Franchise/Teams of the Decade

Continuing on in our series of the decades best, Alex Wiederspiel and I formed a list of the best franchises and teams over the entire decade. Consistent success, championships, and other honors were used to factor in the rankings. I hope you enjoy.

10. Florida Football (99-30)
While Florida spent the first half of the decade in relative mediocrity alternating between seven and eight win seasons, the Gators made a daring hire after his 2005 Orange Bowl win and brought in Urban Meyer. The Gators spent the latter half of the decade as a dynasty, winning two national championships and sporting a Heisman winner. The Gators will end the decade facing Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl where they would dominate.
Player -- Tim Tebow, QB



9. Boston Red Sox (920-699)
The Sox were best known for their status as a cursed franchise. This decade, besides averaging about 92 wins per season, the Sox made the playoffs six times, and finally broke their 86-year title drought by sweeping the Cardinals in 2004. The Sox finished that season on an eight-game winning streak after an epic come-from-behind struggle over the hated New York Yankees in the ALCS. They became the first team to conquer a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS, and marched onto their first title in 86 years. They added another to their tally in 2007. The Red Sox also had one division title.
Player -- Manny Ramirez, LF

8. Indianapolis Colts (113-43)
The Colts, like the Red Sox, were well known as a team that constantly had playoff struggles, and it seemed to give each playoff win or loss more weight then it did to other teams. The Colts had one of the best three offenses during the decade, and during the latter half of the decade had one of the better scoring defenses, but it wasn't until 2006 that the Colts were able to put it together. It was the first time that the Colts were an under-the-radar team. Fighting to win the AFC South, Indianapolis received an emotional boost when the overrated, but useful safety Bob Sanders returned just in time for the playoffs. The Colts won their first two games over Kansas City and Baltimore in the most out of character way--without Manning playing good football. As previously noted on these lists, the Colts would defeat New England in the AFC Championship Game and go onto defeat Chicago 29-17 in the Super Bowl. This decade, the Colts made the playoffs nine times, won the division six times, and have set the record for most consecutive wins in the regular season.
Player -- Peyton Manning, QB

7. Detroit Red Wings (427-166-50-57)
The Red Wings played in three Stanley Cups, winning two, and went to the playoffs nine times. They've broken the 100 point barrier every season that the NHL has played in this decade, and they've never failed to win their division. The Wings have also played in some of the greatest games this decade--including 2002's Game 3 Stanley Cup final against Carolina.
Player -- Nikolas Lidstrom, D

6. New York Yankees (965-641)
One of the best team's of the 1990s were almost as successful this decade. They started and ended the decade with World Series victories. They played in four total World Series' and won eight division titles over the course of the decade. They were lauded with multiple all-stars, gold gloves, and MVP's. The Yankees failed to make the playoffs once.
Player -- Derek Jeter, SS

5. San Antonio Spurs (576-224)
San Antonio has been one of the most forgotten dynasties in the NBA. Three NBA finals victories, seven division titles, and nine playoff appearances make San Antonio one of the most formidable franchises this decade. Their signature defense anchored by Tim Duncan propelled them to incredible win totals. Their lowest of the decade was 54.
Player -- Tim Duncan, PF/C

4. USC Football (101-26)
Many believe that USC could have as many as four or five national championships with the amount of talent they've possessed, but in spite of the perceived underachieving, the Trojan faithful were able to celebrate a return to glory. USC claimed a split national championship with LSU in 2003 by finishing #1 in the AP. The Trojans would be the undisputed champs in 2004 after romping Bob Stoops' Oklahoma Sooners. At this point they were on a winning streak that would span 34 games before being broken by Texas in the Rose Bowl in the 2005-06 season. USC had three Heisman winners this decade to add to a long list of accolades.
Player -- Matt Leinart, QB

3. Los Angeles Lakers (530-290)
With four NBA titles, five division titles, and eight playoff appearances the Lakers just edge out the Spurs as the best team of the decade in the NBA. The Lakers also managed to survive a year off without Phil Jackson and the ugly divorce of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, which was then followed by the Kobe Bryant rape scandal. Los Angeles played in a grand total of six finals this decade, losing two of them.
Player -- Kobe Bryant, G

2. New England Patriots (109-47)
There's not much left to be said about the New England Patriots that hasn't been said before. In an age of parity, the Patriots created an NFL Dynasty. They appeared in four Super Bowls and won three, won six division titles, and became the first team in NFL history to finish a 16-game season without losing a game.
Player -- Tom Brady, QB



1. Connecticut Women’s Basketball (339-28)
Yes, this is painful. Putting a women's basketball team ahead of an NFL team is pretty outrageous, but the Connecticut Huskies enjoyed a decade like no team we've ever seen. What other franchise can brag that they won over 90% of the games they played in this decade? What other team can boast not one, but two perfect seasons? What other team won five championships? What other team made the national semifinals (Final Four) seven times?

Nobody. At least nobody that I know of. No other team this decade can rival what Connecticut women's basketball has done. Even though it's a sport of powerhouses that lacks overall diversity, Connecticut consistently managed to be THE powerhouse.

Player -- Diana Taurasi, G

Let the bashing begin.