 
PIGSKIN WARRIORS: COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S GREATEST TRADITIONS, GAMES AND PLAYERS

By STEVEN TRAVERS

Foreword by

Taylor Trade

A division of Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.

www.rowman.com

COPYRIGHT (2008) BY STEVEN TRAVERS

FRONT AND BACK DUSTCOVERS

Every true college football fan has experienced it; an alumni or student from another team wearing a T-shirt, breathlessly informing you and the world that his team has won "eleven national championships," or was the "1932 national champions," or some such variation on the theme. The fan scratches his head and thinks to himself, "Wait a minute . . . my alma mater was the national champion that year," or "I thought that school had the most national championships . . ."

The media has picked up on it, reporting random and scattered bits of incomplete and often entirely incorrect intelligence as if it is fact. Now, for the first time, well regarded sports historian Steven Travers has sifted through the propaganda, the myths, the falsehoods and half-truths to deliver true, honest reportage on well over a century of the popular American pastime of collegiate football.

As we approach the 140th anniversary of college football in 2009, here is the bottom line when it comes to national championships; those that are legitimate, those that history now regards as bogus, and those that would have been awarded had fairness and accuracy been the overriding theme of the given day. Travers also compiles an impressive list of Heisman Trophy and Outland Trophy winners; All-Americans; bowl performances; all-time winning records; winning streaks, great runs, decades and dynasties; pro football representation; and a host of other detailed criteria. He combines his extraordinary research – legitimate versus illegitimate national championships, the modern versus the "leather helmet" era - giving weight and heft to storied tradition and panache. He tells a tale of the sport's role in society, the growth of television, and of college football as big business, all outlined against a "blue, gray October sky" of American history.

The result? The author breaks down well over a century's worth of the pigskin game, separating the great from the good, the elite from the great; the best from the rest; until in the end College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions stand tall and proud in an Associated Press-style poll, telling the story not of a single year, but of an entire American century. At the top of this poll stands a single champion; a program, a tradition, a record that is so impressive they are adorned the title "national champions of college football history." This title for the New Millennium is theirs to wear, and for future stars to try and defend with every ounce of energy, strength and pride they have, as we embark on the twenty-first century.

So here it is: the statistics, the stories and the lore of a game that has and will continue to dominate fall Saturdays for another hundred years to come.

BACK COVER

ABOUT STEVEN TRAVERS

(with photo)

Steven Travers is a USC graduate and ex-professional baseball player. He is the author of the best-selling Barry Bonds: Baseball's Superman, nominated for a Casey Award (best baseball book of 2002). He is also the author of The USC Trojans: College Football's All-Time Greatest Dynasty (a National Book Network "top 100 seller"); One Night, Two Teams: Alabama vs. USC and the Game That Changed a Nation (subject of a documentary and major motion picture); five books in the Triumph/Random House Essential series (A's, Dodgers, Angels, D'backs, Trojans), The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Los Angeles Lakers, The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Oakland Raiders, The Good, the Bad & the Ugly San Francisco 49ers, The Last Miracle: Tom Seaver and the 1969 Amazin' Mets (Globe Pequot Press), and A Tale of Five Cities: New York, L.A., San Francisco, Washington & Moscow in the October of '62 (McGraw-Hill). Steve was a columnist for StreetZebra magazine in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Examiner. He also penned the screenplay, The Lost Battalion. Travers coached baseball at USC, Cal-Berkeley and in Europe; attended law school, served in the Army, and is a guest lecturer at the University of Southern California. Steve has a daughter, Elizabeth Travers and resides in California.

FRONT INSIDE COVER

Praise for Steven Travers

Steve Travers is the next great USC historian, in the tradition of Jim Murray, John Hall, and Mal Florence! . . . the Trojan Family needs your work. Fight On!

—USC Head Football Coach Pete Carroll

. . . Steve Travers tells us all about the exciting and remarkable football . . . . that not only changed the way the game is played; it . . . changed the world.

—Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump

Steve Travers combines wit, humor, social pathos and historical knowledge with the kind of sports expertise that only an ex-jock is privy to; it is reminiscent of the work of Jim Bouton, Pat Jordan and Dan Jenkins, combined with Jim Murray' turn of phrase, Hunter Thompson's hard-scrabble Truths, and David Halberstam's unique take on our nation's place in history. His writing is great storytelling, and the result is pure genius every time.

—Westwood One radio personality Mike McDowd

Steve Travers is a great writer, an educated athlete who knows how to get inside the player's heads, and when that happens, greatness occurs. He's gonna be a superstar.

—Dave Burgin/Ex-editor, San Francisco Examiner

Steve Travers is a phenomenal writer, an artist who labors over every word to get it just right, and he has an encyclopedic knowledge of sports and history.

###### —StreetZebra magazine

Steve Travers is a Renaissance man.

—Jim Rome Show

He is very qualified to continue to write books such as this one. Good job.

—Marty Lurie/"Right Off the Bat" Oakland A's Pregame Host

Steve's a literate ex-athlete, an ex-Trojan, and a veteran of Hollywood, too.

—Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton/XTRA Radio, San Diego

You've done some good writin', dude.

—KFOG Radio, San Francisco

[Travers is] one of the great sportswriters on the current American scene.

—Joe Shea/Radio Talk Host and Editor

Travers appears to have the right credentials for the task.

—USA Today Baseball Weekly

A very interesting read which is not your average . . . book. . . . Steve has achieved his bona fides when it comes to having the credentials to write a book like this.

—Geoff Metcalfe/KSFO Radio, San Francisco

This is a fascinating book written by a man who knows his subject matter inside and out.

—Irv Kaze/KRLA Radio, Los Angeles

Travers . . . established himself as a writer of many dimensions . . . a natural.

—John Jackson/Ross Valley Reporter

Steve Travers is a true USC historian and a loyal Trojan!

—Former USC football player John Papadakis

Pete Carroll calls you "the next great USC historian," high praise indeed.

\- Rob Fukuzaki/ABC7, Los Angeles

You're a great writer and I always enjoy your musings . . . particularly on SC football - huge fan!

\- Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane

Also written by Steven Travers

One Night, Two Teams: Alabama vs. USC and the Game That Changed a Nation

A's Essential: Everything You Need to Know to Be A Real Fan!

Trojans Essential: Everything You Need to Know to Be A Real Fan!

Dodgers Essential: Everything You Need to Know to Be A Real Fan!

Angels Essential: Everything You Need to Know to Be A Real Fan!

D'Backs Essential: Everything You Need to Know to Be A Real

The USC Trojans: College Football's All-Time Greatest Dynasty

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Oakland Raiders

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly San Francisco 49ers

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Los Angeles Lakers

Barry Bonds: Baseball's Superman

The Last Miracle: Tom Seaver and the 1969 Amazin' Mets

A Tale of Five Cities: New York, L.A., San Francisco, Washington & Moscow in the October of '62

God's Country: A Conservative, Christian Worldview of How History Formed the United States Empire and America's Manifest Destiny for the 21st Century

Angry White Male

The Writer's Life

This book is dedicated to the memory of former Arizona State football star Pat Tillman, who embodied all that makes America great

Photo captions

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

O.J. Simpson, Marcus Allen, Mike Garrett, Charles White, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Carson Palmer, John McKay, Howard Jones, Pete Carroll, Ronnie Lott, Anthony Munoz, Anthony Davis, Ron Yary, Frank Gifford, Craig Fertig, Doyle Knave, Brice Taylor

NOTRE DAME

Angelo Bertelli, Johnny Lujack, Leon Hart, Johnny Lattner, Paul Hornung, John Huarte, Tim Brown, Joe Montana, Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Marchy Scwartz, "The Four Horsemen"

ALABAMA

Bear Bryant, Ken Stabler, Joe Namath, John Hannah, Dwight Stephenson

OKLAHOMA

Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Jason White, Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer

OHIO STATE

Vic Janowicz, Howard Cassady, Archie Griffin, Eddie George, Troy Smith, Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel

NEBRASKA

Johnny Rodgers, Dean Steinkuhler, Dave Rimington, Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne, Mike Rozier, 1971 Nebraska-Oklahoma game

MIAMI

Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmy Johnson, Bernie Kosar, Michael Irving, Ted Hendricks

TEXAS

Ricky Williams, Vince Young, Earl Campbell, Darrell Royal, Mack Brown, Tommy Nobis

MICHIGAN

Fielding Yost, President Jerry Ford, Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson, Tom Brady, Bo Schembechler, Lloyd Carr

PENN STATE

John Cappelletti, Mike Reid, Franco Harris, Joe Paterno, Ki-Jana Carter

FLORIDA STATE

Deion Sanders, Bobby Bowden, Chris Weinke

TENNESSEE

Bob Neyland, Johnny Majors, Peyton Manning

LSU

Billy Cannon, Nick Saban, JaMarcus Russell

AUBURN

Bo Jackson, Shug Jordan, Pat Sullivan

FLORIDA

Steve Spurrier, Danny Weurffell

GEORGIA

Herschel Walker, Vince Dooley, Frank Sinkwich, David Pollard

PITTSBURGH

Jock Sutherland, Mike Ditka, Dan Marino, Hugh Green

UCLA

Red Sanders, Terry Donahue, Gary Beban, Troy Aikman, Ronnie Knox, Ken Norton Jr.

MINNESOTA

Bernie Bierman, Bruce Smith, Bobby Bell

CALIFORNIA

Brick Muller, Joe Roth

ARMY

Red Blaik, Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis, Pete Dawkins

WASHINGTON

Gil Dobie, Steve Emtman, Don James, Warren Moon

MICHIGAN STATE

Bubba Smith, George Webster, Duffy Daugherty

STANFORD

Jim Plunkett, Ernie Nevers, John Elway, Pop Warner, Clark Shaughnessy

GEORGIA TECH

Joihn Heisman, Bobby Dodd

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions

Introduction: The Quest: Recognition, Legitimacy and Historical Revisionism

PART ONE: The Elite Ten

1. Southern California Trojans

2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

4. Oklahoma Sooners

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

6. Nebraska Cornhuskers

7. Miami Hurricanes

8. Texas Longhorns

9. Michigan Wolverines

10. Penn State Nittany Lions

PART TWO: Saturday Spectacle

Why USC?

Whose Number One?

Don't Lose Your Bowl Game and Call Yourselves a Champion

The Sweep of History

The West, the Game, and Societal Evolution

The South Rises Again

The New Centurions

Ranking Tradition

PART THREE: The Best of the Best

Top Single-Season Teams

Top Single-Season Teams of the Decades

Teams of the Decades

Dynasties

Top Two-Year Periods

Top Three-Year Periods

Top 5/6-Year Periods

Top 10/15-Year Periods

Top 20/25-Year Periods

"Close But no Cigar"

PART FOUR: The Best of the Rest

11. Florida State Seminoles

12. Tennessee Volunteers

13. Florida Gators

14. Louisiana State Tigers

15. Auburn Tigers

16. Georgia Bulldogs

17. UCLA Bruins

18. Pittsburgh Panthers

19. Minnesota Golden Gophers

20. California Golden Bears

21. Army Black Knights

22. Washington Huskies

23. Michigan State Spartans

24. Stanford Indians/Cardinal

25. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
PART FIVE: Conferences, Games, Players and Coaches

A City (Los Angeles), a School (USC), a Game (the Rose Bowl), a State (California), a

Region (the West) . . . and a Conference (the Pacific-10)

"Whoa, Nellie!": the Greatest Games Ever Played

All-Time All-American Team: the Greatest Players

All-Time Mythical Heisman Trophy: the Greatest Seasons

Heisman Trophy winners

Maxwell Trophy winners

Walter Camp Award winners

Davey O'Brien Award winners

Outland Trophy winners

Lombardi Award winners

Doak Walker Award winners

Jim Thorpe Award winners

Dick Butkus Award winners

Bronko Nagurski Award winners

Pro Football's Player of the Year and MVP Awards

Field Generals: the Greatest Coaches

PART SIX: the Bowls, the Polls and the Honor Rolls

The Bowls: January Jamboree

Rose Bowl

Orange Bowl

Cotton Bowl

Fiesta Bowl

Sugar Bowl

The Polls

College Football Hall of Fame

NFL Draft

Bibliography

Index

### Photo captions

Chapter

Description

Left page title: College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions

Right page title: Steven Travers

### Acknowledgments

I would like to first thank my literary manager, Peter Miller of the PMA Film and Literary Agency in New York City. I also thank Craig Wiley. Thank you to Taylor Trade, a division of Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.; my editor, Rick Rinehart, and his assistant, Dulce Wilcox. Further thanks to production editor Alden Perkins, along with Katherine Smith, Jen Linck, Jenni Brewer, Sabrina Sicard and Lauren Pogue.

Thanks to Bridget Dungan, Meredith DePaolo and everybody over at College Sports TV. I would like to extend my thanks to Kerry McCluggage of Allumination/Craftsman Films, the legendary Trojan Anthony Davis, my good friend Jim Starr, and Lloyd Robinson of Suite A Management in Beverly Hills.

Thank you also to Professor Dan Durbin of the USC Annenberg School of Communications, for inviting me to be the guest speaker in his class "Sports, Culture and Society." Thank you so much to the other panelists that day: Craig Fertig, Willie Brown, Manfred Moore, Dave Brown, George Follett, and Rod McNeill. Thanks also to Dr. Patricia Dean and Professor Ken Sereno of the Annenberg School.

Thank you so much to the USC Bookstore and USC Collections at the South Coast Plaza in Orange County for rolling out the red carpet for me.

I wish to thank former University of Southern California sports information director Jim Perry, who also co-authored legendary Trojan football coach John McKay's successful 1970s autobiography, McKay: A Coach's Story. Perry has been an institution for years at Heritage Hall. He was the SID when I worked alongside Tim Tessalone during my brief student internship in the USC sports information office. My gratitude goes out to Tim, who after succeeding Perry has maintained the high standards that Jim set for the office. A further shout-out to Jason Pommier and Paul Goldberg of USC's football media relations, plus Chris Huston, who has helped me many times over the years.

Thank you to the University of Alabama sports information office, in particular Barry Allen and Larry White. Also, thank you to Jan Adams at the Paul W. Bryant Museum, and particularly Ken Gaddy. Thanks go to Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump.

Thanks to: John Heisler of the University of Notre Dame sports information department, and Bob Rose of the University of California sports information department. Thanks to the sports information departments at the Universities of Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and Texas.

Thank you: Rob Fukuzaki, Dave Smith, Pete Arbogast, 710/KSPN, Fred Wallin, Harvey Hyde, Chuck Hayes, Suzanne Dowling and Chris Bryant of the University of Alabama media relations department, the University of Alabama Alumni Association, the University of Tennessee sports information office, Jeff Dubinsky of ESPN Classic, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Alabama, Art Spander, Tom Kelly, Brad Green of the Paul W. Bryant Museum, Shirley Ito and Wayne Wilson of the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles. Thanks also to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Thank you to Karen Peterson for technical support, and thanks to Alex Jacobs for insight and analysis.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the past and present pastors, as well as all of my fellow members, at Christ Lutheran Church.

My most sincere thank-yous are reserved for the end. This includes my parents, who gave me encouragement and support, as they always do, and to my sweet daughter, Elizabeth Travers. No acknowledgments are complete without naming my cousin, Bill Friedrichs, and his wife Jean, whose great help and support over the years can never really be repaid. I also want to thank seven close friends: Terry and Cecile Marks, Kevin McCormack, Jake Downey, Mike McDowd, Don Rasmussen and Bradley Cole.

Finally, my biggest thank-you is reserved for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the source of all that is good, decent, and true!

### Foreword

## COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S ALL-TIME TOP 25 TRADITIONS

1. Southern California Trojans

2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

4. Oklahoma Sooners

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

6. Nebraska Cornhuskers

7. Miami Hurricanes

8. Texas Longhorns

9. Michigan Wolverines

10. Penn State Nittany Lions

11. Florida State Seminoles

12. Tennessee Volunteers

13. Florida Gators

14. Louisiana State Tigers

15. Auburn Tigers

16. Georgia Bulldogs

17. UCLA Bruins

18. Pittsburgh Panthers

19. Minnesota Golden Gophers

20. California Golden Bears

21. Army Black Knights

22. Washington Huskies

23. Michigan State Spartans

24. Stanford Indians/Cardinal

25. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Others receiving "votes": Arizona State, Arkansas, Brigham Young, Clemson, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Princeton, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Texas Christian, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Yale

## Introduction

THE QUEST: RECOGNITION, LEGITIMACY AND HISTORICAL REVISIONISM

On January 1, 2007 I was fulfilling family tradition.

My father, Donald E. Travers, used to sit in the sunshine of Pasadena, California watching the Rose Bowl when I was little more than a gleam in his eye. When I started to come of age, he began to take me to the Rose Bowl. As a lifelong fan, student and alum of the University of Southern California, I came to regard the Arroyo Seco as our "winter residence." Eventually, I began to take my daughter, Elizabeth to Rose Bowl games. So, we were carrying on a family tradition on January 1, 2007, watching Southern California defeat Michigan. We are big on tradition.

Sitting a few rows in front of me was a man wearing a Michigan T-shirt. The back of his shirt read, "MICHIGAN: 11 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS." Hmm, eleven national titles, huh? Well, there was that co-national title they shared with Nebraska in 1997; the one that inspired the Bowl Championship Series and was supposed to end the awarding of co championships.

Okay, there was 1997. There was 1948. Then there was . . . there was . . . wait, there must be . . . more? Well, yes. There was 1918, 1923 and 1933. That was five. But where were the other six? Had they won six before World War I?

Then the public address announcer asked the mammoth throng to provide a "moment of silence" for recently deceased President Gerald Ford, "an All-American on Michigan's national championship teams of 1932-1933."

After that, I turned to the guy next to me, a USC man, and said, "Now that's funny. How could Michigan have been the national champion of 1932 if USC was the national champion of 1932?" He was not exactly a historian, but he had certainly seen enough Trojan propaganda to possess at least vague knowledge that in 1932 Southern Cal coach Howard "Head Man" Jones led the greatest of his "Thundering Herd" teams to an unbeaten, untied season, something like nine shutouts (eight, actually, and only thirteen points allowed all year; including a 35-0 Rose Bowl victory over Jock Sutherland's national powerhouse Pitt Panthers), and the national championship of college football!

Well, the truth is in 1932 there were more organizations awarding national championships than there were lobbyists in Washington, D.C. At least it seems that way. In almost any given year between 1920 and 1945, a host of polls, organizations, and computer systems ranging from the respected to the obscure were awarding "national championships" to various college football teams. Any team that might be considered among the top five, or even the top ten, could find a friendly group proclaiming them the nation's best team of the year. It was like politics; baseline federal budgeting, debating, editorials. All you needed was to spin the facts, the figures, the story, shroud it in a little mystery, hope the audience did not know all the details, and put forth the proposition that this university or that was "number one!"

In 2006 I wrote The USC Trojans: College Football's All-Time Greatest Dynasty. As the title suggests, this book carried the premise that Southern California was a champion for the ages above all other dynasties, East, West, North or South. In the back of that book I list all the national championships won between 1869 and 2005. As I investigated a little further, I came to realize that I like so many others had been bamboozled by some of the illegitimate "national championship" claims of various programs over the years. As we approach the 140th anniversary of college football (1869-2009), I decided there needed to be a book unshrouding the mystery once and for all. Here you have a work that describes every national champion, legit or not; peels away the façade of championship status from the undeserving (read: those unfortunate teams that lost their bowl games after being awarded premature national titles); and in the end allows you to decide.

This is not revisionist history. Every title is listed. There is no attempt to hide the past in the manner of Joseph Stalin murdering the census takers who described the failures of Communism. I have listed the Associated Press winners, the United Press International winners, the consensus champs, the co-champs, the winners of "other" polls; the teams that lost bowl games, did not play in bowl games, and even the "revised" winners who, if logic had ruled their respective days, would have been able to call themselves champions.

What is fascinating about college football is that it is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in American society, a true culture in and of itself. Despite the importance we place on it, and the rabid yearly battles to determine who is "number one," a true way of deciding this very thing has never really been arrived at.

<ED: THROUGHOUT THIS BOOK I HAVE PLACED SIDEBARS SUCH AS THIS ONE. THESE SIDEBARS ARE MEANT TO BE PLACED MORE OR LESS WHERE I PLACE THEM WITHIN THE TEXT, BUT OF COURSE THE ACTUAL PAGE PRODUCTION WILL DETERMINE THEIR PLACEMENT. EACH SIDEBAR IS IN 11-POINT TYPE IN ORDER TO DIFFERENTIATE IT FROM THE TEXT. THE SDIEBARS USUALLY WILL BE DOUBLE-SPACED. SOME LONG LISTS WILL BE SINGLE-SPACED. THERE MAY BE SOME SIDEBARS, LISTS AND INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK MEANT TO BE PLACED IN BETWEEN CHAPTERS, NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF TEXT PAGES. THOSE SIDEBARS WILL APPEAR AT THE END/IN BETWEEN CHAPTERS>

Did you know . . .

That Yale coach Walter Camp is considered the "father of college football?" He began the naming of yearly All-American teams in the nineteenth century, which led to the popularization of the game and the countrywide desire to determine the "best," whether players, teams or eventually national champions. All-American teams are now named in every men's and women's college and high school sport, plus other athletic endeavors. Furthermore, the term "All-American" has come to connote a certain kind of wholesomeness, unique to this nation's character, indicative of our quest for excellence.

We have had systems, rankings, polls, computer analysis, multiple polling, and now the BCS. We have never had a true play-off, such as basketball's "March Madness," the College World Series, or the NFL play-offs leading to a Super Bowl. Most of the time, people arrive at the conclusion that the team awarded the national championship is indeed the best of the best. Some years, this is debated. In other years, gross injustice is done. Passions are inflamed. Anger is stirred.

The current system has its critics and its defenders. Many state that a play-off would award a hot team at the end of the season, which certainly has explained more than its share of upset winners in other sports. College football fans seem to place more value on non-conference games and early season records than any other sports supporters do. The BCS undoubtedly keeps people interested and talking. It has arguably produced some great non-championship bowl games that some say would not have been so exciting had they been part of a play-off format (in particular the 2007 Boise State-Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl). Even its greatest "failure," the co-national championships won by USC and LSU in 2003, satisfied some who liked the fact the Trojans were able to win their title in the traditional manner of all previous USC titles – victory in the Rose Bowl over a Big 10 opponent – without denying the Tigers their deserving shot.

Over the years, determining the national champion has at times made the 2000 Florida presidential recount look uncomplicated. Anybody can award a title. Some guy with a computer and some letterhead can claim this authority. If the Touchdown Club of Columbus decides the Ohio State Buckeyes are that season's national champions, even if they got smoked in the Rose Bowl, then by golly who is to stop them? Some titles are seemingly awarded in a manner almost as secret as a Mossad assassination order. To publicize it at the time is to open the award to scorn and derision.

Then one day a few years or decades later a T-shirt is made, a media guide is published, a press release is produced, claiming this "national championship." The unsuspecting fan reads it and is duly impressed that this school or that school has won a slew of such things, and therefore is worthy of great imprimatur as a grid tradition.

These championships go forth, like toothpaste squeezed out of the tube, synapses in the air, words in the wind, sticking like graffiti or hot dog wrappers against the wall. There are no asterisks, nobody attaching caveats to Alabama's claim that they were the "national champions of 1973," or Texas's proud assertion that 1970 was their year, despite the fact that in both of these cases the season ended in abject bowl defeat at the hands of the victorious Notre Dame Fighting Irish!

Until now!

Did you know . . .

That due to 18 deaths and 159 serious injuries in 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt created rule changes, allowing for a "more open game," including the establishment of a neutral zone along the line of scrimmage and creation of the forward pass?

Some claims are more outrageous than others. Ohio State's media guide carries a section on Buckeye "national champions." One of these is of the 1970 team, complete with a team photo and the assertion that in that year the team was named national champs by the National Football Foundation, or that the 1961 Bucks won the "football writer's" version. How misleading. Were these "titles" awarded in a dark room disclosed to nobody? The 1961 "football writer's" title, for instance, leaves the impression that they were the AP champs, a perfectly legitimate title, albeit one that came with a co attached to it if the UPI had not seen it that way.

But what the Ohio State guide fails to mention (oh, let's face it, they did not fail to mention it, they just plain do not want you to get the right idea), is that Alabama was the consensus 1961 champion, an unbeaten team that won their bowl game and captured the AP and UPI championships, while Ohio State was saddled by a tie while not even playing in a bowl. (Not only did they not play in bowl, they turned down an invitation to the Rose Bowl, theoretically because if they played and lost they could not claim this "title.") So who are the "football writers?" Traditionally, the AP (consisting of the media as opposed to the UPI "coaches poll") make up the football writers, but not in this case. So who were they?

Well, apparently some football writers. They awarded something called the MacArthur Trophy, and in fairness it was a fairly prestigious honor, but one can take the term "football writers" and use it as broadly or as narrowly as you like. Ohio State is happy to take it, leading unsuspecting, unknowing members of the media and fandom into hearing it, repeating it in stories about their cherished history; to be further repeated and made into T-shirts, coffee mugs, hats . . .

Not on my watch.

Did you know . . .

That the first major football stadium was Harvard's 42,000-seat stadium, built in 1903 on the shores of the Charles River in Boston?

College football, we are told, was begun in 1869 by Rutgers University in New Jersey. Two teams, Princeton and Yale quickly dominated it. Other schools played football. It became more and more popular. By the 1890s, most colleges fielded a team, but Princeton and Yale were almost without exception the best.

By the 1900s, the game had spread and was being played well throughout the country. However, it was a dangerous sport. The so-called "Yale wedge" and the "flying wedge" caused serious injuries, even deaths. President Theodore Roosevelt got involved and legislation was passed to effectuate safety measures.

Over the next decade or so, the game was an irregular affair. Some schools took to playing rugby instead of real football. World War I reduced the number of students, players and games. It is for these and other reasons that judging college football history must be done by separating the "modern" era, which begins after the soldiers came home from the Great War with the 1919 season, and the fifty years that came before that.

In the Roaring '20s, everything changed in America. Sports craze enveloped the country. Babe Ruth and the Yankees dominated baseball. Huge arenas were built, great throngs filling them up. Radio brought these events to coast-to-coast audiences. Football went pro, college fans thrilling to the exploits of Red Grange; the "Four Horsemen of Notre Dame"; and to the first great rivalry.

When Notre Dame and Southern California began to play each other, in combination with the annual Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the sporting public looked at the landscape of college football and ask itself, "Who really is number one?" These two teams represented the gritty Midwest and the growing, sun-splashed golden West. Regional pride shadowed the assertions that "Eastern football" was or was not better than what was played in Dixie, or out on the coast.

With this came the ranking systems, which in essence were mathematical formulas looking at a team's strength of schedule, the scores of its games, and other factors, in order to determine the national champion. The most respected of these was the Dickinson System, begun in 1926. This was the first and most widely reported, but it was followed up by the Houlgate System (1927), the Dunkel Index (1929), the Boand System (1930), the Williamson System (1932), the Poling System (1935), the DeVold System (1945), and others.

In the late 1920s, these systems began to assert that there were national champions of each season. They were irregular, sometimes arriving at more or less of a consensus (as in 1927, when Illinois was number one), other times not so clear cut (as in 1930, when Notre Dame and Alabama "shared" honor). In any given year, three or four schools might claim the title from somebody.

Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne thought the system created by Frank Dickinson, an economics professor at the University of Illinois, was the most accurate. Rockne knew that the term "national champion" carried great weight. He realized that the concept of tradition, or great past performance, worked in his team's favor. It helped recruiting, ticket sales, and the school's image.

Rockne asked Professor Dickinson to gather the data of past football seasons, arriving at a list of national champions. Of course, Rockne knew that his Irish would be awarded the lion's share of these championships, thus increasing his and his program's growing national prestige. While it may be easy to say that because Rockne instituted this backdating process, thus assuring a favorable outcome for Notre Dame, the truth is it was generally fair.

After Rockne's death following the 1930 season, the Dickinson System came to be known as the Dickinson/Rockne System. After the AP poll began in 1936, it was for about eight years the only system other than the AP that was considered valid and, therefore, worthy if they happened to produce a champion other than the poll, which did happen in 1939. Over time, as the other systems were instituted, history has accorded national championships going all the way back to that first season, 1869. Naturally, since college football supremacy generally rested on who won the Princeton-Yale game most of the years between then and 1900, the national champions were most often . . . Princeton or Yale.

Truth be told, these programs were competitive on a national basis into the 1930s. Princeton even won the 1919 national title by consensus and as recently as 1951 produced the Heisman Trophy winner, Dick Kazmaier. If an alien came to this country (think Spock from Star Trek) and were asked to determine the "greatest of all college football traditions," a look at the raw numbers may well determine that in this person's logical mind Princeton, winner of twenty national champions, or Yale (with twelve) is the answer to this question.

Logic and historical perspective, however, tell us that neither of these teams has maintained in the modern era the remotest amount of success, in comparison to the great programs that have withstood the test of time since the boys came home from World War I. Only baseball allows the historian to go back before the war – which lasted from 1914 to 1918, re-shaped Europe and transformed America from a modern power into a superpower – and make legitimate comparisons with today's teams and superstars. Baseball's nature, rules, dimensions and schedule permit some commonality of comparison. Despite the obvious differences between Barry Bonds's 73 home runs in 2001 and Frank "Home Run" Baker's twelve in 1913; between George Brett's .390 in 1980 and Ty Cobb's .420 in 1911; and between Roger Clemens's 24-4 of 1986 versus Walter Johnson's 36-7 of 1913; mentioning Christy Mathewson in the same breath with Greg Maddux, or Honus Wagner alongside Cal Ripken, is a fairly easy concept. With the possible lone exception of the legendary Jim Thorpe, football players of the early century are regarded as an entirely different breed, almost a separate species from the Lawrence Taylor's and Joe Montana's of recent memory.

Before 1920 there was no NFL, no NBA, and for that matter no NCAA. College football had evolved from a club sport of sorts into an Ivy League pre-occupation for the "bowler hat and raccoon coat" crowd, but it was not until the 1920s that it caught on as an American craze. California became the first team to really recruit football players. Coach Andy Smith established a pipeline through his assistant, Nibs Price, a former San Diego high school coach with strong Southland connections. He picked off top players who otherwise might have gone to Southern California, and even "stole" some of the Trojans, who transferred to Berkeley and helped the "Wonder Teams" become the first dynasty of the modern era.

The names became established in the national mind: the Irish, the Trojans, the Fighting Illini, the Wolverines . . . the alumni, the public imagination, wrapped itself around these new heroes. Today the exploits of their predecessors still resonates when trying to understand the tradition of college football on dozens of campuses, where by the way the school never re-locates and the players are not lost to free agency. Even a school like the University of California, which de-emphasized football in the 1960s when Berkeley allowed itself to become the de facto staging grounds of American Communism, still clings to the ancient glories of Brick Muller and Pappy Waldorf in hopes that whatever magic there was, there might still be enough stardust by the bay to bring back one more national title.

In the 1920s and 1930s, in particular, the varying systems – Dickinson, Houlgate, the National Football Research organization, the Helms National Championship Foundation, and others – awarded enough titles to go around. In 1936, the Associated Press began to conduct their poll, but they made the grave error of awarding the regular season winner championships before the bowl games were played. The UPI came into being in 1950. Instead of learning from the AP's mistake, they also awarded their winner before the bowl games. This caused immediate embarrassment when in 1950 Oklahoma was awarded a "consensus" title before losing to Kentucky in the Sugar Bowl; in 1951 Tennessee screwed it up for everybody by getting waxed by Maryland in the Sugar Bowl; and in 1953 Maryland lost to the Sooners in the Orange Bowl.

Did you know . . .

That coaches Earl "Red" Blaik of Army and Fritz Crisler of Michigan were the first to institute widespread division of offensive and defensive units in the 1940s?

In the first eleven years of the AP and UPI polls, there were only four truly "legitimate" champions. Michigan State won both polls in 1952, but they did not play in the Rose Bowl. In 1954, the Pacific Coast Conference's "no-repeat" rule either saved the day or ruined it. The AP already decided Ohio State was number one. The UPI said it was UCLA. But the Bruins never made the half-hour drive to Pasadena, where the Buckeyes pasted USC instead while settling for a "tie" with UCLA.

Oklahoma left no doubt, going unbeaten with a bowl win (1955), then going unbeaten again in 1956 (without a bowl due to their conference "no-repeat" rule). In 1957 Ohio State and Auburn split the polls. The fact that they were awarded prior to the bowls too often destroyed the credibility of the two polls and the teams that wore their championships. In 1958 and 1959, Louisiana State and Syracuse were legitimate national champions, but in 1960 Minnesota won both polls only to lose to Washington in the Rose Bowl.

Trivia

Who were Fordham's "Seven Blocks of Granite?"

A: Defensive linemates Vince Lombardi, Alex Wojciechowicz, Nat Pierce, Ed Franco, John Druze, Leo Paquin, and Al Bartbartsky.

Alabama would like everybody to believe that they are the national champions of 1964, and of course if the Associated Press and United Press International are to be believed and respected, they are. Tell that to their quarterback, Joe Willie Namath, who to this day states that his most disappointing moment in sports was January 1, 1965, when he left the Orange Bowl field on the losing end of a 21-17 heartbreaker with Texas. Pictures of his long, tear-stained face are not pictures of that year's national champion, regardless of what any plaque, list or proclamation might state.

The AP seemed to come to their senses in time to award Alabama the 1965 title after beating Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. The UPI looked stupid when Michigan State's upset at the hands of UCLA illegitimatized their "title." The question is asked, What were they thinking? in reference to the AP's inexplicable decision to revert back to the pre-bowl award between 1966 and 1967 (finally awarding the national championship once and for all after Ohio State beat USC in the 1969 Rose Bowl, continuing the practice henceforth). The UPI stuck to its dumbellionite practice right through the 1973 season, by which point two of the all-time bad polling blunders ever perpetrated had happened. On January 1, 1971 UPI "champion" Texas lost to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, and on December 31, 1973 Alabama lost a true national championship battle with unbeaten, untied Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. Again, the Crimson Tide walked off the field in abject New Year's (Eve) defeat, their UPI title clinging to their necks in infamous mockery (none of which stops them from promoting 1973 as one of 'Bama's "twelve national championships"; they have nine legit championships at best). This is done in the hope that lack of knowledge will attach greater prestige to their program. In the meantime, while Notre Dame of course was the AP winner in '73, they are not allowed to call themselves a consensus champ, as if beating Bear Bryant's squad in a contest that was closer to war than football, was some kind of exhibition game.

The fact that "anybody" can award a title did not end with the UPI poll. Historians recognized several years in between 1936 and the end of World War II in which a team other than the AP champion was at least worthy of legitimate co-national championship status. The systems usually tended to award a national championship after bowl games, which made sense. Notre Dame and Michigan dominated the years between the war and the UPI, although the difference between them was at times so razor thin that controversy continued to reign.

Since Maryland's loss in the 1954 Orange Bowl, at least the two polls produced one legitimate winner with the exception of 1960 and 1964. While the two services awarded bogus titles to Minnesota and 'Bama, there were still in existence rating systems left over from the pre-AP era which were broken out of mothballs. This allowed the true 1960 (Mississippi) and 1964 champion - unbeaten, untied Cotton Bowl winner Arkansas - to be given the title and the historically "revised" championship of that season.

At least in 1965, 1970 and 1973, enough changes had been made to award one legitimate titleholder in each of those years (Alabama '65, Nebraska '70, Notre Dame '73). The UPI finally came to their senses and in all the years since they and their successors (USA Today/ESPN, the BCS, and others) have named their champions when the bowl dust cleared. There continue to be disputes and co-national champions, but no illegitimate ones.

### Best college football movies

Knute Rockne: All-American (1940)

Something for Joey (1977)

Everybody's All-American (1988)

Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story (1991)

Necessary Roughness (1991)

Rudy (1993)

The Program (1993)

The Waterboy (1998)

The Junction Boys (2002)

## Other football-themed movies

All the Right Moves (1982)

Varsity Blues (1997)

Friday Night Lights (2004)

The continued existence and creation of ranking systems other than the human polls have continued, with the Sagarin System being the most well known, but these computers have in the BCS era (1998-present) demonstrated a shocking lack of "common sense." They have rated one-loss teams ranked seventh or eighth ahead of unbeaten juggernauts. The fact that anybody can award a title has allowed some schools to pad their statistics.

Most egregious examples include the aforementioned Ohio State claim to the 1961 and even 1970 championships (the latter most laughable in light of the Buckeye's 27-17 loss to Stanford in the Rose Bowl). The Big 10, once the premiere football conference, lost year after year after year to Pacific-8 and Pac-10 Rose Bowl opponents. Michigan, like Ohio State, tried to hide all their Pasadena misery, using their conference titles, their great pipeline to the pros, and their all-time victory mark (much of it achieved while other schools were still playing rugby, were small time or not even in existence yet) to spin their history in a desperate attempt to hold themselves up as a tradition on par with the USCs, the Notre Dames, the Alabamas; to no avail. Their media guide states that they have won eleven national titles. They have won eight (1901, 1902, 1918, 1923, 1933, 1947 and 1997). A fair historical analysis concludes that their claims to the 1903 (Princeton), 1904 (Minnesota), 1932 (Southern Cal), and 1947 (Notre Dame) national championships are just words on paper. Fairness is not always part of the equation; their 1947 team was unbeaten with a 49-0 pasting of USC in the Rose Bowl, but that year's Notre Dame team is viewed as one of the five best teams ever assembled. Even without playing a bowl game, they were the legit consensus national champions of 1947.

The fairness angle works for and against most everybody. Notre Dame may well have been the AP's only "three-peat" champion in 1948, but the voters this time went for Michigan, even though they played no bowl game due to the "no-repeat" rule. The 1966 Alabama Crimson Tide was unbeaten, untied and a Sugar Bowl winner over Nebraska, but denied the national title that was so ridiculously awarded them two years earlier. It is believed to this day that disgust not only over that 1964 ranking but their segregationist status in 1966 cost them against Notre Dame's "Catholic vote."

The argument that social pathos dominated voting motivations, however, does not hold up particularly in light of the fact that Texas, the last all-white national champions, was awarded the 1969 championship ahead of an unbeaten, untied, integrated Penn State team that had neither lost nor tied a game in two years. No less an authority than President Richard Nixon declared Darrell Royal's Longhorns to be number one. Everybody was happy to honor another segregated Texas team in 1970, at least until Notre Dame beat them in the Cotton Bowl.

As for Alabama, things turned around on their behalf twelve years after the 1966 "Catholic vote." In 1978, Alabama was once beaten with a Sugar Bowl win over number one Penn State. USC was once beaten with another in a seemingly endless list of Rose Bowl triumphs over Michigan. The split decision of the AP (Alabama) and UPI (USC) seemed logical, except in consideration of the fact that in September of that very season the Trojans had traveled to Legion Field in Birmingham, pasting the Tide 24-14. The rare opportunity of the voters to decide between two close contenders in favor of the team that beat the other in an actual head-to-head match-up on the other team's field did not result in the correct vote. The AP (writers) now saw Bear Bryant as a sympathetic legend, in part for finally integrating his team, which now looked like everybody else but played better. Their vote reflected this.

The Alabama media guide informs the reader that their beloved Tide has won twelve national championships. At least one 'Bama web site lists thirteen. In the section detailing their national champions, no mention of the January 1, 1965 Orange Bowl or December 31, 1973 Sugar Bowl losses are made to provide the right idea. Minnesota, unbeaten with Heisman winner Bruce Smith, was the consensus 1941 (AP) champ. This does not stop 'Bama from calling the 9-2 Tide (who did not even win the Southeastern Conference championship captured by Mississippi State) the 1941 winners.

They do list the fact that Michigan, Ohio State and Oklahoma were the "other" 1973 national champions according to sources that never even made the newspaper (National Championship Foundation, Poling, FACT, Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, Sagarin). The only reason for doing this would seem to be to dilute the impact of Notre Dame's legitimate title, coming on the strength of victory over the Tide. It is as if by opening a "can of worms" in the form of different champions it makes their bogus UPI award look . . . legit.

In truth, Alabama has won nine deserving national championships (1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1961, 1965, 1978, 1979, 1992). What goes around comes around. The two illegitimates (1964, 1973) are matched by unbeaten seasons (1945 and 1966) in which the Tide was denied titles that they well could have deserved but did not win. So it goes.

Oklahoma may be the most irresponsible. Their media guide lists no less than sixteen national championships! Somebody needs to tell the 1949 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the 1957 Ohio State Buckeyes and the Auburn Tigers, the 1967 USC Trojans, the 1973 Irish, the 1978 Trojans and Alabama Crimson Tide, the 1980 Georgia Bulldogs, the 1986 Penn State Nittany Lions, the 2003 Trojans and even the LSU Tigers (who beat OU in the '03 BCS title game) that, like a politician who is losing a campaign but manipulates the polls to create the appearance of winning, the Sooners were number, uh, well . . . one?

Oh, and get this. In any given year from 1950 to 1995, in which there existed both the AP and the UPI polls, and in which OU won both polls, they count that (when they think they can get away with it) as two national championships. As in for instance 1975, when they were a legitimate consensus winner of both polls, but they would have you read it as two titles in a single year. Slick work. The way they do it is to create columns. Column A contains AP titles. Column B contains UPI titles. Throw in a little deception and then they list "TOTALS." This is especially rich considering the 1950 season, the first year of the UPI in which the Sooners won both pre-bowl polls only to lose their bowl game. The Sooners' legitimate national championships? 1954, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985 and 2000. They also can make a solid claim on the 1915 title, but Washington State's Rose Bowl win over Brown gives the unbeaten Cougars claim to that season's actual national championship.

Did you know . . .

That the term "Ivy League" did not materialize until New York Herald-Tribune sportswriter Caswell Adams referred to the loose, yet independent, affiliation of Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale as the Ivy League in 1937?

Oklahoma's incredible series of streaks, which mark the Bud Wilkinson 1950s, the Barry Switzer 1970s and 1980s, and later the Bob Stoops 2000s, combined with a long list of Heisman, Outland, Lombardi and other award winners, tells the story of excellence personified, but this excellence is also pockmarked by NCAA probation.

Various schools promote their legacy as "eight-time Associated Press national champions," or some such variation on the theme, but most avoid real scrutiny of their national titles, because to do so leaves the diligent researcher with knowledge that the number of titles claimed is greater than the number of titles really earned. The AP is a fine organization. The great majority of championships under their banner are legitimate and worthy. But there are enough exceptions to lump AP championship imprimatur with the Nobel Peace Prize, or the Academy Awards. If terrorists can win the Nobel, if clowns can claim Oscars, if tyrants can be named Time's "Man of the Year," then the AP can list their share of mistaken "winners," too.

A close reading of the top college football schools demonstrate that the two programs who in the end stand out above the rest – ancient rivals Southern California and Notre Dame – are the most honest in their respective assessment of themselves. I mentioned the forthrightness of Notre Dame's description of its rich history to a close Catholic friend of mine.

"That's because their Catholic," he stated, and he was not kidding. Belief in God does indeed keep one honest. Perhaps because USC was once considered a "Methodist school" before becoming a "private, non-denominational institution," their history is not filled with falsehoods, misinformation and outright lies. The fact of the matter is that some system named the Trojans national champions of 1929, 1933, 1976, 1979, and 2002, but instead of counting these and calling themselves the "sixteen-time national champion Men of Troy," USC like Notre Dame dutifully states that these are not recognized titles, that they do not recognize them, and so they do not count.

Notre Dame provides a very helpful historical analysis of all the years in which they won national championships or came close. History considers them consensus champions in 1924 and 1929, co-champion with Alabama in 1930, and of course they have eight AP titles (1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988). Their media guide carefully lists "other" national champions in the years in which the Irish won (Penn in 1924; Pitt and USC in 1929; a tie with 'Bama in the 1930 Parker H. Davis Ratings). However, Notre Dame notes that in 1919, 1920, 1927, 1938 (and later years after the AP), while they "won" titles according to the Davis, the National Championship Foundation, and other systems, these are not "qualified" title teams. In 1919 and 1920, Notre Dame dutifully does not claim titles that, upon historical retrospect, they could claim. They were unbeaten both seasons, but in 1919 Harvard's win in the Rose Bowl made them a consensus winner. In 1920, the first of Cal's "Wonder Teams" was unbeaten, won the Rose Bowl, was into a 50-game unbeaten skein, and in fact is considered a three-time champion (1920-22). Notre Dame might have tried to sneak the 1926 Irish in as a national champion on the strength of their 9-1 record, 13-12 win at USC, and the subsequent tie between unbeatens Alabama and Stanford in the Rose Bowl, but they do not. The eleven titles they claim are the real deal.

USC also has eleven actual national championships. They are tied with Notre Dame, but have some strong arguments in their favor. For one, nine of their championships came in years in which they won in the Rose Bowl, either against a sterling Big 10 foe or a great Eastern or Southern team prior to the conference arrangement. One came in the BCS Orange Bowl against Oklahoma (2004 season). None are marred by defeat. While Notre Dame never slipped in the "back door" with a bowl loss, seven of their eleven titles came in years in which school policy prevented them from playing in a bowl game. USC was their last game almost every year until the South Bend contest was switched to October in 1961. The "Trojan wars" were thought of as their "bowl game." Logic stands to reason that had they played in bowl games, in at least one or two of those seven years some opponent would have beaten them. That said, they earned two national championships (1973, 1977) when they beat the prior number one team in a bowl game.

USC also has the modern edge. Seven of their eleven championships come from 1962 on; all within the period that is considered modern, integrated, an era of national TV, scholarships, refined recruiting, training and equipment. All seven of their Heisman Trophies are from this era. Seven of Notre Dame's national championships and five of their seven Heisman winners are products of the "leather helmet" or "no face mask era" that, in retrospect, is just that: retro.

The reason some schools fudge their facts a little bit in order to create the illusion of more national championships than they deserve may very well come down to how very difficult it is to win the darn things. It could be easy to say that Notre Dame has an advantage because they are a "national school," benefiting from the "Catholic vote," or that USC has the edge because they are in the media capital of the world.

The truth is, the national championship of college football is an elusive goal. There is probably nothing harder to win, at least among sports that are played every year. Obviously, an Olympic Gold medal or a soccer World Cup is up for grabs only every four years. But in college football every single game is for the national title. A non-conference loss in September has the immediate effect of possibly knocking a team out of the hunt. Certainly they are no longer in control of their own destiny. If the teams ahead of them stay unbeaten until the end, forget about it.

The BCS has created a scramble for number one like never before. Under unusual circumstances, a team might be able to grab the AP co-national championship, but it is not likely. The necessities of going unbeaten with a bowl win, which has been the requirement in seven of nine BCS seasons between 1998 and 2006, creates an atmosphere of pressure and alumni expectations that are greater even than professional sports, with very few if any exceptions. It has come to the point where the expectations at a Miami, an Oklahoma, a Notre Dame, a USC, are as great as those placed upon the Yankee manager by George Steinbrenner.

Compare and contrast the Yankees with Notre Dame and USC. The Yankees won their first World Series in 1923, the year that Yankee Stadium was built and the Trojans moved into the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. It was a demarcation point in American sports. In the state of California, Stanford Stadium, Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena were all built within a few years of the Coliseum's erection (which drew the 1932 Olympics nine years later).

Yale's 64,000-seat Yale Bowl, built in 1914, had once been the largest of all football arenas, but after World War I huge stadiums went up throughout the country, leading to the Orange, Sugar and Cotton Bowls. Football became spectacle, America the new Rome, these grid warriors the new gladiators of the twentieth century. In 1924, the Irish legend was made when they defeated Army at the sold out Polo Grounds, prompting New York sports columnist Grantland Rice to dub their backfield the "Four Horsemen of Notre Dame."

In 1927, 120,000 fans crowded Soldier Field in Chicago to watch Notre Dame beat Southern California. Two years later another 112,000 came to see the same two teams in the same stadium. Crowds of close to 80,000 watched the Irish and Trojans play in Los Angeles. Between 1924 and 1931, the "Big House" was built in Ann Arbor, Michigan; the "Horse Shoe" in Columbus, Ohio; "The Swamp" in Gainesville, Florida; "Death Valley" in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and finally Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. After years forced to play many games as a "barnstorming team" on the road, the Irish finally met the attendance needs of their adoring public with a home field.

While Babe Ruth's New York Yankees won the 1923 World Series, and Knute Rockne's Irish captured their first national title in 1924, the respective feats apparently were much easier accomplished by the pin stripers. They won world championships in 1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. They have twenty-six overall world championships and have come very close on numerous other occasions, compared to eleven for Notre Dame and USC apiece.

The Boston Celtics sport sixteen NBA crowns. Between 1972 and 2002, the Lakers won almost as many titles (nine) as USC football has won since 1888. In the first six years the Dodgers played in Los Angeles, they won three World Series to quickly close the gap with USC, who by 1965 had won only five national championships. To this day, true Los Angeles sports loyalty is reserved not for the Lakers, Clippers, Angels, Bruins, Kings, Mighty Ducks or the since-displaced Rams and Raiders, but for the Dodgers and Trojans.

At the collegiate level, other sports appear much easier to win. A hot team can get on a streak and not be stopped. USC's track team was once so dominant it appeared there were rules for them, then rules for everybody else (twenty-six national championships). The U.S. Olympic teams of the 1920s, '30s, '40s and '50s looked like the Trojans in red, white and blue uniforms. The Trojans captured sixteen NCAA tennis championships, and they are not even the most dominant of all collegiate programs (Stanford is). Rod Dedeaux's USC baseball team made it look easy, winning every College World Series between 1970 and 1974.

Over in Westwood, John Wooden's Bruin basketball team won seven straight and ten of twelve NCAA titles between 1964 and 1975, although historically it would appear that going all the way is as tough on the hardwood as it is on the gridiron. The Trojans and Irish have equaled UCLA's eleven overall championships, but of course the NCAA Tournament only goes back to 1939. The UCLA volleyball team has been even more dominant than Bruins hoops, with nineteen NCAA banners through 2006. California's De La Salle High School once won 151 consecutive football games in what may be the most impressive streak in sports history.

Texas is a sport where football is king, but while the Longhorns parse out rare titles (three in forty-three years), their baseball team is more regular about it: 1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002, and 2005. LSU similarly worships the god of football, but the Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush Administrations separate their only two titles, the second one a shared championship. In the mean time, Tiger baseball coach Skip Bertman took his team to the promised land four times in the 1990s. Multiple and repeat champions in other sports have been relatively frequent, but until USC fell nineteen seconds shy of a third straight crown in 2005, it was treated like the quest for the Holy Grail. Not only had it never been done in the AP era, but none had come quite as close at season's end. Only California (1920-1922) and Minnesota (1934-1936) had done it since World War I.

Because winning the national championship is so difficult in college football, when it actually comes around, it is bigger than most. Reverence for past championship seasons reaches religious fervor. College kids playing for scholarship money, legends of the green plains, purists who, in the imagination at least, are in it out of love of the game, not padding their stats in a free agent year.

****

One might say, who really cares? Does it truly matter if a few college football programs fudge the numbers a little bit to make themselves look better? Probably not. Nobody is really getting hurt by it. This is all ancient history anyway, right? As a Christian, I am compelled to address my own part in this research and attention to college football history. In a world in which so many problems exist, am I really serving humanity by spending all this time and energy just trying to determine whom College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions really are? Who is number one? Why one team is in the top ten and another is not?

Well, I do know this. Man does not live by bread alone. We love our sports. Furthermore, sports is more than just fun 'n' games. Athletics have been a vehicle for great social change. Great black athletes toiling at Columbia and other Northern schools in the early part of the twentieth century helped to set an example. The sight of integrated USC and UCLA teams (with the great Jackie Robinson and Kenny Washington) toiling before crowds of close to 100,000 in the L.A. Coliseum of the 1930s was a visual statement about what this country could be. Integrated Southern California, Penn State, Navy and Pittsburgh teams playing in the South of the 1950s helped forge progress. When the Trojans brought Sam "Bam" Cunningham into Alabama in 1970, it proved to be the final nail in the coffin of segregation.

Athletics is also very much about winning, about attaining greatness, about finishing number one. This is an attitude that has undeniably helped to make America the greatest nation in the history of the world. We do care who is number one. We do care about who is the best. It means something to us, and it should.

So I offer no apology for writing this book. I hope it is informative, fun, lively, controversial, creates arguments, and is above all entertaining. I welcome feedback, positive and negative, from all college football fans. My opinions are mine. I have well thought-out reasons for them, and offer them with respect. Please offer yours in the same manner.

Steven R. Travers

USCSTEVE1@aol.com

(415) 455-5971

PART ONE

THE ELITE TEN

ONE

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TROJANS

USC has been credited with sixteen national championships in its history. Unlike most other programs, they do not count all of them; they only count the legitimate eleven that they have earned. They do not try to say that the 1929, 1933, 1976, 1979, or 2002 Trojans were that year's best, even though some organization or service did see fit to declare them just that. They do not use the perverse logic that a "national championship" can be awarded prior to a bowl loss, which if they did would theoretically let them print T-shirts proclaiming that in 1968 or 2005, for instance, well by gum the Trojans were "national champs." Their eleven national titles tie them with Notre Dame, who also do not claim some of the national titles they could because they are not, as is the case with USC's extra five, historically recognized as legitimate.

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

**Founded:** 1880

**Enrollment:** 16,500

**Colors:** Cardinal and gold

**Nickname:** Trojans

**Stadium:** Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (built: 1923; capacity: 92,000)

**All-time record (1888-2006):** 743-300-54

**All-time bowl record:** 29-16 (through 2006)

**National championships:** 1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003,

2004

**Pacific Coast-AAWU-Pacific 8/10 Conference championships:** 36 (through 2006)

**Heisman Trophies:** Mike Garrett (1965), O. J. Simpson (1968), Charles Whites (1979),

Marcus Allen (1981), Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004), Reggie Bush (2005)

**Outland Trophies:** Ron Yary (1967)

**Consensus All-American:** 78 (through 2006)

**First round NFL draftees:** 67 (through 2007)

**Web site:** **www.usctrojans.com**

**Notable alumni:** First man on the Moon Neil Armstrong; astronaut Wally Schirra;

Academy Award-winning actor John "Duke" Wayne; actors Robert Stack, Ward Bond, Marlo Thomas, Henry Winkler, John Ritter, Ally Sheedy, John Berardino, Tom Selleck, Forrest Whittaker and Will Ferrell; Star Wars director George Lucas; Academy Award-winning directors Ron Howard, Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg; directors John Singleton and Paul Mazursky; producers Kerry McCluggage, David L. Wolper and Barney Rosenzweig; Dirty Harry screenwriter John Milius; Academy Award-winning composer John Williams; The OC creator Josh Schwartz; theatre producer Darren Lee Cole; author Steven Travers; Secretary of State Warren Christopher; California Attorney General Dan Lungren; California Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh; Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox; U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher; California Supreme Court Justice Malcolm Lucas; Los Angeles police chief Daryl Gates; Watergate figures Donald Segretti and H. R. Haldeman; White House aide Dwight Chapin; First Lady Patricia Nixon; U.S. Senator John McCain's wife Cynthia McCain; General Norman Schwarzkopf; syndicated columnist Art Buchwald; sports columnist Mal Florence; public relations executive Carl Terzian; political consultant Joseph Cerrell; architect Frank Gehry; Public Storage founder Wayne Hughes; Coca-Cola/North America president Terry Marks; Flour Corporation founder Robert Flour; Dart Corporation president Justin Dart; Los Angeles Lakers' owner Dr. Jerry Buss; opera star Marilyn Horne; singer Macy Gray; musicians Herb Albert and Lionel Hampton; secret service agent Bill Bordley; newscasters Sam Donaldson and Kathleen Sullivan; Chrsitian minister John Werhas; sports announcer Petros Papadakis; restaurateur John Papadakis; attorney Robert Kardashian; Hall of Fame baseball player Tom Seaver; baseball players Bill Lee, Dave Kingman, Fred Lynn, Mark McGwire, Randy Johnson, Bret Barberie, Jim Barr, Barry Zito, Don Buford, Stebe Busby, Rich Dauer, Dave Engle, Seth Etherton, Ron Fairly, Randy Flores, Eric Munson, Dave Hostetler, Tom House, Geoff Jenkins, Jacque Jones, Steve Kemp, Marcel Lacheman, Ray Lamb, Jason Lane, Bob Lillis, Pete Redfern, Tom Satriano, Bob Skube, Roy Smalley, Brent Strom, Gary Sutherland, Tim Tolman, Dave Van Gorder, Bret Boone, Aaron Boone, Jeff Cirillo, Morgan Ensberg and Mark Prior; USC baseball coach Rod Dedeaux; baseball general manager Pat Gillick; baseball manager Rene Lacheman; Hall of Fame basketball player Bill Sharman; Hall of Fame basketball coach Alex Hannum; basketball players Paul Westphal, John Block, Mack Calvin, Sam Clancy, Bill Hewitt, Bo Kimble, Hank Gathers, John Lambert, Dennis Layton, Harold Miner, Robert Pack, Cliff Robinson, Brian Scalabrine and Gus Williams; basketball coach Tex Winter; Olympians Charlie Paddock, Mel Patton, Frank Wykoff, Johnny Weismuller, Parry O'Brien, Bob Seagren, John Naber, Cheryl Miller, Pam McGee, Cynthia Cooper, Dan Jorgensen, Mike O'Brien, Lenny Krayzelburg, Steve Timmons, Lisa Leslie, Bruce Furniss, Lennox Miller, Don Quarrie, Randy Williams, Fred Kelly, Sammy Lee and Angela Williams; tennis players Stan Smith, Luke Jensen, Murphy Jensen, Rick Leach and Dennis Ralston; golfer Craig Stadler; sports agents Lon Rosen, Mike Trope and Ed Hookstratten; Hollywood agents Lloyd Robinson and Adam Novak; USC film school professor Andrew Casper; real estate executives Ed Roski, Jeffrey Cole, and James Connor; re-insurance executive Peter Cooper; financial advisor Len Gabrielson

Other programs count "national championships" from every Podunk "service" imaginable. They count those won when bowls were lost after the polls were closed; those won when they were on probation, and – perhaps the most rich of all – a consensus Associated Press and United Press International national title in a single season as _two titles!_ Check the media guides and see for yourself.

None of USC's titles were won in years in which they failed to win a bowl game. Each bowl victory was a major confrontation with a powerhouse from the Big 10, or in the early days with a powerhouse from the East or the South; always the very best that America had to offer. The challenge was met each time. In the years when bowl defeat against a worthy foe came the Trojans way, national championship glory did not. There is one exception to the Rose Bowl gauntlet; the 2005 55-24 BCS Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma which, by the way, was referred to by longtime college football observer Lee Corso as "the greatest game I ever saw any team play."

_National champions –_ _legitimate_ _and historically revised_

Modern era/post-World War I (1919-2006)

1. Southern California (7 Heismans) 11 legitimate

1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, 2004

1. Notre Dame (7 Heismans) 11 legitimate

1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988

3. Alabama 9 legitimate

1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1961, 1965, 1978, 1979, 1992

4. Oklahoma (4 Heismans) 6 legitimate

1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000

5. Ohio State (7 Heismans) 5 legitimate

1942, 1954, 1957, 1968, 2002

6. Nebraska (3 Heismans) 5 legitimate

1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997

7. Miami (2 Heismans) 5 legitimate

1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001

8. Minnesota (1 Heisman) 5 legitimate

1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941

9. Michigan (3 Heismans) 4 legitimate

1923, 1933, 1948, 1997

10. California 4 legitimate

1920, 1921, 1922, 1937

11. Texas (2 Heismans) 3 legitimate

1963, 1969, 2005

12. Army (3 Heismans) 2 legitimate

1944, 1945

13. Florida (2 Heismans) 2 legitimate

1996, 2006

13. Florida State (2 Heismans) 2 legitimate

1993, 1999

15. Louisiana State (1 Heisman) 2 legitimate

1958, 2003

15. Penn State (1 Heisman) 2 legitimate

1982, 1986

15. Pittsburgh (1 Heisman) 2 legitimate

1937, 1976

15. Stanford (1 Heisman) 2 legitimate

1926, 1940

20. Georgia (2 Heismans) 1 legitimate

1980

20. Auburn (2 Heismans) 1 legitimate

1957

22. Brigham Young (1 Heisman) 1 legitimate

1984

22. Syracuse (1 Heisman) 1 legitimate

1959

22. UCLA (1 Heisman) 1 legitimate

1954

22. Texas A&M (1 Heisman) 1 legitimate

1939

22. Texas Christian (1 Heisman) 1 legitimate

1938

22. Princeton (1 Heisman) 1 legitimate

1919

22. Colorado (1 Heisman) 1 legitimate

1990

29. Tennessee 1 legitimate

1998

30. Michigan State 1 legitimate

1952

30. Clemson 1 legitimate

1981

30. Illinois 1 legitimate

1927

30. Washington 1 legitimate

1991

30. Georgia Tech 1 legitimate

1990

35. Maryland 1 ILLEGITIMATE

1953

36. Arkansas 1 revised

1964

If there is a single piece of evidence that nudges Southern California over Notre Dame for ultimate historical supremacy, it is the fact that their national championships came with the price tag of bowl victory while seven of the Irish titles did not. From 1925 to 1968, Notre Dame was the champions of 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949 and 1966. Their "bowl game" was always against USC. USC, champions in 1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 2003 and 2004, always had to beat not just Notre Dame in Los Angeles and South Bend, but UCLA, too. No bowl defeats mar there national title record.

The second factor favoring Southern California is the commonsensical notion that greater credence be placed on modern events as opposed to "ancient history." There is no question that Notre Dame is the _Rock_ <ED: CAPITALIZE Rock FOR KNUTE ROCKNE> that college football is built on, but much of that foundation is the sturdy rivalry with the Trojans that, along with the Rose Bowl, nationalized the game.

USC has the edge in that they were a power in the early years after World War I (the best record in the nation, 1920s; three national titles, 1930s); a steady power in the 1940s and 1950s; the greatest dynasty ever in the 1960s and 1970s; usually a top twenty-five, bowl-bound team in the 1980s and 1990s; and now the champions of the twenty-first century (2000s). They are not a nineteenth century Ivy League relic, nor do they do build their record on the backs of championships won in the rugby era (1900s, 1910s). They earned four national championships to Notre Dame's three prior to World War II. In the decade in which Knute Rockne reigned supreme, it was the Trojans who actually had a better record than the Irish.

National champions – chronological order, 1919-2006 (modern era)

1919 Harvard 9-0

Beat Oregon, 7-6 /Rose Bowl; unanimous

Other: *Notre Dame (Davis-tie, NCF-tie), *Illinois 6-1 (Davis-tie, FR-tie, Boand), *Texas A&M 10-0 (NCF-tie)

1920 California

Beat Ohio State, 28-0/Rose Bowl; Helms, FR, Houlgate, NCF

Other: *Notre Dame 9-0 (Davis-tie), *Princeton 6-0-1 (Davis-tie, Boand-tie),

*Harvard 8-0-1 (Boand-tie)

1921 California 9-0-1

Tied Washington & Jefferson, 0-0/Rose Bowl

1922 *California 9-0

First Rose Bowl played in Rose Bowl stadium January 1, 1923 (Southern California defeated Penn State, 14-3); various other regional bowls played in 1920s

1923 *Michigan 8-0

1924 Notre Dame 10-0

Beat Stanford, 27-10/Rose Bowl

Other: *Pennsylvania 9-1-1 (Davis)

1925 Alabama 10-0

Beat Washington, 20-19/Rose Bowl; Helms, Billingsley, Boand, FR, Houlgate, NCF,

Poling

Other: *Dartmouth 8-0

1926 Stanford 10-0-1, Alabama 9-0-1 (co-national champions)

Stanford tied Alabama, 7-7/Rose Bowl; split – Billingsley, FR, Helms, NCF, Poling

1927 *Illinois 7-0-1

DS, Davis, Helms, NCF

Other: *Yale 7-1 (FR), *Notre Dame 7-1-1 (Houlgate), *Georgia 9-1 (Boand,

Poling)

1928 *Southern California 9-0-1, Georgia Tech 10-0 (co-national champions)

Southern California (Dick/Rissman)

Georgia Tech beat California, 8-7/Rose Bowl

1929 *Notre Dame 9-0

#### Bill, DS, Dunkel, Boand, Helms, FR, NCF, Poling

Other: Southern California 10-2 (beat Pittsburgh, 47-14/Rose Bowl; Houlgate, Thes), Pittsburgh 9-1 (lost Southern California, 47-14/Rose Bowl; Davis)

1930 *Notre Dame 10-0, Alabama 10-0 (co-national champions)

Notre Dame; all but FR, tie/Davis

Alabama beat Washington State, 24-0/Rose Bowl; tie/Davis, FR)

1931 Southern California 10-1

Beat Tulane, 21-12/Rose Bowl; Dick/Rockne, Dunkel, Ann, Helms, Thes, Wms, FBR,

NCF, Poling, Bill, Mas

1932 Southern California 10-0

Beat Pittsburgh, 35-0/Rose Bowl; Ann, Dunk, Thes, Helms, Wms. Davis/Co, FBR, NCF,

Poling, Bill, Mas

Other: *Michigan 8-0

1933 *Michigan 7-0-1

Other: *Southern California 10-1-1 (Wms)

1934 *Minnesota 8-0, Alabama 10-0 (co-national champions)

Alabama beat Stanford, 29-13/Rose Bowl; Dunkel, Houlgate, Poling, Williamson

Sugar, Orange Bowls first played January 1, 1935; Cotton Bowl first played January 1, 1937

1935 *Minnesota 8-0

Associated Press poll begins, 1936-2006

Final rankings prior to bowls, 1936-64

1936 *Minnesota 7-1 (AP)

1937 *Pittsburgh 9-0-1, California 10-0-1 (co-national champions)

Pittsburgh; AP

California beat Alabama, 13-0/Rose Bowl

1938 Texas Christian 11-0

Texas Christian beat Carnegie Tech, 15-7/Sugar Bowl; AP, WS, Helms, NCF; Heisman:

Davey O'Brien

Other: Tennessee 11-0 (beat Oklahoma, 7-0/Orange Bowl; Bill, Dunkel, LS,

Boand, Houlgate, FR, Poling, Sagarin), *Notre Dame 8-1 (DS)

1939 Southern California 8-0-2, Texas A&M 11-0 (co-national champions)

Southern California beat Tennessee, 14-0/Rose Bowl; Dick/Rockne

Texas A&M beat Tulane, 14-13/Sugar Bowl; AP

1940 *Minnesota, Stanford (co-national champions)

Minnesota (AP)

Stanford beat Nebraska, 21-13/Rose Bowl

1941 *Minnesota 8-0 (AP; Heisman: Bruce Smith)

1942 *Ohio State 9-1 (AP)

Other: Georgia 11-1 (beat UCLA, 9-0/Rose Bowl)

1943 *Notre Dame 9-1 (AP)

Heisman: Angelo Bertelli

1944 *Army 9-0 (AP)

1945 *Army 9-0 (AP)

Heisman: Doc Blanchard

1946 *Notre Dame 8-0-1 (AP)

1947 *Notre Dame 9-0 (AP)

Heisman: John Lujack

1948 *Michigan 9-0 (AP)

1949 *Notre Dame 10-0 (AP)

Heisman: Leon Hart

United Press International poll begins, 1950-95 – final rankings prior to bowls, 1950-73

1950 Oklahoma 10-1 **ILLEGITIMATE**

Oklahoma lost Kentucky, 13-7/Sugar Bowl; AP, UPI

REVISED: Tennessee 11-1 (beat Texas, 20-14/Cotton Bowl)

1951 Tennessee 10-1 **ILLEGITIMATE**

Tennessee lost Maryland, 28-13/Sugar Bowl; AP, UPI

REVISED: Maryland 10-0 (beat Tennessee, 28-13/Sugar Bowl)

1952 *Michigan State 9-0 (AP, UPI)

1953 Maryland ILLEGITIMATE

Maryland lost Oklahoma, 7-0/Orange Bowl; AP, UPI

REVISED: Michigan State 9-1 (beat UCLA 28-20/Rose Bowl)

Other: *Notre Dame 8-0-1 (FRI, INS, Berry; Heisman: John Lattner), Oklahoma

9-1-1 (beat Maryland 7-0/Orange Bowl; FR, Berry)

1954 *UCLA 9-0, Ohio State 10-0 (co-national champions)

UCLA; UPI

Ohio State beat Southern California, 20-7/Rose Bowl; AP

1955 Oklahoma 11-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Maryland, 20-6/Orange Bowl

1956 *Oklahoma 10-0 (AP/UPI)

1957 Ohio State 8-1, *Auburn 10-0 (co-national champions)

Ohio State beat Oregon, 10-7/Rose Bowl; UPI

Auburn; AP

1958 Louisiana State 11-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Clemson, 7-0/Sugar Bowl

1959 Syracuse 11-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Texas, 23-14/Cotton Bowl

1960 Minnesota 8-2 (AP, UPI) ILLEGITIMATE

Lost Washington 17-7/Rose Bowl

REVISED: Mississippi 10-0-1 (beat Rice, 14-6/Sugar Bowl)

1961 Alabama 11-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Arkansas, 10-3/Sugar Bowl

Associated Press – Top 10, 1962-67

1962 Southern California 11-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Wisconsin, 42-37/Rose Bowl)

1963 Texas 11-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Navy, 28-6/Cotton Bowl

1964 Alabama 10-1 ILLEGITIMATE

#### Alabama lost Texas, 21-17/Orange Bowl; AP, UPI

REVISED: Arkansas 11-0 (beat Nebraska, 10-7/Cotton Bowl; Billingsley,

FR, Football Writers, Helms, Poling, NCF)

Associated Press poll – final rankings after bowl, 1965

1965 Alabama 9-1-1

Michigan State 10-1 (UPI) ILLEGITIMATE (co-national champions)

Alabama beat Nebraska, 39-28/Orange Bowl; AP

Michigan State lost UCLA, 14-12; UPI

Associated Press poll – final rankings before bowls, 1966-67

1966 *Notre Dame 9-0-1 (AP, UPI)

1967 Southern California 10-1 (AP, UPI)

Beat Indiana, 14-3/Rose Bowl

Associated Press – Top 20, 1968-88

Final rankings after bowls, 1968-2006

1968 Ohio State 10-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Southern California, 27-16/Rose Bowl

1969 Texas 11-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Notre Dame, 21-17/Cotton Bowl

1970 Nebraska 11-0-1

Texas 10-1 ILLEGITIMATE (co-national champions)

Nebraska beat Louisiana State, 17-12/Orange Bowl; AP

Texas lost Notre Dame, 24-11/Cotton Bowl; UPI

1971 Nebraska 13-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Alabama, 38-6/Orange Bowl

1972 Southern California 12-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Ohio State, 42-17/Rose Bowl

1973 Notre Dame 11-0

Alabama 11-1 ILLEGITIMATE (co-national champions)

Notre Dame beat Alabama, 24-23/Sugar Bowl; AP

Alabama lost Notre Dame, 24-23/Sugar Bowl; UPI

United Press International poll – final rankings after bowls, 1974-1995

1974 Southern California 10-1-1, *Oklahoma 11-0 (co-national champions)

Southern California beat Ohio State, 18-17/Rose Bowl; UPI

Oklahoma on NCAA probation; AP

1975 Oklahoma 11-1 (AP, UPI)

Beat Michigan, 14-6/Orange Bowl

1976 Pittsburgh 12-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Georgia, 27-3/Sugar Bowl; Heisman: Tony Dorsett

1977 Notre Dame 11-1 (AP, UPI)

Beat Texas, 38-10/Cotton Bowl

1978 Southern California 12-1, Alabama 11-1 (co-national champions)

Southern California beat Alabama, 24-14 on 9-23-78 @ Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.;

beat Michigan 17-10/Rose Bowl; UPI

Alabama lost Southern California, 24-14 on 9-23-78 @ Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.:

beat Penn State, 14-7/Sugar Bowl; AP

1979 Alabama 12-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Arkansas, 24-9/Sugar Bowl

1980 Georgia 12-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Notre Dame, 17-10/Sugar Bowl

1981 Clemson 12-0 (AP, UPI)

Beat Nebraska, 22-15/Orange Bowl

USA Today poll begins, 1982-2006

1982 Penn State 11-1 (AP, UPI, USA Today)

Beat Penn State, 27-23/Sugar Bowl

1983 Miami 11-1 (AP, UPI, USA Today)

Beat Nebraska, 31-30/Orange Bowl

1984 Brigham Young 13-0 (AP, UPI, USA Today)

Beat Michigan, 24-17/Holiday Bowl

1985 Oklahoma 11-1 (AP, UPI, USA Today)

Beat Penn State, 25-10/Orange Bowl

1986 Penn State 12-0 (AP, UPI, USA Today)

Beat Miami, 14-10/Fiesta Bowl

1987 Miami 12-0 (AP, UPI, USA Today)

Beat Oklahoma, 20-14/Orange Bowl

1988 Notre Dame 12-0 (AP, UPI, USA Today)

Beat West Virginia, 34-21/Fiesta Bowl

Associated Press – Top 25, 1989-2006

1989 Miami 11-1 (AP, UPI, USA Today)

Beat Alabama, 33-25/Sugar Bowl

1990 Colorado 11-1-1, Georgia Tech 11-0-1 (co-national champions)

Colorado beat Notre Dame, 10-9/Orange Bowl; AP, USA Today

Georgia Tech beat Nebraska, 45-21/Citrus Bowl; UPI

1991 Washington 12-0, Miami 12-0 (co-national champions)

Washington beat Michigan, 34-14/Rose Bowl; UPI, USA Today

Miami beat Nebraska, 22-0/Orange Bowl; AP

1992 Alabama 13-0 (AP, UPI, USA Today)

Beat Miami, 34-13/Sugar Bowl

USA Today Hall of Fame poll begins, 1993-1996

1993 Florida State 12-1 (AP, UPI, USA Today, Hall of Fame)

Beat Nebraska, 18-16/Orange Bowl; Heisman: Charlie Ward

1994 Nebraska 13-0 (AP, UPI, USA Today, Hall of Fame)

Beat Miami, 24-17/Orange Bowl

1995 Nebraska 12-0 (AP, UPI, USA Today, Hall of Fame)

Beat Florida, 62-24/Fiesta Bowl

United Press International poll discontinued, 1996

1996 Florida 12-1 (AP, USA Today, Hall of Fame)

Beat Florida State, 52-20/Sugar Bowl; Heisman: Danny Wuerffel)

USA Today Hall of Fame poll discontinued, 1997

1997 Michigan 12-0, Nebraska 13-0 (co-national champions)

Michigan beats Washington State, 21-16/Rose Bowl; AP; Heisman: Charles Woodson

Nebraska beats Tennessee, 42-17/Orange Bowl; USA Today

Bowl Championship Series (USA Today poll) begins, 1998-2006

1998 Tennessee 13-0 (AP, BCS/USA Today)

Beat Florida State, 23-16/Fiesta Bowl

1999 Florida State 12-0 (AP, BCS/USA Today)

Beat Virginia Tech, 46-29/Sugar Bowl

2000 Oklahoma 13-0 (AP, BCS/USA Today)

Beat Florida State, 13-2/Orange Bowl

2001 Miami 12-0 (AP, BCS/USA Today)

Beat Nebraska, 37-14/Rose Bowl

2002 Ohio State 14-0 (AP, BCS/USA Today)

Beat Miami, 31-24/Fiesta Bowl

2003 Southern California 12-1, Louisiana State 13-1 (co-national champions)

Southern California beat Michigan, 28-14/Rose Bowl; AP

Louisiana State beat Oklahoma, 21-14/Sugar Bowl; BCS/USA Today

2004 Southern California 13-0 (AP, BCS/USA Today)

Beat Oklahoma, 55-19/Orange Bowl; Heisman: Matt Leinart

2005 Texas 13-0 (AP, BCS/USA Today)

Beat Southern California, 41-38/Rose Bowl

Bowl Championship Series championship game separates from traditional bowls, 2006

2006 Florida 13-1 (AP, BCS/USA Today)

Beat Ohio State, 41-14/BCS (Glendale, AR)

*No bowl

National champions were selected prior to bowl games: AP (1936-1964, 1966-1967); UPI (1950-1973)

Notre Dame won four in a decade (1940s) dominated by war, leather helmets, no facemasks, and almost no blacks. The great demarcation point of college football divides itself in 1960, which aside from being a nice round number separates the old days from the modern era. When John McKay took over at Southern California that year, the Trojans were still stuck on four national championships to Notre Dame's seven. The Irish boasted five Heisman Trophy winners to USC's grand total of zero. Somehow, Princeton's Dick Kazmaier was deemed a more worthy recipient of the 1951 Heisman than USC's Frank Gifford. In 1956, Notre Dame's Paul Hornung won it when USC's "Jaguar Jon" Arnett was forced to sit out half the season because of NCAA penalties.

When the landscape of college football tightened up beginning in the 1960s - color TV, big-time recruiting, big-time money, integration, wide-open offenses, modern equipment, diet and coaching – in other words, when a parity reared its head, when winning became a harder thing to achieve, winning was precisely what USC started to do more of than anybody.

Since 1962, USC has won seven national titles to Notre Dame's four. When John Huarte won Notre Dame's sixth Heisman Trophy in 1964, USC still had zero. Since then, Southern California has had seven Heisman winners to one for the Irish. A review of the Heisman winners from USC, Notre Dame and Ohio State (all with seven total), reveals that the "Trojan seven" is the most impressive of the bunch. They include:

1965 Mike Garrett set the NCAA career rushing record. He was a top pro running back

on two Kansas City Chief Super Bowl teams, including the 1969 world champions.

1968 O. J. Simpson set the NCAA single-season rushing record as a senior. He should

have won the award as a junior (1967), when he led Troy to a national title. They just missed a repeat in 1968. O. J. was the first pick of the 1969 draft. He became the all-time single-season NFL rushing leader with Buffalo when, in 1973 he became the first to break the 2,000-yard mark in a 14-game season. O. J. is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1979 Charles White finished as the NCAA's second all-time rusher with 5,598 yards.

White could have won the award in 1978 when he led USC to the national championship.

1981 Marcus Allen set or tied sixteen NCAA records, including most yards in a season

(2,342) and most yards per game (212.9). The first pick of the Raiders, Allen led Los Angeles to the 1983 world championship and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2002 Carson Palmer was the first pick of the 2003 NFL Draft by Cincinnati and is

currently a pro superstar.

2004 Matt Leinart was a three-time All-American, considered by many to be the

greatest player in the history of college football. A first round draft pick of the

Arizona Cardinals in 2006, he is currently a starter with the promise of becoming a superstar.

2005 Reggie Bush, a junior winner and two-time Heisman finalist, was the first pick of

the New Orleans Saints in 2006. As a rookie, he led New Orleans to the NFC championship game for the first time in club history.

USC versus conferences(through 2006)

Atlantic Coast (10-6), Big 10 (64-27-2), Big 12 (28-9-2), Big East (9-4), Big Sky/Mountain West (20-6-1), Pacific-10 (390-155-29), Southeastern (17-10-1), Western Athletic (27-1), Independents (115-62-13)

Notre Dame's seven Heisman winners do include Paul Hornung (1956), who was a legend at Green Bay, and Tim Brown (1987), a surefire Pro Football Hall of Famer after a great career with the Raiders. But Angelo Bertelli (1943), Johnny Lujack (1946), John Lattner (1953) and John Huarte (1964) did not impact the professional game very much. Lujack was a particular legend for tackling Army's Doc Blanchard in the open field of the famed 0-0 game in 1946. None of the others went on to the kind of pro fame as Simpson, Allen, or Palmer (or for that manner, the kind Leinart and Bush promise to achieve).

Elite Ten by the numbers

United Press International national championships (1950-95)

Coaches poll

1. Southern California 5

1. Oklahoma 5 *

1. Alabama 5 @

4. Miami 4

4. Texas 4 #

6. Ohio State 3

6. Nebraska 3

6. Notre Dame 3 +

7. Penn State 2

10. Michigan 0

*1 lost bowl, 1 no bowl

@2 lost bowls

#1 lost bowl

+1 no bowl

Alabama (5): 1961, *1964 (split/Arkansas - Billingsley, Football Research,

Football Writers, Helms, Poling, National Championship Foundation), @1973 (split/Notre Dame – UPI), 1979, 1992

*Lost Orange Bowl

@Lost Sugar Bowl

Miami (4): 1983, 1987, 1989, 2001

Michigan (0)

Nebraska (3): 1971, 1994, 1995

Notre Dame (3): *1966, 1977, 1988

*No bowl

Ohio State (3): *1957 (split/Auburn – AP), 1968, 2002

*No bowl

Oklahoma (5): *1950, 1955, @1956, 1975, 1985

*Lost Sugar Bowl

@No bowl

Penn State (2): 1982, 1986

Southern California (5): 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974 (split/Oklahoma on probation/no bowl –

AP), 1978 (split/Alabama – AP)

Texas (4): 1963, 1969, *1970, 2005

*Lost Cotton Bowl

Ohio State's seven winners are also, uh, a bit long in the tooth. They include Les Horvath (1944), Vic Janowicz (1950), Howard "Hopalong" Cassady (1955), Archie Griffin (1974-75), Eddie George (1995) and Troy Smith (2006). Cassady was a big name best remembered because he was "saddled" with the same moniker as a cowboy movie star. Griffin had a career like few others, but his 1974 Heisman should have gone to USC's Anthony Davis. Davis led USC to one of the most extraordinary victories of all time, a 55-point comeback over Notre Dame _after the ballots were mailed in._ Griffin was a solid pro. George was the real deal in college and the NFL. If any Heisman winner ever looked worse than Troy Smith against Florida in the 2007 BCS championship game, I am unaware of it.

Finally, there are the national championships. Forget the no-bowl titles of Notre Dame's salad days. In the late 1980s and early 1990s under Lou Holtz, the Irish bid for a return to greatness, perhaps beyond their best previous years. In the end they only captured the 1988 title, then went into a period of some funk. Under Charlie Weis they are contenders in a new football reality more Darwinian than any previously imagined. The masters of this new jungle: Pete Carroll's Trojans.

One decade into the BCS era, the Trojans have firmly established themselves as the "new centurions." Never has it been harder to win national championships, to maintain consistent excellence, than in this era. Since the initiation of the BCS, old champions Nebraska and Florida State have withered away. Miami was unable to sustain its run. Tennessee was a one-shot wonder. Oklahoma under Bob Stoops might have ascended to the top, but Carroll's Trojans told them there was no room in the penthouse for two kings. Jim Tressel and Ohio State were thinking "Team of the 2000s" until Florida embarrassed them in the 2007 title game. Texas sunk under the weight of _all that pressure._

In the midst of this maelstrom of Hollywood attention and high expectations; when the best juniors leave for the NFL (USC always has the best juniors, or in the case of Mike Williams in 2003, the best sophomores); when a title must be earned in the BCS world with multi-millions at stake; when every game is televised and every move scrutinized, the clear winner is Southern California.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Pro Bowl selections (through 2005)

1. Southern California 198

2. Notre Dame 135

3. Ohio State 122

4. Michigan 75

In the pre-BCS days, there would have been _no possibility_ that LSU would have snagged that split title with them in 2003. In 2005, USC would have gone to the Rose Bowl, beaten Penn State 60-2 while Texas beat somebody by a similar score in the Orange or Fiesta Bowl, then taken a national title plaque back to Heritage Hall amidst great howls of indignant complaint from Austin (just like Ann Arbor '47; Tuscaloosa '66, State College '94 . . .) In 2002, had there been a play-off, pundits agree that the best team in the nation at season's end was the Carson Palmer-led Trojans, who killed Iowa in the Orange Bowl to finish fourth while Ohio State won a close but basically lackluster BCS Fiesta Bowl game over injured Miami.

USC started playing football in 1888, but by 1919 they were at best the sixth best team on the Pacific Coast. Washington, Washington State, Oregon, California and Stanford were all teams with national, or budding national reputations. USC did play Stanford until 1905 and California starting in 1915. The <ED: CAPS> Big Game between California and Stanford was the "big story." Rivalries such as Washington-Washington State and the "civil war" between Oregon and Oregon State were already underway. UCLA did not even open its doors until 1919. USC was mostly reduced to playing small colleges in California's Southland.

For various reasons, the top high school players were in the Seattle, Washington area. USC went after the best coach in Seattle, Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson. He brought with him to Los Angeles the best players from the Pacific Northwest. It immediately turned the Trojans into a "player." From 1919-1924, Henderson's teams were 45-7 (.865). They entered the Pacific Coast Conference in 1922. On January 1, 1923 USC defeated Penn State, 14-3 in the first game ever played at the Rose Bowl stadium. One of those Seattle-bed players, Brice Taylor, became USC's first All-American in 1925. Taylor was a symbol of the new America, embodied by the West. He was of both African and Cherokee descent, and had only one hand. End Red Badgro became a Pro Football Hall of Famer with the New York Giants. Henderson was fired, however, because he could not beat Andy Smith and California's <ED: CAPS> "Wonder Teams," who lost to _nobody_ for a 50-game stretch between 1920 and 1925.

Despise his "failure," Henderson elevated USC football to a higher stage. His tenure was a very important one. In 1921, Stanford built Stanford Stadium. Shortly thereafter, California's Memorial Stadium went up. Stanford bid hard for the Rose Bowl to be moved up north. The city of Pasadena stepped up, building the famed Rose Bowl stadium in the Arroyo Seco. One year later, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was erected across the street from the USC campus. The Rose Bowl and the Coliseum had the effect of elevating USC while turning the city of Los Angeles and the state of California into the sports capital of the world. Nine years after the Coliseum was built, the Olympics were held there. USC served as the Olympic village.

On January 1, 1925, Notre Dame's "Four Horsemen" defeated coach Pop Warner, running back Ernie Nevers and Stanford, 27-10 in the Rose Bowl. After the game Rockne made an off-hand remark to the writers about "coming out here to California" and "teaching USC" how to be a champion. This could have been interpreted as inviting a rivalry with the Trojans, or inviting himself to become their coach in the wake of Henderson's firing.

Rockne's wife indeed had a fondness for southern Calironia, and he did toy with serious offers from the USC administration. Notre Dame held his feet to the fire, however. He recommended Howard Jones, who had beaten him when Jones was at Iowa. Jones also won a national championship coaching at Yale almost two decades prior. He was hired. Jones then formalized the rivalry with Notre Dame, but not without a little help from Mrs. Rockne. She insisted that if Rock not move to the Golden State, he at least take his team there every two years, ostensibly so she could shop on Rodeo Drive.

The rivalry with Notre Dame started in 1926. It saw a brief interruption because the world decided to go to war in the 1940s. It is the greatest in all of college sports history and perhaps the entire athletic world. The Ohio State-Michigan, Alabama-Auburn, Oklahoma-Nebraska, Army-Navy, California-Stanford, Notre Dame-Michigan and even Southern Cal-UCLA rivalries all lack the kind of national prestige attached to the USC-Notre Dame event. Some are just regional. Some lack the tradition of eighty years. Some are played between teams that do not for the most part contend much. USC-Notre Dame has it all.

"It's like Nick Lachey eyeing Jessica Simpson, each from across a crowded room for the first time," was the way _Sports Illustrated_ college football writer Austin Murphy put it in 2005.

"It's like the Republican National Convention," says J. Kevin McCormack, whose father graduated from Notre Dame, and who himself attended college there before transferring . . . to USC. "Private schools, lots of wealth, very classy, not a lot of swearing or class envy like UCLA or Cal; Democrat schools who hate USC instead of trying to upgrade themselves to that level of excellence. Obviously Notre Dame's Catholic and USC is 'Hollywood's school,' but it was originally a Methodist institution and remains a bastion of patriotism. Both schools are conservative by nature, a rare thing outside of the South. Both are mocked for it and remain above such unimpressiveness."

