The Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush-led Southern Cal Trojans of 2004 had the ‘ultimate No. 1 team of the BCS era’ according to a recent ranking released by The Associated Press.

The AP asked every one of its Top 25 poll voters to rank the top champions of the BCS era. Ken Dorsey and the NFL-loaded Miami Hurricanes of 2001 came in at No. 2, just ahead of Mark Ingram and the unbeaten Crimson Tide of 2009.

Two of Tim Tebow’s Florida teams finished just ahead of Cam Newton and unbeaten Auburn of 2010.

RELATED: SEC’s best teams of the BCS era

Here’s the final tally:

USC, 2004 Miami, 2001 Alabama, 2009 Texas, 2005 Oklahoma, 2000 Florida State, 2013 Florida, 2008 Florida, 2006 Auburn, 2010

The AP’s thoughts on each of the SEC’s best during the BCS era: