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What say you?

their '97 team was the best I've seen. That defense was just dominant and Woodson was the ultimate game changer. They had the #1 total defense in the nation, #1 pass defense, #7 rushing defense, and the #1 scoring defense- and statistically they were best defense the B1G had season in something like 20 years at the time- as they gave up just over 206 yards per game and 8.9 PPG on defense. Their passing game was kinda meh more due to the run first system and lack of elite WR talent, but Griese was a very competent game managing QB and they had a stable of really nice backs with the two Chris' and the A-Train. Great OL too.

I concur, those were the two best teams not only in 1973 but likely for several years of that period.  The UGA team in 1980 was lucky as H several times, the 1981 team was better and lost two games.  BYU is a good example of a NVG team that "won".  I bet Nebraska has some great teams that tripped up once, and Ohio State in 1997 I think it was had the stumble with a great team.

It's tougher, less likely, today, for a "Cincinnati" level team to win the playoff I think.  

You think free will is a myth?

Not sure I agree with that. I don’t think the ‘85 is the top 2 and I remember both teams.  I think it’s between 1973 and 1997 and one I was alive for and one I was not. The problem with the 1997 team is the offense wasn’t sexy. That being said, the defense could be in the argument for the best ever. The stat I read today shocked me. The 1997 team allowed no 4th quarter points and no second half tds in the first 8 games.

I lean towards the 1997 team because they beat their rival. Tough for me to call a Michigan team their best since if the didn’t beat those boys in scarlet and gray.

Agree 100%. 

Their '97 team was the best IMO. Their defense was lights out in the front 7 and secondary- and Woodson is the best player to ever play at Michigan if you ask me. He was so dynamic. He was a true shutdown cover corner, could tackle and hit like a safety, and big play guy on offense and special teams when used there. 

Yes the offense wasn't sexy- but that's mainly due to offensive system and lack of WR talent. But Griese was a pretty solid QB- he did get drafted in the 3rd rd and play in the NFL for 12 years. They had a really good stable of backs in Chris Floyd, Chris Howard, and Anthony Thomas- just a really good trio of backs as they had 3 guys they could just grind away with- and A-Train was a young star in the making. Great stable of backs + great OL = formula for success. OL was the strength of their offense- Jeff Backus and Jon Jansen at tackle- Backus was a 1st rd pick, Jansen a 2nd- both started in the NFL for like over a decade. Steve Hutchinson at one guard spot- he was a 1st rounder- NFL HOF'er. And their center Zach Adami was a 5th year vet- not quite the NFL talent the other 3- but really good veteran college player. 

They didn't score a lot of points, but they didn't need too. They could grind out tough yards on offense with their stable of backs and big OL and control the clock and their defense was shutting down everything and everyone.

When you have a great defense, your offense's job becomes to minimize risk, a la Saban, pre-Tua.  If the only way your defense is going to give up points is with a short field on a turnover or your QB throwing 3 INTs, you play-call to avoid that.

100%. 

Seems like with rule changes and offenses being more wide open and more tempo- playing shutdown defense is super rare. Georgia was for real as f**k in the front 7, I definitely questioned their secondary bc of the schedule after that SEC Championship, but they redeemed themselves in that rematch vs Bama.

Not very many defenses like that in college anymore and basically non-existent in the NFL these days. 

1976 team was awesome despite the loss to Purdue.  Next would be the 1973 team, followed by the 1997 team.