Few "football schools" have such mutual respect for each other as USC and Notre Dame. Michigan can't stand Ohio State; thinks the Buckeyes are lower class. Georgia fans think Florida graduates can use their degrees as handicap stickers. Nebraska and Oklahoma think of each other likes Bosnians and Croats. Alabama and Auburn are like the Hatfields and the McCoys. UCLA is just plain teed off that Trojans respect Notre Dame more, and too often tend to own the corporations they toil for.

USC lost to Notre Dame, 13-12 in front of 74,378 at the Coliseum in 1926, and 7-6 in front of an all-time record crowd of 120,000 at Chicago's Soldier Field in 1927. Southern California finally won a national championship in 1928 on the strength of a 27-14 victory over the Irish in front of 72,632 at the Coliseum. It was the equivalent then of Florida State finally getting one for Bobby Bowden in 1993, or Tom Osborne at Nebraska in 1994. At the time, many pundits felt the Trojans to be the greatest college team ever assembled. In 1929, 112,912 attended Notre Dame's 13-12 win over the USC at Soldier Field in a _de facto_ national championship game. Also in 1929, USC destroyed UCLA 76-0 in the first meeting between the two schools. After a couple of games like that, the Bruins pulled out of the series in order to lick their wounds.

In 1931, Southern California traveled to the brand new Notre Dame Stadium. Trailing 14-0 entering the fourth quarter, they captured a thrilling a 16-14 comeback win on Johnny Baker's last-minute field goal. The game was broadcast nationally and made USC instant American heroes. At least 300,000 met the team upon their arrival by train in downtown Los Angeles. Jones's <ED: CAPS> "Thundering Herd" captured back-to-back national championships in 1931 and 1932. The 1932 team was considered Jones's best, better even than the 1928 champions. Again, talk of "the best team ever" was entered into by pundits from coast to coast. USC football was doing as much or more to put their city and state on the map as Hollywood, or even the Olympics. Movie stars flocked to their games while writing fan letters to Jones. The film connection, started a few years earlier by ex-Trojan football player Marion Morrison, a.k.a. John "Duke" Wayne, was well underway.

Certainly until 1932, only Cal's "Wonder Teams" and Rockne's "Four Horsemen" of 1924 might have been considered as good. All-Americans of the 1920s and 1930s included Mort Kaer (the "Red Bluff Terror"), Jesse Hibbs, Morley Drury (the "Noblest Trojan of them all"), Erny Pinckert, Johnny Baker, Gus Shaver, Ernie Smith, Aaron Rosenberg, and Cotton Warburton. Rosenberg became one of Hollywood's most successful television producers.

In the mid-1930s, USC experienced a downturn. The UCLA series was resumed for good. It was an immediate bloodbath. The Trojans and Bruins twice battled to a tie; 7-7 in 1936 and 0-0 in 1939. But the impact of the series went beyond the ferocity of the competition. Huge throngs sat in the Coliseum watching integrated teams play each other. The Bruins in particular featured the likes of future baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, Olympic sprinter Kenny Washington, and Woody Strode, the back gladiator who dies so that Kirk Douglas may live in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick classic _Spartacus_ (another gladiator in that film was USC's Marv Goux).

The Howard Jones era

1925 11-2

1926 8-2

1927 8-1-1

1928 9-0-1

1929 10-2

1930 8-2

1931 10-1

1932 10-0

1933 10-1-1

1934 4-6-1

1935 5-7

1936 4-2-3

1937 9-2

1939 8-0-2

On January 2, 1939 USC battled unbeaten, untied, unscored-on Duke in the Rose Bowl. Trailing 3-0 with mere minutes remaining, Jones inserted substitute quarterback Doyle Nave and back-up end "Antelope Al" Kreuger. They engineered the winning drive, 7-3, achieving sports notoriety that today might be compared to Tom Brady or Derek Jeter; love letters, publicity and the like. An example of how different the world was then can be found a few years later. Nave found himself serving in the Navy alongside several of those Duke players during World War II.

In 1939, Jones's Trojans captured the last of his four national championships. They beat Notre Dame, 20-12 at South Bend. Then they knocked off Bob Neyland's unbeaten, untied, and also unscored-on Tennessee Volunteers, 14-3 in the Rose Bowl. Guard Harry Smith earned All-American honors.

Trojan consensus All-Americans of the 1940s and 1950s included Ralph Heywood, John Ferraro, Paul Cleary, Elmer Wilhoite and Jim Sears. Ferraro (whose college career was interrupted by military service during the war) became a respected Los Angeles city councilman. The most famed player was the golden boy Frank Gifford. Gifford went on to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career, leading the New York Giants to glory. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, coach Pappy Waldorf's California Golden Bears went on a tremendous run, but in 1951 Gifford engineered a 21-14 upset victory at Berkeley.

In the two decades between Howard Jones and John McKay, USC won several conference championships. After the Rose Bowl was dominated by the Big 10 in the first six years of the arrangement, USC finally earned back some honor for the Pacific Coast Conference with a 7-0 triumph over Wisconsin on January 1, 1953. In 1954 an all-time college record fifteen Trojans were drafted by the NFL. In 1956, the Trojans traveled to Austin, Texas. USC's black running back, C. R. Roberts, led the 44-20 blowout win by rushing for 251 yards _in the first half_. This occurred after USC was forced to leave their hotel the night before because Roberts was not allowed to stay there. After the game, Longhorn players, who had baited and spit at Roberts at the beginning of the game, extended handshakes. As athletes, Roberts had earned their code of respect. The fans, however, continued to catcall him. The time for major social progress was not yet at hand in the South.

USC's coach was Jess Hill, known as "Mr. Trojan." Hill did it all at USC. He ran track and played football before embarking on a Major League career with the Philadelphia Athletics. After retiring Hill coached track and football at his alma mater. He later became athletic director. Under his tenure in the 1960s and 1970s, the University of Southern California enjoyed the greatest run of sports success in all collegiate annals, before or since.

In the mid-1950s, a recruiting scandal hurt USC and the entire PCC. It ensnared Washington, UCLA and California in a "rent payment" imbroglio. It came about when the cost of housing went up exponentially in Westwood, Berkeley and other off-campus locations. It came to the NCAA's attention when Stanford, who was just as guilty, decided to "self report" while turning their conference rivals in.

Willie Wood became the first major college starting black starting quarterback under coach Don Clark between 1957 and 1959. He went on to a Hall of Fame career playing defensive back for Vince Lombardi's Packer dynasty. All-American lineman Ron Mix became a Hall of Famer with San Diego. An assistant coach during that era, Al Davis became a Pro Football Hall of Famer as commissioner of the American Football League, coach and owner of the Raiders.

Over the next two decades, relations between USC, Stanford and California soured. When USC established dominance in the early 1930s, the northern universities accused USC of cheating and letting players into school with questionable academic credentials. Over the next years many of the "questionable" players went from football to successful careers as lawyers, writers, movie producers, architects, and like professions. This eliminated Cal and Stanford's argument, but they continued to argue it anyway

In 1959, USC featured the "Twin Holy Terrors of Mount Carmel," linemen Marlin and Mike McKeever. Unable to stop the McKeever's, California instead accused them of dirty play, even going so far as to sue USC when Mike's hard hit of a Bear player resulted in an injury. The case got big play in _Sports Illustrated_. Eventually, film was produced exonerating McKeever. California, exposed as a loser, decided that sports was not so important after all. They de-emphasized athletics in the 1960s and 1970s. Their students, humiliated in yearly drubbings at the hands of Trojan powerhouses, took to dumbly waving credit cards because USC's students tended to come from wealth.

Elite Ten by the numbers

First round pro football draftees (through 2007)

1. Southern California 67

2. Ohio State 65

3. Notre Dame 59

4. Miami 59

5. Michigan 42

6. Oklahoma 39

6. Texas 40

8. Alabama 33

9. Penn State 32

10. Nebraska 33

The term "University of Spoiled Children" emanated out of the political 1960s, when USC was a campus that actually rooted for America in their struggle with an ideology (Communism) responsible for the murder of 100 million human beings in the twentieth century. On the football field, the beatings went on with California and Stanford falling like Eastern Europe under Stalin. Humiliated by this fact, the supposedly enlightened Stanford student body took to running USC's players through a gauntlet when they made their way from the outside dressing rooms into Stanford Stadium. McKay and his great players, many of whom were black, were pelted with the "N-word." McKay was called a "n----r lover."

"It made my blood boil," said McKay. "That's why I said I wanted to beat Stanford by two thousand points."

The Stanford student newspaper ran an editorial prior to the 1972 game stating USC was a school that failed to learn how to put the game of football in proper perspective. The old same old accusations – academic fraud, stupid athletes – was leveled at USC, as had been done in the 1930s. Over the years, when many members of _that_ team became corporate attorneys, network broadcasters, schoolteachers, entrepreneurs, Christian ministers and a Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, it had the same effect as before, which was of no benefit to Stanford.

In 1960 McKay took over a program that was certainly one of the best in the nation, but had been underperforming. In 1962 USC went 11-0, defeating Notre Dame and UCLA, then Wisconsin in a wild Rose Bowl to capture the national championship. In 1963, Mel Hein, a Pro Football Hall of Fame center with the New York Giants, became an assistant coach at Southern California. In 1964, Ara Parseghian brought his first Notre Dame team into Los Angeles with an unbeaten record. Leading 17-0 at the half, he told his players they were "thirty minutes from the national championship." It seemed to have the effect of getting the Irish, as UCLA basketball coach John Wooden would put, "playing not to win, but rather playing not to lose."

#### Number one versus number two

The Trojans are 3-3 in number one versus number two match-ups through 2006 . . .

USC has seven victories over number one-ranked opponents and has ended nine perfect seasons (through 2006) . . .

USC battled back. Late in the fourth quarter quarterback Craig Fertig hit receiver Rod Sherman on a clutch fourth down pass called "84-Z delay," giving Troy the 20-17 upset victory.

In 1966, USC again opened the season at Texas. This time the focus was on former USC football star John "Duke" Wayne, who was filming _War Wagon_ in the state at the time. Events of that weekend are momentous, probably enough for a book or a documentary. In a nutshell Wayne, his Hollywood cohorts, sportswriters and well-heeled USC alumni did a fair amount of drinkin'. There were fistfights and Wayne's make-up man died of alcohol poisoning.

In the morning Fertig – now an assistant coach – was put in "charge" of Wayne, doing the job of the dead make-up man (although Wayne was not yet aware of his demise). Fertig dressed The Duke in a black business suit, white ten-gallon cowboy hat, boots with spurs.

"I had him lookin' good," recalled Fertig.

Wayne was then brought before the USC football team to give them a pre-game pep talk. According to legend, Wayne gave them a rip roarin' exhortation filled with war references hinting at what America would do to the Communists in Vietnam, which was raging at the time. There are rumors that George C. Scott's speech at the beginning of _Patton_ was patterned after Wayne's 1966 pre-game talk in Austin. Wayne was then taken to the field, where he was hauled around in a golf cart driven by Fertig's father, Henry "Chief" Fertig, head of the Huntington Park, California (L.A. County) Police Department. Apparently still intoxicated from the night before – he slept little if at all and just kept drinkin' – Wayne was fortified by a clandestine whiskey bottle that Chief kept pouring into a Dixie cup he drank out of. The Texas fans saw The Duke and cheered. Duke then gave 'em the "hook 'em, 'Horns" sign, but according to Fertig was saying the whole while, "F—k the 'Horns." USC won the game, 10-6. They never ever lost to Texas until the 2006 Rose Bowl game.

Later in 1966, Notre Dame was humbled by a 10-10 tie against Michigan State at East Lansing in which Ara Parseghian was disparaged for not going for the win late in the fourth quarter. The next week, the Irish played for "poll position" in a 51-0 drubbing of USC. The media prodded McKay in an attempt to get him to complain about Notre Dame running up the score. He was not of that bent. His contention was that it was USC's job to stop them. Besides, he said, "There's a billion Chinamen who could care less who won this game."

After the 51-0 loss to Notre Dame, McKay vowed "never to be beaten like that again." Over the course of the following sixteen years, USC under McKay and John Robinson lost just twice to the Irish. The Trojans' dominance inspired many to remember McKay only saying "we'll never be beaten" by Notre Dame again. Close enough.

The comparison between McKay and Parseghian is best exemplified by events within less than two months of each other in 1966. Parseghian was derisively said to have "tied one for the Gipper" when he settled for the 10-10 tie in the "Game of the Century" against Michigan State. On January 2, 1966 USC trailed Purdue 14-7 in the Rose Bowl. Troy drove for a last-minute touchdown. The "gunslinger" McKay avoided playing for the tie. The two-point try failed, giving victory to Bob Griese and the Boilermakers, respect for the men of Troy.

In the dressing room that day a young junior college recruit named O. J. Simpson told his future teammates "don't worry about it, we'll win the national championship next year." O. J. was attracted to USC by their famed white horse Traveler. He watched Traveler romp around the field on a color TV when USC beat Wisconsin in the 1963 Rose Bowl. O. J. immediately transformed Southern California from excellent to dominant. His two years at USC mark the dividing line between all that came before and all that came after.

When he entered school in 1967, Notre Dame was the king of college football. The battle for "second" was an open war between USC, Oklahoma and Alabama, which the Irish were happy to see fought, like the Romans encouraging skirmishes against Carthage so as to weaken their rivals. It is likely an exaggeration to say that USC was winning that "war."

O. J. started a period of Trojan success resulting in the school assessing, at the end of the 1982 season, either they had caught Notre Dame for all-time collegiate football supremacy, or were on the verge of doing so. Whether they did or not is immaterial, since over the next twenty years they fell well behind their rivals in the historical pantheon, but that is not for now.

The numbers are discussed in various sections of this book. Besides, football statistics do not resonate like, say, Barry Bonds hitting seventy-three homers, or Wilt Chamberlain averaging fifty points a game. Suffice to say that O. J. had the best season ever up until 1967. He was even better in 1968.

The junior transfer from City College of San Francisco announced his presence with authority when he led Troy first to a hard-fought 17-13 win over Texas. Then he and linebacker Adrian Young (who was born in Dublin, Ireland) starred in a huge 24-7 victory at Notre Dame. It was USC's first victory in South Bend since the 1939 national championship campaign.

In 1967 Southern California beat UCLA, 21-20 at the Coliseum. There have been many incredible games over the years; since then the 1969 Texas-Arkansas, 1971 Nebraska-Oklahoma, and 1993 Notre Dame-Florida State battles. Only the 2006 USC-Texas Rose Bowl game seems to feature the hype, the match-ups and the ultimate result rivaling the 1967 "city game."

It was for the Rose Bowl and the national championship, no questions asked, played between two teams ten miles apart in the same city. Both wore their home jerseys in a stadium they shared. It was for the Heisman Trophy, too, which makes it very rare. Both UCLA's Gary Beban and USC's Simpson played their best games of the season. O. J.'s 64-yard run to win it late in the fourth quarter was pure magic. O. J. should have won the Heisman, but the senior Beban was so noble in the titanic struggle he ended up the winner.

In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, the UCLA game was often more competitive than the Notre Dame battles. These were golden years at UCLA. First, there was the great Red Sanders, who said "the USC-UCLA game is not a matter of life or death; it's more important than that." Then there was Tommy Prothro and McKay, two Southerners from the old school who adjusted nicely to California sensibilities in the 1960s. McKay despised characterizations of Prothro out-coaching him. Later, Pepper Rodgers and Terry Donahue of UCLA, and John Robinson of USC, battled each other in fierce manner. Had USC not stood in their way, the Bruins may well have added national championships (to the one Sanders brought to Westwood in 1954) in 1967, 1969, 1972 and 1973.

O. J. led USC to a 14-3 victory over Indiana in the 1968 Rose Bowl, capping McKay's second national championship. When the season ended, a record five Trojans (Outland Trophy winner Ron Yary, Mike Taylor, Tim Rossovich, Mike Hull, Earl McCullough) were chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft. All-American linebacker Adrian Young was among the overall eleven USC players selected. Despite the talent drain, Southern California came back in 1968 challenging to be one of the great teams in history.

Number one overall pro football draft choices

1. Southern California 5

1. Notre Dame 5

1. Alabama 5

4. Miami 3

4. Ohio State 3

4. Oklahoma 3

4. Nebraska 3

8. Michigan 1

Southern California (5): Ron Yary (Minnesota, 1968), O.J. Simpson (Buffalo, 1969),

Ricky Bell (Tampa Bay, 1977), Keyshawn Johnson (New York Jets, 1996), Carson Palmer (Cincinnati, 2003)

Alabama (5): Vaughn Mancha, Boston (1947); Butch Avinger, Pittsburgh (1951); Bobby

Marlow, New York Giants (1953); Lee Roy Jordan, Dallas Cowboys (1962); Joe Namath, St. Louis Cardinals NFL/New York Jets AFL (1964)

Miami (3) Bernie Kosar, Cleveland (1985); Vinny Testaverde, Tampa Bay (1987);

Russell Maryland, Dallas (1991)

Michigan (1): Tom Harmon (Chicago, 1941)

Nebraska (3): Sam Francis (Philadelphia, 1937), Irving Fryar (New England, 1984), Mike

Rozier (Houston, 1984-supplemental)

Notre Dame (5): Angelo Bertelli (Boston, 1944), Frank Dancewicz (Boston, 1946), Leon

Hart (Detroit, 1950), Paul Hornung (Green Bay, 1957), Walt Patulski (Buffalo, 1972)

Ohio State (3): Tom Cousineau (Buffalo, 1979), Dan Wilkinson (Cincinnati, 1994),

Orlando Pace (St. Louis Rams, 1997)

Oklahoma (3): Lee Roy Selmon (Tampa Bay,1976), Billy Sims (Detroit, 1980), Brian

Bosworth (Seattle, 1987)

O. J. set the NCAA single-season rushing record with 1,880 and won the Heisman Trophy in a runaway. USC blasted through the season, but at the Rose Bowl met their match: a talent-laden group of Ohio State sophomores ended USC's bid for hegemony, 27-16. At that moment, Ohio State coach Woody Hayes was sitting on top of the world, with any talk of _hegemony_ centered on the Buckeyes. In the next two years, his great teams somehow managed to get upset by Michigan, 24-12 (1969) and Stanford, 27-17 (1971 Rose Bowl). There would be no repeats or three-peats; in fact, mostly more disappointment in Pasadena. This served only to demonstrate just how darn hard it is to keep winning every year in college football.

O. J. was the first pick in the draft by the Buffalo Bills. He was the greatest pro football player of the 1970s. In his prime, many argued he had passed or was close to passing Cleveland's Jim Brown as the all-time best running back – and football player – in history. Ultimately that would be an overstatement. O. J. was the leading commercial pitchman in the country for many years during and after his playing career. He was a member of the _Monday Night Football_ broadcast crew, also working as an analyst and sideline reporter. O. J. enjoyed a modicum of success in Hollywood, most notably in _The Naked Gun_ comic turns. In 1994, his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman, were brutally stabbed to death in Los Angeles. O. J. was accused, tried and found "not guilty." A civil trial, however, found him liable. The overwhelming public sentiment is that he is guilty regardless of the verdict. He has been basically disowned by USC, a school he loved and who loved him back. In the 1990s, opponents taunted USC with placards featuring O. J.'s photo. In the Pete Carroll era Trojan success has thankfully made the O. J. issue an old one.

USC versus their biggest rivals

Versus UCLA 41-28-7

Versus Notre Dame 31-42-5

In 1969 USC did something few college teams are able to do. Despite losing their star player and most of his teammates, they re-loaded and probably were better. Only a tie with Notre Dame prevented Southern California from the national championship, or at least competing in an even struggle with Texas and Penn State for it. USC opened with a 31-21 win at Nebraska (a tie with USC in 1970 was the only blemish in the next thirty-two Cornhusker games). Last-minute thrillers over Stanford (26-24 on Ron Ayala's field goal) and UCLA (14-12 on a Jimmy Jones-to-Sam Dickerson touchdown pass) earned Southern California the moniker "Cardiac Kids." The defensive line, featuring Al Cowlings, Tody Smith and Charlie Weaver, was named after the Sam Peckinpah film _The Wild Bunch._ Michigan, fresh off a monumental 24-12 upset of "Team of the Century" Ohio State, was overwhelmed by the "Wild Bunch" in a 10-3 Rose Bowl loss to Southern Cal. The Trojans finished 10-0-1.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Bowl win-loss records

1. Southern California 29-16

2. Alabama 30-21-3

3. Penn State 25-12-2

4. Oklahoma 24-15-1

5. Miami 19-14

6. Texas 23-21-2

7. Nebraska 22-22

8. Michigan 18-20

9. Ohio State 18-20

10. Notre Dame *13-15

*Holds NCAA record, most consecutive bowl losses (9), 1994-2006

Southern California: 29-16 (Rose: 22-9, Orange: 2-0, Cotton: 1-0, Fiesta: 0-1)

Alabama: 30-21-3 (Sugar: 8-4, Orange: 4-4, Rose: 4-1-1, Cotton: 3-4)

Miami: 19-14 (Orange: 6-3, Sugar: 2-2, Rose: 1-1, Fiesta: 0-1)

Michigan: 18-20 (Rose: 8-12, Fiesta: 1-0, Orange: 1-1, Sugar: 0-1)

Nebraska: 22-22 (Orange: 8-9, Sugar: 3-1, Fiesta: 2-4, Cotton: 1-2, Rose: 0-2)

Notre Dame: 13-15 (Cotton: 5-2, Orange: 2-3, Sugar: 2-2, Fiesta: 1-3, Rose: 1-0)

Ohio State: 18-20 (Rose: 6-7, Fiesta: 4-1, Orange: 1-0, Sugar: 1-2, Cotton: 1-0, BCS: 0-1)

Oklahoma: 24-15-1 (Orange: 12-8, Sugar: 4-2, Fiesta: 1-2, Rose: 1-0, Cotton: 1-0)

Penn State: 25-12-2

Texas: 23-21-2

Consensus USC All-Americans of the 1960s included Hal Bedsole, Mike Garrett, Ron Yary, Nate Shaw, O. J. Simpson, Tim Rossovich, Adrian Young, and Jim Gunn. The 1970s promised more of the same. The first game of the new decade certainly portended greater glory than ever before. Indeed, that glory was attained, but there were obstacles to overcome. On September 12, 1970 McKay's fully integrated Trojans traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to take on Bear Bryant's segregated Crimson Tide. Fourteen years after C. R. Roberts's game at Texas, it _was time_ for social progress in the South. The game was planned by Bryant and McKay as a demonstration of sorts in front of the 'Bama faithful. The idea was to convince them that, in order to continue competing with the likes of USC on a national level, they would need to _look_ more like USC.

USC versus Elite Ten (67-68-8)

Alabama (2-5), Miami (1-1), Michigan (6-4), Nebraska (2-0-1), Notre Dame (31-42-5), Ohio State (11-9-1), Oklahoma (6-2-1), Penn State (4-4), Texas (4-1)

Bryant had already recruited some black high school stars. He wanted to pave a smooth transition for them into the world of Alabama football and the Southeastern Conference. Sam "Bam" Cunningham, a black sophomore fullback from Santa Barbara, California ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns to key Troy's resounding 42-21 win in front of a stunned, silent Legion Field crowd. According to legend, after the game Bryant brought Cunningham into the silent Alabama dressing room, perched him atop a stool, and announced, "Gentlemen, this here's what a football player looks like." It is a great story, preached as Holy Grail at USC for years, but is apparently an exaggeration. Exactly what happened is still hazy, but the full Cunningham-in-the-locker story is fairly mythologized. Alabama assistant coach Jerry Claiborne did say, "Sam Cunningham did more for civil rights in sixty minutes than Martin Luther King did in twenty years."

The dye was cast. White fans were heard exclaiming after the game, "Bear better get hisself a few of them nigra players." He did. The result was dominance in the 1970s at least at or maybe above USC's level.

Joe Gibbs, an assistant coach on the 1970 team, became the Super Bowl-winning coach of the Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Filled with confidence after the Alabama game, the 1970 Trojans then experienced one of the all-time letdowns. It lasted for two 6-4-1 years. The irony is that while Alabama seamlessly transitioned black players into their system, going undefeated in the 1971 regular season and beyond, the _Trojans_ were beset by racial tension. The bone of contention centered around black quarterback Jimmy Jones and his white back up, "blue chip" recruit Mike Rae.

In 1971 USC was 2-4. McKay's shine was virtually gone. The week of the game at 6-0 Notre Dame, little-known offensive lineman Dave Brown approached McKay. He asked if he could bring in his friends from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for a "demonstration." The Catholic McKay, probably figuring nothing could hurt at that point, agreed.

"A lot of guys accepted Christ that day," said Brown, who became a teacher and football coach at San Clemente High School in Orange County, south of Los Angeles. Several of the players, including All-American tight end Charles "Tree" Young, became Christian ministers later in life.

Fortified by The Word, Southern California marched into Notre Dame Stadium, ending Irish national title hopes, 28-14. That USC group never lost again. They remained unbeaten throughout the rest of the 1971 season. The 1972 Trojans are generally considered to be the greatest single-season team in history. They were unbeaten, ranked number one from the first poll until the last, and never were challenged despite playing a difficult schedule. After dismantling Ohio State, 42-17 in the 1973 Rose Bowl, Southern California won McKay's third national championship.

#### USC's College Hall of Famers (35)

John Baker 1929-1931

Brad Budde 1976-1979

Mike McKeever 1958-1960

Aaron Rosenberg 1931-1933

Harry Smith 1937-1939

Tay Brown 1930-1932

John Ferraro 1943-1947

Dan McMillan 1917,1919

Marvin Powell 1974-1976

Ernie Smith 1930-1932

Ron Yary 1965-1967

Paul Cleary 1946-1947

Charles Young 1970-72

Lynn Swann 1971-1973

Morley Drury 1925-1927

Cotton Warburton 1932-1934

Marcus Allen 1978-1981

Ricky Bell 1973-1976

Anthony Davis 1972-1974

Jon Arnett 1954-1956

Mike Garrett 1963-1965

Frank Gifford 1949-1951

Mort Kaer 1924-1926

Erny Pinckert 1929-1931

O. J. Simpson 1967-1968

Charles White 1976-1979

Ronnie Lott 1977-1980

Richard Wood 1972-1974

## Coaches

Bob Blackman 1939-1941 (assistant)

Don Coryell 1960 (assistant)

Mel Hein 1951-1965 (assistant)

Howard Jones 1926-1940

John McKay 1960-1975

Ken O'Brien 1998 (assistant)

Mike McGee 1984-1993 (athletic director)

Before starting his ministry, Young was a first round draft choice of Philadelphia, then played on two Super Bowl teams (1979 Los Angeles Rams, 1981 San Francisco 49ers). He was a key member of the world champion 49ers, blocking for and catching passes from the great Joe Montana. Quarterback Mike Rae played for the 1976 world champion Oakland Raiders. The All-American Cunningham was a first round draft pick of New England (1973) and ran behind the blocking of Alabama's John Hannah with the Patriots. Lynn Swann was Pittsburgh's first draft pick (1974) and the Most Valuable Player of the 1976 Super Bowl, when the Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17. He played on four Super Bowl winners in Pittsburgh. After retiring, he became a network sideline analyst. A College and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Swann ran as the Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania in 2006.

All-American defensive back Charles Phillips starred for the 1976 world champion Oakland Raiders. Three-time All-American linebacker Richard "Batman" Wood played for Tampa Bay. All-American guard Bill Bain played in the 1980 Super Bowl for the Los Angeles Rams. The Cleveland Browns drafted All-American offensive tackle Pete Adams in the first round.

All-American lineman John Grant played in Super Bowl XII for Denver. All-American lineman Booker Brown played for the Chargers. All-American safety Artimus Parker played for Philadelphia and the Jets. All-American offensive tackle Steve Riley was Minnesota's first round draft choice and played in the 1977 Super Bowl.

Sophomore All-American running back Anthony "A. D." Davis scored six touchdowns in USC's 45-23 win over Notre Dame. That game is considered one of, if not the finest, single-day performances in college football annals. Other all-time great individual games include Red Grange's performance for Illinois against Michigan in 1924, and Davis's repeat effort against Notre Dame in 1974. Davis went on to play for the Rams.

Back-ups on the 1972 team included receiver J. K. McKay (Buccaneers) and quarterback Pat Haden, who led the Rams to the 1976 NFC championship game. Haden also was a Rhodes Scholar, studying political science at Oxford College in England. He graduated from Loyola University Law School and became a corporate attorney in Los Angeles. Haden also went on to a long career as a college football network broadcaster. Interestingly, he became the "voice of the Irish," handling NBC's games as part of their national arrangement with Notre Dame.

Overall, the 1972 national champions produced ten seniors drafted in 1973; nine in 1974; and fourteen in 1975. The Trojans of the early 1970s made up a large portion of the two teams which met, appropriately enough, at the Rose Bowl to play the 1977 Super Bowl. Key Oakland Raiders included former USC All-Americans John Vella, Clarence Davis, Willie Hall and Charles Phillips, plus Skip Thomas. Former USC Outland Trophy recipient Ron Yary, the first pick of the 1968 draft by Minnesota, was a Hall of Fame player for the Vikings. His teammate on the 1976 Vikings was Steve Riley. The Oakland Trojans, er, Raiders beat the Vikings, 32-14 **.**

USC held the top spot in the Associated Press rankings for a then record seventeen straight weeks between 1972 and 1973. Their unbeaten streak from 1971 to 1973 reached twenty-three until Notre Dame knocked them off at South Bend, the first Irish victory in seven years.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Super Bowl appearances (through 2005)

1. Southern California 92

2. Miami 80

3. Michigan 62

4. Nebraska 58

5. Alabama 55

In 1974, USC beat Notre Dame in a game that defied description. Trailing 24-0, the Trojans scored _fifty-five points in seventeen minutes_ to annihilate the Irish before a disbelieving Coliseum throng. Davis again spearheaded the victory, which ranks along with his 1972 effort versus the Irish among the all-time individual performances ever. It also proved to be the impetus behind USC's second national championship in three years. Woody Hayes and Ohio State were waiting for them in the Rose Bowl. This time the Buckeyes did not get rolled like road kill under a Mack truck.

Trailing 17-10 late in the fourth quarter, Southern California drove the length of the field, with Pat Haden hitting J. K. McKay in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Coach McKay went for two, just as he had in the 1967 Rose Bowl versus Purdue, and as Parseghian had chosen not to do when the national title was also on the line. With everything riding on one play, Haden rolled to the right hoping to run it in. Met by a phalanx of Ohio State tacklers, he found Shelton Diggs "flashing" across the middle for the two-pointer, giving them victory and glory.

The 1974 team was one of the most exciting teams ever. Between 1964 and 1982, in a series of comebacks against Notre Dame; against Ohio State twice in the Rose Bowl; against Oklahoma, Stanford, UCLA and others; the Trojans thrilled their fans with improbable wins against all odds. A great program was elevated to legendary status during these years.

In 1975, USC was unbeaten, looking for a repeat national title when John McKay announced he was leaving at season's end to take over the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It took all the air out of the USC tires. They finished 8-4. New coach John Robinson led USC to an 11-1 record in 1976, complete with season-ending _conquests_ of UCLA, Notre Dame, and Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Only a season-opening loss to Missouri prevented that team from capturing the national championship, which went to Tony Dorsett and Pittsburgh.

In 1978, USC made a return trip to Birmingham's Legion Field. The success of the 1970 "tackling segregation" victory over Alabama was apparent by what did _not_ happen. Nobody who was there remembers anybody even bringing up the fact that Alabama's team was fully integrated, as was the coaching staff, the student body, the crowd and much of the press corps. Unlike the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, Sam Cunningham's game in 1970 seemed to have changed hearts and minds in the most peaceful way possible. On the field, the result was similar. Charles White ran for 199 yards, spurring Troy to an enormous 24-14 victory over the number one-ranked Crimson Tide.

After dispatching with UCLA, USC faced Notre Dame at the Coliseum in a game with major national championship implications. Quarterback Paul McDonald and White keyed Troy to a 24-6 lead in the second half. Irish quarterback Joe Montana put on a comeback display for the ages. He led Notre Dame all the way back late in the fourth quarter, but their two-point conversion try failed, leaving the score 25-24 Irish. Less than two minutes remained.

McDonald maneuvered USC into field goal range. Frank Jordan's 37-yard kick won the game 27-25, ensuring his immortality. USC took care of Michigan, 17-10 in the Rose Bowl to give John Robinson what turned out to be his only national championship.

The 1979 Trojans entered the season ranked number one amid talk they might be the finest team ever assembled. A 17-12 comeback win at Louisiana State helped Troy start off 5-0. On October 13 they led Stanford, 21-0 at halftime. Most of the USC student body repaired to the beer aisles to talk it over with the opposite sex. The frantic sounds of Stanford coming back to tie it drew them back in. Momentum was lost, resulting in a 21-21 deadlock.

Otherwise unbeaten, USC blasted all opposition, including Notre Dame on the road, 42-23 and UCLA at the Coliseum, 49-14. Entering the bowls, USC was only halfway in control of their destiny. Ohio State waited for them at the Rose Bowl. New coach Earle Bruce (whose coaching staff included young Pete Carroll) had the Buckeyes at 11-0, ranked first.

Alabama was also unbeaten and untied. USC needed to beat Ohio State while Arkansas upset 'Bama. The Trojans did their part. Trailing 16-10 with just minutes left, Charlie White spearheaded a ground-oriented attack, resulting in the winning touchdown, 17-16. Alabama beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl to capture Bear Bryant's last national championship. White won the Heisman Trophy.

Between 1978 and 1980, USC featured a 28-game unbeaten streak **.** Consensus USC All-Americans of the second half of the 1970s and early 1980s included Ricky Bell, Gary Jeter, Dennis Thurman, Pat Howell, Brad Budde, Keith Van Horne, Roy Foster, Don Mosebar, Bruce Matthews, George Achica and Tony Slaton. Bell was the first pick of the 1976 NFL Draft (McKay's Buccaneers). Other first round selections included Marvin Powell (Jets, 1977), Jeter (Giants, 1977), Clay Matthews (Cleveland, 1978), Anthony Munoz (Cincinnati, 1980), Budde (Kansas City, 1980), White (Cleveland, 1980), Ronnie Lott (San Francisco, 1981), Van Horne (Chicago, 1981), Dennis Smith (Denver, 1981), Chip Banks (Cleveland, 1982), Marcus Allen (Raiders, 1982), Foster (Miami, 1982), Bruce Matthews (Houston, 1983), Joey Browner (Minnesota, 1983), and Don Mosebar (Raiders, 1983)

Offensive lineman Anthony Munoz became a Hall of Famer with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played in two Super Bowls. Bruce Matthews of the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott is generally considered the greatest player ever to play his position in the NFL. He spearheaded the 49ers to four Super Bowl victories in the 1980s.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Pro Football Hall of Fame

Southern California 14 (11 players, 3 coaches through 2007)

Notre Dame 9

Michigan 7

Alabama 6

Ohio State 6

Penn State 5

Miami 3

Texas 3

Nebraska 3

Defensive back Dennis Thurman starred for the Dallas Cowboys, playing in the 1979 Super Bowl. Lineman Brad Budde was a standout for Kansas City. Offensive lineman Keith Van Horne was a mainstay of the 1985 world champion Bears. Don Mosebar was a key member of the Los Angeles Raiders, who beat Washington in the 1984 Super Bowl.

Vince Evans became a starting quarterback in Chicago and with the Los Angeles Raiders. Mosi Tatupu was a standout running back in New England. Rich Dimler played for Cleveland and Green Bay. Dennis Johnson enjoyed success in Minnesota. Sean Salisbury was a "bust" at USC, but became a creditable quarterback with the Vikings before embarking on a successful career as an ESPN pro football analyst. Defensive back Jeff Fisher became the longtime head coach of the Tennessee Titans. All-American linebacker Jack Del Rio starred for the Saints, Chiefs, Cowboys and Vikings before becoming the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In 1981, running back Marcus Allen set the NCAA record with 2,427 yards (219 per game). It earned him USC's fourth Heisman Trophy. Allen went on to be the Most Valuable Player of the Raiders 38-9 1984 Super Bowl triumph over Washington, a perennial All-Pro, and eventually was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Did you know . . .

That Marcus Allen of Southern California set the NCAA record for single-season rushing with 2,427 yards in 1981, the year he was USC's fourth Heisman Trophy winner?

In 1982, after USC beat Notre Dame for the fifth consecutive time, the all-time record between the two schools was virtually even. The Irish had only beaten the Trojans twice in sixteen years. In that time, Notre Dame won two national championships and zero Heisman Trophies. In the previous two decades, USC won five national championships and four Heisman Trophies. The twenty-year run under coaches John McKay and John Robinson stands out as not just the most dominant of any collegiate dynasty, but the most exciting and momentous by far. World-shaking regular season victories over Notre Dame, UCLA, Alabama, and Texas; Rose Bowl triumphs over Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State; had elevated Troy to myth status.

"It was a Camelot time at USC," was John Robinson's description of the era.

In the early-evening gloaming of November 27, 1982 the historically conscious USC fan, leaving the Coliseum after Southern California's 17-13 comeback win over Notre Dame, could not be blamed if he looked at the events of these two decades, especially the recent six-year run of John Robinson, and reached a few "conclusions." Troy had not missed a beat after McKay's departure. In comparing the program to Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, Nebraska – all the other giants of the college game – he concluded that maybe, just maybe, USC had ascended to a place where they could rightfully call themselves "college football's all-time greatest tradition."

Indeed, if this moment came, it also came to pass in what rocker Bruce Springsteen called, "The twinkle of a young girl's eye." The "Glory Days" ended with a resounding thud when the NCAA leveled penalties on USC for ticket scalping. Robinson left for the Los Angeles Rams, bringing legendary assistant coach Marv Goux with him. The Trojans _lost to Notre Dame every single season from 1983 to 1993!_ Oh, how the mighty had fallen, or as it says in the Bible of empires from the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans to the . . . Trojans, "Pride goeth before the fall."

### USC coaches/alumni who were also pro football coaches

Pete Carroll, John McKay, John Robinson (head coaches/USC-pro head coaches); Paul Hackett (head coach/USC-pro assistant); Jack Del Rio, Jim Fassel, Jeff Fisher, Mike Holmgren (players/USC-pro head coaches); Don Coryell, Norv Turner, Al Davis, Wayne Fontes, Joe Gibbs, Steve Mariucci, Dave Wannstedt, Lane Kiffin (assistant coaches/USC-pro head coaches); Jerry Attaway, Norm Chow, Mel Hein, Steve Sarkisian, (assistant coaches/USC-pro assistants)

Like the 1940s and 1950s, USC football in the 1980s and 1990s was competitive, entertaining and successful. It just did not reach the level of Miami, Oklahoma, Penn State, Notre Dame, Florida State, Nebraska or the other programs ascending to college football's mountaintop over those years. USC won Rose Bowls in 1985, 1990 and 1996. They beat Texas Tech, 55-14 in the 1995 Cotton Bowl. After finally ending the nightmare run against Notre Dame they even managed to beat the Irish three straight years (1997-1999). In 1988, USC was unbeaten when they played UCLA at the Rose Bowl in a regular season game (reminiscent of the 1967 "city game") which promised to decide the Rose Bowl invite and, at the time it was felt, the Heisman Trophy and national championship. Trojan quarterback Rodney Peete outplayed Bruin quarterback Troy Aikman, apparently securing the Heisman for himself. But Notre Dame destroyed USC 27-10, ending Trojan national title hopes (Lou Holtz's Irish won it) and Peete's Heisman campaign. He lost to Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders. It was the last gasp of a dying "empire," at least until Pete Carroll came along.

Nobody had an inkling of it in 1989, however. Succeeding Peete in that season was freshman quarterback Todd Marinovich. Marinovich was, quite simply, the most heralded high school football player who ever lived. He was to be a new "Trojan Moses," leading USC to the promised land. Marinovich's father, Marv was the captain of USC's 1962 national championship team before playing for the Oakland Raiders. Marv's brother coached Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, California, the nation's best program in the 1960s. Out of Bishop Amat had come the likes of Pat Haden, J. K. Haden, Paul McDonald and UCLA All-American John Sciarra.

Marv Marinovich married Craig Fertig's sister. Their son was Todd. He was raised by Marv to be, as the press dubbed it, "Robo QB" (from a film of the time, _Robo Cop_ ). He was groomed for greatness since the cradle. Despite being the most recruited player in history, young Marinovich's only choices were USC, SC, Southern California or Southern Cal, take your pick.

Todd was a Freshman All-American in 1989, when he lived up to the promise by leading Troy to a 17-10 victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl. In 1990 national championship fever swept through Heritage Hall. Marinovich led Southern California to a resounding 34-16 victory over Syracuse in the Kickoff Classic, played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. There was also a dramatic 45-42 triumph over UCLA at the Rose Bowl. But All-American linebacker Junior Seau became one of the first players to take advantage of new rules, leaving school prior to his senior year. USC stumbled amid arguments between the hotshot quarterback and coach Larry Smith, who increasingly seemed to be in over his head. Marinovich left school early. Al Davis made him the Raiders' first pick of the 1991 draft. He failed in the NFL, ending up a repeat drug offender and symbol of lost potential. An eight-year losing streak to UCLA commenced after that year. Marinovich set USC back ten years, literally and figuratively. That was the time between his last season and the hiring of Pete Carroll in 2000.

Despite their worst two decades on the field, USC produced talent. Consensus All-Americans included Jeff Bregel, Dave Cadigan, Tim Ryan, and Johnnie Morton. Ricky Ervins went on to star for the Washington Redskins; Jason Sehorn with the New York Giants; Derrick Deese in San Francisco. Rob Johnson and Chad Morton were solid NFL players.

Mark Carrier won the 1989 Jim Thorpe award. Tim McDonald was a star with the 49ers, credited with the famed _Jerry Maguire_ saying, "Show me the money!" Chris Claiborne won the 1998 Butkus Award.

All-American wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson was the first pick of the 1996 draft by the Jets and became an NFL star. All-American lineman Tony Boselli, the second pick of the 1995 draft by Jacksonville, was a great pro player, too. Willie McGinest spearheaded New England's Super Bowl champions of the 2000s.

USC featured the most first round draft picks of any college in the 1980s; the third-highest number of first round picks in the 1990s. Year after year, USC produced the most players on pro rosters, the most Super Bowl players, and the most players on winning Super Bowl teams. In 1999, _SPORT_ magazine did a study determining that USC had no less than fourteen players represented in the Pro Bowl.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Super Bowl - winning team (through 2005)

1. Southern California 45

2. Notre Dame 38

3. Penn State 35

The pattern was developed. USC's five first round draft picks in 1968 had set the record for the most of any college. When Carson Palmer went number one in 2003, it marked the fifth time a Trojan had been chosen first (tied with Notre Dame). USC had three of the most highly drafted classes in history (1953, fifteen; 1975 and 1977, fourteen each). While records are somewhat sketchy, USC and Notre Dame easily had the most players drafted, and the most players in the National Football League. Through the 2007 draft, USC's sixty-seven first round picks were the most of any school. Among the leaders in Super Bowl MVPs: USC with two (Lynn Swann of the Steelers in 1976, Marcus Allen of the Raiders in 1984). NFL Players of the Year: two (O. J. Simpson of the Bills in 1973 and Marcus Allen of the Raiders, 1985). Pro Football Hall of Famers: Bruce Matthews became USC's fourteenth (the most of any school) in 2007.

### USC's "teammate Heismans"

## 1979 Charles White

1981 Marcus Allen

2002 Carson Palmer

2004 Matt Leinart

2004 Matt Leinart

2005 Reggie Bush

That said, the "glittering statues that marked the historical lineage of Troy were beginning to fade," as was stated in _The History of USC Football_ DVD (2005). Had the game passed them by? In the early 1990s, Dr. Steven Sample took over as USC's president. He hired Nobel Prize-winning faculty. Admissions standards were raised. By 2000, it was accepted as an article of faith among Trojan alumni that a great academic institution, which the University of Southern California had become, could not coincide with a great football program. A winning team, a solid program, maybe ranked in the <ED: CAPS, NUMBER 25> Top 25 with a trip to the Rose Bowl here and there; but a dynasty? No. Whatever it was that Nebraska, Florida State, Miami, Oklahoma and schools like that could do to make themselves dominant on the gridiron, would no longer be expected of a school like USC.

In 2000, the _Time/Princeton Review College Guide_ rated USC as "College of the Year." The 2001 _Newsweek/Kaplan College Guide_ named it one of America's nine "hottest schools." Its dental school was world class. Its film school was unsurpassed, its graduates now dominating nearby Hollywood. Federal research money poured in, its endowment coffers filling to the brim. Only "straight A" students need apply for admission. The alumni had accepted the fact that great academics did not mix with great athletics. They were okay with that.

After going 5-7 in 2000, coach Paul Hackett was fired. Athletic director Mike Garrett, whose job hung precariously in the balance himself, went after the hot coaches of that year: Dennis Erickson, Mike Bellotti, and Mike Riley. The greatest job in college sports, or so it once seemed to be, was turned down by all of them. Then Pete Carroll walked into Garrett's office. The New England Patriots had fired Carroll after the 1999 season. The serendipity was almost too much to bear, at least in retrospect.

Carroll grew up in California. As a teenager at Redwood High School, he had attended the Diamond B Football Camp, where he slept in a cabin not far from where Bear Bryant and John McKay are rumored to have planned the 1970 USC-Alabama game, and therefore the full integration of Southern football. They were there as "guest coaches" at the camp, organized by Carroll's coach at Redwood, Bob Troppmann.

"I became a USC fan when Sam 'Bam' Cunningham integrated the South," Carroll told a sports reporter as far back as the 1980s.

Carroll, the Trojan fan, was in the Coliseum stands the day Jimmy Jones hit Sam Dickerson with a last-minute winning touchdown pass to beat UCLA, 14-12 in 1969. He was an all-conference college player but not a professional. Carroll entered coaching and the nomadic life that goes with it. For twenty-five years Carroll coached from one end of America to another. Some jobs and cities were better than others. There were five years in New York, one of those as head coach of the Jets; two years in San Francisco; three in Boston where he was head coach of the Patriots. He took the team to the play-offs but not the Super Bowl.

In 2000, for the first time in his entire adult life, Carroll was not coaching football someplace. He and his wife, Glena chose to move to Los Angeles. Glena had grown up in the South Bay area of Redondo and Palos Verdes Estates. Her father had graduated from USC. Carroll's daughter was a volleyball player at USC.

With time on his hands, Carroll was often on the USC campus, visiting with his daughter and watching her volleyball games. He often dropped in on the coaches and athletic staff at Heritage Hall; people he knew from his many years in football. Then the job opened up. Carroll let Garrett know he wanted it, but others were courted first. Carroll watched from the sideline while those deemed more attractive than he passed on the opportunity. Finally, Garrett went with Carroll. The enthusiasm level from USC alumni was none-too great. No matter.

"Just days before Christmas in the year 2000," stated _The History of USC Football_ DVD, "USC found its savior." Indeed, what Carroll did over the next years was nothing less than a football resurrection.

#### Trojans on the run

S/start season; F/finish season

Year Record Run

1920 6-0 6-0 (1920)

1921 10-1 16-1 (1920-21)

1922 10-1 26-2 (1920-22)

1923 6-2 32-4 (1920-23)

1924 9-2 41-6 (1920-24)

1925 11-2 53-8 (1920-25)

52-8 (1920-25) 60 games

1926 8-2 61-10 (1920-26)

59-11 (1920-26) 70 games

1927 8-1-1 F/1-0 68-11-1 (1920-27)

67-12-1 (1920-27) 80 games

1-0 (1927)

1928 9-0-1 77-11-1 (1920-28)

76-12-2 (1920-28) 90 games 17-1-2 (1927-28)

10-0-1 (1927-28)

1929 10-2 F/5-0 88-13-2 (decade: 1920s)

85-13-2 (1920-29) 100 games

27-3-2 (1927-29)

20-2-1 (1927-29)

1930 8-2 96-15-2 (1920-30)

94-14-2 (1920-30) 110 games

35-5-2 (1927-30)

28-4-1 (1927-30)

1931 10-1 F/10-0 107-16-2 (1920-31)

113-15-2 (1920-31) 120 games

45-6-2 (1927-31)

38-7-2 (1927-31)

10-0 (1931)

1932 10-0 117-16-2 (1920-32)

112-16-2 (1920-32) 130 games

55-6-2 (1927-32)

48-7-2 (1927-32)

20-0 (1931-32) 20 games

1933 10-1-1 S/5-0, F/6-0-1 127-17-3 (1920-33) 147

121-17-2 1920-33 140 games

65-7-3 (1927-32)

58-8-3 (1927-32)

20-0 (1927-32) 20 games

25-0 (1931-33)

27-0-1 (1931-33)

1934 4-6-1 S/3-0 131-23-4 (1920-34)

130-17-3 (1920-34) 150 games

67-7-3 (1927-34)

60-87-3 (1927-34)

Year Record Run

1967 10-1 10-1 (1967)

1968 9-1-1 19-2-1 (1967-68)

1969 10-0-1 29-2-1 (1967-69)

1970 6-4-1 S/1-0, 3-0-1 30-2-1 (1967-70)

33-2-2 (1967-70)

Year Record Run

1971 6-4-1 F/4-0-1, 0-0-1 6-4-1 (1971)

4-0-1 (1971)

0-0-1 (1971)

1972 12-0 16-0-1 (1971-72)

12-0 (1972)

1973 9-2-1 S/1-0, 5-0-1 21-2-1 (1972-73)

21-0-2 (1971-73)

13-0 (1972-73)

1974 10-1-1 31-3-2 (1972-74)

1975 8-4 S/7-0 39-7-2 (1972-74)

38-3-2 (1972-74)

1976 11-1, F/11-0 50-8-2 (1972-76) 60 games

11-1 (1976)

11-0 (1976)

1977 8-4 58-12-2 (1972-77)

56-12-2 (1972-77) 70 games

19-5 (1976-77)

19-4 (1976-77)

1978 12-1 F/8-0 70-12-2 (1972-77)

66-12-2 (1972-77) 80 games 31-6 (1976-78)

31-5 (1976-78)

8-0 (1978)

1979 11-0-1 81-12-3 (1972-77)

85-12-3 (1971-79) 100 games

75-12-3 (1972-77) 90 games

42-6-1 (1978-79)

42-5-1 (1976-78)

19-0-1 (1978-79)

1980 8-2-1 S/5-0, 7-0-1 89-14-4 (1972-80)

88-12-4 (1972-80) 100 games

93-14-5 (1971-80)

92-12-5 (1971-80) 100 games

24-0-1 (1978-80)

26-0-2 (1978-80)

Year Record Run

2001 6-6 F/4-1 6-6 (2001)

4-1 (2001)

2002 11-2 F/8-0 17-8 (2001-02)

15-3 (2001-02)

8-0 (2002)

11-2 (2002)

2003 12-1 F/9 29-9 (2001-03)

27-4 (2001-03)

20-1 (2001-03)

23-3 (2002-03)

9-0 (2003)

2004 13-0 42-9 (2001-04)

40-4 (2001-04)

33-1 (2002-04)

29-1 (2002-04) 30 games

36-3 (2002-03)

29-1 (2002-03) 30 games

20-0 (2003-04) 20 games

22-0 (2003-04)

2005 12-1 S/12-0 54-10 (2001-05)

54-9 (2001-05)

50-10 (2001-05) 60 games

52-5 (2001-05)

52-4 (2001-05)

46-4 (2001-05) 50 games

35-2 (2002-05)

29-1 (2002-05) 30 games

45-1 (2002-05)

45-2 (2002-05)

48-2 (2002-05) 50 games

48-3 (2002-05)

47-3 (2002-05) 50 games

30-0 (2002-05) 30 games

34-0 (2003-06)

34-1 (2003-06)

2006 11-2 S/6-0, 10-1 65-12 (2001-06)

60-10 (2001-06) 70 games

64-11 (2001-05)

63-7 (2001-06) 70 games

58-5 (2001-06)

55-5 (2001-06) 60 games

62-6 (2001-06)

46-4 (2002-06) 50 games

38-2 (2002-06) 50 games

41-2 (2002-06)

45-2 (2002-06)

56-4 (2002-06) 60 games

51-2 (2002-06)

48-2 (2002-06) 50 games

55-3 (2002-06)

58-5 (2002-06)

55-5 (2002-06) 50 games

54-3 (2002-06)

48-2 (2002-03) 50 games

58-4 (2002-06)

56-4 (2002-06) 60 games

The program he took over that December day had slipped. If in fact they had "caught" Notre Dame at the end of the 1982 season, that short-lived stay was long forgotten. Little by little, USC's historical edge had begun to fade away. In 1985, a disappointing USC team met a disappointing Alabama team in an otherwise-meaningless Aloha Bowl. However, when 'Bama polished off Troy, 24-3 it had the effect of pushing the Crimson Tide over the Trojans for most all-time bowl victories, a record USC had held since its first Rose Bowl win in 1923.

In 1992, Alabama won the national championship, very likely passing USC into second place behind Notre Dame as the greatest tradition. In the 1990s, as USC lost year after year to Notre Dame and UCLA, the cracks in their "historical lineage" widened. When the New Millennium began on January 1, 2000 USC was not mentioned among the powers that made up the collegiate landscape. Notre Dame, by virtue of its great record, still clung to their all-time number one spot, but they too were struggling to maintain equal footing with the upstarts from Virginia Tech; Bobby Bowden's Florida State dynasty; juggernauts at Nebraska; and a Miami program that more resembled the National Football League than college ball.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Pro football draft choices (through 2006)

1. Southern California 458 (430 (NFL, 28 AFL)

2. Notre Dame 453

3. Oklahoma 327

4. Alabama 301

5. Ohio State 316

6. Miami 283

In 2000, the crack widened further at USC. While Hackett's team struggled to a losing record without a bowl invite, Oklahoma – a program that like USC had seen hard times – made their big comeback. When the Sooners captured the national championship, they could make a good argument that they too had passed poor old USC into third place in the historical pantheon. The Trojans could only hope to still call themselves an all-time top five program. How could they, with a straight face, still claim a greater tradition than Nebraska, or even Miami and Florida State? These guys were the New Millennium, champions of the BCS era, winners of a long Darwinian struggle for supremacy in one of the most competitive arenas in American society. USC could only offer faded video of Anthony Davis in 1974, featuring crowd shots of fans with bad hair and flared pants.

But Hackett, to his credit, did not leave the cupboard bare. Quarterback Carson Palmer, the top high school recruit of 1997, had disappointed but had two more years of eligibility. Defensive back Troy Polamalu was a force. In 2001 under Carroll, USC started 2-5. They traveled to Arizona for a meaningless game in the excessive desert heat. Nobody cared. Trailing late, Kris Richard picked off a Wildcat pass, returning it for a touchdown to give USC the 41-34 victory. Carroll calls that the "turning point." They managed to shut out UCLA, 27-0 and by the reduced standards of USC football at that time, the invite to the Las Vegas Bowl did not seem bad.

In 2002, USC rallied late but came up short at Kansas State, 27-20. Then they lost in overtime at Washington State when an extra point was missed. After that, USC was as dominant in the final eight games of the season as Carroll's subsequent teams. Their 2002 schedule was the toughest in the nation and one of the most competitive of all time. They annihilated UCLA, 52-21 in one of the most impressive performances imaginable, then exploded past Notre Dame, 44-13. The co-Pacific 10 champions destroyed Iowa in the Orange Bowl to finish 11-2. Palmer won the Heisman Trophy. They were again a dominant program; could they be number one?

In 2003, the Trojans were just that when they went 12-1. They opened at Auburn, ranked number one in _Sports Illustrator's_ pre-season poll. USC won 23-0. They destroyed Notre Dame at South Bend, 45-14 and UCLA at the Coliseum 47-22. After polishing off Oregon State, 52-28 while Oklahoma lost to Kansas State, 35-7 in the Big 12 championship game, USC ascended to the top of all the polls. They defeated Michigan, 28-14 in the Rose Bowl to capture their first national championship in twenty-five years.

Consensus All-Americans included wide receiver Mike Williams, offensive lineman Jacob Rogers, and defensive lineman Kedeche Udeze. Sophomore All-American quarterback Matt Leinart, the MVP of the Rose Bowl, led the team. Freshman running backs Reggie Bush and LenDale White were sensational. It was a young squad that promised to be the best in the nation not just for one more year, but for two more years at the least. Carroll got on a recruiting roll, bringing in classes that would be ranked number one in the nation by at least one service in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

In 2004, USC entered the season ranked number one by every pre-season magazine as well as by the Associated Press. Leinart was the prohibitive Heisman favorite. The talk began.

Is this the greatest team of all time?

As the season played out, the answer to that question came back, _Probably not._ Number two, or three, or top five? Very likely. USC generally dominated but was pushed several times, unlike the 1972 Trojans who rolled through their entire schedule without a test. The 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers did the same thing. Other great teams, such as Army (1945), Notre Dame (1947), Michigan (1948) and even the 1932 USC national champions won by more impressive margins.

That said, this was a new era; of parity, of the BCS, of big-time pressure. Notre Dame came to town but were no match for Leinart, who passed for over 400 yards in the 41-10 drubbing. After beating UCLA at the Rose Bowl, Leinart won the Heisman in a New York ceremony featuring his teammate, Reggie Bush; Bush's teammate from Helix High School near San Diego, Alex Smith; and two players Troy would face in the BCS Orange Bowl, quarterback Jason Smith and running back Adrian Peterson.

Elite Ten by the numbers

National championships (1970-2006)

1. Southern California 5

1. Nebraska 5

1. Miami 5

4. Alabama 4

4. Oklahoma 4

6. Notre Dame 3

The Orange Bowl was the most hyped college game ever played up until that time. Aside from featuring four of the top five Heisman finalists (Smith was the NFL's number one draft pick when Leinart opted to return in 2005), the game matched teams that had been ranked one and two since the pre-season. It was USC's shot at a repeat title. These were two of the most storied traditions.

When it was over, only one team was left standing. Leinart threw three touchdown passes and caught another in USC's 55-19 pounding of OU. ESPN's Lee Corso called it the finest game any college team had ever played. It certainly was up there with Nebraska's 62-24 pounding of Florida in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl; not to mention USC's 42-17 1973 Rose Bowl triumph over Ohio State, or that memorable 55-24 win over Notre Dame in 1974.

Leinart, the game's Most Valuable Player, did something that Heisman winners rarely do: live up to their billing in a national championship bowl game. In so doing, he put himself in discussion for the "best single-season player ever" and, if he could do it again in 2005, the "best college player of all time."

Mel Kiper Jr. stated that Leinart would be the number one pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, but he decided to return for his senior year. The San Francisco 49ers chose Alex Smith first. There is virtually no possibility Smith would have been picked ahead of Leinart had the USC quarterback made himself eligible.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Bowl Championship Series national championships (1998-2006)

1. Southern California: 1, 2004 (1-1 in BCS championship games)

1. Ohio State: 1, 2002 (1-1 in BCS championship games)

1. Miami: 1, 2001 (1-1 in BCS championship games)

1. Oklahoma: 1, 2000 (1-1 in BCS championship games)

1. Texas: 1, 2005 (1-0 in BCS championship games)

6. Nebraska: 0 (0-1 in BCS championship game)

10. Alabama: 0

10. Michigan: 0

10. Notre Dame: 0

10. Penn State: 0

Shaun Cody and Matt Grootegoed were consensus All-Americans. Mike Williams (forced to sit out 2004 because he had tried to declare early) and Mike Patterson were both selected in the first round of the draft. Lofa Tatupu chose to leave school early. He immediately led the Seattle Seahawks, whose coach Mike Holmgren had been a back-up USC quarterback, to the Super Bowl. They lost to Pittsburgh, led by Troy Polamalu. Other stars included Tom Malone, LenDale White, Dwayne Jarrett, Taitusu Lutui, Darnell Bing, and Sam Baker.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Playboy Pre-Season All-Americans (through 2005)

1. Southern California 65 (2 Coach of Year, 1 Scholar-Athlete)

2. Michigan 46

3. Texas 45

4. Notre Dame 40 (1 Coach of Year)

5. Nebraska 33 (2 Coach of Year, 1 Scholar-Athlete)

6. Oklahoma 32 (2 Coach of Year)

In 2005, all bets were off. In the entire history of college athletics, no school ever achieved the kind of attention, notoriety and celebrity status of Trojan football. It was all part of a growing trend extending beyond University Park. Once the sports capital of the world, Los Angeles had fallen on hard times in the 1980s and 1990s. The city's shine had tarnished in other ways, too. USC and UCLA once dominated California and Stanford, but a sense of parity had been achieved in the Pacific-10. The Dodgers no longer held the hammer over the Giants. The San Francisco 49ers had become a dynasty while the Los Angeles Rams had moved to St. Louis. The Los Angeles Raiders moved back to Oakland. The Lakers fell on hard times. Southern California was once a political juggernaut, producing Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. In 1992's "year of the woman" elections, two liberal Jewish Democrats, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer of San Francisco, were elected to the U.S. Senate.

In 1991, video captured white L.A.P.D. officers beating black motorist Rodney King. In 1992, responding to their acquittal by a white jury in suburban Simi Valley, L.A.'s black neighborhoods exploded in riot. In 1994, an earthquake rocked the Los Angeles area. USC legend O. J. Simpson stood trial for murdering his wife. His acquittal created further racial divisions. A USC football player was grazed by a bullet during practice. Orange County declared bankruptcy. In the 1990s, the only championship won by a Los Angeles team was UCLA's 1995 NCAA basketball title. An accounting scandal cost coach Jim Harrick his job shortly thereafter.

But the city began a comeback in the late 1990s. After the fall of the U.S.S.R. and America's victory in the Cold War, the defense industry had cut back drastically. This had an enormous effect on the Los Angeles economy, since much of the aerospace industry is centered along a corridor of the 405 Freeway between Los Angeles Airport and the Port of Long Beach. But many of these smart technological types "landed on their feet," fueling the Internet boom. Eventually, the "dot-bomb" disaster burst the techno-bubble, but in the wake of 9/11 a settled economy took shape, replacing the speculative nature of the 1990s stock market.

New regulations in industry, particularly auto emissions, created drastically cleaner air in the L.A. Basin. Fans in the 1970s could barely see the other side of the Coliseum. By the late 1990s, sitting high atop the stadium even in September, a fan could now see the Pacific Ocean and Palos Verdes Peninsula to the west; the Santa Monica Mountains, the Hollywood sign and Beverly Hills; the downtown skyline and, in the winter after rains, the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountain range to the east.

L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan led a major gentrification project of downtown Los Angeles. New skyscrapers were built. Streets were cleaned up, neighborhoods revitalized, crime reduced. All of these events manifested themselves in a sports comeback. First, Staples Center was built in downtown L.A. The Lakers immediately won three consecutive NBA championships (2000-2002). The Angels captured the 2002 World Series.

The building of Staples had a big effect on USC. The overall work on the two-mile corridor between Staples and the USC campus resulted in a huge cleanup and building project, improving USC's surroundings. This helped to create a much more exciting football environment at the Coliseum, as well as the building of a gleaming on-campus basketball arena, the Galen Center.

#### Streaking Trojans in the Pete Carroll Era

15-3 (2001-02)

27-4 (2001-03)

20-1 (2001-03)

23-3 (2002-03)

40-4 (2001-04)

33-1 (2002-04)

29-1 (2002-04) 30 games

36-3 (2002-03)

29-1 (2002-03) 30 games

22-0 (2003-04)

54-9 (2001-05)

50-10 (2001-05) 60 games

52-5 (2001-05)

52-4 (2001-05)

46-4 (2001-05) 50 games

35-2 (2002-05)

29-1 (2002-05) 30 games

45-1 (2002-05)

45-2 (2002-05)

48-2 (2002-05) 50 games

48-3 (2002-05)

47-3 (2002-05) 50 games

34-0 (2003-06)

34-1 (2003-06)

65-12 (2001-06)

60-10 (2001-06) 70 games

64-11 (2001-05)

63-7 (2001-06) 70 games

58-5 (2001-06)

55-5 (2001-06) 60 games

62-6 (2001-06)

46-4 (2002-06) 50 games

38-2 (2002-06) 50 games

41-2 (2002-06)

45-2 (2002-06)

56-4 (2002-06) 60 games

51-2 (2002-06)

48-2 (2002-06) 50 games

55-3 (2002-06)

58-5 (2002-06)

55-5 (2002-06) 50 games

54-3 (2002-06)

48-2 (2002-03) 50 games

58-4 (2002-06)

56-4 (2002-06) 50 games

By 2005, fans attending USC games at the Coliseum were stunned by what they saw. First, without an NFL team, USC had become "L.A.'s pro football franchise." 90,000 fans sold out the Coliseum for every game. The stadium was improved, modernized with a state of the art scoreboard and sound system. The campus became a true celebration prior to games. Everything associated with USC seemed touched by gold.

Its marquee names were now bigger than Hollywood celebrities. Sportstalk radio featured USC football night and day. Pete Carroll was referred to as the "prince of the city." Matt Leinart was seen squiring hot starlets about town, his presence at parties and trendy clubs as requested as any actor.

Hollywood's school . . .

USC has played 347 overall TV games (through 2005) . . .

Amidst all of this hoopla, USC entered the 2005 campaign looking to do things nobody had ever done. Everybody ranked them number one. They were out to win a first-ever third straight AP national championship (oddly, USC was prohibited from marketing the appropriately named term "Three- _Pete"_ because Laker coach Pat Riley had actually _copyrighted_ the term years earlier). The stars were aligned, all in their favor. The BCS national championship game was to be held at their longtime stomping grounds, the Rose Bowl. The Heisman seemed to be a _fait accompli_ to be won either by Leinart or Reggie Bush, the greatest teammate combination since Army's "Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside," Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis.

The season seemed to play out according to form. The USC defense showed some vulnerability, but the offense was declared the best in history. Nobody really paid much attention to any flaws since USC averaged fifty points per game. Leinart was at least as good as he had been in his junior year, but Reggie Bush led the nation in all-purpose yards, ensuring the Heisman Trophy in his junior year. USC became just the second team ever to have back-to-back Heisman winners. The only other had been the aforementioned Army powerhouse of 1945-1946. The running back combination of Bush and White, known as "thunder and lightning," was as lethal as any the game had ever seen.

USC repeated the act of 2004, ranked number one in every poll from the pre-season through the end of the regular season, thus setting an all-time record of thirty-three straight weeks at the top of the Associated Press rankings. They ran their winning streak to thirty-four games, tied for the second longest in the history of modern football (behind only Oklahoma's 47-game streak of 1953-1957). At South Bend, the Trojans rallied in one of the most intense environments imaginable to beat the Irish, 34-31 in a game for the ages. Against Fresno State, Bush demonstrated moves reminiscent of O. J. Simpson in a Heisman-guarantee 50-42 USC win. He accumulated well over 200 first half yards alone in USC's insane pounding of UCLA, 66-19.

The Four Horsemen of Southern California

Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Once named Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden, the gladiators of the New Millennium are men of youth, color and American diversity. Their real names are: Leinart, Bush, Jarrett and White. These new Four Horsemen of Southern California came to the land of destiny riding their famed white steed Traveler, that dreaded Coliseum sight of Irish past. They relegated the old Notre Dame ghosts to their place and time, a time when the only color was white, myths were protected, lies told as <ED: CAPS> Truths. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another Fighting Irish team was swept over the precipice at Notre Dame Stadium on the afternoon of Saturday, October 15, 2005. 80,795 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below.

\- Excerpted from The USC Trojans: College Football's All-Time Greatest Dynasty by Steven Travers, describing USC's 2005 victory over Notre Dame

The Heisman ceremony featured the victorious Bush winning over teammate Matt Leinart and Texas quarterback Vince Young. This set up a Rose Bowl showdown unlike anything yet seen. It overshadowed the hype of the previous year's Orange Bowl encounter. Aside from the Heisman match-ups, the game featured four players who would be chosen among the first ten picks of the 2006 draft: Bush (Saints), Leinart (Cardinals), Young (Titans) and his teammate Michael Huff (Raiders). It was again a game between two unbeatens averaging over fifty points a game, who had held the number one-two spots since the pre-season, which is completely rare. Its Rose Bowl location added to the sense of history, pomp and circumstance. If that was not enough, it was the final game announced by the venerable Keith Jackson.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Heisman Trophy winners

Southern California 7

Notre Dame 7

Ohio State 7

Oklahoma 4

Michigan 3

Nebraska 3

Miami 2

Texas 2

Penn State 1

Alabama 0

If a greater college football game has ever been played, I do not know of it. Considering first the pressure and expectations, then the performance of its stars – Leinart was spectacular, Young may have played the best game of all time – and the dramatic, comeback, last-second nature of Texas's 41-38 victory, the game must rank above all others. This includes the 1967 USC-UCLA, 1971 Nebraska-Oklahoma, 1969 Texas-Arkansas, 1963 USC-Wisconsin, 1931 USC-Notre Dame, 1966 Notre Dame-Michigan State, or any other "Game of the Century" ever played.

In the end, what USC lost, aside from the 2005 national championship, was immeasurable. An enormous amount of history was taken from them when Young crossed the goal line with nineteen seconds left to play. There was USC's:

  * Passing Notre Dame to establish itself as the all-time leader with twelve national titles (not to mention passing UCLA's eleven in basketball, and tying USC's twelve in baseball).

  * Historic three straight national championships.

  * The title "greatest college football team of all time" (which ESPN had already awarded them via a computerized pre-game analysis).

  * The chance to go after Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak in 2006.

  * The opportunity to add to their already-record thirty-three straight weeks atop the AP poll.

Whether Leinart was the greatest player of all time now went from being accepted fact to a worthy debate. Whether the 2000s Trojan dynasty was better than Bud Wilkinson's Oklahoma Sooners (1950s), Frank Leahy's Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1940s) or Knute Rockne's Irish of the 1920s; it was now a much harder argument to make.

Bush and LenDale White both declared for the 2006 NFL Draft. This also cost them enormously in that, had either one returned, one of them probably would have won USC's third straight Heisman, fourth in three years, and an all-time most eighth overall in 2006. USC likely would have been ranked number one throughout the 2006 season on the way to its twelve national title, thus increasing their AP streak to fifty. If they had beaten Texas, this would have meant their thirteenth national title and fourth straight (meaning seniors would have won each of their years at USC). In so doing, USC might have captured their forty-eighth straight victory, passing Oklahoma on the way to fifty and beyond.

All-Time USC Team

From The USC Trojans: College Football's All-Time Greatest Dynasty by Steven Travers

OFFENSE

Pos. First Honorable Mention

QB Matt Leinart Pat Haden, Carson Palmer, Paul McDonald, Rodney Peete

TB O.J. Simpson Charles White, Mike Garrett, Ricky Bell, Frank Gifford

FB Marcus Allen Sam "Bam" Cunningham

WR Lynn Swann

WR Mike Williams Keyshawn Johnson, Erik Affholter, Bob Chandler, Dwayne

Jarrett

TE Charles "Tree" Young

OT Anthony Munoz

OT Ron Yary Tony Boselli, Ernie Smith, Don Mosebar, Pete Adams,

Keith Van Horne, John Vella

OG Brad Budde

OG Bruce Matthews Aaron Rosenberg, Roy Foster, Johnny Baker

C Stan Williamson Ryan Kalil

DEFENSE

Pos. First Honorable Mention

T Marvin Powell John Ferraro

DT Shaun Cody

DT Ron Mix ` Mike Patterson, Tim Ryan

DE Tim Rossovich

DE Willie McGinest Mike McKeever, Charles Weaver, Keneche Udeze

LB Junior Seau

LB Richard "Batman" Wood

LB Clay Matthews Dennis Johnson, Chip Banks, Adrian Young, Charles

Phillips, Chris Claiborne

DB Ronnie Lott

DB Tim McDonald

DB Troy Polamalu Dennis Smith, Dennis Thurman, Joey Browner, Mark

Carrier

SPECIAL TEAMS

Pos. First Honorable Mention

KR Reggie Bush Anthony Davis

P Tom Malone

PK Frank Jordan Ron Ayala

OFFENSIVE PLAYER Matt Leinart

DEFENSIVE PLAYER Ronnie Lott

COACH John McKay

Honorable Mention Coach Pete Carroll, Howard Jones, John Robinson

The 2006 team, led by All-American receiver Dwayne Jarrett and quarterback John David Booty, still went 11-2, beat Notre Dame and then Michigan in the Rose Bowl. But a stunning loss to UCLA denied them the national championship they probably would have won over highly-overrated Troy Smith and Ohio State in the BCS title game played in Pac-10-friendly Glendale, Arizona.

Considering that the Trojans were expected to enter the 2007 season ranked number one while Booty was the pre-season Heisman favorite, this creates the unbelievable possibility that, if they had beaten Texas, and if Bush, White or both had returned, the team could have:

  * Surpassed Washington's all-time record 63-game _unbeaten_ streak (1907-17).

  * Been ranked number one in the AP poll eighty straight weeks.

  * Won six straight national championships.

  * Won their fourteenth national championship.

  * Won the Heisman four straight years, five of six, and ninth overall.

These are accomplishments that no football team has ever approached. John Wooden and UCLA had this kind of run in basketball. USC under Rod Dedeaux and Dean Cromwell had this kind of record in baseball and track, respectively. To do it in football, particularly in the BCS era, is somehow unthinkable. Still, some _do_ think about it.

"I don't see any reason Pete Carroll can't win five or ten national championships," stated national sportstalk host Jim Rome.

These are the kinds of expectations the University of Southern California now deals with. As Carroll himself says of all "the hype, national championship talk, the Heismans; we embrace it."

It is why USC has surpassed Alabama, Oklahoma and even Notre Dame in a 2000s stretch run firmly supporting the premise that they are now indeed college football's _all-time greatest dynasty!_ USC has a tradition combining all the necessary elements. They have been a national power since the 1920s. They dominated the two decades prior to World II, the two decades of the 1960s and 1970s, and now the 2000s. Their down years were never really down; they always had many pro stars, won conference titles and Rose Bowls, even when times were tough. They have played as strong a schedule as any team, traveling east, west, north and south to take on the best America has to offer. They have subjected themselves to eighty years of Notre Dame games, an almost equal number of "bloodlettings" versus UCLA.

No other conference features a single team that has dominated it as USC has the Pacific Coast, AAWU, Pac-8 and now Pac-10 Conference. It is historically the most successful football and overall athletic conference in the nation. The Trojans have dominated most all of the sports played in the Pac-10. The exceptions to that rule are schools that are number one among all collegiate programs: UCLA basketball and men's volleyball; Stanford tennis. Outside of the Bruin basketball dynasty, in many cases the _second greatest_ tradition in respective sports is USC's, as is the case in men's tennis just to name one example.

Southern California has established dominance of the very best bowl game – the Rose Bowl – against its most hallowed opponents (Ohio State's Woody Hayes, Michigan's Bo Schembechler, just to name two).

USC has always been an integrated program on the right side of history, walking proud with black players in the heart of Dixie. In viewing the ebb and tide of their history, they resemble in many ways a good baseball team that stays steady, winning six or seven of every 10 games to stay close even when opponents streak to ten straight, twenty straight, or more (think Oklahoma). When the others falter, the Trojans stay consistent, catch and then pass them. On occasion, USC has long, wildly successful unbeaten streaks of their own (the "Thundering Herd," McKay's champions of the early 1970s, Robinson's 28-game unbeaten 1978-80 teams, Carroll's recent 34-straight winners). In the end, the numbers add up in their favor; national titles, Heismans, pro stars. In no area of criteria do they trail by large margins. Michigan and Notre Dame have more all-time wins and higher winning percentages, but USC (who started playing later than those schools) hangs close to the top and is in the ultra-elite ".700 club."

All-Americans, college and pro Hall of Famers? USC is always right up there or ranked first. Certain statistics jump out, emphasizing the Trojans' status. Their bowl record, for instance, is impossible to dispute. While the Irish declined to accept the challenge year after year, the Trojans did and in so doing have put together the best bowl and Rose Bowl record in the country. Notre Dame is 13-15-with an on-going NCAA record for consecutive bowl defeats. For all these reasons and more, USC is _"college football's all-time greatest tradition!"_ May God bless America, and may the Trojans continue to . . . _Fight On!_

TWO

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

The ESPN College Football Encyclopedia contains a chapter on every major college football program in the nation. The chapter on Notre Dame begins:

"Every sport needs its kings. Kings define excellence and provide a standard for everyone else in the sport to measure themselves against. They are loved, hated, respected and feared, revered and reviled. They are royalty. Baseball has the Yankees, pro basketball the Celtics, pro hockey the Canadiens. And college football has Notre Dame."

University of Notre Dame

South Bend, Indiana

**Founded:** 1842

**Colors:** Blue and gold

**Nickname:** Fighting Irish

**Stadium:** Notre Dame Stadium (opened: 1930; capacity: 80,795)

**All-time record (1887-2006):** 821-269-42

**Bowl record:** 13-15 (through 2006)

**National championships:** 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1966, 1973, 1977,

1988

**Heisman Trophies:** Angelo Bertelli (1943), John Lujack (1946), Leon Hart (1949), John Lattner

(1953), Paul Hornung (1956), John Huarte (1964), Tim Brown (1987)

**Outland Trophies:** George Connor (1946), Bill Fischer (1948), Ross Browner (1946)

**First round NFL draftees:** 58 (through 2007)

Web site: www.und.com

Notable alumni: Arizona governor Bruce Babitt; television personalities Phil Donahue

and Regis Philbin; Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist Red Smith; Los Angeles Times sports editor Bill Dwyre; Chicago Tribune sports editor Arch Ward; author Nicholas Sparks; newscaster Hannah Storm; Emmy Award-winning television producers Don Ohlmeyer and Terry O'Neil; Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Eric Weischaus; Notre Dame president Rev. Theodore Hesburgh; Congressional Gold Medal-winner Dr. Thomas Dooley; actor George Wendt; San Francisco 49ers' owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.; Cleveland Indians' owner Larry Dolan; Golden State Warriors' owner James Fitzgerald; Tampa Bay Devil Rays' chairman Vince Naimoli; Oakland Athletics' President Michael Crowley; San Francisco 49ers' director John York; Arizona Diamondbacks' general manager Joe Garagiola Jr.; sportscasters Don Criqui and Ted Robinson; sportstalk host Bob Fitzgerald; ESPN sports personality Mike Golic; NFL vice president of public relations Greg Aiello; Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith; Hall of Fame baseball player Carl Yastrzemski; Hall of Fame basketball coach Ray Meyer; basketball players Adrian Dantley, Austin Carr, John Paxson and Bill Laimbeer; Olympians Shannon Boxx and Jim Delaney

This is the general view of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football. Kings. Number one. The best of the best. If a vote were conducted, Notre Dame would probably be ranked number one. An on-line poll would likely result in the Irish winning. A discussion among the media would generally result in the same finding. If a vote were undertaken among USC alumni, the Fighting Irish would get a lot of, if not the most, votes.

In the late 1990s and 2000s, however, Notre Dame has not achieved the level of greatness emblematic of their glorious past. Their last national championship is a two-decade-old event. A book, Under the Tarnished Dome by Don Yaeger, was a best seller which revealed that former coach Lou Holtz reduced the traditional standards of Notre Dame excellence in order to achieve parity with the likes of Miami and Florida State. In the wake of the book's revelations, Holtz was gone and his successors, apparently trying to do it the "old way," have not measured up on the football field.

In the meanwhile USC, long considered the "football school" who could not compete with Notre Dame academically, did precisely that: compete with Notre Dame academically. At first it seemed that in so doing, USC had forfeited any chance of competing at the same level with the Irish, Hurricanes, Seminoles, Cornhuskers and Sooners on the football field. Then along came Pete Carroll, and that concept no longer is a consideration.

Year by year in South Bend, it has been like being in a pot of water that rises to the boiling point slowly, but the individual never realizes what is happening until the steam overtakes them and it is too late. For college football fans, some time in the new century they looked up and examined the numbers, the statistics, the records, and increasingly the conclusion has been reached that under Pete Carroll, Southern California passed Notre Dame as the greatest of all collegiate football traditions.

The current era is not unlike the year 1982, however. That was the season in which USC beat the Irish for the fifth straight time. The all-time record between the two schools was then virtually even. The Irish had beaten USC only twice in sixteen years, and it took two of their greatest national championship teams to do it (1973, 1977). Since 1962, USC had won five national titles to three for Notre Dame. Since 1965, USC had won four Heisman Trophies to Notre Dame's one.

But time is not static. If indeed 1982 similarly marked the ascendance of USC to an equal place in history with the Irish, the following two decades completely reversed that course. Like the stock market reaching all-time highs before going into a prolonged "bear market," the Trojans fell far below their historical standards while Notre Dame embarked on a period of glory under Holtz.

The current claim that USC is the number one tradition for a New Millennium is of course not a static, unchangeable fact. All empires - the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, French and British – came and went. How long the "Trojan empire" can defend the Spartans and the Carthages of college football remains to be seen. But the change has come and it is upon us.

That said, Trojan superiority is not as clear-cut as some other sports empires. The Yankees, for instance, hold a position in baseball, and in all of athletics for that matter, that is unassailable and seems likely to be maintained for another century. UCLA's eleven NCAA basketball championships places it so far above the Kentucky's, Indiana's, North Carolina's and Duke's that it would require a run . . . like Pete Carroll's football Trojans of the 2000s . . . to challenge them.

Other dynasties are not as comfortable. Slowly but surely, the Los Angeles Lakers have built a pro basketball history that can be compared to the great Celtics, who have been mediocre for years now. If one compares the Minneapolis and Los Angeles franchises, then the Lakers are only a few NBA titles away from the sixteen won by Boston.

In pro football, there no "traditional champions," really. The Green Bay Packers were a dominant NFL franchise prior to the creation of the Super Bowl. They won the first two and another in 1997, but in the modern era the Pack is not nearly as successful a franchise as Pittsburgh or Dallas. New England crashed the party with Tom Brady.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### College Hall of Fame

1. Notre Dame 48 (includes coaches)

2. Southern California 35

3. Michigan 30; 11 in Citizen Savings Football Hall of Fame

4. Ohio State 25 (8 coaches)

5. Oklahoma 19

6. Alabama 18

6. Nebraska 18 (12 players, 6 coaches)

8. Penn State 16

9. Texas 10

10. Miami 3

All that said, Notre Dame has a strong case. The argument saying Notre Dame is still the best is legitimate and worthy. The way it all started drips with history. University of Michigan students traveled by train to South Bend, Indiana to engage in the first football game ever played by the University oif Notre Dame.

In 1913, the Irish truly put themselves on the map when they went up against mighty Army. While the "forward pass" was not completely unknown, it was not considered a valid offensive weapon until Irish quarterback Gus Dorais and end Knute Rockne used it to spur a nation-shaking 35-13 triumph.

No team even comes close to shaping the college game as Notre Dame did in the 1920s. They were truly the right team at the right time. Its Catholic identity resonated with growing ethnic populaces in major cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Los Angeles. The heavy European immigration flow of the early twentieth century was now Americanized with large, growing families. Many of them were Irish. They all rooted for the Irish.

Rockne's team dominated play on the field and in the sports psyche of a fascinated public in the 1920s. His untimely death in a plane crash in 1931 turned him into an iconic figure like James Dean or JFK. Under Frank Leahy in the 1940s, the Irish dominated the decade like no team had done in the modern era.

Elite Ten by the numbers

National championships (1869-1945)

Illustrated Football Annual (begun 1930)

Parker H. Davis Ratings (1889-1933)

Dickinson System (1924-40)

Dunkel System (begun in 1929)

Helms Athletic Foundation (begun in 1883)

The Football Thesaurus (begun in 1927)

Various other polling services

1. Notre Dame 8 (4, 1924-29-30-43/recognized historical national champs)

1. Michigan 8 (4, 1901-02-18-23-33/recognized historical national champs)

3. Southern California 5 (4, 1928-31-32-39/recognized historical national champs)

3. Alabama 5 (4, 1925-26-30-34/recognized historical national champs)

5. Oklahoma 1

5. Texas 1

10. Nebraska 0

10. Miami 0

10. Penn State 0

10. Ohio State 0

Alabama (5): 1925 (Helms, Billingsley, Boand, FR, Houlgate, NCF, Poling;

split/Dartmouth), 1926 (Billingsley, FR, Helms, NCF, Poling; split/Stanford), 1930 (FR, split/Notre Dame - Parke Davis), 1934 (Dunkel, Houlgate, Poling, Williamson, split/Minnesota), 1941 (Houlgate, split/Minnesota, Texas)

1926: Tied vs. Stanford, Rose Bowl

Miami: 0

Michigan (8): 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1932, 1933

No bowls

Nebraska: 0

Notre Dame (8): 1919 (split/Illinois - Davis, split/Texas A&M – NCF, other/Harvard –

unanimous, Illinois – Boand), 1920 (split/Princeton – Davis, other/California – Helms, FR, Houlgate, NCF, Princeton/Harvard – Boand), 1924 (Bill, DS, Helms, Boand, FR, Houlgate, NCF, Poling, other/Pennsylvania – Davis), 1927 (Houlgate, other/Illinois – DS, Davis, Helms, NCF, Yale – FR, Georgia – Boand, Poling, 1929 (Bill, DS, Dunkel, Boand, Helms, FR, NCF, Poling, other/Pittsburgh – Davis, Southern California – Houlgate), 1930 (all but FR, split/Alabama – Davis, also FR), 1938 (DS, other/Tennessee – Bill, Dunkel, LS, Boand, Houlgate, FR, Poling, Sagarin, Texas Christian – AP, WS, Helms, NCF), 1943 (unanimous including AP)

1919, 1920, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1938,1943: No bowls

Ohio State (0)

Oklahoma (1): 1915

No bowl

Penn State (0)

Southern California (5): 1928 (DR, other/Georgia Tech), 1929 (Thes, other/Notre Dame – Bill,

Dickinson, Dunkel, Boand, Helms, FR, NCF, Poling, other/Pittsburgh - Davis), 1931 (Dick/Rockne, Dunkel, Ann, Helms, Thes, Wms, FBR, NCF, Poling, Bill, Mas), 1932 (Ann, Dunkel, Thes, Helms, Wms, Davis/Co, FBR, NCF, Poling, Bill, Mas, other/Michigan), 1939 (Dickinson/Rockne, other/Texas A&M - AP)

1928: no bowl

Texas (1): 1914

No bowl

In 117 years of football through 2006, Notre Dame has had 110 winning years. They have featured twelve unbeaten, untied seasons and ten others in which they were unbeaten with a tie. In twenty-eight additional seasons they have suffered only one loss.

Notre Dame's 821-269-42 record (through 2006) ranks virtually tied with Michigan (860-282-36) for the best all time. Their 821 wins (through 2006) is second only to Michigan's 860. Perhaps Notre Dame's strongest argument that they remain superior to USC is their 42-31-5 record against the Trojans as of 2006. This includes one thirteen-year unbeaten run against them between 1983 and 1995.

Notre Dame is tied with USC for the most national titles with eleven. However, Notre Dame's eight Associated Press titles are the most of any program. None of their national championships are tainted by bowl defeat. Furthermore, the Irish easily could have been national champions in 1913, 1919, 1920, 1941, 1948 and 1953. Overall, there are at least nineteen seasons in which the Irish "qualified" to be the national champion by virtue of some rating service or historical analysis.

