Bracket of Champions - Sweet Sixteen Preview

We started with 2,048 teams, and after seven rounds and six months we're down to an elite group of 16 teams. All of these teams have had to beat seven quality opponents, and all of them are still in the running to be crowned The Greatest Team of All (My Life)Time.

The following is a brief preview of the Sweet Sixteen.

(click the bracket for a larger image)
2005 Texas (13-0)
Coach: Mack Brown
(BCS National Champions)
Seed: 2 - Winner of Bracket #2
Bo Region

2001 Miami (12-0)
Coach: Larry Coker
(BCS National Champions)
Seed: 4 - Winner of Bracket #4
JoePa Region

1999 Florida State (12-0)
Coach: Bobby Bowden
(BCS National Champions)
Seed: 5 - Winner of Bracket #5
JoePa Region

1987 Miami (12-0)
Coach: Jimmy Johnson
(AP National Champions)
Seed: 7 - Winner of Bracket #7
Bo Region

2004 USC (13-0)
Coach: Pete Carroll
(BCS National Champions)
Seed: 10 - Winner of Bracket #10
Bo Region

1995 Nebraska (12-0)
Coach: Tom Osborne
(AP National Champions)
Seed: 11 - Winner of Bracket #11
Woody Region

2000 Oklahoma (13-0)
Coach: Bob Stoops
(BCS National Champions)
Seed: 14 - Winner of Bracket #14
Woody Region

1991 Miami (12-0)
Coach: Dennis Erickson
(AP National Champions)
Seed: 15 - Winner of Bracket #15
Bo Region

1991 Washington (12-0)
Coach: Don James
(Coaches Poll National Champions)
Seed: 21 - Winner of Bracket #21
JoePa Region

1996 Florida (12-1)
Coach: Steve Spurrier
(AP National Champions)
Seed: 24 - Winner of Bracket #24
Bear Region

1988 Miami (11-1)
Coach: Jimmy Johnson
(#2 in final AP Poll)
Seed: 27 - Winner of Bracket #27
Woody Region

1993 Florida State (12-1)
Coach: Bobby Bowden
(AP National Champions)
Seed: 32 - Winner of Bracket #32
Bear Region

1987 Florida State (11-1)
Coach: Bobby Bowden
(#2 in final AP Poll)
Seed: 35 - Winner of Bracket #35
Woody Region

1996 Ohio State (11-1)
Coach: John Cooper
(#2 in final AP Poll)
Seed: 48 - Winner of Bracket #48
Bear Region

2008 USC (12-1)
Coach: Pete Carroll
(#3 in final AP Poll)
Seed: 121 - Winner of Bracket #8
Bear Region

2001 Florida (10-2)
Coach: Steve Spurrier
(#3 in final AP Poll)
Seed: 141 - Winner of Bracket #13
JoePa Region

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS - Preview

The Final 64 includes 28 different head coaches. Some quick math shows that's over two teams per coach, meaning the great coaches were able to guide several of their teams to the Bracket of Champions. The following list includes all the head coaches that still have at least one team still alive. As expected, it's a veritable who's who of head coaches over the last 3+ decades.

BOBBY BOWDEN
9 Florida State teams still alive
(1980, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993*, 1994, 1996, 1999*, 2000)

TOM OSBORNE
9 Nebraska teams still alive
(1980, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1993, 1994*, 1995*, 1996, 1997*)

JOE PATERNO
5 Penn State teams still alive
(1977, 1981, 1982*, 1986*, 1994)

PETE CARROLL
4 USC teams still alive
(2002, 2004*, 2005, 2008)

DENNIS ERICKSON
3 Miami teams still alive
(1989*, 1990, 1991*)

JIMMY JOHNSON
3 Miami teams still alive
(1986, 1987*, 1988)

STEVE SPURRIER
3 Florida teams still alive
(1996*, 1997, 2001)

BOB STOOPS
3 Oklahoma teams still alive
(2000*, 2002, 2003)

BARRY SWITZER
3 Oklahoma teams still alive
(1985*, 1986, 1987)

MACK BROWN
2 Texas teams still alive (2005*, 2008)

