 or more games in a season this decade. The Badgers finished fifth and seventh in the final polls.

T-10. Ohio State 2005: I just couldn't leave a team that finished fourth in the final AP poll off of this list. The Buckeyes' only losses came against national champion Texas and Orange Bowl champ Penn State, and they finished with an impressive win in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame.

Others considered: Iowa 2004, Ohio State 2003, Illinois 2001, Michigan 2003, Iowa 2003, Ohio State 2008.

The teams that shaped the nonautomatic qualifying portion of the decade can be credited with helping change the culture of college football. Without these teams, the non-AQs probably would not be granted as much access as they are today.

Here are the top teams of the past decade:

1. Utah, 2004: The Utes were the team that started the non-AQ movement into BCS games. They finished the season 12-0, including a win over Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl.

2. Boise State, 2006: The Broncos appear several times on this list, but this is the season that really put them on the map. The win over Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl made Boise State a household name.

3. Utah, 2008: The Utes will best be known for their domination of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and giving the Mountain West Conference and the non-AQs more credibility. The Utes also finished as the highest ranked non-AQ team.

4. Boise State, 2009: Many believed the Oregon win at the beginning of the season was a fluke, but when the Broncos dominated TCU defensively in the Fiesta Bowl, they solidified themselves as one of the nation’s best, finishing No. 4 in the national rankings.

5. TCU, 2009: The Horned Frogs were a team many thought could play for a national title, but they faltered against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Still, TCU was the best non-AQ team for most of the season and finished with the most wins in school history.

6. Miami-Ohio, 2003: The RedHawks should be credited with kick starting BCS reform after finishing the season 13-1 and 10th in the AP poll. The RedHawks actually had one more win than national champion USC (12-1).

7. TCU, 2005: This season should have ended with TCU’s first BCS berth, but a loss to SMU stifled that. The Frogs defeated Oklahoma to start the year, but lost to SMU the next week. They finished 11-1 and 11th in the AP poll.

8. Toledo, 2000: The Rockets were known as the best team not to go to a bowl game. They finished 10-1 and defeated Penn State but never earned a postseason berth.

9. Boise State, 2002: With just one FBS season under their belts, the Broncos started building their dynasty in 2002 with a 12-1 season that featured a loss to Arkansas. The Broncos won the WAC and defeated Iowa State in the Humanitarian Bowl.

10. Northern Illinois, 2003: This was the Huskies dream season as they started the year with wins over ranked Maryland and Alabama teams and a win over Iowa State. However, they faltered twice and missed the postseason.

Continuing our look at the best of the decade in the Big East, it's time to review the top teams of the aughts. Not surprisingly, one school dominates the top of the list.

1. 2001 Miami: This edition of the Hurricanes was not only the best in the last 10 years of the Big East, it ranks as one of the best squads of all time. The national champs had a staggering 16 future first-round NFL picks, including Ed Reed, Andre Johnson, Clinton Portis, Jeremy Shockey, Frank Gore, Bryant McKinnie and Jonathan Vilma. They won their games by an average of 32.9 points. I'd take this team against just about any you could name.

2. 2002 Miami: Though the Canes lost 11 stars to the NFL, they kept rolling and came within a double-overtime loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl (thanks to a questionable pass interference call) of winning a second straight national title.

3. 2005 West Virginia: Remarkably, the Mountaineers turned in one of the best seasons in school history behind two freshmen. Pat White and Steve Slaton didn't really emerge together as a force until an Oct. 15 triple-overtime win over Louisville. After that, the West Virginia offense became an unstoppable force, rolling to an 11-1 final record and a Sugar Bowl victory over SEC champion Georgia.

4. 2000 Miami: The Hurricanes came within a whisker of a possible three-peat. They went 11-1 during the 2000 season, with their only loss a five-point setback at Washington in Week 2. But even though they beat Florida State head to head, the Seminoles were picked to play in the national title game against Oklahoma. Miami settled for the Sugar Bowl, where it pounded Florida 37-20.

5. 2006 Louisville: Had the Cardinals been able to hold onto a 25-7 first-half lead at Rutgers, they would have played for the national title. Despite losing star running back Michael Bush in the season's first game, Louisville led the nation in total offense and ran Bobby Petrino's power spread to near perfection. A 12-1 record and Orange Bowl win over Wake Forest capped Petrino's final year in town.

6. 2009 Cincinnati: While probably not as talented as those earlier Miami teams, the Bearcats did something last decade that only the Hurricanes could match: finish the regular season unbeaten. Expertly coached and featuring a high-powered, high-paced offense, Cincinnati held off all challengers in a 12-0 season before getting throttled by Florida in the Sugar Bowl without coach Brian Kelly.

7. 2007 West Virginia: The Mountaineers had a BCS title game invitation all but hand delivered before losing to Pitt at home in the final week of the season. They also lost to South Florida earlier in the year. But they earned their spot in this pantheon by upsetting Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl under interim coach Bill Stewart.