#### Fighting Irish on the run

S/start season; F/finish season

Year Record Run

1918 3-1-1, F/1-0-1 3-1-2 (1918)

1-0-1 (1918)

1919 9-0 10-0-1 (1918-19)

1920 9-0 19-0-1 (1918-20)

1921 10-1 S/2-0, F/8-0 29-1-1 (1918-21

28-1 (1919-21)

8-0 (1921)

1922 8-1-1 36-2-1 (1919-22)

16-1-1 (1921-22)

1923 9-1 F/3-0 37-2-1 (1919-23) 40 games

45-3-1 (1919-23)

25-2-1 (1921-23)

3-0 (1923)

1924 10-0 46-3-1 (1919-24) 50 games 55-3-1 (1919-24)

35-2-1 (1921-23)

13-0 (1923-24)

1925 7-2-1 S/3-0 56-3-1 (19191-25) 60 games

62-5-2 (1919-25)

38-2-1 (1921-25)

16-0 (1924-25)

1926 9-1 63-5-2 (1919-26) 80 games

71-6-2 (1919-26)

25-1 (1924-26)

1927 7-1-1 72-6-2 (1919-26) 90 games

78-7-3 (1919-27)

32-3-1 (1924-27)

1928 5-4 F/1-0 79-8-3 (1919-28) 90 games

83-11-3 (1919-28)

1-0 (19128)

1929 9-0 86-11-3 (1919-29) 100 games

92-11-3 (1919-29)

10-0 (1928-29) 83-11-3 (decade: 1920s)

1930 10-0 96-11-3 (1919-30) 110 games

102-11-3 (1919-30)

20-0 (1928-30)

1931 6-2-1 S/1-0, 6-0-1 105-11-4 (1919-31) 120 games

108-13-4 (1919-31)

109-13-5 (1918-31)

111-14-4 (1918-31)

1932 7-2 112-14-4 (1918-31) 130 games

112-13-5 (1918-32) 130

Year Record Run

1940 7-2 7-2 (1940)

1941 8-0-1 15-2-1 (1940-41)

1942 7-2-2 22-4-3 (1940-42)

1943 9-1 31-5-3 (1940-43)

1944 8-2 39-7-3 (1940-44)

1945 7-2-1 F/1-0 46-9-4 (1940-45)

1946 8-0-1 S/5-0, 5-0-1, F/3-0, 3-0-1 54-9-5 (1940-46)

1947 9-0 56-9-5 (1940-47) 70 games

63-9-5 (1940-47)

12-0 (1946-47)

1948 9-0-1 S/9-0 66-9-5 1940-48 80 games

72-9-6 (1940-48)

19-0-1 (1946-48)

1949 10-0 75-9-6 (1940-48) 90 games

82-9-6 (decade: 1940s)

29-0-1 (1946-49) 30 games

1950 4-4-1 S/1-0 83-9-6 (1940-50)

30-0-1 (1946-50)

37-1-2 (1946-50) 40 games

1951 7-2-1 85-9-6 (1940-51) 100 games

90-11-7 (1940-51)

1952 7-2-1 97-13-8 (1940-52) 118

91-11-8 (1940-52) 110 games

1953 9-0-1 99-13-8 (1940-53) 120 games 106-13-8 (1940-53)

1954 9-1 115-14-8 (1940-53)

108-14-8 (1940-54) 130 games

1955 8-2 123-16-6 (1940-55)

118-14-8 (1940-55) 140 games

Year Record Run

1988 12-0 12-0 (1888)

1989 12-1 24-1 (1988-89)

1990 9-3 33-4 (1988-90)

1991 10-3 43-7 (1988-91) 50 games

1992 10-1-1 51-8-1 (1988-92) 60 games

53-8-1 (1988-92)

1993 11-1 61-8-1 (1988-92) 70 games

64-9-1 (1988-93)

1994 6-5-1 S/1-0 65-9-1 (1988-94)

68-11-1 80 (1988-94) 80 games

69-14-2 (1988-94)

The Irish are tied with Southern California and Ohio State for the most Heisman Trophy winners (seven). They have the most consensus All-Americans with ninety-five (through 2005). Notre Dame's forty-one players and five coaches (through 2006) inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame are the most of any institution. They are tied with Alabama and Michigan for the most Super Bowl MVP awards (Joe Montana with three). USC has two. More than 400 players have represented them in pro football, the most of any college over the years (a virtual tie with Southern California). 453 Irish players (slightly trailing USC) have been drafted. They have five number one overall NFL draft picks, tied with USC for the most of any program. Notre Dame's five Associated Press Pro Football Players of the Year are the most from any college.

#### Elite Ten by the numbers

####

#### Associated Press Pro Football Player of the Year

Notre Dame: 5

1961 Paul Hornung, Green Bay, HB

1971 Alan Page, Minnesota, DT

  * Joe Theismann, Washington, QB

1989 Joe Montana, San Francisco, QB

1990 Joe Montana, San Francisco, QB

Alabama: 3

1966 Bart Starr, Green Bay, QB

1974 Ken Stabler, Oakland, QB

2005 Shaun Alexander, Seattle, RB

Southern California: 2

1973 O. J. Simpson, Buffalo, RB

1985 Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders, RB

Texas: 1

  1979. Earl Campbell, Houston, RB

These are just numbers, and do not begin to explain the mystique, lore and appeal of Notre Dame football. They are the only school with their own television deal (NBC). Perhaps as telling as any other statement is the fact that former USC quarterback Pat Haden is NBC's "voice of the Irish." Haden grew up Catholic. After starring at Bishop Amat High School in southern California, he chose USC mainly because in his senior year he lived with coach John McKay. His parents had moved to Walnut Creek (near San Francisco) due to a job transfer. McKay's son, J. K. was his receiver in high school and college. Recruiters from Notre Dame, Stanford and other schools had to call on the McKay household in order to meet with Haden, who went on to lead USC to an astounding 55-24 win over the Irish in 1974. He set the all-time career record for touchdown passes against Notre Dame.

Despite his USC pedigree Haden, who is also a corporate lawyer in the L.A. area, announces his games with the utmost admiration for Notre Dame. When the two teams play each other, there is no discernible bias favoring the Trojans; in fact it may be the other way around. The Haden-Notre Dame symbiosis is an example of what ex-USC quarterback Craig Fertig calls "pure mutual respect" between the two schools.

### Notre Dame versus conferences (through 2005)

Atlantic Coast (72-27-2), Big East (56-20-1), Big 10 (213-106-15, Big 12 (37-18-2), Mountain West (26-7), Mid-American (4-0, Pacific-10 (74-39-6), Southeastern (21-12), Western Athletic (2-0)

Every even year in L.A., Fertig and Tommy Hawkins, a former Notre Dame basketball player who played for Lakers, then became a media personality in L.A., emcee an event called "the game is on." Much good-natured ribbing takes place, but the kind of humor and admiration the two schools openly express for each other and their respective heroes is genuine. This kind of thing certainly does not take place, at least to this extent, between California and Stanford; Nebraska and Oklahoma; Auburn and Alabama. When Auburn football coach Shug Jordan played golf with Alabama football coach Bear Bryant, he was careful to keep it a secret from his school's followers.

Notre Dame versus biggest rivals

Versus Southern California 42-31-5

Versus Michigan 14-19-1

While much of the Notre Dame legend is built on "blarney" and "malarkey," it is nevertheless the stuff of great American mythology. Only true greatness shines forth in such a manner. The "Four Horsemen of Notre Dame" story may have been a media gambit; the "win one for the Gipper" story made up. No matter. They resonate with the populace. The love for Notre Dame is genuine and heartfelt. Notre Dame fans are the most intense, loyal and regular in the nation. Certainly fans of Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio State, Louisiana State and some other programs share the same kind of commitment, but the Notre Dame follower is sophisticated, national, travels, and is enthusiastic at least on a level with all others.

The Gipper

"I'm going to tell you something I've kept myself for years. None of you knew George Gipp – it was long before your time. But you all know what a tradition he is at Notre Dame. And the last thing he said to me, 'Rock,' he said, 'sometime, when the team is up against it, and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they got and just win one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock,' he said, 'but I'll know about it . . . and I'll be happy."

\- Pat O'Brien as Knute Rocke, Knute Rockne: All-American (1940)

Ronald Reagan played Gipp. Not only did Gipp never give the dying testimonial, Rockne never gave this speech in the Yankee Stadium dressing room on November 10, 1928. It was based on some scant mention in the New York Daily News' game account by reporter and Irish alum Francis Wallace, apparently incorporated by Hollywood director Lloyd Bacon. Gipp apparently contracted strep throat and pneumonia caused when he, after continually breaking school curfew to go gambling and drinking, was locked out of his dorm by a zealous priest, forcing him to sleep on the freezing steps. Rumors swirled around Gipp's death and gambling debts. On November 20, 1920, he sat out the game at Northwestern. According to the Notre Dame media guide, it was because of a shoulder injury incurred one week earlier versus Indiana. Other stories claim he already was sick and sat shivering in a blanket on a freezing day; that he owed money to gamblers and agreed to sit out the game to keep the spread down in return for forgiving the debt; entered the game out of a crisis of conscience, throwing the touchdown pass which put the Irish above the spread, foiling the gamblers; and the exertion worsened the illness. The official story is that Gipp stayed in Chicago to "give punting instructions to a high school team coached by a former teammate," where he got sick. This makes little sense, since Notre Dame was scheduled to play at Michigan State only five days later (November 25). Between practice, school and travel there was no extra time to hang around at a high school practice in Chicago. Either way, he was gravely ill, hospitalized, did not play against the Spartans, and died of complications (pneumonia) from the strep on December 14, 1920 at the age of 25.

The Notre Dame fan base is far more loyal than USC's which for the most part is as dedicated as that of any other Los Angeles sports team, but is still fickle in the notorious L.A. manner. When USC ventures into Notre Dame Stadium, they are a genuine road team facing every possible disadvantage. For years, when Notre Dame entered the Coliseum, perhaps forty percent of the crowd rooted for them. In the Pete Carroll era, this has changed perceptibly, but it is still not nearly as fanatical in favor of the Trojans as vice versa in South Bend.

Notre Dame versus Elite Ten

Alabama (5-1), Miami (15-7-1), Michigan (14-19-1), Nebraska (7-8-1), Ohio State (2-2), Oklahoma (8-1), Penn State (8-8-1), Southern California (42-31-5), Texas (8-2); Total: 109-79-9

The recent rivalry between Charlie Weis and Pete Carroll added a new wrinkle to the rivalry. When Weis took over at Notre Dame after being the offensive coordinator of three New England Patriots Super Bowl winners, he told his team, "I never lost to that (expletive deleted) in the NFL, and I don't intend to lose to him now." When USC visited Notre Dame Stadium in 2005, Weis instructed the groundskeeper to grow the grass as high as the Indiana wheatfields at harvest time. It was a vain attempt to slow down Reggie Bush.

Then there are the movies. USC, despite being "Hollywood's school," with numerous alumni making their mark as directors, writers, producers and actors, has only a TV movie about tragic running back Ricky Bell, who died young of a rare disease, and a low budget effort about women's basketball called _Love and Basketball_. _Boyz N the Hood_ , directed by USC alum John Singleton, touched on the death of a Trojan football recruit but was not about the school. Many films are shot on location at USC, but feature mention of the school in a peripheral manner. Ironically, _The Hunchback of Notre Dame_ was filmed at USC.

Notre Dame's _Knute Rockne: All-American_ and _Rudy_ , however, were blockbusters that remain classics to this day. Ronald Reagan built his image in large measure based upon his portrayal of George Gipp in _Knute Rockne: All-American_. A film based on the book _One Night, Two Teams: Alabama vs. USC and the Game That Changed a Nation_ (2007), which details how the 1970 USC-Alabama game helped end segregation, may be USC's Hollywood answer to Irish cinema dominance, but even its proposed pitch line demonstrates adherence to Notre Dame: "Finally, USC's _Rudy_."

Despite an occasional accusation, Notre Dame is the cleanest of all programs. Among big time athleticf programs, only Penn State, Duke, Stanford and possibly Michigan approach their overall academic/athletic record. Notre Dame has claimed an incredible ninety-eight percent graduation rate. They have never been on NCAA probation. Even their media guide is, unlike many other schools, impeccably honest. With their great record, there are many opportunities for exaggeration or misleading information, but they do not inflate their national championship record, All-American roster, or the like.

They are a Catholic institution and therefore remain devoted to the idea that the Lord Jesus Christ watches them, knows what is in their hearts, and judges them accordingly. They are a school comprised of human beings and therefore they have their failings, but Notre Dame's adherence to Christian principles is real. Even their greatest rivals, USC, Michigan . . . and everybody else, admires them for that.

Notre Dame's awesome image is not all movies, magic, and morals. It is not all dominant seasons and runaway victories, either. They have played an inordinate number of extremely big games; made some incredible comebacks; ended some long winning streaks; overcome incredible odds; and to the consternation of their opponents, whether it be real or not, have at times seemed to have the kind of "luck of the Irish" that gives the impression that, every so often, God favors them.

Their greatest, most legendary games include:

  * Notre Dame 11, Michigan 3 (1909)

  * Notre Dame 35, Army 13 (1913)

  * Notre Dame 27, Army 17 (1920)

  * Notre Dame 13, Army 7 (1924)

  * Notre Dame 27, Stanford 10 (1925 Rose Bowl)

  * Notre Dame 12, Army 6 (1928)

  * Notre Dame 7, Carnegie Tech 0 (1929)

  * Notre Dame 60, Penn 20 (1930)

  * Notre Dame 18, Ohio State 13 (1935)

  * Notre Dame 0, Army 0 (1946)

  * Notre Dame 27, Southern Methodist 20 (1949)

  * Notre Dame 7, Oklahoma 0 (1957)

  * Notre Dame 51, Southern California 0 (1966)

  * Notre Dame 24, Texas 11 (1971 Cotton Bowl)

  * Notre Dame 23, Southern California 14 (1973)

  * Notre Dame 24, Alabama 23 (1973 Sugar Bowl)

  * Notre Dame 13, Alabama 11 (1975 Orange Bowl)

  * Notre Dame 49, Southern California 14 (1977)

  * Notre Dame 38, Texas 10 (1978 Cotton Bowl)

  * Notre Dame 35, Houston 34 (1979 Cotton Bowl)

  * Notre Dame 38, Southern California 37 (1986)

  * Notre Dame 31, Miami 30 (1988)

  * Notre Dame 27, Southern California 10 (1988)

  * Notre Dame 34, West Virginia 21 (1989 Fiesta Bowl)

  * Notre Dame 28, Southern California 24 (1989)

  * Notre Dame 31, Florida State 24 (1993)

Crowd shots of two games eleven years apart tell the story of Notre Dame's impact on America. The 1913 "forward pass" win over Army was played before a high school-sized gathering at Notre Dame. The 1924 "Four Horsemen" win over Army was played before a packed Polo Grounds throng in New York. The 1925 Rose Bowl win over Stanford was played in front of a huge crowd in Pasadena. The 1928 "win one for the Gipper" win over Army occurred before a packed "House That Ruth Built."

In addition to these games, the Irish helped fill the Coliseum for games against USC. At Chicago's Soldier Field, 120,000 (1927) and 112,000 (1929) saw Notre Dame beat the Trojans.

There have been "agonies" too, as listed in _The Fighting Irish: Notre Dame Football Through the Years_ by William Gildea and Christopher Jennison. They include:

  * Southern California 16, Notre Dame 14 (1931)

  * Great Lakes Naval Training Station 19, Notre Dame 14 (1943)

  * Army 59, Notre Dame 0 (1944)

  * Army 48, Notre Dame 0 (1945)

  * Purdue 28, Notre Dame 14 (1950)

  * Iowa 14, Notre Dame 14 (1953)

  * Southern California 20, Notre Dame 17 (1964)

  * Michigan State 10, Notre Dame 10 (1966)

  * Texas 21, Notre Dame 17 (1970 Cotton Bowl)

  * Southern California 55, Notre Dame 24 (1974)

  * Miami 58, Notre Dame 7 (1985)

  * Michigan 24, Notre Dame 23 (1986)

  * Miami 27, Notre Dame 10 (1989)

  * Stanford 33, Notre Dame 16 (1992)

  * Boston College 41, Notre Dame 39 (1993)

  * Northwestern 17, Notre Dame 15 (1995)

  * Oregon State 41, Notre Dame 9 (2001 Fiesta Bowl)

  * Southern California 34, Notre Dame 31 (2005)

William Gildea's description of the 1974 loss to Southern Cal is classic: "How could it be possible for a team not equipped with knives or guns to score fifty-five straight points on the Fighting Irish?"

"I still don't know how it happened," USC coach John McKay told reporters. "I can't understand it. I'm going to sit down tonight and have a beer and think about it. Against Notre Dame? Maybe against Kent State. But Notre Dame?"

In _The History of USC Football_ DVD, McKay stated, "I have no idea what happened, but I guarantee I was there . . . and I clapped."

Even in defeat, Notre Dame helped shape a nation. The losses to Great Lakes Naval Training Station and Army during the middle of World War II undoubtedly had the Nazis and Japanese scratching their heads, wondering how the American military could field teams good enough to beat our best football squad while simultaneously beating _them_ from one corner of the globe to another. Only America.

Prior to Rockne taking over in 1918, Notre Dame had gone unbeaten in 1912 and 1913. Consensus All-Americans included Gus Dorais (1913) and Frank Rydzewski (1917). Rockne's first team featured Curly Lambeau, who would go on to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career as a pioneering NFL player and coach with the Green Bay Packers. Lambeau Field is named after him. In 1919, when the Irish were 9-0 under Rockne, back George Gipp made his mark and followed that up with an All-American campaign in the 9-0 1920 campaign. George Trafton went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Bears.

Eddie Anderson earned consensus honors in 1921. In 1924 the Irish fielded what still may be their greatest team. "The Four Horsemen of Notre Dame" were 10-0 with a victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Three of the "Four Horsemen," Harry Stuhldreher, Jim Crowley and Elmer Layden, were consensus All-Americans. Other All-Americans of the 1920s were Bud Boeringer (1926), John Smith (1927), Jack Cannon (1929), Frank Carideo (1929-30), and the great Marchy Schwartz (1929-30).

The Four Horsemen of Notre Dame

"Outlined against a blue-gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are Stuhldreyer, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army football team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds yesterday afternoon as 55,000 peered down on the bewildering panorama spread on the green plain below.

\- Grantland Rice, New York Herald Tribune, October 19, 1924

The "Four Horsemen" were quarterback Harry Stuhldreyer, halfbacks "Sleepy Jim" Crowley and Don Miller, and fullback Elmer Layden. It was based of course on the Biblical reference, and the 1924 film, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Notre Dame press assistant George Strickland made mention of the movie in the Polo Grounds press box, inspiring Rice's lead. A week later Strickland arranged a photo of the four Irish stars on steeds from a local South Bend stable. It was really the victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl two and a half months later that fixed them in the public's imagination.

Rockne, talked into the USC rivalry ostensibly by his wife, led Notre Dame to victory over the Trojans in four of his last five years. A single point in each game (13-12, 7-6, 13-12) achieved the first three victories. These were instant classics. Between 1928 and 1932, the national champion was the winner of this game. USC achieved their true status as a great program only when they upended Notre Dame, 27-14 on the way to their 1928 national title. Their 16-14 fourth quarter comeback against the Irish in the new Notre Dame Stadium (1931) did everything to elevate their prestige to the greatest of heights. Above all else, it placed them on an equal status with the Irish after having lost to them four of the first five times, albeit by the narrowest of margins.

Notre Dame won twenty straight games between 1929 and 1931. They carried a 26-game unbeaten streak into the 1931 USC game. Rockne's teams were 105-12-5 during his thirteen years. They won national titles in his last two seasons, 1929 and 1930. They were surefire favorites to do it again in 1931.

When USC beat Notre Dame three straight times (1931-1933), it was the end of coach Hunk Anderson tenure, and the beginning of Elmer Layden's. Consensus All-Americans of the 1930s were Tommy Yarr (1931), Joe Kurth (1932), Jack Robinson (1934), Wayne Millner (1935), Chuck Sweeney (1937), and Ed Beinor (1938). When the NFL Draft started in 1936, Notre Dame's Bill Shakespeare was Pittsburgh's first round choice. Millner is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, having played for the Boston and Washington Redskins in the NFL.

Notre Dame's 7-0 victory over Carnegie Tech in 1938 had them thinking that this would be their first national championship without Rock, but USC's 13-0 win over them ended that. They held out hope the polls might favor them if the chips all fell into place in 1939, but again USC dispelled the notion by virtue of a 20-12 victory in South Bend, which served to elevate Troy to the number one position.

Frank Leahy came on the scene in 1940. Nobody did it better: 8-0-1 (1941), 7-2-2 (1942), 9-1 (national champions, 1943), 8-2 (1944), 7-2-1 (1945), 8-0-1 (national champions, 1946), 9-0 (national champions, 1947), 9-0-1 (1948), and 10-0 (national champions, 1949). Three Irish players - Angelo Bertelli (1943), Johnny Lujack (1947) and Leon Hart (1949) - earned Heisman Trophies. The Irish never lost a game in the 1941, 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949 seasons, compiling a 21-game winning streak (1946-1948) and a 39-game unbeaten streak (1945-1950). Only a stunning 14-14 tie against USC in 1948 prevented what may have been their fifth title of the decade while keeping them from capturing an elusive three-straight AP crowns.

Did you know . . .

That the 1946-1947 two-time national champion Notre Dame Fighting Irish never trailed in a game (although in 1946 they played Army to a 0-0 tie)?

Not just consensus All-Americans but College Hall of Famers strode the legendary Notre Dame stage: Bob Dove, Pat Filley, Creighton Miller, Jim White, John Yonakor, George Connor, Bill Fischer, Emil Sitko, and Bob Williams. Connor (1946) and Fischer (1948) won Outland Trophies. Many, including Beano Cook to this day, call the 1947 Irish the best team ever assembled. They never trailed in a game and posted three shutouts in a row.

First round draft choices: Angelo Bertelli (Boston, first overall pick, 1944), Creighton Miller (Brooklyn, 1944), Frank Szymanski (Detroit, 1956), John Yonakor (Philadelphia, 1945), Frank Dancewicz ((first overall pick, Boston, 1946), Johnny Lujack (Chicago Bears, 1946), George Connor (New York Giants, 1946), Emil Sitko (Los Angeles Rams, 1946), Frank Tripucka (Philadelphia, 1949), Bill Fischer (Chicago Cardinals, 1949), Leon Hart (Detroit, 1950). George Sullivan was the first pick of the Chicago Rockets of the All-American Football Conference in 1947. Connor played for the Chicago Bears and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Most drafted classes

1. Notre Dame 16 (1946)

2. Southern California 15 (1953)

2. Notre Dame 15 (1945)

### 4. Southern California 14 (1975)

4. Southern California 14 (1977)

6. Notre Dame 10 NFL, 7 AAFC (1948)

The 1946 0-0 tie with Army remains mythical in status. After getting blown out, 59-0 (1944) and 48-0 (1945) by "Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside" (Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis), the Irish met Red Blaik's juggernaut before 74,121 at Yankee Stadium on November 8, 1946. With the war won, the game had all the trappings of the Greeks holding an Olympics to celebrate the end of the Peloponnesian War, or the Romans holding gladiatorial contests at the Coliseum in celebration of Caesar's triumphs abroad.

Notre Dame was the heavy underdog but somehow held Army scoreless. The play of the game was Lujack's open-field tackle of Blanchard after a 21-yard rumble at the Notre Dame 36. The tie was considered a "moral victory" for the Irish. It turned out to be more than that when the Associated Press voted them number one at season's end.

In the 1950s, two Notre Dame stars won Heisman Trophies: Johnny Lattner (1953) and Paul Hornung (1956). Great Irish stars of the decade were Jerry Groom, Art Hunter, Bob Toneff, Ralph Guglielmi, Al Ecuyer, and Monty Stickles. First round draft picks were Bob Williams (Chicago Bears, 1952), Jerry Groom (Chicago Cardinals, 1952), Art Hunter (Green Bay, 1954), Johnny Lattner (Green Bay, 1954), Neil Worden (Philadelphia, 1954), Ralph Guglielmi (Washington, 1955), Frank Varrichione (Pittsburgh, 1955), Joe Heap (New York Giants, 1955), Paul Hornung (Green Bay, 1957) Nick Pietrosante (Detroit, 1959), George Izo (Chicago Cardinals, 1960), and Monte Stickles (San Francisco, 1960).

While national championships escaped their grasp, it was a decade filled with monumental moments. In 1953, Notre Dame opened the season with a 28-21 victory at Oklahoma. It was the last time the Sooners would lose over the next forty-seven games. The Irish then ended Georgia Tech's 31-game unbeaten streak, 27-14 at South Bend. A 14-14 tie with Iowa ended their national title aspirations.

Notre Dame coaches' winning percentage

1. KnuteRockne (.881)

2. Frank Leahy (.855)

3. Ara Parseghian (.836)

4. Elmer Layden (.770)

5. Lou Holtz (.765)

Terry Brennan took over for Leahy in 1954. He carried the success over with 9-1 and 8-2 seasons. In 1956 Notre Dame was only 2-8, yet the season remains a memorable one thanks to the great Paul Hornung. He captured the school's fifth Heisman Trophy. A colorful personality whose _persona_ was similar to Frank Gifford's, he was one of pro football's all-time greats with Vince Lombardi's Packers. Hornung is a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The following year (1957), a dejected Irish squad arrived in Norman, Oklahoma on the heels of successive losses: 20-6 to Navy and 34-6 to Michigan. Bud Wilkinson's Sooners had won forty-seven straight games and showed no sign of letting up. Just as they had done with Army eleven years earlier, the Irish defense stiffened, producing a shutout. The 7-0 victory was one of their great moments.

#### Spoilers

Notre Dame has ended twelve perfect seasons (one tie). They have twelve unbeaten, untied seasons; ten unbeaten (with a tie), and twenty-eight one-loss years. They have finished in the AP Top <ED: 10> 10 thirty-five times . . .

There was little to celebrate over the next six seasons, however. The game appeared to have passed them by. USC and Alabama came back with a vengeance. The South began to rise again with Auburn and LSU also winning national championships for the first time. Eastern football re-emerged in the form of an integrated powerhouse at Syracuse.

Notre Dame's biggest rivals? Everyone . . .

Notre Dame versus number one-ranked opponents (1936-2005): 8-16-1 . . .

Notre Dame is 62-13-3 when playing as the number one-ranked team . . .

The Fighting Irish are 141-118-10 versus ranked opponents . . .

In 1964 Notre Dame brought in Ara Parseghian. The "era of Ara" was one of the most successful in school history. In his first year, Parseghian inherited some talented seniors, namely quarterback John Huarte and tight end Jack Snow. They grew up in Orange County, California where they developed pass pattern on the beach during summers. Playing great defense and steady, ball-control offense, the Irish marched through their schedule unbeaten.

Alabama's heralded quarterback, Joe Namath was the Heisman favorite in 1964. When he went down with an injury in the seventh game of the season, Huarte was able to win the award. Still operating under a "no-bowl" policy, all the Irish needed to do was get past Southern California in a packed L.A. Coliseum.

Oh, that's all.

Huarte engineered Notre Dame's 17-0 halftime lead, but Southern Cal quarterback Craig Fertig led Troy all the way back in the second half. Desperately trying to ward off USC, Notre Dame had one last chance to stop the Trojans on a fourth down play with about a minute left. Fertig hit receiver Rod Sherman over the middle for a touchdown. It was all over.

Two years later, Notre Dame fielded one of their all-time greatest teams. Led by sophomore quarterback Terry Hanratty, they won their first eight. The Irish defense pitched three consecutive shutouts against Army (35-0), North Carolina (32-0), and Oklahoma (38-0); then two more against Pittsburgh (40-0) and Duke (64-0). As great as their defense was, Michigan State's defense was considered even more dominating, led by defensive end Bubba Smith and linebacker/rover George Webster.

On November 19 Notre Dame traveled to East Lansing for the "Game of the Century." It was hard-fought and competitive, an incredible game, and a big part of history, but other games overshadow it. With the score tied, 10-10 late in the fourth, Parseghian had a chance to make it the real "Game of the Century." Had he masterminded a final drive, utilizing the passing of talented Coley O'Brien (who replaced the injured Hanratty) plus the running of Rocky Bleier and Nick Eddy, Notre Dame might have driven into field position – the way USC did against them twelve years later – and kicked a game-winning field goal that _would have made it_ the "Game of the Century." Instead, it went down as the "tie one for the Gipper" game.

A week later, Parseghian's Irish came to Los Angeles with their minds on the polls. Despite the tie, Notre Dame maintained the number one position in the Associated Press (although they fell to second in the United Press International). Michigan State stayed number two in the AP, but moved to first in the UPI. Alabama, who started the season number one but fell to third as the year moved on, stayed at number three even though they were unbeaten and untied.

In 1966, both the AP and UPI voted their last poll prior to the bowls. Notre Dame had no bowl to play in. Neither did Michigan State, since they were constrained by the Big 10's "no-repeat" rule and had no more games. Alabama still had Southern Mississippi and Auburn left, then a Sugar Bowl date with Nebraska.

Parseghian reasoned that he held the top spot in the AP. Michigan State would have no further opportunity to impress the voters, but Alabama did. Furthermore, the voters might figure that a 'Bama victory in the Sugar Bowl, even if it did not technically affect the final AP vote, would figure in voters' thinking. He also knew that the voters had been embarrassed by their awarding of the national title to Alabama two years earlier, only to see the Crimson Tide illegitimatized by their Orange Bowl defeat against Texas. This was followed by another embarrassment when the UPI was stuck calling Michigan State their champions despite losing to UCLA in the 1966 Rose Bowl.

The calculation, to Parseghian's way of thinking, was that a big win over the Trojans would garner the title for Notre Dame for four reasons. For one, the voters would rather play it safe and give it to a team that had no bowl game they could lose and therefore make everybody look bad; two, another national title for Alabama followed by a potential loss to Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl seemed an intolerable possibility; three, a large majority of the writers were from the East Coast and were of Catholic persuasion; and four, in the heat of the civil rights struggle, all-white 'Bama was not, to use a 1990s term, the "politically correct" team.

Did you know . . .

That when Notre Dame football star Rocky Bleier was injured in Vietnam, the military doctor said just before putting him under for surgery: "Rocky, I went to USC and was in the stands the day Notre Dame beat us, 51-0 at the Coliseum"? Thanks in part to the USC man's excellent work, Bleier eventually was able to make a pro football comeback with the Steelers. Much like the doctors who saved Ronald Reagan after he was shot and told them, "I hope you're Republicans" – the reply was, "We're all Republican today, Mr. President" – in this case, the USC doctor and his staff were all "Fighting Irishmen." Lucky ones . . . and good.

Many people found fault with Notre Dame for "running up the score" against USC, 51-0 in front of their home fans on November 26, 1966; all except the Trojans players, fans and coaches, all of whom agreed that instead of getting mad at the Irish, it was there job to stop them. They failed.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Associated Press national championships (1936-2006)

Writer's poll

1. Notre Dame 8 *

2. Oklahoma 7 @

3. Alabama 6 #

4. Southern California 5

4. Miami 5

6. Ohio State 4

6. Nebraska 4

8. Texas 3

9. Michigan 2

10. Penn State 2

*5 no bowls

@1 lost bowl, 1 probation

#1 lost bowl

Alabama (6): 1961, *1964 (split/Arkansas - Billingsley, Football Research, Football Writers,

Helms, Poling, National Championship Foundation),1965, 1978 (split/Southern California – UPI), 1979, 1992

*Lost Orange Bowl

Miami (5): 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991 (split/Washington – UPI), 2001

Michigan (2): 1948, 1997 (split/Nebraska – USA)

Nebraska (4): 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995

Notre Dame (8): *1943, *1946, *1947, *1949, *1966, 1973 (split/Alabama lost bowl –

UPI), 1977,1988

*No bowl

Ohio State (4): *1942, 1954 (split/UCLA no bowl – UPI), 1968, 2002

*No bowl

Oklahoma (7): *1950, 1955, @1956, #1974 (split/Southern California – UPI), 1975,

1985, 2000

*Lost Sugar Bowl

@No bowl

#Probation/no bowl

Penn State (2): 1982, 1986

Southern California (5): 1962, 1967, 1972, 2003, 2004

Texas (3): 1963, 1969, 2005

Parseghian's Machiavellian calculations played out just as he foresaw them. The Irish had the first national title in the "era of Ara." To what extent the 51-0 drubbing inspired USC against Notre Dame over the next decade and a half is debatable. What is not debatable is that, following this game, beating Southern California became a rare accomplishment for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Between 1967 and 1982 they did it twice.

Notre Dame fielded some of the best teams in their history during this period, but they were denied glory year after year by USC. The 1970, 1971, 1974 and 1978 teams all had a good or decent shot at the title but-for the USC game. The 1973 and 1977 teams were the only ones to accomplish the feat, and they finished number one on each occasion.

In the 1960s, Notre Dame's consensus All-Americans included Jack Snow, John Huarte, Dick Arrington, Nick Rassas, Nick Eddy, Jim Lynch, Alan Page, Tom Regner, Tom Schoen, Terry Hanratty, George Kunz, and Mike McCoy.

### Notre Dame's "teammate Heismans"

1943 Angelo Bertelli

1947 John Lujack

1947 John Lujack

1949 Leon Hart

1953 John Lattner

1956 Paul Hornung (freshman/ineligible '53)

First round draft picks were Jack Snow (Minnesota, 1965), Nick Eddy (Denver, 1966), Paul Seiler (New York Jets, 1967), Alan Page (Minnesota, 1967), Tom Regner (Houston, 1967), Kevin Hardy (New Orleans, 1968), George Kunz (Atlanta, 1969), Jim Seymour (Los Angeles, 1969), and Mike McCoy (Green Bay, 1970). Snow became a star with the great Los Angeles Rams teams coached by George Allen. After retirement, he was a popular sportscaster. His son, J. T. Snow, became a fancy-fielding first baseman for San Francisco, playing in the 2002 World Series. Page spearheaded great Vikings teams to four Super Bowls (1970, 1974, 1975, 1977). Pro football's Player of the Year in 1971, when Minnesota's defense carried the terrific moniker "Purple People Eaters," Page is a member of Pro Football Hall of Fame. He became an associate justice of Minnesota's state Supreme Court.

From 1968-1970, Joe Theismann starred at Notre Dame. He was frustrated, as Brady Quinn would be thirty-six years later, from achieving ultimate glory. In 1968 Notre Dame was 7-2-1. In 1969 they were 8-2-1. The great 1970 squad, which may have been the best team in the country, was 10-1. Each season, something happened to trip up the Irish. Theismann passed for a school record 526 yards against Southern California in a driving rainstorm at the Coliseum in 1970, but USC won 38-28. Theismann closed out his college career with a monumental 24-11 win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl, ending the Longhorns' national championship aspirations.

Theismann, despite all his accomplishments, was not considered a major professional prospect. He took his services to Canada. Eventually, he went to the National Football League where he starred for the 1982 Washington Redskins' Super Bowl championship team. In January 1984 Theismann, the NFL Player of the Year that season, brought a 14-2 Redskins team into the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Raiders. Ex-USC star Marcus Allen overshadowed him, winning the game's MVP trophy while leading his team to a 38-9 triumph. Theismann's career eventually ended on _Monday Night Football_ when he suffered an excruciating injury. He has been a leading personality on pro football telecasts, including _Monday Night Football_ , for years. Theismann has led a celebrity life and may well join Goldern Domers Curly Lambeau, George Trafton, Wayne Millner, George Connor, Paul Hornung, Alan Page, Joe Montana, Nick Buoniconti, and Dave Casper in the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Canton, Ohio some day. He was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame in 2004.

#### America's team

Notre Dame is 178-91-3 on national TV (through 2005) . . .

In 1973, Notre Dame was itching to get back to the promised land. The field looked to be obstacle-laden. Defending national champion and pre-season number one Southern California would have to be contended with at Notre Dame Stadium on October 27. In addition, Ohio State, Michigan and Alabama were juggernauts that year.

The Trojans, who had not lost since mid-way through the 1971 campaign, came in with a 23-game unbeaten streak. Quarterback Tom Clements, halfback Erick Penick and cornerback Luther Bradley pulled out all the stops before a more-fired-up-than-usual Notre Dame crowd. The 23-14 victory spurred the Irish to an unbeaten regular season. When Michigan and Ohio State tied in their big game, the Sugar Bowl, played on New Year's Eve, was for the national championship against unbeaten Alabama.

Clements, Penick and tight end Dave Casper starred in one of the all-time great college football games. Alabama quarterback Richard Todd scored on a pass-catch-and-pass to put the Tide up, 23-21 late in the game. Clements hit tight end Robin Weber on a key third down conversion deep in Irish territory. From there, Notre Dame drove until Bob Thomas kicked a 19-yard field goal. Alabama had time to rally but Notre Dame held on to win a "barnburner," 24-23. Parseghian had his second national championship. It was Alabama's seventh straight bowl loss.

In 1974, Notre Dame's defense allowed an average of only two yards per rush and was ranked first in the nation when the Irish (9-1) traveled to the Coliseum. Up 24-0 just before the half, they were calculating that with Oklahoma on probation, if they could beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl while USC beat Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, a repeat national championship might just be theirs. They were almost right; the Irish did beat the Crimson Tide in a donnybrook, 13-11 in the Sugar Bowl, while USC squeaked out a thrilling 18-17 win over the Buckeyes in Pasadena. There was only problem with their plan: their 24-0 lead was converted, within the span of just seventeen minutes, into probably the greatest USC victory of all time, 55-24. To this day, nobody has ever adequately explained what happened. Not John McKay, not Trojan assistant coach Craig Fertig, not linebacker Richard "Batman" Wood, quarterback Pat Haden, wide receiver J. K. McKay or rover Charles Phillips.

Some Notre Dame historians have postulated that the only way it could happen would be if USC had been equipped with "guns and knives." Perhaps the star of the day, the ultimate "Notre Dame killer" himself, Anthony Davis stated it best: "We turned into madmen." "A. D.," as he is known, has lived off his performances against Notre Dame in 1972 and 1974 to this day, marketing and signing T-shirts, cups, and posters, in person or through web sites.

1974-1975 will not go down as great years at Notre Dame. They were 9-2 with a wonderful win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl in 1974, then 8-3 in 1975. Defeat against USC, whether by big scores or close scores, tugged at their elbows. But years later, those two seasons turned out to be some of the most memorable in the school's history. That was when Rudy Ruettiger, a walk-on practice player, was part of the program. His story was told in the inspiring 1993 film _Rudy_ , starring Sean Astin. Rudy played in the final home game of the 1975 season, a 24-3 win over Georgia Tech. There was a freshman quarterback on that team named Joe Montana.

1977 played out in similar manner to the 1973 campaign after Notre Dame lost to Ole Miss in the second game of the season. Montana, a junior from western Pennsylvania, had come to South Bend with great promise but so far not shown much of it. USC, now coached by John Robinson, maintained their place at the heights of glory. By the fifth game of the season USC was ranked number one in the nation.

On October 22, the Trojans entered Notre Dame Stadium thinking about the national championship. Notre Dame – not coach Dan Devine, who took over from the retired Parseghian in 1975; not their players; nor their fans – was truly willing to think such grandiose thoughts. A loss to Troy, the second of the season, would end such hopes and make it difficult just to play out a semi-successful - by Notre Dame standards - season.

Montana got the start, but it was a shaky call. He had performed erratically and engendered little confidence from Devine or the Golden Domers. Devine was not quite as taciturn as he was portrayed in _Rudy_ , but he was charismatically challenged. He was a football man. His game was Xs and Os; blocking and tackling; fundamental football. He was at Notre Dame, with all that lore, magic, mystique; how to use that?

A few year earlier, Burt Reynolds had starred in a film about a football game between prison convicts and guards called _The Longest Yard_. In that film, the cons surprise everybody by emerging on the field in new uniforms emblazoned "Mean Machine."

Devine, perhaps desperate, trying to conjure up the image of Rockne inspiring his team with some kind of outside influence, took enough time away from practice and game-planning to make an inspirational move of his own. It could be a big hit, but if it did not work out he ran the risk of making himself and his team look foolish. He took the risk.

Devine ordered special green jerseys for the game, but kept it a secret. The Irish warmed up in their traditional blues, then went into the dressing room for final preparations before the contest. USC came out, swaggering with the confidence of champions, waiting for their opponents to take the field.

Twenty minutes before making that entrance, Devine pulled out a box and informed his team that it contained their uniform tops for this game. The players were stunned, but immediately sensed that the Kelly green, a symbol of Irish luck, was not just a motivational tool for them, but would electrify the crowd. Not to mention, the Trojans would be thinking about it, too.

When the crowd got sight of the "green machine," they went ballistic, which is saying something. Every Notre Dame crowd goes ballistic, but this was over the top. USC was indeed stunned. They tried to laugh it off as a ploy, and at first hit hard to force a fumble with a touchdown recovery. Notre Dame started slowly, but Montana, tight end Ken MacAfee and linebacker Bob Golic made big, smart plays to create separation. The crowd sensed the upset. In the second half they got it in spades when Montana directed his team to a 49-14 rout.

Oh, what a day. Irish eyes were smiling.

With USC knocked off, Notre Dame set their sights on the only unbeaten team, number one Texas, led by the great Earl Campbell. Montana, his confidence finally restored, led the Irish to an excellent second half, but they remained stuck at number five because the team's ahead of them did not lose. The final regular season poll ranked Texas (11-0) number one, followed by Oklahoma (10-1), Alabama (10-1), Michigan (10-1) and Notre Dame (10-1). Arkansas, _Kentucky_ and Penn State were all 10-1 also. The polls had the potential of turning the national championship vote into a chess match. Who would play Texas in the Cotton Bowl?

Michigan was aced out of the equation by virtue of being locked into the Rose Bowl against Washington. A Texas-Oklahoma Cotton Bowl seemed possible but the Sooners, as Big 8 champions, traditionally played in the Orange Bowl. They had already lost to Texas during the season, anyway. Oklahoma went to battle Arkansas in Miami. Alabama could play Texas in the Cotton Bowl; there was precedent, but as Southeastern Conference champions their tradition was to play in the Sugar Bowl. So they did, against Ohio State.

Notre Dame, who had played Texas in two memorable Cotton Bowls in 1970 and 1971, got the invitation to Dallas. It was the first game of the day, as it always is. If Texas would win, they would be the undisputed national champion. They were favored. In pre-game calculations, Oklahoma, Alabama, Michigan, Arkansas, even Penn State, rooted for the Irish, thinking that if they won unimpressively each of these teams would have a shot. Maybe there would be a split vote. Many tried to convince themselves that there would be no "leap frogging" from fifth to first; that a second-ranked Oklahoma, for instance, would automatically move to number one.

Because of pro football Sunday play-offs, the bowls were held on January 2. Notre Dame linebacker Bob Golic (eighteen tackles) teamed with defensive ends Ross Browner and Willie Fry to lay wicked hits on Texas, who coughed up six fumbles. Campbell gained 116 yards but was never a factor. Jerome Heavens and Vagas Ferguson keyed the ground game. Joe Montana displayed the steady hand that would win four Super Bowl championships in the next twelve years. Notre Dame 38, Texas 10. The dominance of the Irish immediately placed them in a favorable poll position, but they needed to wait it out.

Michigan's outside hopes went out the window when Warren Moon and Washington upended them in the Rose Bowl, 27-20. When Alabama destroyed Ohio State, 35-6, Notre Dame hearts sank. Bear Bryant was now a beloved figure, not the accused segregationist of 1966. Would the voters cast in favor of 'Bama to "make up" for the 1966 "Catholic vote" and the 1973 Sugar Bowl?

If Oklahoma could beat Arkansas in the Orange Bowl, further confusion would ensue. Instead the Razorbacks, coached by a young Lou Holtz with an even younger assistant named Pete Carroll, blew the Sooners away, 31-6. That left it between Notre Dame and Alabama. Many Alabamians still think the "Catholic vote" cost them when Notre Dame emerged number one in both the Associated Press and United Press International polls. While the Crimson Tide certainly did all they could do, nobody argued against the notion that Notre Dame took the field against the top-ranked team and the nation's best player in front of their _de facto_ home crowd, winning as convincingly as could be asked of them. They deserved it.

Form continued to play out in 1978. Just as USC extracted revenge in 1974 for the 1973 upset in South Bend, so too did they fight their way back into the victory column that year. In 1978, Notre Dame lost their first two games, 3-0 to Missouri and 28-14 to Michigan. Then they reeled off eight straight wins heading into the Southern Cal game. The Irish were out of the national picture, but USC was in the hunt.

In many ways the nature of the 1974 and 1978 games reversed itself. The reversal occurred in that USC got out to a big lead, as the Irish had in 1974. Then Joe Montana brought Notre Dame back, as USC had done four years earlier. His performance in that game ranks as one of the greatest ever seen. But in the end, a Frank Jordan 37-yard field goal ended Irish hopes for an upset. The 27-25 Trojan victory rates as one of their most memorable moments, propelling them to victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl and another national title a little over a month later.

Consensus All-Americans in the 1970s were Larry DiNardo, Tom Gatewood, Clarence Ellis, Walt Patulski, Greg Marx, Dave Casper, Mike Townsend, Pete Demmerle, Gerry DiNardo, Steve Niehaus, Ross Browner, Ken MacAfee, Luther Bradley, Bob Golic, Dave Huffman, and Vagas Ferguson. First round draft picks of the decade included Walt Patulski, the first choice of the 1972 draft (Buffalo), Clarence Ellis (Atlanta, 1972), Mike Kadish (Miami, 1972), Mike Fanning (Los Angeles, 1975), Steve Niehaus (Seattle, 1976), Ken MacAfee (San Francisco, 1978), Ross Browner (Cincinnati, 1978), Luther Bradley (Detroit, 1978), and Vagas Ferguson (New England, 1980). Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers of course was the MVP of three Super Bowls and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Casper was an All-Pro member of the 1976 Oakland Raiders world champions. He, too is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In 1980 Notre Dame was 9-0-1 with a strong shot at the national championship when they rolled into the Coliseum against an injury-depleted Trojan team. Back-up running back Michael Harper keyed Southern California's 20-3 win. The Irish had one last-gasp try to grab the voters' attention, but were beaten by unbeaten Georgia and Herschel Walker in the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs took their first national title.

#### Elite Ten by the numbers

### Number one poll rankings - Associated Press (1936-2006)

1. Notre Dame 89

2. Oklahoma 86

3. Southern California 81

3. Ohio State 81

5. Nebraska 65

6. Miami 62

7. Texas 43

8. Michigan 32

9. Alabama 29

In 1981, the nature of Notre Dame football changed. Gerry Faust, who had built Moeller High School in Cincinnati into the greatest of all prep football powerhouses, was hired. Faust had no previous college coaching experience. A devout Catholic, strict academician and rule-abider, his was most definitely the moral high road. When Faust's Irish beat Louisiana State in the opener 27-9, _Sports Illustrated_ touted him, perhaps not the "second coming," but up there with John the Baptist. When the Irish lost at Michigan 25-7 the next week, and in October fell to Marcus Allen and USC 14-7, Irish fans began to look at him the way Herodias, the wife of King Herod's brother Philip, looked at John the Baptist. It would take five years, but eventually Faust would meet the football version of John the Baptist's fate and lose _his_ figurative head.

Faust brought in hotshot quarterback Steve Beuerlein from Servite High School in Anaheim, California, but he was no "second coming" of Montana. Faust's teams were a pedestrian 5-6 (1981), 6-4-1 (1982), 7-5 (1983), 7-5 (1984) and 5-6 (1985). Their gravest sin was a 58-7 loss at the hands of the "criminal element" Miami Hurricanes in 1985, which some fans portended to be a sure sign of the Apocalypse. Lost in the consternation over Faust's weak record was the fact that, after losing again to Southern California, 17-13 in 1982, he beat the Trojans three straight years (1983-1985), starting Notre Dame on a 13-year unbeaten streak against USC.

Faust was unceremoniously dumped. A man some thought of as his total opposite, Lou Holtz was brought in. Holtz may have been given a bad rap. He, too was a Catholic boy and lifelong Notre Dame fan now fulfilling his dream job, so the image of the mercenary coach being drafted from the pro ranks (his stay with the New York Jets was actually a brief one) is not quite accurate. But if Faust was "letter of the law" straight, Holtz was not. To the extent that somebody – alumni, faculty, the Pope? – gave him "free reign" to restore Notre Dame football luster at all costs has been speculated upon yet not truly deciphered.

What is known is that Holtz did restore Notre Dame football luster. For a couple of years, his teams were as good - as fast, talented and powerful – as any the school has ever had. In Notre Dame's world, that was not necessarily considered a good thing.

"Notre Dame always fielded country boys from the Midwest," wrote Bill Dwyre, longtime editor of the _Los Angeles Times_ , and a Notre Dame alum. " They'd come to the big city and win in underdog fashion."

The historical memory conjured up the image of out-manned Irish teams rising up like David to strike down such Goliath's as Army, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma, USC, Alabama, and Texas. Somehow, the fact that _Notre Dame_ has more often than not been Goliath has not resonated, at least as far the mythology goes. "Country boys," in Dywre's terminology, more often than not meant white kids with Italian, Irish or Polish-sounding names: Bertelli, Szymanski, Dancewicz, Lujack, Siko, Mastrangelo, Connor, Sullivan, O'Connor, Tripucka, Ostrowski, Guglielmi, Varrichione, Pietrosante, Buoniconti, Lamonica, Kelly, Goeddeke, Hanratty, Kuechenberg, Gladieux, McCoy, Patulski, Mahalic, Niehaus, MacAfee, Golic, Montana.

Knute Rockne, the son of Finnish _émigrés_ , had played to the cities and started a tradition of Ellis Island second- and third-generation immigrant kids who sounded like they just _had_ to have come from Chicago, Boston, the Bronx; the steel mills of Pennsylvania, factory towns in Ohio and Michigan.

A few came from the South. Paul Hornung was a Kentucky boy. An endless aqueduct of California gold had never flowed into South Bend, absent the occasional trickle: John Huarte, Jack Snow, Daryl Lamonica, Steve Beurlein. It was hard to convince a California "blue chipper" that the monastic life of Notre Dame was better than the party scene at USC, where a guy might see more good-looking girls walking from Heritage Hall to Howard Jones Field every day than he would in four years under "touchdown Jesus."

But Holtz reversed form. He got guys that Miami wanted. He stole kids from USC and UCLA. He used his Ohio connections to out-recruit the Buckeyes. Brought 'em in from the South. Holtz inherited a new kind of player Faust had managed to land, Tim Brown from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas. Then he went after the sort of guy one expected to see wearing a Hurricane or Seminole uniform, Raghib "Rocket" Ismail.

Notre Dame, in accord with its Christian principles, had always been open to black players, but its location and "smash mouth" big line reputation had attracted more guys whose names ended with vowels. Holtz recognized that this was part of the past. A new day had arrived.

With the South thoroughly integrated by 1986, the SEC and all teams on that side of the Mason-Dixon Line were scooping up all that African-American talent. It was no longer ticketed for USC and Michigan State, where a Clarence Davis or a Bubba Smith landed in the hands of John McKay and Duffy Daugherty like so much Manna from Heaven.

It was also an age of steroids, new TV contracts, big money, corruption, and recruiting pressures. It was now an era of bowl games that were no longer New Year's Day festivals but rather enormous paydays for universities otherwise lacking the endowments of Harvard and Yale. Holtz knew it. He knew how to play the game. He had a national reputation, having coached Arkansas to glory. He had NFL imprimatur, the savvy, the contacts. He was like a "rainmaker," a former Senator or winner of a big televised trial who is hired by a law firm to attract wealthy clients who do not pay attention to how many billable hours they are being charged.

Holtz was there for eleven seasons and won one national championship, yet the Irish missed three, maybe even four others by some very thin margins. As a practice coach, game strategist, referee baiter, press manipulator, recruiter, alumni schmoozer and competitor, he was among the best. He was a winner.

It took two years to weed out Faust's slow players, figure out a way to make use of his one fast one – Tim Brown – and bring in more speed of his own. They were 5-6 in 1986, then 8-4 in 1987 with 35-10 loss to Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. In these two years, however, there were highlights for the ages.

In 1986 the Irish trailed USC 37-20 in the fourth quarter at the Coliseum. The L.A. crowd had mixed emotions. On the one hand, it looked like they would _finally_ beat the Irish after three straight desultory losses. On the other hand, Trojan alums were no happier with coach Ted Tollner than Golden Domers had been with Faust. If Tollner won, then won his bowl game, he would not be fired. Nobody around USC much figured that the program could attain past glories with Tollner.

Elite Ten by the numbers

All-Americans (all services)

1. Notre Dame 176 first team, 76 second team (through 2006)

2. Ohio State 171 first team (through 2005)

3. Southern California 143 first team (through 2006)

4. Oklahoma 141 (through 2005)

5. Michigan 121 first team (through 2005)

6. Texas 118 (through 2005)

7. Nebraska 106 first team (through 2005)

8. Alabama 104; 92 first team, honored 103 (through 2005)

9. Miami 81 (through 2005)

10. Penn State 81 (through 2006)

Tim Brown (252 all purpose yards) gave them, perhaps in a rude manner, what they were "looking for," leading Notre Dame in a furious 18-point comeback to win, 38-37. Coliseum fans were shocked. Even more shocked were TV viewers. John Carney's 19-yard game-winning field goal came during a CBS commercial, so all people saw was an Irish celebration and a replay. Tollner (1-7 versus Notre Dame and UCLA, 0-4 against the Irish) was dumped. Brown's national TV effort against Southern California vaulted him into Heisman contention. In 1987 his spectacular performance won him the award.

1988 was a seminal year in college football, or at least it looked that way most of the season. Notre Dame went to the veer, led by athletic quarterback Tony Rice. It was a new wrinkle at Notre Dame, where traditional drop-back quarterbacks engineered ball control offenses, mixing short passes with a low-risk running game. That was the secret of John Huarte's, Terry Hanratty's, Tom Clements's, and Joe Montana's success. Joe Theismann had been a little more wide-open. Nobody, however, had ever mistook the Irish offense for the Sooners, the Longhorns, the Razorbacks . . . until now.

### Did you know . . .

### That seventy Notre Dame coaches/alumni have also been pro football coaches (as of 2006)?

The opener was a humdinger, with Raghib Ismail announcing his presence with authority in the 19-17 squeaker over Michigan. Early on USC, now coached by Larry Smith, faced adversity but managed to withstand challenges from Stanford and Washington to remain unbeaten. The best team in the country in the beginning appeared to be UCLA, where quarterback Troy Aikman led the Bruins to a startling 41-28 victory over Nebraska.

On October 15, defending national champion Miami arrived at Notre Dame Stadium. The excitement that hung in the air was reminiscent of Crusaders defending Christendom from the Mohammedan hordes in order to earn eternal salvation. The annual game with USC certainly revived in Notre Dame hearts the sense that they represented Midwestern piety against Hollywood worshipping the "golden calf" in the form of Oscar statues, but in reality USC's reputation as a conservative, patriotic, former Methodist school belied the conundrum of its Beautiful People reputation. But _Miami . . . ?!_

They called it the "Catholics versus the Convicts." Only one year earlier, Miami's Jerome Brown, dressed in full battle fatigues, had orchestrated a walkout of a Fiesta Bowl banquet with Penn State. The Hurricanes were loud and obnoxious. Many had been in trouble with the law, or were seemingly always on the verge of so doing. Their image was of a bunch of guys sleepin' in until noon, grabbin' some free grub courtesy of a booster's credit card, getting in a nice ride provided by a friendly car dealer, then driving to a pro style practice run by coach Jimmy "My Slick Hair Never Moves" Johnson. They were fast, "juiced", and "hip-hopped" to the nth degree. The rap scene was hitting hard and their guys played the part of "public enemies" and "outlaws."

While Notre Dame was no longer just a bunch of Polish fellas named Patulski and Szymanski – in truth they probably had as many fast, athletic black players as the Hurricanes \- nobody could help making mental note of the racial element that was outlined against a blue-gray October sky, under the watchful eyes of "touchdown Jesus." To the Notre Dame faithful, it was good versus evil. It was a chance at redemption after the 58-7 drubbing administered by Miami three years earlier, not to mention the 20-0 loss to the Hurricanes in 1983, the 31-13 loss to them in 1984, the 24-0 shutout at their hands the year before . . .

How good was this game? In Notre Dame's eyes it may have been the sweetest of them all. The best game ever played? Well, weighing all the factors that go into that consideration – a bowl game, for the national title late in the season, a Heisman battle, traditional rivals – perhaps others rank higher. However, for sheer drama, Notre Dame mystique - and the glory of beating an opponent one considers not merely "illegitimate" in that they took it upon themselves to re-write the rules, but were somehow "morally inferior" – well, this was one righteous fall Saturday.

A pre-game shoving match did little to help Notre Dame gain the moral high ground at first. Miami came out with their smoking offense, led by dynamic quarterback Steve Walsh. The teams were explosive in the first half, battling to a 21-21 tie. Many quietly felt relief that the Irish could hold their own, but the sense that Miami was about to turn the thing into a track meet was palpable. Trailing 21-7,Walsh had led two quick scoring drives to tie it. Irish linebacker Frank Stams saved the day, forcing two fumbles while making eight tackles. Slowly but surely Notre Dame began to gain control in the second half. The partisan crowd no doubt affected Miami. Trailing 31-24 the Hurricanes drove within sight of the Irish goal, but Notre Dame linebacker Michael Stonebreaker recovered running back Cleveland Gary's fumble. It was a controversial call that Jimmy Johnson vociferously argued was an incomplete pass, but what was done was done.

Both teams lost fumbles in their succeeding possessions, setting up a final game-deciding drive by Walsh and Miami. The crowd stood on pins and needles; the prospect of a Miami comeback in their house too horrendous to bear. A blasphemy of some kind. To the horror of the South Bend throng Miami scored on a seven-yard fourth down touchdown pass by Walsh to Andre Brown.

There was no overtime then. Nobody wanted to see a tie. Both teams could lose their national title chances if they tied. Johnson calculated that the upset of a tie would play like a Miami loss with voters. He went for two. Walsh tried for the corner. Bodies collided in the air. In football, there is the perilous sense that a pass interference call can be flagged on virtually any close aerial play. A loose hand, bodies brushing together, a defensive back blocking out the receiver too aggressively. It would have taken courage for the referee to make that call in that stadium at that time. Replays show that it was close, but they also do not reveal that it was pass interference. It was football and the best referees "let 'em play." The ball fell harmlessly on the "green plain" while _this_ Miami team was "swept away by the South Bend cyclone," their 36-game regular season winning streak now a thing of the past.

Oh, may Irish eyes be smiling!

Elite Ten by the numbers

Consensus All-Americans

1. Notre Dame 96 (through 2006)

2. Southern California 78 (through 2006)

3. Michigan 73 (through 2005)

4. Ohio State 71 (through 2004)

5. Oklahoma 63 (through 2005)

6. Nebraska 53 (through 2005)

7. Texas 42 (through 2004)

8. Alabama 38 (through 2006)

9. Miami 37 (through 2004)

10. Penn State 34 (through 2004)

With Miami out of the way, UCLA took over as the top-rated team in the nation. A unique triangulation had occurred, with all three teams set for a quasi-play-off in November. It looked like 1988 was a "California year," a unique sports event that occurs every so often; 1962 and 1972, in particular. In the spring, Stanford had won the College World Series and the Los Angeles Lakers the NBA championship. The Oakland A's and Los Angeles Dodgers won their respective leagues, meeting in an all-California World Series with the Dodgers prevailing in five games. Now UCLA and USC looked to be the class of collegiate football. The struggle for the number one ranking and the Heisman Trophy, between UCLA's Troy Aikman and USC's Rodney Peete, was in the offing just as it had been with UCLA's Gary Beban and USC's O. J. Simpson when the teams played for a Rose Bowl and national championship eleven years prior.

Then UCLA lost to Timm Rosenbach and Washington State on October 24 to fall to 7-1, but they would still have their shot at unbeaten, number two USC. Notre Dame took over the number one position. Despite their perch, the conventional wisdom held that the explosive Peete, playing in front of a home crowd at the Coliseum, would inspire Troy over the Irish. Surely Notre Dame could not extend their winning streak over USC to six games . . . could they?

The teams played it out without further upset, and on November 19 UCLA hosted their cross-town rivals in front of more than 100,000 fans at the venerable Rose Bowl. The Bruins looked to be the favorite playing as the home team with Aikman considered to be the better quarterback. Their respective professional careers demonstrated that he was, but not on this day. Peete engineered a steady 31-22 win, setting up one of the most ballyhooed regular season epics of all time.

Incredibly, despite all the incredible games played between USC and Notre Dame since 1926, never had the teams met as one-two until now. Accusations that Holtz was a "win at all costs" coach went out the window when he suspended stars Tony Brooks and Ricky Watters for "excessive lateness." Southern Cal was unable to stop Rice on the option and was dominated in first half play, but was within hailing distance at 14-10 when the teams went into the half.

In the second half, however, cornerback Stan Smagala intercepted Peete. With Frank Stams running crushing interference he returned it sixty-four yards for the touchdown that broke Trojan hearts. Notre Dame, 27-10. Neither Peete nor Aikman won the Heisman Trophy. The great Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State could not be denied in the end.

This set Notre Dame up for an oddly anti-climactic national championship showdown with 11-0 West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. After monumental battles between the Trojans and Bruins; Trojans and Irish, America had become used to traditional rivals playing each other for the highest stakes. It was a "coming out party" for the Mountaineers, who were never thought of as much beyond the basketball school producing Jerry West; at least not until January 2, 1989. Rice was his usual effective self, running to set up the pass, while Stams simply dominated. A boring 23-6 Notre Dame blowout got interesting late when Rice was intercepted but it was never really in doubt, 34-21. Holtz had his national title.

Michigan entered the 1989 campaign with national championship aspirations, which served only to make Notre Dame's 24-19 victory over the Wolverines on September 11 that much more important. Another season played out with powerhouses angling for the eventual "gunfight at the O-K corral" in the form of top-ranked 11-0 Notre Dame losing to number seven Miami, 27-10 at the Orange Bowl. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Notre Dame. Not only was it defeat at the hands of a hated rival, but it ended (a) their chances at a repeat national championship, (b) their 23-game winning streak, and (c) their 19-week run atop the AP polls (at the time a new record, having eclipsed the old mark of 17 set by USC in 1972-1973).

A 21-6 victory over Colorado in the Orange Bowl game completed the 12-1 season, good for a number two ranking in the AP, third in the UPI. Miami captured their third national championship and thus ended hopes for Notre Dame's mythical "Team of the Decade" status. In the 1980s, Notre Dame started with a national championship contender; slipped into mediocrity; then vaulted back into the highest echelons of collegiate excellence. Consensus Irish All-Americans included John Scully, Bob Crable, Tim Brown, Frank Stams, and Michael Stonebreaker (1988, 1990). Additional star players were Stacey Toran, who went on to an excellent career with the Los Angeles Raiders; Mark Bavaro, a Super Bowl player with the New York Giants; running back Allen Pinckett; and Steve Beuerlein, a starting quarterback for the Raiders. First round NFL draftees were Crable (New York Jets, 1982), Tony Hunter (Buffalo, 1983), Greg Bell (Buffalo, 1984), Eric Dorsey (New York Giants, 1986), Tim Brown (Los Angeles Raiders, 1988), and Andy Heck (Seattle, 1989). Brown is a surefire Hall of Famer, considered one of the greatest receivers in NFL history with the Raiders.

Elite Ten by the numbers

###

### Pro football players (through 2005)

1. Notre Dame 400

2. Southern California 395

3. Michigan 282

4. Miami 253

1990 turned out to be a season of upsets. Notre Dame, Miami and Florida State were among the powerhouses who fell by the wayside. The Irish certainly were as good as any team in the land, but in the end their chance to "upset the apple cart" against number one Colorado fell one point short, 10-9 in the Orange Bowl. The Buffaloes and Georgia Tech shared the national title while Notre Dame (9-3) finished a disappointing sixth in both polls.

In 1991 Notre Dame was 10-3, ranked thirteenth, but the season ended on a very upbeat note when they beat Florida, 38-29 in the Sugar Bowl. In 1992, a 17-17 tie with Michigan left a bad taste in their mouths, but it was nothing compared to the 33-16 upset administered to them when Bill Walsh's Stanford Cardinal came to Notre Dame Stadium. At 10-1-1, the Irish finished fourth in the Associated Press after beating Texas A&M, 28-3 in the Cotton Bowl. 1993 turned out to be one of the moist exciting, crazy, "close but no cigar" years in college football history.

Defending national champion Alabama, Florida State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, plus on-probation Auburn, all battled each other at various points in the season. Even though both Bobby Bowden's Seminoles and Tom Osborne's Cornhuskers were juggernauts - two of the best teams in respective school history – the Irish looked to have made it through one of the most Darwinian "survivals of the fittest" seasons ever.

The 1988 USC-Notre Dame game in Los Angeles was huge, but the 1993 Notre Dame-Florida State battle in South Bend was as they say, "off the hook." This time, action on the field lived up to the pre-game hype. ESPN was big by then, with a _GameDay_ presence fueling the intense enthusiasm engulfing Notre Dame Stadium on November 13, 1993.

Amazingly, the Irish had never knocked off a top-ranked opponent at home. Florida State's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Charlie Ward threw a touchdown pass to Kevin Knox, putting number one Florida State in front by 7-0. Notre Dame roared back to take a 21-7 lead. Florida State seemed to lose focus, and trailed by 24-7 and 31-17. With 2:26 left the Seminoles scored on a fourth-and-goal pass by Ward to Kevin McCorvey from twenty yards out. It barely slipped through Irish defender Brian Magee's hands.

Just like the 1988 Miami game, Notre Dame needed to hang on against a determined foe. A partially blocked punt gave Ward one last shot, but Shawn Wooden knocked down his last-gasp pass to give Notre Dame the 31-24 triumph, one of the biggest in their hallowed history. But it did not seem to settle much. There was immediate talk of a Notre Dame-Florida State bowl re-match, which left unbeaten Nebraska and West Virginia wondering where they fit into the picture. Notre Dame was in the driver's seat any way you cut it . . . for a week.

Number seventeen Boston College came to town. Few if any games have seesawed in such wild fashion. Irish fans were exhausted by the previous week's football version of Anzio or Bastogne. BC, the little Catholic school, hardly seemed much of a concern. For years, Notre Dame had not played other Catholic colleges. This disturbed some who felt had they played the likes of the University of San Francisco, the University of Santa Clara, Loyola, St. Mary's and other small but once-strong Catholic schools, those programs would have survived instead of withering on the vine . . . thus leaving Notre Dame as the only real major college choice for Catholic players. That is, except for BC, who had stuck it out and were looking to get at the Irish for their perceived slights of the Catholic brethren, not to mention a 54-7 shellacking at the hands of Notre Dame in 1992. That game seemed to have validated the "no Catholics" policy.

The Eagles jumped out to a 28-14 lead. Quarterback Glenn Foley appeared to have iced the upset win with a touchdown pass to Pete Mitchell, making it 38-17. But Notre Dame forged a comeback for the ages. A quick scoring drive was followed by a turnover and another touchdown. It was 38-32 BC, with four minutes remaining. Notre Dame held, setting up a brilliant, tumbling fourth down catch from four yards out by Lake Dawson from quarterback Kevin McDougal with a mere 1:09 to play. The scene was utter bedlam as only Notre Dame Stadium can get.

Notre Dame kicked off. BC got the ball with fifteen extra yards tacked on by virtue of a personal foul against Notre Dame. Foley then threw two passes to Mitchell and a screen to Ivan Boyd. Racing upfield against the notorious "prevent defense" (which as every fan has joked seems good only in "preventing victory"), the Eagles were at the Irish 24. A dropped interception, however, was what killed Notre Dame, giving BC one last shot via a 41-yard field goal by David Gordon which was straight and true. 41-39, Boston College. Few teams – perhaps only USC, Michigan on occasion, but not many others – had ever reversed the tables on Notre Dame in this manner. Miracles were the province of the Irish, but "touchdown Jesus" smiled on Gordon and his Catholic-school teammates that memorable November night.

Notre Dame's invite to the Cotton Bowl, which by this time was held in a crummy, dilapidated stadium in a game with little of the old prestige, was a big anti-climax, even with an exciting 24-21 win over Texas A&M. They finished number three in the final rankings.

That night, Florida State beat unbeaten Nebraska, 18-16 to give Bobby Bowden his first national championship. It was quite a lackluster defensive struggle. Notre Dame was forced to watch it feeling that they were better than both of the teams playing.

Irish fans leaving the Cotton Bowl after the win over Texas A&M were happy, as all college football fans are when their team wins a big bowl game, regardless of residual disappointment over having fallen short of the ultimate prize. They still had a great team that dominated the field of play; a genius-level coach bringing in a plethora of national "blue chippers"; and expectations that they would continue to play "Notre Dame football" as God intended it for years to come. That proverbial <ED: CAP> "Top <ED: 25> 25 poll of the twenty-first century" would have placed the Irish firmly at the very top. Their longtime rivals, Southern Cal, were floundering amid hope that there was still enough of the _Picture of Dorian Gray_ hanging on the Heritage Hall wall to keep them in the top five. Notre Dame had kept up with the Jones's, or at least the Miami's, Florida State's and Nebraska's. Alabama had fallen but picked themselves back up. Penn State was still a contender for the throne. USC was almost embarrassed to still call themselves Notre Dame's "rival." Their performance against their other main competitor, UCLA, was no better.

Thus is the nature of hubris and sports. The win over the Aggies turned out to be Notre Dame's last bowl victory. An _NCAA record nine consecutive bowl losses_ followed. This included losing to:

  * Colorado, 41-24 (1995 Fiesta Bowl)

  * Florida State, 31-26 (1996 Orange Bowl)

  * Louisiana State, 27-9 (1997 Independence Bowl)

  * Georgia Tech, 35-28 (1999 Gator Bowl)

  * Oregon State, 41-9 (2001 Fiesta Bowl)

  * North Carolina State, 28-6 (2003 Gator Bowl)

  * Oregon State, 38-21 (2004 Insight Bowl)

  * Ohio State, 34-20 (2006 Fiesta Bowl)

  * Louisiana State, 41-14 (2007 Sugar Bowl)

Just as disturbing as the defeats is the fact that after the 1996, 1999, 2001, and 2003 seasons, Notre Dame did not even play in one. In 1994, USC ended the 11-game winning streak with a 17-17 tie. In 1995, the Irish beat a good 6-0 Trojan team 38-10, but the unbeaten skein finally came to an end in the form of a 27-20 loss to John Robinson's Trojans in the 1996 game at the Coliseum.

Don Yaeger's 1993 bombshell book, _Under the Tarnished Dome_ , purported to tell "how Notre Dame betrayed its ideals for football glory." After its publication, Notre Dame cut back on the recruiting tactics Holtz had used to assemble his great champions of the 1980s and early 1990s. It had produced 1990s All-Americans like Raghib "Rocket" Ismail, Chris Zorich (Lombardi winner, 1990), Todd Lyght, Mirko Jurkovic, Aaron Taylor (Lombardi winner, 1993), Jeff Burris and Bobby Taylor.

#### Notre Dame's College Hall of Famers (48)

Jerry Groom 1948-1950

Adam Walsh 1922-1924

Tommy Yarr 1929-1931

Hunk Anderson 1918-1921

Jack Cannon 1927-1929

Bill Fischer 1945-1948

Frank Hoffmann 1930-1931

Bert Metzger 1928-1930

John Smith 1925-1927

George Connor 1942-1947

Ziggy Czarobski 1942-1947

Jim Martin 1946-1949

Edgar Miller 1922-1924

Fred Miller 1926-1928

Bob Dove 1940-1942

Leon Hart 1946-1949

Jim Martin 1946-1949

Wayne Millner 1933-1935

Ross Browner 1973-1977

Alan Page 1964-1966

Ken MacAfee 1974-1977

Angelo Bertelli 1941-1943

Frank Carideo 1928-1930

Ralph Guglielmi 1951-1954

Paul Hornung 1954-1956

John Huarte 1962-1964

Johnny Lujack 1943-1947

Harry Stuhldreher 1922-1924

Joe Theismann 1968-1970

Bob Williams 1948-1950

James Crowley 1922-1924

George Gipp 1917-1920

Johnny Lattner 1951-1953

Creighton Miller 1941-1943

Don Miller 1922-1924

Marchy Schwartz 1929-1931

William Shakespeare 1933-1935

Red Sitko 1946-1949

Ray Eichenlaub 1911-1914

Elmer Layden 1922-1924

Louis Salmon 1900-1903

Jim Lynch 1964-1966

Chris Zorich 1987-1990

## Coaches

Dan Devine 1975-1980

Jesse Harper 1906-1917

Frank Leahy 1939-1953

Ara Parseghian 1964-1974

Knute Rockne 1918-1930

The pros had come a-callin, too: Lyght (first round to the Rams, 1991), Ricky Watters (San Francisco, 1991), Zorich (Bears, 1991), Ismail (Raiders, 1991), Stonebreaker (Eagles, 1991), Derek Brown (first round to the Giants, 1992), quarterback Rick Mirer (first round to the Seahawks, 1993), Jerome Bettis (first round to the Rams, 1993), Tom Carter (first round to the Redskins, 1993), Irv Carter (first round to the Saints, 1993), Demetrius DuBose (Buccaneers, 1993), Bryant Young (first round to the 49ers, 1994), Aaron Taylor (first round to the Packers, 1994), and Jeff Burris (first round, Bills, 1994). Watters and Young starred with the 49ers. Bettis helped Pittsburgh win the 2006 Super Bowl. Taylor had an outstanding career on great Green Bay Packers teams before embarking on a television sportscasting career.

But after the 1993 season, there was a sharp decline. No Irish player would earn a consensus All-American selection in the remaining years of the 1990s. The pipeline of first round picks dried up with the exception of Renaldo Wynn to Jacksonville (1997) and Luke Petigout to the New York Giants (1999).

It would not be entirely accurate to blame the demise of Notre Dame between 1994 and 2004 (or the present day, depending upon their standards) on the conscious decision not to recruit a certain "type" of player who might not have lived up to their longheld academic traditions, or been a little more of an off-field problem than was deemed acceptable in South Bend (although quite normal in Miami, Norman and other places).

In 1994 a new quarterback came on the scene, and he was "cursed." Ron Powlus was the most heralded prep quarterback in the nation, a player who entered college with as many accolades as Todd Marinovich had arrived at USC with in 1988. But the "curse" of Powlus came in the form of longtime college football analyst and notoriously biased Notre Dame fan Beano Cook. He breathlessly informed America that young Mr. Powlus would "win two or three Heismans."

#### All-Time Notre Dame Team

Selected by Blue and Gold magazine

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

LG Hunk Anderson

G Bill Fischer

T George Connor

T Jim Martin

C Adam Walsh

TE Dave Casper

FL Raghib Ismail

QB Joe Montana

TB George Gipp

FB J Jerome Bettis

PK John Carney

UT Paul Hornung

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DE Leon Hart

DE Ross Browner

DT Alan Page

DT Chris Zorich

LB Jim Lynch

LB Bob Golic

LB Bob Crable

DB Luther Bradley

DB Johnny Lattner

DB Todd Lyght

DB Johnny Lujack

P Craig Hentrich

Charles White, who had bragged the same thing about himself when he entered USC in 1976, could have told Powlus how tough such an accomplishment was, not to mention living up to the prediction even if it had been not by him but on his "behalf." White had one of the greatest college careers in history, setting numerous records, yet came away with "only" one himself.

Powlus started four straight years. Notre Dame was 6-5-1 (1994), 9-3 (1995), 8-3 (1996) and 7-6 (1997). He was not terrible; he led the team in passing every season, but won no Heismans, not to mention no bowl games and, in his last two years, no games against USC, or Michigan, or Stanford. Hawaii fell, 23-22 in Honolulu, if there was any consolation to be had.

All reports were that Powlus was a fine young man and credit to the University of Notre Dame, but he was never even drafted. His name appears on the roster of the 2000-2001 Philadelphia Eagles, yet his contribution to their cause was nil. Unlike Marinovich, Powlus never embarrassed anybody, but his case points out the great mystery of sports; the fallibility of scouting; and the deadly, hyper-competitive nature of greatness. Many are called, few are chosen. When observing the Joe Montanas, Paul Hornungs, and Alan Pages, consider the Ron Powlus's and so many others like him. Fans need to understand that in Montana, Hornung, Page and their like, one is in the presence of greatness rarer than the most exquisite piece of art or fine diamonds.

Elite Ten by the numbers

All-Star Games (Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine, Senior Bowl, College All-Star, Japan Bowl, Coaches All-America, Blue-Gray, et al) (through 2006)

1. Notre Dame: College All-Star (163; 2 MVPs, 6 coaches), Blue-Gray (42), Japan (41),

Gridiron Classic (13), Hula (76; 1 coach), East-West Shrine (118; 4 MVPs), Senior (51; 1 MVP): Total: 504

2. Southern California: Hula (130), East-West Shrine (102), Senior (54), College All-Star

(72), Japan (40), Coaches All-America (26); Total: 452

3. Ohio State: Hula (77), East-West Shrine (111), Senior (57), Blue-Gray (39), Rotary (15):

Total: 299

Between 1997 and 2004, Notre Dame's coaches were Bob Davie and Tyrone Willingham. The 1998 squad entered the USC game 9-1, but losses to the Trojans and to Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl ended that season with a thud. Similarly, the 2000 team had the shine of a 9-2 record going into the Fiesta Bowl. When Oregon State made the game look like a track meet in a 41-9 drubbing, it seemed they would have been better off not going at all. Willingham's first team (2002) also started 10-1, but were lambasted by Southern Cal (44-13) and North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl (28-6).

Charlie Weis came in 2005 with a tremendous reputation built as the offensive coordinator of the three-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. A former Notre Dame student (but not a player), he represented a unique combination of pro savvy and school loyalty. In his first year, the Irish came _this close_ to beating USC at home. In the end, however, the Trojans' 34-31 victory over Notre Dame turned out to be one of the greatest moments in the history of Southern California.

Notre Dame was never a team to consider close losses "moral victories," and neither did Weis when asked if he would characterize the last-second defeat in such a manner. His practical NFL side was plain to see as he said that a loss was a loss; not a "moral victory."

Like Davie's 1998 team and Willingham's 2002 squad, however, the 2005 Irish ended their season in ignominy with a resounding 34-20 loss to Troy Smith and Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Beano Cook and many pundits predicted a national championship for Notre Dame along with a Heisman Trophy for senior quarterback Brady Quinn in 2006. It was a year of incredible comebacks, and indeed Quinn may have been the nation's best player. But Michigan destroyed them in South Bend and USC destroyed them in Los Angeles,. LSU also destroyed them in the Sugar Bowl. Their 10-3 record and number seventeen finish in the AP poll (nineteenth in the _USA Today_ /BCS) demonstrated that a good record in late November followed by consecutive crushing losses when the games count is little more than a bluff; a façade; a "Potempkin Village" hiding the shaky reality beyond first glance. Quinn was completely out-played by LSU's JaMarcus Russell in the Sugar Bowl. Russell was the first pick of the 2007 draft; Quinn number twenty-two (Cleveland).

If these mediocrity's did not occur while Pete Carroll and Southern California were simultaneously imitating, if not threatening to altogether create a better record than Knute Rockne's Irish (1920s); Frank Leahy's Irish (1940s); Bud Wilkinson's Sooners (1950s); John McKay's Trojans (1960s); and Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide (1970s); then Notre Dame would still have enough polish to hold them off. Their tradition would still be the number one all-time collegiate football dynasty.

Carroll and the Trojans, however, have simply been too dazzling. They have caught them or passed them in too many historical statistics. Their modern record is too great in comparison with the "leather helmet" mystique of the Irish. The Trojans have passed the Irish.

This said, the Irish can take solace. First, USC has been there before, namely in the early 1980s, but like the 101st Airborne Division defending Bastogne, Notre Dame fought them off. The history of Notre Dame football is one in which the program has achieved enormous success with occasional down periods. This describes every collegiate tradition. No program goes forever without slipping up. USC has had their fair share of failures, as has Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Miami, Nebraska, Texas, Michigan, and Penn State. Many schools were hardly even on the college football map for decades while Notre Dame was defining what the game meant to America.

There is a cyclical nature to success in college sports. The right coach must combine with the right recruiting classes. Luck and geography play a part in it. Notre Dame has advantages and disadvantages. They must get players who meet high academic standards; who often must be willing to attend school far from home, in a small town with cold weather and little nightlife. The average 18-year old is tempted by Hollywood (USC), South Beach (Miami) or coeds who look like _Playboy_ Playmates (LSU). All of these realities are more enticing at first glance than the pious opportunity to serve Christ at Notre Dame. However, for this very reason, the players Notre Dame does get tend to have moral fiber, and when that is combined with athletic greatness, they represent high ideals, making them "America's team."

The title "college football's all-time greatest tradition" is a fluid, Democratic concept. Like elections, it changes. It is not written in stone. Over the next years and decades, Notre Dame will come back. They will compete for the title with USC, Alabama, Oklahoma and the other storied programs that make college football the best game that there is! Yes, their fans will again "hallow their name."

THREE

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Now we come to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Perhaps no school has more loyal fans and alumni. Alabama supporters jealously guard the school's tradition, legends and place in history. They are extremely sensitive to Alabama's image; the football program, the state, and the legacy of the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant.

###

### University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Founded: 1831

Enrollment: 15,888

Colors: Crimson and white

Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium (opened: 1929; capacity: 83,818)

All-time record: (1992-2006): 732-299-44

Bowl record: 30-21-3 (through 2006)

National championships: 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1961, *1964, 1965, *1973, 1978,

1979, 1992

*Illegitimate; lost bowl game

Southern/Southeastern Conference championships: 21 (through 2006)

Outland Trophies: Chris Samuels (1999)

First round NFL draftees: 33 (through 2007)

Website: www.rolltide.com

Notable alumni: Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black; baseball broadcaster Mel Allen; To

Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee; actors Jim Nabors and Sela Ward

The notion that two schools – USC and Notre Dame – might be ranked ahead of Alabama among the all-time most storied traditions is met by argument from their legion of true believers, most armed with a wealth of knowledge to support its theses and rebut detractors.

The average USC fan does not have this kind of historical knowledge. He generally accepts the blessings of victory and moves on his merry way. The average Notre Dame fan has a dogmatic sense of Irish superiority, not wishing any facts to get in the way of this concept. But the average Alabama fan harbors some eighty years of slights, as if any poll not favoring the Tide, any attempt to downgrade its champions, and God forbid the notion that Bryant did not walk on water – yes, he actually did; in a Coca-Cola billboard prominently displayed on the highway outside of Birmingham – is met by the same vociferousness marking Southern sensibilities in the years after the Civil War, or during the civil rights movement.

Alabama and the South have now planted themselves on the right side of history, although it took some doing. When they finally came around, the blessings of freedom, prosperity and righteousness were bestowed upon a place that proudly calls itself the "Bible belt." Many battles have been won here. Air conditioning made it possible for big business to be conducted. Its major cities – Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Orlando, New Orleans – became international marketplaces. Enormous population shifts built many regions of the South into trendsetting metropolises of the twenty-first century. The Republican Party somehow harnessed pride in the old with a sensitive acceptance of the new, thus husbanding the South back into the Union. The region became an electoral juggernaut, a "GOP lock." Once all the "troubles" of integration were resolved, the South "rose again" with a series of franchise shifts and expansion baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams occupying all its major cities. In 1996, the ultimate multi-cultural event gave imprimatur and acceptance of the South by the world, and vice versa, in the form of the Olympic Games in Atlanta.

With the Civil War relegated to "battlefield re-enactments," Reconstruction just a chapter in history books, and the black heroes of the civil rights movement now honored on steps of city halls and state capitals, the "last argument" left is college football. College football is "religion" in the South, no place more so than the University of Alabama.

It was in college football and at Alabama where the final nails in segregation's coffin were nailed, in the form of the 1970 USC-Alabama game at Birmingham's Legion Field. Black players with the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, or even at other Southeastern Conference schools, did not really "count" until Bear Bryant and 'Bama made the whole thing "official." According to one story, Bryant met a shirtless Reggie Jackson in the Birmingham Barons' dressing room in 1966. The articulate ex-football player from Arizona State impressed Bryant. He declared that a man like Jackson was just what he needed to "get it done in school real easy." In the aftermath of that 1970 USC-Alabama game, the teams may be "more black" in the South than in the West or the North. There are black coaches, referees, students, cheerleaders, fans, professors and administrators. The seamlessness of integration after so much angst offers the sense that God's hand was at play, changing hearts and minds.

So it is that Alabamians cling to their Crimson Tide, insisting with religious fervor on its superiority. They have a darn good argument. While USC and Notre Dame claim their legitimate eleven national championships, the Alabama media guide states the Tide has won twelve, plus the "other five." There are web sites that say the Tide has won thirteen. The argument over 'Bama's titles both favors and does not favor them. The 1941 team, which was 9-2 and beat Texas A&M, 29-21 in the Cotton Bowl, was the number one team, according to the Houlgate system. However, Bernie Bierman's unbeaten Minnesota Golden Gophers are the only truly legitimate champions of that season.

#### Did you know...

That Alabama's twenty-eight 10-win seasons is an NCAA record?

The 1964 and 1973 teams, discussed ad nauseum throughout this book, are officially "national champions" according to the Associated Press (1964) and United Press International (1964, 1973). One of the purposes of this book is to get beyond the mistakes and obvious fallacies of the system which, beyond a play-off, is subject to human error large and small. Many legitimate national championships can be argued against but they still stand in the face of logic and reason. The 1964 and 1973 'Bama titles do not. When a team walks off the field in abject disconsolation, after their last game of the season which was by far their most important against the most difficult competition, picked to play them for the express purpose of determining in fact who is number one . . . well, that team IS NOT THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

This is evidenced, for example, by the case of the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team. They were robbed of the Gold medal by Communist officials, who gave the Soviets the ball three times until they finally scored the winning basket. There are books, pamphlets, trophies and much "evidence" supporting the notion that they were the "Silver medallists" in 1972. No player on that team ever accepted the Silver. Some have wills forbidding their heirs from ever accepting it. They know, and in the "eyes of God" it is probably known, that they were not the Silver medal winners, but the legitimate Gold medal winners. The same logic, in a reverse kind of way, applies to the 1964 and 1973 Alabama "national champions."

However, Alabama supporters can be forgiven if they feel the right to include these because in fact there are other teams denied the title that were very worthy. The 1945 unbeaten Tide became the first team ever to beat Southern California in a bowl game after the Trojans had won the first eight Rose Bowls they played in (not to mention the little-known 1924 Christmas Festival). That was the era of Red Blaik's Army juggernauts, legendary teams led by "Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside" (Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis). They eschewed a bowl invite, yet nobody was going to get the vote over Army. With World War II now won, they symbolized American dominance and were heroes "almost" on par with Dwight Eisenhower, George Patton, and Douglas MacArthur.

The one that sticks in 'Bama's craws the most is the 1966 number three vote behind Notre Dame and Michigan State. The Tide, led by Ken "Snake" Stabler, was unbeaten, untied and beat the heck out of an integrated Nebraska team in the Sugar Bowl. With tension high amid civil rights unrest, Martin Luther King's "agitation," and growing angst over the Vietnam War, it appeared social politics had affected a vote angrily referred to as the "Catholic vote" and the "anti-segregation vote."

The 1975 and 1977 teams both had one loss and a bowl victory, but the vote went to Oklahoma and Notre Dame, respectively for reasons that are basically subjective absent a play-off.

But the 'Bama pendulum swings back and forth on this subject. True, the 1945, 1966, 1975 and 1977 teams had records as good or even better than teams ranked ahead of them, but in each of those four seasons the winner was a legitimate champion. There were no frauds, no teams with bowl losses sneaking in on technicalities, like a lawyer who gets a murderer off because the cops stopped him for speeding only to discover mayhem.