FRANK BEAMER
2 Virginia Tech teams still alive (1999, 2000)

JOHN COOPER
2 Ohio State teams still alive (1996, 1998)

LLOYD CARR
1 Michigan team still alive (1997*)

LARRY COKER
1 Miami team still alive (2001*)

DAN DEVINE
1 Notre Dame team still alive (1977*)

DON JAMES
1 Washington team still alive (1991*)

URBAN MEYER
1 Florida team still alive (2008*)

JOHN ROBINSON
1 USC team still alive (1978*)

NICK SABAN
1 LSU team still alive (2003*)

GENE STALLINGS
1 Alabama team still alive (1992*)

PAT DYE
1 Auburn team still alive (1983)

LOU HOLTZ
1 Notre Dame team still alive (1989)

BILL McCARTNEY
1 Colorado team still alive (1989)

BO SCHEMBECHLER
1 Michigan team still alive (1985)

JACKIE SHERRILL
1 Pittsburgh team still alive (1980)

FRANK SOLICH
1 Nebraska team still alive (1999)

JIM TRESSEL
1 Ohio State team still alive (2006)

TOMMY TUBERVILLE
1 Auburn team still alive (2004)

*Years in bold indicate National Championship teams

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS - Preview

The "Bracket of Champions" boasts a whopping 23 teams that won or shared a national championship. That means not all the national champs made it through the many land mines placed in front of them in The Greatest Tournament of All Time. The following are the 14 teams that won or shared titles who weren't lucky enough to make it to the Final 64.

1978 Alabama (11-1)
Head Coach: Bear Bryant
Who Beat Them: 1990 Miami

1979 Alabama (12-0)
Head Coach: Bear Bryant
Who Beat Them: 2003 Oklahoma

1980 Georgia (12-0)
Head Coach: Vince Dooley
Who Beat Them: 1991 Michigan

1981 Clemson (12-0)
Head Coach: Danny Ford
Who Beat Them: 2003 Oklahoma

1983 Miami (11-1)
Head Coach: Howard Schnellenberger
Who Beat Them: 1992 Florida State

1984 BYU (13-0)
Head Coach: LaVell Edwards
Who Beat Them: 2004 USC

1988 Notre Dame (12-0)
Head Coach: Lou Holtz
Who Beat Them: 2001 Florida

1990 Colorado (11-1-1)
Head Coach: Bill McCartney
Who Beat Them: 1989 Colorado

1990 Georgia Tech (11-0-1)
Head Coach: Bobby Ross
Who Beat Them: 1982 Nebraska

1998 Tennessee (13-0)
Head Coach: Phil Fulmer
Who Beat Them: 2003 LSU

2002 Ohio State (14-0)
Head Coach: Jim Tressel
Who Beat Them: 2008 USC

2003 USC (12-1)
Head Coach: Pete Carroll
Who Beat Them: 1994 Nebraska

2006 Florida (13-1)
Head Coach: Urban Meyer
Who Beat Them: 2002 Oklahoma

2007 LSU (12-2)
Head Coach: Les Miles
Who Beat Them: 2001 Nebraska

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS - Preview

Eighteen different schools were able to stay alive and put at least one team into the Final 64. The following ranks those 18 schools in order of the most number of teams placed in the Bracket of Champions.

1. Nebraska           10
2. Florida State       9
3. Miami               7
4. Oklahoma            6
5. Penn State          5
   USC                 5
7. Florida             4
8. Ohio State          3
9. Michigan            2
   Notre Dame          2
   Texas               2
   Virginia Tech       2
   Auburn              2
14.Alabama             1
   LSU                 1
   Washington          1
   Colorado            1
   Pittsburgh          1

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS - Preview

JOEPA REGION

Matchups:
1999 Florida State vs 1980 Nebraska
1980 Pittsburgh vs 1996 Nebraska
1991 Washington vs 2000 Virginia Tech
1989 Notre Dame vs 2005 USC
2002 USC vs 2001 Florida
1982 Nebraska vs 1990 Miami
2008 Florida vs 2006 Ohio State
2001 Miami vs 1980 Florida State

