Alabama Football: According to ESPN, Crimson Tide is ‘Position U’

ESPN rated teams by position groups and Alabama football led the way with the highest aggregate rating of all college football programs.

In an era when there is a stat for everything, ESPN has used data to publish some bold conclusions. ESPN Stats and Information rated eight position groups and Alabama football had the highest aggregate rating.

ESPN did not publish an aggregate, so we finished the work for them. What the world wide leader did provide is a ranking of eight position groups: quarterback, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, defensive backs and linebackers.

The time period used for review went from 1998 (BCS era) through the 2018 season.

"ESPN Stats & Information dug deep into the numbers, culled details on all-conference performers, All-Americans, NFL draft picks and stars from the pro ranks, and came up with a formula to determine the official rankings for the schools best at producing (players)"

Check out the link above for more information on the ESPN rating system. How does the media giant describe its results?

"in the end, these programs are the best of the best at recruiting and developing elite talent and then shipping it off to stardom in the NFL."

Taking the above claim by ESPN and comparing how schools ranked across all eight position groups – the Alabama Crimson Tide is ‘Position U.’ Alabama football was ranked No. 1 at running back, offensive line and defensive line. The Tide finished No. 2 at linebacker and No. 3 at defensive back. If Alabama football fans want to quibble over the results, placing the Tide at No. 9 for wide receivers is subject to debate.

The two position groups in which the Crimson Tide failed to make the Top 10 were quarterback and tight end. Special teams players were not included in the ESPN analysis.

‘XXU’ – By position groups (No. 1 ranked)

• Quarterback – ‘QBU’ Southern Cal
• Running Back – ‘RBU’ Alabama Crimson Tide
• Wide Receiver – ‘WRU’ Southern Cal
• Tight End – ‘TEU’ Miami
• Offensive Line – ‘OLU’ Alabama Crimson Tide
• Defensive Back – ‘DBU’ Ohio State
• Defensive Line – ‘DLU’ Alabama Crimson Tide
• Linebacker – ‘LBU’ Georgia

Aggregate Rating – Top 10 Schools

• No. 1 – Alabama Crimson Tide
• No. 2 – Tie: Oklahoma and Ohio State
• No. 4 – Southern Cal
• No. 5 – Florida State
• No. 6 – LSU
• No. 7 – Wisconsin
• No. 8 – Texas
• No. 9 – Tie: Florida and Miami

Using a simple 10 points for each No. 1 position group, down to one point for No. 10, Alabama football totaled 48 points. As for other SEC schools, LSU’s total was 30 points. Georgia finished with 10 points; Missouri, seven; Auburn, five; Arkansas, two and Tennessee, one.

ESPN’s claim about its results bears repeating. The top ranked schools were the best at “recruiting and developing elite talent.” And the very best was the Alabama Crimson Tide.