Furthermore, unique changes in the voting rules awarded 'Bama the 1964 and 65 titles in ways that other schools did not benefit from. After the obvious mistake of 1964, in 1965 the AP decided that they would wait until after the bowls. Michigan State was number one prior to the bowls that year. They would have "won" the title the same way 'Bama did the previous year. With the new rules in place, their loss to Michigan State in the Rose Bowl gave 9-1-1 Alabama, Orange Bowl victors over Nebraska, the surprise title.

On top of that, in 1978 Alabama hosted USC at Birmingham's Legion Field. The Trojans won big. Both teams ended the season with one loss and bowl wins. The voters had the unique opportunity to make the obvious, clear choice of picking one team which, all else being equal, had beaten the other team fair and square, on the losing team's home field to boot. Somehow, for mystical reasons, the Associated Press saw fit to give it to Alabama. The United Press Internationl awarded the trophy to the deserving champions from USC. However, this is still a legitimate championship, coming on the heels of a bowl win, which is imperative if a team wishes to claim a righteous national championship.

The argument in favor of Alabama includes other criteria. They have played in the most bowl games of any team (fifty-four) with the most bowl wins (thirty). However, there are factors well worth considering in which the Tide is found lacking. No Alabama player has ever won the Heisman Trophy. A worthy case can be made that this is actually in their favor. It means they do it with teamwork and great coaching, which they most certainly have done. The Heisman, it is said, is a product of marketing, advertising, hype. Who needs such a thing?

That said, the idea that a great Alabama player would not be hyped to the very maximum of hype by the 'Bama sports information department, the regional press, and their fans, is preposterous. It would be over the top.

Then there is the elephant in the room, which is impossible not to notice when discussing the historical Alabama: segregation. The Tide was all white until 1971. They played in an all-white conference and mostly against all-white non-league foes. This means they did not field the best players from the widest talent pool (which helps explain why they have fewer Heisman winners, All-Americans, and NFL stars than other storied programs). It also means their competition was not quite as good as what other schools, presumptively USC, Notre Dame, Michigan, et al were playing.

This argument makes sense, but like much of the Alabama record deteriorates somewhat upon closer examination. Alabama did not shy away from bowl games. When Minnesota and Michigan were winning national championships without going to bowls in the 1920s and 1930s, the Crimson Tide took on the great challenge of traveling to Pasadena for repeated bouts with the "best of the West." In games with Washington, Stanford, Washington State, California and USC, they demonstrated something between equal competence and utter dominance.

Their champions of the 1960s played some segregated teams and some integrated teams in bowl games, but there is no evidence that all-white Arkansas, their opponent in the 1962 Sugar Bowl, or all-whiteTexas, their opponent in the 1965 Orange Bowl (just to name a couple) were not powerhouses of the first order. Perhaps because of external factors – growing Western population shifts, the music of the Beach Boys, California trends – it was generally assumed that in the 1960s and 1970s USC and UCLA represented a new shift in sports dominance, as well. Therefore, it was easy to make the statement that the Pacific-8 (later Pacific-10) Conference was the best in the country. The professional rosters in all sports were dominated by players from the West, from California, and from the Pac-8. Professional sports on the West Coast had made a big impact. UCLA's basketball dynasty created something between the illusion and the reality that the best sports were being played out there. It stood to reason the Pac-8 was "better" than the Southeastern Conference.

### Alabama versus . . .

Southeastern Conference 337-155-20 (through 2006)

Mid-American Conference 4-1

Western Athletic Conference 9-12

A closer examination of the conferences during the roughly equal dynasties of Paul "Bear" Bryant at Alabama (1958-1982) and the combined runs of John McKay/John Robinson at USC (1962-1982) reveals that the SEC was at least as good and, if the polls can be believed over the years, better.

So it is with Alabama that the program is a conundrum of sorts. When arguing over the ultimate merits, they have a case to be made, but must also defend a few weaknesses. Overall, when everything is added up, they are a consistent dynasty, a major power, and a storied tradition of legendary players, coaches and teams. They are legitimately ranked third on the all-time list.

After the Civil War, the South always had a "chip on its shoulders." The famed "Georgia Peach," Ty Cobb was razzed unmercifully by his Detroit Tigers teammates when he came to the big leagues in 1905. The South was considered backwards in all things. There was little respect for Southern sports, despite the fact that Dixie took to athletics in a major way.

Alabama versus the Elite Ten

Miami (14-13), Michigan (1-2), Nebraska (3-2), Notre Dame (1-5), Ohio State

(3-0), Oklahoma (1-2-1), Penn State (8-5), Southern California (5-2), Texas (0-7-1); Total: 36-38-2

The good weather, open spaces and natural country exuberance of Southern youth made for playful children who wanted to express themselves through physical activity. Huntin' and fishin' have always been popular. The need for physical heroism combined with family loyalty and religious discipline always produced a greater percentage of soldiers from the region.

The qualities of good soldiering also produced a mindset for the game of football, that most militaristic of all sports. It took in the South right from the beginning. But lack of media and a sense that the South was "separated" from the "real America" prior to World War II meant that Southern football was not respected.

Auburn, Texas and Oklahoma all fielded strong teams that gained some national recognition in the 1910s. Georgia Tech was the biggest powerhouse in Dixie, but the "Wramblin' Wrecks from Georgia Tech" were considered a cut above their Southern brethren. They were upper class, engineers, rare students in an "uneducated" place, or so the outside feeling went.

Alabama was an independent until 1921. They were moderately successful until 1919, but nobody north of the Mason-Dixon Line cared. Football was an Eastern sport. Its kings were Ivy League powers such as Princeton, Yale and Harvard; coaches like Walter Camp and Percy Haughton. If not the Ivy League, then it was a Midwestern game. In the Big 10 Minnesota, Fielding Yost's "point a minute" Michigan teams, and Amos "Alonzo" Stagg's Chicago squads, had dominated. Notre Dame was now on the map, as were Pacific Coast teams; Washington, Cal, Stanford. "Unexplored territory" was Arizona, which to most Americans was still the "gunfight at the O-K Corral," the Rocky Mountains . . . and Dixie.

New coach Xen Scott led the Crimson Tide to 8-1 and 10-1 records in 1919 and 1920. The "conference" referred to in history books was simply the Southern Conference. Alabama joined in 1921. It was not really a conference, rather a loose confederation of some twenty-one teams. This included teams not in the Southwestern Conference (Texas, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Rice, SMU). The teams in the Southern Conference roughly make up what is now the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference.

According to the ESPN College Football Encyclopedia, Florida State won the conference title in 1922 with a 7-1 record (10-2) overall. However, this is an error. Florida State was a girl's school until the late 1940s and supposedly did not even play football until 1947. The ESPN College Football Encyclopedia does not list the Southern Conference in 1921.

The Alabama media guide has incomplete information. They claim that 'Bama joined the Southern Conference in 1919. If Florida State had a football team, they did not play 'Bama. The Tide played a series of games against local teams, then LSU, Vanderbilt, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State and Tulane (no Auburn) in 1921.

In the aftermath of World War I, with trains, roads and airplanes connecting America, the game nationalized. On January 1, 1926 second-year coach Wallace Wade brought his 10-0 team to the Rose Bowl for the fourth New Year's Day game to be played at the new Pasadena stadium. It was the school's football version of the "debutante ball." Dartmouth, Yale and Colgate all turned down invites. Then somebody mentioned the unbeaten Tide.

"I've never heard of Alabama as a football team and can't take a chance on mixing a lemon with a Rose," remarked one Rose Bowl committeeman.

Humorist Will Rogers called them "Tusca-losers." The L.A press called them "swamp students." Sociology played a role even more than usual. A Protestant religious revival was sweeping the South. This gave unfortunate rise to the peculiarly un-Christian notion of "white supremacy." This in turn revitalized the KKK (which had been dormant for years). Cross-burnings and persecution of blacks and Catholics became a focus of the new Federal Bureau of Investigation. There was more division between the North, the West and the South than there had been since Reconstruction.

Alabama ventured to California, amidst this set of circumstance, to do battle with mighty Washington. The Huskies had been the kings of college football in the 1910s when coach Gil Dobie's dynasty went on an unbelievable 63-game unbeaten streak. When Washington sprinted to a 12-0 lead, it looked like Alabama would be sent home and not be invited back. But halfback Johnny Mack Brown caught a key touchdown pass to spearhead the stirring 20-19 comeback win. When it was all said and done Alabama – not Dartmouth, Yale or Colgate – is considered the legitimate, sole national champion of 1925. They earned this on the strength of accepting the Rose Bowl challenge those other "elite" teams turned down. The Crimson Tide was on the map, and the Rose Bowl was now seen as the place where a team needed to go in order to win a national title.

In 1926, Wade and his team was invited back. This might have been the first so-called "Game of the Century," the "best of the East" – at least the South - versus the "best of the West." That was Stanford, led by legendary coach Pop Warner. Both teams were unbeaten and untied after playing a tough conference schedule. The state of California was considered "football central" in 1926. California's "Wonder Teams" had not lost a single game over a 50-game stretch between 1920 and 1925. Stanford, their biggest rival, had produced the legendary Ernie Nevers. USC, under new coach Howard Jones, was a rising power. Only Notre Dame, who had defeated Warner, Nevers and Stanford in the Rose Bowl two years earlier (and beaten USC by a single point at the Coliseum in 1926) was considered to be as worthy as the Pacific Coast juggernauts.

Alabama still felt the need to prove themselves, but the game ended in a frustrating 7-7 tie. This resulted in a co-national championship, but playing Warner's Indians to a standstill in their home state was seen as a victory of sorts for Alabama. In 1930, Wade returned to Pasadena with consensus All-American tackle Fred Sington. This time the Tide left no doubt. His team's 24-0 triumph over Washington State capped a perfect 10-0 season, but again the national title was split, this time with Notre Dame. Wade left Alabama and returned to Pasadena a few years later with a Duke team considered one of the best ever, only to lose to USC. A cantankerous sort, Wade feuded with detractors. He was particularly upset about the last-minute loss to USC in the 1939 Rose Bowl. However, he and USC quarterback Doyle Nave later met in the Navy during World War II. Nave reported that Wade was a Southern gentleman whose blood had simply run hot in the glare of competition.

Frank Thomas took over the program between 1931 and 1946. On the surface Wade's three national titles to Thomas's one would seem to overshadow him, but Thomas achieved great things. His teams were 9-1, 8-2 and 7-1-1 in his first three years (1931-1933). In 1934 the Tide fielded one of if not their most hallowed teams. Bear Bryant certainly would preside over greatness in Tuscaloosa, but the 1934 Crimson Tide is enshrined in their memory.

For one thing, this team did have Bear Bryant on it; as an end. He was a good player to be sure, a scrapper out of Fordyce, Arkansas. But on the other side of the ball one of Alabama's all-time greats lined up opposite Bear. Don Hutson, Alabama's second consensus All-American, was the first great receiver in college and pro football history.

The game had always been ground-oriented. Quarterback Gus Dorais and end Knute Rockne used the newfangled "forward pass" to lead Notre Dame over Army in 1913. The pass was an integral part of the game by the 1930s, but the size of the ball made it harder to throw than it is today. The game, however, was changing.

For one thing, diet and exercise increased the arm strength of kids growing up in America. Baseball, America's "National Pastime," instituted use of the "lively ball" in 1920. Prior to that, baseball pitchers tended to be "spitball artists" who used guile to get hitters to ground out to infielders. But Babe Ruth ushered in a new era of "power baseball" which effected not just free-swinging hitters., but hard-throwing pitchers. Kids growing up developed their fastballs more. Naturally, most football quarterbacks also played baseball. Most were pitchers. By the 1930s a new breed of strong-armed hurlers and quarterbacks had changed the dynamics of their respective sports. Fireballers such as Dizzy Dean, Lefty Grove and Bob Feller came on the baseball scene. "Longball" quarterbacks like Sammy Baugh and Davey O'Brien arrived on the football scene.

All-Time Alabama Team

Chosen by fans for their 1992 centennial

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

T Fred Sington

OL Vaughn Mancha

OL Billy Neighbors

OL John Hannah

C Dwight Stephenson

TE Ozzie Newsome

WR Don Hutson

QB Joe Namath

QB Kenny Stabler

RB Bobby Marlow

RB Johnny Musso

RB Bobby Humphrey

PK Van Tiffen

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DL Bob Baumbower

DL Marty Lyons

DT Jon Hand

LB Lee Roy Jordan

LB Barry Krauss

OLB Cornelius Bennett

OLB Derrick Thomas

DB Harry Gilmer

DB Don McNeal

DB Jeremiah Castille

DB Tommy Wilcox

P Johnny Cain

The speedy, surehanded Hutson revolutionized Alabama's use of the passing game in a remarkable 10-0 season in 1934. Other consensus All-Americans were tackle Bill Lee and back Dixie Howell. One thing could never be said of the Tide; nobody could accuse them of turning down a challenge. While many teams refused invites to the Rose Bowl out of fear their unblemished records would be sullied, the Tide came out every chance they got to do battle with Pacific Coast Conference champions in Pasadena. In a way, they were the Florida State of their era, playing "anybody, anyplace, any time" – and winning – in order to earn a "place at the table" in college football's hierarchy. But by 1934 they were no secret. They were going after their fourth national title.

This time it was Stanford in a re-match between the co-national champions of 1926. Led by the "Vow Boys," the Indians were no match for Hutson and the Tide, 29-13. The national championship was shared between Alabama and Bernie Bierman's first great team at Minnesota, although the Golden Gophers did not play in a bowl. Hutson went on to a fabulous career with the Green Bay Packers and is a member of the College as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In the late 1930s, the Southeastern Conference was dominated by Bob Neyland's Tennessee Volunteers, but Thomas's Tide was a power almost every year (8-0-1 in 1936, 9-1 in 1937, 7-1-1- in 1938). The 1937 team would have brought the school's fifth national championship back to Tuscaloosa, but they finally met their match in the form of California's "Thunder Team."

The unbeaten Tide again came to Pasadena, this time against a school that had dipped under the radar in the wake of USC, Stanford and Washington dominance in the PCC. Led by Vic Bottari and Sam Chapman, the Golden Bears earned their last national title by defeating Alabama, 13-0. It is worth noting that the 1938 Rose Bowl game was not just for that season's championship, but for a historical ranking of sorts, too. Cal's fourth national championship tied them with Alabama for the most of any program since World War I. USC won their fourth two years later. Entering the 1940s, Notre Dame and Minnesota each had three. Other consensus Alabama All-Americans of the 1930s were Riley Smith (1935) and Leroy Monsky (1937).

During the war years, Thomas's teams were competitive as usual, but the conflict took a big toll on the state and school. Southerners tend to be the most patriotic sorts, volunteering for military service in disproportionate numbers. In 1943, when Notre Dame fielded enough stars to win national championship glory, Alabama saw fit to cancel its season in favor of the war effort.

The state and the nation were awash in victory when the 1945 season began. 'Bama came out rolling with an unbeaten season, which included a 34-13 thrashing of Southern Cal at the Rose Bowl. It was USC's first-ever bowl loss of any kind, helping to re-establish the Tide. But in those years Army and Notre Dame received all the attention. Red Blaik's Army Black Knights were one of the legendary teams of all time, at the apex of their powers in 1945 in every way. Alabama was overshadowed and forced to accept the second position in the Associated Press poll. Consensus All-Americans of the 1940s were Holt Rast (1941), Joe Domnanovich (1942) and Vaughn Mancha (1945).

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Bowl victories

1. Alabama 30

2. Southern California 29

3. Penn State 25

4. Oklahoma 24

5. Texas 23

6. Nebraska 22

7. Miami 19

8. Michigan 18

9. Ohio State 18

10. Notre Dame 13

Between 1946 and 1956, Alabama and Southern football seemed to recede. After World War II, integration became an issue. Jackie Robinson's ascendancy to the big leagues in 1947 and President Harry Truman's integration of the Army, then the Brown versus Board of Education decision (1954) spotlighted the case. Several small California schools had come to the South for bowl games, emerging victorious. Suddenly the practice of integrated Western or Northern teams traveling to New Orleans (Sugar Bowl) or Miami (Orange Bowl) became political debates. The 1951 University of San Francisco Dons were disinvited to the Sugar Bowl because they refused to leave their black players at home. Those players happened to be stars. One of them, Ollie Matson is one of the all-time great college and pro running backs.

Southern teams began to draw back from the national exposure of previous years, when they would play in the Rose Bowl. With the PCC-Big 10 deal in place beginning with the 1947 Rose Bowl, this was no longer an option for SEC teams. The Orange, Sugar and Cotton Bowls increasingly became Southern affairs. Occasional games with integrated teams like Navy, USC, Pitt and Penn State were fraught with racial controversy.

#### Alabama's College Hall of Famers (18)

Lee Roy Jordan 1960-1962

Vaughn Mancha 1944-1947

John Hannah 1970-1972

Billy Neighbors 1959-1961

Fred Sington 1928-1930

Don Whitmire 1941-1944

Don Hutson 1932-1934

Ozzie Newsome 1974-1977

John Cain 1930-1932

Riley Smith 1933-1935

Johnny Mack Brown 1923-1925

Dixie Howell 1932-1934

Johnny Musso 1969-1971

Pooley Hubert 1922-1925

Johnny Maulbetsch 1911-1916

Cornelius Bennett 1983-1986

## Coaches

Paul Bryant 1958-1982

Wallace Wade 1923-1950

College football became a Midwestern game, for the most part, in the late 1940s. Notre Dame and Michigan replaced Army (eventually beset by a cheating scandal) as the major powerhouses. Ohio State rose to great heights. Out West, UCLA became a national team on the strength of their integrated policies.

But the South never dipped too far. Georgia Tech again made their presence known nationwide after a down period. The Southwest also developed as never before. Oklahoma, a border state school playing in a Midwestern conference, became the great team of the 1950s, but unlike in Dixie Bud Wilkinson integrated his program despite much angst. In 1957, the SEC re-asserted itself in the form of Auburn's national championship team. In 1958, Louisiana State won the national championship, too. That same season, Alabama hired Paul "Bear" Bryant.

Bryant, the one-time end who starred opposite Don Hutson, served in the Navy before embarking on a coaching career at Maryland, Kentucky and Texas A&M. 'Bama football had taken beatings in the years before he arrived. Under coach J. B. Whitworth, the Tide was an unmentionable 0-10 in 1955. Nary a single Tide player earned consensus All-American honors in the 1950s. A good quarterback, Bart Starr emerged from the program, but his great success in Green Bay could never have been predicted by his years in Tuscaloosa.

Before there was Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Tom Brady or any of the other quarterback heroes of Super Bowl lore, there was Starr. In an era of great quarterbacks, he was the most successful and arguably the best. In a game that values winning above all other results, Starr's admirers can argue with great validity that he was, for this reason, superior to Johnny Unitas just as Montana was to Dan Marino; and until the 2007 Super Bowl at least, Tom Brady was to Peyton Manning. Starr was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl I (Green Bay's win over the Chiefs at the L.A. Coliseum, 1967) and Super Bowl II (over Oakland in Miami's Orange Bowl, 1968).

#### Elite Ten by the numbers

Super Bowl MVPs

1. Alabama: 3

Joe Namath, New York Jets (1969), Bart Starr, Green Bay (1967, 1968)

1. Michigan: 3

Tom Brady, New England (2002, 2004), Desmond Howard, Green Bay (1997)

1. Notre Dame: 3

Joe Montana, San Francisco (1982, 1985, 1990)

4. Southern California: 2

Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders (1984), Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh (1975)

4. Miami: 2

Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens, (2001), Otis Anderson, New York Giants (1991)

6. Penn State: 1

Franco Harris, Pittsburgh (1975)

Bryant turned a 2-7-1 team into a 5-4-1 team in 1958. His 1959 squad (7-2-2) made it to the Liberty Bowl, where they lost to Penn State, 7-0. In 1960 Alabama came on strong (8-1-2), but the 1961 squad is one of the most beloved in school history. Led by consensus All-American tackle Billy Neighbors and the great linebacker Lee Roy Jordan (consensus All-American, 1962), the Tide rambled to an 11-0 record, including a hard-fought 10-3 triumph over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. They won their first national title in twenty-seven years. The quarterback was Pat Trammell, a utilitarian signal-caller who nobody would ever mistake with the likes of Joe Namath or Ken Stabler. But Trammell was a leader, and Bryant often spoke of him as one of his all-time favorite players. He represented just the kind of man Bear wanted; unselfish, disciplined, smart, adaptable.

Alabama versus Auburn 38-32-1

Trammell never went on to great pro fame. He got married, started a family, and became a successful doctor, but died tragically of cancer. Bryant immortalized his memory through a foundation set up to take care of his children and increase cancer research.

The 1961 Tide may not have been the most physically gifted team in America. They were small and made up of mostly local players, but they obeyed Bryant as if his words emanated from the "burning bush." Bryant's legend was made.

In 1962, sophomore quarterback Joe Willie Namath led the team to a 10-1 record complete with a 17-0 shutout over Oklahoma and the man Bryant considered his coaching model, Bud Wilkinson. After the game Wilkinson entered Alabama's dressing room to personally congratulate Bryant, his staff and players. It was a class act that had a big effect on Coach Bryant.

In 1963 Alabama was 9-2 with a 12-7 Sugar Bowl win over Mississippi. Some national pundits scorned the fact that two SEC teams played each other in the Sugar Bowl. In that volatile year, two black students had to be escorted by federal soldiers for a first-ever class registration against the protests of Governor George "segregation now, segregation forever" Wallace. The region was considered backward or, in the football sense, inward.

But it was also around that time Coach Bryant made an acquaintance with a man who together with him would make a profound change on football in the social sense. Bryant enjoyed traveling to California in the off-season. The weather, the golf, friendships with celebrities such as Bob Hope, and the chance to relax a little bit, lured him there. He was happy to accept the invitation of California high school coaching clinics to come out and speak. Through this he was able to expand his recruiting horizons.

Bob Troppmann was the football coach at Redwood High School in Marin County, a suburb of San Francisco. Troppmann started a popular clinic called the Diamond B Football Camp. It was through this camp that Troppmann became acquainted with both Bryant and USC football coach John McKay. It was through camps like Troppmann's that McKay and Bryant became friends.

They liked to drink whiskey, do a little duck huntin', and talk football. Over the next years, the possibility of a football game between McKay's USC Trojans and Bryant's Crimson Tide was discussed. The racial implications of such a big game were talked about. Bryant expressed to McKay that he wanted to integrate the program but was dealing with some difficult political problems, namely in the form of Governor Wallace.

According to legend, one of these conversations took place at Troppmann's camp in which a freshman on his team, 14-year old future USC football coach Pete Carroll (one of the "campers") slept in a cabin not too far away. Whether this is legend or pure fact is debatable, but in essence Bryant saw in his friend McKay and the USC program, a model of sorts for integrating his own team. This is not in dispute.

But when the Tide won the back-to-back national titles in 1964 and 1965, followed by an unbeaten 1966, many white Alabamians figured the program did not need to integrate in order to maintain superiority. Namath developed into the nation's best quarterback. In 1964, he was well on his way to earning the school's first Heisman Trophy. Namath started out as a veer quarterback, and was "the best athlete I ever saw," said assistant coach Clem Gryska. "I could see right away he was a Cadillac, not a Ford."

Namath, also a topflight baseball player, was fast and agile enough to handle the veer duties, but by his senior year Bryant was utilizing his strong right arm. In the seventh game of the season he went down with a debilitating knee injury, costing him the Heisman which went instead to Notre Dame's John Huarte. Namath managed to make a gimpy return in time for the 1965 Orange Bowl. He gamely brought the Tide back from a deficit, but in the end fell just short against Texas, 21-17. It was a game he later described as his most disappointing ever. It did not cost Alabama the AP or UPI national championships, but after unbeaten Arkansas' 10-7 win over Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl, it was obvious that the vote-before-the-bowls system employed by both the AP and the UPI was highly flawed. This fact had been known since the early 1950s, when three of the first four "national champions" of the dual AP/UPI era were illegitimatized by bowl defeat. College football had "dodged a bullet" since then (with the exception of the Minnesota "championship" of 1960), either by national champions winning their bowls too, or by awarding it to schools that did not have to deal with a bowl challenge.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Bowl games

1. Alabama 54

2. Texas 46

3. Southern California 45

4. Nebraska 44

5. Oklahoma 40

6. Penn State 39

7. Michigan 38

7. Ohio State 38

9. Miami 33

10. Notre Dame 28

There was some argument still in effect that the bowls were a "reward" for a great regular season, but should not count. They were "exhibitions," according to some, like an all-star game. Some coaches said that it was impossible to keep a team in fighting trim between the final regular season game, generally played on Thanksgiving weekend or before, and New Year's Day more than a month later. They were off partying, drinking, chasing girls, and not concentrating on practice, it was theorized.

None of these arguments carried any validity, of course. Arkansas had to settle for second place in both the Associated Press and United Press International polls. The old "systems," which received little if any publicity and were viewed as relics of a by-gone past, were dusted off and used to anoint "true national championship" status upon a Razorback team which, incidentally, included future Cowboys coach (Jimmy Jones) and owner (Jerry Jones).

Namath was the number one draft choice of that year's class. His entrance into professional football came at a most opportune time for him, financially and in every other way. The American and National Football Leagues were at "war" with each other. The winners of the "war" were prized college draftees like Namath, who found themselves wealthy beyond their imagination when the leagues entered into "bidding contests" for their services. Namath went with the New York Titans, who were about to change their name to the Jets and begin play at the brand spanking new Shea Stadium. Joe Willie was immediately rich by virtue of a then-unheard of bonus contract in the $400,000 range. New York's second draft pick, Notre Dame's John Huarte received almost as much.

Huarte was a bust in pro football. Namath entered that rarest of all pantheons: the iconic New York sports superstar, an elite status reserved only for such all-time greats as Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Frank Gifford, Mickey Mantle and Tom Seaver. Namath's place in this pantheon was based first on his leading the underdog "Super Jets" to a world-shaking 16-7 victory over Baltimore in Super Bowl III (1969). His knee, injured at Alabama, was re-injured many times. It cut his pro career short, but not enough to deny him a career that ended up with his enshrinement in Canton. But Namath's persona is what elevated him above the others, in New York and on the world stage. Known as "Broadway Joe," he was a ladies man of legendary status whose autobiography was titled I Can't Wait For Tomorrow . . . 'Cause I Get Better Looking Every Day. Namath represented the "swingin' '60s," and was part of a new generation of "playboy athletes" who spoke their mind and lived life for the moment.

Namath was not from Alabama. He was part of the great western Pennsylvania tradition producing such stalwarts as Johnny Unitas, Tony Dorsett, Joe Montana, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. Sylvester Croom was a young black kid in Tuscaloosa when Namath first made his mark as a sophomore in 1962. Eventually Croom became an All-American lineman at Alabama, then the first black head football coach in SEC history at Mississippi State

"Namath would come down to the black neighborhoods by himself," recalled Croom. "He'd glad-hand the folks, who were amazed. He was like . . . a cool jazz singer."

In 1965 the Tide finished the regular season with an 8-1-1 record, led by consensus All-American center Paul Crane. The UPI concluded its final vote as follows:

1. Michigan State

2. Arkansas

3. Nebraska

4. Alabama

Duffy Daugherty's Spartans were number one in the AP too, but after the 1964 fiasco the Associated Press decided to wait until after the bowls before conducting their final vote this time around. New Year's Day 1966 was a memorable one. Michigan State was upset by UCLA, 14-12 in the Rose Bowl. Arkansas fell to LSU, 14-7 in the Cotton Bowl.

Suddenly, Alabama found itself with an unlikely shot at the national title. Michigan State was forced to leave the Rose Bowl with their tail between their legs. Their UPI "national title" plaque was now worthless, but the AP version was up for grabs.

In a memorable game, the Tide beat number three Nebraska, 39-28 in the Orange Bowl. It was enough to spur the AP voters into making Alabama the number one team. It was also impeccable timing in terms of the team's ability to benefit from the vagaries of the polling system. No Alabamians complained about their good luck. Plenty complained when the system did not benefit them, as in the 1966 season.

Possibly Bryant's greatest team, they were led by junior quarterback Kenny "Snake" Stabler, who replaced Steve Sloan. Stabler hailed from the so-called "Redneck Riviera," a coastal enclave of honky-tonks, pool halls and gambling houses. He was a product of his environment; a hard-charging partier and skirt-chaser. Bryant loved him immediately, but saw in him a major challenge.

Bryant had for the most part harnessed the personality of his players into team unity. His guys were "Yes, sir" and "No, sir" types who adhered to his discipline and hard ways. Snake was an individualist, but in him Bryant saw himself. But what Bryant loved most was his competitiveness.

"I've known many athletes over the years," the late Bill King, longtime Oakland Raiders' announcer, once said. King broadcast Stabler's most exhilarating professional moments. "Many were driven by fear, such as <Oakland A's reliever> Dennis Eckersley. Stabler was the polar opposite, utterly devoid of fear no matter the pressure or the situation."

"Coach loved Kenny," said assistant coach Jack Rutledge, "because on game days he was the greatest competitor we ever had."

Stabler had overcome personality clashes with Bear. He had played for the freshman team, then sat behind Steve Sloan in the national championship 1965 season. His drinking and womanizing resulted in team rules being broken. Bryant, for the sake of unity, penalized Snake. At one point he was sent home on suspension, where he seriously considered quitting.

"I drove back to Tuscaloosa," Stabler once recalled, "drinking a six-pack of beer and throwing the empties on the side of the highway. During this drive I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do. I decided I'd play by Coach Bryant's rules, be a part of the team. That's what I did."

Stabler engineered the brilliant unbeaten season of 1966, but things were dicey from the get-go when it came to the pollsters. Alabama had a bye in the season's first week and tried to fill it with a nationally ranked team from out of the region. However, for varying reasons, none was willing or able. USC for instance had their hands full at Austin, Texas. The resulting 34-0 win over Louisiana Tech did not satisfy those who felt they needed to play an integrated Northern or Western team.

"A lot of folks didn't realize Louisiana Tech was real good that year," Bryant remarked later, "but it didn't change anybody's opinions."

Stabler and consensus All-American end Ray Perkins may have gotten the offensive headlines, but the team won with overwhelming defense. Tackle Cecil Dowdy also earned All-American honors. The Tide put up scores that reminded people of the 1932 USC Trojans or 1938 Duke Blue Devils. This included no less than six shutouts, including four in a row to close out the season. Auburn fell, 31-0. Mississippi State's fourteen points were the most scored against them. Tennessee was the only other team to reach double figures in a hotly contested 11-10 Alabama victory. Mississippi scored seven, Vanderbilt six. Bob Devaney and Nebraska met them in the Sugar Bowl, but unlike the previous year it was not competitive: 34-7, 'Bama. Sports Illustrated featured a color photo of Stabler leading his team to victory.

But the AP and the UPI had both gone for Notre Dame. The AP inexplicably reverted back to the pre-bowl vote. The UPI never veered from theirs. The Irish not only tied Michigan State and did not play in a bowl, they actually went for the tie, which galled most observers. 'Bama fans were understandably mad. For sure they fielded a superb, national title-worthy outfit, but in truth Notre Dame was a team for the ages in 1966. The Michigan State game had been a showdown dubbed the "Game of the Century." What probably annoyed the Alabama fans even more was the fact that Michigan State was also ranked ahead of them in both polls, but they were a defensive juggernaut possibly unmatched in history. It was just one of those years; a season in which truly great college football teams roamed the landscape.

Race and religion were considered major side issues in voters' minds in 1966. 'Bama fans unveiled a banner reading, " 'BAMA PLAYS FOOTBALL, N. DAME PLAYS POLITICS" and "ARA PLAYS TO TIE - BEAR PLAYS TO WIN." Looking back, segregation was less important than the pre-bowl voting issue and, just as disturbing, the Catholic influence of Eastern sportswriters.

Three years later, the press had every opportunity to show social pathos when all-white Texas and integrated Penn State both finished unbeaten and untied with bowl wins. First, President Richard Nixon, a Californian who as a Duke law student had argued on behalf of blacks when debating Southerners, "announced" in the Texas dressing room after the Longhorns beat Arkansas, 15-14 in another "Game of the Century" that Texas was the true national champion. That statement caused much consternation for Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who despite the slight supported Nixon and later even spoke at the Republican National Convention.

Alabama "deserves to be win number one, and if I had a vote they would be," Bryant said after the victory over Nebraska. But that was about all he said on the issue.

"Coach Bryant was very particular about what he said in 1966," recalled Clem Gryska. "He knew how people felt and didn't want to say anything that would put the program in a bad light. Privately he was disappointed but he always said you needed to win it in such a way so that there would be no question in anybody's mind. He was not the kind who complained."

Stabler went on to professional greatness on par with Namath. Had Stabler done what he did in New York instead of Oakland, he too would already have his deserving plaque in Canton. Stabler was a Pro Bowl quarterback on the greatest of all Oakland Raiders teams, engineering a series of memorable comeback victories, all announced in breathtaking, poetic fashion by Bill King.

"Branch left, Biletnikoff slot right, Stabler calling the signals," King would bark. "Raiders: two yards from the promised land." Stabler got them there on numerous occasions. In 1976 he painted his masterpiece in the form of a 13-1 record, the American Football Conference championship, and a 32-14 triumph over Minnesota in Super Bowl XI.

"Jascha Heifetz never tuned a violin," stated the opera-lover King, "like Kenny Stabler is tuning the Minnesota Vikings' defense on the Rose Bowl field today."

Bryant's class act despite 1966 disappointment would pay dividends down the line. In 1970, his team slipped to 6-5-1 with a Bluebonnet Bowl tie with Oklahoma. It was his second straight sub-par year. The Miami Dolphins courted him. Bear reportedly agreed, but a legal problem interfered with that move. Many questioned whether the game had passed him by. He was in his mid-sixties with the face of an older man after years of sunburns, whiskey and cigarettes.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Bowl Hall of Famers

1. Alabama 19: Orange (9), Sugar (4), Cotton (4), Rose (2)

2. Southern California 18: Rose (18)

3. Ohio State 4: Rose (4)

The team had recruited players from all over the country, but some were "prima donnas," according to Clem Gryska. Dennis Homan and Bobby Johns were consensus All-Americans in 1967, but the program took a slide because "the players we brought in were not Coach Bryant's type of players," said Gryska.

"The athletic director will decide whether I leave as football coach at Alabama," Bryant declared defiantly, "and I'm the athletic director."

But privately there were doubts. When Bryant was considering the Dolphin offer he approached John McKay to see if he would like to replace him at Alabama.

"Why would I want to leave USC?" asked McKay.

"You wouldn't have to drive those freeways," replied Bryant.

"I don't mind driving the freeways, Paul," said McKay.

On another occasion, McKay was visiting Bryant and his wife, Mary Harmon at a hunting cabin he owned in rural Alabama. A 'Bama booster was also a guest. Bryant took off by himself to have a walk in solitude. The booster told McKay that Bryant's day had passed. McKay adamantly insisted it had not. He certainly was correct.

Bryant was a man who capitalized on opportunity. His day had not passed. Early in 1970 he was in Palm Springs for the Bob Hope Desert Classic. He called McKay and told him to meet him at the Los Angeles Airport. McKay was not sure what the meeting was for. His assistant, Craig Fertig knew nothing. Bryant drove from Palm Springs and after a few drinks in the Western Airlines Horizon Room offered McKay a lucrative package if he would come to Birmingham to open the season in September. It was the first year in which the NCAA allowed an eleventh game. Instead of filling it with Louisiana Tech this time, Bryant wanted the unbeaten Trojans to come play his .500 Crimson Tide.

McKay and Bryant had spoken of this. Many, including McKay's own children, family friend Pat Haden and his assistant coaches, were not aware of the plans Bryant and McKay had made over the years to play and, as a result, create a window of opportunity to integrate the program. There are plenty who dispute the game was planned for the purposes of integrating Alabama football, pointing out that had Alabama won it would not have had the effect it did. They are wrong.

Bryant wanted a classy, integrated, national title-contending team like USC - a team 'Bama fans could respect, led by a coach they knew McKay respected – to perform at a high level on their own Legion Field turf. Win or lose, the sight of the USC team would create the impact Bryant wanted. The times were "a-changin'," what with the war turning for the worse, Governor Wallace out of office, and a sense of "new wind" blowing over the country two years after the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy.

Many myths surround that game, won by USC 42-21 when the Trojans' black fullback Sam "Bam" Cunningham ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns. First, that it integrated Alabama football. Bryant had already done so. Freshman running back Wilbur Jackson of Ozark, Alabama was in the program, watching the game from the stands (frosh were ineligible in 1970) with mixed emotions. John Mitchell was already being recruited. Sylvester Croom and others were known by Bryant, who was already reaching out to them for the future. The game was scheduled in large part to pave the way for Jackson's smooth entrance into the limelight. An All-American and captain of the 1973 Crimson Tide before a successful pro career, Jackson's entrance and stay was smooth indeed.

Second, Bryant is said to have taken a shirtless Cunningham into the Alabama dressing room, announcing, "Gentlemen, this here's what a football player looks like." He did not. Exactly what happened is still a mystery to this day. Most likely, Bryant said something like that once or more than once, heard by reporters, fans, alumni. It was repeated many times, often by USC people. But in the dressing room with Cunningham?

"It never happened," Alabama quarterback Scott Hunter said, "but it should have."

For years people predicted the disastrous results of full integration in the South. It had been occurring incrementally for years, much of it court-ordered. A lawsuit against Bryant demanded his recruitment of black players, but to the surprise of many he revealed that for years he had been scouting black players in the state. Bryant provided the court details of these star players; their schools, grades, and other criteria.

The fact is that it happened in such a clean, easy way it seemed there never had been anything to worry about in the first place. There are two explanations for this, which apparently go hand in hand. The first speaks to the "miraculous" changing of hearts and minds, at least outwardly, as displayed in 1970-1971 as opposed to the way folks reacted in 1963-1964. In the Christian South, the explanation that this could only have been the work of God is not a hard one to make. Bryant's mother was a lay preacher and he believed in God "although he was not a Bible-thumpin' man," said assistant coach Jack Rutledge, but he "did use Old Testament language, always talkin' about the players was 'chosen,' they were the 'chosen ones.' "

The second explanation is that Bryant was so respected, organized, meticulous and careful when it came to the smooth operation of his football program, that anything he did was going to be successful. Either way, Bryant would probably not dispute the notion that God's hand played a role in these seminal events in American history, and history judges that he was a winner.

What is not in dispute is that, now armed with an integrated team – which got more integrated year after year – the Crimson Tide, arguably the best team in college football in the 1960s, exploded in their best decade ever in the 1970s. The man who had seen the game "pass him by" truly lived up to those Coca-Cola billboards which showed him walking on water; well, he at least came close.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Coach of the Year awards

1. Alabama: Touchdown Club of Atlanta (12), AFCA (4), FWAA (1)

2. Notre Dame: AFCA (2), FWAA (3)

3. Southern California: AFCA (2), FWAA (2)

In 1971, Alabama traveled to Los Angeles with Jackson and John Mitchell. Breaking out the veer which Bryant had put in mothballs, they stunned Troy 17-10. Wearing the infamous "tearaway" jerseys, running back Johnny Musso rushed for 1,137 yards to finish fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

The 11-0 Tide was rolled, however, by the juggernaut Nebraska Cornhuskers, affecting revenge for two bowl losses to 'Bama in the mid-1960s. The score was 38-6. Musso made consensus All-American before moving on the Chicago Bears. Hunter replaced Bart Starr as the quarterback in Green Bay. Offensive lineman John Hannah made consensus All-American in 1972 before embarking on a Hall of Fame career with the Patriots.

Year after year in the 1970s, however, ultimate victory evaded Alabama. Between 1970 and 1977, Alabama compiled the best record in the nation. They beat USC two of three times, but the Trojans got all the glory in the form of two famous national championships (1972, 1974) to the Tide's zero. In years in which Troy did not win, Alabama generally compiled better records, but the teams play for national titles above all other things. In 1973 Alabama's stunning 24-23 loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl cost them the final number one ranking. There was no really good reason why USC (1974), Oklahoma (1975) and Notre Dame (1977) finished number one ahead of Alabama, but they did. Consensus All-Americans like Buddy Brown, Woody Lowe and the great Ozzie Newsome starred for Alabama. Newsome became an All-Pro tight end for the Cleveland Browns and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Frustration, however, was the order of the day. The success of integration was found as much in what did not happen as in what did happen, as in there was little if any tension or problem, at least not outwardly. The torch had been passed.

Then in 1978 defeat turned to victory in the kind of way that demonstrates the irony of football and life. For years Alabama had toiled in the shadow of national rivals USC and Notre Dame, whose annual game was always billed as a showdown for number one. Alabama, oft-times sporting as good if not better records, played strong Auburn teams in games that seemed anonymous in comparison to the USC-Notre Dame slugfests; or so it seemed outside of Dixie.

#### Crimson Tide on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1924 8-1 F/1-0 8-1 (1924)

1-0 (1924)

1925 10-0 18-1 (1924-25)

11-0 (1924-25)

1926 9-0-1 S/ 9-0 27-1-1 (1924-26)

20-0 (1924-26) 20 games

27-0-1 (1924-26)

Year Record Run

1930 10-0 10-0 (1930)

1931 9-1 19-1 (1930-31)

1932 8-2 27-3 (1930-32)

1933 7-1-1 F/4-0 34-4-1 (1930-33)

4-0 (1933)

1934 10-0 44-4-1 (1930-34)

14-0 (1933-34)

1935 6-2-1 S/1-0-1 50-8-2 (1930-35) 60 games

15-0-1 (1933-36)

Year Record Run

1960 8-1-2 F/6-0-1 8-1-2 (1960)

6-0-1 (1960)

1961 11-0 19-1-2 (1960-61)

17-0-1 (1960-61)

1962 10-1 S/8-0 29-2-2 (1960-62)

25-0-1 (1960-62)

1963 10-1 39-3-2 (1960-63)

1964 10-1 S/10-0 49-4-2 (1960-63)

45-3-2 (1960-63) 50 games

1965 9-1-1 58-5-3 (1960-65)

53-5-3(1960-65) 60 games

1966 11-0 69-5-3 (1960-66)

64-5-3 (1960-66) 70 games

11-0 (1966)

1967 8-2-1 S/3-0-1 77-7-4 (1960-67)

67-5-4 (1960-67)

71-5-4 (1960-67) 80 games

19-2-1 (1966-67)

Year Record Run

1971 11-1 11-1 (1971)

1972 10-2 21-3 (1971-72)

1973 11-1 32-4 (1971-73)

1974 11-1 43-5 (1971-74)

1975 11-1 54-6 (1971-75) 60 games

44-6 (1971-75) 50 games

1976 9-3 63-9 (1971-76)

61-9 (1971-76) 70 games

1977 11-1 74-10 (1971-77)

70-10 (1971-77) 80 games

1978 11-1 85-11 (1971-78)

79-11 (1971-79) 90 games

1979 12-0 97-11 (1971-79)

89-11 (1977-79) 100 games

1980 10-2 S/7-0, 8-1 107-13 (1971-80) 120 games

99-11 (1971-80) 110 games

104-11 (1971-80)

Year Record Run

1991 11-1 F/10-0 11-1 (1991)

10-0 (1991)

1992 13-0 24-1 (1991-92)

23-0 (1991-92)

20-0 (1991-92) 20 games

1993 9-3-1 S/5-0, 7-0-1 33-4-1 (1991-93)

28-0 (1991-93)

30-0-1 (1991-93)

29-0-1 (1991-93) 30 games

1994 12-1 45-5-1 (1991-94)

44-5-1 (1991-94) 50 games

1995 8-3 S/2-0 53-8-1 (1991-95)

47-5-1 (1991-95)

52-7-1 (1991-95) 60 games

Alabama had beaten USC 17-10 in 1971, but nobody remembered that. All anybody remembered was the Sam Cunningham blowout game of 1970, the subject of books and a movie, too. In 1978 number seven USC ventured back to Legion Field. This time Bryant's team was not in a re-building mode, as they had been in 1970. They were number one. A national TV audience tuned in to one of the biggest games in years. Instead of getting the respect they felt they deserved with a big win over Troy, which would vault the Tide to the national title, all they got was 199 yards from USC's Charlie White in a convincing 24-14 USC victory. The national championship looked to be out of reach. Another year of disappointment seemed their destiny.

But destiny favored Alabama this time. USC lost to Arizona State and Alabama lost to nobody else. Penn State was unbeaten and would have to be knocked off in order for Alabama to reach number one. It was the Tide who got their shot at the Nittany Lions in the Sugar Bowl, which 'Bama won 14-7.

When USC beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl, 17-10, it seemed that it would be more frustration. Logically, the Trojans had the edge. Both teams had the same record (in fact USC was one better, 12-1 to 11-1), but USC's win at Birmingham in September seemed to make them the obvious choice.

But Bryant's class in handling the 1966 poll disappointment; sympathy over "close but no cigar" seasons throughout the decade; the reversal of the "Catholic vote" at the expense of Notre Dame's biggest rival; and undoubtedly Bryant's masterful handling of integration; had made him more than a sympathetic figure by 1978. Now he was beloved, a legend, a mythological coach of Rushmore status. This factor above all others persuaded a majority of AP voters into making 'Bama their national champions for the first time in thirteen seasons. The coaches, voting in the UPI poll, went for Southern California in a split national championship year.

1979 was another classic collegiate football season. Like 1966, it featured storied traditions having some of their best-ever seasons. Unlike 1966, Alabama came out on top this time. USC started off ranked first but was tripped up by Stanford, who tied them 21-21. Ohio State separated themselves and had the inside track, carrying an unbeaten, untied record and the number one ranking into the Rose Bowl. USC broke their hearts with a last minute 17-16 victory. The Trojans rooted for Arkansas to beat unbeaten, untied Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, giving them a second straight national championship. The Crimson Tide would have none of it, winning their second straight title by virtue of a convincing 24-9 win over the Razorbacks.

The 1978-1979 Tide featured two consensus All-Americans, defensive lineman Marty Lyons and tackle Jim Bunch. Quarterback Jeff Rutledge was a steady, although not spectacular, passer. Running back Tony Nathan, later a mainstay in Miami, keyed a ball control offense. But the greatest player of that period was center Dwight Stephenson. Recognized as the premier center of his time, if not of all time, Stephenson was an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection five straight years with the Dolphins before entering the Hall of Fame.

Bryant retired after the 1982 season, the winningest college coach in history. Numbers aside, he is generally viewed as the finest coach ever, which is saying something considering that the likes of Pop Warner, Knute Rockne, Howard Jones, Bob Neyland, Frank Leahy, Bud Wilkinson, John McKay, Joe Paterno, and Bobby Bowden have accomplished the extraordinary things they accomplished.

In the 1980s, Tommy Wilcox, Mike Pitts, Cornelius Bennett, Derrick Thomas, and Keith McCants made consensus All-American. Ray Perkins and Bill Curry maintained standards in Tuscaloosa, but it was Gene Stallings, one of The Junction Boys, who led the 1992 Crimson Tide to a 13-0 record. The Tide finished up with a 17-0 triumph over Auburn; a 28-21 victory over Florida in the SEC championship game; and a surprise 34-13 whipping of Miami in the Sugar Bowl to capture the national title. 1990s consensus All-Americans: Philip Doyle, John Copeland, David Palmer, Antonio Langham, and 1999 Outland Trophy winner Chris Samuels.

When Alabama beat USC, 24-3 in the 1985 Aloha Bowl, it pushed them past the Trojans into the number one spot for all-time bowl wins; a boast the Trojans had been previously able to make going back to their first Rose Bowl victory in 1923. When Alabama won the 1992 national championship, it marked their ninth legitimate, historically recognized title. At that time, USC was "down in the dumps," having fired coach Larry Smith in the aftermath of the disastrous Todd Marinovich fiasco. In 1992 Troy also boasted nine titles, but their last one had been gathering dust for fourteen years in Heritage Hall.

At that point, a strong argument could have been made that, in light of greater success in more recent years, Alabama had passed USC for second place among College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions. But in the 2000s, Alabama fell on hard times. As of 2006, USC and Pete Carroll are almost tied with the Crimson Tide for most all-time bowl wins. The Trojans have embarked on the kind of run Bryant's teams enjoyed. In light of USC's more recent success – two national championships (almost a third), three Heismans - they have unquestionably moved past Alabama and Oklahoma, if they ever actually trailed them in the first place.

While this historic "poll" is "fluid," subject to change over succeeding years, Alabama has a tough "road to hoe" in a bitterly difficult conference. They also do not boast the Heismans, Outland winners, large numbers of All-Americans and first round draft picks that characterize many of the teams in the "elite ten." However, they have always been a team. If they are to maintain or even improve on their number three ranking, it will be by virtue of the team concept; when they do it will be "Roll Tide!"

FOUR

OKLAHOMA SOONERS

This is a book that dares to explore and declare what the greatest collegiate football tradition of all time is. In so doing, certain dates are used as "dividing lines," so to speak. 1960, for instance, is seen as the embarkation of a newer, more "modern" era. This truth remains relatively self-evident through the viewing of photographs, which show for instance a marked difference in uniform quality (facemasks, helmets, padding), player size and color. It ushered in a new era of offensive innovation, giving us the veer, the wishbone, the "run 'n' shoot" and the like.

### Oklahoma University

Norman, Oklahoma

Founded: 1890

Enrollment: 20,966

Colors: Crimson and cream

Stadium: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (opened: 1923; capacity:

82,112)

All-time record (1895-2006): 768-292-53

Bowl record: 23-15-1 (through 2006)

National championships: *1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000

*Illegitimate; lost bowl game

**Big 6/8/12 Conference championships:** 39 (through 2006)

Heisman Trophy winners: Billy Vessels (1952), Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims

(1978), Jason White (2003)

Outland Trophy winners: Jim Weatherall (1951), J. D. Roberts (1953), Lee Roy Selmon

(1975), Greg Roberts (1978), Jammal Brown (2004)

First round NFL draftees: 37 (through 2007)

Website: www.soonersports.com

Notable alumni: Speaker of the House Carl Albert; Oklahoma Governor David Boren; Chairman

of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral William S. Crowe; actors James Garner, Ed Harris and Tony Hillerman; Olympian Shannon Miller

1998 is more clearly now seen as another dividing line, this being the first year of the Bowl Championship Series. National championships in the decade of BCS competition are harder to come by than they used to be. Teams that win them rightly get a few extra "points" for so doing.

Wars are also viewed as natural periods of great change in all areas of life, including sports. This book places its greatest emphasis on collegiate football accomplishments after World War I (beginning with the 1919 season). If not, then there is little choice but to anoint Princeton as the finest college football program this great nation has ever produced. Common sense does not allow for this.

World War I was of course an era of great disruption. A review of scores in 1918, for instance, reveal that the college game took a backseat to the war effort. In 1919 it all started up again with a vengeance. The "Black Sox" gambling scandal of that year diverted many baseball fans to other sports, namely college football, which was a major part of the Roaring '20s. American sports mania in that decade explains much about this nation.

If World War I is not used as the great dividing line separating the "Ivy League era" from the new nationalization which manifested itself in the form of radio broadcasts, inter-sectional play, and the growing popularity of bowl games, then Notre Dame would be forced to eliminate much of its most storied past. We cannot have that.

By placing much emphasis on the 1920s and 1930s, Notre Dame, USC and Alabama are glorified in ways no other programs can be. However, World War II ushered in enormous change, as well. In terms of world affairs, the period after 1945 is almost the "beginning of history." It is the dawning of the American Empire, for instance. This country, by virtue of the events of this time, became the most powerful nation humankind has ever witnessed. Changes in society have been monumental. If one makes the determination that World War II, not World War I, is the dividing line best used to judge college football, then Oklahoma makes a strong case that they are number one.

Oklahoma versus the Big 8/12: 410-131-22 (.747)

Prior to Bud Wilkinson's first year in Norman (1947), OU was just another school. The state was beset by the "dust bowl" of the Great Depression 1930s. Its citizens were mocked as "Okies," or sympathized with by John Steinbeck's readers. He described their sad migration to California in books like The Grapes of Wrath. OU's 1915 team was 10-0 and made some claim on the national championship. The 1938 Sooners were 10-1. All in all Sooner football was competent but nothing much more than that.

Oklahoma versus Texas (57-39-5), Alabama (2-1-1), Miami (2-3), Michigan (1-0), Nebraska, Notre Dame (1-8), Southern California (2-6-1)

After the war, Wilkinson turned them into an amazing juggernaut. There appear to be no great reasons behind it. There may have been some ancillary economic benefit in being next to the Texas "oil patch," which in the 1940s and 1950s saw boom times, attracting East Coast "old money" like future President George H. W. Bush. But Oklahoma was mostly mocked as "Baja Texas."

The "Commerce Comet," Mickey Mantle did much for the state's image when he took New York by storm, but Wilkinson's ability to harness what talent was available to him, turning it into Sooner dominance, marks him as very possibly the most effective coach of all time. The change in the way America now looked at Oklahoma and Oklahomans was incalculable.

The OU football media guide certainly wishes to convey the notion that college football "started" in 1946, one year prior to Wilkinson's arrival. By doing this they demonstrate that between 1946 and 2005, the Sooners' record of 513-157-13 (.760) is the greatest in the country.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Top 5 in Associated Press polls (1936-2005)

1. Oklahoma 342

2. Nebraska 294

3. Notre Dame 273

4. Ohio State 272

5. Michigan 262

6. Southern California 256

7. Texas 246

8. Alabama 243

9. Florida State 204

10. Miami 201

Through 2005 the Sooners have won thirty-nine conference championships, which they claim to be the most of any school. They have had 141 All-Americans (63 consensus). One of their most impressive accomplishments is the fact that five Sooners have won the Outland Trophy; four the Heisman, four the Butkus, three the Lombardi and three the Jim Thorpe Award. Sooner football has made the cover of twenty-nine Sports Illustrated covers. OU has made forty bowl appearances (through the 2006 season).

Since Wold War II, OU has won seven national championships (1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000). During this period, USC has also won seven, Notre Dame seven, Alabama seven, Miami five, and Nebraska five. However, these numbers come with a caveat. Two of Alabama's come with bowl defeats (1964, 1973). One of OU's comes with a bowl defeat (1950) and another in a probation year (1974). The 1956 Sooners, perhaps Wilkinson's greatest team, won their second straight national title without playing in a bowl game due to a conference "no-repeat" rule.

Best win-loss records (1946-2005)

1. Oklahoma 513-157-13 (.760)

2. Ohio State 472-159-20 (.740)

3. Penn State 485-172-9 (.734)

4. Michigan 470-172-15 (.726)

5. Nebraska 484-194-10 (.718)

6. Texas 481-190-11 (.713)

7. Alabama 486-191-20 (.711)

8. Notre Dame 457-189-14 (.703)

9. Tennessee 466-197-24 (.695)

10. Southern California 458-198-23 (.691)

11. Florida State 436-205-17 (.675)

12. Miami (Ohio) 411-203-19 (664)

13. Miami 433-224-7 (.657)

14. Arizona State 429-222-10 (.656)

15. Georgia 437-224-2 (.655)

All of USC's seven titles come with hard-fought Rose Bowl victories over Big 10 powerhouse, with the exception of its 55-19 2005 BCS Orange Bowl win over . . . Oklahoma. Notre Dame's national championships only include three via bowl victory.

Oklahoma beat Florida State to win the 2000 national championship. They were on the upswing of history while Southern California and, to a lesser extent, Notre Dame and Alabama were on a downswing. In the case of USC, it was less of a downswing than "rock bottom." The Sooners were making a major bid to pass USC in the historical rankings while taking dead aim at the others. In 2003 and 2004, they had their shot at becoming the "Team of the New Millennium," the best program in the young twenty-first century. In 2003 they fielded one of the finest college powerhouses ever, only to falter inexplicably first to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game, and then in embarrassing circumstances against Louisiana State in a tainted BCS national title contest at the Sugar Bowl.

All would have been forgiven had the 2004 Sooners won the BCS Orange Bowl. It was a battle not just for that year's title, but in many ways historical bragging rights between OU and USC. The result left the Sooners in disarray. Since then the program has experienced a myriad of problems on and off the field. They are and continue to be a power, but their most recent bids fall into the disappointing "close but no cigar" category.

In 1915, when Oklahoma put itself on the national map, a group of Sooner football players attended an OU basketball game. They were cheering in loud and raucous manner. A fan sitting nearby yelled, "Sit down and be quiet, you roughnecks." That gave birth to a game day spirit tradition called the Ruf/Neks, which lives to this day. The term also became applied to "wildcatters" and oil workers in the Southwest.

Oklahoma became a charter member of the Southwest Conference when it was formed in 1915, but moved to the Missouri Valley Conference in 1920. This proved to have a major effect on its image. Oklahoma is in the Southwest as much or more than they are in the Midwest. Its citizens speak with a Southern twang and tend to identify with Southern traditions. Its most conspicuous neighbor, Texas is indisputably Southern going back to its origins as a destination of Southern rural mountain men who came west at the behest of the Mexican government to fight Indians, then ended up defeating the Mexicans when they tried to say they were Mexicans, not Americans.

But Oklahoma was always humble. Its humility did not quite fit in with the sense of pride, even hubris, that marks Southern, i.e., Confederate military tradition. The Great Depression made it an underdog. In turn, when it came to integrating the program, Bud Wilkinson was able to get it done much earlier than other teams in the same general geographical region.

By joining the Missouri Valley Conference instead of staying in the mostly-Texan SWC, OU became a quasi-Midwestern school and state. When it came to social progress, this made them part of a more tolerant group than they would otherwise have been. In 1928, OU and five other schools (Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri and Nebraska) withdrew from the MVC to form the Big 6 Conference. The league became the Big 7 in 1948 with the addition of Colorado. In 1960 Oklahoma State (the university, not the prison; see Burt Reynolds's The Longest Yard) made it into the Big 8.

However, Oklahoma has always straddled the cultural differences of the Big 8 and the Southwest Conference. Their oldest rivalry is with Texas, who they first played in 1900. The series shifted to "neutral" Dallas (halfway between Norman and Austin on the Red River) beginning in 1911. When the Cotton Bowl was built, the game was shifted to that location. Played as part of the Texas State Fair, it became known as the "Red River Shootout," partly as homage to the 1948 John Wayne Western Red River.

Over the years, sheer competitiveness overcame any geographical disparities, making the Oklahoma-Nebraska game one of the great rivalries in the college game.

"Forget about Bosnia, forget about Iraq," legendary announcer Keith Jackson once said. "It's Oklahoma-Nebraska!"

The entrance of Colorado helped make the Big 8 a more cosmopolitan conference, too. Its reputation as the home of upscale ski resorts and Western Rocky Mountain social mores contrasted with the hardscrabble of Oklahoma or the Midwestern prairie. Then, in 1996, it all became one great big happy family. The SWC joined the Big 8, forming the Big 12, turning it into a "super conference," at least at first.

The SWC got rid of dead weight in the form of Houston and SMU, who had been hit with the infamous NCAA "death penalty" in the 1980s. North and South Divisions were created with a moneymaking conference title game usually played at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.

Since 1996, the Big 12 has produced three national champions (Nebraska, 1997; Oklahoma, 2000; Texas, 2005) while sending five teams to the BCS title game (Oklahoma, 2000; Nebraska, 2001; Oklahoma, 2003-2004; Texas, 2005). Advocates of the Southeastern Conference say their league is better, but so competitive they knock each other out of contention while individual teams tend to dominate the Big 12. Their argument has some limited validity. Certainly the Big 12 has had overrated teams. Nebraska (2001) and Oklahoma (2003-2004) made poor showings, but the 2000 Sooners did the Big 12 proud, as did Texas in 2005.

Oklahoma more than any other team is associated with the Orange Bowl, which over the years has maintained a loose affiliation with the Big 8 (now Big 12). OU's first Orange Bowl came on January 2, 1938 when the Sooners came in unbeaten against Tennessee. It was a "donnybrook" for the national championship that would not be decided until the end of the day. Texas Christian had won the AP national title prior to New Year's, but the systems rightly wanted to consider the bowl picture. On that fateful day, unbeaten Duke was upset by Southern California in the Rose Bowl, 7-3; Texas Christian beat . . . Carnegie Tech <ED: ? TO INDICATE THAT CARNEGIE TECH WAS EVEN CONSDERED A FOOTBALL POWER AT THE TIME> (?), 15-7; and the Vols shut out Oklahoma, 17-0. That ended it for the Sooners. TCU had the imprimatur of the AP vote, although victory over Carnegie Tech hardly improved their position in comparison with Tennessee shutting out Oklahoma. Some of the systems went for Tennessee, but history accords a consensus national title – their last – on TCU.

Coach Jim Tatum came to Norman for one year (1946), leading the Sooners to their first bowl win, a 34-13 triumph over North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl. On Tatum's staff was a young man who had entered his family's mortgage-trading business (depicted as heartless land-grabbers in the Steinbeck novels).

Charles Burnham "Bud" Wilkinson grew up in Minnesota, an unlikely place for an Oklahoma icon. After leading Bernie Bierman's 1936 Golden Gophers to their third straight national championship, he served as an aircraft carrier deck officer. Not content with mortgage trading, Wilkinson went back into football as an assistant on Tatum's staff. In 1947 the 31-year old Wilkinson was elevated to head coach. No single individual – including Mickey Mantle, Johnny Bench or Oral Roberts, for that matter – did more to discredit the Steinbeck myths than Wilkinson.

Wilkinson was clean-cut, articulate with no twang, and nattily dressed. He did not fit the image of the old whiskey-drinkin' Southern football coach, craggy-faced guys like Bear Bryant. Wilkinson was more like a matinee idol, a movie star-type, a Pete Carroll image long before Carroll came along.

"His teams dispelled the 'dust bowl' Grapes of Wrath image of the Depression years," said former Oklahoma President George L. Cross. Aside from Steinbeck's novels and the movie version starring Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, Life magazine had printed searing photos of forsaken cabins outlined against the blood-red sunset of the drought-stricken plain; beaten-down-by-life farmers next to barren crop fields; tired-as-the-day-is-long mothers with hungry children hugging their dirty dress. These were real-life depictions of Charles Dickens's image of want from A Christmas Carol. The Socialist-Communist Steinbeck desperately wanted to convey the lie that these images represented the norm in America, from "sea to shining sea."

Wilkinson's natural instincts for offensive innovation, honed as Bierman's quarterback, resulted in his developing the modified split-T, an advance on Clark Shaughnessy's new schemes which he used successfully at Stanford and in the NFL. Wilkinson was 145-29-4 in seventeen seasons at Norman. That record pales in comparison to his initial run; in particular his record between November 29, 1947 and November 16, 1957. It was the most dominant decade since World War I (only Gil Dobie's ten-year unbeaten reign at Washington stands above it).

There was a 31-game winning streak (1948-1951), a 47-game winning streak (1953-57) and a 48-game unbeaten streak over that same stretch of years. Prior to Wilkinson, the Sooners boasted one consensus All-American (Waddy Young in 1938). Under him they produced the likes of Buddy Burris (1948), Leon Heath (1950), Jim Weatherall (1950-1951), Billy Vessels (1952), J. D. Roberts (1953), Max Boydston (1954), Kurt Burris (1954), Bo Bolinger (1955), Jerry Tubbs (1956), Tommy McDonald (1956), Bill Krisher (1957), Bob Harrison (1958), and Jim Grisham (1963). Wilkinson, a Republican, left to run for Oklahoma's U.S. Senate seat in 1964. Despite Oklahoma's staunchly Democrat reputation (today they are a thoroughly "red state"), Wilkinson's defeat was almost as shocking as Winston Churchill's rejection at Great Britain's 1946 polls one year after World War II. As if to further refute all that Wilkinson stood for, Oklahoma actually hired a man named Gomer Jones, who lasted two years and was fired after going 3-7 in 1965.

It all began in 1947 when the Sooners were a creditable 7-2-1. After losing to Santa Clara, 20-17 in the 1948 opener, they embarked on Wilkinson's first streak, the 31-game skein including a 10-1 record with a 14-6 win over North Carolina in the 1949 Sugar Bowl. The 1949 Sooners, like the 1929 USC Trojans, 1938 Tennessee Vols, 1945 Alabama Crimson Tide, 1947 Michigan Wolverines or the 1948 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, very easily could have won the national championship but did not. After killing LSU, 35-0 in the Sugar Bowl, the AP vote favored bowl-less Michigan (9-0).

EliteTen by the numbers

Winning streaks – modern era (1919-2006; includes bowls, no ties)

1. Oklahoma 47 (1953-57)

2. Southern California 34 (2003-06)

2. Miami 34 (2000-03)

4. Oklahoma 31 (1948-51)

5. Texas 30 (1968-71)

6. Miami 29 (1990-93)

7. Alabama 28 (1991-93)

7. Alabama 28 (1978-80)

7. Oklahoma 28 (1973-75)

10. Nebraska 26 (1994-96)

11. Southern California 25 (1931-33)

11. Michigan 25 (1946-49)

In 1950 OU started an unusual player named Claude Arnold at quarterback. He arrived at Norman eight years earlier but left to serve in the military. When he came back Darrell Royal started ahead of him. He finally got his opportunity in 1950. Against Texas A&M the Sooners looked to him to lead them back from a 28-21 fourth quarter deficit. Arnold engineered a 69-yard scoring drive, but the two-point conversion failed, leaving OU still trailing by a point. The Sooner defense held. Arnold got the ball back with 1:09 left to play. Oklahoma pushed into the end zone, escaping with a 34-28 win.

Wilkinson's team was awarded the national championship in pre-bowl voting by both the AP and the new United Press International rankings in 1950. That was marred by an enormous upset, 13-7 at the hands of Bear Bryant's Kentucky Wildcats. It was the only blip on Wilkinson's "radar screen" between 1948 and 1960, when the program dropped to 3-6-1.

In 1951 and 1952 Wilkinson's teams were a combined 16-3-1. On September 26, 1952 in the opener at Norman, Notre Dame came in and won by a score of 28-21. The loss to the Irish did not actually open the door to a winning streak, since they tied Pitt, 7-7 the following week. But on October 14 OU beat Texas, 19-14 in the "Red River Shootout." They were on their way. Their 7-0 Orange Bowl win over Maryland illegitimatized the Terrapins' 1953 AP and UPI national championships. Had the polls closed after the game the national title would have gone to Oklahoma or Notre Dame.

#### Sooners on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1947 7-2-1 F/5-0 7-2-1 (1947)

5-0 (1947)

1948 10-1 F/.10-0 17-3-1 (1947-48) 15-1 (1947-48)

10-0 (1948)

1949 11-0 28-2-1 (1947-49)

26-1 (1947-49)

21-0 (1948-49)

20-0 (1948-49) 20 games

1950 10-1 S/10-0 38-3-1 (1947-50)

38-1-1 (1947-50) 40 games

36-2 (1947-50)

31-0 (1948-50)

30-0 (1948-50) 30 games

1951 8-2 46-5-1 (1947-51) 44-4 (1947-51)

1952 8-1-1 54-7-2 (1947-52)

51-7-2 (1947-52) 60 games

1953 9-1-1 S/9-0, F/9-0-1 63-8-3 (1947-53)

9-0-1 (1953)

9-0 (1953)

1954 10-0 73-8-3 (1947-54)

69-8-3 (1947-54) 80 games

19-0-1 (1953-54)

19-0 (1953-54)

1955 11-0 84-8-3 (1947-55)

30-0-1 (1953-55)

30-0 (1953-55) 30 games

1956 10-0 94-8-3 (1947-56)

89-8-3 (1947-56) 100 games

40-0-1 (1953-56) 40-0 (1953-56) 40 games

1957 10-1 S/7-0, F/3-0 104-9-3 (1947-57)

47-0-1 (1953-57)

47-0 (1953-57)

50-1 (1953-57)

49-1 (1953-57) 50 games

1958 10-1 S/2-0, F/8-0 114-10-3 (1947-58)

52-1 (1953-58)

60-2 (1953-58)

58-2 (1953-58) 60 games

1959 7-3 121-13-3 (1947-59)

67-5 (1953-59)

65-5 (1953-59) 70 games

93-10-2 (decade: 1950s)

1960 3-6-1 69-10-1 (1953-60) 80 games

Year Record Record

1970 7-4-1 F/1-0-1 7-4-1 (1970)

1-0-1 (1970)

1971 11-1 12-1-1 (1970-71)

1972 11-1 23-2-1 (1970-72)

1973 10-0-1 33-2-2 (1970-72)

1974 11-0 45-2-2 (1970-74)

1975 11-1 46-2-2 (1970-75) 50 games

55-3-2 (1970-75) 60 games

56-4-2 (1970-75)

1976 9-2-1 S/4-0 62-6-2 (1970-76) 70 games

65-6-3 (1970-76)

60-4-2 (1970-76)

1977 10-2 70-7-3 (1970-77) 80 games

75-8-3 (1970-77)

1978 11-1 79-8-3 100 (1970-78) 100 games

86-9-3 (1970-77)

1979 11-1 97-10-3 (1970-79) 110 games

1980 10-2 S/1-0 98-10-3 (1970-79)

107-12-3 (1970-79)

113-16-3 (decade: 1970s)

The 1954 Sooners (10-0), like the 1949 team, could only feel frustration at the pollsters vote for AP choice Ohio State (winners of the Rose) and UPI pick UCLA (like OU denied a bowl repeat by conference rules). There was some talk that their conference was weaker than the Big 10 and the PCC, but in 1955 the Sooners left no question. They posted four shutouts to close the regular season then beat up on Maryland, 20-6 in the Orange Bowl, claiming the school's first truly unfettered national championship

In 1956 the team was even better, returning all their star players including halfback/defensive back Tommy McDonald (Maxwell Trophy winner) and center/linebacker Jerry Tubbs (Walter Camp Trophy). A 54-6 conquest of Nebraska and 53-0 thrashing of Oklahoma State closed out the regular season. The conference still did not allow a return to a bowl game. The national title was theirs again.

In 1957 Oklahoma was number one until the October 28 poll. They carried a 7-0 record with a 47-game winning streak and a 48-game unbeaten streak into the November 16 game against number twenty Notre Dame (4-2) in Norman. On that day, the Irish beat them 7-0.

"I worked that game," recalled Ross Porter, a native Oklahoman who later became Vin Scully's sidekick as the Dodgers' baseball announcer. "After Notre Dame had won somebody came into their dressing room and announced, 'This is for all the Catholics in Oklahoma.' Somebody then said, 'Yeah, all seven of 'em.' "

The game cost the Sooners a third straight national title, but they managed to beat Duke, 48-21 in the Orange Bowl. The "beatings went on" in 1958 with a 10-1 team that knocked off Syracuse, 21-6 in the Orange Bowl. That was an integrated Sooner team, a great credit to Wilkinson. From 1959-1963, the Sooners declined and Wilkinson became burned out by coaching. How he figured life in between the "beltway" of Washington would be less stressful does not make much sense, though.

Since World War II, OU football has been streaky with doldrums in between. So it was in the 1960s. Gomer Jones (1964-1965) was about as successful as Gomer Pyle. Jim Mackenzie was there one year (1966) before Chuck Fairbanks took over and went 10-1 in 1967. Fairbanks does not cut a swath in Oklahoma football lore like the ones fashioned by Wilkinson, Barry Switzer or even Bob Stoops, but he was a great coach and good example of why those who leave really good college jobs for NFL money often make a mistake. Had Fairbanks stayed on at Norman he would have been a legend instead of an after thought.

Like Wilkinson he was not an "old school" type, with his stylish hair and corporate looks. His 1967 team beat Tennessee in a memorable Orange Bowl, 26-24. In 1968 the Sooners lost to SMU in a Bluebonnet Bowl donnybrook, 28-27. His 1969 and 1970 teams posted fair records and, in 1970 a tie with Alabama in the Bluebonnet Bowl.

That game portended 1970s dominance by both programs. Fairbanks's teams in 1969 and 1970 may have had less-than-stellar records but they were highly entertaining and extremely talented. In 1969 they featured Heisman Trophy-winning running back Steve Owens. Quarterback Jack Mildren came on the scene and ran a "wishbone" offense that was revolutionizing college football.

Nebraska was the dominant Big 8 team of the 1960s. Outside of somehow letting Gale Sayers from Omaha "escape" to Kansas, they got the best Midwestern talent that previously went for Norman. Darrell Royal seemingly put up a border fence at the Oklahoma line preventing any Texas blue chippers from "defecting."

In the 1960s, Ralph Neely, Carl McAdams, Granville Liggins and Steve Owens were consensus All-Americans. Wide receiver Lance Rentzel went on to play for Minnesota and Dallas. But the most-honored player was Bob Kalsu, the number one pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1968. Kalsu played one year in pro football, then went to Vietnam where he became the only pro athlete to die in that war.

But Fairbanks fought back and by 1971 had a great team in place; one of the greatest teams never to win a national title. Senior quarterback Jack Mildren hardly ever put the ball in the air, but he could run and pitch out with the best of 'em. Running back Greg Pruitt ran for 1,665 yards with Mildren adding over 1,000. A 33-20 victory over Southern California demonstrated that OU was for real.

All eyes were on Thanksgiving weekend when number one defending national champion Nebraska came to town. Few regular season games have ever had such a build-up, and fewer still have lived up to the advance notice in such a way. The Sooners received great national attention in 1971 after years of ceding the spotlight to the likes of Southern Cal and Notre Dame. This was a Big 8 year. Sports Illustrated did much for OU's image (not to mention recruiting) with a color photo of a model-quality majorette above the caption, "Everything's OK at OU." Miracle of miracles, capitalism had worked and the days of Depression era mothers with starving kids were over. SI also previewed the Sooner-Cornhusker match with a memorable cover depicting the two team's squared off against each other with the headline, "THE UNSTOPPABLE FORCE MEETS THE IMMOVABLE OBJECT."

It was cold and blustery on November 25. Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers set OU back immediately with a daring punt return for a touchdown. It is still considered one of the most exciting plays of all time. Running backs Pruitt and Joe Wylie were held in check by Nebraska defensive ends Willie Harper and John Adkins. They were employed wide, where the Sooners preferred to run. Forced to the middle, they ran into Nebraska's all-everything Rich Glover, who made no less than twenty-two tackles.

The Cornhuskers went up by 14-3, but Mildren took control. He produced 267 yards in total offense. Unable to penetrate Nebraska via conventional means, the Sooners went to trick plays, which years later still make Husker eyes roll. Mildren, who nobody ever mistook for Joe Namath or Johnny Unitas, threw for two touchdown passes. The game tightened to the delight of the Sooner faithful.

Every time OU crawled back in, Nebraska quarterback Jerry Tagge, running back Jeff Kinney and Rodgers responded in kind. They went back up, 28-17. Then OU came back. Mildren ran for one score then threw to Jon Harrison in the end zone. With Oklahoma up 31-28, the nation held its breath. Could the Big Red juggernaut be stopped?

On third-and-eight, Rodgers made a game-saving catch to keep the drive going. Kinney finally ran it in from the six. Nebraska had won the "Game of the Century" (1971 version), 35-31. After dismantling Auburn, 40-22 in the Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma finished number two.

Up until the early 1970s, Oklahoma certainly had their share of great players. Billy Vessels and Steve Owens had won the Heisman Trophy, Jim Weatherall the Outland. Jack Mildren and Greg Pruitt were great college stars, but perhaps their first true superstar was Lee Roy Selmon. Selmon was the youngest of nine children from Eufala, Oklahoma. Three played at OU. All were stars.

"God bless Mrs. Selmon," was a common refrain.

Lee Roy's older brother Lucious made his recruiting trip to Norman in the winter of 1969-1970. Lee Roy and brother Dewey, already giant kids, tagged along and were spotted piling food on their plates by assistant coach Barry Switzer.

"Whose that?" asked Switzer.

The recruiting of the younger Selmons began then and there. After beating Penn State, 14-0 in the 1973 Sugar Bowl, Fairbanks left to take over the New England Patriots. It seemed like a good idea at the time. The Pats had young talent in the form of ex-Stanford Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett, former Alabama All-American offensive lineman John Hannah, and one-time USC All-American fullback Sam "Bam" Cunningham. In reality, the Patriots did have some play-off worthy teams in the mid-1970s, but Plunkett never panned out. There are no Hall of Fames with plaques of Fairbanks.

There is one, however – the College Football Hall of Fame – that has one for Fairbanks's successor, Switzer. Had Fairbanks stayed he would be in there, but alas he went for the bucks instead. In the end Switzer made more money than Fairbanks coaching football anyway.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Vince Lombardi, Jim Thorpe, Dick Butkus, Walter Camp, Johnny Unitas, Doak Walker, Lou Groza, John Mackey, Chuck Bednarik, Bronco Nagurski, Davey O'Brien, Fred Biletnikoff, Ray Guy, Mosi Tatupu, Ronnie Lott, Pop Warner, Dave Rimington, and Maxwell award winners (through 2005)

1. Oklahoma 23

2. Miami 15

2. Notre Dame 14 (through 2006)

4. Southern California 13

4. Nebraska 13

6. Ohio State 12

7. Michigan 10

8. Alabama 5

Alabama (5): Lombardi (Cornelius Bennett, 1986), Butkus (Derrick Thomas, 1988),

Unitas (Jay Barker, 1994), Thorpe (Antonio Langham, 1993), Lott (DeMeco Ryans, 2005)

Miami (15): Mackey (Kellen Winslow, 2003), Rimington (Brett Romberg, 2002),

Maxwell (Vinny Testaverde, 1986; Gino Torretta, 1992; Ken Dorsey, 2001), Butkus (Dan Morgan, 2000), Lombardi (Warren Sapp, 1994), Thorpe (Bennie Blades, 1987), Bednarik (Dan Morgan, 2000), Nagurski (Warren Sapp, 1994; Dan Morgan, 2000), O'Brien (Vinny Testaverde, 1986; Gino Torretta, 1992), Unitas (Craig Erickson, 1990; Gino Torretta, 1992)

Michigan (10): Maxwell (Tom Harmon, 1940; Desmond Howard, 1991), Thorpe

(Charles Woodson, 1991), Bednarik (Charles Woodson, 1997), Nagurski (Charles Woodson, 1997), Butkus (Erick Anderson, 1991; Jarrett Irons, 1995; Biletnikoff (Braylon Edwards, 2004), Rimington (David Baas, 2004), Walker (Chris Perry, 2003)

## Nebraska (13): Lombardi (Rich Glover, 1972; Dave Rimington, 1982-83; Grant

## Winstrom, 1997), Maxwell (Mike Rozier, 1983), Walter Camp (Johnny Rodgers, 1972; Mike Rozier, 1983; Eric Crouch, 2001), Johnny Unitas (Tommie Frazier, 1995), Davey O'Brien (Eric Crouch, 2001), Butkus (Broderick Thomas, 1988; Ed Stewart, 1994), Rimington (Dominic Raiola, 2000)

Notre Dame (14 through 2006): Lombardi (Walt Patulski, 1971; Ross Browner, 1977;

Chris Zorich, 1990; Aaron Taylor, 1993), Walter Camp (Ken MacAfee, 1977; Tim Brown, 1987; Raghib Ismail, 1990), Maxwell (Leon Hart, 1949; John Lattner, 1953-53; Jim Lynch, 1966; Ross Browner, 1977; Brady Quinn, 2006), Unitas (Tony Rice, 1989, Brady Quinn, 2006)

Ohio State (12): Lombardi (Jim Stillwagon, 1970; John Hicks, 1973; Chris Spielman,

1987; Orlando Pace, 1995-96; A.J. Hawk, 2005); Butkus (Andy Katzenmoyer, 1997); Thorpe (Antoine Winfield, 1998); Biletnikoff (Terry Glenn, 1995); Rimington (LeCharles Bentley, 2001); Guy (B.J. Sanders, 2003); Groza (Mike Nugent, 2004)

Oklahoma (23): Butkus (Brian Bosworth, 1985-86; Rocky Calmus, 2001; Teddy

Lehman, 2003), Lombardi (Lee Roy Selmon, 1975; Tony Casillas, 1985; Tommie

Harris, 2003), Thorpe (Rickey Dixon, 1987; Roy Williams, 2001; Derrick Strait, 2003), Nagurski (Roy Williams, 2001; Derrick Strait, 2003), Bednarik (Teddy Lehman, 2003), O'Brien (Jason White, 2003-04), Unitas (Jason White, 2004), Maxwell (Tommy McDonald, 1956; Jason White, 2004), Walter Camp (Jerry Tubbs, 1956; Steve Owens, 1969; Billy Sims, 1978; Josh Heupel, 2000), Tatupu (J. T. Thatcher, 2000)

Southern California (12): Lombardi (Brad Budde, 1979), Thorpe (Mark Carrier, 1989),

Butkus (Chris Claiborne, 1998), Walter Camp (O.J. Simpson, 1967-68), Maxwell (O.J. Simpson, 1968; Charles White, 1979; Marcus Allen, 1981), Unitas (Rodney Peete, 1988; Carson Palmer, 2002; Matt Leinart, 2005), Walker (Reggie Bush, 2005)

In 1973 Lee Roy and Dewey Selmon teamed up on one of Oklahoma's all-time greatest defensive teams. Mighty defending champion Southern California, ranked number one and riding a 19-game unbeaten streak, hosted the Sooners in Los Angeles. Anthony Davis, Pat Haden & Company were unable to do anything against the Selmons. The 7-7 tie was the only blemish on Oklahoma's 10-0-1 record, but probation kept them out of a bowl.

The 1974 Sooners were even better. Running back Joe Washington (1,321 yards), quarterback Steve Davis and defensive lineman Jimbo Elrod teamed with the Selmons to lead the Sooners to an 11-0 record, including three shutouts and a 44-13 wipeout of Nebraska. Probation cost them the UPI national championship, won by USC, but the AP was willing to look the other way when it came to their probationary status.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Unbeaten streaks – modern era (1919-2006; includes bowls and ties)

1. Oklahoma 48 (1953-57)

2. Notre Dame 39 (1945-50)

3. Oklahoma 38 (1972-75)

4. Southern California 34 (2003-06)

4. Miami 34 (2000-03)

6. Nebraska 32 (1969-72)

7. Alabama 31 (1991-93)

7. Penn State 31 (1967-70)

7. Oklahoma 31 (1948-51)

10. Texas 30 (1968-71)

11. Alabama 29 (1978-80)

12. Southern California 28 (1978-80)

12. Oklahoma 28 (1973-75)

14. Southern California 27 (1931-33)

15. Nebraska 26 (1994-96)

15. Alabama 26 (1960-62)

17. Southern California 25 (1931-33)

17. Michigan 25 (1946-49)

18. Alabama 24 (1924-27)

19. Southern California 23 (1971-73)

19. Notre Dame 23 (1988-89)

21. Ohio State 22 (1967-69)

In 1975 the NCAA got off their backs and Selmon won the Outland Trophy. Elvis Peacock joined forces with Washington. A stunning 23-3 loss to Kansas temporarily derailed the train, but defending national champion USC, after starting 7-0 fell to California, leaving the title chase wide open. It was not quite as impressive as the 1974 squad, but in a year with no unbeatens Oklahoma's 35-10 beatdown of Nebraska followed by a defensive 14-6 throttling of Michigan in the Orange Bowl gave them a rare repeat AP national championship. It was a feat previously accomplished only by Minnesota (1935-1936, 1940-1941), Army (1944-1945), Notre Dame (1946-1947), Oklahoma (1955-1956), (in theory at least) Alabama (1964-1965), and Nebraska (1970-1971). Selmon became the number one pick in the entire NFL Draft (Tampa Bay).

Switzer was somehow perfect for Oklahoma in the disco 1970s. He was young, hip, a wisecracker who liked to joke that his team would "hang a half a hun' " (a hundred points) on some poor opponent. He played for the 1964 (revised) national champion Arkansas team, anointed by the long-mothballed systems to wear that crown when they went unbeaten after "number one" Alabama lost to Texas in the Orange Bowl. Switzer's teammate at Arkansas was Jerry Jones, later the owner – and his boss for a Super Bowl-winning 1995 season – in Dallas. Switzer liked to drink and party. He did not fit the modern image of the workaholic football coach and was known to take liberties with coeds, which he considered a perk of the job.

Despite playing in barren Norman, OU was straight out of Hollywood. Their players were flashy, often sporting white shoes and knee-high socks. Their black players were the "new breed"; confident, free-wheeling, not the old-style "colored" players afraid to make waves. The team mirrored the coach, living in a fancy football dorm that became "party central": hot girls, alcohol, drugs, boosters with cash.

In 1976 it was starting to get bad. Switzer's first two years had been probationary, and even though he had been in it up to his eyeballs as an assistant, the feeling was that he inherited it from Fairbanks, who escaped to the NFL. But it was Switzer. Darrell Royal of Texas, a former Oklahoma quarterback, supposedly tried to play by the rules. In 1976 he offered Switzer and assistant coach Larry Lacewell $10,000 if they would take a lie detector test to swear they had not planted a spy in Austin. They declined. The question of whether "the eyes of Texas" upon the Longhorns were really the "eyes of Oklahoma" was never fully resolved.

But by Oklahoma standards, which were to "build a university the football team could be proud of," according to OU President George Cross (1943-1968), Switzer was "OK." The first order of business was to beat Nebraska. Switzer accomplished that task, and then some. Revenge for the 1971 loss was achieved via six straight wins between 1972 and 1977. Those games took on a life of their own in that Oklahoma's "cult of personality" revolved around the flamboyant Switzer. Nebraska resembled their straight-laced new coach, Tom Osborne. Cornhusker fans hated Switzer for beating their guys like "red-headed step-children." Sometimes he won big. Other times he resorted to trick plays. The result was always the same.

In 1977 and 1978, however, Switzer's teams was deprived of entrance to the promised land. The 1977 Sooners won game three of the season in one of the wildest finishes in school history. Leading 20-0 over Ohio State, they relinquished twenty-eight straight points. The Buckeyes forged a 28-20 lead. OU came back to score but the two-point conversion failed, leaving them down a point. Then kicker Uwe Von Schamann squibbed an on-sider that was recovered by Oklahoma. They drove to the 24. Ohio State coach Woody Hayes called a time out to try and "ice" Von Schamann, who stood facing the giant Columbus throng imploring their team to, "Block that kick!" Defiantly, Von Schamann raised his hands like an orchestra conductor leading the chants. Then he drilled a 41-yarder, was mobbed by his teammates, and one might guess a coed or two upon the team's triumphant return to Norman.

Years later Von Schamann said he had no idea why he did that, since if he had missed it he would have looked "pretty stupid." Switzer coined the phrase "Sooner magic" after that game.

But Texas, led by the great Heisman Trophy-winning running back Earl Campbell, held Oklahoma 13-6. It was "revenge" for the "espionage," although Royal was no longer the Longhorns coach. Fred Akers was. Nebraska fell, 38-7. On January 2 Oklahoma decided to forget all about 1957, becoming for a day the biggest Notre Dame fans in the world.

When the Irish knocked off Texas, the "Red Sea" was opened, revealing a path to the national championship. This time "Pharaoh's army," in the form of feisty coach Lou Holtz and Arkansas, caught the Sooner-Israelites before they could reach destiny. The score was 31-6, and it assured Notre Dame of Heaven in the form of a final number one ranking in both polls.

Oklahoma's All-Century Team

Chosen by the Tulsa World, 1999

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OL Stan West

OL Tom Catlin

OL Tom Brahaney

OL Mike Vaughan

OL Greg Roberts

TE Keith Jackson

WR Eddie Hinton

QB Jack Mildren

RB Billy Vessels

RB Steve Owens

RB Billy Sims

PK Uwe Von Schamann

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DL Max Boydston

DL Lee Roy Selmon

DL Ricky Bryan

DL Tony Casillas

LB Jerry Tubbs

LB Rod Shoate

LB Brian Bosworth

DB Clendon Thomas

DB Randy Hughes

DB Rickey Dixon

Led by Outland Trophy winner Greg Roberts, the 1978 Sooners dominated the competition. The season began with a stirring 35-29 win over the best Stanford team Bill Walsh ever coached. Kansas, a thorn in the Sooner side throughout the decade, was overcome by a 17-16 score. Nebraska, despite losing to almost nobody else in the 1970s, was by then considered almost an after-thought. This time they rose up like David to strike down Goliath, 17-14. That left the national championship to be decided between Penn State, USC and Alabama. The Trojans and Crimson Tide captured the elusive prize. In an odd twist of fate that rarely happens, a re-match was held between Oklahoma and Nebraska at the Orange Bowl. The Sooners won this time around, 31-24. Billy Sims outpolled USC's Charles White, among others, for the Heisman Trophy.