National Champions:
1991 Washington
1999 Florida State
2001 Miami
2008 Florida

Heisman Trophy Winners:
Carson Palmer (QB-2002 USC)
Reggie Bush (RB-2005 USC)
Troy Smith (QB-2006 Ohio State)

Lombardi Award Winners:
Hugh Green (DE-1980 Pittsburgh)
Dave Rimington (OL-1982 Nebraska)
Steve Emtman (DL-1991 Washington)

Team Info
click on the purple bracket links to trace each team's path to this point

2001 Miami (12-0)
#4 Seed - Winner of Bracket #4
Coach: Larry Coker
*BCS National Champions*

1999 Florida State (12-0)
#5 Seed - Winner of Bracket #5
Coach: Bobby Bowden
*BCS National Champions*

1989 Notre Dame (12-1)
#12 Seed - Winner of Bracket #12
Coach: Lou Holtz
Final AP Rank: #2

1991 Washingon (12-0)
#21 Seed - Winner of Bracket #21
Coach: Don James
*Coaches Poll National Champions*

2008 Florida (13-1)
#36 Seed - Winner of Bracket #36
Coach: Urban Meyer
*BCS National Champions*

1980 Pittsburgh (11-1)
#37 Seed - Winner of Bracket #37
Coach: Jackie Sherrill
Final AP Rank: #2

2000 Virginia Tech (11-1)
#44 Seed - Winner of Bracket #44
Coach: Frank Beamer
Final AP Rank: #6

2002 USC (11-2)
#52 Seed - Winner of Bracket #52
Coach: Pete Carroll
Final AP Rank: #4

2005 USC (12-1)
#53 Seed - Winner of Bracket #53
Coach: Pete Carroll
Final AP Rank: #2

1980 Florida State (10-2)
#68 Seed - Winner of Bracket #61
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Final AP Rank: #5

1982 Nebraska (12-1)
#84 Seed - Winner of Bracket #45
Coach: Tom Osborne
Final AP Rank: #3

2006 Ohio State (12-1)
#100 Seed - Winner of Bracket #29
Coach: Jim Tressel
Final AP Rank: #2

1990 Miami (10-2)
#109 Seed - Winner of Bracket #20
Coach: Dennis Erickson
Final AP Rank: #3

2001 Florida (10-2)
#141 Seed - Winner of Bracket #13
Coach: Steve Spurrier
Final AP Rank: #3

1996 Nebraska (11-2)
#156 Seed - Winner of Bracket #28
Coach: Tom Osborne
Final AP Rank: #6

1980 Nebraska (10-2)
#188 Seed - Winner of Bracket #60
Coach: Tom Osborne
Final AP Rank: #7

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS - Preview

BO REGION

Matchups:
2005 Texas vs 1985 Oklahoma
2008 Texas vs 2000 Florida State
1994 Penn State vs 1987 Nebraska
1991 Miami vs 1999 Virginia Tech
2004 USC vs 1992 Florida State
1997 Michigan vs 1983 Nebraska
1997 Nebraska vs 2003 Oklahoma
1987 Miami vs 1985 Michigan

National Champions:
1985 Oklahoma
1987 Miami
1991 Miami
1997 Michigan
1997 Nebraska
2004 USC
2005 Texas

Heisman Trophy Winners:
Mike Rozier (RB-1983 Nebraska)
Charles Woodson (CB/PR-1997 Michigan)
Chris Weinke (QB-2000 Florida State)
Jason White (QB-2003 Oklahoma)
Matt Leinart (QB-2004 USC)

Lombardi Award Winners:
Dean Steinkuhler (OL-1983 Nebraska)
Tony Casillas (NG-1985 Oklahoma)
Marvin Jones (LB-1992 Florida State)
Grant Wistrom (DE-1997 Nebraska)
Corey Moore (DE-1999 Virginia Tech)
Jamal Reynolds (DE-2000 Florida State)
Tommie Harris (DT-2003 Oklahoma)
Brian Orakpo (DE-2008 Texas)

Team Info
click on the purple bracket links to trace each team's path to this point

