As I sat down to analyze the 2023 college football season, I couldn't help but draw parallels to that thrilling Choco Mucho volleyball match where they secured their clincher round spot with that hard-fought 25-18, 25-22, 27-29, 25-19 victory over Akari. Just like in volleyball, the top Division 1 football programs this season demonstrated that dominance isn't just about winning—it's about resilience, strategy, and sometimes surviving those extended battles that test a team's character. Having followed college football for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen eye for what separates good programs from truly dominant ones, and this season offered some fascinating case studies that deserve deeper examination.
Let me start with what I consider the most impressive program this season—the Georgia Bulldogs. They finished with a perfect 13-0 record, which marks their second consecutive undefeated season, something we haven't seen in the SEC since the Florida teams of the mid-90s. Their average margin of victory was 24.3 points, and they outgained opponents by nearly 280 yards per game. What stood out to me personally was their defensive consistency; they held eight opponents under 300 total yards, which in today's offensive-minded college football is absolutely remarkable. I've had the privilege of attending three of their games this season, and the way their defensive line controlled the trenches reminded me of those legendary Alabama units from the Saban era. Their quarterback, while not putting up gaudy numbers, demonstrated a level of game management that I haven't seen since Mac Jones was at Alabama—completing 72% of his passes with only 4 interceptions in 13 games.
Moving to the Big Ten, Michigan's performance this season was nothing short of dominant, though I'll admit I had my doubts about them early on. They finished 12-1 with their only loss coming in that controversial overtime game against Ohio State, which they later avenged in the conference championship. Their rushing attack averaged 245 yards per game, led by Blake Corum who punched in 28 touchdowns—just one shy of the conference record. What impressed me most was their offensive line, which allowed only 12 sacks all season despite facing some formidable defensive fronts. Having studied offensive line play extensively, I can tell you that level of protection is rare in modern football where blitz packages have become increasingly sophisticated. Their defense was equally impressive, holding opponents to just 16.2 points per game, which ranked third nationally.
Alabama, under Coach Saban, continued their legacy of excellence with another 11-2 season that included yet another SEC West title. While some might consider this a "down year" by their standards, I'd argue their performance against Tennessee—holding them to just 13 points after last year's loss—demonstrated the program's ability to adapt and improve. Their quarterback development throughout the season was particularly noteworthy; Jalen Milroe improved his completion percentage from 58% in September to nearly 68% in November. Having visited their training facilities earlier this year, I can attest to the culture of continuous improvement that permeates that program—it's something you have to see firsthand to truly appreciate.
Ohio State's aerial attack was simply spectacular this season, averaging 345 passing yards per game with their quarterback throwing for 38 touchdowns against only 6 interceptions. Their receiving corps, featuring Marvin Harrison Jr., might be the most talented group I've seen in college football since those LSU teams with Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. What often goes unnoticed about the Buckeyes this season was their red zone efficiency—converting 92% of their trips inside the 20 into scores, with 78% being touchdowns. That level of execution in critical areas is what separates good teams from great ones, and it's something I always look for when evaluating program dominance.
Clemson bounced back strongly from last year's relatively disappointing 9-4 record to finish 11-2 this season, with their defense ranking in the top five nationally in multiple categories. Their defensive line, anchored by Tyler Davis and Bryan Bresee, generated pressure on 45% of opponent dropbacks—the highest rate in the ACC. Having spoken with several ACC coaches this season, the consensus was that Clemson's front seven was the most disruptive they faced all year. Their offense showed significant improvement as well, with Cade Klubnik developing into a more consistent passer as the season progressed.
USC's offensive numbers were frankly ridiculous—they averaged 42.5 points and 515 total yards per game, led by Caleb Williams who accounted for 47 total touchdowns. While their defense had its struggles, particularly against the run, their ability to score quickly and frequently made them must-watch television every Saturday. I've been critical of Lincoln Riley's defensive philosophy in the past, but there's no denying the offensive fireworks his teams produce. Their comeback win against UCLA, where they scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, was one of the most exciting games I watched all season.
LSU's offense under Brian Kelly was surprisingly potent, averaging over 35 points per game in the tough SEC West. Their quarterback Jayden Daniels showed tremendous growth, improving his completion percentage from 68% last season to nearly 73% this year while adding 15 more passing touchdowns. What impressed me most was their balance—they averaged 185 rushing yards and 285 passing yards per game, making them incredibly difficult to defend. Having attended their game against Florida, I was struck by how well-designed their offensive schemes were, creating mismatches all over the field.
Penn State's "dark horse" status ended up being justified as they finished 10-2 with one of the nation's best defenses. They held opponents to just 17.8 points per game and recorded 42 sacks—third most in the Big Ten. Their running back Nick Singleton was a revelation, rushing for 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Having followed James Franklin's career since his Vanderbilt days, I've always admired his ability to develop talent, and this season was perhaps his best coaching job yet.
Notre Dame's resurgence under Marcus Freeman was notable, finishing 9-3 with impressive wins against Clemson and USC. Their defense was particularly stout, ranking in the top 15 nationally in scoring defense and total defense. What stood out to me was their improvement in the secondary, where they reduced their passing yards allowed per game from 265 last season to just 195 this year—a remarkable turnaround that speaks to their coaching staff's ability to develop players.
Rounding out my top ten is Oregon, who finished 10-3 while averaging 40 points per game in the competitive Pac-12. Their quarterback Bo Nix showed why he was a Heisman candidate for much of the season, accounting for 38 total touchdowns while completing 72% of his passes. Their offensive creativity, particularly in the red zone, was some of the best I've seen all season. Having analyzed their game film extensively, I was particularly impressed with their use of pre-snap motion and misdirection, which created numerous explosive plays throughout the season.
Reflecting on this season, what strikes me most is how these dominant programs shared certain characteristics—excellent quarterback play, disruptive defensive fronts, and the ability to win close games. The numbers tell part of the story, but having watched countless hours of game film and attended numerous games in person, the intangible qualities—leadership, culture, resilience—are what truly separated these programs. Just like Choco Mucho's four-set victory demonstrated, dominance isn't always about perfection—it's about finding ways to win when challenged, adapting to adversity, and performing when it matters most. As we look toward next season, these programs have set the standard, and I'm already excited to see how they'll evolve and which new contenders might emerge to challenge their dominance.