In 1979, quarterback J. C. Watts led Oklahoma to a glistening 11-1 record which included a return-the-favor 17-14 win over Nebraska, but also a 16-7 upset at the hands of Texas. They beat Florida State, 24-7 in the Orange Bowl, but another three-way race for number one, this time between USC, Ohio State and Alabama, was won by the Tide. OU finished third. The Republican Watts later represented Oklahoma, by then a GOP stronghold, in Congress. For a brief time his name was bandied about as a potential vice-presidential contender.

The 1970s came to an end, but not the glory days. Consensus Sooner All-Americans included Greg Pruitt, Tom Brahaney, Lucious Selmon, Rod Shoate, John Roush, Joe Washington, Lee Roy Selmon, Dewey Selmon, Jimbo Elrod, Mike Vaughan, Zac Henderson, Greg Roberts, Billy Sims, and George Cumbry. Other notable players were Horace Ivory, Kenny King and Reggie Kinlaw.

In a decade that saw such "drug, alcohol and sex" book and movie exposes as Ball Four, Semi-Tough and North Dallas Forty, Switzer's crew lived up to it. When the Dallas Cowboys, coached for a few years by Switzer, became as well known for their wild parties as their on-field success in the 1990s, it was as if they were an Oklahoma alumni team.

The Sooners represented the swingin' ways of the '70s, but unlike the sobering events curtailing the previously-never-ending porn party in Boogie Nights, Switzer's Sooners continue that swashbuckling reputation into the 1980s. There were bumps in the road. In 1980 Stanford came to town for the ultimate culture clash. OU barely took the "academics" seriously, but sophomore John Elway turned out to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The 31-14 walloping he helped the Cardinal administer to Oklahoma on their home field was his "coming out party."

Texas again beat the Sooners – in contrast to domination over Nebraska the Texas rivalry was not in Switzer's favor of late – but they beat the Cornhuskers, 21-17 and Florida State, 18-17 in a doozy of an Orange Bowl.

Flying high, Oklahoma entered the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 26, 1981 ranked number two against number one Southern Cal. It was one of those rare one versus two match-ups. In one of the most exciting games ever played, Oklahoma saw Marcus Allen and the Trojans drive down the field in the closing seconds. Eschewing the tying field goal, USC went for the winning touchdown and made it for a 28-24 win. The next year USC went into Norman and ended Oklahoma's all-time record 181 straight games in which they scored points. Not since a 38-0 shutout at the hands of Notre Dame in 1966 had the Sooners been shut out. On September 25 the Trojans beat them, 12-0. It had taken the two greatest college dynasties of all time to stop them cold in years (1966, 1982) that in many ways bookmarked an era dominated by the Trojans and Irish. But Oklahoma, whether or not they got the national attention Notre Dame and USC received, had never strayed far behind. In the mid-1980s they forged ahead of those programs.

At first, however, there was a period of relative mediocrity, at least by Oklahoma's unreal standards. Nebraska briefly re-asserted itself as a national powerhouse. A sense of parity reached college football in the 1980s. Some of the old powers were down a bit. New dynasties emerged at Miami and Florida State. Recruiting, now an entirely national and integrated affair, spread the wealth. The days in which great talent might be centered within rivals of a single conference – think of USC-UCLA (1967), Texas-Arkansas (1969) and Nebraska-Oklahoma (1971) – were no longer as prevalent.

But Switzer was not one to let the moss grow on his shoes. He hit the recruiting trail and landed two blue chippers. Quarterback Troy Aikman was from rural Oklahoma by way of suburban Los Angeles. Linebacker Brian Bosworth was from a Marvel Comic strip. Actually, he was from Texas. After the Longhorns shamefully went for the "sister-kissing" tying field goal in the 15-15 1984 game with OU, Bos announced that UT "burnt orange" made him "puke."

A 28-17 loss to number two Washington in the 1985 Orange Bowl seemed to provide incentive to his team the next season. Stacked with the spike-haired Bosworth, tight end Keith Jackson, and all-everything defensive lineman Tony Casillas, the 1985 Sooners rolled to an 11-1 record and the national championship.

The key was the quarterback position. Hotshot Aikman had been brought in to "modernize" the Sooner offense from its old "wishbone"-seven-yards-gained-and-fumbles ways to a standard pro style set, complete with Troy's golden arm completing aerial spirals to the likes of Jackson.

#### Oklahoma's College Hall of Famers (19)

Kurt Burris 1951-1954

J. D. Roberts 1951-1953

Tony Casillas 1982-85

Jim Weatherall 1948-1951

Lee Roy Selmon 1972-1975

Jim Owens 1946-1949

Waddy Young 1936-1938

Tommy McDonald 1954-1956

Steve Owens 1967-1969

Greg Pruitt 1970-1972

Billy Sims 1975-1979

Billy Vessels 1950-1952

Joe Washington 1972-1975

Forest Geyer 1913-1915

Claude Reeds 1910-1913

Tom Brahaney 1970-1972

##

## Coaches

Lawrence Jones 1926-1941

Barry Switzer 1973-1988

Bud Wilkinson 1947-1963

But Switzer was like a guy sitting in church thinking about strip clubs. There was always something else enticing him. In this case it was the "wishbone," an old "sin" he could not stop loving despite its tendency to cause "fumbleitis." He replaced Aikman with wishbone master Jamelle Hollieway. Nobody in his right mind would ever suggest that Hollieway could hold Troy Aikman's dirty jock strap. Aikman transferred and almost won the Heisman at UCLA before enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame courtesy of three Super Bowl victories in Dallas. But at Norman in 1985, Hollieway was the right guy in the right place at the right time.

Texas was overcome in difficult manner 14-7, but Miami was making life miserable for everybody in the 1980s. They knocked the Sooners out of the unbeaten ranks, 27-14. But it was not a year for unbeatens in the end. The Sooners beat Colorado, 31-0 and Nebraska, 27-7. Penn State was no match in the Orange Bowl, 25-10. The national title was Oklahoma's in all the polls. Casillas won the Lombardi Trophy.

In 1986, Bosworth was larger than life, winning the Butkus Award for the second straight season. Whether or not he is the greatest individual defensive player in college football history is subjective. Certainly the man Bosworth's trophy was named after, Dick Butkus of Illinois, deserves consideration. George Webster of Michigan State is credited with creating the "rover" position. Ronnie Lott of USC and Kenny Easley of UCLA were monsters of the defensive backfield in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Later, "Neon Deion" Sanders of Florida State revolutionized the way the position can be played. Linebacker Lawrence Taylor of North Carolina is credited with doing the same thing at his position. Following him, Junior Seau of USC was a monster.

But those players are best known for their great NFL careers. Bosworth's career in Seattle was not a failure, but he never lived up to the hype. Hollywood came calling but despite screen presence, for some reason he was one of those guys who became a comic caricature of himself, which was deadly to his career as an actor.

As pure college stars, Lee Roy Selmon gets his share of votes, as does Orlando Pace of Ohio State, Tommy Nobis of Texas, and Lee Roy Jordan of Alabama. The list is long and distinguished, but when it comes purely to collegiate achievement, Bos was "the man."

In 1986 he, Jackson and Hollieway anchored a team that also included running back Spencer Tillman. Again, it was Miami who crashed the party, 28-16, but this time one loss was not good enough. Penn State beat the Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl to capture the crown while OU settled for a 42-8 Orange Bowl thrashing of Arkansas and the third spot in the AP.

Without Bosworth, the 1987 Sooners re-loaded with Hollieway, alternate quarterback Charles Thompson and Jackson again. A huge win over Texas (44-9) and a 17-7 victory over Nebraska put them into the Orange Bowl against nemesis Miami. Switzer hated those guys after they won the national title, 20-14. The Hurricanes, considered thugs barely above the law, were now making Oklahoma's "outlaws" look like choirboys.

As if to "catch up" with Miami's criminal ways, Oklahoma went on a rampage of sorts. One Sooner shot another and three others were charged with rape. Thompson was arrested for dealing cocaine. His orange prison-jump-suit photo made Sports Illustrated's cover, which no doubt made his mother mighty proud. As if to "emulate" miscreant Sooner behavior once out of school, former Oklahoma running back Stanley Wilson was banned from the National Football League for snorting cocaine, making himself unable to perform for the Cincinnati Bengals in San Francisco's narrow 20-16 victory in the 1989 Super Bowl. Bosworth pleaded from the pro ranks for Switzer to quit and that was that. Gary Gibbs took over in 1989.

Consensus All-Americans of the decade had included Louis Oubre, Terry Crouch, Rick Bryan, Casillas, Bosworth, Jackson, Mark Hutson, Danta Jones, Rickey Dixon, and Anthony Phillips. After Sims had been drafted in the first round by Detroit in 1980, David Overstreet was chosen first by Miami in 1981. In the 1984 draft, Rick Bryan (Falcons), Jackie Shipp (Dolphins), and Dwight Drane (Bills) all went in the first round. The Rams chose Marcus Dupree. Steve Sewell was a first round pick by the Rams in 1985, and Casillas was Atlanta's first choice in 1986. Bosworth was the first selection of the entire 1987 draft by Seattle. In 1988, Rickey Dixon (Bengals) and Keith Jackson (Eagles) were both first round selections.

Not one single Sooner earned consensus All-American honors in the 1990s. Only Cedrick Jones (Giants, 1996) and Stockar McDougle (2000) were first round selections. The shocking events of 1989 not only ended Switzer's tenure but ushered in the increasingly mediocre-to-bad tenures of Gibbs, Howard Schnellenberger and John Blake. It was like the football version of the AIDs virus, which had America in hysterics at that time. After years of "unprotected sex," it seemed the lifestyle Switzer and the Sooners embodied had finally caught up with the program. The Sooners were respectable for a few years, but could not break the .500 mark between 1994 and 1998. It was the decade of Nebraska. This was the most "unkindest cut of all," as Shakespeare wrote.

Gibbs beat the Cornhuskers, 45-10 in 1990, but from 1991 to 1997 they never won over the Cornhuskers. That was just the half of it. The 1995 Cornhuskers, considered perhaps the finest team in history, annihilated Oklahoma 37-0. In 1996 it was even worse: 73-21. 1997: 69-7. But that was still not the whole story. When the Big 12 was formed in 1996, the Oklahoma-Nebraska game was de-emphasized. Usually played around Thanksgiving or thereabouts as part of the traditional rivalry weeks, it was now pushed up and represented just another game . . . at least to Nebraska, now facing more serious competition from Colorado, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Missouri and Texas.

In 1998 and 1999 there was no Oklahoma-Nebraska game. The reason for this, it was explained, was to conform with the new requirements of the Big 12 scheduling rotation, but it looked more like OU was avoiding embarrassing Cornhusker beatings.

Enter Bob Stoops, a young assistant. It was not unlike Ara Parseghian when he took over a moribund Notre Dame program, turning them around in 1964. Parseghian inherited a journeyman quarterback, John Huarte, turning him into the Heisman Trophy winner. In Stoops's case it was a utilitarian signal-caller named Josh Heuppel. Heuppel lost a close Heisman vote to Florida State's Chris Weinke, but got the last laugh when he led the 13-0 Sooners over Weinke's Seminoles in the BCS Orange Bowl, 13-2 for a surprise national title. Heuppel was a consensus All-American, as were linebackers J. T. Thatcher and Rocky Calmus.

It was one of the greatest seasons by a first-year coach ever, matched the next year by Miami's Larry Coker. Nebraska found its way back on the 2000 schedule, albeit on the pedestrian date of October 28. OU prevailed, 31-14. Kansas State gave them all they could handle in the Big 12 title game, and Florida State was a substantial favorite in Miami, but OU's defense simply shut them down.

11-2 and 12-2 season with wins over Arkansas (Cotton Bowl) and Washington State (Rose Bowl) followed in the 2001 and 2002 seasons. Roy Williams was Dallas's first choice in 2002, Andre Woolfolk Tennessee's number one pick in 2003. Roy Williams, Tommie Harris and Teddy Lehman were consensus All-Americans.

In 2003, Oklahoma came out firing on all cylinders. Led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jason White, the 2003 Sooners may well have been the greatest offensive juggernaut of all time. Army (1945) and USC (2005) are among the very few teams that might measure up. A 77-0 thrashing of Texas A&M goes down as one of the single greatest games any team has ever played. They looked to be as close to unbeatable as a team can be.

USC and LSU survived a competitive field and on the final weekend of the season were the last teams standing in what still looked to be a consolation prize. But USC had dominated the second half of the season after an upset at California. When the Trojans destroyed Arizona on WTBS, Brian Bosworth, doing analysis for the station, declared them to be the best team in the nation. He was reminded that his alma mater was still unbeaten. Bos looked like a deer caught in the headlights trying to correct himself, but his first instincts were right. USC was better. That fact was demonstrated first when Oklahoma lost a shocker, 35-7 to Kansas State in the Big 12 title game at Arrowhead Stadium; second when USC beat Michigan, 28-14 in the Rose Bowl to win the national championship; and third, when OU lost a nobody-looks-like-they-they-want-to-win Sugar Bowl, 21-14 to LSU. Rarely had the mighty fallen so thoroughly.

Antonio Perkins and Derrick Straight were consensus All-Americans. Tommie Harris won the Lombardi Award and was Chicago's first pick in the draft. Lehman won the Butkus Award before being selected by Detroit. Mark Clayton was an All-American wide receiver. Jammal Brown was an All-American at offensive tackle.

Incredibly, much of the 2003 juggernaut was back in 2004. OU and USC dominated from the first pre-season poll to the final one in January, with the Trojans holding the top spot every week, the Sooners at number two. When the BCS rankings came out there was no variation on the theme; no surprises. The two storied programs dominated week after week until they met in a "Game of the Twenty-first Century."

White, the returning Heisman winner, was not the favorite this time. USC's Leinart was after leading Troy to the promised land for the first time since 1978 the previous year. Oklahoma was no less devastating in 2004 than they had been in 2003, only this time they did not stumble. They beat Colorado, 32-3 at Arrowhead Stadium and it was on to the BCS Orange Bowl to face Southern Cal.

First there was the Heisman presentation at New York's Downtown Athletic Club. White, who threw thirty-five touchdown passes, and sensational Sooner freshman running back Adrian Peterson (1,925 yards) hobnobbed with USC's Leinart and Reggie Bush. Leinart won the Heisman in a runaway, a portent of things to come.

Southern Cal maintained a slight edge in the pre-game line but by game time it was almost even. Then they started to play. It was "embarrassing," according to White. Details are too painful to examine in a chapter on Sooner football history. If any team was ever better than the University of Southern California on January 4 , 2005, it is not readily known of. Trojans 55, Oklahoma 19.

Jammal Brown won the Outland Trophy and Peterson was a consensus All-American pick. Brown went in the first round to New Orleans, Clayton to Baltimore with their first pick. White, remarkably, was not drafted and is out of football.

In 2005 the Sooners returned to Earth. <ED: DAVIN IS CORRECT SPELLING> Davin Joseph was Tampa Bay's first pick. In 2006 the Sooners wanted the world to believe that they should have been in the BCS title game. Instead, an unbelievable 43-42 overtime loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl left Stoops with a look of frustration for the ages on his face. Peterson left early for Minnesota, who picked him with their first draft choice in 2007.

Ups, down; streaks and defeats . . . Oklahoma football has seen it all. Mostly, it has seen victory, and the future promises more of the same for "Boomer Sooner, OK U!"

FIVE

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

Michigan considers itself the be-all and end-all of college football. They were the first non-"Ivy League" team to emerge as a national powerhouse. Before Notre Dame established itself in the American conscience, Michigan was Midwestern football. The Wolverines were winning national championships in the early part of the twentieth century. Their all-time record is the best going back almost to Reconstruction.

Ohio State University

Columbus, Ohio

Founded: 1870

Enrollment: 37,509

Colors: Scarlet and gray

Stadium: Ohio Stadium (opened: 1922: capacity: 101,568)

All-time record: (1890-2006): 787-301-53

Bowl record: 18-20 (through 2006)

National championships: 1942, 1954, 1957, 1968, 2002

Big 10 championships: 31 (through 2006)

Heisman Trophies: Les Horvath (1944), Vic Janowicz (1950), Howard Cassady (1955),

Archie Griffin (1974-75), Eddie George (1995), Troy Smith (2006)

Outland Trophies: Jim Parker (1956), Jim Stillwagon (1970), John Hicks (1973),

Orlando Pace (1996)

First round NFL draftees: 65 (through 2007)

Website: www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com

Notable alumni: Olympians Jesse Owens and Max Whitfield; golfer Jack Nicklaus;

basketball coach Bobby Knight; Hall of Fame basketball player John Havlicek; basketball players Jerry Lucas, Larry Siegried, Jim Jackson and Greg Oden; baseball announcer Jack Buck; comedian Richard Lewis; author R. L. Stine; The Limited, Inc. founder Leslie H. Wexner

Michigan had a tremendous rivalry with Notre Dame almost from the beginning. When the Big 10 formed itself, their stiffest competition came from Minnesota and Chicago. Ohio State was an after-thought.

Michigan thinks of itself as the upscale school; better academics, wealthier students. Ohio State carries with it the unfortunate moniker of just that, a state institution. Even though Michigan is, too, they take on the heirs of a private school. They most definitely look down on Ohio State's team. Its alumni are considered yokels.

A funny thing happened along the way, however. Ohio State, Michigan's lapdog, built a great football program. After many years, Michigan had to admit that their biggest rivalry was not with old powerhouse Minnesota, and certainly not with Chicago (who eventually gave up football), but with the Buckeyes.

There are no other Big 10 teams in Ohio. The rivalry based itself on intense, great football match-ups. Like other fantastic rivalries, Ohio State-Michigan elevated both programs to higher status, which is the mark of the best rivals. But to Michigan's great chagrin, the Buckeyes passed them. The Wolverines have plenty of gaudy numbers to throw out there, much of it built in the "leather helmet and rugby" era. It may not be a cut 'n' dried case, but all things considered, Ohio State is today the greater tradition by a narrow margin. Had the Buckeyes not collapsed against Florida in the 2007 BCS nation championship game, there would be little question. In addition, the Buckeyes would have asserted a strong argument that they had replaced USC as the "Team of the Decade" for the 2000s.

Alas for them they did not, but Buckeye football is nevertheless steeped in great lore. There is something extra special about these guys; the decals on their helmets, their great nickname – Buckeyes – and the sense that they are the embodiment of rough, tough, cold, raw Midwestern football. Ohio is a state that has seen its share of tough times. It is a blue collar state, a factory state. Michigan's factories are seen as cutting edge auto shops. Ohio is coal mines and textile mills.

There are two major cities in Ohio, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Cleveland tends to be liberal, has more minorities, and lacks glamour. Cincinnati tends to be conservative, white and lacks glamour. There is passion for professional sports in both cities; the Browns, Indians, Cavaliers, Bengals, Reds. Then there is Columbus. Passion for Buckeye football in Columbus supercedes all other consideration. Whether you are a fan of the Browns, Indians, Cavaliers, Bengals, or Reds, you better root for the Bucks.

Ohio State versus Michigan: 57-40-6

The Buckeye is the state tree. The decals on Ohio State helmets are those of the tree. However, the term "Buckeye" elicits the image of something more powerful than a tree (which Stanford, for instance, receives endless heat over since that seems to be their mascot, sort of). A Buckeye sounds more like a tough, Medieval warrior; some guy who warded off the invading Romans or Moors, maybe using a battle-axe called a "buckeye."

On November 24, 1900 mighty Michigan deigned to allow Ohio State to travel to Ann Arbor for a football match. The Wolverines were just beginning the greatest run in school history and thought little of lightly-regarded Ohio State. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, a decided "victory" for Ohio State.

Fielding Yost's "point a minute" teams did not forgive the intruders from Columbus. Between 1901 and 1909, Michigan destroyed Ohio State by mostly embarrassing scores: 21-0, 86-0, 36-0, 31-6, 40-0, 6-0, 22-0, 10-6 and 33-6. To Ohio State's credit, they kept coming back for more. Then, in 1910, they tied Michigan again, 3-3. Two more shutout losses followed. In 1913 Ohio State called it quits. Despite being a member of the so-called Western Conference, which was given the popular appellation "Big 10," they did not play Michigan for years.

Then something really crazy happened. Under coach John W. Wilce, Ohio State went unbeaten in 1916 and 1917. In 1918 Michigan found itself back on their schedule. Same result: 14-0, Wolverines. In 1919, it was the Fourth of July, the Emancipation Proclamation and the fall of the Berlin Wall all in one: Buckeyes 13, Wolverines 3. The timing could not be better. With World War I over, America turned its attention to college football from coast to coast, mountain to prairie. The Rose Bowl invited the unbeaten Buckeyes to Pasadena on January 1, 1921 to play the greatest power in the land, California's "Wonder Team." It was a game for the national championship, for renewed Midwestern respect after a down period, and the chance to put Ohio State football on the map. The 28-0 pounding they took at the hands of Brick Muller and the Golden Bears set the program back two decades.

Michigan regained their place, winning national titles in 1923 and 1933. Ohio State under Wilce, then coaches Sam Willaman (1929-1933) and Francis Schmidt (1934-(1940) fielded an array of winning and near .500 teams, none of which made anybody forget that Michigan and Minnesota ruled the Big 10. There were no bowl invites anywhere. There were some great players, to be sure. Chick Harley was a three-time consensus All-American. Other consensus choices included Charles Bolen, Iolas Huffman, Gaylord Stinchcomb, Ed Hess, Wes Fesler, Gomer Jones, and Esco Sarkinnen.

High school football was almost as big in Ohio as Ohio State. It fit in perfectly with the small town values of its rural citizenry. One school rose above the rest, the very first of the great prep dynasties. Before there was Cincinnati Moeller, Long Beach Poly, Santa Ana Mater Dei or Concord De La Salle, there was Massillon of Ohio. The name alone connotes something substantial. Massillon of Ohio! Its coach: Paul W. Brown.

The argument over who is the greatest football coach ever creates a lengthy discussion worthy of many beers and maybe a few shots for good measure. Amos "Alonzo" Stagg, Knute Rockne, Vince Lombardi, Bud Wilkinson, Bear Bryant, Bill Walsh? . . . just to get warmed up.

But if somebody chooses to make the case that Paul Brown is the greatest of all football coaches, it is as worthy a choice as any. When it comes to men who forged dynasties at the high school, college and pro levels, he did it better than anybody. As an innovator, he ranks with Pop Warner, Clark Shaughnessy and Sid Gillman. From the halls of Massillon did Brown emerge, and within one year ultimate victory was achieved in Columbus. In 1942 Ohio State went 9-1, beat Michigan 21-7, and was voted number one in the final Associated Press poll. Michigan was forced to take them seriously now.

Unfortunately, the only thing anybody really took seriously over the next couple years were the German and Japanese armies. Brown left after the 1943 season. The fact that Iowa Pre-Flight had a better team than Ohio State that season indicated where the best talent was in the war years. After World War II, Brown took over the Cleveland Browns, and turned them into the greatest professional juggernaut heretofore seen.

Ohio State was 9-0 under coach Carroll Widdess in 1944, but nobody was going to get the votes that went for Army's national title. The Big 10's Rose Bowl arrangement was not yet in place, so there were no New Year's Day games to give the program any added luster. There was not much luster of any kind until 1949. The Buckeyes salvaged a season that included a frustrating 7-7 tie against Michigan (then at the height of the program's glory) by gaining revenge for the 1921 shutout loss to California.

The Golden Bears were unbeaten and finished third in the final Associated Press rankings behind Notre Dame and Oklahoma. However, a Rose Bowl win would give imprimatur to the Pacific Coast Conference, which had lost prestige since the death of USC's Howard Jones a decade earlier. Cal fans still argue that a bad call cost them the 17-14 loss to Ohio State.

On November 25, 1950 Ohio State, led by coach Wes Fesler, lost 9-3 to Fritz Crisler and Michigan in brutal snow, ten-degree temperatures, and forty mile per hour winds. Fesler was fired after the season. That game, contrasted with eighty degree New Year's Day Rose Bowl games, is credited with much of the enormous migration of Midwesterners to California over the next decade.

All-Time Ohio State Team

Chosen by the Columbus Touchdown Club, 2002

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OL Jim Parker

OL John Hicks

OL Orlando Pace

E Wes Fesler

WR Cris Carter

WR David Boston

QB Rex Kern

QB Art Schlichter

QB Joe Germaine

RB Chick Harley

RB Les Horvath

RB Howard "Hopalong" Cassady

RB Archie Griffin

RB Eddie George

PL Vlade Janakievski

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DL Bill Willis

DL Jim Stillwagon

LB Chris Spielman

LB Andy Katzenmoyer

DB Jack Tatum

DB Neal Colzie

DB Antoine Winfield

P Tom Skladany

By the end of the 1940s, Ohio State was a competent college football program, but far below the standards of Michigan (established as their primary rival when their game was scheduled at the end of the season beginning in 1935). Consensus All-Americans of the 1940s included Jack Dugger, Bill Hackett, and Warren Amling. Les Horvath won the 1944 Heisman Trophy. In 1950, Vic Janowicz won the school's second Heisman. In 1951, everything changed for Ohio State football fortunes. Woodrow "Woody" Hayes made his arrival.

"He's the stompin', snortin', fire-breathin' bully who ran a caveman 'three yards and a cloud of dust' offense, tormented game officials, tore up yard markers, smashed his wrist watches and went down swinging," according to the ESPN College Football Encyclopedia.

A lieutenant commander in the Navy, Hayes modeled football strategy and discipline after military strategy and discipline. General George Patton, above all others, was the man he wanted to emulate. In his mind, a football team moved down field on the ground, via the "infantry." A pass could result in one of only three things "and two of them are bad."

In 1954, Hayes returned Ohio State to the promised land. A 21-7 triumph over arch-rival Michigan capped a perfect regular reason and the Associated Press national championship. But the game everybody wanted to see, a match-up against the United Press International's number one team, Red Sanders's UCLA Bruins, did not happen because for a few years the Pacific Coast Conference instituted the notorious "no-repeat" rule. UCLA was prevented from a trip to Pasadena. Southern California went in their stead after getting hammered by the Bruins, 34-0 in front of 102,548 fans.

A rare rainstorm hit Pasadena, meaning that Ohio State played in Ohio State weather. 89,191 observed quarterback Dave Leggett lead his team to a resounding 20-7 victory, preserving the integrity of the national championship following three disastrous years in which the 1950, 1951 and 1953 "champions" all fell in ignominious manner after the votes were in.

Hayes began his long-standing feud with the Tournament of Roses Committee. Even though the muddy conditions probably played to the Buckeyes' strength, he criticized a decision not to cover the field with a tarpaulin, and to allow the bands to play on the field. Up until that time, the 1952 Trojans were the only PCC team to beat a Big 10 team in the Rose Bowl arrangement that began on January 1, 1947. Hayes had little praise for USC, Pasadena, Los Angeles, the film industry, Southern California, the state of California, the Pacific Coast, the West Coast, the "left coast," the West or liberalism, which in his mind was a cancer on society manifesting itself in the immoral ways of Hollywood and environs. The contrast to this was that one of Hayes's favorite politicians, then-Vice President Richard Nixon, was a Southern Californian Republican.

The following season, Howard Cassady won Ohio State's third Heisman Trophy.. He was given the nickname "Hopalong" because his last name was the same as a famous cowboy figure in the movies known as "Hopalong Cassady." In 1956, Bob White made consensus All-America and big Jim Parker won the Outland Trophy. In 1957 the Buckeyes won Hayes's second national championship.

After beating Michigan, 31-14 , Woody again led his team to Pasadena. Oregon was a strong foe, but with the game tied 7-7 with five minutes remaining in the game, the Bucks drove for the winning field goal in a 10-7 victory. Hayes and his program were on top of the world. Parker was made the first round choice of the Baltimore Colts, where he and Johnny Unitas teamed up to create a great NFL powerhouse.

The 1950s seemed to be a decade tailor made for Ohio State and its conference. The conservative tenor of those times fit perfectly well with Woody's strict personality. The PCC continued to flounder amidst a recruiting and payola scandal.

The 1961 Buckeyes were 8-0-1 with a 50-20 pasting of Michigan. Led by running back Bob Ferguson, they were named national champions by the football writers, who awarded them the MacArthur Bowl. However, Alabama was unbeaten, untied and won their bowl game after being voted number one in both the AP and UPI pre-bowl polls. Ohio State, for unfathomable reasons, actually voted not to accept a Rose Bowl invitation. Victory in Pasadena would have at least strengthened their argument that the MacArthur Bowl carried some prestige. When they stayed home instead, the MacArthur trophy became just a piece of hardware. Woody and the Buckeyes were known to accept challenges, but the decision not to travel to Pasadena looks very much like avoidance of a possible loss in a lame effort at preserving an unbeaten record. Historical legitimacy, as well as both polls, accords Alabama the undisputed consensus national championship of 1961.

In the 1960s, USC and UCLA established themselves as the glamour rivalry of college football, raising the prestige of their conference from its lowest depths in the 1950s to a position, arguably as the best in college football. Power shifted to the Trojans, who in 1967 and 1969 won death struggles with the Bruins, their most significant threat. The USC-Notre Dame rivalry was revived in a big way, too and Alabama re-asserted themselves under Bear Bryant.

After 1961, Woody's Buckeyes and the Big 10 in general were competent but not dominant. Then, in 1968 Ohio State emerged with a team that probably stands out above all others as the greatest of the decade. It was the beginning of a bittersweet period.

Hayes was a firm believer in people earning their "place at the table." He preferred seniors and upperclassmen to inexperienced youngsters because they had put the time in and deserved to be rewarded for it; and also because they were generally better through maturity and experience. But talent trumps all other considerations.

Ohio State versus Alabama (0-3), Miami (2-1), Michigan (40-57-6), Nebraska, Notre Dame (2-

2), Southern California (9-11-1)

The Massillon High School program had continued to thrive long after Paul Brown left. They provided the nucleus of Hayes's greatest team. Five "super sophomores" started for the Buckeyes, including quarterback Rex Kern, defensive back Jack Tatum, and defensive end Jim Stillwagon. After an early-season upset of number one Purdue, they averaged thirty-two points and 442 yards a game, mostly on the ground. It was more than "three yards and a cloud of dust," however. The Buckeyes were likely to knock off five or six yards before the dust cloud formed.

Defensively they allowed fifteen points per game and annihilated Michigan, 50-14. Finally, the AP had come to their senses once and for all. Their decision to vote the final rankings after the bowls meant that the 1969 Rose Bowl game between Ohio State and defending national champion Southern California was one for the ages. The Trojans featured the unstoppable O. J. Simpson. The challenge of beating Troy in what amounted to a "home game" for USC was monumental.

1968 was the epoch of America's cultural divide. The Vietnam War raged, assassinations and war protests roiled the land, and sides were taken: hippies and "fellow travelers" on one side, the "Silent Majority" on the other. Hayes was the "Silent Majority," although not so silent. He campaigned for Republican nominee Richard Nixon, who beat Hubert Humphrey to attain the White House that year.

The University of Southern California is a conservative, private institution. Los Angeles was still relatively Republican and Christian in 1968. Its origins were Southern and Midwestern, so much so that L.A. Times sports columnist Jim Murray dubbed nearby Long Beach "Iowa West." But Hayes characterized the trip to Pasadena as Daniel venturing into the "lion's den" of Hollywood, immorality and values run amok. He and John McKay had more in common than not, but for purposes of motivating his team, he wanted them to feel like they were facing not just enemies of Buckeye football, but tacit enemies of the state.

The Trojans got out to a 10-0 lead on the strength of an 80-yard touchdown run by Heisman Trophy winner Simpson, one of the most remarkable of his collegiate and pro and career. But five USC turnovers allowed Ohio State back into the game. They ground Southern Cal down in the second half to give Hayes vindication and another national championship, 27-16.

With a sophomore-laden team, predictions of a first-ever three-straight national title dynasty in Columbus were made. The 1969 Buckeyes were immediately installed as the greatest team in college football history. Sports Illustrated's headline after their opening game was simply "62-0," the score of their demolition of Texas Christian. The Buckeyes rolled through the season ranked number one. They never trailed in a game and did not veer one bit from the concept that they were indeed the best college team ever.

With the ridiculous "no-repeat" rule still in place, the Buckeyes needed only a victory over Michigan to capture the national title even without a trip to the Rose Bowl.

On November 22 Ohio State traveled to Michigan, led by new coach Bo Schembechler, a one-time Hayes assistant. Ohio State scored two touchdowns but missed extra points on both. It did not seem to matter much, but Michigan came roaring back. They stopped the Buckeyes cold, winning one of the greatest upsets in history, 24-12. Schembechler's legend was made.

In 1970, Hayes's team were all seniors. They were again a dominant group, but like other great college sports teams that returned superstars – think of the 1974 UCLA Bruin basketball team, the 1991 UNLV basketball team, or the 2005 USC Trojans football team – they had a slight case of "senioritis." They were certainly a great team, some think Woody's best ever, but there were small chinks in the armor.

By 1970, the culture Hayes came to despise had crept closer and closer to Columbus. The war was not going well. Shootings at nearby Kent State University brought it home even further. Woody liked to show a movie to his team the night before a game. His favorite fare, not surprisingly, were John Wayne movies like The Sands of Iwo Jima. In 1970, Patton was released. Woody thought it was not just the greatest war movie ever made, but perfect pre-game inspiration. Woody himself could not deliver a more fiery speech than George C. Scott's opening oration outlined by an oversized American flag.

#### Buckeyes on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1967 6-3 F/4-0 6-3 (1967)

4-0 (1967)

1968 10-0 16-3 (1967-68)

14-0 (1967-68)

1969 8-1 S/8-0 24-3 (1967-68)

22-0 (1967-68)

22-1 (1967-68)

20-0 (1967-68) 20 games

1970 9-1 33-4 (1967-70)

31-2 (1967-70)

Year Record Run

1972 9-2 9-2 (1972)

1973 10-0-1 19-2-1 (1972)

10-0-1 (1972)

1974 10-2 29-4-1 (1972-74)

20-2-1 (1973-74)

1975 11-1 40-5-1 (1972-75)

31-2-1 (1973-75)

1976 9-2-1 S/2-0 49-7-2 (1972-76)

42-6-2 (1972-76) 50 games

Woody Hayes and Earle Bruce – a sustained run

1951 4-3-2 Woody Hayes

1952 6-3

1953 6-3

1954 10-0

1955 7-2

1956 6-3

1957 9-1

1958 6-1-2

1959 3-5-1

1960 7-2

1961 8-0-1

1962 6-3

1963 5-3-1

1964 7-2

1965 7-2

1966 4-5

1967 6-3

1968 10-0

1969 8-1

1970 9-1

1971 6-4

1972 9-2

1973 10-0-1

1974 10-2

1975 11-1

1976 9-2-1

1977 9-3

1978 7-4-1

1979 11-1 Earle Bruce

  1979. 9-3

  1980. 9-3

  1981. 9-3

  1982. 9-3

  1983. 9-3

  1984. 9-3

  1985. 10-3

  1986. 6-4-1

His players enjoyed the film, so much so that Woody began to count on them to go so see it on their own instead of the usual team gatherings. Prior to one game, Woody encountered two of his players returning from the movie theatre. He inquired what they had seen.

"Easy Rider," was the answer.

"EASY RIDER?" Hayes responded in disgust. "You can't play football after seeing that crap."

On January 1, 1970 the Buckeyes came out to play the ultimate Easy Rider team, Stanford. Earlier in the day, the defending national champions, number one-ranked Texas fell to Notre Dame, 24-11. All Ohio State needed to do was beat outgunned Stanford and they would have their second national title in three years. It would cap the greatest class in history, a three-year run not approached before or since. The game started and Ohio State took the lead, but Heisman Trophy-winning Stanford quarterback Jim Plunkett led the Indians all the way back to a resounding 27-17 victory. It was a California earthquake felt across the country. That night, Nebraska squeaked past LSU, 17-12 to win a surprise national championship.

Consensus All-Americans in the 1960s included the likes of Bob Ferguson, Dave Foley, Jim Otis, Jack Tatum and Jim Stillwagon. Tatum is considered one of the finest defensive backs in college football history. He starred for great Oakland Raiders teams where he was given the unfortunate moniker "Assassin" after his hit of New England's Darryl Stingley resulted in Stingley's paralysis. Stingley finally died in 2007.

The loss to Stanford in the 1971 Rose Bowl was the symbolic end of one era and the beginning of another. From 1972 to 1975, Ohio State went to four straight Rose Bowls, but it was a period of terrific frustration for Woody. His greatest player, Archie Griffin, won two Heisman Trophies (1974-1975). Incredible success but ultimate glory, again enticingly close, was not attained.

Woody's feud with the state of California intensified. Losses to USC and UCLA, sometimes by blowout, sometimes by the barest of margins, enraged him. He told his team to "be polite to everybody, but don't say anything. No son of a b---h out here wants you to win." When a Los Angeles Times photographer got too close at an inopportune time, Woody punched him. A lawsuit ensued.

Hayes was incensed by what he considered the insouciance of Trojan coach John McKay. McKay was a wise-cracker who seemingly joked his way to victory over the Buckeyes. One year McKay sent his assistant, Davy Levy, to a series of pre-game functions in his place. Hayes was non-plussed.

"He should be here," he snapped to Levy, expressing the attitude that McKay showed disrespect via non-attendance. What Woody did not know was that both McKay and his son, Trojan wide receiver J. K. McKay, had received death threats – from a Buckeye fan? – and were advised by the FBI to stay out of public view as much as possible.

When USC's Sam Cunningham kept going over the top of the Ohio State line to score four touchdowns against the Buckeyes in the 1973 Rose Bowl, McKay motioned to Woody from across the field the field that Cunningham was going "over the top," inferring that even though he knew it was coming the Bucks could not stop him. Cunningham did precisely that. Woody seethed.

The Trojans destroyed Ohio State that day, 42-17 to take the national title and gain revenge for O. J.'s 1969 loss. In 1973 the Buckeyes were back with one of the best teams in their history. They were a juggernaut on offense and produced three straight shutouts on defense.

All season long, America waited for the battle with Michigan. Both teams were unbeaten and untied coming into the game at Ann Arbor. It was for the Big 10 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl. For the first time, the "no-repeat" rule was done away with, meaning that Ohio State could return with a win. Ranked number one for eight weeks, it would also give the Buckeyes – or the Wolverines - the "poll position" going into the bowls, although a "national title game" between unbeaten Alabama and Notre Dame promised to upset the apple cart.

Ohio State jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but stayed on the ground for forty-nine straight plays. Woody's lack of inventiveness on offense cost him. Michigan bottled the Buckeyes up, especially Griffin who hurt his leg after having gained most of his 163 yards. Michigan rallied. The game settled into "trench warfare," the gridiron version of the Germans and English at Verdun.

Woody's admonition that the forward pass could result in "three things and two of them are bad" seemed to justify itself when he went to the air late in an effort to drive into field goal position. The resulting Wolverine interception gave Michigan their shot, but a field goal try failed. The 10-10 tie was totally unsatisfying. It also killed national championship hopes for either team. Notre Dame beat Alabama in an extraordinary Sugar Bowl to win it.

With a repeat to Pasadena now available, Ohio State lobbied hard to go. Gone were the days of 1961, when they turned down the invite. Big bucks had come to college football. Television money was exorbitant. The Rose Bowl was the most lucrative of all TV deals.

Big 10 officials gathered for the vote. A 5-5 tie would send Michigan since Ohio had gone the year before. But it came in 6-4 for Woody's team. Bo Schembechler was livid. Hard words and accusations were thrown about. Michigan State's representative voted against their in-state rival, reportedly as reprisal against Michigan's decades-old attempt to keep the Spartans out of the Big 10 Conference. The fact that Michigan suffered debilitating injuries, potentially weakenig them against USC, the Pac-8 champion, played into the decision, too. In the end, however, Ohio State deserved to go. They had tied Michigan at Ann Arbor and were considered the better team all season.

Retribution was Woody's when his team came out throwing in a 42-21 win over the Trojans. Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian advised Woody to do just that against USC. Hayes called it the "greatest victory" in Ohio State history, which probably says as much about USC as it does about Ohio State. Beating the Trojans in those days was like knocking off Napoleon's Grand Armee or the . . . Trojans when the Mycenaean Greeks burned Troy after the "stealing" of Helen, the "face that launched a thousand ships."

The January 1, 1975 "Trojan War" involved no bloodshed, but USC was out to avenge their loss just as Agamemnon had set out to avenge, on behalf of Menelaus, Helen's "capture" by a lovestruck Paris. The stakes were not nearly so complicated at the Rose Bowl: just the national championship, up for grabs again. Oklahoma was on probation. The UPI finally joined the post-bowl party. Southern California beat Notre Dame in one of the wildest games ever played, 55-24 in Los Angeles. Woody's 10-1 team had hopes that victory over USC would give them the national title. Sitting in the Coliseum press box, where he was an analyst on the national TV broadcast, he saw USC dismantle the Irish on the green plains below. He must have felt like a German military commander with a binocular view of Patton's tanks marching through the low countries, knowing the only thing he had was Hitler's order to, "Stop the Americans at the Saar."

Fat chance, that.

The USC fans, knowing Woody was in the house, began to chant, "Woody, you're next." It was a surreal day. One month later, the Buckeyes were back in Pasadena. USC supporters, having also observed the football version of the American Army rumbling through the Wehrmacht in the late winter of 1945, probably thought Ohio State would fall in like manner. No so quick there, Johnson.

USC came out looking for a little payback after what it considered a bad Heisman vote. The junior Griffin indeed outplayed USC senior tailback Anthony Davis most of the season, although the differential was not enormous. In the days before the Internet and fax machines, votes had to be mailed in and received. The tradition was to vote prior to the weekend's last games. In 1974, USC played Notre Dame on November 30, a fairly late date. Most ballots were already in the "snail mail" when Davis had what many historians consider one of the finest games any player has ever had against the Irish, or anybody else. The prevailing view is that A. D.'s game against Notre Dame would have pushed him ahead of the underclassman Griffin had the votes been cast after the game, as they should have been. That said, A. D. was hurt early in the Rose Bowl and was not a big factor. Griffin went on to a repeat Heisman in 1975, a better pro career, and is seen as the greater of the two players.

The Buckeyes played USC straight up and down. All-American defensive back Neal Colzie kept breaking up Trojan quarterback Pat Haden's passes to J. K. McKay and Shelton Diggs, then taunting the Trojans. In the end the last laugh was on him.

Haden led Troy on a two-minute drive and a touchdown pass to McKay in the corner of the end zone . . . over Colzie. Then Haden's two-point conversion pass to Diggs, a desperation move when a wall of Buckeyes prevented him from running it in, broke Woody's heart. The national title belonged not to Ohio State, but to USC.

The game was heartbreaking, but on New Year's Day, 1976 came the straw that broke Buckeyes' backs. Oklahoma had a loss. Unbeaten, second-ranked Texas A&M lost, 20-0 to Southern California in the Liberty Bowl. Undefeated Arizona State, not yet in the Pacific-10 Conference, was not yet considered national championship material.

The Buckeyes faced 8-2-1 UCLA, who had survived a down, competitive Pac-8 schedule to emerge as champions. The Bruins survived seven fumbles in their 25-22 win over the Trojans in a game nobody looked like they wanted to win. Ohio State, led by the two-time Heisman winner Griffin, was heavily favored. Was it possible that this team could lose to such a mediocre team as UCLA?

The score was 23-10, Bruins. UCLA's All-American quarterback, John Sciarra was masterful. The Bruins dominated Ohio State; it was never really close. Just like the 1969, 1970, and 1974 seasons, a national title eluded Woody Hayes in the final game; for the third time versus a team he was heavily favored to beat. Only against a team considered even or favored to beat them – USC in the 1974 and 1975 Rose Bowls – had Ohio State won and then really made it close.

The frustration built into a crescendo for Woody. Here was a genuinely good man who asked his players to "pay it forward" by doing good deeds for the community. Hayes was a groundbreaker when it came to recruiting black players. He turned boys into men who graduated and God did he love them. They loved him, too, because he truly cared about them, their families and their lives. He was utterly sentimental, emotional and real. He was not a mercenary; he was Ohio State football.

But his autocratic ways were made fun of. West Coast fans and writers took to belittling him. In the days of long hair and loose morals, Woody's style was looked upon as old school, yesterday, by the lesser lights and unimpressives who criticized him but could not carry his dirty jock strap. But on the field, Woody was so fiery and competitive that it got the best of him. Finally, on December 29, 1978 it did get the best of him. With Ohio State trailing Clemson, 17-15 in the Gator Bowl, the Buckeyes were driving when Clemson's Charlie Bauman intercepted Art Schlichter's pass, sealing a Buckeye loss. Hayes lost control. In the heat of the moment he grabbed Bauman and tried to punch him. By Monday morning he was out of his office. That said, Woody is the best thing that ever happened to Ohio State football, and one of the finest people in the history of this great game. His human faults were just that, oh so human like the rest of us, whose best approach to his memory is to "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

#### Ohio College Hall of Famers (25)

Gomer Jones 1933-1935

Warren Amling 1945-1946

Jim Parker 1954-1956

Aurealius Thomas 1955-1957

Gust Zarnas 1935-1937

Jim Stillwagon 1968-1970

Warren Amling 1944-1946

Jim Daniell 1939-1941

John Hicks 1970-1973

Bill Willis 1942-1944

Wes Fesler 1928-1930

Jim Houston 1957-1959

Les Horvath 1940-1944

Hopalong Cassady 1952-1955

Archie Griffin 1972-1975

Chic Harley 1916-1919

Vic Janowicz 1949-1951

Gaylord Stinchcomb 1917-1920

Bob Ferguson 1959-1961

Randy Gradishar 1971-1973

Jack Tatum 1968-1970

Rex Kern 1968-1970

## Coaches

Woody Hayes 1946-1978

Francis Schmidt 1919-1942

John Wilce 1913-1928

Woody won 205 games and thirteen Big 10 championships. He passed in 1987 a larger than life figure. No successor has approached his record or persona. But he was an old man in 1978 and it was time for a change anyway. Earle Bruce led Ohio State to another one of those brutally disappointing seasons; disappointing because so much success preceded ultimate failure; disappointing because it became, and continues to this day, to be the mark of Buckeye football over the past forty years.

Led by the sophomore Schlichter, Ohio State surprised many by rolling to an 11-0 record. They kept getting better every week, capping the regular season with an 18-15 triumph over Michigan. Ranked number one heading into the Rose Bowl, all they needed to do was beat a team that many considered the greatest of all time!

Defending national champion Southern California was the pre-season number one, but a 21-21 tie with Stanford was the single bump in their road. It opened the door for Ohio State and Alabama, both unbeaten and untied. Early talk about the Trojans being the best team ever assembled did not quite hold up, but they were so good blind people came to the Coliseum to hear them hit opponents.

Schlichter kept the Trojans off-balance all afternoon. Ohio State managed a spare 16-10 lead in the defensive struggle, but Southern California got the ball with minutes left to play. Eschewing the pass, USC coach John Robinson used Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Charlie White to pound out yardage until Troy was in the end zone; the point-after was good, 17-16; and Ohio State was forced to walk off the Rose Bowl field in abject disappointment once again. The Big 10 had lost ten of the last eleven Rose Bowl games.

USC rooted for Arkansas to beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, which would have given them back-to-back national championships, but the Crimson Tide was victorious. Despite so many "close but no cigar" seasons, it was one of the greatest decades in Buckeye football history. It had produced consensus All-Americans Jim Stillwagon, John Hicks, Randy Gradishar, Steve Meyers, Kurt Schumacher, Archie Griffin, Ted Smith, Tim Fox, Bob Brudzinski, Chris Ward, Tom Cousineau, and Ken Fritz. Stillwagon was the 1970 Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy recipient. Griffin is to this day the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner. Hicks also earned 1973 Outland and Lombardi honors.

Led by running back Keith Byars, Bruce's Buckeyes returned to Pasadena on January 1, 1985. Their opponent: Southern California again. This may have been the weakest Trojan team ever to make it to the Rose Bowl, but the result was a familiar one: 20-17, Troy. The Buckeyes finished 9-3. Consensus All-Americans in the 1980s included Marcus Marek, Byars, Jim Lachey, talented receiver Cris Carter and Tom Tupa. Chris Spielman was a dominant two-time All-American linebacker (1986-1987) and winner of the Lombardi Award his senior year.

In 1995, running back Eddie George earned Ohio State's sixth Heisman Trophy when he rushed for 1,927 yards and twenty-four touchdowns. His other honors included Doak Walker, Maxwell, Walter Camp and Big 10 Player of the Year awards. George was Houston's first pick of the 1996 draft. He was named the NFL's Rookie of the Year and earned All-Pro in a highly successful career with the Tennessee Titans (after Houston's franchise moved to Nashville).

Under coach John Cooper, Ohio State was 11-1 with a 20-17 Rose Bowl win over Arizona State in the 1996 season. They were led by two-time consensus All-American offensive lineman Orlando Pace. Pace won the Outland Trophy and twice the Lombardi Award. Chosen by the St. Louis Rams with the first pick of the 1997 NFL Draft, Pace is considered one of if not the finest linemen in collegiate football history.

Wide receiver Terry Glenn, winner of the 1995 Biletnikoff Award, is considered one of the best college pass-catchers of all time. Certainly his career represented a paradigm shift at Ohio State from the old "three yards and a cloud of dust" offense to a more wide-open approach.

In 1997, linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer won the Dick Butkus Award. In 1998, Antoine Winfield was named winner of the Jim Thorpe Award. Other consensus All-Americans of the decade included Dan Wilkinson, Korey Stringer, Mike Vrabel, Shawn Springs and Rob Murphy.

Jim Tressel took over at Columbus in 2001. The 2002 Buckeyes rival the 1968 champions as the greatest team in the school's hallowed history. They played stifling defense and were led by a utilitarian, ball-control quarterback, Craig Krenzel. Ohio State survived all challenges to take on the mighty Miami Hurricanes in the BCS Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Arizona for the national championship. Despite carrying a 13-0 record into the contest, Tressel's team was a decided underdog. But Miami had suffered some key injuries and were tense trying to defend the weight of history: a repeat national title, an all-time record twenty-one straight weeks ranked number one in the nation, and a 34-game winning streak which, with victory against the Bucks, would put them within one undefeated regular season of Oklahoma's all-time record forty-seven straight (1953-1957).

The game has been described as one of the greatest in collegiate history. In terms of pressure, unbeaten teams, stakes and the fact it was a close contest that went into two overtimes, it was. But it was also marked by mistakes, questionable officiating and decided tentativeness, especially by the Hurricanes. But Ohio State refused to buckle down against one of the fastest, strongest, talented teams ever assembled.

Roscoe Parrish made a clutch 50-yard punt return. This set up Todd Sievers's 40-yard field goal for Ohio State on the final play of regulation, forcing overtime, 17-17. Miami scored to take the lead, but Krenzel converted a fourth-and-fourteen pass. Later, his fourth down end zone pass resulted in a controversial interference call against Miami's Glenn Sharpe. Given a second life, Ohio State pushed it in to keep the dream alive.

In the second overtime freshman running back Maurice Clarett ran for a five-yard touchdown to put Ohio State up, 31-24. Miami drove to the Buckeye two, but Ohio held on four plays to capture its sixth national championship.

Four years later, the Buckeyes were the dominant team in college football. They entered the season full of momentum, following up a decisive 34-20 Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame to end the 2005 campaign. In 2006, Ohio State was not "utilitarian." Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Troy Smith may not have had great size or a strong arm. He was not considered a major NFL prospect, but under his leadership the Buckeyes were an explosive offensive force.

Ohio was ranked number one from the pre-season through the entire regular campaign. Michigan, after beating the Irish early, settled in at number two. The game between the two teams at Ohio Stadium (the "Horseshoe") had the greatest build-up in the history of the rivalry. The old "Game of the Century," or at least "Game of the Twenty-first Century" maxims were applied. Troy Smith earned the Heisman Trophy and the game lived up to its billing with the Buckeyes prevailing by a 42-39 score.

Unbeaten Ohio State moved on to the Bowl Championship Series national title contest, played at the brand new University of Phoenix Stadium in suburban Glendale, Arizona. Their opponent, after much angst, were the once-beaten Florida Gators, survivors of a regular season BCS battle with Michigan and USC to earn the trip.

What the Gators did that night to Ohio State might not be legal. After the 41-14 pounding, Ohio State looked to be the seventh or eighth best team in the nation, not the first. In the history of the Heisman Trophy, many winners had failed in subsequent bowl losses, but none ever looked as terrible as Smith. Details are just too dreary to recount herein. It was just bad.

Tressel's team entered the game looking for their second national championship of the young century. Had they won, it would have matched Southern California's two, and this could have effectuated a strong argument on behalf of the Buckeyes that they were the new "Team of the Century." It did not happen.

Consensus All-Americans in the new century included LeCharles Bentley, Mike Nugent, Matt Wilhelm, Mike Doss, Will Allen, A. J. Hawk, Donte Witner, Nick Mangold, Antonio Pittman, Anthony Gonzalez, Ted Ginn and Smith. Bentley was the 2001 Rimington Award winner. B . J. Sanders won the 2003 Ray Guy Award. Kicker Mike Nugent earned the Lou Groza Award in 2004. Two-time All-American linebacker A. J. Hawk, one of Ohio State's all-time greats, was the 2005 Lombardi Award honoree. In 2007, Ted Ginn Jr. went in the first round to Miami; Anthony Gonzalez, also a first rounder, to the Colts.

Victory in Glendale would have replaced the 1950s, when Woody Hayes's team won two national titles, as the best in school history. Nevertheless, the 2000s were shaping up to be even better than the 1970s. By winning their sixth national title and their seventh Heisman Trophy (tying Southern California and Notre Dame), Ohio State moved past Nebraska into the fifth spot among College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions. In so doing, and also by beating Michigan in 2006, the Buckeyes established themselves as the greater of the two rivals going back more than 100 years. Michigan fans can argue the point, and they come to the debate well-armed with many facts on their side. However, Hayes began a period in Buckeye history that overshadowed Michigan.

His rivalry with Bo Schembechler was fairly even but favored Woody. Michigan had many opportunities over the decades to assert themselves in the national picture, but with some exceptions fell short too often. Ohio State is the greater team in modern times, having won five national championships since the 1950s compared to Michigan's one.

However, the situation is fluid. With a 2006 national championship, which would have been their seventh, Ohio State may well have moved past Oklahoma into the fourth position in the "all-time poll." They will be battling the Wolverines, the Sooners, the Trojans and the rest of collegiate football's powerhouses for ultimate supremacy well into the new century. What a grand game it is, and for Buckeye fans they will "fight to the end for O-hi-o."

SIX

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS

The history of Nebraska Cornhusker football is so much a part of the American experience that it seems they should be ranked higher than sixth on the all-time list. On the one hand, that history is so relatively recent that it is remarkable they are ranked above Texas, Michigan and other programs.

University of Nebraska

### Lincoln, Nebraska

Founded: 1869

Enrollment: 15,742

Colors: Scarlet and cream

Nickname: Cornhuskers

Stadium: Memorial Stadium/Tom Osborne Field (opened: 1923; capacity: 73,918)

All-time record (1890-2006): 801-327-41

Bowl record: 22-22 (through 2006)

National championships: 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997

MVC-Big 7/8/12 Conference championships: 42

Heisman Trophies: Johnny Rodgers (1972), Mike Rozier (1983), Eric Crouch (2001)

Outland Trophies: Larry Jacobson (1971), Rich Glover (1972), Dave Rimington (1981-1982),

Dean Steinkuhler (1983), Will Shields (1992), Zach Wiegert (1994), Aaron Taylor (1994)

First round NFL draftees: 32 (through 2007)

Website: www.huskers.com

Notable alumni: General John "Black Jack" Pershing; U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey; comedian

Johnny Carson; financier Warren Buffett; Nobel Prize-winning geneticist George W. Beadle; Pulitzer Prize-winning author Willa Cather; Olympian Merlene Ottey; rock star Tommie Lee

They have played football in Lincoln since 1890, but until 1970 the Cornhuskers were just another program. Their great claim to fame was the 1925 game with Notre Dame, but perhaps the correct word is infamous. Led by the theologian-political orator William Jennings Bryan, Nebraska had over the years become increasingly evangelical. This movement reached a fever pitch in the mid-1920s.

Unfortunately, the Christian revivalist movement of the 1920s had dark overtones. In the South it morphed with the "white supremacy" of the Ku Klux Klan. In the Midwest it took on strongly anti-Papal aspects. The Notre Dame team Knute Rockne brought to Lincoln on November 26, 1925 was treated harshly because of their Catholicism. The game was played in bitter cold and the Irish lost, 17-0. Afterwards, Rockne felt he had enough of both freezing late November temperatures and also religious intolerance.

He determined he would shift from road trips to rural towns to cosmopolitan cities. This was a major reason why he accepted the offer from the University of Southern California to come out to sunny Los Angeles, beginning that rivalry.

Nebraska played good football but was a second tier program. On January 1, 1941 they made their first bowl appearance, a 21-13 defeat at the hands of national champion Stanford in the Rose Bowl. They never played in another bowl game until a 34-7 loss to Duke in the 1955 Orange Bowl. Consensus Cornhusker All-Americans prior to 1960 included Guy Chamberlin, Ed Weir, George Sauer and Sam Francis. When Bob Devaney arrived in 1962, however, they upgraded in a major way. Despite losing Omaha native Gale Sayers to Kansas, the Cornhuskers built their program in much the same way USC and UCLA did; by integrating with quality black stars when some of the country was not.

In the 1960s, Nebraska was a foil for the best teams. Devaney's 'Huskers were 9-2 and 10-1 in his first two years, both with bowl wins. The 1964 squad was 9-1 when the ill-fated bowl season rolled around. Alabama was beaten by Texas in the Orange Bowl, creating a big black asterisk on their "*AP national title." Unbeaten Arkansas held off Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl, 10-7 to claim the (revised) national championship even if the two wire service polls did not award it to them.

The Cornhuskers brought an unbeaten, integrated team to the 1966 Orange Bowl, losing a thriller 38-29 to all-white Alabama. With the AP switching its national championship award to a post-bowl vote, the game was for the ultimate prize since Michigan State lost that day to UCLA.

In a re-match against Alabama on January 2, 1967, 9-1 Nebraska fell to unbeaten Alabama, 34-7 in the Sugar Bowl. Segregationists in 'Bama seized on this as proof that they did not need to recruit black players to win. 1960s consensus All-Americans included Bob Brown (who went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Raiders), Larry Kramer, Freeman White, Walt Barnes, LaVerne Allers, and Wayne Meylan.

In 1969 the Cornhuskers lost their opener to USC, 31-21 at Lincoln, and three weeks later to Missouri. After that they reeled off a 32-game unbeaten streak. The only flaw was a 21-21 tie at Southern Cal in 1970.

#### Nebraska's All-Century Team

Chosen by 10,000 Cornhusker fans, 2000

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OT Bob Newton

OT Zach Wiegert

OG Dean Steinkuhler

OG Will Shields

C Dave Rimington

TE Junior Miller

WR Johnny Rodgers

WR Irving Fryar

QB Tommie Frazier

IB Roger Craig

IB Mike Rozier

FB Tom Rathman

FB Joel Mackovicka

PK Kris Brown

KR Tyrone Hughes

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DT Neil Smith

DT Jason Peter

NT Rich Glover

DE/OLB Broderick Thomas

DE/OLB Trev Alberts

DE Grant Wistrom

LB Tom Novak

LN Mark Munford

LB Ed Stewart

CB Michael Booker

S Mike Minter

S Mike Brown

P Jesse Kosch

PR Johnny Rodgers

In 1970, Nebraska laid low throughout an exciting regular season in which Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan competed for the number one position. One after another teams were knocked out. When Notre Dame beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl and Stanford upset Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, Nebraska seized their chance with a 17-12 win over LSU in the Sugar Bowl. This secured for them the AP national championship.

The next season there was no question. The 'Huskers were ranked number one in every poll from beginning to end, compiling a 13-0 record. Junior receiver/kick returner Johnny Rodgers was spectacular. Defensive tackle Larry Jacobson won the Outland Trophy. On November 25 Nebraska traveled to Oklahoma for the "Game of the Century." Sports Illustrated called it the "IRRESTIBLE FORCE MEETS THE IMMOVABLE OBJECT." Oklahoma was the "irresistible force." They were at times irresistible, but they were resisted. Nebraska was the "immovable object." OU indeed did move them, but in the end the team's and the game lived up to its moniker

The Cornhuskers outplayed OU but almost let it slip away thanks to some trick plays by the Sooners, catching them off guard. Their 35-31 victory steered them to an Orange Bowl date with Bear Bryant's unbeaten Crimson Tide.

#### Cornhuskers on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1969 9-2 F/7-0 9-2 (1969)

7-0 (1969)

1970 11-0-1 20-2-1 (1969-70)

18-0-1 (1969-70)

1971 13-0 33-2-1(1969-70)

31-0-1 (1969-70)

29-0-1 (1969-71) 30 games

1972 9-2-1 F/0-1 41-4-2 (1969-72)

Year Record Record

1981 9-3 9-3 (1981)

1982 12-1 21-4 (1981-82)

1983 12-1 32-5 (1981-83)

1984 10-2 42-7 (1981-84)

Year Record Run

1993 11-1 11-1 (1993)

1994 13-0 24-1 (1993-94)

1995 12-0 36-1 (1993-95)

29-1 (1993-95) 30 games

1996 11-2 S/1-0, 2-1, F/1-0 38-2 (1993-96) 40 games

47-3 (1993-96) 50 games

1997 13-0 60-3 (1993-97)

57-3 (1993-97) 60 games

14-0 (1996-97)

1998 9-4 S/5-0, 6-1 69-7 (1993-98)

66-4 (1993-98) 70 games

19-0 (1996-98)

There was an entirely new dynamic from the 1966-1967 bowl games with Alabama, when the all-white nature of the Tide played such a large role in the proceedings. This Alabama team was integrated and fast, but no match for Nebraska. The 38-6 win remains one of the most impressive bowl performances ever. It capped a season which at that point in time was believed to have produced the very best college football team ever assembled.

Los Angeles, California turned out to be a city Nebraska fans had no love for in 1972, however. First, they traveled to UCLA only to have their 32-game unbeaten streak ended by Mark Harmon and UCLA at the Coliseum, 20-17. Then USC compiled a season that in the minds of many erased Nebraska's 1971 team as the best in history. At 9-2-1 with a 40-6 Orange Bowl win over Notre Dame, it might have been considered a great year, but in the Devaney era the standards had changed. A 17-14 loss to Oklahoma was hard to swallow, but unfortunately portended a strange future.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Outland Trophy winners

1. Nebraska 8

2. Oklahoma 5

3. Ohio State 4

4. Notre Dame 3

4. Texas 3

6. Miami 2

7. Southern California 1

8. Alabama 1

9. Penn State 1

10. Michigan 0

Tom Osborne was Devaney's hand-picked successor in 1973, but he did not beat Oklahoma until 1978. Nebraska teams after 1971 were winners; they won bowl games; they were excellent; they could not beat the Sooners or capture the national title. 1970s consensus All-Americans were Bob Newton, Larry Jacobson, Johnny Rodgers, Willie Harper, Rich Glover, John Dutton, Marvin Crenshaw, Rick Bonness, Dave Butterfield, Kelvin Clark, and Junior Miller.

Did you know . . .

That Nebraska holds the NCAA record for most consecutive "major" (January) bowls with seventeen between the 1982 Orange Bowl and 1998 Orange Bowl?

In 1983, led by Irving Fryar, Mike Rozier and legendary offensive guard Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska looked better even than in 1971. They rolled through all opposition like Nebraska alum "Black Jack" Pershing's forces during the Argonne Offensive. Their opponent in the Orange Bowl was almost a joke. Led by coach Howard Schnellenberger and quarterback Bernie Kosar, Miami was 10-1 but their appearance in the Orange Bowl seemed unlikely.

Few people really thought of Miami as a big-time college football program prior to 1983. They were seen as a commuter school (albeit a private one) serving a growing metropolitan area in the wake of recent heavy Cuban immigration in the Castro/post-revolution era. Florida, where Steve Spurrier had won the 1966 Heisman Trophy, was the football school in the state. Florida State was a recent invitee among the "elites." But Miami was just a team on the schedule. The great Ted Hendricks had starred at Miami in the 1960s. A game with O. J. Simpson and USC had garnered attention in Sports Illustrated, but when it came to national championship contenders, fans thought of Nebraska, Oklahoma, USC, Notre Dame, Penn State.

But things were changing. The Trojans and the Irish were in down periods. In the 1980s Georgia won their first undisputed national title, followed by a highly unlikely Clemson team. In 1984, Brigham Young would capture it all.

The Orange Bowl may have appeared to be an easy Nebraska triumph, but there were a few uneasy signs. First, Miami would be the "home" team playing in their stadium. Second, the weather in Nebraska, always bad in December, was even worse that year. The Cornhuskers hardly got outside. Until they got to sunny Florida they had to practice in-doors while their counterparts were honing their skills under God's blue sky.

When the game started, all bets were off. Nebraska was tentative, slow off the ball, and mistake-prone. Miami came out guns blazing, taking chances that paid off, and raced to a 17-0 lead. But Nebraska made a terrific comeback to narrow it to 17-14, going to trick plays as Oklahoma had done in coming back against them in 1971.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Winningest programs (1970-2005)

1. Nebraska 360

2. Michigan 331

3. Ohio State 322

3. Oklahoma 322

But the 'Canes stormed back to a 31-14 advantage. Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill engineered a furious second half rally to narrow it to 31-30 after Jeff Smith scored with forty-eight seconds on the clock. Next came the decision that may have irritated some but in retrospect made Tom Osborne's legend. With no overtime, he chose to go for a two-point conversion rather than kick the point-after for a tie. The tie would have given Nebraska an undisputed national championship. It was a sure thing, but unlike Ara Parseghian in 1966 Osborne went for immortality. If this was to be considered the "greatest team of all times," then they would have to earn it with a victory. Miami stopped them, however, and finished number one.

Mike Rozier won the Heisman in 1983. A tough kid from the mean streets of Camden, New Jersey, he overcame a difficult upbringing to star at Nebraska after transferring from Coffeyville J.C. in Kansas. He became a 1,000-yard rusher with the Oilers and Falcons, eventually finding his niche speaking to kids about the troubles of street life.

The remainder of the 1980s looked like more of the 1970s: winning teams, mostly bowl defeats, and Oklahoma dominance. The fans saw Osborne as a coach incapable of taking his team to the promised land. Consensus All-Americans included Randy Schlusener, Jarvis Redwine, Dave Rimington, Mike Rozier, Irving Fryar, Dean Steinkuhler, Mark Traynowics, Danny Noonan, Jake Young, and Broderick Thomas.

Elite Ten by the numbers

USA Today/Hall of Fame national championships (1993-1996)

Nebraska: 2 (1994, 1995)

The 1990s started like the 1980s finished off. The Cornhuskers were a powerhouse, and had finally broken past Oklahoma in the Big 8 Conference. But the game's dominant teams were Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, and others. In 1993, Osborne almost seemed to have burned his last bridge when he brought an unbeaten squad to the Orange Bowl against once-beaten Florida State.

The 1993 Cornhuskers were considered to be a juggernaut on par with the 1971 and 1983 teams. They were favored over Bobby Bowden's Seminoles. The game was a pure dud, with neither group apparently willing to put themselves on the line for victory. It was like one of those old-time Harvard-Yale games; trench warfare, despite the speed and athleticism both teams possessed.

Florida State's 18-16 win was a bitter pill; victory at least for Bowden, who like Osborne had never won it despite coming close many times. Osborne looked like a loser, but in 1994 he and his team erased all doubt. Victory over the vaunted Miami Hurricanes gave them a 13-0 record and an unquestioned national championship. The 1995 team was selected by computer analyst Jeff Sagarin to be the best ever (with the 1971 Cornhuskers second). Behind quarterback Tommie Frazier Nebraska scored 52.4 points per game and won by an average of 38.7. Their 62-24 rout of Florida in the Fiesta Bowl is undoubtedly one of if not the best bowl performance (and single-game efforts) ever. The back-to-back national champions of 1994-1994 may well be the finest two-year run of all time.

#### Nebraska's College Hall of Famers (14)

Dave Rimington 1979-1982

Bob Brown 1961-1963

Rich Glover 1970-1972

Wayne Meylan 1966-1967

Ed Weir 1923-1925

Guy Chamberlin 1911-1915

Clarence Swanson 1918-1921

Johnny Rodgers 1970-1972

Bobby Reynolds 1950-1952

Sam Francis 1934-1936

George Sauer 1931-1933

## Coaches

Tom Osborne 1973-1997

Edward Robinson 1898-1925

The 1993-1995 period marks a three-year reign that has few if any equals. In 1997 the Cornhuskers again won the national championship. Overall they beat out Florida State to be "Team of the Decade" for the 1990s. Consensus All-Americans include Will Shields, Trev Alberts, Zach Wiegert, Brenden Stai, Ed Stewart, Tommie Frazier, Aaron Taylor, Grant Wistrom, Jason Peter, and Ralph Brown.

Nebraska versus Alabama (2-3), Miami (5-5), Michigan (2-3-1), Notre Dame (8-7-1), Southern California (0-2-1)

In the 2000s Nebraska slipped, although it was not obvious at first. In 2001, the Cornhuskers were destroyed by Colorado, 62-32 in the final regular season game. Oregon was the obvious choice to face unbeaten Miami in the BCS Rose Bowl, but the computer system, in place since 1998, failed the Ducks. Nebraska was selected and they were destroyed again, this time by one of the greatest teams ever. Miami ran over them by a 37-14 score. Quarterback Eric Crouch won the 2001 Heisman Trophy.

Osborne left to go into politics. His conservatism served him better at the polls than Bud Wilkinson's Republican views in Oklahoma back in 1964. Osborne's successors, however, have not upheld Nebraska tradition. In 2005 the Cornhuskers had one of the top recruiting classes according to USA Today, but under coach Bill Callahan's NFL mindset (the so-called "West Coast offense"), it has yet to materialize, at least not in the manner Nebraska fans have become accustomed. Consensus All-Americans in this decade include Dominic Raiola and Tonio Fonoti.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Conference (co)championships.

1. Nebraska 42 (MVC/Big /8/12)

1. Michigan 42 (Big 10)

3. Oklahoma 39 (Big 6/8/12)

4. Southern California 36 (PCC-AAWU-Pacific 8/10)

5. Ohio State 31 (Big 10)

6. Texas 27 (Southwestern/Big 12)

7. Alabama 21 (Southern/Southeastern)

8. Penn State 2 (Big 10)

9. Miami 8 (Big East, 0 Atlantic Coast)

Notre Dame (independent)

Nebraska ranked fourth in all-time victories with 803 entering the 2007 season. They appeared in an NCAA record thirty-five straight bowl games between 1969 and 2003. In the modern, post-World War I era, the only teams to win back-to-back national championships with perfect records have been Nebraska (1994-1995), Minnesota (1934-1935), Army (1944-1945) and Oklahoma (1955-1956). The only programs ever to capture three national titles in a four-year span are Nebraska (1994, 1995, 1997), California (1920, 1921, 1922), Minnesota (1934, 1935, 1936) and Notre Dame (1946, 1947, 1949).

They lost only three home games in the 1990s and were ranked in the polls thirty-five of thirty-seven seasons prior to 2006. They are approaching 300 straight sellouts at Memorial Stadium/Tom Osborne Field and boast thirty-one first round NFL draft choices. Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne were a combined 356-69-5.

Three Huskers are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Bob Brown, Guy Chamberlin, Link Lyman). Forty-five of their players have made fifty-eight Super Bowl appearances. Great pros include Roger Craig, Vince Ferragamo, Pat Fischer, and Irving Fryar.

SEVEN

MIAMI HURRICANES

In assembling College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions, particularly the "elite ten," there was little surprise at the "usual suspects": USC, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Nebraska, Texas, Michigan and Penn State. Each has long football histories. Penn State and Nebraska are relative newcomers but feature legendary coaches Joe Paterno, Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne. There may be some disagreement over the order – certainly Michigan fans consider their "point-a-minute" national championships should count as much as Ohio State's "three yards and a cloud of dust" title teams, just to name a couple.

### University of Miami

### Coral Gables, Florida

Founded: 1925

Enrollment: 9,794

Colors: Orange, green and white

Nickname: Hurricanes

Stadium: Orange Bowl (opened: 1937; capacity: 72,319)

All-time record (1926-2006): 532-297-19

Bowl record: 18-13 (through 2006)

National championships: 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001

Big East/Atlantic Coast Conference championships: 8

Heisman Trophies: Vinny Testaverde (1986), Gino Torretta (1992)

Outland Trophies: Russell Maryland (1990), Bryant McKinnie (2001)

First round NFL draftees: 57 (through 2007)

Website: www.hurricanesports.com

**Notable alumni:** Actors Sylvester Stallone and Charles Grodin; singers Gloria Estefan, Enrique

Iglesias and Jon Secada; Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman; National Organization for Women president Patricia Ireland; basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry; baseball player Al Rosen

But one team always gets a raised eyebrow, for more than one reason. That school is the University of Miami. One eyebrow is raised at the concept that just since 1983, the Hurricanes could have amassed so much success that they can be rated among the very highest echelon of historical collegiate powerhouses. The second raised eyebrow concerns the fact that a supposedly "outlaw" program, a school that allegedly does not graduate its players, allows and condones criminals within its ranks, and stands for all that is wrong with division I-A football, should be given such a lofty perch.

No, Miami is not great academically, at least not as far as their football players are concerned. They have a spotty coaching record. They have produced numerous players with drug, alcohol, and violence problems both while in school and in their pro careers. They are as well known for their "bling" as anything else. They are not always a clean program. They have broken the rules.

But in the 2000s, the sad fact is that many athletes, coaches and programs break the rules. The recent steroid scandals in professional sports are emblematic of this. As long as we keep score and play to win, the fact that Miami wins cannot be ignored. It is somehow fitting that one of their most famous alums, football player Dwayne Johnson (actually a real ggod guy with a law 'n' order side to him), became known as WWF celebrity The Rock. The Rock made his reputation with a combination of dazzle, attitude and intimidating ability, just like Miami football.

Miami plays its football games in the Orange Bowl, which opened in 1937. The NFL's Dolphins moved into the Orange Bowl in the mid-1960s. The stadium and its New Year's Day bowl extravaganzas – then its Super Bowls - were more famous than its oldest occupant. Miami was bigger on the college football scale than Pasadena City College, who played some of their games at the Rose Bowl for years, but nobody was mistaking the Hurricanes for the "Thundering Herd" or the "Seven Blocks of Granite."

Prior to 1983, Ed Cameron, William Levitt, Bill Miller (who played for the Packer Super Bowl teams), Tom Beir, Ted Hendricks, Tony Cristiani, Rubin Carter, and Fred Marion were the school's only consensus All-Americans. Hendricks was the only legitimate superstar, although quarterback George Mira (1961-1963) was a top player. Running back Pete Banaszek became a journeyman on great Oakland Raider outfits. The well-traveled Lou Saban coached at Miami from 1977 to 1978. The team was often mediocre. Attendance was down. As the neighborhood around the Orange Bowl got worse the crowds continued to thin.

The team's nickname, Hurricanes, stems from the devastating 1926 pounder which apparently was not willing to wait until so-called "global warming" to demonstrate the wrath of God. It canceled the season opener, killed 130 and ruined the yet-to-be-completed on-campus stadium then underway.

The 'Canes were not a solid, mid-level program under Hall of Fame coach Andy Gustafson (93-65-3 between 1946 and 1963). They played in one Orange Bowl, one Gator Bowl, one Liberty Bowl, and the 1962 Gotham Bowl (?), where they lost to Nebraska, 36-34. It was a match-up between two programs that had little previously to cheer about but would share national prominence a few decades later. The Cornhuskers got off the ground sooner with the win, which served notice in Bob Devaney's first season that things were different in Lincoln. Miami was still little-noticed.

In fact, Miami of Ohio was considered to be at least as strong a program. When commentators and score-givers talked about college football, they felt the need to make the differentiation. The Hurricanes were usually Miami (of Florida). Only in later years did they reach the point where nobody felt they needed to let folks know where they were from.

From 1967-1968, linebacker Ted Hendricks was a devastating superstar, perhaps the finest collegiate player at his position ever. Coach Charlie Tate's squad was 2-0 and ranked thirteenth when they entered the L.A. Coliseum in 1968. Sports Illustrated ballyhooed it as a match between two beach powers, but USC left no doubt that the 'Canes were a long way from prime time with a 28-3 whuppin'.

#### Miami's College Hall of Famers (3)

Ted Hendricks 1966-1968

Don Bosseler 1953-1956

Coaches

Andy Gustafson 1926-1963

The history of Miami football is somewhat curious. Geographically, they are the most Southern of all colleges, but of course they have never really been a Southern town. Rural Florida always has been, but Miami always was cosmopolitan, more Caribbean than Confederate mixed with retired Jews from New York and not-so-retired gangsters. They were not in a conference and lacked traditional rivals. Their unique demographics might have made it a ground-breaking place for black athletes in the South which, given the courage and the vision to accomplish such a thing, may have given Miami a big advantage as early as the 1940s or 1950s. But black professional baseball players were not treated well even in southern Florida. The school never became a vanguard of integration.

The talent level of black athletes in the South, particularly in Florida, is astounding. So is the talent level of Florida athletes in general. Coach Ron Fraser developed Miami's baseball team into a national juggernaut years before the football team turned heads. The basketball program produced the likes of scoring champion Rick Barry. Even without blacks, Miami's failure to develop is incongruous. The school is located in a pleasant suburb called Coral Gables. It benefits from warm weather, great beaches, tanned bathing beauties and terrific nightlife. But Miami football never became a factor until after the "Mariel boatlift" of 1980. Whether this has anything to do with it is not clear. It would not seem that it would.

The boatlift brought thousands of Cuban criminals to Miami and turned a conservative, white/Jewish enclave into a schizophrenic hybrid of rabid conservatives, Christian anti-Communist Cuban Castro haters, and drug dealers. Over the years, a fair number of Hurricane stars have been Hispanic, but it really does not seem that the talent pool of Miami football benefited in a huge way from Cuban immigration. But the anti-Castro Republicanism of the "new Miami" in the 1980s spotlighted the city and made it important to the Reagan Administration. Perhaps it is this confluence of economic and political clout that Miami was able to make itself a world class city, capable of attracting world class athletes who otherwise might have been ticketed for Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Georgia and points north and west.

Whatever the cause, it all came together beginning with the 1979 debut of coach Howard Schnellenberger. Schnellenberger was perfect for Miami in terms of his amorphous name, which sounded slightly Jewish and therefore went over well with those retirees from New York. But Schnellenberger was a good ol' boy who earned his spurs under the coaching tutelage of the great Paul "Bear" Bryant, when he served on the University of Alabama staff. While he had gone on to become an assistant under Don Shula with the Miami Dolphins by 1970, he was well aware of the circumstances surrounding the 1970 USC-Alabama game. 'Bama had their hats handed to them by integrated Southern Cal. Schnellenberger knew that the future of Southern football lay in the recruitment of great, fast black athletes.

Schnellenberger was a mercenary, not one of Bryant's longtime loyalists who stayed on his 'Bama staff seemingly from "cradle to grave." He stayed at the University of Miami just long enough to convert them from a .500 team to a national champion, but no sooner did he accomplish this seeming miracle than he was off to the USFL, later to Louisville.

He never came close at another school, but in 1983 he brought the Hurricanes all the way. The season started in rotten manner with a 28-3 pasting at the hands of Florida, but freshman quarterback Bernie Kosar steered the team to ten wins and an Orange Bowl berth. The key was a 17-16 squeaker over Bobby Bowden and Florida State. It would not be the first of its kind. Despite Kosar's passing theatrics, Miami did it with defense, but for a team that got past East Carolina 12-7, the Orange Bowl match with seemingly-unbeatable Nebraska appeared to make the 'Canes look like the Washington Generals to the Cornhuskers' Harlem Globetrotters. In one of the greatest games ever played, Miami prevailed, 31-30 and the first national title in state history had come to Florida.

Elite Ten by the numbers

####

#### Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year

1. Miami: 5

Cortez Kennedy, Seattle DT (1992), Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay DT (1999), Ray Lewis, Baltimore LB (2000, 2003), Ed Reed, Baltimore S (2004)

2. Notre Dame: 1

Alan Page, Minnesota DT (1971)

2, Ohio State: 1

Randy Gradishar, Denver LB (1978)

2. Oklahoma:

Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay DE (1979)

The next year under new coach Jimmy Johnson, Miami was unnerved by Doug Flutie's famed "Hail Mary," which beat them 47-45. After losing to UCLA, 39-37 in the Fiesta Bowl, it looked like the Hurricanes of 1983 had been a one-shot wonder. Then sophomore Kosar left school early to enter the draft, where he was chosen by his hometown Cleveland Browns.

Kosar was a mystery. The Miami Jewish community claimed him based on his "Jewish sounding" name, his curly hair, "Jewish features," and the fact he was a top student, another supposed "Jewish trait." Kosar had to disappoint many when he revealed that he was in fact Catholic. But he was a great quarterback and an excellent student. His early departure for pro football came about only because he had taken such a big academic load that he was able to graduate – not merely leave – early.

In 1985, a major moment was reached. Miami demolished Notre Dame, 58-7. It was considered by many in and out of South Bend, Indiana to be a sure sign of the Apocalypse. In 1986, quarterback Vinny Testaverde won the Heisman in a runaway, but this time the circumstances of 1983 were reversed. Miami was 11-0 and favored over Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. It was the first of the supposedly arranged "national championship games" twelve years prior to the BCS.

It featured two independent teams not locked into a particular bowl. The Fiesta Bowl was now considered a major game on an equal basis with the Rose, Orange and other New Year's bowls, only this was arranged the night after New Year's. Competing all by itself, the ratings were through the roof.

Miami versus versus the Elite Ten

Alabama (3-14), Michigan (1-1), Nebraska (5-5), Notre Dame (7-15-1), Ohio

State (1-2), Oklahoma (3-2), Penn State (6-7), Southern California (1-1), Texas (2-2); Total: 29-49-1

In pro football, the Oakland Raiders were considered the "Hells <ED: HELLS, NOT HELL'S; UNIQUE TO THE GROUP> Angels" of the NFL. For the first time a college team took on a similar identity. Defensive lineman Jerome Brown and many teammates showed up at a pre-Fiesta Bowl banquet with Penn State wearing fatigues. Prior to dinner being served, Brown stood up and said, "Did the Japanee siddown ta dinna wit Pearl Harba before dey bombed him? No! Fellas, let's go." With that, two things became known: (a) Miami was an "outlaw" program, and (b) The question as to whether Brown was a "dumbellionite" was no longer a question.

Immediately, America's rooting interests turned to the classy Joe Paterno and his Nittany Lions, a team that got it done on the field and in the classroom. Testaverde was completely off but still had Miami driving for the game-winning score when he was intercepted deep in Penn State territory. The 14-10 Lion win gave Paterno his second national title.

The 1987 Hurricanes are considered one of the greatest teams of all time. They went 12-0 with a win over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. This included a 31-4 whomping of Florida; 26-25 over Florida State (causing the Christian Bowden to look to the Heavens), and 24-0 over the Irish.

In 1988 the Hurricanes lost one of the wildest, and some still contend controversial, games ever played. It was the "Convicts vs. the Catholics" epic, won by Notre Dame at South Bend by a 31-30 score. It was likely the only thing keeping Miami from an unprecedented three straight national titles.

New coach Dennis Erickson took over when Johnson was enticed by his former Arkansas teammate, Jerry Jones, to right the listing ship of the Dallas Cowboys. Florida State beat the Hurricanes, 24-10, but that was it. A 33-25 victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl gave them an 11-1 mark and another title.

When the decade of the 1980s began, Miami was little more than a few lines in the "Southeast round-up" of most Sunday newspapers in the fall. The game's giants all stood tall: Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma. There had been a shake-up. Some of those giants were not standing so tall, others held their ground. But one team had risen above all of them, the "Team of the Decade": the Miami Hurricanes.

Miami versus conferences

Atlantic Coast (37-19-1), Big East (72-11), Big 10 (22-9), Big 12 (19-12), Big West (6-0), Mid-American (4-1), Pacific 10 (9-8), Southeastern (55-76-1), Western Athletic (9-2), Sun Belt (2-2), Independents (15-17-1)

Consensus All-Americans from 1983-1989 were Eddie Brown, Willie Smith, Vinny Testaverde, Jerome Brown (despite his bad acts he was a great star and a terrific pro with the Eagles, who made him their first draft pick), Benny Blades, Daniel Stubbs, quarterback Steve Walsh, Bill Hawkins and Greg Mark.

In 1990, BYU's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Ty Detmer engineered a 28-21 opening game win over Miami. Notre Dame also toppled the Hurricanes, 29-20. The 'Canes beat Marshall Faulk and San Diego State, 30-28 in a wild affair, then demolished out-manned Texas, 46-3 in the Cotton Bowl to finish 10-2.

Miami versus Florida State 29-22

1991 was a year of greatness in college football. Miami, led by California-bred quarterback Gino Torretta, won another one-pointer over Florida State for all the marbles on a missed Seminole field goal, 17-16. A 22-0 stomping of Nebraska in the Orange Bowl gave them a 12-0 record and the AP national title. But Washington, also unbeaten and untied, was a juggernaut team in 1991; one of the best ever. They took the UPI and USA Today national titles.

A shot at a repeat was lost when Alabama ran all over Miami (11-1), 34-13 in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. Butch Davis took over in 1995 and the program took a turn for the worse. The team went on probation, and so did many players – as in court-ordered probation, or worse – and in 1997 Sports Illustrated called for Miami to abolish their program. SMU had been given the so-called "death penalty" a few years earlier. The once-famed USF basketball program had dropped the sport for a few year in the 1980s, too.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### First round draftees, season

1. Miami 6 (2004)

2. Southern California 5 (1968)

2. Miami 5 (2002)

4. Miami 4 (2003)

4. Notre Dame 4 (1946)

4. Notre Dame 4 (1993)

But Miami made their entrance back into the realm of college football powerhouses on December 5, 1998. A September game with UCLA had been post-poned due to a . . . hurricane. The unbeaten, number three Bruins needed only to win this game against 7-3 Miami at the Orange Bowl to advance to the first BCS title game with Tennessee.

In one of the wildest contests ever played, the Hurricanes prevailed 49-45, breaking UCLA's hearts. Consensus All-Americans of the 1990s were Maurice Crum, Russell Maryland, Carlos Huerta, Darryl Williams, Gino Torretta, Michael Barrow, Ryan McNeil, and Warren Sapp. However, there were none after Sapp in 1994.

Davis's 2000 team went 11-1. After a 39-24 loss at Washington, the Hurricanes won ten straight, including a 37-20 pounding of Florida in the Sugar Bowl. With the return of Miami in the wake of national titles at Florida State (1993, 1999) and Florida (1996), the Sunshine State was now the epicenter of college football. A well worn path of great players from California, including several excellent quarterbacks, chose to attend college in Florida during this period, leading to the general conclusion that the likes of USC and UCLA were now relegated to the archives.