2005 Texas (13-0)
#2 Seed - Winner of Bracket #2
Coach: Mack Brown
*BCS National Champions*

1987 Miami (12-0)
#7 Seed - Winner of Bracket #7
Coach: Jimmy Johnson
*AP National Champions*

2004 USC (13-0)
#10 Seed - Winner of Bracket #10
Coach: Pete Carroll
*BCS National Champions*

1991 Miami (12-0)
#15 Seed - Winner of Bracket #15
Coach: Dennis Erickson
*AP National Champions*

1994 Penn State (12-0)
#18 Seed - Winner of Bracket #18
Coach: Joe Paterno
Final AP Rank: #2

1997 Michigan (12-0)
#23 Seed - Winner of Bracket #23
Coach: Lloyd Carr
*AP National Champions*

1997 Nebraska (13-0)
#26 Seed - Winner of Bracket #26
Coach: Tom Osborne
*Coaches Poll National Champions*

2008 Texas (12-1)
#31 Seed - Winner of Bracket #31
Coach: Mack Brown
Final AP Rank: #4

1992 Florida State (11-1)
#55 Seed - Winner of Bracket #55
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Final AP Rank: #2

1985 Michigan (10-1-1)
#58 Seed - Winner of Bracket #58
Coach: Bo Schembechler
Final AP Rank: #2

1985 Oklahoma (11-1)
#63 Seed - Winner of Bracket #63
Coach: Barry Switzer
*AP National Champions*

1983 Nebraska (12-1)
#87 Seed - Winner of Bracket #42
Coach: Tom Osborne
Final AP Rank: #2

2000 Florida State (11-2)
#95 Seed - Winner of Bracket #34
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Final AP Rank: #5

2003 Oklahoma (12-2)
#167 Seed - Winner of Bracket #39
Coach: Bob Stoops
Final AP Rank: #3

1987 Nebraska (10-2)
#175 Seed - Winner of Bracket #47
Coach: Tom Osborne
Final AP Rank: #6

1999 Virginia Tech (11-1)
#178 Seed - Winner of Bracket #50
Coach: Frank Beamer
Final AP Rank: #2

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS - Preview

WOODY REGION

Matchups:
1982 Penn State vs 1988 Florida State
1988 Miami vs 1993 Nebraska
2004 Auburn vs 1989 Colorado
1995 Nebraska vs 1989 Miami
2000 Oklahoma vs 1986 Miami
1996 Florida State vs 2002 Oklahoma
1994 Nebraska vs 1987 Florida State
1978 USC vs 1999 Nebraska

National Champions:
1978 USC
1982 Penn State
1989 Miami
1994 Nebraska
1995 Nebraska
2000 Oklahoma

Heisman Trophy Winners:
Vinny Testaverde (QB-1986 Miami)

Outland Trophy Winners:
Zach Wiegert (OL-1994 Nebraska)

Team Info
click on the purple bracket links to trace each team's path to this point

1978 USC (12-1)
#3 Seed - Winner of Bracket #3
Coach: John Robinson
*UPI National Champions*

1982 Penn State (11-1)
#6 Seed - Winner of Bracket #6
Coach: Joe Paterno
*AP National Champions*

1995 Nebraska (12-0)
#11 Seed - Winner of Bracket #11
Coach: Tom Osborne
*AP National Champions*

2000 Oklahoma (13-0)
#14 Seed - Winner of Bracket #14
Coach: Bob Stoops
*BCS National Champions*

2004 Auburn (13-0)
#22 Seed - Winner of Bracket #22
Coach: Tommy Tuberville
Final AP Rank: #2

1988 Miami (11-1)
#27 Seed - Winner of Bracket #27
Coach: Jimmy Johnson
Final AP Rank: #2

1987 Florida State (11-1)
#35 Seed - Winner of Bracket #35
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Final AP Rank: #2

1996 Florida State (11-1)
#46 Seed - Winner of Bracket #46
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Final AP Rank: #3

1988 Florida State (11-1)
#59 Seed - Winner of Bracket #59
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Final AP Rank: #3