8. 2003 Miami: The Hurricanes were ranked second in the nation after a 7-0 start and looked primed for another title bid. But then the offense sputtered while scoring a total of 13 points in back-to-back losses to Virginia Tech and Tennessee. Miami rebounded to win the conference title in its final Big East season and then defeated rival Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

9. 2000 Virginia Tech: A year after playing for the national title with Michael Vick, the Hokies came back with an 11-1 season, the only loss coming to Miami. The season ended with a blowout of Clemson in the Gator Bowl.

10. 2006 West Virginia and 2006 Rutgers (tie): Both the Mountaineers and Scarlet Knights went into November undefeated; both would lose twice that month. West Virginia nipped Rutgers in triple overtime at home in the regular-season finale, but each finished 11-2 with bowl victories.

Yes, there are lots of USC teams in our list of the "best Pac-10 teams of the decade."

Not sure how you get around that. From 2002 to 2008, the Trojans finished ranked in the nation's top four. During that span, no other conference team topped the Trojans in the national rankings.

One team not listed, however, merits special mention: Oregon in 2007.

That team was 8-1, ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings and appeared to be headed for a showdown with LSU for the national championship. Then quarterback Dennis Dixon blew out his knee at Arizona -- he'd actually hurt it the week before vs. Arizona State -- and the Ducks subsequently lost to the Wildcats, the first of three consecutive losses before a blowout victory over South Florida in the Sun Bowl.

More than a few people -- not just Ducks fans -- believe that team would have won the national title if Dixon had remained healthy.

Of course, if wishes were fishes then cows would fly.

10. USC, 2007: A toss-up between this squad and the Trojans 2006 team. The '07 team finished ranked third in the AP and second in the coaches poll, while '06 finished fourth in both. '07 lost to 41-point underdog Stanford and at Oregon, see above about the Ducks. '06 lost at Oregon State and at UCLA, a 13-9 defeat that cost it a spot in the national title game. That last detail iced it for '07.

9. USC, 2002: More than a few pundits watching Carson Palmer and company pound Iowa in the Orange Bowl opined that, by season's end, this might be the nation's best team in 2002. After a 3-2 start in Year Two of the Pete Carroll Era, the Trojans won eight in a row to finish 11-2 and ranked No. 4.

8. California, 2004: Sure, the Bears laid an egg vs. Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl -- quick Cal fans: how many receivers were missing due to injury? And what do you think of Mack Brown? -- but Aaron Rodgers and company put on quite a show. The only regular-season defeat came in a thriller at USC -- see below -- 23-17, when the Trojans held strong after the Bears had a first-and-goal from the 9-yard line with less than two minutes left.

7. Oregon State, 2000: If not for a crazy finish at Washington in a 33-30 defeat, the Beavers might have played Oklahoma for the national championship. They went on to blister Notre Dame 41-9 in the Fiesta Bowl and finished ranked fourth in the nation. Go back and look at the roster: Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, DeLawrence Grant, Dennis Weathersby, LeDarius Jackson, Ken Simonton, etc. This was hardly a scrappy, little team.

6. Washington, 2000: This crew of Huskies was hardly dominant but they just found a way to win week after week, led by quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo. The 11-1 season included a victory over Miami, which finished ranked No. 2, a loss at No. 7 Oregon, and a Rose Bowl win over Drew Brees and Purdue.

5. USC, 2008: This crew paired one of the best defenses in college football history with a quarterback who's playing in the AFC championship this weekend. Yes, it's fair to ask how the horsepucky this team didn't win the national championship. Oregon State fans care to explain?

4. Oregon, 2001: How strange was the Ducks 49-42 loss vs Stanford, their only defeat of the season? The normally staid AP said this in the game story, it was "a game that had everything but aliens landing on the Autzen Stadium turf." The Ducks led by 14 in the fourth quarter before a blocked punt and interception from Joey Harrington allowed the Cardinal to take the lead. While Oregon fans mostly remember getting BCSed out of the national title game by Nebraska, the Stanford game prevented them from playing Miami in the Rose Bowl. The Ducks blasted Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl and finished No. 2, still the program's best final ranking.

3. USC, 2003: A dominant team that lost only in triple-overtime at California. Only a BCS computer glitch forced the Trojans, ranked No. 1 in every poll, to share a portion of the national title with another squad.

2. USC, 2005: The offense was a thing of beauty -- 580 yards, 49 points per game -- but a young defense, which featured a true freshman and four sophomore starters, cost the Trojans in the thrilling BCS title loss to the University of Vince Young.

1. USC, 2004: Unbeaten, undisputed. Dominant. Best team of the decade in all of college football? Perhaps, though folks could make a strong argument for Miami in 2001. An extraordinary array of talent on both sides of the ball. And defense was the difference vs. 2005. It ranked sixth in the nation in total defense and third in scoring. The Trojans battered Oklahoma 55-19 for the national title.