#### Hurricanes on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1985 10-2 10-2 (1985)

1986 11-1 21-3 (1985-86)

1987 12-0 33-3 (1985-97)

1988 11-1 43-4 (1985-88)

37-3 (1985-88) 40 games

1989 11-1 54-5 (1985-89)

1990 10-2 64-7 (1985-90)

54-6 (1985-90) 60 games

63-7 (1985-90) 70 games

1991 12-0 76-7 (1985-91)

73-7 (1985-91) 80 games

1992 11-1 77-8 (1985-92)

1993 9-3 86-11 (1985-93

81-9 (1985-93) 90 games

1994 10-2 96-12 (1985-94)

88-12 (1985-94) 100 games

Year Record Run

2000 11-1 F/10-0 11-1 (2000)

10-0 (2000)

2001 12-0 23-1 (2000-01)

22-0 (2000-01)

20-0 (2000-01) 20 games

2002 12-1 S/12-0 35-1 (2000-02)

34-0 (2000-02)

34-1 (2000-02)

30-0 (2000-02) 30 games

35-2 (2000-02)

2003 11-2 S/7-0 46-4 (2000-03) 50 games

38-2 (2000-03) 40 games

45-3 (2002-03)

39-1 (2002-03) 40 games

In 2001, the Hurricanes lent further credence to this notion while making it clear that in a three-way battle for Florida supremacy, they were the Alpha Males of the bunch. Davis took off for professional football. This had become a habit for Miami coaches. The school did not seem to engender the kind of loyalty or love that a Notre Dame garners, or that a Pete Carroll feels for USC. The professional nature of its players while still in school seemed to extend to its coaches, who viewed winning records at Miami as stepping stones to the NFL. The unspoken truth is that Miami coaches often felt the need to depart before the next disaster struck; whether that be probation, scandal, criminality run amok, or even the natural kind, as in recent hurricanes blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean.

Either way, Larry Coker inherited a juggernaut in 2001. It is to his credit that he took that team and ran with them. Ken Dorsey was another one of those California quarterbacks. He hailed from Orinda, near Oakland. Dorsey played his high school ball not far from where a previous California quarterback, Gino Torretta of Pinole, had played. Torretta won the Heisman Trophy, leading Miami to the national championship. Dorsey finished third in a close Heisman vote, but like Torretta engineered another Miami title.

Miami versus the Elite Ten

Alabama (3-14), Michigan (1-1), Nebraska (5-5), Notre Dame (7-15-1), Ohio State (1-2), Oklahoma (3-2), Penn State (6-7), Southern California (1-1), Texas (2-2); Total: 29-49-1

The only close call was a 26-24 win over Virginia Tech. Nebraska was like a lamb brought to slaughter against Miami in the BCS Rose Bowl. Oregon cried foul. The Pacific-10 champions naturally wanted an invite to Pasadena, but a computer glitch gave Nebraska the BCS bid. That said, the Ducks were probably better off going to the Fiesta Bowl, where they polished off Colorado (the team that annihilated Nebraska).

Miami's 37-14 victory over Nebraska was never in question. This group ranks as one of the greatest in college history. They were the epitome of team speed, athleticism and strength. The issue of steroids was less prevalent in 2001 than it is today. If the Hurricanes were "juiced," they were no more so than most college football teams. They just had the talent.

Bryant McKinnie, Jeremy Shockey, Phillip Buchanon, Edward Reed, and Mike Rumph all went in the first round of the 2002 draft, equaling USC's 1968 draft class for most first round picks. The 2003 team did them one better: six first round picks (Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow, Jonathan Vilma, D. J. Williams, Vernon Carey, Vince Wilfork).

Did you know . . .

That Miami has had forty-seven players chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft (1984-2007);at

least one player chosen in the first round in thirteen consecutive drafts (1995-2007; and eighty-

four players chosen in the first three rounds (1984-2006)?

The 2002 Hurricanes went 12-0, increasing the winning streak that started under Butch Davis in 2000 to thirty-four straight games. Led by the senior Dorsey, they were odds-on favorites against Ohio State in the BCS Fiesta Bowl, but injuries slowed the Hurricanes down. It was a relatively lackluster game, certainly from an offensive standpoint, but despite tentativeness it was close and therefore a masterpiece of sorts. In two overtimes, Ohio State held off Miami for the national championship, 31-24. Miami appeared to have it won but Buckeye quarterback Craig Krenzel's desperate fourth down pass in the fourth quarter was flagged for interference against the 'Canes. Given another chance, Ohio State scored to force the extra period. Trailing by a touchdown, Dorsey's fourth down pass on the Buckeye one was batted down. Ohio State had the title with the 31-24 double-overtime victory.

The Miami run appeared to be something nobody would see again. They won the first seven games of the 2003 campaign and finished 11-2. But slowly the program fell back as they had in the mid-1990s. Then came USC, doing it even more impressively than Miami had done. The success of Miami and USC in the 2000s made experts re-think what can be accomplished in college football. Despite the BCS system and strived-for parity, a great coach, great players from a seemingly-limitless talent pool (Florida and California both offer that) and the right system can create dynasties.

#### Elite Ten by the numbers

USA Today national championships (1982-2006)

Previously USA Today/ESPN/Cable News Network poll

1. Miami (4): 1983, 1987, 1989, 2001

2. Nebraska (3): 1994, 1995, 1997 (split/Michigan – AP)

3. Oklahoma (2): 1985, 2000

3. Penn State (2): 1982, 1986

4. Southern California (1): 2004

4. Texas (1): 2005

4. Ohio State (1): 2002

4. Alabama (1): 1992

4. Notre Dame (1): 1988

10. Michigan (0)

In the 2000s, consensus All-Americans have included Santana Moss, Dan Morgan, Edward Reed, Bryant McKinnie, Edward Reed, Willis McGahee, Brett Romberg, Kellen Winslow, Sean Taylor and Andre Rolle.

Since 1983, Miami has played in all the major bowl games. They are a consistent draw, a team people want to see in person or on television. They were ranked for 104 straight weeks in the Associated Press polls, the longest streak of any team. They had at least one player drafted in the first round for twelve straight drafts, another record. Miami's 58-game home winning streak between 1985 and 1994 ranks among one of the greatest records in sports.

Did you know . . .

That in 2006, Miami led all collegiate programs with forty-two players on NFL rosters, according to Sports Illustrated?

Tales of academic fraud at Miami may have been true at one point, but in 2005 they graduated all twenty-one seniors (the "highest total in college football") according to their media guide. Still, HBO Sports and Bob Costas centered on Miami in a 2007 expose of academic misconduct within the NCAA. The high historical ranking of Miami – an "outlaw" program with little history prior to 1983 – will outrage the purists. The Michigan supporters will compare their long list of College Hall of Famers to Miami's paltry three (two players and a coach); Michigan's all-time wins record going back to the Rutherford B. Hayes Administration; and their high-falutin' academic reputation. They will say – and maybe they are right – that it should count for more, that a program like Miami has no "right" to join this "elite ten" fraternity.

But in twenty-five short years, Miami has won five absolutely legitimate national championships, all earned via major bowl victories over the best the nation had to offer. This is the same number of national titles Michigan has won in all the years of the post-World War I modern era (1919-2006), and four of those came without the challenge of any bowl game whatsoever. Since 1983, the figures are more startling: Miami five, Michigan one (and that 1997 title was split with Nebraska).

In their short run, Miami compiled an all-time total of sixty first round NFL draftees through 2007. With the advantage of all their great history, Michigan managed only thirty-nine in the same time period. The Wolverines have only a 3-2 edge in Heisman Trophy winners.

America is a competitive country that values excellence, greatness personified. They know it when they see it. Miami has had their run-ins with the law and the NCAA, but Oklahoma and USC, just to name two "elites," have as well. Nobody is entirely clean.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

So it is that Miami, who is not without sin, nevertheless has earned their place among the most elite of College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions. "Hail to the spirit of Miami U."

EIGHT

TEXAS LONGHORNS

Texas football is an anomaly of sorts. On the one hand, they are everything they are cracked up to be: fabulous traditions, winning history, and rightfully placed among the greatest college programs in the nation. They are, like their state, larger than life. Everything in Texas is big and the Longhorns have always represented that.

### University of Texas

### Austin, Texas

Founded: 1883

Colors: Burnt orange and white

Nickname: Longhorns

Stadium: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (opened: 1924; capacity: 80,082)

All-time record (1893-2006): 810-313-33

Bowl record: 23-21-2 (through 2006)

National championships: 1963, 1969, 2005

Southwestern/Big 12 Conference championships: 27

Heisman Trophies: Earl Campbell (1977), Ricky Williams (1998)

Outland Trophies: Scott Appleton (1963), Tommy Nobis (1965), Brad Shearer (1977)

First round NFL Draftees: 40 (through 2007)

Website: www.texassports.com

**Notable alumni:** Secretary of State James Baker; network anchor Walter Cronkite;

political commentator Bill Moyers; actors Matthew McConaughey, Renee Zellweger and Marcia Gay Harden; baseball players Roger Clemens, Burt Hooton and Huston Street; University of Texas baseball coach Cliff Gustafson

On the other hand, they have disappointed their fans as often as not. Start with Texas high school football, which is the stuff of legends. In terms of actually producing the best teams and players, California ranks far and away as number one in football, as they do in all other sports (except ice hockey). But the Golden State does not come close to the enthusiasm, small town fervor and utter mythology of Lone Star State prep football. As they say in Texas, the two favorite sports are "football and spring football."

It would stand to reason then, that the University of Texas would dominate in a manner similar to the way USC, Notre Dame and Alabama have dominated, but they have not. They played for years in the Southwest Conference, which never produced truly great rivals. Texas A&M, Arkansas and other SWC teams were often strong, sometimes very strong. The intensity of emotion was always there, but these teams usually did not pose the kind of obstacle to greatness that Ohio State and Michigan posed to each other.

Recruiting enticements at Texas are legendary. Austin is a college town, unencumbered by professional sports detracting from interest in the Longhorns. Their facilities are A-1, its alumni, student and fan support rabid. Night life in Austin is second to none. Then there the Texas women. Stories of UT "hostesses" seeing to the needs of recruits have been told in awestruck detail for decades.

Texas has always been the school in a state with a large population filled with prospects. The state has played an important role in shaping American history. The Alamo became the impetus for Western expansion and the war with Mexico, which was the epitome of Manifest Destiny. Texas politics shaped the modern South, producing two presidents and an electorate that needed to be courted assiduously. It has been the scene of triumph and tragedy on the American landscape.

The Dallas Cowboys became "America's Team," led by the stoic former Texas and New York Giants' football star, Tom Landry. The Longhorns owned Saturdays, just as the preps outdrew the Astros and Rangers on Friday nights, the Cowboys getting all the Sunday attention. But when it comes to national prestige, UT football has had to take a secondary position to a hated, out-of-state rival that until 1996 played in another conference. Texans always downgraded Oklahoma. They called it _Baja Texas_ , its citizens were "Okies from Muskogee." Texans owned the oil rigs that Oklahomans slaved on. But Bud Wilkinson turned the whole "dust bowl," _Grapes of Wrath_ image around. He was integrating Sooner football when it was unthinkable in Texas.

Texas All-Century Team

Voted by Longhorns fans via the Internet, 1999

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OL Scott Appleton

OL Jerry Sizemore

OL Doug Dawson

OL Blake Brockermeyer

OL Dan Neil

TE Pat Fitzgerald

WR Johnny "Lam" Jones

WR Anthony Carter

WR Wayne McGarity

QB Bobby Layne

RB Earl Campbell

RB Ricky Williams

K Phil Dawson

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DL Doug English

DL Steve McMichael

DL Kenneth Sims

DL Tony Brackens

LB Tommy Nobis

LB Britt Hager

LB Winfred Tubbs

DB Raymond Clayborn

DB Johnnie Johnson

DB Jerry Gray

DB Bryant Westbrook

P Russell Erxleiben

Oklahoma became Texas's biggest rival, and to their consternation the greater historical power. They did this, most irritatingly, by recruiting blue chippers right from under Texas noses. Billy Sims and Brian Bosworth are just two superstar Sooners who hailed from Texas.

Football always fit the Texas mindset. Officially a member of the Confederacy, Texas looked at itself differently. The way they forged independence from Mexico gave them the imprimatur of victory the Deep South states lacked after the Civil War. The manly aspects of football fit in perfectly with Texas machismo.

They started playing football at UT in 1893. The Ivy League played the sport best. Then in the 1900s the Big 10 Conference established itself. In the late part of the decade and beginning of the 1910s, the Pacific Coast equaled the others. But the South was on the rise. In 1913, Auburn's unbeaten team served notice. Georgia Tech developed into a powerhouse. In the Southwest Conference, Texas and Oklahoma (they later left the SWC) made claims on the 1914 and 1915 national championships, respectively (Washington State and Oregon, Rose Bowl winners in those years, are the legitimate champs).

Just as USC benefited from its natural identification with the Rose Bowl, so too did Texas grow in prestige with the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Unlike Notre Dame (who did not play bowl games between 1925 and 1969), Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, and Penn State (none of whom had major bowl games in their states), Texas and USC (then Miami and LSU in recent years) had the "home field advantage" in January bowls.

Texas versus Oklahoma (39-57-5), Alabama (7-0-1), Michigan (1-0), Miami (2-2), Southern California (1-4), Notre Dame (2-8)

Coach D. X. Bible led the Longhorns to a 1943 Cotton Bowl win over Georgia Tech, 14-7. It was Texas's bid to separate themselves from Texas A&M and Texas Christian, who along with Tennessee, Alabama and Duke had been seen as the preeminent Southern programs of the 1930s. In the mid-1940s came the man who defined Texas football: Bobby Layne.

Layne was everything Texans could want in a football hero. On the field he was as good as it gets. Off the field he was a notorious rascal, whiskey drinker and skirt chaser; all activities which Texans have great fondness for. Layne also was an All-American baseball pitcher, but went for pro football after college. He starred for the Detroit Lions.

The duel between Layne and Southern Methodist's legendary running back Doak Walker is storied. In 1947, Walker and SMU beat Texas, 14-13. It was their only defeat in a season that otherwise may have resulted in their first legitimate national championship. Under first-year coach Blair Cherry, the 'Horns beat Alabama, 27-7 in the Sugar Bowl to finish 10-1.

Darrell Royal, a former Oklahoma quarterback under Bud Wilkinson, arrived on the scene in 1957. That was one year after the blockbuster George Stevens film Giant. Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean, it depicted Texas in all its glory and ugliness. Royal would become a "giant" of football fortunes. Prior to Royal's arrival in Austin, UT had produced only four consensus All-Americans: Hub Bechtol, Layne, Bud McFadin, and Carlton Massey.

In 1961 the Longhorns, led by Jimmy Sexton, went 10-1 with a stirring 12-7 win over Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl. Johnny Treadwell was a consensus All-American in 1962. 1963 was the year everything came together, finally.

Did you know . . .

That when the University of Texas opened the 1961 season at Berkeley's Memorial Stadium versus California, the school did not bring their cheerleaders? Enterprising UT alumni instead hired "dancers" from a San Francisco strip joint to perform for the Texas contingent. The Longhorns won, 28-3.

Featuring a smothering defense and ball control offense right out of the old Oklahoma playbooks, Texas ran an 11-0 table that included a stirring 28-6 Cotton Bowl triumph over Roger Staubach and Navy. They had their first legitimate national title, certainly the first of the modern (post-World War I) era.

In 1968, Texas was 9-1-1. After opening with a 20-20 tie against Houston and a 31-21 defeat at the hands of Texas Tech, the Longhorns ran off nine consecutive victories including a 36-13 pounding of Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl. Royal's "wishbone" running attack was in full sync in 1969. Fans in the stands often could not tell who had the ball. Defenders on the field fared little better. A typical "wishbone" play featured quarterback James Street angling to the side, then optioning a pitch to running back Steve "Woo Woo" Worster. Confusion would then reign, followed by a tackle . . . . about eight yards upfield.

1969 was the one hundredth anniversary of college football. Teams all wore a special insignia indicating "100." The action on the field matched the anticipation, but it was almost a turning point in the business, or entertainment, of college football. The AP had finally came around to voting for the national champion only after the bowl games were settled. Notre Dame lifted their "no bowl" policy after forty-four years. It was also a year of great traditions having great seasons.

Ohio State and Woody Hayes were the defending national champions. They held the number one spot until losing to Michigan in the last game of the regular season. USC, along with Alabama the dominant team of the decade, was at the height of their glory days under coach John McKay. Joe Paterno had Penn State on the rise. Ara Parseghian and Notre Dame were still football's glamour boys.

Texas's traditional rival was Texas A&M, but since losing coach Paul "Bear" Bryant to his alma mater, Alabama, the Aggies had been also-rans. The other dominant team in the Southwest Conference was Arkansas, the de facto national champions of 1964. Despite being a small school in a small state they were a big powerhouse under coach Frank Broyles. Both Texas and Arkansas entered the 1969 campaign expecting to challenge for national supremacy. With Ohio State barred from a Rose Bowl repeat, and the AP voting after the bowls, this increased the chances they could get it in the end.

ABC was looking to capitalize on the one hundredth anniversary concept. Beano Cook looked at Texas's schedule and came up with the bright idea of re-scheduling the Texas-Arkansas game from October 18 to December 6 in Fayetteville. Both teams ran the table unbeaten. USC and Notre Dame tied each other, and after Ohio State lost to Michigan it became a true number one versus number two battle for the national title, or at least the right to play for one in the Cotton Bowl.

"It makes them look wiser than a tree full of owls," Royal said of ABC's decision to televise the game at season's end. He then called it the "Big Shoot-out," meaning it was even larger than the "Red River Shoot-out" with Oklahoma. Few games before or since have had such build-up. President Richard Nixon, a football fanatic, showed up with Christian evangelist Billy Graham. Vietnam Wart protesters, a rarity in Dixie, showed up outside the stadium but were drowned out by American hubris and football mania.

It was a classic of classics, with the Razorbacks taking a 14-0 lead into the fourth quarter. Then Street broke a 42-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was successful, setting up a wild finish with the score 14-8, Arkansas. Street rarely passed, even though he was a star baseball pitcher (his son, Huston, is an ace reliever of the Oakland A's). On a fourth-and-three situation on their own 43 with 4:47 to go, Royal went for broke. Street hit wide receiver Randy Peschel, who despite double-coverage gathered it in for a 44-yard gain. Two plays later halfback Jim Bertelsen ran it in for the winning touchdown, 15-14.

After the game, Nixon stirred up a "hornet's nest" by announcing that Texas – before the bowls, and seemingly regardless of the AP poll results – was the national champion. Joe Paterno and Penn State, standing tall at 10-0, were non-plussed (Paterno voted Republican anyway).

Despite Nixon's admonition, the bowl games needed to be played. Penn State took care of Missouri in an Orange Bowl yawner, 10-3, but the Cotton Bowl was the most exciting in that game's history.

#### Elite Ten by the numbers

####

#### Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year

1. Texas: 4

Earl Campbell, Houston RB (1978, 1979, 1980, Priest Holmes, Kansas City RB (2002)

2. Southern California: 2

O.J. Simpson, Buffalo RB (1973), Marcus Allen, Raiders RB (1985)

2. Notre Dame: 2

Joe Theismann, Washington QB (1983), Joe Montana, San Francisco QB (1989)

2. Alabama: 2

Ken Stabler, Oakland QB (1974), Shaun Alexander, Seattle RB (2005)

5. Nebraska: 1

Roger Craig, San Francisco RB (1988)

Dallas, New Year's Day: enter the gold helmets of Notre Dame, led by quarterback Joe Theismann. Just like the Arkansas game, Texas fell behind and had to rally. Down 17-14, the Longhorns used running backs Worster and Ted Koy in a relentless ground attack that Notre Dame could not stop. A key fourth down conversion was made at the Irish 20. Faced with another fourth down on the subsequent set of downs, Royal again went to the rare air as he had against Arkansas. This time Street's pass to Cotton Speyrer was caught in brilliant shoestring fashion. Notre Dame stiffened but on the third try halfback Billy Dale scored with a little over a minute left to give the Longhorns a 21-17 victory. It was Royal's second national title. The names – Street, Worster, Koy, Dale, Speyrer – go down with names like Sam Houston and Davey Crockett in Texas lore.

But another name stands out. Freddie Steinmark was an undersized, big-hearted defensive back from Colorado. Steinmark played in pain throughout the season, including the win over Arkansas. When the game was over, he figured it was more than an ordinary football injury. Hoping to play as long as he could, he had not seen a doctor, but three days after beating the Razorbacks he was diagnosed with cancer. His leg was amputated and he had appeared at the Cotton Bowl on crutches.

At first he appeared to be a triumphant hero, accepting the crowd's plaudits and writing an inspirational book, I Play to Win. But then the cancer spread. When his hair fell out he took to wearing an earring, pretending he was a one-legged pirate, which got laughs. In the end he was a tragic hero, dying at the age of twenty-two in 1971.

In 1970, Texas returned with many of the same cast of characters. It was another monster year in college football. Pre-season number one Ohio State held that spot until October 26, when the AP switched to Texas. On November 9 Notre Dame ascended to the top spot, but their chances were lost when USC upset them, 38-28 in Los Angeles. The Longhorns held off Ohio State and accepted a re-match with Notre Dame in Dallas.

Ohio State lost to Stanford in the Rose Bowl, but it did not matter to Texas. This time, Theismann and the Irish manhandled them, ending their 30-game winning streak with a 24-11 victory that denied UT the title, handing it to Nebraska (winners over LSU in the Orange Bowl).

#### Longhorns on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1968 9-1-1 F/ 9-0 9-1-1 (1968)

9-0 (1968)

1969 11-0 20-1-1 (1968-69)

20-0 (1968-69) 20 games

1970 10-1 S/10-0 30-2-1 (1968-69)

30-1-1 (1968-69)

30-0 (1968-69) 30 games

30-1 (1968-69)

1971 8-3 S/3-0 38-5-1 (1968-69)

35-4-1 (1968-69) 40 games

33-1 (1968-69)

38-4 (1969-70)

37-3 (1969-70) 40 games

It was the end of an era, of sorts, although Royal did not leave. Texas integrated after that. Unlike Alabama, integration did not turn them into champions. Their won-lost record in the 1970s was among the best in the country, but they did not attain ultimate glory despite great players and teams. Consensus All-Americans under Royal between 1963 and 1970 included Scott Appleton, the legendary linebacker Tommy Nobis, Chris Gilbert, Bob McKay, Bobby Wuensch, Steve Worster, and Bill Atessis.

Between 1971 and 1976, Texas football was very strong. This included a 10-1 year in 1972 featuring a 17-13 Cotton Bowl triumph over Alabama. But national attention was focused on the Pac-8, the Big 10, the Big 8 and Notre Dame. Arkansas dropped a notch from their 1960s glory. Fans who saw the 1969 "Game of the Century" were confused. Who was Texas's biggest rival, Arkansas or Texas A&M (who they played most seasons in the final game)?

In 1974, a big old country boy from Tyler, Texas showed up in Austin. He would become the greatest of all Longhorns, at least until 2005. Earl Campbell was built like a Mack truck and ran like Jesse Owens. In 1977 under new coach Fred Akers, his pounding runs paved the way to an 11-0 start. The Longhorns rolled over all opposition with the exception of Oklahoma (13-6) and Arkansas (13-9), both of whom were overcome on the strength of defense. Ranked first in the nation, with Campbell capturing the Heisman Trophy, the Longhorns were odds-on favorites to win the national title. Fifth-ranked Notre Dame again entered the Cotton Bowl. Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Michigan all looked stronger than the Irish, but in the pre-BCS days they were locked into bowl commitments.

Notre Dame had lost early. Junior quarterback Joe Montana featured pedestrian numbers while fending off competition for his job. A green-jersey win over USC had the appearance more of mysticism than true gridiron greatness. Washington beat Michigan (Rose), Arkansas beat Oklahoma (Orange) and Alabama beat Ohio State (Sugar). But Notre Dame rose up and beat Texas with aplomb, 38-10, before a mostly-disappointed crowd in Dallas. The Irish beat out Alabama for number one.

Texas then entered a long, strange period in which they were almost always good, but always fell short. Consensus All-Americans between 1971 and 2004 were Jerry Sisemore, Bill Wyman, Roosevelt Leaks (who helped break the Texas "color barrier"), Bob Simmons, Brad Shearer, Johnnie Johnson, Steve McMichael, Kenneth Sims, Terry Tausch, Doug Dawson, Jeff Leiding, Jerry Gray, Tony Degrate, Tony Brackens, Dan Neil, Ricky Williams, Leonard Davis, Casey Hampton, Mike Williams, Quentin Jammer, Derrick Dockery and Derrick Johnson.

#### Texas College Hall of Famers (10)

Bud McFadin 1948-1950

Tommy Nobis 1963-1965

Jerry Sisemore 1970-1972

Bobby Layne 1944-1947

Roosevelt Leaks 1972-1974

Earl Campbell 1974-1977

James Everett Saxton 1959-1961

Harrison Stafford 1930-1932

Johnnie Johnson 1976-1979

## Coaches

Darrell Royal 1954-1976

Akers was 86-31-2 (.731) between 1977 and 1986. His successor, David McWilliams, ran into difficult times. Their old Cotton Bowl "stomping grounds" was the scene of a brutal 46-3 trouncing at the hands of highly superior Miami on January 1, 1991. Coach John Mackovic had several teams rated highly in pre-season polls. None rated as high at the end of the season (when it counts).

The Southwest Conference began to fold, too. Southern Methodist endured the "death penalty" after a series of scandals. Houston, once a powerhouse, fell by the wayside. The Cotton Bowl lost its panache; its early New Year's Day start little-watched by hungover West Coast fans. The stadium itself was considered a "dump." Games such as the Fiesta Bowl surpassed it in importance.

The SWC disbanded, becoming part of the Big 12 South beginning in 1996. Under coach Mack Brown, the move to the Big 12 seemed to have been of little benefit to the Longhorns. Nebraska dominated the league, so if national title aspirations were to be met then the road led through Lincoln. It was more perilous than the one Dorothy traveled to deliver the "wicked witch of the East's" broom to The Wizard of Oz.

The great Ricky Williams was snagged from San Diego, of all places, at a time when USC, the school that normally would have had the best shot at such a prospect, was down. Williams ran for 6,279 yards in his career, winning the 1998 Heisman Trophy. But two games with UCLA demonstrated the realities of Longhorn football in the late 1990s. In 1997 Texas smothered the Bruins, 66-3. The following year UCLA turned it around, beating them 49-31. By the "Darrel Royal standards," UT was an also-ran.

Between 2000 and 2003, a funny thing happened. Brown's teams were winners. However, they were not ultimate winners. Many times over the course of a number of seasons, pre-season polls had declared that "this is Texas's year." Each time they were wrong. It started to resemble the "little boy who cries wolf" syndrome. Highly rated Texas would fall. Some true champion would rise above all others.

Then came Vince Young. Now, Earl Campbell is a Texas legend, and Williams holds records. Young never did win the Heisman Trophy. No matter. He is the greatest player in Longhorn history, and one of the best the college game has ever seen.

Young was something entirely new in football. The size, speed and athleticism of its athletes increased markedly in the 2000s. Young was built like a linebacker; tall, bulky yet chiseled, with an accurate throwing arm and the ability to run over, around and through defenders, just like Williams.

Only a loss to Oklahoma in 2004 denied Texas an unbeaten season. With USC heading off to Miami, where they dismantled the Sooners in the BCS Orange Bowl for the national championship, Texas filled their slot in a wild Rose Bowl. Young turned it on, rallying the Longhorns in a stirring 38-37 comeback over Michigan. This set the stage for 2005, a year of memory like none other.

Every pre-season publication beginning in the late spring predicted USC number one and Texas number two. For months on end all expectations centered on a meeting between Young's Longhorns and the vaunted Trojans, led by the Heisman duo of Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. It would be a "game to end all games," and for Texas a return trip to the Rose Bowl.

Nobody was disappointed. Simply put, in the 2005 regular season the Longhorns may have been the greatest college football team of all time, and Young among the greatest players ever. They scored more than fifty points per game, annihilating opponent after opponent in the manner of Sherman marching to the sea. There was only one drawback: USC was better.

If the Longhorns were the second, third or fourth best team in history, USC was the best anybody had ever seen. If Young was better even than Campbell or Williams, he still took a backseat to Bush (who won the Heisman), although by season's end he seemed to have caught up with the heralded Leinart, a feat in and of itself. Young was genuinely disappointed that the Heisman did not come his way. Some saw petulance in his attitude, but in truth he was proud, knew he belonged, and wanted it for the program. He was bound and determined to prove his worth in Pasadena.

The month leading up to the Rose Bowl was surreal. USC fans somehow looked past Texas. Their 66-19 pounding of UCLA resembled Caesar parading the prisoners from Gaul through the streets of Rome. Lost in the banners of glory was the fact that on that very day, Texas beat Colorado in the Big 12 title game by an even larger score, 70-3.

The media descended on Los Angeles, but attention was paid mostly to the Trojans. There was Bush, a whirling dervish running back/kick returner compared to Gale Sayers and Tony Dorsett. Leinart was closing in on a four-year career pundits said was the best of any college player, ever. That was only half of it. USC owned the town. Leinart was hanging out with celebrities, attending hot parties at the trendiest Hollywood nightclubs. He, Bush, coach Pete "the prince of the city" Carroll, and several other Trojans ascended to a place on the "glitz meter" above multi-millionaire actors and directors; above the professional Lakers and Dodgers. In a town devoid of an NFL franchise, they were considered "L.A.'s pro football team."

ESPN did computer analysis, then announced prior to the game that USC was the "greatest college football team of all time." Carroll did his best to keep his team's heads out of the clouds. The reminders of Duke (1938), Tennessee (1939), Ohio State (1969, 1970), Nebraska (1983) and other teams thought to be the "best ever" before getting upset; if they permeated the USC consciousness, it did so fleetingly.

Young, Coach Brown, and Texas observed the whole circus surrounding the hometown Trojans, determined that when the time came they would prove their worth. On game day, Texas fans came out in large numbers; loud, draped in burnt orange, their beautiful women clad in chaps and boots. It was a spectacle. The comparison between the Texas and USC women was a world class contest in and of itself. But Texas fans were wary. They respected USC and its traditions, and demonstrated little in the way of great confidence that victory would be theirs. The Trojans were riding a 34-game winning streak. With victory would come a laundry list of firsts and glorification unlike anything college football has ever seen.

All of this flowery applause for the Trojans serves not to demonstrate their superiority, but rather to highlight just what an incredible accomplishment it was when Texas somehow managed to win the game, 41-38. Only one of the greatest teams in history could have beaten the Trojans, and that is what the Longhorns were. There have been many incredible games over the years, but the 2006 Rose Bowl, considering all of its elements, must be considered the best college game ever played.

The Trojans got out to an early lead and had several opportunities to put it away as they had done against Oklahoma in the previous year's BCS title game. A combination of USC errors – mental and physical – and a tenacious Longhorn team refusing to be intimidated, turned things around to the point where Texas led at the half, 16-10.

In the second half, Leinart lived up to all of his billing. USC moved at will against Texas. They held Young on some key possessions to move out to a commanding 38-26 lead with slightly more than six and a half minutes remaining. It looked to be over. Then Young took over, driving his team for a quick touchdown to narrow things to 38-33. USC got the ball back, but on a key fourth and one and a half around mid-field, Trojan coach Pete Carroll decided to go for it rather than punt deep into Texas territory.

Trojan running back LenDale White, who had bulled through Texas consistently all night, was stopped inches short of a first down. It was the first time he had been held, but Texas had their best moment when it counted the most.

"We did it because we did not feel we could stop Young," Carroll explained when asked why they did not punt it away. He was right. Carroll's lack of faith in his defense highlighted something that few really talked about amid the hubris. Despite all the talk about being the "greatest college football team of all time," their "chink in the armor" was his defense, beset by early NFL defections, a few key injuries and the loss of star defensive back Eric Wright due to a run-in with the law. Young drove his team to the USC nine. On fourth-and-five with nineteen seconds to play, he dropped back, saw his receivers covered, then ran for the corner just ahead of Trojan tacklers. Texas had reached the promised land.

In the 2006 NFL Draft, four of the top ten players chosen performed in this game. Bush and Leinart went to New Orleans and Arizona, respectively. Young was passed up buy his hometown Houston Texans, a decision that may go down in history as one of the dumbest moves of all time. Tennessee picked him and he immediately proved to be a star. Consensus All-American defensive back Michael Huff, winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, went to Oakland. In 2007, Michael Griffin went in the first round to Tennessee. The New York Giants made Aaron Ross their numbner one pick.

After "knocking on the door" for decades, Texas under Mack Brown re-established themselves as one of the elite collegiate football traditions. In so doing, they highlighted their glorious past. When a college program has been great but falls short of those standards, the faded clippings of Bobby Layne and Tommy Nobis; the grainy footage of James Street and Earl Campbell; it becomes easy to mock as "ancient history." But when the program lives up to its heritage, as the Longhorns finally did in 2005, then the "sharper image" of Vince Young becomes part of a beautiful panorama, a montage of Texas football past and present.

Hook 'em, 'Horns.

NINE

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Then there was Michigan. In reading Michigan T-shirts, Michigan media guides, and listening to Michigan fans, one hears a strong argument that the Wolverines are not number nine, but number one! They have a good case, which includes the most Division I-A victories (860 through 2006), the best winning record (860-282-36), the most Big 10 championships in the oldest conference (forty-two), and the nation's largest stadium (107,501, sold out every game). They have won seven legitimate national championships but, according to some systems, can be credited with between nine and eleven. Eleven, by the way, is the most of any program (a tie between USC and Notre Dame).

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan

**Founded:** 1817

**Enrollment:** 23,312

**Colors:** Maize and blue

**Stadium:** Michigan Stadium (opened: 1927; capacity: 107,501)

**All-time record (1879-2006):** 860-282-36

**Bowl record:** 18-20 (through 2006)

**National championships:** 1901, 1902, 1918, 1923, 1933, 1948, 1997

**Big 10 Conference championships:** 42 (through 2006)

**Heisman Trophies:** Tom Harmon (1940), Desmond Howard (1991), Charles Woodson

(1997)

**First round NFL Draftees:** 39 (through 2007)

**Website:** **www.mgoblue.com**

**Notable alumni:** Hall of Fame baseball executive Branch Rickey; Hall of Fame baseball player

George Sisler; baseball player Jim Abbott; basketball player Chris Webber; U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum; attorney Clarence Darrow; playwright Arthur Miller; singer Madonna; actors James Earl Jones and Lucy Liu; network commentator Mike Wallace

While the overall numbers demonstrate Michigan greatness, it is something of a misnomer. The Wolverines started playing, and winning, football games in 1879. Rutherford B. Hayes was the President of the United States. The Civil War ended fourteen years before that, Reconstruction only two years prior. Most non-Ivy League teams did not get around to it until the 1890s. That gives the Wolverines ten-, fifteen-, twenty-year head starts over most of their competitors in the "most wins" race. They are still a great power, to be sure. However, compelling modern sensibilities tell us that they are not the greatest overall program. Their records in the 1880s, 1890s, 1900s and 1910s simply do not carry the weight of records after World War II, and especially not after 1960 (the unofficial "embarkation point" when the game truly changed into what it is today).

To use an imperfect empire metaphor, Babylon, Persia, Athens and Rome once ruled the known world. That does not mean Iraq, Iran, Greece and Italy are the "greatest countries of all time." We place more importance on World War II than the Peloponnesian War; more importance on the BCS era than the days of the "Yale wedge."

National champions - pre-World War I era (1869-1918)

1. Princeton 19 legitimate

1869, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1881,

1884, 1885, 1886, 1889, 1893, 1896, 1899, 1903, 1911

2. Yale 12 legitimate

## 1876, 1880, 1882, 1883, 1887, 1888, 1891, 1892, 1894, 1900,1906, 1907

3. Harvard 5 legitimate

1890, 1898, 1908, 1910, 1912

4. Michigan 3 legitimate

1901, 1902, 1918

5. Washington 2 legitimate

1909, 1913

5. Pennsylvania 2 legitimate

1895, 1897

7. Oregon 1 legitimate

1916

7. Washington State 1 legitimate

1915

7. Georgia Tech 1 legitimate

1917

7. Army 1 legitimate

1914

7. Chicago 1 legitimate

1905

7. Stanford 1 legitimate

1905

7. Minnesota 1 legitimate

1904

In many ways, Michigan is the story of America. The Midwest became populated in large part by German and Swedish immigrants of the nineteenth century. A look at Michigan football lists show the offspring of these sturdy settlers starring on the gridiron for the Wolverines: Adolph Shulz, John Maulbetsch, Harry Kipke, Jack Blott, Benny Friedman, Otto Pommerening, Ralph Heikkinen, Dick Riffenburg, Dan Dierdorf, Ed Muransky, Mike Hammerstein, Mark Messner, Greg Skrepenak. The ethnic make-up of Michigan football over the years is indicative of more than a few laughs over steins of beer at the Ann Arbor German-American Bund. It is a socio-political statement with profound implications.

Pre-World War I era – national champions by conference (1869-1918)

INDEPENDENTS (PRE-IVY LEAGUE) 38 LEGITIMATE

Princeton 19 legitimate, 19 consensus, no bowls

Yale 12 legitimate, 12 consensus, no bowls

Harvard 5 legitimate, 5 consensus, no bowls

Pennsylvania 2 legitimate, 2 consensus, no bowls

Princeton: 19 legitimate (1869, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1881,

1884, 1885, 1886, 1889, 1893, 1896, 1899, 1903, 1911)

## Yale: 12 legitimate (1876, 1880, 1882, 1883, 1887, 1888, 1891, 1892, 1894, 1900,

## 1906, 1907)

Harvard: 5 legitimate (1890, 1898, 1908, 1910, 1912)

## Pennsylvania: 2 (1895, 1897)

INDEPENDENTS 2 LEGITIMATE

Army 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, no bowls

Georgia Tech 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, no bowls

Army: 1 legitimate (1914)

Georgia Tech: 1 legitimate (1917)

PACIFIC COAST 5 LEGITIMATE

#### Pacific Coast Conference formed, 1916

####

#### Washington 2 legitimate, 2 consensus, no bowls

Washington State 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 bowl win

Oregon 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 bowl win

Stanford 1 legitimate, 1 co, no bowls

Washington: 2 (1909/independent, 1913/independent)

Washington State: 1 (1915/independent)

Oregon: 1 (1916)

BIG 10 5 LEGITIMATE

##

Michigan 3 legitimate, 3 consensus, 1 bowl win

Minnesota 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, no bowls

Chicago 1 legitimate, 1 co, no bowls

## Michigan: 3 (1901, 1902, 1918)

Minnesota: 1 (1904)

Chicago: 1 (1905)

In the late 1920s, when Adolph Hitler was rising to power in Germany with plans to take the world to war, he assessed his chances and found, for him at least, a disturbing fact. The loss of the "flower of German manhood" in World War I was bad enough, but Hitler further theorized that the very "best" Germans – the strongest, most able of mind, body and spirit – had left Germany and taken up allegiance in and with America. These "supermen" were in the 1920s asserting their presence on the sporting fields of the gold ol' U.S. of A. A little over a decade later men with names like Eisenhower would lead us to victory over their grandfather's Fatherland.

National champions (1869-1918 – pre-World War I era) – chronological order

No bowl games: 1869-1901, 1903-1915

1869 Princeton 1-1

1870 Princeton 1-0

1872 Princeton 1-0

1873 Princeton 1-0

1874 Princeton 2-0

1875 Princeton 2-0

1876 Yale 3-0

1877 Princeton 2-0-1

1878 Princeton 6-0

1879 Princeton 4-0-1

1880 Yale 4-0-1

1881 Princeton 5-0-1

1882 Yale 8-0

1883 Yale 8-0

1884 Princeton 9-0-1

1885 Princeton 9-0

1886 Princeton 7-0-1

1887 Yale 9-0

1888 Yale 13-0

1889 Princeton 10-0

1890 Harvard 11-0

1891 Yale 13-0

1892 Yale 13-0

1893 Princeton 11-0

1894 Yale 16-0

1895 Pennsylvania 14-0

1896 Princeton 10-0-1

1897 Pennsylvania 15-0

1898 Harvard 11-0

1899 Princeton 12-1

1900 Yale 2-0

First Rose Bowl played January 1, 1902

1901 Michigan 11-0

Beat Stanford, 49-0/ Rose Bowl

Other: Harvard 12-0

Rose Bowl discontinued, 1903-15

1902 Michigan 11-0

1903 Princeton 11-0

Other: Minnesota 14-0-1

1904 Minnesota 13-0

1905 Chicago 10-0, Stanford 8-0 (co-national champions)

1906 Yale 9-0-1

1907 Yale 9-0-1

1908 Harvard 9-0-1

1909 Washington 7-0

Other: Yale 10-0

1910 Harvard 8-0-1

1911 Princeton 8-0-2

1912 Harvard 9-0

1913 Washington 7-0

Other: Auburn 8-0

1914 Army 9-0

### Other: Texas 9-0

Rose Bowl resumed January 1, 1916

1915 Washington State 7-0

Beat Brown, 14-0/Rose Bowl

Other: Oklahoma 10-0

1916 Oregon 7-0-1

Beat Pennsylvania, 14-0/Rose Bowl

Other: *Pittsburgh 8-0

1917 *Georgia Tech 9-0

1918 *Michigan 5-0

*No bowl

Many of these able young men played football for the University of Michigan. . Officially, Michigan was a member of the Western Athletic Conference, but it was dubbed the "Big 10." It held that moniker even when teams came and went, but would not become the official name of the league for decades (1987).

Their first consensus All-American was William Cunningham in 1898, but Michigan football hit the big time with the arrival of coach Fielding H. Yost in 1901. His teams immediately went 11-0 (1901), 11-0 (1902), 11-0-1 (1903), 10-0 (1904), and 12-1 (1905). Yost's teams were known as the "point a minute" Wolverines, particularly his 1901 powerhouse which beat Stanford, 49-0 in the first Rose Bowl. In many ways the Wolverines "ruined" it for everybody else.

Several schools were invited but declined the invite to Pasadena. Yost's team was willing to take on the challenge of travel (no easy task in 1901-1902) and a big game against a mysterious Western opponent. The whole country would pay attention to its outcome. If the Wolverines lost their success would be forgotten. But the lopsided score dissuaded the Tournament of Roses from continuing with the game, which held no fan interest past its early moments. The Rose Bowl was discontinued in favor of various lackluster activities until January 1, 1916.

Michigan All-Century Team

Chosen by fans via website

Bo Schembechler, coach

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OL Dan Dierdorf

OL Reggie McKenzie

OL John "Jumbo" Elliott

OL Greg Skrepenak

OL Jon Jansen

WR Bennie Oosterbaan

WR Anthony Carter

WR Desmond Howard

QB Rick Leach

RB Tom Harmon

RB Tyrone Wheatley

PK Remy Hamilton

Pos. Player

ML Mark Messner

DL Glen Steele

DL Chris Hutchinson

LB Erick Anderson

LB Jarrett Irons

LB Ron Simpkins

LB Sam Sword

DB Charles Woodson

DB Ty Law

DB Tripp Wellborne

DB Tom Curtis

P Monte Robbins

Michigan's success under Yost put the Ivy League on immediate notice that great football was being played "out west." Minnesota and Chicago, seemingly spurred on by Big 10 rival Michigan, joined the party. Consensus Wolverine All-Americans of the 1900s included Neil Snow, Willie Heston, Adolph Schulz and Albert Benrook.

When World War I broke out, there was concern in the United States that the large German-American population in the Midwest would not "choose" America over Germany, but these doubts proved unfounded. Despite prejudice, German-Americans fought bravely. Many from the University of Michigan served honorably.

Consensus Michigan All-Americans of the 1910s included Stanfield Wells, Miller Pontius, Jim Craig, and John Maulbetsch. In 1918, Michigan (5-0) was credited with the national championship in a season abbreviated by America's total (and victorious) involvement in the Great War, which it was known as until the "second World War" a little over two decades later.

It was after this season, when the boys came home, that America truly took to its sports, namely big league baseball and college football. Thus was created the dividing line between the "ancient" and "modern" eras determining how collegiate football is judged. Yost stayed on as Michigan's coach through the unbeaten, national championship (8-0) 1923 season. George Little coached in 1924, but Yost returned in 1925 and 1926 before retiring. In 1927, Michigan Stadium, now known as the "Big House," was erected on campus. It was a monument to a sport that America, particularly Midwestern America, had by now gone crazy over.

Michigan's record versus biggest rivals

Versus Ohio State 57-40-6

Versus Notre Dame 19-14-1

Fans in all regions fell in love with football, but Midwestern football had a special affinity. It was rugged and manly; a perfect compliment to the elements of fall weather. It was a game against Michigan in which Harold "Red" Grange of Illinois compiled over 400 total yards, thus engendering the classic nickname the "Galloping Ghost." Grange made pro football popular when he moved on to Green Bay.

Consensus All-Americans of the 1920s were Harry Kipke, Jack Blott, Bennie Oosterbaan, Benny Friedman, and Otto Pommerening. Kipke took over the program in 1929. In 1930 they were 8-0-1, followed by records of 8-1-1 (1931), 8-0 (1932), and 7-0-1 (1933). Some services rated the 1932 squad as national champions, although USC is easily the consensus champs of that season. But in 1933, the Wolverines won the title in undisputed manner. The program took some bad years while Minnesota (under Bernie Bierman) dominated Big 10 play the rest of the decade. Consensus All-Americans in the 1930s were Harry Newman, Francis Wistert, Chuck Bernard, Ralph Heikkinen, and the great Tom Harmon. The most famous of all, however, was an All-American but not a consensus one. Gerald R. Ford starred on the 1932 and 1933 teams. He later served as Speaker of the House, Vice President and then President of the United States from 1974-1977.

Michigan versus Elite Ten

Alabama (2-1), Nebraska (3-2-1), Notre Dame (19-14-1), Ohio State (57-40-6), Oklahoma (0-1), Penn State (9-3), Southern California (4-6), Texas (0-1); Total: 94-68-8

Michigan also deserves kudos for integrating its program early. The famed Branch Rickey broke baseball's "color barrier" when, as general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers he brought Jackie Robinson into the Major Leagues. Rickey was a Michigan graduate. He coached the baseball team when the great George Sisler played there.

Gerald Ford played with a black player named Willis Ward. Georgia Tech refused to play against Ward, so he was forced to listen to the game by radio from the fraternity house. When a Tech player made an intemperate remark, Ford reportedly hit him so hard on the next play that the Tech player was forced out of the game. When Ford next saw Ward, he told him, "We got one of 'em for ya, Willie."

Elite Ten by the numbers

Top 20/25 Associated Press - final poll rankings (1936-2006)

1. Michigan 54

2. Notre Dame 48

3. Ohio State 47

4. Alabama 45

5. Southern California 41

6. Nebraska 40

7. Miami 28

Fritz Crisler took over in 1938. He coached at Michigan from 1938-1947, during which time he compiled a 71-63-32 (.806) record. Crisler's greatest player was the 1940 Heisman winner, Tom Harmon. Known as "Ol' 98," he remains the ultimate Michigan football legend. Life magazine put him on their cover with the headline, "Michigan's Great Harmon." On September 28, 1940 at Berkeley's Memorial Stadium, the six-foot, one-inch, 195-pounder ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown, returned a punt 72 yards for a TD, and scored two other times on runs of eighty-six and eight yards. On his 86-yard run, a drunken Cal fan named Bud Brennan ran out of the stands to try and tackle Harmon.

In World War II, Harmon's plane was shot down twice. Both times he was listed as missing in the Pacific jungles. He survived, was rescued, earning the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and a position in the pantheon of well-deserved American hero worship. He was the first pick in the NFL Draft and played for the Los Angeles Rams. In L.A. he took to the Hollywood scene.

Harmon married a beautiful actress, Elyse Knox. He became a popular Southern California sportscaster. His son, Mark Harmon quarterbacked UCLA to a 1972 upset of Nebraska in the Coliseum, ending the Cornhuskers' 32-game unbeaten streak. Tom announced the game. Mark, a gifted, handsome actor, has had a long, successful career in the movies.

Harmon's time was a fateful period in the history of Michigan, the Big 10, college football, and America, not necessarily in that order. A shift was seen in the conference, with Ohio State under coach Paul Brown briefly assuming dominance in the wake of great years under Bernie Bierman at Minnesota.

Michigan State was not yet in the Big 10. Michigan refused to play them, since to do so would elevate the Spartans closer to their level. Later, they would fight against Michigan State's entrance into the conference. The natural rivalry between the states of Michigan and Ohio manifested itself on the football field. For years the Wolverines denied that Ohio State was their main rival, as if to do so was to admit that the Buckeyes were in their "league" athletically, academically and socially. A sense of class envy developed between the two schools, which still exists today. But by the time Crisler took over in Ann Arbor, there was no more denying it. In 1942 the Buckeyes won their first national championship under Brown.

While Michigan had won national championships in various systems, they had also been denied. They had won their first on the strength of beating Stanford in the 1902 Rose Bowl. Ohio State had lost to California in the 1921 Rose Bowl. After that, Big 10 teams had eschewed the Rose Bowl. In 1932, the Wolverines might have earned a legitimate national title, which went instead to USC on the strength of their Rose Bowl victory. Michigan sat at home on New Year's Day, 1933.

Minnesota managed to win three straight without the benefit of bowl victories. Some also noted that their titles may have occurred because they chanced no bowl defeats. In 1934 Minnesota was co-champion along with Alabama, winners of the Rose Bowl. The "no bowl" Golden Gophers were forced to share the 1940 title when Stanford beat Nebraska in Pasadena. The Big 10 saw some of its prestige waning. Southern schools caught up to the rest of the college football world because they played in Rose Bowls. With the creation of the Cotton, Orange and Sugar Bowls they had ample opportunity to further show their wares.

A natural arrangement was entered into whereby the champions of the Big 10 would meet the champions of the Pacific Coast Conference in the Rose Bowl. This would have the effect of first glorifying the Big 10 as the most prestigious conference in the country. Over time it would serve to shed light on its overrated position in the hierarchy.

Michigan made their first appearance in Pasadena since 1902 on January 1, 1948. Probably the greatest Michigan team of all time brought a 9-0 mark into a game against Southern California. Great expectations were heaped upon this contest, considered a battle not just for a football game played in 1948, but for national prestige representing the first half of the twenty-first century. Here were two of the most storied programs in the nation. The nature of "East versus West," or at least "Midwest versus West," meant this was for bragging rights and regional supremacy.

There was a third team in the Rose Bowl that day, although they were not there in physical presence. Notre Dame was Southern California's all-time great rival, and teams – like Michigan – wanted to discredit the Trojans (and by some kind of proxy, Notre Dame) by asserting themselves as USC's betters. In 1947 this premise was made even more obvious by virtue of the fact that Michigan and Notre Dame were locked in a head-to-head struggle for the national championship. Because of the AP's pre-bowl vote, Notre Dame – and this may have been the best team in Irish history – had been declared number one with no bowl game to besmirch them. Michigan had been denied the title, but if they could beat USC then they could establish at least a sense of equality with Notre Dame. They did not They did not merely beat the Trojans, they destroyed them by a score of 49-0. It was the identical score they had defeated Stanford by forty-six years earliertablish at least a sense of equality with Noitre Dame.n had been denied the title, but if they could beat USC then. It had the effect of establishing Big 10 dominance over the PCC that would take years to overcome.

"The Big 10 looked at the Rose Bowl as a chance to hang out at the beach and meet pretty girls," recalled legendary USC football announcer Tom Kelly. "The football game was just an after-thought, it was so automatic they'd win in those years."

In 1948, the Trojans provided a slight favor to Michigan when they tied Notre Dame. It was just enough of a tarnish to drop the Irish to number two. Former All-American Bennie Oosterbaan took over from Crisler that season. This time unable to go to Pasadena because they had been there the previous year, the unbeaten, untied Wolverines finished with the national championship. Consensus All-Americans of the 1940s included Bob Westfall, Albert Wistert, Julie Franks, Bill Daley, Bob Chappuis, and Dick Rifenburg.

#### Wolverines on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1901 11-0 11-0 (1901)

1902 11-0 22-0 (1902)

20-0 (1901-02) 20 games

1903 11-0-1 S/6-0, 6-0-1, F/5-0 33-0-1 (1901-03)

28-0 (1901-03)

28-0-1 (1901-03)

29-0-1 (1901-03) games

5-0 (1903)

1904 10-0 43-0-1 (1901-03)

39-0-1 (1901-05) 40 games

15-0 (1903-04)

1905 12-1 S/12-0 55-1-1 (1901-05)

49-0-1 (1901-05) 50 games

55-0-1 (1901-05)

27-1 (1903-05)

27-0 (1903-05)

Year Record Run

1929 5-3-1 F/3-0-1 5-3-1 (1929)

3-0-1 (1929)

1930 8-0-1 13-3-2 (1929-30)

11-0-2 (1929-30)

1931 8-1-1 F/5-0-1, 2-0 21-4-3 (1929-31)

19-1-3 (1929-31)

5-0-1 (1931)

2-0 (1931)

1932 8-0 29-4-3 (1929-32)

27-1-3 (1929-32)

26-1-3 (1929-32) 30 games

13-0-1 (1931-32)

10-0 (1931-32)

1933 7-0-1 36-4-3 (1929-33)

34-1-4 (1929-32)

20-0-1 (1931-33)

17-0-1 (1931-33)

Year Record Run

1946 6-2-1 F/4-0 6-2-1 (1946)

4-0 (1946)

1947 10-0 16-2-1 (1946-47)

14-0 (1946-47)

1948 9-0 25-2-1 (1946-47)

23-0 (1946-47)

1949 6-2-1 S/2-0 31-4-2 (1946-47)

25-0 (1946-47)

Year Record Run

1970 9-1 9-1 (1970)

1971 11-1 20-2 (1970-71)

1972 10-1 30-3 (1970-72)

1973 10-0-1 40-3-1 (1970-73)

37-3 (1970-73) 40 games

1974 10-1 50-4-1 (1970-74)

46-3-1 (1970-74) 50 games

1975 8-2-2 S/2-0, 8-0-2 58-6-3 (1970-75)

52-4-1 (1970-75)

58-4-3 (1970-75)

53-4-3 (1970-75) 60 games

1976 10-2 68-8-3 (1970-76)

60-7-3 (70 games)

1977 10-2 78-10-3 (1970-77)

78-9-3 (1970-77) 90 games

1978 10-2 88-12-3 (1970-78)

88-11-3 (1970-78) 100 games

1979 8-4 S/1-0 96-16-3 (decade: 1970s)

79-9-3 (1970-77)

94-13-5 (1970-79) 110 games

On January 1, 1951 Michigan upset favored California in the Rose Bowl, 14-6. After that, aside from a 34-7 Rose Bowl victory over Oregon State in 1965, Michigan football entered its longest period of decline under Oosterbaan and Bump Elliott. They would not truly begin to regain lost stature again until 1969. What made it even more frustrating were two facts. Ohio State under Woody Hayes established themselves as the cream of the Big 10 and a national powerhouse. That was bad enough, but in 1952 _Michigan State_ , playing as an independent, won the national championship. In 1953, against the vote of Michigan's representative, the Spartans were admitted into the Big 10 Conference. As if to deny Michigan State their just due, Michigan continued to play Ohio State in the last game of the season, refusing to view the Spartans as equal rivals.

Michigan disdained everything about Michigan State; their green jerseys, their factory town surroundings (East Lansing), and their academic inferiority; at least in Michigan's view when compared to their own student-athlete reputation.

Michigan State did not care. They simply exuded excellence on the field. Duffy Daugherty took over in East Lansing in 1954. For the next thirteen years he and Woody Hayes at Ohio State had the best program in the Big 10. Only one Michigan player made consensus All-American in the 1950s (Ron Kramer). Three earned the honor in the 1960s (Bill Yaerby, Jack Clancy, Jim Mandich and Tom Curtis).

But in 1969 Michigan hired a former Ohio State assistant coach named Glenn "Bo" Schembechler. He immediately improved the Wolverines, but Ohio State had beaten them, 50-14 the previous year and were considered to be better than the 1968 national championship team.

The week of the game, Schembechler had the Michigan scout team wear jerseys that all read number 50, to remind the Wolverines of the half-century score the Buckeyes had pasted on them in 1968. Ohio State got off to a 12-0 lead at Michigan Stadium, but the Wolverine defense stiffened. Quarterback Don Moorhead engineered a glorious comeback win, 24-12.

#### Michigan's College Hall of Famers (30)

Germany Schulz 1904-1908

Ernie Vick 1918-1921

Albert Benbrook 1908-1910

Reggie McKenzie 1969-1971

Dan Dierdorf 1968-1970

Merv Pregulman 1941-1943

Albert Wistert 1940-1942

Alvin Wistert 1946-1949

Francis Wistert 1931-1933

Ron Kramer 1954-1956

Bennie Oosterbaan 1925-1927

Neil Snow 1898-1901

Jim Mandich 1967-69

Anthony Carter 1979-1982

Benny Friedman 1924-1926

Harry Newman 1930-1932

Bob Chappuis 1942-1947

Bump Elliott 1943-1947

Tom Harmon 1938-1940

Willie Heston 1898-1904

"Crazylegs" Hirsch 1943

Ron Johnson 1966-1968

Harry Kipke 1921-1923

Neil Snow 1898-1901

Bob Westfall 1939-1941

Tom Curtis 1967-1969

Dave Brown 1972-1974

## Coaches

Bo Schembechler 1969-1989

Tad Wieman 1927-1942

Fielding Yost 1897-1926

Fritz Crisler watched it on television. Afterwards he wrote Schembechler a letter telling how he shed tears of joy over "the greatest upset I have ever seen." In 1970, the Michigan-Ohio State game was more like George Patton and Erwin Rommel, or maybe Wellington and Napoleon. Both Hayes and Schembechler were viewed as football "generals," not just because of their disciplinarian demeanors but because they preferred ground-oriented offensive styles, reminding pundits of an infantry assault. Both teams were unbeaten and untied when they played in Columbus. The national title was up in the air, with the AP waiting to vote until after the bowls. Ohio State gained revenge, 20-9.

But it was the 1972 Rose Bowl that somehow, frustratingly, epitomized the Bo Schembechler era at Michigan. While it is true that Nebraska held the number one spot all year and was not about to relinquish it, nevertheless Michigan woke up on New Year's Day with hopes that a national title could be theirs if they beat Stanford. It was a longshot (the national title, not beating Stanford) but crazier things have happened.

A look at Michigan's 1971 football scores leaves the reader in awe, asking the question, "Could it be possible anybody was ever better?" Only one team scored more than ten points against them in the regular season. In retrospect the Big 10 was slow and far too ground-oriented by 1971, but when a pretty good UCLA team visited Ann Arbor in September they were sent home with their tails between their legs, 38-0.

Then there was Stanford. In 1971, Stanford represented something more than just a pretty good football team trying to revive memories of thirty-year old glories. They had become a center of revolutionary political activity during the Vietnam War. In the view of people like Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes, the "Jane Fonda" wing of the protest movement deserved nothing less than a treason sentence. Schools like Stanford and California had, in their view, allowed their campuses to become rallying grounds for Communism. They could stomach losing to USC, but Stanford? This was war!

In 1970, Ohio State needed only to beat a good, but not great, Stanford squad to capture the national championship. They led early but folded in a 27-17 loss. However, Stanford had been led by the great Jim Plunkett, the Heisman Trophy winner, number one pick in the NFL Draft, and eventually a two-time Super Bowl champion. That made them a worthy conqueror.

But in 1971 nobody gave Stanford half a chance. Traditional powers USC and UCLA were expected to dominate the Pac-8. The Trojans, however, were beset by racial animosities in 1971. A red-shirt senior quarterback named Don Bunce led Stanford, whose defense was given the uniquely northern California appellation "Thunder Chickens." Bunce was smart; he was just starting medical school and would be Stanford's team doctor for years. But as a college quarterback he was no Jim Plunkett. He might have been able to handle the chores at Michigan, where the signal-caller did little but hand it off to a ball carrier in what was now more like a "nine yards and a cloud of dust" offense.

Bunce certainly did not light up the sky against Michigan, but the "Thunder Chickens" had no trouble containing the predictable Wolverine ground attack. Stanford held a slim lead late in the game Michigan tied it up, 10-10. It looked like it would end in stalemate, like Flanders or the Somme with fewer casualties. When Michigan's kickoff was mishandled into a costly safety, Wolverine fans whooped it up, sort of. Later that night Alabama would play Nebraska. The Wolverines had been so mediocre that a 12-10 win over Stanford courtesy of a "gimme" safety had no chance of impressing voters regardless of who won in the Orange Bowl. That said, it was still better than a loss. To the "Thunder Chickens!"

Stanford had just enough time, though. Bunce suddenly looked like Johnny Unitas in 1958, revealing another inconvenient truth, which was that Michigan's – and by proxy the Big 10's – defense could not stop a passing team. Bunce got the Indians (they dropped Indians and went to Cardinal a year later, in solidarity with the Indian takeover of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay) within field goal range. On came Rod Garcia. Against world-beating San Jose State earlier in the season, all Garcia had done was miss two extra points and several chip field goals, including one with no time left, to give the Spartans a 13-12 win over Stanford. This time he was as straight and true as William Tell. The Stanford fans went wild in the wake of the 13-12 win. Michigan's people looked for a rock to crawl under and hide.

Between 1972 and 1974 Michigan was 30-2-1. In 1973, after a 10-10 tie with Ohio State, the Big 10 athletic directors voted for Ohio State to go to the Rose Bowl, the first-ever repeat team from the conference. First-year Michigan State athletic director Burt Smith voted for Ohio State. Some said it was revenge for Michigan trying to keep the Spartans out of the Big 10 in 1953. Others said it was because Michigan quarterback Dennis Franklin was hurt, meaning Ohio would have the better chance in Pasadena (where they in fact won big over Southern Cal). In truth, Michigan kicker Mike Lantry missed tries of 58 and 48 yards, both in the last 1:08. The Wolves had their chances.

"This is the lowest day of my career as a player and coach," Schembechler said after the vote.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Win-loss records

1. Michigan (1879-2006) 860-282-36

2. Notre Dame (1887-2006) 821-269-42

3. Texas (1893-2006) 810-313-33

4. Oklahoma (1895-2006) 768-292-53

5. Ohio State (1890-2006) 787-301-53

6. Alabama (1892-2006) 780-307-43

7. Nebraska (1890-2006) 801-327-41

8. Southern California (1888-2006) 743-300-54

9. Penn State (1887-2006) 780-343-41

10. Miami (1926-2006) 533-291-19

The Wolverines went to the Rose Bowl following the 1976, 1977 and 1978 seasons. Each time they were sent home in defeat, always because their ground-oriented offense was predictable and too easy to stop when faced with a quality opponent. When Michigan was not going to Pasadena, Ohio State was. After the 1974 defeat of USC, Woody and then coach Earle Bruce fared no better. It was a complete turnaround. The Pac-8, now the Pac-10 beginning in 1978, was thoroughly dominant.

Consensus All-Americans in the 1970s were Dan Dierdorf, Reggie McKenzie, Mike Taylor, Paul Seymour, Randy Logan, Dave Gallagher, Dave Brown, Rob Lytle, Mark Donahue, and Ron Simpkins.

In 1978, Michigan revived the Notre Dame rivalry. It had begun when Michigan was a power, the Irish an unknown Catholic school on the prairies, but it had not been maintained. Eventually after 1978, the game became a home-and-home fixture every September, its outcome promising to foretell national championship fortunes. When Notre Dame went on a long run of dominance over USC, Michigan continued to play them tough every season. It indicated a swing back to the Big 10.

Elite Ten by the numbers

Top 20/25 Associated Press - all poll rankings (1936-2006)

1. Michigan 724 (through 2005)

2. Ohio State 699 (through 2005)

3. Notre Dame 688 (through 2005)

4. Nebraska 619 (through 2005)

5. Oklahoma 625 (through 2005)

6. Southern California 619 (through 2005)

7. Alabama 605 (through 2005)

8. Texas 603 (through 2005)

9. Penn State 531 (through 2005)

On January 1, 1981 Bo finally got a win in the Rose Bowl, 23-6 over Washington. In the 1980s, with bowl opportunities expanding, Michigan had mixed success in post-season contests, but lost in two Rose Bowl games against UCLA (1983) and Arizona State (1987). On January 2, 1988 Michigan was out of the national championship picture when they returned to the Rose Bowl. USC, their opponent, had been in the hunt all year until losing a disastrous season-ending game to Notre Dame. This was a new, lesser version of the once great Trojans. Under coach Larry Smith, Southern California seemed to have lost pride in themselves, mailing in an uninspired performance against the Wolverines. Michigan running back Leroy Hoard could not be stopped. Bo had his "most satisfying" victory ever, 22-14.

(Both Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler have referred to Rose Bowl wins over Southern California as their respective "biggest" and "most satisfying" wins ever.)

The next year, it was the same old story: USC 17, Michigan 10. Consensus All-Americans in the 1980s were the great receiver Anthony Carter, Ed Muransky, Kurt Becker, Mike Hammerstein, Brad Cochran, Jumbo Elliott, John Vitale, Mark Messner, and Tripp Wellborne.

Gary Moeller took over the program in 1990. In 1991, Desmond Howard won the Heisman Trophy. His famous "pose" in the end zone after scoring a touchdown seemed apropos. Moeller's teams were 44-13-3 between 1990 and 1994 with one blowout loss to Washington (34-14, 1992) and one hard-fought win over the Huskies (38-31, 1993) in two Rose Bowls.

Lloyd Carr became their coach in 1997, returning Michigan to glory. Led by Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson and quarterback Brian Griese, the Wolverines went 12-0, beat Ohio State (20-14) and Washington State (21-16) in the Rose Bowl to finish number one.

Elite Ten by the numbers

### Victories

1. Michigan 860

2. Notre Dame 821

3. Texas 810

4. Nebraska 801

5. Ohio State 787

6. Alabama 780

7. Penn State 780

8. Oklahoma 768

9. Southern California 743

10. Miami 533

Tom Brady came out of the Michigan program, where he was a fair quarterback considered less than a major NFL prospect. In New England he developed into the greatest signal-caller since Joe Montana. Brady is a surefire Hall of Famer. Consensus All-American in the 1990s and 2000s have included Greg Skrepenak, Desmond Howard, Jarrett Irons, Charles Woodson, Steve Hutchinson, Chris Perry, Braylon Edwards, David Baas, Marlin Jackson, and Ernest Shazor. Leon Hall was Cincinnati's number one draft pick in 2007.

But the Carr years have proven to be frustrating. After the national championship glory of 1997, the Wolverines were always strong but beginning with the 2003 season could not win bowl games.

This included a thrilling 38-37 loss to Vince Young and Texas in the 2005 Rose Bowl, and two semi-blowouts at the hands of obviously superior Southern California teams in the 2004 and 2007 Rose Bowls. In 2006, Michigan and Ohio State ran the table, leading to another "Game of the Century" with the Buckeyes' Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Troy Smith in Columbus. The game lived up to its billing, but in the end Michigan came out on the losing side of a 42-39 score. What happened after that was an embarrassment.

USC moved ahead of Michigan in the polls to the number two spot, setting up a BCS title game with Ohio State, which did not bother anybody. When the Trojans lost to UCLA, however, Florida jumped ahead of Michigan, causing many to cry foul.

Then they played the bowls.

### Did you know . . .

### That Michigan has produced thirty-one All-Pro selections (through 2005)?

Both Ohio State and Michigan would have been better off staying at home, as they had often done in the old days. Forced to actually compete on the field, Smith and Ohio State were beaten up and down the field by Florida. The Wolverines were at least competitive for a little more than half a game before the Trojans established their dominance in the Rose Bowl. All arguments on behalf of Ohio State, Michigan and the Big 10 became mere synapses in the air. It was obvious that Florida was the best team in the nation, and further obvious that had USC played Ohio State, while they likely would not have beaten the Bucks as thoroughly as the Gators had, they too were clearly better.

#### Winningest tradition

Through the 2006 season the University of Michigan is the:

  * Winningest school in college football history (860 wins).

  2004. # Has a .746 all-time winning percentage.

  * # Has the highest all-time strength of schedule rating in college football.

  * Has been named national champions by at least some source eleven times (1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997).

  * # Has won forty-two conference championships (more than any school in any single conference).

  * # Has 113 winning seasons (most in college football).

  * # Has twenty-five undefeated seasons (more than any other Division 1-A school).

  * # Is one of only three schools with a winning record versus every Division 1-A conference including independents.

  * # Has a 56-game unbeaten streak (second longest in college football history).

  * # Went thirty-nine straight years without a losing season (longest ongoing streak in the nation).

The 2007 bowl games are a microcosm of Big 10 frustration in the modern era. The first and at one point the most prestigious conference was an also-ran in comparison with the historically superior records of the Pacific-10 and Southeastern Conferences. Ohio State and Michigan, longtime stalwarts of the college game who no doubt will remain so for years, decades, could not make the argument that they were still the dominant college powers. Michigan has a long list of gaudy accomplishments, but when giving greater credence to glory achieved lately as opposed to glory achieved long ago, they lose points in the harsh sunshine of modern football history. No matter where they rank among College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions, Michigan represents the kind of passion that makes the college game a cut above the mercenary pros. "Hail to Michigan."

TEN

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

Penn State football is a study in duality. Do the Nittany Lions benefit from "East Coast bias," or suffer a bias against East Coast football? Certainly, East Coast football was the kingpin in the early days of the collegiate game. The Ivy League dominated. Army, and to a lesser extent Navy, were powerhouses in one way or another, until the early 1960s. Over the years, however, the Ivy League fell by the wayside; Army and Navy dropped precipitously. When Notre Dame (with a few exceptions) refused to play them, the Catholic schools fell in prestige. Boston College remains competitive. Pittsburgh has a long and storied history. Syracuse's all-time record would surprise a few people, and lately Rutgers has started to make some noise. Penn State, however, is the kingpin of East Coast football. They have won the Lambert Trophy, signifying "Eastern football supremacy," twenty-five times. The term "Eastern football" was a common expression, especially when applied to Army's great teams, which was meant as a catchphrase for "American supremacy."

Penn State University

University Park, Pennsylvania

Founded: 1855

Enrollment: 35,000

Colors: Blue and white

Stadium: Beaver Stadium (opened: 1960; capacity: 107,282)

All-time record (1887-2006): 780-343-42

Bowl record: 25-12-2 (through 2006)

National championships: 1982, 1986

Big 10 Conference championships: 2

Heisman Trophies: John Capelletti (1973)

Outland Trophies: Mike Reid (1969)

First round NFL Draftees: 34 (through 2007)

Website: www.gopsusports.com

Notable alumni: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge; U.S. Senator Rick Santorum; astronaut

Guion Buford; political commentator Margaret Carlson; Olympian Mary Ellen Clark

The rise of Southern, Midwestern and West Coast college football was inexorable. By the late 1960s there was little doubt that the best, most competitive football was played in these three regions, over and above that played on the East Coast. Still, the so-called "East Coast bias" remains, at least in the minds of some. Population shifts and demographics may mean that more great athletes and teams rise from the "Sunbelt," but that has not stopped New York City from being a media center. This is still where the influence, the writers, the networks, and of course many of the votes for such things as Most Valuable Player awards, Heisman Trophies and national championships emanate from.

Penn State earns its way into the "Elite Ten" by virtue of tradition, but above and beyond its accomplishments between the 1920s and the 1950s, it established itself as a national – not simply an Eastern – powerhouse in the modern era, which is also the "Joe Paterno era."

Pennsylvania is and always has been football-crazy. It is a lunch pale state, a blue-collar region of coal miners and steelworkers. The people are rough and coarse; "shot 'n' a beer" types. But Pennsylvania struggled to find sports Nirvana.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were a baseball power in the early twentieth century but too often an also-ran in the succeeding decades. The Philadelphia A's had two major dynasties, but sold them off to pay the bills. The Pittsburgh Steelers were just plain bad.

There was Pitt and Penn State football. Pitt was better. Then came Joe Pa. This ushered in a new era in Pennsylvania sports greatness. The Pirates became champions in the 1970s. The Steelers established the best decade in pro football history up until that time. Penn State passed Pitt and turned Happy Valley into a college football Mecca.

More than 100,000 fans show up for games. They are known as "Linebacker U.," having produced such stalwarts as LaVar Arrington and Jack Ham. They are on the "right side of history" when it came to integration. Under Paterno, Penn State managed to be a winner on the field and in the classroom. Five Nittany Lions players (Lenny Moore, Jack Ham, Franco Harris, Mike Munchak, August Michalske) have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But Penn State had winning teams every single season from 1939 to 1964. The annual grudge match with Pitt (both teams were independents until Penn State joined the Big 10 in 1993) was one of the best rivalries in the nation.

Hugo Bezdek coached at Penn State from 1918 to 1929. In 1922, Penn State accepted an invitation to play one of the most historical football games of all time. The Rose Bowl stadium was completed that year. The Nittany Lions traveled to Pasadena to take on Southern California. What happened on January 1, 1923 was a portent of things to come.

Los Angeles and environs were already a car-crazy culture. The Penn State team got caught in traffic on their way to the stadium. USC's players and coach Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson sat around wondering if their opponents would make an appearance. The fans wanted to know if there would be a game.

Finally, Penn State showed up. Henderson inquired of Bezdek what happened. An argument ensued. Bezdek somehow figured the traffic was a USC plot to throw his team off. Henderson thought it was meant to take the edge off his charges. Punches were almost thrown. The game, a 14-3 Trojan victory, featured bad blood. The traffic delay caused a late start. The early-setting winter sun hid behind the San Gabriel Mountains by game's end, which was played in the dusk. Fans could barely see what was going on. Afterwards Bezdek, a former pugilist of some note, wanted to fight Henderson. This catastrophe was avoided, ostensibly because Henderson wore glasses.

Penn State football was solid but not spectacular in the succeeding decades. Pitt won the 1937 national championship and made several Rose Bowl appearances, but Penn State did not play in a bowl game again until a 1948 13-13 Cotton Bowl tie with Doak Walker and Southern Methodist.

The integration of the Penn State program proved problematic, as it did with a number of Northern schools, in the 1950s. Alabamians complained long and loud about having to play them in the 1959 Liberty Bowl, a 7-0 Lion victory. Consensus All-Americans between 1906 and 1964 included Mother Dunn, Bob Higgins, Charles Way, Glenn Killinger, Harry Wilson, Rich Lucas, and Glenn Ressler.

Penn State All-Century Team

Chosen by Lou Prato, Penn State Football Encyclopedia and director of the Penn State All-Sports Museum

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

G Joe Bedenk

G Glenn Ressler

G Sean Farrell

G Mike Munchak

TE Bob Higgins

TE Ted Kwalick

QB Glenn Killinger

QB Kerry Collins

WR Kenny Jackson

WR Bobby Engram

RB Harry Wilson

RB/KR Lenny Moore

RB/KR Curt Warner

FB Matt Suhey

PK/FB Pete Mauthe

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DE Sam Tamburo

DE Dave Robinson

DT Bruce Clark

DT Mike Reid

LB Mother Dunn

LB Dennis Onkotz

DB Neal Smith

LB Jack Ham

LB LaVar Arrington

DB Harry Wilson

DB Lenny Moore

DB Rich Lucas

DB Mark Robinson

P Joe Colone

In 1966, the school hired Joe Paterno. He was a graduate of Brown University, where he had been an English major. His family wanted him to go to law school, but he became an assistant football coach at Penn State. Later he said that he "never wanted to coach football," but it got into him and stuck. He was an assistant in Happy Valley for sixteen years before taking over.

Entering the 2005 season Paterno coached sixty-nine first team All-Americans and twenty-three Academic All-Americans. In 2000, the NCAA reported that his graduation rate was seventy-five percent. The library at Penn State was named after him. He also had 343 career victories entering the 2005 season. He passed Bear Bryant for the most victories among all Division I-A coaches, but Bobby Bowden passed Joe Pa in an ongoing competition.

Penn State was 5-5 in Paterno's first year (1966). But after that they separated themselves from the pack. Paterno still says his 1968 team was the best ever. They put Penn State on the map; certainly it elevated them above the moniker "Eastern power" to a national one. Junior tackles Mike Reid and Steve Smear set the tone. Linebacker Jack Ham led the "Rover Boys." Quarterback Chuck Burkhart "can't run and he can't pass," said Paterno. "All he does is think and win." Penn State went 10-0, then beat Kansas, 15-14 in the Orange Bowl; one of the greatest games ever played. But everybody was watching the Rose Bowl. Unbeaten Ohio State's victory over USC in that year's "Game of the Century" made the Buckeyes' national title a fait accompli.

But in 1969 Paterno and Penn State's supporters started to get mad. They were 11-0 with a 10-3 win over Missouri in the Orange Bowl, but Texas captured the national championship. If the pollsters had voted with social pathos in 1966, when they awarded integrated, once-tied Notre Dame with the national championship over segregated, unbeaten, untied Alabama, there was no such sentiment favoring Paterno's racially diverse 1969 team in comparison with the now archaic all-white Longhorns.

No less an "authority" than President Richard Nixon "awarded" the national championship to Texas coach Darrell Royal in the winning dressing room following their 15-14 win over Arkansas.

"How could Nixon know so little about Watergate and so much about football?" Paterno, a lifelong Republican who even spoke at the GOP national convention, quipped years later.

Penn State had a 30-game unbeaten streak after beating Missouri, and would extend that by one more game in 1970. From 1967 to 1974, his teams were 80-10-1. They were unbeaten in 1968, 1969 and 1973, but were not awarded with any national titles (which went to Ohio State '68, Texas '69 and Notre Dame '73).

In 1968, Ted Kwalick made consensus All-American. He later starred at tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. Dennis Onkotz, Mike Reid, Jack Ham (who starred in Pittsburgh with Franco Harris on Super Bowl champions), Dave Joyner, Bruce Bannon, John Skorupan, and John Cappelletti were also consensus All-Americans.

#### Nittany Lions on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1967 8-2-1 F/7-0-1 8-2-1 (1967)

7-0-1 (1967)

1968 11-0 19-2-1 (1967-68)

18-0-1 (1967-68)

1969 11-0 30-2-1 (1967-69)

29-0-1 (1967-69) 30 games

1970 7-3 S/1-0 F/5-0 37-5-1 (1967-70)

30-0-1 (1967-70)

5-0 (1970)

1971 11-1 38-6-1 (1967-71)

16-1 (1970-71)

1972 10-2 48-8-1 (1967-72)

26-3 (1970-72)

1973 12-0 60-8-1 (1967-73)

38-3 (1970-73)

38-2 (1970-73) 40 games

1974 10-2 70-10-1 (1967-73)

69-10-1 (1967-73) 80 games

61-8-1 (1967-74) 70 games

48-5 (1970-74)

45-5 (1970-73) 50 games

1975 9-3 79-13-1 (1967-75)

78-11-1 (1976-75) 90 games

57-8 (1970-75)

54-6 (1970-75) 60 games

Capelletti is Penn State's version of "The Gipper," only his story – or really the story of his younger brother Joey – is real inspiration, not manufactured. Capelletti won the 1973 Heisman Trophy, then announced at his acceptance speech that the award was for his little brother, battling leukemia. The story was made into an inspirational movie, Something for Joey, after he died in 1976. Consensus All-Americans between 1974 and 1979 were Mike Hartenstine, Greg Buttle, Keith Dorney, quarterback Chuck Fusina, and Bruce Clark.

Paterno's next best shot at a national championship came in 1978, when his team was unbeaten and ranked number one. Given the opportunity to finally win it on the field, the Nittany Lions fell to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, 14-7, giving a co-title to the Crimson Tide and USC. In four tries, Paterno never beat Bear Bryant.

From 1980 to 1987 Penn State was 76-19-1, including a 23-1 mark between 1985 and 1986. On January 1, 1982 Penn State, lead by running back Curt Warner (later a star in Seattle), beat Marcus Allen and Southern California in the Fiesta Bowl, 26-10. Paterno finally won the national title in 1982. Only a 42-21 loss to Alabama marred an 11-1 season that included a 27-23 Sugar Bowl triumph over Herschel Walker and Georgia.

Penn State versus Alabama (5-8), Miami (7-6), Michigan (3-9), Nebraska (0-0), Notre Dame (8-8-1), Ohio State (9-6), Southern California (4-4)

The 1987 Fiesta Bowl was billed as "good versus evil," with Joe Pa's clean cut Lions representing "good," the fatigue-clad Miami Hurricanes' "evil." A college football record seventy million TV viewers watched Penn State bottle up Heisman-winning quarterback Vinny Testaverde. They intercepted five Testaverde passes, two by linebacker Shane Conlan, and sacked him five times. Despite being outgained, 445-161 in total offense and twenty-two first downs to eight, Penn State stopped Miami's fourth quarter drive when Testaverde threw his fifth interception to capture Paterno's second national championship (12-0). Consensus All-Americans in the 1980s included Sean Farrell, D. J. Dozier, and Shane Conlan.

In 1993, Penn State joined the Big 10. The move looked to be a good one in the early years. In 1994 the Lions were 12-0 with a 38-20 victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl, their first return to Pasadena since the 1923 "traffic delay" game. However, Paterno was again denied a national championship, which was awarded by consensus to Nebraska. It was this event which helped to propel what later became the Bowl Championship Series. Consensus All-Americans in the 1990s were O. J. McDuffie, Ki-Jana Carter, Kerry Collins (later a Super Bowl quarterback with the Giants), Jeff Hartings, Curtis Envy, LaVar Arrington, Brandon Short and Courtney Brown. Brown and Arrington were the first two picks of the 2000 draft, making Penn State the first team since Nebraska in 1984 to have two players selected one-two. In 2007, the Arizona Cardinals made Levi Brown their first draft pick.

In the 2000s, Penn State slipped. Larry Johnson made consensus All-American in 2002. In 2005 the Lions won the Big 10 Conference but did not go to the Rose Bowl, which was reserved for USC and Texas in the BCS national championship game.

PART TWO

SATURDAY SPECTACLE

WHY USC?

Why USC?

In a book titled College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions, why is USC ranked number one? Why not Notre Dame? If the general public were polled, the Fighting Irish would almost surely be number one. In a vote of college football writers and broadcasters, they probably would garner the top spot. The fact is that if USC's alumni were asked to vote on this, Notre Dame would get a very substantial number of votes, if not the majority.

Then of course, there is Alabama . . . Oklahoma . . . Michigan . . . the old stand-byes of college football. Whose to say that 'Bama, the school of Bear Bryant, the greatest college football coach ever, a program that has personified excellence since the 1920s, is not the best of the best?

#### Bowl win-loss records

#### Teams that have won national championships since World War I

1. Southern California 29-16

2. Alabama 30-21-3

3. Penn State 25-12-2

4. Oklahoma 24-15-1

5. Georgia Tech 22-13

6. Florida State 21-13-2

7. Georgia 23-16-3

8. Tennessee 24-22

9. Mississippi 19-12 (through 2004)

10. Auburn 18-13-2

11. Miami 19-14

12. Texas 23-21-2

13. Syracuse 12-9-1 (through 2004)

14. Nebraska 22-22

15. Washington 15-14-1

16. Louisiana State 19-18-1

17. Clemson 14-14 (through 2004)

18. UCLA 13-14-1

19. Michigan 18-20

19. Ohio State 18-20

20. Florida 16-18

22. Texas A&M 13-15 (through 2004)

22. Notre Dame *13-15

24. California 8-8-1

25. Colorado 12-14 (through 2004)

26. Stanford 9-10-1

27. Maryland 8-10-2 (through 2004)

28. Illinois 6-8 (through 2004)

29. Minnesota 5-7

30. Michigan State 7-10

31. Pittsburgh 10-14

32. Army 2-2

33. Texas Christian 7-13-1 (through 2004)

34. Brigham Young 7-15-1 (through 2004)

35. Arkansas 11-21-3

*Holds NCAA record, most consecutive bowl losses (9), 1994-2006

Others - bowl percentage (more than 10 games through 2005)

Utah .727

Toledo .700

Boston College .647

How can you argue against Oklahoma? Their 47-game winning streak, a decade (the 1950s) that defies logic, a godlike coach (Bud Wilkinson); more otherworldly streaks in the 1970s and 1980s; Heismans, Outland Trophies, Butkus and Lombardi winners . . . it goes on and on.

Then you have Michigan. The Wolverines have the most collegiate victories of all time, the best winning percentage of all time, have been ranked in the Associated Press polls the most of all time; how do you argue against that?

Surely any book that argues in favor of the University of Southern California must be biased. Maybe, but it still comes down to the same thing at the end of the day. USC is number one! Is it biased if, after engaging in the most exhaustive possible research, turning over every rock of football history, exploring each aspect of every great tradition over the course of 100, 120, 130 years; applying logic, common sense and knowledge; if after all that the facts lead to Southern California, is it biased not to call it as it is: Southern California: number one!

****

Read this book cover to cover. Go over every fact, ever statistic: national championships, legitimate national championships, Heisman trophies, all-time records, bowl records, All-Americans, Outland, Lombardi, Butkus winners, poll rankings, poll streaks, winning streaks, College Hall of Famers, Pro Hall of Famers, first round draft picks, number one draft picks, pro draft choices, pro players, Super Bowl players . . .

Then add to that an exhaustive detailing of the greatest teams by single season, by two seasons, by three seasons, by five seasons, by individual decades, by multiple decades, ten to fifteen seasons, twenty to twenty-five seasons . . .

. . . By streaks, by runs over twenty games, thirty games, forty games, seventy games, 110 games, 150 games, 190 games . . .

By greatest dynasties, by "close but no cigar" close calls . . .

Weigh all of this against what President Ronald "The Gipper" Reagan used to call the "sweep of history," carefully comparing eras: leather helmets, no face masks, segregation versus integration; national schedules, inter-sectional games, the TV era, the BCS, big money, recruiting; steroids, modern diet, training and coaching; drafting of underclassmen, specialization, competition, scholarship limits . . .

So, here is the deal. Ranking USC number one may be biased. The dear reader may disagree with it and offer completely valid arguments on behalf of another tradition. That being said, one thing that can not be said is that the rankings were arrived at without the most thorough, complete and total research that could have been done. That would not be a valid argument!

In the end, after all the statistics, the weighing of the evidence, after all the logic and common sense has been used up, after all the eras are compared, the "theories of relativity" are applied, two factors stand out above all the rest, and arguing against it is non-sensical:

  * Winning national championships is the primary motivating goal of the teams, and therefore the primary determining factor in the rankings.

  * More value is placed on achievements of the modern era than the by-gone one.

WHOSE NUMBER ONE?

Let us start with national championships. Before any of that, back when kids start playing pee wee football, then Pop Warner football, then JV ball, high school ball, college ball; all through this period of time, if the kid is a red-blooded American and not playing in some Communist "feelgood" league run by New York City outcome-based education pimps, then the purpose was to win; to win games, then win the league, then win the play-offs. The coaches stressed it, the players strived for it, and if the parents did not believe in it then the kids played soccer. If they played football they played to win, because as Vince Lombardi once said, " winning's not everything, it's the only thing."

High school rolled around. They played for the Pacific League title, the Oklahoma district and then state championship, the Texas AAAAA title at the Astrodome or UT; the prep titles of Nebraska or South Dakota or Arizona. Win state. Go for it. Be perfect. We're number one!

USA Today was invented. People hardly read it, called it "McNewspaper." Then they started national rankings of high school baseball, basketball, football . . . Sales soared. Whose number one?

