The Athletic has an interesting oral history story on the 1979 USC Trojans, which Bruce Feldman called the most talented team ever in college football history. You can't say they were the best because they didn't win a national title as they finished 11-0-1 (a big part of the story), but they had the most individual talent.
Whenever discussions get around to the best team to ever play in Lubbock, I always go with this team over 1994 Nebraska. Tech played USC to open the season in LA in 1978 and in Lubbock in 1979. Played the hell out of them both years. Tech lost in 1978, 17-9, after leading at halftime. That team went on to share the national title.
My junior year in 1979, when USC came to Lubbock, it was like the Beatles arriving. They were college football royalty. Tech lost, 21-7, and played toe to toe with USC much of the game.
Here's the kind of talent they had:
* Tailback Charles White, who would win the Heisman that year, hurt his elbow midway through the game. He was replaced by true freshman Marcus Allen, who would win the Heisman three years later in 1982.
* Two players on that team are considered by many the best ever at their position: OT Anthony Munoz and safety Ronnie Lott.
* Nine players would eventually be drafted in the first round over the next three years, including four of five in the interior OL. The TE was taken in the third round.
* Four players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Munoz, Lott, Allen and OG Bruce Matthews.
* Munoz and Matthews were consensus All-Americans, but the Lombardi Award that year went to another guard, Brad Budde.
* Players on that team combined to play in 64 Pro Bowls, 30 alone in the OL.
https://theathletic.com/1817947/202...nson-ronnie-lott-charles-white-anthony-munoz/
Whenever discussions get around to the best team to ever play in Lubbock, I always go with this team over 1994 Nebraska. Tech played USC to open the season in LA in 1978 and in Lubbock in 1979. Played the hell out of them both years. Tech lost in 1978, 17-9, after leading at halftime. That team went on to share the national title.
My junior year in 1979, when USC came to Lubbock, it was like the Beatles arriving. They were college football royalty. Tech lost, 21-7, and played toe to toe with USC much of the game.
Here's the kind of talent they had:
* Tailback Charles White, who would win the Heisman that year, hurt his elbow midway through the game. He was replaced by true freshman Marcus Allen, who would win the Heisman three years later in 1982.
* Two players on that team are considered by many the best ever at their position: OT Anthony Munoz and safety Ronnie Lott.
* Nine players would eventually be drafted in the first round over the next three years, including four of five in the interior OL. The TE was taken in the third round.
* Four players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Munoz, Lott, Allen and OG Bruce Matthews.
* Munoz and Matthews were consensus All-Americans, but the Lombardi Award that year went to another guard, Brad Budde.
* Players on that team combined to play in 64 Pro Bowls, 30 alone in the OL.
https://theathletic.com/1817947/202...nson-ronnie-lott-charles-white-anthony-munoz/