1999 Nebraska (12-1)
#62 Seed - Winner of Bracket #62
Coach: Frank Solich
Final AP Rank: #3

1989 Miami (11-1)
#75 Seed - Winner of Bracket #54
Coach: Dennis Erickson
*AP National Champions*

1986 Miami (11-1)
#78 Seed - Winner of Bracket #51
Coach: Jimmy Johnson
Final AP Rank: #2

1989 Colorado (11-1)
#86 Seed - Winner of Bracket #43
Coach: Bill McCartney
Final AP Rank: #4

1993 Nebraska (11-1)
#91 Seed - Winner of Bracket #38
Coach: Tom Osborne
Final AP Rank: #3

2002 Oklahoma (12-2)
#147 Seed - Winner of Bracket #19
Coach: Bob Stoops
Final AP Rank: #5

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS - Preview

BEAR REGION

Matchups:
1983 Auburn vs 1994 Florida State
1993 Florida State vs 1986 Oklahoma
1992 Alabama vs 1996 Ohio State
2003 LSU vs 1987 Oklahoma
1986 Penn State vs 1998 Ohio State
1996 Florida vs 1977 Notre Dame
1977 Penn State vs 1981 Penn State
1997 Florida vs 2008 USC

National Champions:
1977 Notre Dame
1986 Penn State
1992 Alabama
1993 Florida State
1996 Florida
2003 LSU

Heisman Trophy Winners:
Charlie Ward (QB-1993 Florida State)
Danny Wuerffel (QB-1996 Florida)

Lombardi Award Winners:
Ross Browner (DE-1977 Notre Dame)
Orlando Pace (OT-1996 Ohio State)

Team Info:
1983 Auburn (11-1)
#1 Seed - Winner of Bracket #1 [click for results]
Coach: Pat Dye
Final AP Rank: #3

1986 Penn State (12-0)
#9 Seed - Winner of Bracket #9
Coach: Joe Paterno
*AP National Champions*

1992 Alabama (13-0)
#17 Seed - Winner of Bracket #17
Coach: Gene Stallings
*AP National Champions*

1996 Florida (12-1)
#24 Seed - Winner of Bracket #24
Coach: Steve Spurrier
*AP National Champions*

1977 Penn State (11-1)
#25 Seed - Winner of Bracket #25
Coach: Joe Paterno
Final AP Rank: #5

1993 Florida State (12-1)
#32 Seed - Winner of Bracket #32
Coach: Bobby Bowden
*AP National Champions*

1981 Penn State (10-2)
#40 Seed - Winner of Bracket #40
Coach: Joe Paterno
Final AP Rank: #3

1977 Notre Dame (11-1)
#41 Seed - Winner of Bracket #41
Coach: Dan Devine
*AP National Champions*

1996 Ohio State (11-1)
#48 Seed - Winner of Bracket #48
Coach: John Cooper
Final AP Rank: #2

1997 Florida (10-2)
#57 Seed - Winner of Bracket #57
Coach: Steve Spurrier
Final AP Rank: #4

1994 Florida State (10-1-1)
#64 Seed - Winner of Bracket #64
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Final AP Rank: #4

1998 Ohio State (11-1)
#73 Seed - Winner of Bracket #56
Coach: John Cooper
Final AP Rank: #2

1986 Oklahoma (11-1)
#96 Seed - Winner of Bracket #33
Coach: Barry Switzer
Final AP Rank: #3

2003 LSU (13-1)
#113 Seed - Winner of Bracket #16
Coach: Nick Saban
*BCS National Champions*

2008 USC (12-1)
#121 Seed - Winner of Bracket #8
Coach: Pete Carroll
Final AP Rank: #3

1987 Oklahoma (11-1)
#177 Seed - Winner of Bracket #49
Coach: Barry Switzer
Final AP Rank: #3

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS - SO FAR

Below is a picture of the Bracket of Champions as it stands right now. You can see a list of the 44 teams in the field so far in the sidebar on the right of the page. We'll update the sidebar regularly so you can keep up with who will be playing for all the marbles.

(click picture to enlarge)

Feel free to email me at jimmy.wrench@hotmail.com if you would like an Excel spreadsheet of the entire tournament bracket. The spreadsheet also includes a search tab to make it a little easier to find your favorite team.