Student Sports magazine, rivals.com, you name it, they all have their lists, their rankings. Whose number one? The national champion of high school football? One California school, De La Salle, became a nationwide name because they won 151 straight games and four national championships in the modern age of the USA Today rankings. An anonymous school in Long Beach, Poly High, is not anonymous anymore. Sports fans from coast to coast know about the battle for national supremacy between De La Salle, Poly, Mater Dei, Moeller, Punahou, Carroll, Jenks, Everett, Clovis West, Mission Viejo, Massillon; all playing for the national championship. Games are scheduled, road trips made, stadiums jammed with fans as the top teams vie for the number one ranking from September to December every year.

So it goes. The junior colleges play for their national championship. Division III, II, NAIA; they all have their version of it. They all play for it. It is what counts at the end for everybody.

So, when factoring in all the criteria needed to determine college football tradition, national championships – that most elusive of all prizes, perhaps in all of sports when it comes right down to it – is the primary motivation. Few if any discussions in sports take up more time, space, energy and politicking than the yearly jockeying for the number one spot; in the pre-season, during the season, when the BCS comes out, and of course in those all-important last weeks. Then, finally in January. It has been fought over more than Israel, sought after as the Holy Grail. More angst and joy has gone into attaining it or being denied it than any single event.

## Consensus All-Americans (through 2004 unless otherwise indicated)

#### From teams that have won national championships since World War I

1. Notre Dame 96 (through 2006)

176 first team, 76 second team (through 2006)

2. Southern California 78 (through 2006)

143 first team (through 2006)

3. Michigan 73 (through 2005)

121 first team (through 2005)

4. Ohio State 71

171 first team (through 2005)

5. Oklahoma 63 (through 2005)

141 (through 2005)

6. Nebraska 53 (through 2005)

106 first team (through 2005)

7. Pittsburgh 48

8. Texas 42

118 all services (through 2005)

9. Alabama 38 (through 2006)

104; 92 first team, honored 103 (through 2005)

10. Miami 37

81 all services (through 2005)

11. Tennessee 36

11. Army 36

13. Penn State 34

14. UCLA 33

15. Minnesota 32

16. Colorado 28

17. Stanford 26

17. Georgia 26

17. California 26

17. Michigan State 26

21. Florida State 25

21. Auburn 25

23. Florida 23

24. Louisiana State 22

24. Illinois 22

26. Georgia Tech 20

26. Washington 20

26. Texas A&M 20

29. Arkansas 19

29. Syracuse 19

31. Clemson 16

32. Texas Christian 13

33. Brigham Young 12

33. Maryland 12

34. Mississippi 9

The BCS controversy of <ED: USE '03 AND ' ON THESE YEARS FOR STYLE> '03. The "Catholic vote" of '66, or was that the integration vote? "Nixon's vote" in '69. Vote against Joe Pa. Vote for him. The AP's pre-bowl vote of '64, the UPI's pre-bowl vote of '73. The sentimental-Bear-Bryant vote, the make-up-for-Michigan-not-getting-it-last-time vote. The split titles, the co-national championships, those considered to be "legitimate in historical retrospect."

Either way you cut it, it is what they play for, sweat for, die for. So, winning national championships trumps all other factors; all-time wins, All-Americans, bowl records, winning streaks . . .

Furthermore, all national championships were not created equal. Penn's national title of 1895, Chicago's 1905 triumph, Washington going all the way in 1913, are not as impressive as Notre Dame's 1947 championship, USC's 1962 return to glory, Florida's walk through fire in 2006. There are several factors to consider in giving weight and credence to these various seasons.

## DON'T LOSE YOUR BOWL GAME AND CALL YOURSELVES A CHAMPION

An unbeaten, untied season trumps a once-beaten or once-tied year. Victory in a bowl game is generally, although not always, worthier than a team that did not play in a bowl. This was a factor until 1966, the last year a national champion (Notre Dame) won the title without going to a bowl. It caused havoc, especially in Alabama, but that is another story. Bowl games were virtually non-existent until January 1, 1916, when Washington State beat Brown, 14-0 in the Rose Bowl. The first Rose Bowl, a 49-0 Michigan whitewashing of West Coast upstart Stanford on January 1, 1902, convinced the nation that football was an Eastern or Midwestern affair; and the Tournament of Roses committee that they would be better served by chariot races, at least until 1916.

Until World War II, national championships and bowl victories were not always synonymous with each other. The best team in the country, Notre Dame, chose not to play in them because they traveled so much during the regular season. After the 1924 Irish won the national championship on the strength of victory (again over Stanford) in the third year of the new Rose Bowl stadium, they won a series of titles sans bowl games. So did Michigan and Minnesota. But Southern California, Alabama, Texas Christian, Pittsburgh and other programs did join the party, largely on the strength of impressive victories first in the Rose Bowl, and then in the late 1930s, Southern New Year's Day spectacles at the Cotton Bowl (Dallas), Orange Bowl (Miami) and Sugar Bowl (New Orleans).

Bowl Championship Series national championships (1998-2006)

Southern California 1, 2004 (2 BCS/2004-05; 1-1)

Oklahoma 1, 2000 (3 BCS/2000-03-04; 1-2)

Florida State 1, 1999 (3 BCS/1998-99-2000; 1-2)

Ohio State 1, 2002 (2 BCS/2002-06; 1-1)

Miami 1, 2001 (2 BCS/2001-02; 1-1)

Florida 1, 2006

Texas 1, 2005

Tennessee 1, 1998

Louisiana State 1, 2003 (*split/Southern California – AP)

*Southern California was ranked number one in all polls – Associated Press and USA

TODAY/BCS – prior to the bowl games. After defeating Michigan in the Rose Bowl USC was crowned national champions by the AP. The USA TODAY/BCS poll was bound by prior contract to award the national championship to Louisiana State.

The Big 10 had a "no-repeat" rule, preventing their champions from going to the Rose Bowl two consecutive years. It hurt the conference. In 1966, if Michigan State had gone to the Rose Bowl and beaten USC, who Notre Dame had beaten a month earlier, they may have overtaken the Irish. They had tied them in November. If the conference lifted the "no-repeat" rule and the AP waited until January to vote (as they did just one year earlier), the Spartans may well have been the national champions of 1966. They certainly had no chance to impress anybody sitting around East Lansing watching Purdue strap it on against Southern Cal. Other conferences, seeing the damage done to the Big 10 over the years, had already rescinded their "no-repeat" rules.

Then there are the "national championships" won after bowl losses. If ever there has been a bone of contention, it was this conundrum, which like the elephant in the corner hovered over collegiate football for decades. For absolutely no good reason ever proposed, neither the Associated Press, the United Press International, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, not to mention the American Civil Liberties Union, ever changed the policy; at least not until such egregious injustices were done that time has not healed them. Hopefully this book will shed truth and justice on the abominable awarding of "national championships" to Oklahoma in 1950, Tennessee in 1951, Maryland in 1953, Minnesota in 1960, Alabama in 1964; and at least the UPI version which puts forth the notion that the 1965 Michigan State Spartans, 1970 Texas Longhorns and 1973 Alabama Crimson Tide (again) were . . . "national champions."

Each of these teams was voted number one by polls in "final votes" prior to bowl losses; some by close margins, some by larger margins, but all punctuated by the stinging rebuke of defeat.

Now, according to the kind of logic that when uttered, shows itself as stupidity simply by its self-existence, there were those who argued that the bowls were exhibitions, a reward for a good effort with no consequence on the season. In 1962, USC wrapped up the national championship with a 10-0 regular season record. According to many Trojans, coach John McKay varied his approach to the upcoming Rose Bowl with Wisconsin.

"It was considered a reward," said receiver Hal Bedsole. " We didn't even use all our allotted practice days."

While this may have been true, anybody who knew McKay knew that he wanted to beat Wisconsin every bit as much as he wanted to beat Notre Dame or UCLA. He was a master psychologist. In his mind, the season was a long one, the players were drained from hard work beginning with August pre-season camp, and the lighter pre-bowl approach was not meant to convey a laizzes faire attitude. Rather it was designed to reinvigorate his troops mentally and physically for a big game that was in all ways different from the regular grind.

Then there was Wisconsin: unbeaten, untied, ranked number two. The game was immediately installed as a "national championship game." The Badgers came to Pasadena with every intention of beating the Trojans and returning to Madison number one. There was nary consideration given to the AP or UPI polls being closed. The game was for the national championship. They knew it. The Big 10 saw it that way, saw it as a chance to revive conference glory which had been slipping recently.

Associated Press - back-to-back national champions.

Minnesota 1940-41

Army 1944-45

Notre Dame 1946-47

Oklahoma 1955-56

Alabama *1964-65

Nebraska 1970-71

Oklahoma @1974-75

Alabama 1978-79

Nebraska 1994-95

Southern California 2003-04

*Lost to Texas in the Orange Bowl, but the AP's final poll was conducted prior

to the bowl games. In 1965 the AP voted after the bowl games, giving Alabama – winner of the Orange Bowl over Nebraska – the "national championship" over Michigan State, ranked number one entering their Rose Bowl loss to UCLA. The AP reverted back to pre-bowl final polling between 1966-69, but in 1970 began to poll after the bowls. This has been their practice ever since. Michigan State was awarded the 1965 "national championship" by United Press International. They reversed the practice of final pre-bowl polling after the 1973 season, when Alabama was again named "national champions" despite losing the Sugar Bowl to AP national champion Notre Dame.

@On NCAA probation, did not play a bowl game. Oklahoma split the national championship with Southern California (UPI), winners over Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

In 1940, Minnesota split with Stanford, who was awarded the national championship by various other ranking services that are recognized as legitimate until the end of World War II.

In 1970, Nebraska split with Texas, declared "national champion" by the UPI's vote

prior to their Cotton Bowl loss to Notre Dame.

In 1978, Alabama won the AP and Southern California the UPI national championship.

Both teams had one-loss records and won their bowl games, but in their head-to-head regular season match-up at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, Southern California defeated Alabama.

Sports columnist Jim Murray, the Los Angeles Times, and the media in general made it abundantly clear that a loss to Wisconsin meant the loss of the national championship. The concept that a Trojan defeat was okay because they still had that consolation AP plaque was utterly ludicrous. The game was played, and of course McKay's lighter approached worked exactly as he hoped it would. By the fourth quarter Troy led, 42-14. But Badger quarterback Ron VanderKelen's amazing comeback effort almost wiped the lead away. What USC saw slipping away when Wisconsin closed to within 42-37 was not just an "exhibition game," but the national title. When they held and won, it was theirs. Had the Trojans lost, would they have counted 1962 as their "fifth national championship," proudly displaying the plaque in Heritage Hall along with those commemorating 1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003 and 2004? Maybe. It is possible.

It is not likely.

Perhaps because they have won more than anybody, they have no need to. That is why they would have done the honorable thing, putting the plaque in a closet, not touting it in press releases and media guides.

Then there is Alabama. In 1964, Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide dominated the collegiate landscape. They went to the Orange Bowl, where Darrell Royal and his defending national champion Texas Longhorns awaited Bryant, Joe Namath and 'Bama. It was a splendid game, one for the ages, played at night before a huge nationwide audience. They considered it an "exhibition game" about as much as the Germans thought of the Blitzkrieg as a training exercise. Namath, denied the Heisman by a mid-season injury, returned with a gimpy knee and rallied Alabama, but in the end they were beaten 21-17.

The idea, the very concept, that Bear Bryant ("Nobody ever wanted to win more 'n' Paul 'Bear' Bryant," said his biographer, Allen Barra), went into a game against Darrell Royal thinking it to be a glorified practice game, that the hard work was already done, that nobody need worry 'cause the plaque was ticketed for Tuscaloosa, well, they did not know the Bear.

An exhibition game? The East-West Shrine Game is an exhibition. The Hula Bowl is an exhibition. The Pro Bowl is an exhibition. The Orange Bowl is not an exhibition game!

When the game was over and the damage done, Texas knew they had not simply beaten the national champion, they had knocked them out of contention. Cotton Bowl winner Arkansas, a 10-7 victor over Nebraska earlier that day, was the rightful national champion of 1964. The old "systems" that had existed prior to the AP poll, thought to have died at the end of World War II, were trotted out and held up, at least for the 1964 season, as representative of that year's national title holder. Billingsley, Football Research, the Football Writers Association, Helms, Poling, NCF; all made the Razorbacks the national champions.

### Three consecutive national championships

California 1920-22

Minnesota 1934-36

Since World War I, only California and Minnesota have won three consecutive national championships. California earned a consensus title by a majority of legitimate ranking services, although Notre Dame was recognized by some. In 1934, the systems split between Minnesota and Alabama. In 1936, Minnesota won the first Associated Press poll.

The AP and the UPI had their contracts, their "rules" or whatever, but Alabama had no validity. They barely owned up to it for years, but when they thought the world had forgotten about the travesty trotted the old banner from out of the basement as if it had been proudly displayed all along. It was like waiting until nobody remembered, then trying to say Gettysburg had been a victory after all.

The very next year, Michigan State was a juggernaut, seemingly on an undisputed road to the national championship. The UPI still voted prior to the bowls, but because of the 1964 snafu the AP decided to wait. Alabama appeared to be the luckiest team in the world when this set of circumstances served to award them a legitimate 1965 title using logic learned precisely because their 1964 championship was not up to snuff.

The Spartans traveled to Hollywood, but coach Duffy Daugherty put the team in a monastery out near Santa Barbara or some such mountain retreat, ostensibly to keep his boys away from the beaches, the bikinis and the bars. Monster defensive lineman Bubba Smith never slept a wink, what with wolves howling outside his window, wind kicking the shutters open, and mountain mists wafting through the room like a Lon Chaney movie.

### Number one ranking - Associated Press - pre-season to final post-bowl poll

Southern California 1 (2004)

Florida State 1 (1999)

The "gutty little Bruins" of UCLA, who lived, indeed thrived, in and amongst the bikinis, the beaches and the bars of nearby Santa Monica, upended Michigan State, providing Bryant's one-loss, one-tie Crimson Tide with an improbable, but legitimate, AP title. Virtually nobody knows that Michigan State has something called the "1965 UPI national championship plaque" somewhere in East Lansing. They are probably too ashamed to display it.

Politics played a part in the 1966 vote, which went to Notre Dame with a tie in the "Game of the Century" versus Michigan State. Irish coach Ara Parseghian calculated the odds when his team got the ball deep in their own territory with a little over a minute left against the Spartans. He figured he had the national championship vote locked up even with a tie if he could beat USC in Los Angeles. Then he could sit on his laurels, as school policy still dictated that they not go "bowling." His lack of courage in running the ball instead of trying a drive to set up a game-winning field goal impressed few, but Ara was right. Notre Dame lambasted USC, but it was a Pyrrhic victory. The AP and UPI did vote the Irish number one, but it fired up John McKay and the Trojans so much that Southern Cal lost to Notre Dame only two times in the succeeding sixteen years.

Number one ranking - Associated Press - first regular season to final post-bowl poll

Southern California 1 (1972)

Nebraska 1 (1971)

Notre Dame 1 (1943)

There were surely very few Jewish fans in Alabama, 1966, but that did not stop Tide supporters from demonstrating enormous chutzpah over the 1966 vote. They figured their unbeaten, untied performance, replete with a 34-7 drubbing of Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, was worthy of a national title. Maybe they were right, but it was not a cut 'n' dried situation. First, the very rules they now decried had given them titles in each of the previous two seasons. If the AP and UPI rules they said deprived them had been implemented as they wanted them now implemented, they would not have won in 1964. The AP after-bowl vote fairly gave them the 1965 title, but nobody from 'Bama complained that they benefited from its sudden change. Besides, the argument against Notre Dame was a weak one. While Ara's conservative play-calling was indeed weak-kneed (coming the same year the "gunslinger" John McKay went for two in noble defeat versus Purdue in the Rose Bowl), Notre Dame could not truly be penalized for its "no-bowl" policy, although in truth it was starting to wear thin. But the tie had come on the road with Michigan State, the worthiest possible opponent.

Jim Murray wrote scathing columns denouncing Alabama's all-white program, the segregationist Southeastern Conference, and a decidedly regional schedule that paled in comparison with the national road shows of Notre Dame, USC, Michigan State and others of the era.

Alabama had filled an open date on its 1966 schedule with Louisiana Tech, which impressed nobody and ultimately may have cost them the title. Issues of Notre Dame's Catholic fan base, sentiment against Governor George Wallace and a state standing firmly against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma may have hurt the Tide also.

Consecutive weeks - number one poll rankings - Associated Press (1936-2006)

1. Southern California 33 (2003-06)

2. Miami 20 (2001-02)

3. Notre Dame 19 (1988-89)

4. Southern California 17 (1972-73)

5. Florida State 16 (1999-2000)

6. Nebraska 15 (1970-71)

6. Army 15 (1944-45)

8. Nebraska 14 (1983)

8. Oklahoma 14 (1985-85)

10. Louisiana State 13 (1958-59)

In 1968 Penn State was unbeaten, untied and won the Orange Bowl, but nobody ever veered from the notion that the winner of the Rose Bowl between unbeatens Southern Cal and Ohio State would determine the title. The AP awarded the Buckeyes after their 27-16 win. The UPI got lucky because they had picked Ohio State ahead of time.

Penn State's situation was identical in 1969, but again the national championship was decided at the Cotton Bowl. When all-white Texas beat Notre Dame to take the crown, few made note of the fact that the Longhorns had not suffered a political rebuke in the manner of the 1966 Crimson Tide. President Richard Nixon, who had risen to the White House on the strength of his "Southern strategy" the year before, played to his base by declaring Darrell Royal's team number one, as if Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions did not exist.

Had Texas lost to the Irish, the fallout would have been tremendous. Penn State would have claimed the AP title, but once-beaten Notre Dame would have claimed it on the strength of beating the champ. Undefeated USC, fresh off a Rose Bowl clout of Michigan, would have wanted to make their presence known. The UPI again got lucky.

Not so in 1970. The scenario was similar. Heading into New Year's Day, number one Texas rode a 30-game winning streak and the consensus that victory over Notre Dame would assure them the AP title (the UPI plaque was still locked away before the bowls). But unbeaten, untied Ohio State, thought to be Woody Hayes's greatest team, figured that if the Irish knocked off Texas and they could upend heavy underdog Stanford in the Rose Bowl, their seniors would have a second title in three years. The Irish were spoilers; a last-game loss at USC had ended their hopes.

When they turned things around on Texas, 24-11, you-know-what hit the fan. Knowing the score of the Cotton Bowl ahead of time, Ohio State went out and blew a halftime lead in a shocking loss to Jim Plunkett and Stanford. Nebraska, off the radar most of the season after a tie with USC, beat LSU in the Orange Bowl. That was not all. Arizona State won the Peach Bowl and was 11-0-0, America's only perfect team.

Few were wholly satisfied with the outcome: AP to the Cornhuskers, UPI with another tired BS title for the beaten 'Horns, A-State given as much respect as Rodney Dangerfield.

In 1972, John McKay expressed some annoyance that the AP did not award their title to his unbeaten Trojans prior to their Rose Bowl game with Ohio State. He was not unaware of the unfairness of the 1964 (AP, UPI), 1965 (UPI) and 1970 (UPI) votes. His team would not benefit from those strange circumstances in case they lost. Faced with having to win in order to claim the title outright, Troy did just that, 42-17.

Alabama wanted revenge on New Year's Eve of 1973. After USC's black fullback, Sam "Bam" Cunningham provided an object lesson in "what a football player looks like" three years earlier, Bryant now had a plethora of talented black stars fueling his best team ever. All that stood in his way at the Sugar Bowl? You guessed it: Notre Dame. When the Irish won a thriller on Bob Thomas's 19-yard field goal, 24-23, it ran 'Bama's Bowl winless streak to seven straight. The loss knocked them out of the AP picture. It would have ended their national title hopes altogether except the UPI had gone down on the same sinking ship. Their pre-bowl vote was a millstone hanging around their necks. This was too much.

Ask Alabama's Wilbur Jackson, John Mitchell or Sylvester Croom if they felt like national champions when they departed the Sugar Bowl turf in sweaty defeat that night; well, do not ask them, their response would not be friendly.

"Don't worry about nothin'," Bear Bryant told his team in the dressing room afterwards. "You're still the UPI national champions" Not!! Bear Bryant did not want to say nothin' 'bout the UPI "national championship."

Draped in disgrace, the UPI finally reversed its field beginning with the 1974 season. The age of illegitimate champions finally ended. The idea that a team could lose its bowl game and still be crowned a winner was literally un-American, and rejected by America. If this was the case, well then the 1954 Cleveland Indians and the 1969 Baltimore Orioles were the true champions of Major League baseball those years. Willie Mays, "The Catch" and his New York Giants; Tom Seaver's "Amazin' Mets,"; hey man, those World Series were just exhibition games, these upstarts not the real champs . . .

The 13-1 Baltimore Colts of 1968? World champions, right? "Broadway Joe" Namath's New York Jets were only 11-3 in an "inferior" league, so their 16-7 Super Bowl win did not really make them champs, did it?

#### Top 20/25 Associated Press - all poll rankings (1936-2006)

1. Michigan 724 (through 2005)

2. Ohio State 699 (through 2005)

3. Notre Dame 688 (through 2005)

4. Nebraska 619 (through 2005)

5. Oklahoma 625 (through 2005)

6. Southern California 619 (through 2005)

7. Alabama 605 (through 2005)

8. Texas 603 (through 2005)

9. Penn State 531 (through 2005)

10. Tennessee 528 (through 2005)

11. UCLA 466 (through 2005)

USC ought to just forget the 2006 Rose Bowl loss to Texas. ESPN declared them the "greatest college football team of all time" prior to the contest anyway. Just pencil it in as their "twelfth national championship" and ignore the facts, like OU (1950), 'Bama (1964, 1973) and Ohio State (1970) do in their media guides. That Rose Bowl game with Vince Young; it was just an exhibition, right?

The Boston Celtics won nine straight NBA championships between 1958 and 1966, then two more in 1968 and 1969. In a number of those years, the Los Angeles Lakers had the better regular season record, but succumbed to Boston in the finals. Nobody ever awarded them any championships based on a pre-play-off vote.

Tell the 1983 North Carolina State and 1985 Villanova basketball teams that they are not the real national champions of those respective years because the wire services did not vote them number one prior to the "Final Four." There is no trophy at UNLV declaring the Runnin' Rebels the 1991 winners just because everybody voted them number one before Duke beat them in the title game.

So it goes in college football; the most popular college sport, some would say the sport that creates the greatest fervor of all athletic endeavors in America. The national title is the most hotly contested, elusive prize at the end of each season, and for years they did not wait until the end of the season to award that prize. They still do not "play it out" like the "Final Four," the College World Series, the NBA's "second season."

The AP got it right most of the time, but not all the time. The UPI's track record borders on abysmal. However, awards are not always fairly given. Surely a look at the inconceivable "winners" of Oscars, Nobel Peace Prizes, even Pulitzers, reveal a rogue's gallery of clowns, terrorists, tyrants and ne'er-do-wells, whose names need not be repeated herein but whose identities are well known. The list of Heisman Trophies is also filled with names that, upon historical retrospection, are not deserving.

### The systems

Dickinson System (1926). University of Illinois professor of economics Frank Dickinson's formula was the best known and most widely respected of the early systems. It was endorsed by Knute Rockne and eventually bore his name (Dickinson/Rockne). History accords more legitimacy to the Dickinson system than any other. Produced the Rissman Trophy, awarded to the annual national champion until 1930, when it was changed to the Knute Rockne Trophy (1931-40). Awarded 1939 national championship to USC while AP voted for Texas A&M.

Houlgate System (1927). Deke Houlgate of Los Angeles was syndicated in newspapers as well as the annual Football Thesaurus Index (1946-58).

Dunkel System (1929). A power index ratings system.

Boand System (1930). AKA the "Azzi Rated System," developed by William Boand.

Williamson System (1932). Paul Williamson was a Sugar Bowl committeeman.

Parker H. Davis (1934). Published by Spalding's Football Guide; produced pre-dated national champions (1889-1933).

Litkenhous System (1934). Based on a system devised by professors of chemical engineering at Vanderbilt.

Poling System (1935). Ratings conducted by Richard Poling.

Berryman (1940). Based on a quality-point rating formula devised by Clyde Berryman.

DeVold System (1945). Harry DeVold's system appeared in Football News beginning in 1962.

Football Writers Association of America (1954). Five-man committee awards the Grantland Rice Trophy.

Sagarin Ratings (1956). MIT math graduate Jeff Sagarin's system, still running in USA Today.

Football News (1958). Weekly poll of staff writers.

National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame (1959). Committee votes on champion; originally named after General Douglas MacArthur; merged with the UPI (1991) and USA Today (1993).

Herman Matthews Grid Ratings (1966). Published by Scripps-Howard News Services.

Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments (1968). David Rothman's computer formula.

#### Billinsgley Report (1970). Used to pre-date national champions from 1869-1970; gained respect by declaring Arkansas the legitimate 1964 national champion after Alabama's bowl loss.

The Sporting News (1975). A staff vote.

New York Times (1979). Math ratings system.

National Championship Foundation (1980). Mike Riter's annual report pre-dates national champions (1869-1970).

First Interstate Bank Athletic Foundation (1982). Originally the respected Helms Athletic Foundation awarded national titles going back to 1883; later changed to the Citizen Savings Athletic Foundation until the First Interstate name change (1982).

College Football Researchers Association (1982). Ratings, polls pre-dating champions (1919-81).

Eck Ratings System (1987). Mathematical point system.

Colley Matrix (1992). Math formula published in the Atlanta-Journal Constitutional.

Wolfe (1992). Power ratings matrix.

#### Massey College Football Ratings (1995). Math professor Herman Mattews's formula.

Anderson & Hester (1997). Mathematical rankings published in the Seattle Times.

Additional: Alderson, International News Service, Sports Illustrated.

Often due to the inequities of the system over the years – but sometimes providing a satisfying alternative – is the utterly unique concept of the co-national championship in college football. A study of the game's history going back to 1900 reveals numerous seasons in which one team is crowned by legitimacy with a national title, sometimes even a "consensus" championship, but some "other" school lays claim to one of the championships. In many cases these have been awarded ten to twenty-five years after the fact, when Knute Rockne urged Professor Frank Dickinson to backdate the winners.

Coach Fielding Yost 1901's Michigan's "point a minute" Wolverines are considered to be the greatest team ever assembled up until that year. Their 49-0 win over Stanford in the Rose Bowl demonstrated their strength. Still there was enough "Eastern bias" to give Harvard some consideration, although not enough to make them co-champs.

Michigan repeated as the 1902 national champion. Their media guide states that they repeated in 1903 and 1904. They (and apparently T-shirts sold in their bookstore or outside Michigan Stadium) are wrong. There were systems calling the Wolverines champions in those seasons, but in 1903 Princeton was accorded the title by historians (with Minnesota earning some consideration). Minnesota won it in 1904. In 1905 Chicago and Stanford were co-national champions.

In the late 1900s, something began to happen which changed the face of college football forever. The nineteenth century hegemony of the "Ivy League" (actually a group of independents; the league was not made formal until 1956) had been punctured by the Big 10 (led by Michigan, Minnesota and Chicago).

Stanford's 1902 Rose Bowl blowout at the hands of Michigan led the experts to conclude that football in the West was inferior. But Stanford regularly played rival California. An uneven rivalry started up between Stanford, California and another private school in Los Angeles, Southern California. Stanford's 1905 national championship gave gravitas to the West, but it was not in California where the best football was played over the next decade.

For various reasons, the Pacific Northwest came out of no where. Between 1908 until towards the end of World War I, they produced the very best football in America. In 1909, Washington won the national championship. They had begun the greatest run in history; thirty-nine straight victories, sixty-three consecutive games without a defeat. Yale received some consideration for the 1909 title, but Washington's 63-game unbeaten skein is impossible for the historians to ignore.

In 1913, coach Gil Dobie's Huskies again captured the national championship. By this time, the South and the Southwest were making their presence known. Auburn already had established the tradition of a "war eagle" landing on their field prior to games This was in recognition of a Confederate soldier during the Civil War who was left for dead but kept company by a baby eagle. The soldier recovered and kept the eagle as his pet. He later taught at Auburn. The eagle would sit with him at football games and was taught to fly into his arms in a pre-game ritual while fans sounded off, "Warrrr eagle!!"

Aside from Washington, Auburn received some national title recognition in 1913, as did Texas in 1914 (Army was the consensus winner) and Oklahoma in 1915. But it was the Pacific Northwest again showing itself as the true national champions of 1915. Oklahoma probably would have been viewed as number one except that unbeaten Washington State won the resumed Rose Bowl, 14-0 over Brown. The next year, Pittsburgh was denied the title while Eastern football took a further backseat when Oregon shut out Penn, 14-0 in the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl was already proving to be of great benefit to Western reputations, when a combination of their victories over Eastern schools, and bowl-less records by Eastern schools, knocked them down a peg.

World War I was a major demarcation point in American history. The conflict began in Europe in August 1914, engulfing Russia, central Europe and the Middle East. In April 1917 U.S. President Woodrow Wilson committed America to the fight. The 1917 college football season was not greatly affected, but the 1918 season was. Colleges were turned into recruiting and officer training centers. Collegians were drafted and volunteered in large numbers. The war ended on November 11, 1918, but by 1919 football was back in swing. The events of the war; the nature of collegiate football prior to it and the growth in so many ways after it; all of these factors add up to the logical conclusion that in judging the history of the sport, one must create separate categories dividing events into those of the pre-war era, and those of the post-war era (starting in 1919).

In 1919, Harvard beat Oregon, 7-6 in a Rose Bowl game that was, in effect, a battle for East-West supremacy. It was in some ways a "last hurrah" for the East, at least the traditional "Ivy League." Various ratings services later gave much consideration to Illinois and Texas A&M as national champions of 1919, but the "bowl game factor" favors Harvard. The collegiate landscape was now widespread: Harvard in the East, Oregon in the West, Illinois of the Big 10, Texas A&M in the Southwest.

But it was Notre Dame who asserted themselves now and forever beginning in 1919. A tiny Catholic school founded in the small town of South Bend, Indiana in 1842, they started playing football in 1887 but were overshadowed by the Big 10. In 1913, Notre Dame faced Army, considered an Eastern powerhouse. It was in that game that the Irish lined up using a modern formation featuring a quarterback (Gus Dorais), an end (Knute Rockne) and the strategic use of the forward pass. Until then football was a ground game. The forward pass was not unheard of, but generally it was a desperate measure, not part of a team's essential game strategy.

But Dorais and Rockne had spent the previous summer working as lifeguards. In their spare time they worked on pass formations and plays. They "broke them out" against Army in a 35-13 victory, stunning the nation. The 7-0 Irish were on the map, and may very well have won their first national championship that season, although the systems found other teams ranked ahead of them.

Rockne became Notre Dame's coach in 1918. His 1919 squad was 9-0 and could have been number one. His 1920 squad was 10-0 and also received "other" recognition, along with Princeton and Harvard. In 1924 Rockne's "Four Horsemen of Notre Dame" soundly defeated coach Glenn "Pop" Warner's Stanford Indians (led by Ernie Nevers), 27-10 in the Rose Bowl. It was that season – Notre Dame's unbeaten record, Grantland Rice's poetic descriptions of their victory over Army at the Polo Grounds, and victory in the new Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena – which propelled the Dickinson System and others to eventually declare national championships in earnest.

It was the mid-1920s. College football was an entirely different game. American history and post-modernism had much to do with it. The game grew as the country had, spreading from the East to the West. For obvious reasons it was born in the East, in the tri-state region (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut). The Midwest was next (the Big 10, Notre Dame). Football was not highly regarded in the South, but in fact it was seen as a "substitute" of sorts for post-Civil War angst. Its military similarities and requirements of courageous machismo fit the Southern mindset like a glove.

Then there was the West. The University of California was founded in Berkeley, across the bay from San Francisco, in 1868. Their first football game was played in 1882. The University of Southern California, the oldest private school in the West, opened its doors near downtown Los Angeles in 1880, playing football for the first time in 1888. Then there was Stanford, literally a product of Westward expansion in the form of the trans-continental railroad.

The "Gold Rush" hit in 1849. California was awarded statehood in 1850. Shortly thereafter, the new technologies of railroad travel were perfected. The "race" was on to connect the nation via a coast-to-coast railroad. Two companies built tracks, almost "side-by-side" with each other, traversing the Midwest, the Rockies, the Sierra Mountains, down into the Sacramento Valley and on to San Francisco. It was pure private enterprise. The railroads were not government entities, but their main political backer was Illinois Senator Abraham Lincoln.

A look at the map creates the puzzling notion that the railroad would have been easier to construct not over two huge mountain ranges, but rather through the South; Texas, on into Arizona, Nevada, then the Southern California desert, easily connecting to Los Angeles where it could be expanded to San Francisco and the Northwest, as well as southward to San Diego and Mexico.

It was not built in this manner because Lincoln, an Abolitionist, knew that if it were built through the South slaves would construct it. He refused to let America's greatest accomplishment be the work of slaves. The decision to build the railroad over the Rockies and the Sierras had a profound impact on California. It meant that it would connect not to Los Angeles but to San Francisco.

Therefore, the greater population growth, already spurred by the fact that gold had been discovered in the north, occurred in San Francisco with Sacramento (ninety miles to the east) accorded state capital status. Los Angeles was a sleepy pueblo, little noticed as a political or economic entity. USC was founded but did not attract much attention. A social dynamic also came into being. San Francisco was the preferred destination of Northerners from Boston and New York, who supported the Union in the Civil War and voted for President Lincoln.

Southern California represented just that: the place where supporters of the Confederacy came to gather. One example was the Patton family; Southern Civil War heroes who helped found Pasadena and San Marino near Los Angeles. Their progeny, George Smith Patton, would be America's greatest World War II general.

San Francisco and northern California were more secular-progressive and liberal. Los Angeles and Southern California was more Christian and conservative. Leland Stanford, one of the so-called "Robber Barons" who built the railroads and turned the San Francisco Bay Area into a boomtown, founded Stanford in Palo Alto, in between San Francisco and San Jose, in 1885. They began playing football in 1891.

Stanford and California immediately became rivals, playing the famed "Big Game" every year. All football focus in the West centered on these two schools. Stanford went to the 1902 Rose Bowl but was smoked by Michigan. They recovered and developed enough reputation to be considered the national champions of 1905.

President Theodore Roosevelt's dictates that the game be made safer in reaction to numerous deaths resulted in Stanford, along with many other colleges, playing rugby between 1906-1917. This created an opportunity for Southern California. USC first played Stanford in 1905. With Stanford playing rugby, USC started playing California. The Pacific Coast Conference was formed in 1916, with USC eventually joining in 1922.

Just as the trans-continental railroad made its big splash in northern California, another – almost equally amazing – engineering feat allowed the Southland to catch up. In the early part of the twentieth century, Los Angeles "city fathers" decided that they were tired of playing "second fiddle" to San Francisco and Sacramento. They wanted to create a first class city, but since L.A. is essentially a desert, they lacked water to support a large population. Therefore, an aqueduct was devised by city engineer William Mulholland, diverting fresh drinking water from the Owens Valley in the eastern Sierras, to L.A. Later, the building of Hoover Ham and diversion of water from the Colorado River and then, in recent years to the ironic disgust of northern Californians, further diversions from the north to the south, allowed Los Angeles to expand, and expand . . . and expand!

As it was said in Field of Dreams, "if you build it, they will come." Population growth in Southern California was steady, and with it USC became a nationally recognized institution. When the U.S. entered into World War I, many servicemen passed through on their way to and from training, creating further area growth.

But California was only part of the powerful, growing West. With the Indian Wars having been won, with natural barriers overcome by engineering, and with transportation creating a mobile nation, the Pacific Northwest became a college football juggernaut. The best teams of the pre-war era came from there: Oregon, Washington State, and of course Washington, the "Team of the Decade" (1910s).

It was an odd conundrum of sorts that the "Seattle connection" transformed USC into a national football powerhouse. In 1919, USC hired a Seattle high school coach named Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson. The proviso was that he would bring with him all his prep stars from Seattle, who otherwise would have been ticketed for the University of Washington or Washington State. The Trojans' first All-American, Brice Taylor, was one of these Seattle players. He also represented new social sensibilities in the West: Taylor was black, part Cherokee Indian, and played without a left hand!

Henderson was statistically USC's greatest coach, but was fired after the 1924 season despite having won almost ninety percent of his games. He could not beat the University of California. Indeed, it was California, not Notre Dame, who dominated the game in the early 1920s. Known as the "Wonder Teams," they were the first modern dynasty and responsible for much of the game's popularity. Unbeaten in fifty games between 1920 and 1925, the Golden Bears were led by All-American Brick Muller and won three straight consensus national championships (1920-1922). In January of 1921 they defeated Ohio State, 28-0 in the Rose Bowl. That game persuaded the Big 10 to avoid Pasadena for another twenty-six years.

In January of 1923 a dispute led to Cal shunning the first Rose Bowl played in the new stadium. The game now represented a true regional test. That year the West won the test, courtesy of USC's 14-3 triumph over Penn State. Pasadena's response to Stanford's bid to move the Rose Bowl to Palo Alto resulted in their successfully completing the stadium in 1922. The crowd of 43,000 for the USC-Penn State match-up was considered a success, portending full houses in subsequent years.

It was a major boon for the Pacific Coast Conference and USC; a turning point resulting in that program's success, and in the PCC developing into the best conference in America. Cal's champions were built on the strength of Southern California recruits, as they were the first team to actively go after players from outside their region who did not simply "walk on" by showing up for "try-outs." They also successfully " recruited" transfer players, including All-American tackle Dan McMillan (originally from USC).

Stanford Stadium (1921), the Rose Bowl (1922), Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (1923) and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1923) represented not only the popularity and economic impact of collegiate football, but the profound growth on the West Coast. UCLA opened for business in 1919. Between 1920 and 1926, Stanford and Cal were the dominant national powerhouses. Pop Warner was induced to take over at Stanford. Their January 1925 Rose Bowl loss to Notre Dame was considered a major test between the Midwest and the West, with the winning Irish earning the national title (with Penn gaining minor consideration).

In 1926 the 10-0 Indians played another "Game of the Century," a Rose Bowl showdown with 10-0 Alabama, the defending 1925 champions (on the strength of a 20-19 Rose Bowl win over Washington which helped them nudge out unbeaten Dartmouth). The 7-7 tie did not settle much, resulting in a co-national championship. It was considered a victory of sorts for the South, however. Most pundits felt they were not as strong as other regions, but Alabama was proving them wrong.

After Notre Dame's 1925 Rose Bowl victory, Knute Rockne intimated to the Los Angeles sportswriters that he might be taking over at Southern California. Notre Dame put the kabosh on that, but Rockne recommended to USC Howard Jones, who as the coach at Iowa had defeated his Irish a few years earlier.

Jones sent an emissary to secure an arrangement of games with Rockne, but Rock turned it down because of travel restrictions. According to legend, his wife insisted that he accept the Southern Cal offer so she could come to warm weather Los Angeles and shop the Rodeo Drive boutiques.

Many sources insist that Rockne wanted a rivalry with a Western team. After the Rose Bowl victory over Stanford, Notre Dame instituted a "no bowl" policy, so he knew he would need to expose his team via regular season games. The fact that this rivalry started with Southern Cal, not Cal or Stanford, instantly and irrevocably changed Pacific Coast football fortunes, instituting the Trojans as undisputed kings.

Both Cal and Stanford had large stadiums, but the L.A. Coliseum held 90,000. Rockne realized that Los Angeles was growing faster than San Francisco; that political and social power in California was shifting; and that there were more Catholics in the Southland. A home-and-home arrangement was begun. It was part of Rockne's master plan.

In the 1920s, an evangelical Christian revival movement dominated the South and the Midwest, resulting in much anti-Catholic sentiment filtering into football fandoms. Rockne decided to build a base in major metropolitan areas. He scheduled enormous showdowns with Army at the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium in New York. The USC game attracted huge throngs in Los Angeles, and crowds exceeding 100,000 at Soldier Field in Catholic-heavy Chicago. Thus was their "subway alumni" developed and nurtured.

Under Jones, USC became the national champions of 1928. Cal (1937) and Stanford (1940) would win national championships, but fEll by the wayside in comparison with USC. This resulted in much angst, consternation and jealousy, with the northern California schools falsely accusing the Trojans of "professionalism" and "academic irregularities," their "rivalry" eventually morphing into a form of class envy. UCLA, sharing the bountiful harvest of Southland prep sports talent, became USC'S most important conference foe. USC's "Thundering Herd" was so awesome that sporting pundits ceded national superiority to the state of California, using attendant theories that gained widespread, albeit unusual, support.

Doctors, researchers and nutritionists propounded the notion that the warm weather, the fresh fruit and vegetables, and generally vigorous lifestyles, made for better athletes whose blood pumped "faster," and so forth. Then there was the "rugged Western individualist" theory, with some dark aspects.

Many people figured that those who survived the trips west in covered wagons or perilous ocean voyages created a sturdier gene pool. Hollywood entered the equation, too. It was felt that more physically fit men and beautiful women ventured west in search of movie fame, found each other, and produced more physically impressive off-spring. But the concept of "gene pools" and "physical superiority" manifested itself not simply in innocent American sports circles but with a rising German political figure named Adolph Hitler.

By the late 1920s and early 1930s, Hitler foresaw that someday he would mount an effort at worldwide military conquest. If he were to succeed he ultimately would have to defeat America. In his view, France was weak and England had lost the "flower of its manhood" in the Great War. But Hitler was concerned that a huge migration of Germans had come to populate much of the American Midwest in the nineteenth century. In his view, these were the "best Germans": the most physically powerful and strong of mind, unfortunately "lost" by the Fatherland.

But Hitler was assuaged by another notion, which was that while the most strong-willed and impressive Germans were now Americans (many starring in sports like college football in the 1920s), it was their very nature - "rugged individualism" - which had led them away from Germany (and won the West). In his quest for ultimate power, Hitler did not wish to contend with this kind of German. He needed sheep, not Republicans.

World War I had broken Europe. Germany faced a decade-long depression of epic proportions. America was rich, flush with victory, a car-culture sporting a leisure class of college graduates seeking new forms of entertainment. The building of modern stadiums and the invention of radio broadcasts created a sports marriage made in Heaven.

A "Lost Generation" of American novelists – Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry Miller, Gertrude Stein – were searching for new meaning in a post-modernist age. Just as efforts to find political answers in the wake of the Peloponnesian War created a new Platonic society in Greece, sports gave many in America reason for enthusiasm, a revival of the human spirit after the horrors of modern warfare. While Communism and the expendability of individual man in sacrifice of a system dominated Leninist-Stalinist Russia, the unique individualism of sports heroics permeated the American consciousness.

The Southern California-Notre Dame rivalry marked the height of sports popularity in this post-war era. It was the "Roaring '20s," a period of celebrity and accomplishment. Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic, silent films captured worldwide imaginations, the Yankees' Babe Ruth hit sixty home runs, the National Football League was born, and Illinois' Red Grange (who filled Big 10 stadiums) immediately began to fill professional arenas.

The poets

Graham McNamee and Ted Husing became the "voices" of Notre Dame, USC, Alabama and other teams on the radio, covering their biggest games in coast-to-cost radio broadcasts of the 1920s and 1930s. The 1931 USC-Notre Dame game was the radio version of a " blockbuster" ratings event. Chris Schenkel's signature line was "And here come the Buckeyes" or "Here come the Irish" when teams departed the tunnel before games. Brent Musburger was on the scene for countless huge contests. Red Barber and Vin Scully are known for baseball, but Barber gave Scully his first opportunity on his "Saturday college football broadcasts." Keith Jackson has announced so many USC football games that he might have been considered the Trojans' announcer. Whereby Grantland Rice made his reputation writing about the "Four Horsemen of Notre Dame," Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist Jim Murray of the Los Angeles Times (considered by many to be the finest sports scribe who ever lived) made his name by covering USC and college football – often criticizing Southern segregation - with a touch of social pathos in the 1960s and 1970s.

But the USC-Notre Dame match-up was as indicative of the times as any other event. First, in an age prior to commercial jets, the college schedule allowed for travel to Los Angeles. It opened the California sports marketplace to the world, leading to the 1932 Olympics, the Giant-Dodger franchise shifts, and the emergence of the Golden State as the undisputed "sports capital of the world."

It glamorized the collegiate game. Notre Dame, already a hugely popular entity by virtue of their success and Catholic-city fan base, was able to rise past California, Stanford and Alabama as the dominant program of the 1920s and beyond. USC, battling with Cal and Stanford for Western supremacy, was able to do just that on the strength of their rivalry with the game's greatest team and coach. In so doing, they established themselves with Notre Dame as the two great traditions. While it was Notre Dame that helped the rise of USC, it was USC's equal success that allowed Notre Dame to maintain their level of greatness. It was and continues to be the greatest of all rivalries, one marked by a very rare sense of mutual respect. As great as the other programs – Alabama, Michigan, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, TCU, Texas A&M – would become over the next years and beyond, none had a national rival who gave them imprimatur like these two schools. Only a handful of professional teams – Dodgers-Giants, Celtics-Lakers, Yankees-Red Sox – would create lasting national rivalries to match it.

The 1928 Trojans won the national championship on the strength of the Dickinson rating system, although Georgia Tech captured their share of the title with a 10-0 record. In 1929 Notre Dame won, but USC's 47-14 blowout of Pitt in the Rose Bowl propelled the Houlgate and Football Thesaurus systems to rank them number one. In 1930 it was a split decision between unbeaten Notre Dame and Alabama (a 24-0 winner over Washington State in the Rose Bowl). The Parker H. Davis ratings split between the Irish and Crimson Tide. The Rose Bowl was increasingly seen as the game that could raise a team above the rest of the crowd.

USC was the consensus national champions of 1931-1932. Michigan pulled in a few "other" considerations in 1932 but the Trojans were undisputed on the strength of their unbeaten record and 35-0 annihilation of Pittsburgh (again) in the Rose Bowl.

In 1933, ex-President Gerald Ford's Michigan Wolverines were the national champions (USC was the choice of the Williamson System). Alabama and Minnesota split the honor in 1934.

Anger boiled within Gerald Ford Before This Football Game

By Jeff Prugh, Marin (California) Independent Journal

August 12, 1999

Jeff Prugh covered the seminal racial event in college football history, the 1970 USC-Alabama game at Legion Field in Birmingham, for the L.A. Times. This article is re-printed with his permission

The story is as old as a scuffed-up, leather football helmet - the kind that Gerald Ford, as his political foe President Lyndon Johnson would one day wisecrack, didn't wear when he played for the University of Michigan.

A racial controversy that scarred a 1934 game in which Ford and his Michigan teammates defeated Georgia Tech took on a life of its own four decades later, when Ford became our thirty-eighth president and pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon, who had resigned in disgrace.

The furor over Georgia Tech's threat not to play the game, if one of Ford's teammates – a black named Willis Ward - played for Michigan, tell us about an ugly side of America that Ford writes about in the accompanying reminiscence.

What Ford doesn't tell us about that reveals a side to him that would belie his easy-going, sometimes bumbling persona as a caretaker of the Oval Office between 1974 and 1977.

Here, at the risk of coming across like radio's Paul Harvey, is the "rest of the story," which I researched in another life, back when I reported on the 1976 presidential campaign.

Gerald Ford would, according to a Ford biography and a Republican Party campaign film, take credit with a teammate for so severely injuring a Georgia Tech lineman in retaliation for an alleged racial slur that the Tech player had to be carried from the field.

In the film, which was nationally televised moments before Ford accepted the GOP nomination to run against Democrat Jimmy Carter, Willis Ward talks about having to sit out the game because of Georgia Tech's insistence upon clinging to the Southern tradition of segregation. Ward, also on the film, recalls that Ford and a fellow Michigan lineman "ended his <the Tech lineman's> participation in the game."

Today, there are conflicting versions of who did - and said - what to whom during that game, won by Michigan, 9-2, on a cold, rainy October afternoon in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ford said the injury was inflicted because the Tech player had jeered "n-----r" during the game.

Not so, said the Tech player, Charlie Preston, who was hurt on the game's third play and, when I caught up with him by telephone, had retired in Florida. He said no Tech player uttered racial taunts and that his injury, diagnosed as bruised ribs, was not caused by Ford. "I was hurt in a pileup," he said. "You can't tell who hurt you when you're underneath at least a half a dozen players. Mr. Ford is not exactly telling the truth."

Ford's biographer and former presidential press secretary, Jerald F. terHorst, said Ford had told him he couldn't recall the injured player's name or number.

In Gerald Ford and the Future of the Presidency, terHorst wrote that Ford had threatened not to play, as a sympathy protest on behalf of Ward, his roommate on road trips. On the eve of the game, terHorst wrote, Ford telephoned his stepfather in Grand Rapids, Michigan, seeking advice. His stepfather left the decision to Ford, who chose to play instead of protest.

"So Ford led the team out on the field even as the anger boiled within him over the absence of Ward," the biographer continues. "One of the Georgia Tech linemen made the mistake of taunting the Michigan squad over its missing 'n----r.' "

Willis Ward had become a Wayne County (Michigan) probate judge when I reached him by phone in Detroit. He recalled that he sat in his fraternity house, listening to the game on the radio. He said Ford and a guard named Bill Borgman confirmed to him at practice the following Monday that they had injured the Tech player. Ward quoted Ford as saying, "We got one for ya, Willie."

Actually, Ward said he was not upset about having been withheld from the game. His coach, Harry Kipke, had recruited him to Michigan over the objections of white alumni, Ward said, adding, "Kipke was on the spot. I could see he had a problem, and this transcended any personal hurt I had."

Asked why he did not protest sitting out the game, Ward said, "It was not a way of life for kids to do that back in the 1930s. You have to put everything that happened in the context of the time."

However, published reports said Michigan's decision to withhold Ward drew protests against Tech from "some radical organizations" on the Michigan campus. Bobby Dodd, then a young Tech backfield coach who would become the school's head coach and athletic director, recalled that Tech players complained to him the night before the game that "people were screamin' and fussin' at us."

For its part, Georgia Tech had acceded to eleventh-hour counter-demands by Michigan to withhold Ward's Tech counterpart at right end, E. H. "Hoot" Gibson, as a compensatory gesture.

"The Michigan officials applied the old Mosaic law of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth to this game," wrote the late Ralph McGill, who reported on the game for the Atlanta Constitution and would go on to write Pulitzer Prize-winning columns opposing segregation across the South. "They demanded an end for an end."

When I informed Willis Ward that Tech's Charlie Preston believed Ford had not told "exactly the truth" about the incident, Ward laughed.

"Oh, he must be a Democrat," Ward said.

Ward guessed correctly. Preston said he had registered as a Democrat for the 1976 presidential election, in which Jimmy Carter defeated Ford.

But Ward was pleasantly surprised to learn that Charlie Preston, the injured Georgia Tech player whose name and number Gerald Ford could not recall, said he would be voting for Gerald Ford.

Again, the Tide was able to buck the trend away from the South with an impressive 29-13 victory over Stanford's "Vow Boys" in the Rose Bowl.

The "Vow Boys" were a group of Stanford freshman who, seeing the varsity dominated by USC, vowed never to lose to Southern California again. They did not. USC entered a down period. Minnesota was the consensus champions of 1935-1936 (the first AP champion in 1936), thus making them the last team to win three consecutive national titles.

#### Yale's teammate Heismans

Larry Kelley (1936), Clint Frank (1937)

In 1937, Alabama figured to win again, but their 13-0 loss to California in the Rose Bowl ended a string of successes in Pasadena, all of which had propelled the Tide into national prominence. Pitt won the pre-bowl AP title. The systems, making note of Pittsburgh's failures against USC in previous years, placed greater prestige on West Coast football, thus giving the Golden Bears their fourth (co) national championship.

Duke was the favorite to win the 1938 national championship until the unbeaten, untied, unscored-on Blue Devils were beaten by USC in the last minute by the Doyle Nave-to-Al Kreuger touchdown pass, but after the vote Tennessee earned a fair share of the system's respect. For the first time, the deciders were not swayed solely by one team winning a bowl game. TCU beat Carnegie Tech in the Sugar but the Vols knocked off Oklahoma in the Orange.

It was obvious by 1939 that the AP poll would not end the controversy over national championships. Tennessee was miffed that the 1938 title had gone instead to Texas Christian. They came to the Rose Bowl, as Duke did, unbeaten, untied and unscored-upon. Coach Bob Neyland's greatest team would have won it except that USC – again – sent a Southern team home with their tail between their legs, 14-0.

"We were outclassed by Southern Cal in every way," Coach Neyland announced. The Trojans awarded Howard Jones with his fourth and last national championship with the Knute Rockne Trophy, based upon their overwhelming win over the Volunteers. USC's schedule was the "the toughest of any team in the country," according to Professor Dickinson. Texas A&M took the AP title, voted on prior to the bowls. They avoided the embarrassment of illegitimacy by beating Tulane, 14-13 in the Sugar Bowl.

THE SWEEP OF HISTORY

Just as sports in the 1920s reflected American hubris and self-celebration, in the 1930s a social edge played itself out in the athletic world. The 1932 L.A. Olympic Games, coming on the heels of USC's 1931 national championship and preceding their repeat of the same in 1932, was replete with a host of Trojan trackmen and swimmers winning Gold medals. It galvanized Los Angeles and California as the "new Greece," where feats of physical greatness reached their zenith in the L.A. Coliseum.

#### Win-loss records

1.Michigan (1879-2006) 860-282-36

2. Notre Dame (1887-2006) 821-269-42

3. Texas (1893-2006) 810-313-33

4. Oklahoma (1895-2006) 768-292-53

5. Ohio State (1890-2006) 787-301-53

6. Alabama (1892-2006) 780-307-43

7. Nebraska (1890-2006) 801-327-41

8. Southern California (1888-2006) 743-300-54

9. Tennessee (1891-2006) 760-312-53

10. Penn State (1887-2006) 780-343-41

11. Florida State (1947-2006) 442-201-30

12. Georgia (1892-2006) 702-379-54

13. Miami (1926-2006) 533-291-19

14. Louisiana State (1893-2006) 680-376-47

15. Auburn (1892-2006) 667-384-47

16. Washington (1889-2006) 646-379-54

17. Florida (1906-2006) 619-368-40

18. Miami (Ohio) (1888-2005) 639-352-44

19. Arizona State (1897-2005) 523-318-24

20. Colorado (1890-2005) 650-402-36

21. Central Michigan (1896-2005) 532-338-36

22. UCLA (1919-2006) 528-346-37

23. Texas A&M (1894-2005) 639-415-48

24. Syracuse (1889-2004) 664-435-49

25. Army (1890-2004) 631-427-51

25. Michigan State (1896-2006) 599-403-44

27. Georgia Tech (1892-2006) 646-436-43

28. Arkansas (1894-2004) 621-422-40

29. Clemson (1896-2004) 600-413-45

30. Minnesota (1882-2006) 626-439-44

31. Pittsburgh (1890-2004) 639-464-42

32. Stanford (1891-2006) 543-412-49

33. Mississippi (1893-2004) 583-439-35

34. California (1882-2006) 602-459-51

35. Brigham Young (1922-2004) 456-359-26

36. Maryland (1892-2004) 573-498-43

37. Illinois (1890-2004) 542-485-50

38. Texas Christian (1896-2004) 515-502-57

Twice in the 1930s, the black American boxer, Joe Louis fought the symbol of Aryan "superiority," Germany's Max Schmelling. When Louis beat Schmelling in 1938, he was viewed as the first black hero by a white America concerned with Nazi military preparations and Jewish persecution. In 1936, Adolph Hitler used the Olympics as a propagandistic springboard for his racial theories, but Jesse Owens, a black sprinter-long jumper from Ohio State, won four Golds to dismantle the Hitler concept.

### Heisman Trophies - by school

1. Southern California 7

1. Ohio State 7

1. Notre Dame 7

4. Oklahoma 4

5. Nebraska 3

6. Michigan 3

6. Texas 3

6. Army 3

9. Florida State 2

10. Wisconsin 2

10. Florida 2

10. Miami 2

10. Auburn 2

10. Navy 2

10. Georgia 2

10. Yale 2

One each

Colorado

Brigham Young

Houston

Oklahoma State

Boston College

South Carolina

Pittsburgh

Penn State

Stanford

UCLA

Oregon State

Syracuse

Louisiana State

Texas A&M

Princeton

Southern Methodist

Minnesota

Iowa

Texas Christian

Chicago

California had always been a land of cutting edge societal trends. Blacks and whites were classmates, teammates and worthy opponents, years and decades before it was acceptable in other regions of the country. USC and UCLA were leaders in the area of progress for minorities on the field and in the classroom. The integrated USC-UCLA football games of the 1930s had a major impact on social progress. The star of those games, Bruin halfback Jackie Robinson, was chosen to break baseball's "color barrier," which he ultimately did in 1947 largely on the strength of his gridiron exploits.

#### USC & UCLA: Hollywood's schools

Marion Morrison (John "Duke" Wayne), Southern California (True Grit, The Sands of Iwo Jima, The Quiet Man, Red River, et al); Marv Goux, Southern California (Spartacus): O. J. Simpson, Southern California (Naked Gun, et al): Woody Strode, UCLA (Spartacus): Mark Harmon, UCLA (The Presidio, The Deliberate Stranger, et al) . . .

. . . also check out Ed Marinaro, Cornell (Hill Street Blues) and Carl Weathers, San Diego State (Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Action Jackson).

By the end of 1939, collegiate football had been played for seventy years. Historians of the sport now had an abundance of knowledge with which to formulate the concept of tradition. In viewing the sweep of the game, it was by 1940 obvious major changes had occurred. Up until the turn of the century, Princeton was the undisputed king of the hill with Yale their closest competitors. Most colleges started playing football in the 1890s, but Ivy League schools were the only ones considered truly worthy.

In the 1900s, Michigan, Minnesota, Chicago, Stanford and Washington joined Princeton, Yale and Harvard. The "Team of the Decade" was Michigan. It all turned around in the 1910s. Washington's 63-game unbeaten streak made them the best of the best. Army, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech were worthy competitors.

In the 1920s, Notre Dame put some distance between themselves and the rest of the pack, although Cal's dominance in the first four years of the decade was extraordinary. Stanford, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Michigan and Illinois were all outstanding. As great as Notre Dame was, a look at the raw statistics reveals that, surprisingly, the best record between 1920 and 1929 was USC's 88-13-2 over Notre Dame's 81-12-4. The Irish nevertheless rate as the "Team of the Decade."

USC could not be denied the appellation "Team of the Decade" for the 1930s, although Minnesota and Alabama had dominant runs. If one were asked in 1940 to rank the greatest of all collegiate traditions, the answer would have not have been a cut 'n' dried one. Notre Dame, USC, Alabama, Michigan and California would have thrown their hats in the ring.

In 1940, coach Bernie Bierman's Minnesota Golden Gophers were awarded the national championship by the Associated Press. However, they played no bowl game. Stanford's 21-13 triumph over Nebraska in the Rose Bowl gave coach Clark Shaughnessy's Indians the co-national championship, courtesy of the systems.

In 1942, Ohio State won the AP title. Georgia's shutout victory over UCLA in the Rose Bowl gave them some consideration from the systems, but not enough to grant them co-national championship status. Army and Notre Dame dominated the next few years. By the end of 1949, the Fighting Irish had won four national championships in the decade and were firmly ensconced as college football's all-time best tradition. USC had a solid decade, but fell far below the standards set by Howard Jones. The battle for "second place" would have been between the Trojans, Alabama, Minnesota, Michigan and Army.

The war effort

On December 2, 1944, Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik received a telegram after his Black Knights defeated Navy to complete a perfect season: "THE GREATEST OF ALL ARMY TEAMS. WE HAVE STOPPED THE WAR TO CELEBRATE YOUR MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS. MaCARTHUR." This is perhaps as telling a statement about the greatness of America as any single fact. Consider the following information about the United States entering World War II on December 7, 1941:

  * We were unprepared for the war.

  * America was still recovering from the Great Depression.

  * We were swept by pacifism.

  * American Communism was on the rise.

  * President Franklin Roosevelt's Administration was dotted with actual Soviet agents.

  * Our stated, popular policy was isolationism.

  * Ambassador to Great Britain Joseph P. Kennedy (father of JFK) stated, "Let's do business with Hitler, we can't beat him."

  * The Japanese sneak attack at Pearl Harbor left half the U.S. Pacific fleet destroyed.

  * The U.S. was immediately beaten in a series of battles with Germany's "Desert Fox," Erwin Rommel.

Despite this, America utterly, totally and without question conquered the greatest military power ever assembled up until that time (Hitler's Wehrmacht), who was in league with totalitarian Japan, in a two-front war continually shifting from North Africa, Sicily, Italy, the skies of Europe, France, Belgium, and Germany in the West, and Hawaii, the Philippines, the Pacific-Asian Islands, Australia, and Japan in the Pacific Theatre, all the while . . .

. . . continuing the Hollywood film industry, Broadway, Wall Street, all education from grammar school to high school to colleges, post-graduate, public and private; maintaining police departments, civil engineering, city, county, state and federal governments in normal operation . .

. . . all while playing a full Major League baseball schedule that never missed a game or canceled the World Series; an uninterrupted National Football League complete with the annual draft; all NCAA sports, including a full slate of collegiate football. There were sports concessions to the war, but probably less in collegiate football than any other. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson plainly advised college students to graduate first so they could enter the military as officers. The 1942 Rose Bowl was moved from Pasadena to Durham, North Carolina, where Oregon State beat Duke, 20-16. There was a reduction of inter-sectional games, resulting in the temporary cancellation of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry. As if to thumb their nose at the Japanese threat, in 1942 USC and UCLA played a full schedule to large crowds in the L.A. Coliseum, with UCLA capturing the conference title before losing to Georgia in the Rose Bowl's return to Pasadena. In January 1944, USC played Washington in the Rose Bowl. Three of the best "college teams" in the nation were Great Lakes Naval Air Station, Iowa Pre-Flight, and Randolph Field. In January 1945, Tennessee traveled to the Rose Bowl and lost to USC. In 1944 Army fielded one of the greatest college football teams of all time, which thrilled cheering throngs. In 1945 the war was over when the college football season started. Army again dominated, while Alabama beat USC in the Rose Bowl.

There seems to be little doubt that, while the continuation of major sports in America was a morale-booster, its greatest contribution was in the demoralization of our enemies. Jimmie Doolittle's "Raiders" were bombing Japan. Chester Nimitz's Navy was dealing blow after blow to their Imperial Navy. George Patton, Omar Bradley and Mark Clark's forces were blowing through the Germans from one continent to another in the manner of Red Blaik's offense. Typical "buddy" talk revolved around personal allegiance to Ohio State or Michigan; Stanford or Cal, Notre Dame or . . . Everybody felt like they were part of West Point or Navy, with a lifetime of kindred spirit for those schools long after the fighting ended. The German and Japanese leadership, living in bunkers, dealing with bomb alerts, their respective countries' societies one hundred percent mobilized to support the war, had to observe the fact that America was winning the war while continuing to "play games," concluding therefore that we were unstoppable.

We were.

In 1950 the United Press International poll began. If it was supposed to alleviate the problem of co-national championships and illegitimacy, it did nothing of the sort. Their decision to vote before the bowls, as the AP already did, was utterly foolish. Thus were we given Oklahoma (1950), Tennessee (1951) and Maryland (1953), "consensus" winners all (each losers of their respective bowls). The legitimate national champions should have been Tennessee in 1950 (11-1, beat Texas, 20-14 in the Cotton Bowl), Maryland in 1951 (10-0, beat Tennessee, 28-13 in the Sugar Bowl), and Michigan State in 1953 (9-1, beat UCLA 28-20 in the Rose Bowl). Ohio State (AP) and UCLA (UPI) were co-national champions of 1954.

Oklahoma dominated the 1950s like no team before or since, running off a 47-game winning streak and consecutive consensus titles in 1955-1956. Ohio State (UPI) and Auburn (AP) split the 1957 national championship after Notre Dame ended OU's winning streak, 7-0 in Norman (it had started after the Irish beat the Sooners, 28-21 in 1953).

The South dipped slightly in the early part of the decade. Their segregationist racial policies were increasingly problematic. The University of San Francisco was disinvited from the Sugar Bowl because they had black players, who by now regularly dotted rosters in the North and the West. A number of small schools in California became strong in football using black players. Little St. Mary's had beaten Oklahoma State in the 1946 Sugar Bowl.

UCLA built themselves into a powerhouse largely on the strength of the great black high school stars they recruited from in and around Los Angeles. The Bruin basketball team under John Wooden, in particular, can attribute much of their dominant success to this practice.

USC did not quite match UCLA in the area of social progress but was still ahead of the rest of the country. In 1956 the Trojans brought a black running back named C. R. Roberts back to Austin. Roberts responded with one of the greatest – albeit little known – games in history: 251 yards in _the first half_ to lead Troy to a 44-20 smashing of all white Texas. Roberts's presence forced coach Jess Hill's team to find separate hotel digs the night before, at great expense and disruption to plans. It galvanized the Trojans into a fighting force. According to reports, the Texas fans were unmerciful in their treatment of Roberts right until the end, although the Longhorn players – venomous at first but pacified by the athlete's respect of an opponent's performance \- reached out to extend handshakes and compliments when it was over. Fourteen years before Sam "Bam" Cunningham's game at Birmingham in 1970, however, the time was not right for a football game to change America. Other games had an impact: Pittsburgh, Navy and Penn State, among others, venturing South for bowl games with integrated teams.

Auburn and LSU helped return the Southeastern Conference to prominence in 1957 and 1958, but it was the hiring of Paul "Bear" Bryant that changed everything in every way. By the end of the 1950s, Notre Dame – who had fallen on some hard times, at least by their standards – still hung on to the mythical number one position in history.

The 1960s totally and completely changed the face of college football. It started inauspiciously, however. Minnesota won the AP and UPI championship but failed to defend it with a 17-7 loss to Washington in the Rose Bowl. 10-0-1 Mississippi, a 14-6 winner over Rice in the Sugar Bowl, should have been the champion.

Alabama, USC and Texas won impressive national championships in the next three years. Each represented the glorious, glamorous new wave overtaking the game. 'Bama of course was now coached by Bryant, who stamped his greatness on the program.

His good friend, John McKay did the same at USC. Each took a great tradition that had not become mediocre, but surely was less than it had been. Each restored it to levels of glory greater than any it had known before. These schools would usher in enormous changes to the game. To some extent, so too did Darrell Royal at Texas. His 1963 Longhorns helped to turn them into a storied program.

The well-chronicled 1964 and 1965 fiascoes (Alabama's and Michigan State's bowl losses after wire service national titles had already been awarded) could not completely overshadow exciting new developments. Television ratings were sky high as by now each home had a set. Color TV became the norm. Further integration gave America a whole new cast of stars to root for. Equipment changed drastically. Recruiting, money, national exposure, coaching techniques, training methods; all served to modernize the game in the 1960s. Three old names – USC, Alabama, Notre Dame – would take the reigns of the modern era and make history.

Until 1964, the only thing lacking in the new decade was greatness at Notre Dame. That situation was alleviated when Ara Parseghian took over. He immediately led the Irish to a 9-0 record. The Fighting Irish arrived at the Los Angeles Coliseum one win away from the school's eighth national championship. Alabama fans became Trojan fans. They were jumping for joy when Southern California rallied from a 17-0 halftime deficit to defeat the Irish, 20-17. Notre Dame was out, Alabama was in. The wire services went for the Tide over unbeaten Arkansas. 'Bama lost their bowl game, Arkansas won theirs: chaos ensued.

The 1965 Michigan State/UPI imbroglio further clouded the situation. The AP's one-year reversal gave Alabama that year's championship but may have denied them in 1966. Their Ken Stabler-led victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl was impressive enough that it might have swayed some voters over the "no bowl" Irish. When the AP finally went to a post-bowl vote in 1968 for good, it meant the USC-Ohio State Rose Bowl game took on "Game of the Century" overtones. The Buckeyes won in convincing manner. It did not match other earth-shaking games (1931 USC-Notre Dame, 1946 Notre Dame-Army, 1963 USC-Wisconsin Rose Bowl, 1966 Notre Dame-Michigan State, 1969 Texas-Arkansas, 1971 Nebraska-Oklahoma, 1973 Notre Dame-Alabama Sugar Bowl, 1988 Notre Dame-Miami, 2006 USC-Texas Rose Bowl).

Texas (1970) and Alabama (1973) were the last two illegitimate UPI "national champions." The subsequent decision to change the vote to after the bowls certainly did not end controversy or co-national championships, but there have been no illegitimate champs since then.

In 1974, USC rallied from a 24-0 deficit, scoring fifty-five points in seventeen minutes to beat Notre Dame, 55-24. The game represented the height of the rivalry. In 1964 USC knocked Notre Dame out. In 1965 USC was 4-0-1 and Notre Dame was 4-0. In 1966 Notre Dame's shutout win over USC won it for them. In 1967 O. J. Simpson's Trojan win at South Bend made them the frontrunner, and they held from there. In 1968 USC's tie with Notre Dame kept them in the hunt. In 1969 their tie with the Irish probably cost them the national championship. In 1970 USC's 38-28 win over Joe Theismann in a driving rainstorm at the Coliseum knocked the Irish out. In 1971 a 2-4 Trojan squad held an Athlete's in Action Christian "demonstration" the week of the South Bend trip.

"A lot of guys accepted Christ that day," recalled lineman Dave Brown, who organized it.

They beat Notre Dame, 28-14, ending Notre Dame's unbeaten season and bid for number one. 1972: Anthony Davis's six touchdowns and USC's 45-23 whipping propelled USC to the title. 1973: Notre Dame ended USC's 23-game unbeaten streak and went on to win it. 1974: USC's beyond belief blowout gave them the championship after they won an almost-as-exciting Rose Bowl, 18-17 on a last-minute two-point conversion over Ohio State.

In 1975 USC's 24-17 win at Notre Dame left them 7-0 and in the driver's seat. In 1976 USC beat Notre Dame and finished second; had Pitt lost their bowl game the Trojans would have won. In 1977 Joe Montana and the green jersey Irish rode their upset of Troy to the championship. In 1978, a two-seconds-left field goal by Frank Jordan gave USC victory and, after their Rose Bowl win over Michigan, the national championship. In 1979 USC beat Notre Dame and knocked number one, unbeaten Ohio State out of the number one slot in the Rose Bowl. Had Alabama not beaten Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, Troy would have been a champion again. In 1980, USC's 20-3 victory over Notre Dame ended Irish hopes in the last regular season game. In 1981 USC's defeat of Notre Dame at South Bend left them at 6-1, in the driver's seat for the national championship in a year of upsets. Subsequent Trojan losses ended their dream but Marcus Allen's performance at South Bend led him to the Heisman Trophy.

Finally, in 1982 (when USC rallied to win, 17-13), the game had no national title implications before or after. After drubbing the Trojans, 51-0 in 1966, Notre Dame only beat their biggest rivals twice in the succeeding sixteen seasons. Both times they won the national championship. USC won four titles in that time frame. It could be argued that if these two storied programs did not schedule the annual bloodletting with each other, USC and Notre Dame could have won several more.

The 1978 co-national championship was split between the two dominant powers of Bear Bryant's career; his Tide and McKay's Trojans. It all came to a head in 1978. Ranked number one, Alabama met USC at Birmingham's Legion Field. Trojan tailback Charlie White ran for 199 yards. USC ran away from 'Bama, 24-14. USC's subsequent loss to Arizona State set them back. Penn State looked to be the champions, but once-beaten Alabama defeated Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions in the Sugar Bowl. USC beat Michigan, 17-10 in the Rose Bowl.

Now, the same voters who denied Alabama in 1966 for "political" reasons, had the Tide's fate in their hands again. Common sense dictated who the rightful champion was. In that rare pre-BCS year in which the two teams in question played, and one had defeated the other on the losing team's home turf, the obvious pick was Southern California. But Bryant had rightfully been credited with skillfully integrating his, and by proxy the entire SEC's, football rosters. The AP showered him with love and their vote. The UPI stuck with Troy.

The next year it looked to be a repeat. It was an incredible season in which the 1979 Crimson Tide, Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes all rank among the finest teams in history. But USC tied Stanford, then beat the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. Alabama, the last unbeaten, untied team standing, was the AP's sixth repeat champion.

THE WEST, THE GAME, AND SOCIETAL EVOLUTION

As the sun went down on New Year's Day 1980, the landscape of college football had shifted. The pretenders were gone. The Ivy League was no longer a factor. California, Georgia Tech, Army and Minnesota, traditional powers of yesteryear, were mediocre programs.

Michigan and Ohio State made strong bids but had fallen short. Three champions of the 1920s returned to glory and stood at or near the top: Notre Dame, USC and Alabama. A fourth program, Oklahoma, which had risen in the 1950s, re-emerged as a serious contender for the position with an almost-as-fabulous run in the 1970s. Pittsburgh, after years of poor showings, was a contender once again.

In the previous two decades, Alabama had the better overall record. In the 1960s they were 89-16; in the1970s 103-16-1 for a total mark of 192-32-5, the height of Bear Bryant's glory. USC was 76-25-4 in the 1960s, then 93-22-1 in the 1970s (169-47-5).

They were titans of the game during a golden age. Determining who was better is not an easy task. By pure win-loss records, it would appear that Alabama was, but many other factors detract from that view. In the 1960s, Alabama was segregated and played a ninety percent segregated schedule. They hardly traveled outside Dixie and appeared to have turned inward in light of Alabama Governor George Wallace's "stand in the schoolhouse door" speech of 1963. That speech had been delivered just below the office window of Bear Bryant, who observed it in the company of school president Frank Rose.

USC traveled far and wide, including trips to Waco (Baylor), Dallas (SMU), Austin (Texas), and Miami in the 1960s. The Pac-8 Conference was arguably the toughest in the nation. Included on their schedule were yearly bloodbaths with Notre Dame during the "Era of Ara," and UCLA in their best decade.

In the 1970s, Sam "Bam" Cunningham and USC traveled to Legion Field, defeating Alabama, 42-21. The doors were opened thereafter for black players in the South. Bryant may or may not have said of Cunningham, "This here's what a football player looks like."

In fact, the game was carefully planned by Bryant and McKay with the hopes that it would pave the way for two blacks already recruited by Bryant, freshman Wilbur Jackson and junior college transfer John Mitchell. Furthermore, if Bryant said that Cunningham was "what a football player looks like," he said it in a crowded hallway, not in front of his beaten team in the dressing room. Apocryphal or not, Bryant's reaction to the defeat was gracious, his speedy acceptance of black players and coaches in succeeding years, more so. A man considered an enemy of integration, a man whose only legacy may have been wins and losses (much like Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp), now became a legend for all the right reasons. The schedule Bryant's Tide faced in the 1970s was national and integrated. He led the way for others, to the great relief of many white coaches who long wanted to do it but felt they were restrained.

The two teams played each four times, splitting two each (both on the road). USC's five national titles were all legitimate, coming with impressive Rose Bowl victories over Big 10 juggernauts (Wisconsin '63, Ohio State '73, '75) and Michigan ('79). 'Bama, as has been chronicled, claims six championships under Bryant, but of course this is a misnomer. Two came with bowl defeats. Four were the real deal. Alabama arguing this would be like USC saying they really were the 1968 national champions, not Ohio State (who beat them in the Rose Bowl). The Crimson Tide could argue persuasively they deserved the 1966 and 1977 titles, but it can be more persuasively argued that they did not deserve the shared 1978 title with the Trojans. USC could easily have been the national champions of 1969, 1979, and some services called them champions of 1976.

USC boasted Heisman Trophy winners Mike Garrett (1965), O. J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979) with a fourth, Marcus Allen, playing on the 1978 national champions before winning the award in 1981. Alabama's Heisman winners: zero. USC far out-numbered the Tide in All-Americans, first round draft picks (a record five in 1968), number one overall picks (Ron Yary '68, Simpson '69, Ricky Bell '77) and overall draft choices (eleven in 1969, fourteen apiece in 1975 and 1977).

The Trojans dominated the Rose Bowl. It could be said that, if not for the obstacle posed by USC, both Ohio State and Michigan might have been the best teams in the 1970s, a decade in which these schools very possibly fielded the greatest juggernauts in their respective histories. Alabama was winless in bowl appearances between the 1967 and 1973 seasons. For these reasons, USC was the "Team of the Decade" in both the 1960s and 1970s, while their two-decade run between 1962 and 1982 is considered the greatest of all time. The Tide still has a legitimate argument. Notre Dame has less of one since they were dominated by USC for most of these two decades. Oklahoma (two national titles, one Heisman winner) can cite some very compelling statistics favoring themselves in the 1970s. Penn State also went on a run of amazing proportions, but when all the factors are carefully weighed the Trojans reign supreme. This has been their way of doing things for decades.

There have been periods where other teams boasted better win-loss records or had gaudier runs, but Troy has been steady, spectacular when it counted (big games, bowl games), while offering just a little more Hollywood excitement and Heisman star power. When USC defeated Notre Dame for the fifth straight time in 1982, they had for all practical purposes "caught up" with Notre Dame as the greatest of all traditions. Perhaps the Irish still held the slightest of edges, but USC was on the verge certainly of making a "breakthrough."

So close, and yet so far. Over the following thirteen seasons, USC never beat Notre Dame. Troy had some very good teams. In 1988 they entered the Notre Dame game at the Coliseum one win away from playing for the national title only to lose. In 1989 promising freshman quarterback Todd Marinovich, reputed to be the most heralded prep player who ever lived, led them to a Rose Bowl triumph. But overall, once head coach John Robinson and his legendary Trojan assistant, Marv Goux left in the wake of NCAA penalties in 1983, USC experienced down times by their lofty standards.

The rise of Southern California in the John McKay era, like so many other periods, mirrored American society. After World War II, an enormous population boom occurred. The growth of California suburbs resulted in the state producing a "mother lode" of great athletic talent in all sports.

Bowl victories

#### Teams that have won national championships since World War I (1919-2006)

1. Alabama 30

2. Southern California 29

3. Penn State 25

4. Oklahoma 24

4. Tennessee 24

6. Texas 23

7. Georgia 22

7. Georgia Tech 22

7. Nebraska 22

10. Florida State 21

11. Louisiana State 19

11. Mississippi 19

13. Michigan 18

13. Ohio State 18

13. Auburn 18

16. Miami 19

17. Florida 16

18. Washington 15

19. Clemson 14 (through 2004)

20. UCLA 13

20. Texas A&M 13 (through 2004)

20. Notre Dame 13

23. Syracuse 12 (through 2004)

23. Colorado 12 (through 2004)

25. Arkansas 11

26. Pittsburgh 10

27. Stanford 9

29. California 8

29. Maryland 8 (through 2004)

30. Brigham Young 7 (through 2004)

30. Michigan State 7

30. Texas Christian 7 (through 2004)

33. Illinois 6 (through 2004)

34. Minnesota 5

35. Army 2

The Big 10 dominated the Rose Bowl, which became a contractual affair with the Pacific Coast Conference beginning with the 1946 season. Between January 1947 and January 1952, the Big 10 won every time; sometimes in routs, sometimes in close games. It was a tremendous setback for Pacific Coast prestige. The conventional wisdom held that Big 10 and Midwestern teams were "tough" and "physical," while California kids were "soft," they had "gone Hollywood," and were made lazy by the hot sun, inviting beaches, the temptation of girls, night life and "LaLa land."

Then the kids in all those West Coast Baby Boomer families started to graduate from high school, entering USC, UCLA, California, Stanford and Washington. In January 1953 Southern Cal finally ended the Big 10's dominance with a 7-0 shutout of Wisconsin in Pasadena.

But the conference stubbed its own toes, first by instituting a short-lived "no-repeat" policy on its champions (depriving the country of a "national championship" Rose Bowl game between unbeaten Ohio State and unbeaten UCLA in January 1955). Then, a recruiting scandal blew the lid off of the PCC and college football. Stanford, as guilty as the rest of the conference, essentially became the "star witness" for the NCAA, turning in Washington, California, USC and UCLA. Players were suspended, coaches fired, games forfeited, reputations lost.

It was the proverbial "end" for California. Under legendary coach Pappy Waldorf, the Golden Bears were among the nation's elite in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Their failure to win any of their three straight Rose Bowl games badly hurt the conference, however. Perhaps put of a sense of desperation, Cal began to pay its players in the form of subsidies, supposedly to cover higher rents in Berkeley (the excuse UCLA made for doing the same thing in Westwood). When caught in the vortex of NCAA sanctions in the mid-1950s, Cal made the conscious decision to downgrade the importance placed on intercollegiate athletics. It was part of a growing political climate manifesting itself in California. Sides would be taken.

A great athletic department became mediocre. California had won the 1947 and 1957 College World Series in baseball, and the 1959 NCAA basketball championship under coach Pete Newell. Their track program under (Olympic coach) Brutus Hamilton had been second only to USC.

In the wake of Cal's self-imposed "mediocrity campaign," USC and UCLA built not just great football programs but all-around athletic departments, dominating every aspect of NCAA sports competition over the next two decades. Much of their success came about because of the "vacuum" created by Berkeley. Certainly great Bay Area athletes no longer considered Cal a worthy choice. UCLA's 1967 Heisman winner, Gary Beban, and USC's 1968 recipient, O. J. Simpson, were both from San Francisco.

Opportunities for black athletes, embodied by two "modern Moses of progressivism," John Wooden at UCLA and John McKay at USC, typified the two schools, explaining much of their dominance. The University of San Francisco won two straight NCAA basketball championships on the strength of the liberal recruiting of black players like Bill Russell and K. C. Jones.

### Tackled by segregation

The 1951 University of San Francisco Dons were 9-0, considered one of the best teams in the nation. In those days, USF was a sports powerhouse. Their basketball team, led by Bill Russell and K. C. Jones, would win 60 straight games and consecutive NCAA championships in 1955-1956. A number of small colleges on the West Coast had stellar football teams until the 1950s, among them Santa Clara, St. Mary's and Loyola. They were known to play competitively against California, Stanford and USC. Schools such as Montana and Nevada were early members of the Pacific Coast Conference. Santa Clara had won the 1937 Sugar Bowl, St. Mary's the 1946 Sugar Bowl. The 1951 Dons were led by the great Ollie Matson and featured future 49er Hall of Famer Bob St. Clair. Their SID was Pete Rozelle. The team was invited to a bowl game but asked not to bring their black players, of which Matson was one. They refused and stayed home. A few years later, Pitt's black fullback, Bobby Grier played against Georgia Tech in the 1956 Sugar Bowl. For USF, however, the loss of revenue from the bowl disinvite, combined with decreased ticket sales to the new NFL franchise, the 49ers, forced them to give up football.

But another major factor was the social dynamic caused by the Vietnam War. California became a hotbed of radicalism. Athletes, coaches and sports were viewed as tools of "bourgeois capitalism," pseudo-military endeavors to be despised. The downgrading of sports, started in the 1950s in the wake of NCAA sanctions, was furthered by a "dirty play" incident with USC that made Sports Illustrated headlines and led Berkeley to view USC as a tyrant of Caesarian proportions. The anti-war protest movement envelopeding the campus all but destroyed the school's competitiveness in sports, especially football, for years.

Black pioneers

Brice Taylor, C. R. Roberts, Willie Wood and Sam "Bam" Cunningham (Southern California), Jackie Robinson, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode (UCLA), George Jewett and Willis Ward (Michigan), Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard (Brown), Paul Robeson (Rutgers), Oze Simmons and Jack Trice (Iowa), Fred Moore (Northwestern), Wimeth Sadat-Singh and Jim Brown (Syracuse), Ed Williams (New York), Johnny Bright (Drake), Buddy Young (Illinois), Prentice Gautt (Oklahoma), Sidney Williams (Wisconsin), Sandy Stephens (Minnesota), Bobby Grier (Pittsburgh), Jerry LeVias (Southern Methodist), Julius Whittier and Roosevelt Leaks (Texas), Lester McClain (Tennessee), Wilbur Jackson, John Mitchell and Sylvester Croom (Alabama).

The fact that USC and to a lesser extent UCLA continued to emphasize their sports programs were viewed as political acts. A curious sense of class envy, built on years of jealousy resulting from second-class sports status, fueled the northern California versus southern California divide of the 1960s. A conservative Republican from Los Angeles, Ronald Reagan was elected governor, achieving popularity largely on the strength of his hard-line approach to the protests at Berkeley. Later, it was revealed that he cooperated with the FBI in their investigation of Cal's chancellor and faculty regarding suspected Communist activity. The school, long regarded as just plain "Cal," now found itself more often referred to by the moniker "Berkeley," with attendant social meaning.

Stanford briefly filled the vacuum left by Berkeley. They won the Rose Bowl following the 1970 and 1971 seasons, with quarterback Jim Plunkett capturing the 1970 Heisman Trophy. However, the politics of the era brought them down, too. Their band chose to become radicalized, going so far as to pay a "Tribute to Chairman Mao" at the height of China's Cultural Revolution, when an estimated thirty to fifty million Chinese were murdered by Mao.

The suburban, Sun Belt demographic shifts of the post-World War II era were still occurring in the 1970s. The same power that propelled Californians Richard Nixon and Reagan to four successful elections to the White House manifested itself on the fields of play. It was a golden age in the Golden State, at least in the Southland. The Trojans and/or Bruins dominated in football, basketball, baseball, track, swimming, tennis, volleyball and just about everything. Had either school been a country at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, they would have been among the medal leaders.

The state produced professional champions, too: A's, Dodgers, Raiders, Lakers. With attendance down throughout the country, Los Angeles filled the Coliseum and its marvelous new arenas, Dodger Stadium and the Forum.

College football grew much more in the 1980s. There was an expansion of bowl games. The Fiesta Bowl became a major New Year's Day game. Network and cable TV expanded the game's reach. The state of Florida entered the picture in a big way. Some traditional powers faded, new traditions began.

With home prices rising to out-of-control levels, the family-friendly growth rates of suburban California began to trend backwards in the decade. The South saw a major rise in every aspect of the region. Once considered backward, the South initially made strides after the invention of air conditioning, which made it possible to do business in the summer time.

THE SOUTH RISES AGAIN

Bear Bryant's integration of his program created a tidal wave of minority athletes. Alabama initially dominated until the rest of Dixie caught up. In the 1980s and beyond, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Florida, Florida State and the Southwest Conference integrated fully. They were better off for it, on and off the field. The result was a downgrading of Western collegiate sports success. It was the Western schools that had traditionally benefited the most from segregation. They had great black athletes in their own regions. Western and Northern schools "cherry picked" black superstars like Clarence Davis from Alabama and Bubba Smith from Texas. Now, not only were they less likely to get Southern blacks, they were actually losing some. A blue chip African-American high school kid in California, in Arizona, in Michigan, might just as easily decide to play at Miami, LSU or Tennessee.

### Bowl games

# Teams that have won national championships since World War I (1919-2006)

1. Alabama 54

2. Texas 46

3. Southern California 45

3. Tennessee 45

5. Nebraska 44

6. Oklahoma 40

6. Georgia 40

8. Penn State 39

9. Ohio State 38

9. Michigan 38

9. Louisiana State 38

12. Florida State 36

13. Arkansas 35

14. Florida 34

15. Miami 33

15. Georgia Tech 33

15. Auburn 33

18. Mississippi 31 (through 2004)

19. Washington 30

20. UCLA 28

20. Clemson 28 (through 2004)

20. Texas A&M 28 (through 2004)

20. Notre Dame 28

24. Colorado 26 (through 2004)

25. Pittsburgh 24

26. Brigham Young 23 (through 2004)

27. Syracuse 22 (through 2004)

28. Texas Christian 21 (through 2004)

29. Stanford 20

30. Maryland 20 (through 2004)

31. Michigan State 17

32. California 17

33. Illinois 14 (through 2004)

34. Minnesota 12

35. Army 4

The South had most definitely "risen again." Between 1964 and 1996, a Southern man was elected to the presidency four times. Cities like Tampa, Charlotte, Nashville, Atlanta, became economic success stories. Professional sports teams moved in to all the major cities in Dixie. The 1996 Olympics were successfully staged in Atlanta.

