Bama is a clear number 1 even in the "modern era". Not even sure how you could type that with a straight face. I hate em. F em but their run since '09 is ridiculous.
Their run since 2009 is a lot less impressive than they make it out to be and you apparently buy into:
1. They have NOT won four SEC titles in a row like UF did from 1993 to 1996.
2. I give them little credit for losing AT HOME to LSU and the crying for a rematch. (Had UF lost at home to FSU in 1996 there would have been little reason for a rematch. There was NONE in 2011.) But if you want to take the ESPN company line and credit the U A L fighting lobbyists credit for that season, I guess you can. I know I can not give them credit for seasons the whined their way into the playoffs when they failed to win the SEC.
So I am quite content with the idea that despite Foley UF has been the best football program in the SEC in the modern era. You of course can be content with your/ESPN's view.