There were no co-national championships in the 1980s. The AP, UPI and newly installed USA Today/ESPN polls all were on the same page. The college game had a decidedly Southern or Southwestern flavor to it, with variations. Georgia (1980), Clemson (1981), Miami (1983, 1987, 1989) and Oklahoma (1985) were all champions, as was Penn State (1982, 1986), Brigham Young (1984), and Notre Dame (1988).

In 1984 BYU captured the title with a Holiday Bowl win, which started everybody down a fourteen-year path to the Bowl Championship Series (1998). In 1986, a pre-cursor of the BCS occurred when Miami played Penn State in what was billed as the "national championship game," not on New Year's Day but the next night at the Fiesta Bowl. The game's TV ratings alone (the Lions won, 14-10) were as big a reason for creating a BCS championship game as any other factor.

The 1990s started with a co-national championship; a disappointing Colorado (AP/USA Today) and Georgia Tech (UPI) split. It was a year in which traditional power Notre Dame was excellent, as was king of the hill Miami and relative newcomer Florida State. USC, after a few down years, came into the 1990 season with national championship aspirations. Their troubled quarterback, Todd Marinovich created a morass that would not be cleared up until Pete Carroll's arrival eleven years later.

Colorado, a school with a more impressive history than most people realize, snuck in after winning a controversial "fifth down game" with Missouri. Georgia Tech's fleeting re-emergence in glory's light had people thinking about "Wrong Way" Roy Riegels infamous "run" that helped the Yellow Jackets beat Cal, 8-7 in the 1929 Rose Bowl.

Over the years, due to inequities, strange rules and policies, various polls, many systems, and no play-offs, the game produced a plethora of co-national championships. For many different reasons, the split share of a title, while frustrating and less than 100 percent satisfying, did not usually detract from that team's place in history. Co-championships were dutifully counted and for good reason.

Never has the co-title been more impressively won than in 1991. Miami captured the AP version, but Washington – Rose Bowl winners, UPI/USA champions) is considered one of the greatest teams in the game's history. A battle between the Huskies and the Hurricanes would have looked like USC and Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl, or Oklahoma and Nebraska in 1971. It would have been a war.

Th first half of the decade was a "shake up" period. Notre Dame under Lou Holtz regained its form and enjoyed a "mini-dynasty," but revelations from Don Yaeger's Under the Tarnished Dome spelled the end for Holtz and down times in South Bend. They have never really been recovered from them.

Miami ran its course, at least for a while. Washington was unable to completely repeat their 1991 success. Penn State maintained the same high level that Joe Paterno set beginning in 1968, but then slipped. Oklahoma completely fell apart. The Southwest Conference curiously folded, joined the Big 8, making it the too-bulky Big 12 North and South. Some conferences went for a play-off, creating tricky new poll scenarios. Winning the conference championship game could increase the power rating of an unbeaten champion, but it could also end their national championship run. The concept of a team winning a national title absent a conference title created a disturbing dynamic. New stars in the Constellation were born: Virginia Tech, Kansas State.

Two programs fought their way through the incredibly competitive minefield of collegiate football greatness. Tom Osborne's Nebraska Cornhuskers and Bobby Bowden's Florida State Seminoles were major powers. Many argue with much validity that the 1994-1995 Cornhuskers were the greatest back-to-back champions ever assembled; their 1993-1995 or 1995-1997 runs the best over three seasons. Bowden's Seminoles were 109-13-1 in the 1990s, won the national title in 1993 and 1999, and made the BCS championship games in the 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons. Between 1987-2000, Florida State finished in the AP Top 5 fourteen straight seasons. Their toughest competition, as often as not, came within their state: Miami and to an increasing extent, Florida (the 1996 national champions).

The rise of the South, symbolic and real as it was in so many ways, manifested itself in other sports in the 1990s. In the wake of John Wooden's retirement at UCLA, the Bruins became just another good basketball program. The Atlantic Coast Conference assumed the role of the nation's best. The Southeastern Conference, unquestionably the best in football beginning in the 1990s, also produced champions in baseball (LSU with four). Champions in track, tennis and women's sports increasingly came not from USC, UCLA and Stanford, but just as frequently from Georgia, Tennessee and other Southern programs.

THE NEW CENTURIONS

The 1990s were the worst decade in the history of USC and the state, at least since World War II. California lost or saw symbolic shifts in political, economic and athletic prestige. It started off an a bad foot months before the decade began when a major earthquake disrupted the 1989 World Series between Oakland and San Francisco.

The Cold War ended in the 1989-1991 period; good news for the world, not so good for the California economy. Much of the "military industrial complex" was centered in a narrow corridor, roughly "created" by Howard Hughes, along the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles between Santa Monica and Long Beach. The immediate after-affect of Russian "surrender" was the closing and de-escalation of weapons building, with the layoff of thousands of skilled workers.

Republican President George H. W. Bush lost his 1992 re-election bid largely because of this fallout, an ironic case of the Republicans – largely considered the party most responsible for winning the Cold War – being "victims of their own success."

In 1992's "Year of the Woman" election, Southern California lost its traditional power base when two liberal Jewish Democrat women from San Francisco, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, ascended to the U.S. Senate.

The state, particularly the Southland, took further hits. A major earthquake caused havoc in L.A. Gang violence escalated. A stray bullet grazed a Trojan player at practice. Orange County declared bankruptcy.

Los Angeles lost the Raiders back to Oakland and the Rams to St. Louis. The Dodgers were mediocre, the Angels disappointing, the Lakers in the dumps. USC managed to win the 1998 College World Series and the 1996 Rose Bowl, but little else of consequence. UCLA was competitive in football, beating USC eight straight times, but the Pacific-10 saw a shift to the Arizona schools and the Pacific Northwest, none of which increased their prestige when weighed against the rest of America. The lone "major sports" championship by a California school was UCLA's 1995 NCAA basketball crown, which was short-lived glory when coach Jim Harrick was fired over an accounting scandal, of all things.

In 1997, the "last straw" took place. Michigan, long a disappointment, took "advantage" of the Pac-10's down times, managing to beat Washington State in the Rose Bowl, thus capturing the AP national championship. But Nebraska, unbeaten and 42-17 winners over Tennessee in the Orange Bowl, took the USA Today crown. The UPI had disbanded their poll after the 1995 season.

In 1998, the Bowl Championship Series was instituted. The Rose Bowl resisted at first, but eventually came into the fold. Ironically, the BCS worked against Florida State. Without it, they might have captured poll titles in 1998 and 2000. With it, they found themselves losing to Tennessee in the January 1999 Fiesta Bowl, and Oklahoma in the January 2001 Orange Bowl. In between, they captured the 1999 national championship on the strength of a wild Sugar Bowl triumph over Michael Vick and Virginia Tech.

The dawning of the New Millennium revealed a shake-up in collegiate football. A host of awards, lists and "best ofs" dotted the period as people wanted to know who the greatest teams, athletes, and political figures of the twentieth century had been.

ESPN came up with their "Top 100" athletes. Michael Jordan came in ahead of the likes of Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali. Time magazine apparently felt that Dwight Eisenhower defeating Adolph Hitler, Winston Churchill saving democracy, or Ronald Reagan ending Soviet Communism (which had spawned 100 million murders roughly between 1917 and 1989), was not as inspiring as "Person of the Century" Alfred Einstein's "theory of relativity."

USC got its share of props. They were declared the "Collegiate Athletic Program of the Twentieth Century," while their legendary Rod Dedeaux was named "Collegiate Baseball Coach of the Century" by Collegiate Baseball magazine. However, their football program had slipped.

The great traditions were in disarray. Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Alabama, Penn State and Texas ranged from floundering to semi-disappointing. Southern and Florida schools seemed to have won the nationwide recruiting wars. An alarming number of top players from California, including some first rate prep quarterbacks from the L.A. area, decided the Everglades were more enticing than the "endless strand."

But nobody fell quite as precipitously as the University of Southern California. At the end of the 1982 campaign they were on the verge of overtaking Notre Dame as the "Team of the Century." Over the next eighteen years this dream seemed to have gone up in smoke.

New priorities took over at USC. In the 1990s, the school made a major push towards academic excellence, with great results. A Nobel prize-winning professor (George Olah) was hired. University president Steven Sample oversaw the building of the business, dental, gerontology, film, communication and other departments to world class status. As all of this happened in confluence with below-standard Trojan football, it became an article of faith among the USC alumni that a great educational university could be not be maintained alongside athletic domination.

At the dawn of the New Millennium, if USC still held the second spot on the "all-time list," then it was a tenuous hold at best; the plaques and trophies adorning Heritage Hall were fading and tarnished. Notre Dame still held the top slot, but they were slipping, too. Alabama, the old stand-bye, may have passed USC first when, in the 1985 Aloha Bowl they beat the Trojans to pass them as the winningest bowl team, then in 1992 completed a national championship season. But the Tide had not built on that 1992 season.

Then there was Oklahoma, the master of streaks. They had taken an enormous plunge in the 1990s, but new coach Bob Stoops led the Sooners to a 13-0 record, victory over Florida State in the Orange Bowl, and the 2000 national championship. A strong argument could be made that OU also passed USC in the all-time pantheon.

It seemed at the beginning of the century, at least to Trojan fans, to be "anybody but USC." Nebraska was still near the top. Miami came back better than ever. In the Pac-10 Conference, the best teams were Washington, Oregon and Oregon State.

USC's fall seemed to have resembled the "dot-bomb" disaster roiling the Golden State in the early 2000s. When 9/11 hit, the country was at low ebb. However, America fought back. They took the War on Terror, which was being fought in planes, skyscrapers, subways and the crowded cityscapes of Western democracies, picked it up, placed it in Afghanistan and Iraq, roped it off and made the terrorists die in their neighborhoods. Crowded American sports arenas, once fearful of Anthrax, "dirty bombs" and explosions, got back to the freedom of their tailgate parties and alumni cocktail gatherings.

While America fought back abroad, the economy fought back at home. All of those laid-off high tech workers from the "military industrial complex" had at first fueled the Internet "superhighway." They had survived the false stock market economy of the 1990s. In the 2000s they rode steady growth to unprecedented heights. As 9/11 faded and terrorist acts were quelled, sports rebounded like never before.

The Yankee-Red Sox rivalry, Barry Bonds's 73-home runs in 2001, the NFL's best run, successful Olympics in Utah, a new golden age of college football; America took to sports as they had in the Roaring '20s. In Los Angeles, this rebound was felt in the pocketbook, symbolized by sports Renaissance.

Staples Center was built in downtown L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan led a revitalization effort. USC began a gentrification campaign, cleaning up its mean streets, re-storing old Victorians to their once-stately grace, giving life to neighborhood schools, building professor housing, and creating new business. The two-to-three mile corridor between Staples Center and the USC campus was restored. The building of the Galen Center, a sparkling new basketball arena at USC, helped to create new life – restaurants, nightclubs, trendy boutiques – that had been missing in south-central L.A. since the silent film era.

The economic comeback of Los Angeles was matched by a sports comeback. The Lakers captured three straight NBA titles (2000, 2001, 2002). Down the street at the refurbished, sold out Coliseum, new coach Pete Carroll built the Trojans – brick by brick by brick – back into the best collegiate football power in the nation.

Had their been a play-off in 2002, USC likely was the best team in the nation at the end of the season. Quarterback Carson Palmer won the Heisman Trophy and was the first pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Ohio State won a relatively lackluster BCS Fiesta Bowl over injury-depleted Miami, ending the Hurricanes 34-game winning streak and bid for a second straight national championship.

In 2003, USC captured the AP title in the manner their fans were accustomed to: victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl. LSU won the BCS version with an uninspiring 21-14 victory over Oklahoma. There are few teams in history that looked better than the 2003 Sooners did in late December, yet fell farther in December and January. The co-national championship of 2003 riled many, not the least of which were USC supporters, since Troy finished the regular season a consensus number one in the AP and USA Today polls, only to be denied a trip to New Orleans due to a computer glitch. It made the value of a play-off glaringly obvious, but also had a satisfying effect.

As the bowls and the BCS Sugar Bowl played out, with the AP overwhelmingly voting for USC and the USA Today coaches poll only voting for Louisiana State because they were contractually bound to do so, the glitz of the so-called "national championship game" was tarnished in favor of the majesty of the "granddaddy of 'em all," the Rose Bowl. It was as if the football gods were anointing tradition over modernity.

Tiger fans satisfied themselves with their BCS version, happy that they had that, since LSU most likely would have been smoked by the red hot Trojans if they been subjected to the experience. The BCS had the effect of eliminating Oklahoma without complaint and letting USC win it at "home," since the Rose Bowl, while rented out by UCLA in the fall, is their "winter residence." It also gave much-needed imprimatur to the Associated Press, again viewed as "history's poll," the one that, at least since the after-bowl vote switch of 1968, was the most legitimate of all.

In 2004 USC "left no doubt," capturing their second straight national championship in a 13-0 run that included a 55-19 whipping of overwhelmed Oklahoma in a game ESPN analyst Lee Corso called "the best performance I've ever seen." It had LSU fans saying, "Thank God we didn't have to play these guys last year!"

Leaving no doubt

The 2004 Trojans were the tenth AP repeat champion (Minnesota 1935-1936, Army 1944-1945, Notre Dame 1946-1947, Oklahoma 1955-1956, Alabama *1964-1965, Nebraska 1970-1971, Oklahoma @1974-1975, Alabama 1978-1979, Nebraska 1994-1995); the second team ever to hold the number one poll position from the pre-season until after the bowls (Florida State 1999; Notre Dame 1943, Army 1945, Nebraska 1971, USC 1972 each held the number one spot from the first regular season poll to the post-bowl poll).

*Lost bowl game

@Probation

In assessing history, the 2004 Trojans may very well have enjoyed the most "perfect" season in history. Quarterback Matt Leinart won the Heisman Trophy. Running back Reggie Bush was a New York finalist. When considering all the factors, only two teams – the 1972 Trojans and the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers – remain above them.

The 2005 USC juggernaut was accorded "greatest team in history" status before the season even started. Matt Leinart eschewed pro football; an assured number one overall draft pick and multi-million dollar contract to return amid talk that he was the "greatest college football player ever." The tall, handsome superstar was a Hollywood celebrity, hanging out with beautiful starlets and models. USC was bigger than any professional team had ever been in the "city of the angels." Selling out the mammoth Coliseum for every game, they were now said to be "L.A.'s NFL team." No team, no coach, no players in collegiate athletic history were ever as hyped as the 2005 Trojans.

The 2005 regular season played itself out according to what literally seemed to be a Hollywood script. After all, the Trojans dominated the film industry, too. Running back Reggie Bush beat out the other two New York finalists, Leinart and Texas quarterback Vince Young, to capture USC's third Heisman in four years. He and Leinart joined Army's "Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside," Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis, as the only two back-to-back Heisman winners, although not the first the school's first "Heisman teammates." USC's Charles White (1979) and Marcus Allen (1981) were "Heisman teammates" between 1978 and 1979. USC's Palmer and Leinart were "Heisman teammates" between 2001 and 2002. This was still not all. Mike Williams, a sophomore All-American wide receiver on the 2003 national champions, had declared for the 2004 draft instead of playing his junior year. Had he come back, he would have been a junior on the 2004 repeat champions, and improbable as it may have been, a senior on the 2005 team.

The Trojans averaged fifty points a game. Second running back LenDale White may well have won the Heisman Trophy if not for teammates Leinart and Bush. They entered the 2006 BCS national championship Rose Bowl game against Texas with a 34-game winning streak and a 45-1 record going back to 2002. Carroll's team was trying for a first-ever "three-Pete" AP national championship. Only California (1920-1922) and Minnesota (1934-1936) had won three straight in the post-World War I, pre-AP era. They billed it as the "Game of the Century," which of course is what they had said of the previous year's Orange Bowl versus Oklahoma until the Trojans turned it into a track meet instead of a football game.

This time, the game matched the hype. It was a duel between USC and Texas's fabulous quarterback, Vince Young, and it was for the ages. The Longhorns' 41-38 victory will rank as the best college football game ever played.

Troy lost much when Young crossed the goal line from nine yards out with nineteen seconds left. Aside from their third straight title, it would have been USC's twelfth national championship; tying their baseball team, passing UCLA's eleven in basketball . . . and passing Notre Dame for undisputed collegiate football supremacy.

Also lost was a clear regular season run at Oklahoma's all-time 47-game winning streak, which theoretically could have been matched in the 2006 UCLA game at the Rose Bowl, then broken in the BCS title game. The mind boggles.

Aside from that, it would have meant USC would have had a chance at four straight national championships, meaning seniors would have won it every year. It ended Troy's all-time record thirty-three straight weeks ranked number one in the AP poll. Had they won in 2005, they might have been ranked number one entering 2006. As it was they were ranked third.

That third place pre-season ranking in 2006 came despite the loss of juniors Reggie Bush (second overall pick, New Orleans) and White (Tennessee) in the draft. Leinart went in the first round to Arizona. Had White returned, he would have been a Heisman favorite, and USC may well have won the national championship again. The return of Bush and White is almost too overwhelming a concept when combined with the entire run between 2002 and 2006, which ultimately produced 34-0, 45-1 and 51-2 records for Carroll's team.

As it was, USC finished 11-2 in 2006, beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl and finished ranked fourth. An unbelievable-to-believe fluke upset at the hands of UCLA in the last game of the regular season cost them a shot at Ohio State in the BCS title game in Glendale, Arizona. The Buckeyes' humiliating 41-14 demolition at the hands of national champion Florida left little doubt that if USC had their shot, the Trojans may well have won a third national championship in four years. That said, Florida was so impressive that even the most ardent USC fan had to admit they wanted nothing to do with the Gators, at least not the version that showed up on January 8, 2007.

Sports are filled with "what ifs . . . what could have beens . . . almost but not quites." The 2005 USC team, had they beaten Texas, would probably rate as the finest collegiate team ever assembled. They were legends of the green plains worthy of the greatest hype, the most poetic of descriptions, a team for the ages like the 1927 Yankees, the 1973 Bruins basketball team, the 1995 Bulls . . .

Instead, they go on that short list of truly great college football teams that just missed, like the 1969 Ohio State Buckeyes, the 1973 Alabama Crimson Tide, the 1983 Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the 2002 Miami Hurricanes. Even after eliminating the possibilities and the missed opportunities, Pete Carroll's actual accomplishments in the 2000s rank right up there with what, in similar time frames, Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy did at Notre Dame, Howard Jones and John McKay did at USC, Bud Wilkinson at Oklahoma, Bear Bryant at Alabama, the Miami Hurricanes in the 1980s.

Carroll's greatest strength is in recruiting: consecutive national number one classes in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Furthermore, he has done it in a more impressive manner than all previous dynasties. His has been the BCS era. There are no national championships to be won anymore with votes prior to losing bowl games, or even unsatisfactory bowl match-ups that leave the best two teams winning against separate opponents, then leaving it to the pollsters.

If the old system were in place, USC would have been the consensus 2003 national champions beyond question, not co-champions with LSU. In 2004 USC would have won the Rose Bowl, Oklahoma would probably have won the Orange Bowl, and the Sooners would have complained all summer about the number one vote going to the "Hollywood Trojans." Instead, they played it out and the Sooners were left with nothing to say. In 2005, the same scenario would have existed. USC would have won the Rose Bowl over a Big 10 foe, Texas would have beaten somebody in the Orange or Fiesta Bowls, most likely, then complained about those number one-ranked . . . "Hollywood Trojans" again. But Vince Young & Co. had their chance. There may have been only two or three teams in history that could have beaten the 2005 Trojans. One of them was the 2005 Longhorns!

USC has done it in an era in which the best juniors leave early, and they always have the best juniors. In the case of Mike Williams, he was the best sophomore. They have done it in the age of major television money, cable, and national recruiting that is more competitive than ever (spurred by up-to-the-minute websites). They have done it in an era in which high school football is bigger than ever: coaching and equipment more sophisticated; the players' faster, stronger; greater size, better diet, more scientific training methods. In this era, a totally egalitarian landscape gives more schools a better chance. Every ethnic group now plays the game. There is no sense of advantage, which the West and the North once held. Today, blacks, Samoans, Latinos and international players dot the rosters of teams in every conference. There is more money, more at stake, more fanaticism and interest than ever before. In this uber competition USC has emerged as the "new centurions" of the twenty-first century.

In so doing, USC now has edged out Notre Dame as college football's all-time greatest tradition. Had they won the 2005 national title, their twelfth, breaking the historical tie with the Irish, it would have been easier to make this pronouncement. Had the likes of Reggie Bush or LenDale White returned in 2006 to win the school's eighth Heisman Trophy (breaking the seven-all tie now held by USC, Notre Dame and Ohio State), that would have made it a clearer picture, too. If USC, led by Bush or White, led the team to the title, then the argument would have begun to fade away, replaced by self-evident truth. The same can be said, only more so, had the Trojans beaten Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak, won four straight . . . this all leads back to the "what ifs" that dot politics, history, and the like. By the same token, had Notre Dame's Brady Quinn won the 2006 Heisman Trophy, pushing the Irish back out in front of USC, then it would have diluted the USC argument.

RANKING TRADITION

Entering this century, USC trailed Notre Dame eleven to nine in national championships, and seven to four in Heisman Trophies. Now they are tied with eleven and seven, respectively. USC has for five straight years beaten Notre Dame, been in the top four, and gone to a BCS game (with four victories). They have played in two straight BCS title games and three Rose Bowls.

The historical "tie" with Notre Dame creates the desire to find criteria giving the advantage to one or another of the two traditions. Alabama has nine legitimate national championships, but like USC and Notre Dame, there are other seasons in which the Crimson Tide can claim some form of the title. They are followed by Oklahoma (six), Ohio State, Nebraska, Miami and Minnesota (five each), Michigan and California (four), Texas (three), then Army, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Stanford (two each since World War I).

There certainly is much more to study beyond national championships and Heisman Trophies. The "Heisman factor" is nebulous, so much a part of bias and media hype. Many would dismiss it as a major selling point when rating college programs. Far too many Heisman winners have flopped in the NFL or, for that matter, in bowl games played a month later, to truly state with certainty that the winner is the "best college football player" in the land.

That said, USC's Heismans have done better! Mike Garrett (1965) played in two Super Bowls, helped Kansas City win one (1970), and was a fine pro running back. O. J. Simpson, if one can compartmentalize the events of June 14, 1994, was at one time considered on par with Jim Brown (whose single-season rushing record he broke wholesale) as the greatest NFL running back ever. Charles White (1979) led the league in rushing one year with the Rams. Marcus Allen (1981) was a Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Famer with the Raiders. Carson Palmer (2002) is a superstar in Cincinnati. Matt Leinart (2004) is following a similar path in Arizona. Reggie Bush (2005) immediately helped turn the New Orleans Saints into a contender.

Furthermore, there is little doubt that had the voters not voted early, USC's Anthony Davis would have won the 1974 Heisman. The vote for UCLA's Gary Beban over Simpson in 1967 is inexplicable. The only explanation is that they could not come to grips with giving it to a junior college transfer, which O. J. was. Rodney Peete seemed to have the 1988 Heisman sewn up as late as Thanksgiving weekend, but losing to Notre Dame combined with astronomical numbers by Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders swung the vote, correctly, to Sanders

Notre Dame's Heisman winners? Angelo Bertelli (1943), John Lujack (1947), and John Lattner (1953), were, uh . . . without research one does not know what they did in the NFL, which answers the question about them. Paul Hornung (1956) was a superstar in Green Bay, a Hall of Famer and a legend. John Huarte (1964) signed a big bonus with the New York Titans/Jets, was quickly overshadowed by Joe Willie Namath, and today is mostly known for being the other Heisman winner from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. The other? Matt Leinart of USC. There are only two high schools in the nation with a couple of Heisman winners. Woodrow Wilson High in Dallas, Texas is the other, with Davey O'Brien (1938) and another Golden Domer, the great Tim Brown (1987), a surefire Hall of Famer with the Raiders.

Alabama has no Heisman Trophy winners. Their supporters argue that this is a good thing, emblematic of their team concept over the years. Ohio State's seven had fair success beyond college. Archie Griffin (1974-1975) was a good running back in Cincinnati. Eddie George was a star in Tennessee. Troy Smith's performance in the 2007 BCS title game was abysmal.

Oklahoma's four winners include Steve Owens (1969), a creditable pro in Detroit, Billy Sims (1978) and Jason White (2003), a washout. Nebraska's three include Johnny Rodgers (1972), who went to Canada, Mike Rozier (1983) and Eric Crouch (2001), who went no where.

Furthermore, if the Heisman Trophy were not so important to the prestige of a college football program, why do those programs move Heaven and Earth in order to promote their contenders? USC and Notre Dame are as good at it as anybody.

The national championship is what the fellows play for, and makes for the ultimate statistic in search of the greatest tradition, but there is more. Nebraska, for instance, has an impressive eight Outland Trophy winners. Oklahoma has five, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Texas three, USC just one. Oklahoma has twenty-three combined Vince Lombardi, Jim Thorpe, Dick Butkus, Walter Camp, Johnny Unitas, Doak Walker, Lou Groza, John Mackey, Chuck Bednarik, Bronco Nagurski, Davey O'Brien, Fred Biletnikoff, Ray Guy, Mosi Tatupu, Ronnie Lott, Pop Warner, Dave Rimington, and Maxwell award winners. Miami and Notre Dame have fifteen, USC and Nebraska thirteen.

Outland Trophy winners

1. Nebraska (8): *Larry Jacobson (1971), Rich Glover (1972), Dave Rimington (1981-

82), Dean Steinkuhler (1983), Will Shields (1992), Zach Wiegert (1994), Aaron

Taylor (1997)

2. Oklahoma (5): Jim Weatherall (1951), J. D. Roberts (1953), *Lee Roy Selmon (1975),

Greg Roberts (1978), Jammal Brown (2004)

3. Ohio State (4): Jim Parker (1956), Jim Stillwagon (1970), John Hicks (1973), Orlando Pace

(1996)

4. Notre Dame (3): *George Connor (1946), Bill Fischer (1948), Ross Browner

(1976)

4. Texas (3): *Scott Appleton (1963), Tommy Nobis (1965), Brad Shearer (1977)

4. Minnesota (3): *Tom Brown (1960), Bobby Bell (1962), Greg Eslinger (2005)

4. Iowa (3): Calvin Jones (1955), Alex Karras (1957), Robert Gallery (2003)

8. Arkansas (2): Bill Brooks (1954), Lloyd Phillips (1966)

8. Auburn (2): Zeke Smith (1958), Tracy Rocker (1988)

8. Brigham Young (2): Jason Buck (1986), Mohammed Elewonibi (1989)

8. Miami (2): Russell Maryland (1990), *Bryant McKinnie (2001)

8. Tennessee (2): Steve DeLong (1964), John Henderson (2000)

8. UCLA (2): Jonathan Ogden (1995), Kris Farris (1998)

8. Maryland (2): *Dick Modzelewski (1952), Randy White (1974)

15. (Tied with 1 each)

Southern California: *Ron Yary (1967)

Washington State: Rien Long (2002)

Alabama: Chris Samuels (1999)

Arizona: Ron Waldrop (1993)

Washington: *Steve Emtman (1991)

Air Force: Chad Hennings (1987)

Boston College: Mike Ruth (1985)

Virginia Tech: Bruce Smith (1984)

Pittsburgh: Mark May, 1980

North Carolina: Jim Richter (1979)

Penn State: Mike Reid (1969)

Georgia: Bill Stanfill (1968)

Utah State: Merlin Olsen (1961)

Duke: Mike McGee (1959)

Kentucky: Bob Gain (1950)

Michigan State: Ed Bagdon, 1949

Army: Joe Steffy (1946)

*Team won the national championship

Notre Dame has ninety-six consensus All-Americans compared to seventy-eight for USC, then Michigan (seventy-three), Ohio State (seventy-one), Oklahoma (sixty-three), Nebraska (fifty-three), Texas (forty-one), Alabama (thirty-eight), Miami (thirty-seven), and Penn State (thirty-four). Among all other All-American selections, the Irish boast 176 (seventy-six second team) compared to 171 for Ohio State, 143 first teamers at USC, 141 at Oklahoma, 121 for Michigan, 118 for Texas, 106 at Nebraska.

Poll position

The Irish had 159 straight AP poll rankings (1964-1975). Nebraska has the longest such streak (330, ending in 2002), while Florida State has 237, Michigan 194 . . .

Michigan loves to tout their impressive win-loss record. They have the most wins (860) and the best record (860-282-36) in history. However, they started playing football in 1879, which means they have upwards of a ten-fifteen year advantage over most of the competition. Their winning percentage is terrific and not to be scoffed at, but much of that was built in the thirty years in which they dominated football while the non-Ivy schools were establishing the sport, or playing rugby. USC got off to a particularly late start. While the first official game was played in 1888, it was decades before the game took on more than a "club sport" atmosphere while Michigan took it seriously and thought of themselves as "national champions." USC played rugby between 1911 and 1915. While they did play Stanford in 1905, until the PCC was formed (1915) and USC slowly made their way towards membership in it (1922), their schedule normally included the likes of Los Angeles High School, the Arrowhead Athletic Club, or small colleges in the L.A. area. USC ranks eighth in overall record, tenth in total wins.

## Victories

1. Michigan 860

2. Notre Dame 821

3. Texas 810

4. Nebraska 801

5. Ohio State 787

6. Alabama 780

6. Penn State 780

8. Oklahoma 768

9. Tennessee 759

10. Southern California 743

11. Georgia 702

12. Louisiana State 680

13. Auburn 667

14. Syracuse 664 (through 2004)

15. West Virginia 653

16. Colorado 650 (through 2005)

17. Washington 646

17. Georgia Tech 646

19. Pittsburgh 639

19. Miami (Ohio) 639 (through 2005)

21. Texas A&M 634 (through 2005)

22. Army 631

23. Minnesota 626

24. Arkansas 621 (through 2004)

25. Florida 619

26. California 602

27. Clemson 600 (through 2004)

28. Michigan State 599

29. Mississippi 583 (through 2004)

30. Maryland 573 (through 2004)

31. Stanford 543

32. Illinois 542 (through 2004)

33. Miami 532

34. UCLA 528

35. Texas Christian 515 (through 2004)

36. Brigham Young 456 (through 2004)

37. Florida State 442

Yale 830 (through 2005

Harvard 767 (through 2004)

Notre Dame billed itself as a tiny Catholic school, a 1913 version of David defeating Goliath in the form of Army (1913), but they were part of the strong Midwestern football craze going back to before the turn of the century. Their 821-269-42 record is the second best in terms of percentage and total victories. Interestingly, Texas has 810 wins against 313 losses and 33 ties since 1893. While the 9-0 Longhorns of 1914 contended with Army for the national championship, like most "rural" and Southern colleges they were not well regarded until after World War I.

Regular season records are great but do not tell the whole picture, just as is the situation in professional sports and NCAA play-offs. It comes down to the thing the teams play for: national championships. As a secondary aspect of this quest, examination of records always emphasizes whether or not a team won their bowl game. The question might be asked of, say, USC in 2006: would they rather have gone to the BCS title game and lost, or gone to the Rose Bowl and won? Answer: win the Rose Bowl! Any Trojan fan who compares their emotions after the 2006 Rose Bowl loss to Texas with the 2007 win over Michigan at the same venue knows this self-evident truth.

College football is an incomplete, often-uneven operation. Over the years, it tends to even itself out; whether some conferences are better than others, or certain teams play stronger schedules, while these affect seasons and even multiple years, over the decades the whole thing works itself out pretty well. In the course of a century, it is not generally felt that LSU (656-374-45, .631 through 2004), for example, has played a significantly harder schedule than Syracuse (664-435-49, .600 through 2004), to use one example.

The bowls have always fascinated the public because it gave them a chance to compare and contrast regions, conferences and teams. The South earned respect largely on the strength of Alabama's stellar performance in a series of Rose Bowl encounters between 1926 and 1946. Bowls determine national championships, influence final rankings in a greater way than any other games, and cut away much of the overrated hype that is attached to a team's regular season record.

USC is the dominant bowl team, by a relatively substantial margin (29-16) over Alabama (30-21-3), with Penn State sporting an impressive 25-12-2 mark, followed by Oklahoma (24-15-1). When it comes to bowls, Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State would all prefer that historians overlook them. Each is under .500. In the case of Ohio State and Michigan, they are under .500 because they have played USC so often.

The Trojans can attribute an enormous part of their success to the Rose Bowl and geography. When Stanford built their new stadium in 1921, they made a bid for the Rose Bowl to switch locations to northern California. Had they succeeded, it may well have changed the face of college football. Stanford, a major national power at the time, might have built on a big bowl game played in their stadium, thus turning themselves into a tradition on par with Notre Dame, Alabama and Ohio State.

When the Rose Bowl was built, it meant that Southern California would be the de facto "home team" more often than not. USC has captured nine national championships playing at "home." Only Miami (Orange Bowl in 1983, 1987, 1991) and to a lesser extent LSU (Sugar Bowl in 1958, 2003) can lay claim to such an accomplishment. The Rose Bowl is the oldest, most prestigious, most-watched bowl game, for any number of reasons. It always was the "best game." In recent years other bowls have equaled it for drama, match-ups and national title implications. It had down years, but whether the Tournament of Roses Committee admits it or not, the BCS has had the uneven effect of leading their comeback. It has been Southern Cal (22-9) that is the face of the Rose Bowl. No other school has this kind of association or success in any bowl game.

The record of "elite ten" teams in bowl games is as explanatory of why the historical rankings are what they are as any other factor. The simple fact is that if teams such as Michigan and Ohio State (18-20 each) had records approaching USC's in bowl games, they would have many more national championships and might rank ahead of the Trojans overall. They do not, so therefore they don't. Most shocking of all is Notre Dame. Somehow they have positioned themselves in the unenviable position of being a team looking at its bowl history and seeing no friendly ammunition when arguing that they are the greatest of all traditions. Their 13-15 mark is bad enough; the fact that the Irish hold the on-going NCAA record most consecutive losses (eleven between January 1995 and January 2007) is probably the single greatest factor determining why they have fallen behind USC in the pantheon. That is only the half of it. Notre Dame's avoidance of competitive bowls for decades (while the Trojans and Crimson Tide took on all challengers) ices the case in USC's favor.

The fact is that, while in the past two decades Notre Dame has played a consistently difficult schedule, for many years they played a notoriously soft one. USC never did that. USC subjected itself to annual struggles not just with the Irish but with cross-town rival UCLA, who hate them like Palestinians hate Israelis. USC has always dotted its schedule with challenges, often on the road in hostile atmospheres (at Texas, 1955 and 1966; at Alabama, 1970 and 1978; just to name a few).

Notre Dame's "no-bowl" policy after the 1925 Rose Bowl win over Stanford, which was not rescinded until they lost to Texas in the 1970 Cotton Bowl, makes for some interesting scenarios. What if the 1929 Irish had played USC in a Rose Bowl re-match? What if the Sugar Bowl had been instituted by 1930 and in that year the Irish had played Alabama in the South? What if the 1943 Irish had played Navy, Michigan or unbeaten Purdue in a bowl? What if the Big 10 and PCC had not signed a contract to play each other in Pasadena, and Notre Dame had played Fritz Crisler's Michigan Wolverines in the 1948 and 1949 Rose Bowls?

How would the 1949 Notre Dame national champions have fared against Bud Wilkinson's 10-0 Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl? Most intriguing of all would have been the match-up between Notre Dame and Alabama in a Sugar Bowl showdown for the 1966 national title. Common sense indicates that at least a few of their champions would have lost some of those bowl games. At least in light of historical legitimacy (the AP polls would not have changed due to pre-bowl voting), the Irish would not be as prestigious. If one uses their actual history, that being the 13-15 record they have when they buckled it up and played the games for real, then the question simply answers itself.

However, there is a flip side to this argument. Notre Dame was not ranked number one entering the 1973 Sugar Bowl with Alabama or the 1978 Cotton Bowl with Texas. Their victories propelled them to the number one slot. Taking away the irritating concept of the AP pre-bowl votes, had they played a bowl game after the 1948 season they might have won and used that to vault over Michigan in the polls. The 1953 Irish may well have won the title had they gone to a bowl game.

What would have been more intriguing than a true "national championship game" between the 1920 Cal "Wonder Team" and Rockne's unbeaten Irish in the Rose Bowl? The 1938 squad would have loved a second chance at Southern Cal, who ended their unbeaten season with a 13-0 shutout at the Coliseum, in a Rose Bowl re-match.

All of this is speculation. What we are left with are actual events. In this regard, Notre Dame has both hurt itself and helped itself by virtue of their 55-year policy of bowl avoidance.

The concept that winning bowl games usurps winning regular season games, and that national championships are more important than anything else, manifests itself also when comparing historical final Associated Press polls. Michigan has been ranked in the final Top 25 (Top 20 until a few years ago) fifty-four times, compared to Notre Dame's forty-eight, Ohio State with forty-seven, Alabama's forty-five and USC at forty-one. This is impressive, but serves to mock the Wolverines slightly. It ends up creating in their fans' collective mind the disappointment felt when all those highly-rated (and often overrated) Michigan teams had their maize and blue helmets handed to them by better Pacific-8 and Pac-10 teams in the Rose Bowl.

USC is not at the top of this list. They have had down periods where they were not ranked. But their national championships have served to erase all that memory. Ask any Michigan or Ohio State fan if they would trade their higher AP rank totals with USC's eleven national titles. The answer is not necessary herein. It simply offers itself as that with which is obvious.

Michigan is the "champion" of all AP Top 20/25 rankings, too (724), compared to Notre Dame (688) and Southern Cal (619). This statistic serves the same dubious purpose, again mocking Michigan as always good, always tough, always a winner, more often than not overrated.

A more telling statistic is Michigan's thirty-two overall number one AP rankings. Notre Dame (eight-nine), Oklahoma (eighty-six), Ohio State (eighty-three), and USC (eight-one) are far ahead of them. Number one is what the boys play for, not number nine, or number eighteen, or number twenty-three.

USC was ranked number one for thirty-three straight weeks between 2003 and 2006, followed by Miami with twenty (2001-2002), Notre Dame at nineteen (1988-1989) and USC again with seventeen (1972-1973).

Winning streaks and unbeaten streaks are less instructive in search of history than other records. Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak is a record that will be as difficult to break as Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak of 1941. In the modern era, USC and Miami are second (thirty-four each). California, Georgia Tech, and a series of other programs got hot over relatively short periods of time. Notre Dame has no winning streaks near the top, but their 39-game unbeaten skein meant those entering the school as freshman in the fall of 1946 and graduating in the spring of 1950 never saw them lose!

The Irish claim a distinct advantage when it comes to College Hall of Famers (forty-eight to USC's thirty-five as of the 2007 induction). USC returns the favor when comparing Pro Football Hall of Famers. 2007 inductee Bruce Matthews gives them fourteen to Notre Dame's nine. Both schools have produced NFL heroes. Notre Dame's Joe Montana is generally considered the greatest quarterback who ever lived. O. J. Simpson was one of the greatest NFL running backs ever. Paul Hornung defined the Packer dynasty. Tim Brown will go to the Hall of Fame when he is eligible. Super Bowl MVPs? Sure, the Irish have Montana, but USC has Lynn Swann and Marcus Allen.

#### Going pro

In 2006, Miami led all collegiate programs with fifty-two players on NFL rosters, according to Sports Illustrated. The Southeastern Conference had 266 players in the league.

These kinds of records can have anomalies. For instance, in baseball USC has nine Cy Young award winners and one Most Valuable Player. Arizona State has eight MVPs, courtesy of Barry Bonds's seven (plus Reggie Jackson, 1973). Michigan similarly offers Tom Brady's two and Desmond Howard's one Super Bowl MVP awards.

USC leads with sixty-seven first round draft picks compared to Ohio State (sixty-four) and Notre Dame (fifty-eight). USC, Notre Dame and Alabama are tied for the most overall number one draft picks (five each). Miami's six first round picks in 2004 are the highest number, followed by USC (1968) and Miami (2002) with five. Through the 2006 draft, 458 Trojans have been drafted, compared to 453 from Notre Dame, and Oklahoma trailing in the distance (327). The 1946 draft class at Notre Dame had the highest number of players picked (sixteen), followed by Southern Cal (fifteen in 1953, fourteen in both 1975 and 1977) and Notre Dame (fifteen in 1945).

Records are sketchy and incomplete, but USC and Notre Dame are basically "tied" for the most players to have played professionally, with roughly 400 each. Nobody else is close. USC has 198 Pro Bowlers compared to Notre Dame's 135. Ohio State has 122. Nobody else is close in this statistic, either. USC also leads with ninety-two players having played in Super Bowls. Miami, the great newcomer of the modern era, has eighty. Forty-five Trojans have played on the winning Super Bowl team. Notre Dame has thirty-eight.

Finally, it is very important in ranking history to place more emphasis on modern greatness. This creates some problems, rankling a few, but to ignore the logic behind it is to apply uneven standards that defy logic. First and foremost, failing to apply the "modern weight" theory leaves one to conclude that Princeton, followed very likely by Harvard or Yale, is the greatest collegiate football tradition ever. One could go on for pages in an effort to prove why this is not so. Rather, the simple fact that they are not, which is knowledge universally possessed, is simply stated. Thus, and it is.

Judging sports is a tricky business, but the modern athlete is better . . . and better and better and better as time goes by. Sports like track or swimming offer measurable records in terms of times and distances. In using these measurements there is no comparison between the Olympic heroes of the 1920s and 1930s with those of the 1990s and 2000s. That said, one could easily imagine that, given modern training methods, Jesse Owens would have been able to compete equally with Carl Lewis.

Other sports offer obvious social discrepancies, which among other factors tells us to favor modernity. Basketball in the 1950s versus basketball in the 2000s? Is this even an argument?

Baseball is the most traditional sport, America's National Pastime. It is the single sport that allows the historian to make comparisons that do not seem ridiculous. Ty Cobb or Pete Rose? Honus Wagner or Alex Rodriguez? Christy Mathewson or Tom Seaver? Baseball defined America prior to World War I. It offers a 154-game yearly schedule that was in place until 1961. The "dead ball era" ended in 1920. Comparisons between Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds and Henry Aaron; between Jimmie Fox and Mark McGwire; between Bob Feller and Nolan Ryan, are much easier to contrast with each other than Gus Dorais and Carson Palmer, the best quarterbacks of 1913 and 2002, respectively.

Later quarterback heroes like Davey O'Brien and Sammy Baugh have gained some favorable comparison with their modern counterparts, but whether fair or not the likes of Montana, Brady, and Johnny Unitas get most of the kudos. Few really are willing to say that Bronco Nagurski, Minnesota's bruising fullback of the late 1920s, is as great as Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State's Heisman winner of 1988.

For many reasons, ranking college football tradition requires one to separate the period between 1869-1918 from the period between 1919 and the present day. Up until the end of World War I, college football was far too undeveloped, uneven, regional, and possessed too many irregularities in terms of rules and play to compare it with the game in the years since. In judging a football team, its success prior to World War I is taken into consideration, but not given as much weight.

The ball was bigger and difficult to throw. The forward pass was virtually unheard of until 1913. There were no field goals, very little punting, and mostly quick kicks. There were no facemasks or helmets or pads to speak of. The rules were changed constantly. The "Yale wedge" was outlawed. Congress got involved. Between 1905 and 1918 many teams played rugby or reduced football to "club sport" status.

It is for these reasons that Michigan, perhaps the most obvious example, does not get as much credit for their pre-modern record as they might wish they did. Princeton, Yale, Harvard, and Penn are not considered to be among College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions despite utter dominance of the first thirty to forty years of the game's existence. Washington, Stanford, Army, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh are among those teams that established their traditions on a national basis in those early days and are still recognized today as "major college football programs."

Army was, until mid-century, a tremendous power on a level with Alabama, Notre Dame and Michigan. They have not maintained that level of excellence, but continue to play a relatively heavy schedule.

Over time, as one examines the decades, great runs over long periods of time, and dynasties, the "usual suspects" – Notre Dame, Southern Cal, Oklahoma, Alabama, and the like – continue to show themselves to be the class of collegiate football.

The emphasis on modern achievement shows itself in different ways. This emphasis has its greatest effect on the state of Florida. Florida State was a girl's school until after World War II. A Florida high school star named Burt Reynolds was recruited to play football for the Seminoles. He favored Miami but was told that FSU was about "90 perfect female" except for the football team. That was all he needed to hear.

Florida State was mostly mediocre until Bobby Bowden's hiring prior to the 1976 season. They possess none of the age-old tradition of Penn State or Texas, yet their record in the age of integration, network TV, national recruiting and modern techniques is so outstanding that their two national championships and two Heisman Trophies help rank them far above Army, winners of three national championships and three Heismans.

Their downstate rivals, Miami, were playing football long before Florida State, but were a minor operation. Out of no where, the Hurricanes put on a run beginning in 1983 that is equaled by very few programs, ever. So dominant has Miami been that their record surpasses traditions like LSU, Texas, even Michigan.

Florida State's unique recruitment of Reynolds also points out some truths about sports, in general. Where the great athletes are, so one will find the girls, and vice versa. What comes first is up for debate. High schools that have the best teams more often than not have the prettiest cheerleaders. There are definitely exceptions to this rule, but in college, particularly in the Sun Belt – USC, UCLA, Arizona State, Texas, LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Miami – one of the most biggest inducements used in the recruitment of stellar ball players is the pleasant existence of beautiful tanned coeds.

USC has always used their natural advantages to take it one step further. John Wayne was a Trojan football player. Through him, Howard Jones was able to land jobs as extras, often as Roman Legionnaires, Napoleon's Grand Armee or Biblical flocks in epics of the silent film era. Access to these jobs, which came with the perks of off-campus money and access to attractive actresses, was a recruiting tool that Howard Jones had in Los Angeles, but not in Iowa.

The fact that USC - as well as UCLA in basketball, or to a lesser extent Cal State Fullerton in baseball and Stanford in tennis and women's sports - is the best football program and top athletic department in the country, owes itself to these among other advantages. They have great weather and are located in the middle of the second biggest city; the largest metropolitan area in the nation. High school sports in southern California are second to none. It is natural that high school players want to play near their family and friends in convenient fashion. USC is able to get more kids like that than any program, although it does not stop them from recruiting nationally.

They have benefited from the fact that there is strong media attention; from great professional sports played in the area, with opportunities over the years to see the Dodgers, Angels, Rams, Raiders, Lakers and other teams play. The Rose Bowl in their backyard creates a great edge for them. The professional teams in L.A. do not simply provide more chances for a local college player to be seen or hook on as a free agent, but create opportunity in the area of sports broadcasting. An inordinate number of USC and UCLA athletes have excelled in the sports media.

So it is, too, that the modern era favors the Trojans. What is more impressive, USC's run between 2003 and 2005, or Minnesota's run between 1934 and 1936? Miami's dominance between 1987 and 1991, or Notre Dame's between 1946 and 1949? Oklahoma's teams between 1971 and 1975 or Bud Wilkinson's Sooners of 1953-1957? Pittsburgh's national champions of 1976 or the 1916 Panthers?

USC and Notre Dame have two things going for them: tradition and continuing tradition. They rise above all other programs on the basis of this premise. In looking at the two traditions side-by-side, often the differences are narrow. Nevertheless, there is enough to formulate definite opinions.

The game has demarcation points: 1919, when the Great War was over; 1946, when World War II was over; 1960, when equipment, coaching, TV eventually became colorized, schedules went national; 1970, when segregation finally came to an end; and 1998, when the BCS began. In each instance, the Trojans match, come close enough or surpass Notre Dame. In the latest modern periods, they overcome them. In the 2000s, they created distance.

Until 1962, Notre Dame had won seven national championships and had five Heisman winners. USC had won four national crowns and had zero Heismans. Since then, USC has won seven national titles and seven Heismans to four titles and two Heismans for the Irish. Notre Dame still has the edge in the win-loss record between the two schools, which is an important point, but USC has unquestionably enjoyed two periods of dominance in the rivalry: 1967-1982 and the 2000s. In the 2000s, in the most modern of eras, USC has roared back into the proverbial "tie" and, in the historical analysis, the lead over Notre Dame as the greatest tradition.

It is important to understand, however, that such a moniker, greatest college football tradition of all time, has the potential of being only a temporary one, or even a tradeoff. This is the level the Trojans have reached as of 2008, the time of this book's publication. They did not hold this position at the turn of the 21st Century, or even as late as 2003. It is a position in the hierarchy to be continually fought over, defended, challenged with honor by Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State and the other great traditions of this fabulous game we call college football.

# PART THREE

THE BEST OF THE BEST

## TOP SINGLE-SEASON TEAMS

1.1972 Southern California

2.1995 Nebraska

3.2004 Southern California

4.2005 Texas

5.1947 Notre Dame

6.1971 Nebraska

7.2001 Miami

8.1945 Army

9.1979 Alabama

10.1956 Oklahoma

11.1999 Florida State

12.1987 Miami

13.1968 Ohio State

14.1986 Penn State

15.1988 Notre Dame

16.1969 Texas

17.1932 Southern California

18.1920 California

19.1948 Michigan

20.1973 Notre Dame

21.1991 Washington

22.1928 Southern California

23.1924 Notre Dame Fighting

24.1962 Southern California

25.1992?Alabama Crimson

26.2000 Oklahoma

27.1966 Notre Dame

28.1976 Pittsburgh

29.1934 Alabama

30. 1901Michigan

31.1917 Georgia Tech

32.1929 Notre Dame

33.1930 Alabama

34.1936 Minnesota

35.1944 Army

36.1946 Notre Dame

37.1985 Oklahoma

38.1997 Michigan

39.1997 Nebraska

40.1998 Tennessee

41.2002 Ohio State

42.2003 Southern California

Charles "Tree" Young was an All-American tight end at the University of Southern California in 1972. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and played on the 1979 Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl team. He caught Joe Montana's passes as a member of the 1981 world champion San Francisco 49ers. A respected Christian pastor in the Seattle area, he was asked in October 2005 who was better, the 1972 Trojans or the 2005 Trojans, who at that time were being spoken of as the greatest college team ever.

"This team <2005> isn't as good as last year's team," said Young, "and they wouldn't score on the 1972 team until late in the third quarter."

At the time, Young's comments appeared incredulous; the over-hyped memory of a proud ex-jock. USC pounded through the rest of the regular season schedule. They appeared poised to make all kinds of history as they prepared for Texas in the BCS championship game at the Rose Bowl: fifty points a game, best team ever, first three-straight AP national champions, twelfth school title, thirty-four weeks in a row ranked number one on the way to 40, and a direct assault on Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak.

But when the Trojans were unable to stop Vince Young in Pasadena, Charles Young's words had extra resonance. While the 2005 Trojans may have been the finest offensive team ever, it was their 1972 defense which separates that team from all others.

#### Who is the greatest single-season college team of all time?

1972 Southern California Trojans

Keith Jackson, longtime network college broadcaster, considered "the voice of college football."

USC was "a remarkable group of athletes. They were never threatened in an unbeaten national championship season."

Dan Jenkins, longtime Sports Illustrated college football writer (author of Semi-Tough and Saturday's America)

"John McKay's 12-0 Trojans destroyed every opponent, and why? They had Anthony Davis, Sam 'Bam' Cunningham, Lynn Swann, Mike Rae, Charles Young and Richard 'Batman' Wood, plus a couple of subs named Pat Haden and J. K. McKay. They scored than forty points against seven teams, including humiliations of Notre Dame (45-23) and Ohio State (42-17 in the Rose Bowl)."

Michael MacCambridge, editor, ESPN Encyclopedia of College Football: The Complete History of the Game

"Southern California, 1972. Every year, someone gripes that they were robbed, or deserved a shot at number one. But after USC tore through its schedule and dismantled Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, no one complained. The Trojans were that good."

Blackie Sherrod, longtime sports columnist, Dallas Times-Herald and Dallas Morning News

"Southern California, 1972." Period!

2005 Southern California Trojans

Kirk Herbstreit, former player; ESPN GameDay analyst

". . . one of the most prolific offenses we've seen. Combine that with <Pete Carroll's> defensive scheme . . . one of the best teams ever to play college football."

2004 Southern California Trojans

Lee Corso, former player, coach; ESPN GameDay analyst

"In a big time game, the Trojans destroyed an excellent Oklahoma team 55-19. They could have scored seventy points that day."

2001 Miami Hurricanes

Edwin Pope, longtime sports columnist, Miami Herald

"This team had everything: great quarterback with Ken Dorsey, a great defense led by Ed Reed. No wonder the 'Canes routed Nebraska in the Rose Bowl to win the national title."

1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers

Chris Fowler, ESPN announcer

"Unbeaten champs who grew more comfortable as the season progressed, destroying Florida 62-24 in the Fiesta Bowl. Scary to watch."

1961 Alabama Crimson Tide

Bill Curry, former player, Alabama coach and ESPN college football analyst

"They refused to lose. Gritty, lightning quick, near perfect in their fundamentals."

1947 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Beano Cook, ESPN college football analyst

"As the 1946 Notre Dame team did, the 1947 Fighting Irish won the national title. And as the 1946 team did, they never trailed once."

1938 Duke Blue Devils

Furman Bisher, longtime sports columnist, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Duke "ripped through the season unscored on until the final minute of the Rose Bowl."In that final minute in Pasadena, they were scored on and beaten . . . by USC.

Determining who actually was the best team in a single season is subjective at best. Many college football experts have other choices. Old-timers like the 1947 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Statistically, Michigan's "point-a-minute" team was unparalleled, scoring 128 against Buffalo, eighty-nine versus Beloit, forty-nine against Stanford in the first Rose Bowl, all while allowing zero points all season.

Hey, how about Brick Muller and California's 1920 "Wonder Team," Knute Rockne's 1924 "Four Horsemen of Notre Dame," Howard Jones's 1932 "Thundering Herd" Trojans, Red Blaik's 1944 Army team (which averaged almost sixty points a game), or Bud Wilkinson's 1956 national champions, in the latter stages of a 47-game winning streak?

Too old, you say? Prefer the modern era? Well then, let us consider Bob Devaney's 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers, Bear Bryant's greatest team at Alabama (1979), Jimmy Johnson's Miami juggernaut (1987), or the unbelievable powerhouses at Nebraska in 1995 and Florida State in 1999.

The New Millennium, the BCS era? The 2001 Miami Hurricanes were nothing less than awesome. Charle' <ED: CHARLE' IS PROPER STYLE/SPELLING> Young himself seemed to prefer the 2004 Trojans, at least over the 2005 Trojans, and if the 2005 team was almost the best ever, what does that say about the team that beat them, Vince Young and Texas?

In the end, a majority of those who know enough to have an expert opinion pick the 1972 Trojans. They trailed 3-0 for a couple minutes in the season opener at Arkansas, a 31-10 USC blowout. Troy briefly trailed in the first half of the fifth game of the season at Stanford before winning handily. That was it.

"We were never pushed," said backup quarterback Pat Haden.

They scored around forty points a game, threw one shutout, and beat UCLA (24-7), Notre Dame (45-23) and Ohio State (42-17, Rose Bowl) in easy manner to close out the season. They were ranked first in every poll. Statistically, other teams have looked better. The 1932 Trojans were more impressive on defense. Army (1945), Nebraska (1971 and 1995), Texas and even USC (2005) scored more points.

The 2004 Trojans won the Orange Bowl by more (thirty-six compared to the twenty-five-point-point margin over Ohio State). The 1995 Cornhuskers' 62-24 victory over Florida looked as awesome as either of the others. In 1971 Nebraska throttled unbeaten Alabama, 38-6. Was it the schedule perhaps?

In 1972, the Pacific 8-Conference was the best in the nation, but it was probably not as powerful top-to-bottom as the Southeastern Conference has been in the 1990s and 2000s. The Pac-8 of the 1960s and 1970s might even have been underrated at the time. Its victories in ten of eleven Rose Bowls between January 1970 and January 1980, often against unbeaten Ohio State and Michigan teams hungry for national titles (that would have come with victories in several of those games), provides a retrospective analysis favoring a conference that got better every year.

Nebraska was the pre-season number one in 1972, but UCLA upset them in the opener in Los Angeles. Arkansas was also a pre-season national championship contender, supposedly the best team since the 1969 Razorbacks came within a whisker of going all the way. USC dominated them in their home stadium.

Troy beat Illinois on the road, 51-6. Duffy Daugherty claimed that his Michigan State team was the best since his 1966 "Game of the Century" Spartans, and linebacker Brad Van Pelt was touted as "the best player in college football." USC dismantled them, 51-6. The conference offered no challengers.

Many believe the 1995 Cornhuskers might have been better. USC's traditional rivals – UCLA, Notre Dame and, for that matter, Woody Hayes's Buckeyes – were all powerhouses at the time. The Bruins were an excellent team over a period of years; the kind of team that occasionally challenged for the national championship, could beat anybody, won Rose Bowls. They ended Nebraska's 32-game unbeaten streak and were considered an offensive juggernaut on the ground, but against USC it looked like boys playing against men.

Notre Dame was similarly a power in the "Era of Ara." Had the Fighting Irish not subjected themselves to their annual game with USC every year, they very well might have won several more national championships than the three they did come away with between 1966 and 1988.

The same thing can be said of Ohio State. Buckeye fans must have questioned the wisdom of the Rose Bowl arrangement when year after year their "invincible" teams came out west only to get their clocks cleaned in the California sunshine, often accompanied by Woody Hayes punching an L.A. Times photographer, cursing out reporters, or finding general immorality and conspiracy in the liberal "Hollywood atmosphere."

In the final 1972 Associated Press poll, Ohio State finished ninth, Notre Dame fourteenth, and UCLA fifteenth. In the final 1995 AP poll, Nebraska's opponents were Florida (second), Colorado (fifth), Kansas State (seventh), and Kansas (ninth). Because their traditional rival, Oklahoma was down in that period, many forget that the Big 8 (soon to become the Big 12 when the Southwest Conference joined the league) was as strong as they were. Colorado was still in a strong period and Kansas State was on the rise. All things considered, Nebraska has the edge in terms of strength of schedule component.

Sophomore Anthony Davis scored six touchdowns in USC's 45-23 win over Notre Dame at the Coliseum. This included two kickoff returns for TDs. Statistically, other players have done more. Illinois' Red Grange's 402 total yards against Michigan in 1924 had long been considered a benchmark of single-game greatness, but all things considered – the setting, the opponents, the stakes – A. D.'s 1972 game probably should be looked upon as the most spectacular day any college football player has ever enjoyed.

Nebraska opened the 1995 season with a 64-21 throttling of Oklahoma State in Stillwater. They beat Michigan State 50-10 on the road, Arizona State 77-28, Missouri 57-0, Iowa State 73-14, Oklahoma 37-0 in Lincoln, and Florida 62-24 at the Fiesta Bowl. Like the 1972 Trojans they were never "pushed." Their 35-21 win over Washington State (unranked in the final polls) at home was the nearest thing to a close game, similar to USC's 30-21 game with defending Rose Bowl winner Stanford (which was 30-13 until Stanford scored and converted a two-point conversion late in the game). The Cornhuskers took slight criticism for scheduling UOP, but eased up on the little central California school, 49-7.

Nebraska's victory over Florida was the most impressive bowl performance ever up until that time, an absolute blowout against a 12-0 team. It had more of a "track meet" effect than USC's 42-17 triumph over Ohio State in the 1973 Rose Bowl. The difference between the two games represents a difference in football in that twenty-three-year period. In 1972 the players lifted weights, but it was not nearly the science it had become by 1995. Steroid use may have been around, at least among linemen, as early as 1972 (although this is a bit of a question), but football players trained in the off-season mainly playing basketball; often other sports (the 1972 Trojans had a number of unique talents in baseball, track and basketball), and of course in the weight room, where they used antiquated equipment. Diet was not nearly as understood, either. Big men just packed on the calories with little regard for health.

Nebraska built their program in the 1980s and 1990s on the "strength" of the best weight training facilities in the country; a cutting edge approach to power lifting and, of course, the unspoken secret that everybody knows but few really like to say out loud: steroids.

Nebraska and a few other programs were ahead of the curve when it came to strength training, and probably were able to stay that way for the better part of a decade, with direct results manifesting itself in the form of football victories. By 1995, however, whatever they were doing, the rest of the country was copying. If Nebraska was "juiced," so was everybody else to one extent or another. Despite the revelations of the 2000s, everybody still is, despite lip service about testing. The ability to mask its use, or manipulate the system, makes it possible for anybody with a little brains to do just that.

There was a different element to the 1995 Cornhuskers; a new look that for lack of a better demarcation point seems to have first really shown itself at Miami in the 1980s. College football was 100 percent integrated by this point in the South as well as everywhere else. This factor and more sophisticated training methods; a combination of size, speed and the explosive power of a new breed of remarkable black athletes, created for visual spectacles like never before.

Nebraska was a fully modernized team. A decade later, there was no particular sense that the game was much different. They were part of a new optimum in terms of level of play that had seemingly showed human development at its maximum. For this reason it seems reasonable to conclude that, absent enormous breakthroughs in medical science, the game will not see major changes in its "appearance," for lack of a better word, for many years to come.

Nebraska's 1995 opponents were part of a level playing field. USC's in 1972 probably were less so. John McKay built his program out of a series of enormous advantages. An eighteen-year "down period" (by USC's standards) between 1983 and 2001, can best be explained by stating that in four or five key areas, society changed and allowed other colleges, particularly in the South (and most particularly in Florida) to "catch up." USC failed to recognize what was going on. They took for granted the natural advantages McKay benefited from, not understanding that these factors no longer were as prevalent.

In 1972, however, USC's dominance was a combination of these factors, all in their favor. They had unlimited scholarships, stocking their roster three- and four-deep with prep All-Americans just to keep them away from Stanford, UCLA and Notre Dame. They were well ahead of the national trend in terms of black recruitment and had been for over a decade. A pipeline of African-American talent flowed like a river into the Coliseum. They had so much more speed, quickness, athleticism and strength than the rest of college football as to be scary. Perhaps it is slightly "politically incorrect" to state this, but the fact is their black athletes, most sporting Afro hairstyles of the day, were so big, so fast as to be absolutely intimidating in terms of attitude and physical impact. Ironically, among all these "scary guys" would emerge at least two Christian ministers, two corporate attorneys, a network broadcaster, entrepreneurs, schoolteachers and the 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate of Pennsylvania!

Metropolitan Los Angeles had reached epic population growth. The schools increased funding after the launch of the "space race" with the U.S.S.R. in the late 1950s. The result was a plethora of high school stars coming out of sophisticated programs in the Southland.

"USC's unlike any other program," legendary Trojan assistant coach Marv Goux once stated. "Because of the location of the school in the middle of the city, with the surrounding population, all those high schools pouring players into us, with the good weather, the media, and the tradition we have, we hardly had to work for players. They just came."

The Trojans also benefited from social unrest on other campuses. USC is a conservative, traditional university that maintained its commitment to sports throughout the turbulent 1960s and early 1970s, as opposed to a place like California, where athletes were viewed as second-class citizens. Stanford's student newspaper wrote scathing editorials, accusing USC of not being able to put football in perspective.

"The Trojans aren't the best team in the country," Washington State coach Jim Sweeney said at the time. "The Miami Dolphin are." In 1972, the Dolphins put together the only unbeaten season in the Super Bowl era.

The 1995 Cornhuskers were far more than just a bunch of strong linemen. It was their athleticism and speed that made them so spectacular. Punter Darren Erstad was one of their best athletes. He later became a baseball star with the Anaheim Angels. Running back Lawrence Phillips was troubled yet explosive. Quarterback Tommie Frazier was perfect to run coach Tom Osborne's option-style offense. However, it was a team, not just a group of All-Americans. Frazier, who finished second to Ohio State's Eddie George in the Heisman Trophy balloting, was their only consensus All-American. Amid much consternation, Phillips was their only first round draft choice (St. Louis Rams).

The 1972 Trojans were a virtual spawning ground of NFL talent. Wide receiver Lynn Swann would be a Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl MVP with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tight end Charle' Young was a pivotal member of the first 49ers Super Bowl winners. Quarterback Mike Rae was Ken Stabler's able back up on the 1976 Raiders Super Bowl champions. Fullback Sam "Bam" Cunningham was a star with the New England Patriots for a decade. Linebacker Richard "Batman" Wood started in Tampa Bay.

Young was a first round selection of the Eagles, Cunningham of the Patriots, and tackle Pete Adams of the Cleveland Browns. Ten Trojans were drafted overall, but underclassmen from that team made up the 1973 (nine players drafted, two in the first round; Swann and Steve Riley) and 1975 Trojan drafts (fourteen players including Anthony Davis). The 1977 Super Bowl between Oakland and Minnesota was a Trojan party held at their old "stomping grounds," the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Seven Trojans and two Vikings were USC alums, many from the 1972 team.

John McKay was the 1972 American Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Young made consensus All-American, but like the Cornhuskers, despite all the star power and future pro greatness, he was the only one on a group emphasizing teamwork. No Trojans won major awards.

The 1972 USC Trojans played several "cautious first half" games, including the opener at Arkansas (3-3 at the half) and the Rose Bowl against Ohio State (7-7 at the half).

"McKay got a little scared of Woody Hayes," recalled offensive lineman Allan Graf. "He changed things around, and at the half we weren't doing all that well so he just said, 'Ah, what the heck, let's just go back to what were doing,' and we blew 'em out."

In assessing which of these two teams is the greatest, there are many strong arguments favoring either one. Nebraska fans, jealous of their school's legacy, argue strenuously on behalf of the 1995 team as the best of them all. USC fans are more laid-back and less concerned with this kind of thing. Either way, the choice is a difficult one to make, but in the end USC gets the nod based on intangibles. While there are some pure statistics favoring Nebraska (scoring average, strength of schedule), the fact that USC beat three storied traditions (UCLA, Notre Dame and Ohio State), all at or near the height of their . . . storied tradition, and in the case of Notre Dame and Ohio State, coached by legends (Ara Parseghian and Woody Hayes), places greater imprimatur with Southern Cal.

USC produced more professional stars, and while separation of the professional from the college game is important, nobody really can deny the best players usually go pro, making for the best professionals. Furthermore, USC played a strict pro-style offense. Tommie Frazier was a fabulous collegian, but was never viewed as a legitimate professional quarterback prospect. Despite his athleticism, he was not. Mike Rae did not star in the NFL, but perhaps had he not been benched behind Stabler he would have had more success. Second-stringer Haden led the 1976 Rams to the NFC championship game.

USC produced one Pro Hall of Famer (Swann) and four College Hall of Famers (Swann, Young, Wood and Coach McKay), with future inductees to Sam Cunningham and possibly Pat Haden.

The 1972 Trojans and 1995 Cornhuskers are not the only teams that make a strong statement when it comes to judging history's greatest squads. Third on the list is another Trojan juggernaut, their 2004 repeat national champions. When it comes to "bells and whistles," Hollywood glamour, and overall star power, no other team comes close. If one believes that "the more modern the better," they fit that bill. As mentioned, though, there does not seem to be a vast difference, if any, when one considers what the game was like in 1995 versus 2004. The only discernible difference seems to be the size of quarterbacks. By the mid-2000s, a new breed of signal-caller, likely to stand six-foot five and weigh 240 or even 250 pounds (Vince Young, Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell) had hit the scene.

Other eras undoubtedly looked different. 1905 was a different ball game from 1895. 1915 was substantially changed from 1905. 1925 was a whole new ball game from 1915, and 1935 the same in comparison with 1925. 1945 was the beginning of a modern game, but the post-war era saw vast changes so that in 1955 it was much more modern. Then came the 1960s, when it all changed irrevocably. Still, 1975 was a different era from 1965. Finally, in the 1980s the game began to find its highest plateau. The 1995 season was different from 1985 in small increments, and by 2004-2005 there was little comparative change.

As great as the 2004 Trojans were, they were really only seen as preparation for the "all-time-champions-in-waiting" 2005 USC juggernaut. The 2004 team only had five players drafted. One (Mike Patterson) went in the first round, with a second first rounder (Mike Williams) who sat out the season after declaring himself the previous year but was denied by the courts. The old days in which a college team might have fifteen or sixteen players drafted, with five or six in the first round, was now most likely over. Juniors could declare early, meaning there would be fewer senior-heavy teams with superstars who had not yet been gobbled up by the pros. For a program that recruits the best football players, this new reality hurts elites such as USC, but Pete Carroll's program has not been set back by it. Instead, they have thrived.

The 2004 Trojans were a young squad. Had Williams played he would have been a junior. Quarterback Matt Leinart won the Heisman Trophy and made All-American for the second straight year. He was only a junior. All-American running back Reggie Bush, a New York finalist for the Heisman Trophy, was just a sophomore. Two Trojans made consensus All-American on the defensive side; lineman Shaun Cody and linebacker Matt Grootegoed.

With the NFL having left Los Angeles after the 1994 season, Southern California filled the vacuum and was being referred to as "L.A.'s pro football team." Many people said their were several professional clubs they could beat, and they were not kidding. As great as USC's tradition was prior to Pete Carroll's arrival in the 2001 season, the atmosphere, enthusiasm and fever pitch excitement of USC football in this new era eclipsed anything in its past.

The 2004 team seems to have run the table in the most "perfect" manner ever; they were only the tenth club ever to repeat as AP champions. They also carried the number one ranking all the way from the final regular season poll of 2003, the pre-season, each regular season poll, and the final vote after their Orange Bowl blowout of Oklahoma. They held the number position in each of the BCS rankings when they came out after the seventh week. They featured the Heisman Trophy winner and a finalist. Finally, the 2005 BCS Orange Bowl probably was the most hyped college game ever played up until that time.

The Sooners were also unbeaten and had been second in each poll since the pre-season. They had the reigning 2003 Heisman winner, quarterback Jason White. He and running back Adrian Peterson were also Heisman finalists, so there four players on the New York stage who would face each other a month later.

The Trojans, wearing their home jerseys in that Orange Bowl (as the 1972 USC team had done in their Rose Bowl win over Ohio State), put a 55-19 drubbing on OU. It is considered the greatest single-game performance of all times. The only other game that really compares would be Nebraska's insane pounding of Florida in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl. Again however, considering the build-up, the BCS component, and the stakes, USC's 2005 Orange Bowl win is, as ESPN's Lee Corso stated, the best game "any team ever played!"

Carroll had such a powerful program that expectations were off the charts in 2004. The 2002 Trojans were the Pacific-10 champions, featuring Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer and a 38-17 triumph over Iowa in the Orange Bowl. The 2003 Trojans won the school's first national championship since 1978, annihilating poor old Michigan in the Rose Bowl. They entered the following season ranked number one in every single poll, a very rare consensus. Leinart was the overwhelming Heisman pick from the get-go. With all of this going on, there was considerable talk prior to the season that this Trojan team might just be the best of all time.

The reason they are not is that, unlike the 1972 Trojans and 1995 Cornhuskers, they played several tough games on the road to their ultimate destiny. The opener was a donnybrook, played in 90-degree heat against a de facto "home team," Virginia Tech at FedEx Field (the home of the Washington Redskins) in Landover, Maryland. Of the 91,665 fans in attendance, most were Hokie supporters from nearby Blacksburg, Virginia. Troy did not put the 24-13 win away until the fourth quarter. On September 25 they had to pull out all the stops to beat Stanford, 31-28 on the road. Two weeks later they were forced to defend their goal line against four pass attempts by California's Aaron Rodgers in the last minute of a 23-17 victory. At Oregon State the fog was thick as soup in a hard-fought 28-20 win. Their 29-24 triumph over UCLA was too close for comfort. Southern California averaged thirty-six points a game and played stifling defense (two shutouts), but others have been statistically better on both sides of the ball.

The 2004 team dealt with Hollywood hype like none before, but in 2005 the attention paid to them eclipsed all previous sports teams in L.A., including great Lakers and Dodgers champions. Pete Carroll was called the "prince of the city" by local sportstalk host Petros Papadakis. Matt Leinart achieved celebrity status above and beyond the town's actor class. From a recruiting standpoint, it was a "perfect storm." No teenage human being could easily resist the chance to be part of it. By virtue of Texas beating them in the Rose Bowl, two things. happened First, they exposed USC's "secret" Achilles heel; an injured, faulty defense that had lost several seniors to the NFL Draft. Linebacker Lofa Tatupu was helping the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl instead of stopping Vince Young with a minute left in Pasadena as a 2005 senior. Cornerback Eric Wright was not around to break up any of Young's passes or runs, either. Kicked off the team for various acts of misconduct, he became a high draft pick out of UNLV in 2007. Had the Trojans held Texas, history most likely would have overlooked their defensive lapses and accorded them the "all-time best" title, on the strength of their Heisman combination (Leinart and the 2005 winner, Reggie Bush), their "Thunder and Lighting" running back tandem (Bush and LenDale White), an unprecedented third straight title, plus what would have been ongoing streaks of thirty-five straight wins and thirty-four straight number one rankings.

Alas, the loss to Texas put USC in that "close but no cigar" category occupied by the 1969 Ohio State Buckeyes, the 1983 Nebraska Cornhuskers, and other teams that came within a game or close to attaining the elusive "best ever" title. With this came the second factor at play, which is the realization that if USC was the greatest team ever, then the team that beat them might just be.

The unbeaten Longhorns, like Troy, entered the Rose Bowl scoring more than fifty points a game. USC's star power was so bright that Longhorn greatness was diminished, but they were so powerful that even the most hubristic Trojan fan was filled with unease in the days leading up to the game. Under coach Mack Brown, Texas compiled fabulous records every year, but the "brass ring" eluded the program since Darrell Royal's 1969 champions. In 2004, sophomore quarterback Vince Young led them to an 11-1 record, featuring an incredible comeback to beat Michigan (who must have been wondering why the Big 10 ever signed that pact with the Tournament of Roses back in 1946) in the Rose Bowl, 38-37. The win gave Texas a huge burst of momentum heading into 2005.

Texas was second in every poll beginning in the pre-season. It was USC one, Texas two every week from beginning to end, just as had been the case with USC and Oklahoma the previous season. As impressive as the Trojans were, Texas continually tried, and often succeeded, in looking better. The media largely missed it. When USC dismantled UCLA in the last regular season game, 66-19, Texas's 70-3 drubbing of Colorado in the Big 12 title game was even gaudier.

Just like 2004, the Heisman award was a Trojan show featuring their latest winner, Reggie Bush with Matt Leinart on the podium to offer congratulations. Vince Young, the Longhorns' nominee, was not particularly gracious in defeat. He was viewed as a sore loser by some, but in retrospect it seems he knew something nobody else did.

Whether there were more USC fans in the Rose Bowl stands is debatable. Texas traveled well and was louder. When Young crossed the goal line to win it, 41-38, it sounded like the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. Young's performance equaled previous legendary games played by Red Grange versus Michigan (1924) and Anthony Davis versus Notre Dame (1972). He was matched by Leinart, who was everything he had been billed to be in three All-American seasons that may be the best collegiate football career in history.

But Bush, while spectacular at times, was not as good as he had been in the regular season. His key fumble killed his team. The disquieting fact is that, had the Heisman Trophy been voted on after the game, Young would have received it, hands down.

Old timers like Beano Cook still point to the 1947 Notre Dame Fighting Irish as the best team ever. In comparing them to their opponents at the time, they might very well be. They never trailed in a game and threw four shutouts. Army fell, 27-7 and they beat USC at the Coliseum, 38-7. They did not play in a bowl game, and at the time Michigan – unbeaten and a 49-0 winner over those same Trojans in the Rose Bowl – argued that they were worthy. Fritz Crisler's Wolverines went through their schedule by more impressive scores, and a BCS-style national title game between the two schools would have been a donnybrook.

Notre Dame was a repeat national champion. It was their third in four years. They would barely miss in 1948 and then win it again in 1949. Quarterback Johnny Lujack was their second Heisman Trophy winner in 1947. Tackle George Connor was their other consensus All-American. An unbelievable eight members of that team are in the College Football Hall of Fame (Lujack, Connor, Leon Hart, Ziggy Czaraboski, Moose Fischer, Red Sitko, Jim Martin and coach Frank Leahy).

A core of old-time Nebraska fans, insisting with much merit that the 1971 Cornhuskers were the best of all time, dismisses all arguments favoring other teams. This was legendary coach Bob Devaney's marquee group. Unlike many Nebraska squads that emphasize the team concept, they were filled with star power. This was another repeat champion. In 1970, only a 21-21 tie with USC marred Nebraska's record. They "snuck in" when they beat LSU, 17-12 in the Orange Bowl. Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan had been ranked ahead of them all year, but one by one they fell. Michigan lost to Ohio State and Notre Dame lost to USC. Then unbeaten Texas lost to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl while Ohio State fell to Stanford in the Rose Bowl.

In 1971 Nebraska was ranked number one in every poll from the first regular season ranking until after the bowls. They tossed three shutouts and demolished Big 12 competition. Then, on Thanksgiving day, they faced unbeaten Oklahoma at Norman in that year's "Game of the Century." Nebraska dominated early but OU pulled back into the game using trick plays. Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers returned a punt for a touchdown. The Sooners, led by running back Greg Pruitt and quarterback Jack Mildren, moved into a 31-28 lead. Nebraska quarterback Jerry Tagge pulled out all the stops, engineering a game-winning touchdown drive. Running back Jeff Kinney and Rodgers made key plays as Nebraska scored to win it, 35-31.

Unbeaten Alabama faced them in the Orange Bowl. It was Bear Bryant's first integrated team, but the Tide was no match in a 38-6 blowout that could have been worse. Rodgers, defensive end Willie Harper and tackle Larry Jacobson (the Outland winner) made consensus All-American. Rodgers, a junior, won the Heisman in 1972. Kinney was a first round selection of the Chiefs. Rich Glover won the Outland Trophy the next year. In judging the difference between the 1971 Cornhuskers and the 1972 Trojans, any edge USC gains is marginal. They played a pro style offense. In terms of speed, power and athleticism, there is no real differential.

Lost in the glare of Pete Carroll's great run at USC, not to mention the great teams that have contended and beaten him, are the 2001 Miami Hurricanes. Under three coaches (Howard Schellenberger, Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson), Miami utterly dominated the 1980s and early 1990s. It was a remarkable run and unique in that it was achieved under different coaches. Few programs have been able to transition between two coaches (Nebraska: Bob Devaney/Tom Osborne; Oklahoma: Chuck Fairbanks/Barry Switzer; USC: John McKay/John Robinson). Miami did it under three with less downside than any of the others. The Hurricane program has always had a professional element to it. They play in a pro city in an iconic NFL stadium (the Orange Bowl). Their speed, size and attitude has always more resembled the mercenaries of the pro game, and their coaches reflect this.

Butch Davis took over in 1995. For a few years the program declined. But there is too much talent in Florida to lose for long. The allure of south Florida is often a winning edge in recruiting battles between Miami, Florida and Florida State. In 1998, the Hurricanes announced their presence back on the national scene when they knocked off unbeaten UCLA at the Orange Bowl in the last game of the year.

Davis had the program back at the top with an 11-1 campaign in 2000 but he, like his predecessors, went for the pot at the end of the rainbow, leaving perhaps the fullest cupboard of all time for Larry Coker in 2001. Lineman Bryant McKinnie and defensive back Ed Reed were consensus All-Americans. Quarterback Ken Dorsey finished third in the Heisman balloting. He won the Maxwell award, with McKinnie taking the Outland. First round draft picks included Reed, McKinnie, tight end Jeremy Shockey, defensive back Phillip Buchanon, and defensive back Michael Rumph.

Mostly unchallenged, they survived a scare before beating Virginia Tech, 26-24 at Blacksburg. They dismantled a Nebraska squad that had no business being at the Rose Bowl, 37-14.

Had the Hurricanes succeeded in winning in 2002, when they (like the 2005 Trojans) were even better than the previous year's team, they may well have gone down as the best of the best. Injuries curtailed them in a double-overtime loss Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. They were thus denied back-to-back national championships (not to mention consecutive BCS titles). Their 34-game winning string was broken up.

In 1945, Army beat Notre Dame, 48-0 at Yankee Stadium. This was the second straight national champion of coach Earl "Red" Blaik. They featured the famed "Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside" running combination of Heisman winners Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis (a teammate duo unrivaled until the Leinart-Bush run). History oddly connotes Army's greatest teams while America was waging its most desperate battles. While some might question the validity of the cadets playing a game while their Army brethren fought and died, two things dissuade this notion. First, many a football cadet of this era did ship off to war, and some died (many fought in Korea, too). Second, the 1945 team at least played their season after the war had ceased.

The 1944 team, which beat Notre Dame 59-0, might have been better. They averaged fifty-six points a game and allowed just thirty-five all year. The next year Army only allowed forty-five total points. The 1945 Black Knights, however, are given the greater position in the pantheon because to win it a second straight season, with all the added pressure, is very difficult.

Army was so deep they actually used two offensive units. The "Lombardo team," led by quarterback Tom Lombardo and consisting mostly of freshmen, would come in to relieve the first team. That was the experienced "Kenna team," led by senior quarterback Doug Kenna. When asked what the best game he ever saw his team play was, Blaik stated, "That's easy. It was a Wednesday afternoon in October when they scrimmaged each other."

In 1944, Army beat Navy, 23-7 to clinch the national championship.

"Seldom in a lifetime's experience is one permitted the complete satisfaction of being part of a perfect performance," Blaik told his team.

Furthermore, the greatness of Army football was a source of national pride, and played no small role in demoralizing an enemy confronted by the fact that they were opposed by a power so massive and unbeatable that we could chop them up piecemeal on the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific while producing sports champions on the home front.

##### Greatest single-season teams - chronological order

1901 Michigan

1913 Washington

1920 California

1924 Notre Dame

1928 Southern California

1929 Notre Dame

1930 Alabama

1932 Southern California

1934 Alabama

1936 Minnesota

1944 Army

1945 Army

1946 Notre Dame

1947 Notre Dame

1948 Michigan

1956 Oklahoma

1962 Southern California

1966 Notre Dame

1968 Ohio State

1969 Texas

1971 Nebraska

1972 Southern California

1973 Notre Dame

1976 Pittsburgh

1979 Alabama

1985 Oklahoma

1986 Penn State

1987 Miami

1988 Notre Dame

1991 Washington

1992 Alabama

1994 Nebraska

1997Michigan

1998Tennessee

1999 Florida State

2000 Oklahoma

2001 Miami

2002 Ohio State

2003 Southern California

2004 Southern California

2005 Texas

When the 1945 season end, Army was accorded the status of "greatest team ever." In the early 1970s The Sporting News ran a retrospective on them that certainly did not argue against this notion. They were denied a third straight title when Notre Dame's Johnny Lujack stopped Blanchard in the open field during the famed 0-0 tie of 1946. Blaik's teams were a national powerbolt for the remainder of the decade. A cheating scandal ended Army as a true contender in the increasingly competitive college football field of the 1950s. Pete Dawkins did capture the 1958 Heisman Trophy.

Bear Bryant's best team ever was his unbeaten 1979 national champions. Featuring center Dwight Stephenson, considered by many to be the best ever play that position, they ran the table, capturing a repeat title. Like all of Bryant's teams, they lacked major star power, winning it with discipline and togetherness on both sides of the ball. Unlike the first eight teams - the 1972 Trojans, 1995 Cornhuskers, 2004 Trojans, 2005 Longhorns, 1947 Fighting Irish, 1971 Cornhuskers, 2001 Hurricanes and 1945 Black Knights – the 1979 Crimson Tide are virtually never mentioned among a discussion of the greatest teams ever, but they should be.

Next on the list, the 1956 Oklahoma Sooners, are a strange story. Bud Wilkinson's team was not really the best in OU history. His 1955 squad, which had powered past Maryland, 20-6 in the Orange Bowl, might have been better with five shutouts. In 1956 the Sooners featured halfback Tommy McDonald and center Jerry Tubbs. They were prevented from going to another bowl by Big 8 policy. The biggest reason they rate where they do is because this was the team that cemented Wilkinson's record 47-game winning streak and it was their second straight title. They finished the season at forty straight.

Within the OU hierarchy, the 1971, 1973-1975, 1978, 1985 and 1986 teams probably were better. These were modern, fully integrated teams. The 1956 team was still, sadly, all white, but Coach Wilkinson bravely brought black players into his program shortly thereafter. Oklahoma, while not in the Deep South, is still in the Southwest, so it was no easy move. Wilkinson could do it based in great part on the success he achieved before that.

In observing that while the 1956 Sooners are highly ranked by history, yet in actuality are not the best Oklahoma team by a longshot, one arrives at one of the seminal points of the historical rankings process, which is that the older teams cannot really be compared to the newer ones.

The relative greatness of the 1924 Fighting Irish or 1932 USC Trojans is given its due merit, but in truth the game – and society - changed too much in succeeding years to rate the teams of that era with the later ones. Even the segregated 1969 Texas Longhorns must be judged by different criteria than Bobby Bowden's 1999 Florida State Seminoles. California (1920) and Georgia Tech (1917) put up astonishing numbers, but common sense and logic tell us that Notre Dame (1988) or Ohio State (1968) were better.

TOP SINGLE-SEASON TEAMS OF THE DECADES

###

19th Century: 1893 Princeton

1900s: 1901 Michigan

1910s: 1913 Washington

1920s: 1924 Notre Dame

1930s: 1932 Southern California

1940s: 1947 Notre Dame

1950s: 1956 Oklahoma

1960s: 1968 Ohio State

1970s: 1972 Southern California

1980s: 1987 Miami

1990s: 1995 Nebraska

2000s: 2004 Southern California

Princeton's best team in the nineteenth century was their famed 1893 squad, although great teams at Penn a few years later helped shape the game, spreading its popularity. Once the twentieth century began, however, all bets were off. While the predecessors of the Ivy League – Princeton, Yale and Harvard - continued strong runs in the 1900s, it was coach Fielding "Hurry Up" Yost's "point-a-minute" 1901 Michigan Wolverines, winners of consecutive national championships accorded by historical ratings services, that make the Wolverines the choice for this decade. The single decisive factor in favor of Michigan is their famed 49-0 pounding of Stanford in the Rose Bowl.

The 1917 national champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets under legendary coach John Heisman put the South on the map before Alabama came along. They shut out seven opponents, but oddly are not the best team Georgia Tech had. The once-tied 1916 team, which is not considered a consensus national champion, beat Cumberland by the largest score ever (222-0). In 1918 the 'Jackets won games by scores of 118-0 and 123-0 over military teams. They defeated North Carolina State 128-0. But that 1918 season hardly counts because of World War and its effect on college rosters. Michigan has been accorded historical national championship status for the truncated 1918 campaign.

The 1913 Washington Huskies are the choice for best single-season team of the 1910s. It is hard not to pick them, even though their schedule was not as strong as Eastern and Midwestern teams. Auburn (8-0) was felt to be their equal that year. So too was Notre Dame, upset winners of Army and suddenly a major powerhouse on the national scene. Harvard (1912) was another contender.

The 1920s offer one of the most competitive fields ever when it comes to choosing the best single-season team of the decade. Whether the 1924 Notre Dame Fighting Irish really were or not takes a back seat to the fact they were the most heralded, famed Irish team perhaps of all time; made the school's and coach Knute Rockne's legend; and created much of the inspiration that changed collegiate football from "boola-boola" and fur coats into Saturday madness.

This was the Irish of "Four Horsemen" fame (Harry Stuhldreyer, Don Miller, Jim Crowley and Elmer Layden). They beat Army at the Polo Grounds and, in a game that separates them from most pre-1969 Irish teams, went to a bowl. The Irish beat Ernie Nevers and Stanford, 27-10 in the Rose Bowl. This game was a major contest pitting powerhouses from the West and Midwest. Of just as much interest, it matched the great Glenn "Pop" Warner against the new superstar of the coaching ranks, Rockne.

The next best team of the decade was Howard Jones's 1928 national champions, but two factors work against the Trojans. First, some systems rated Georgia Tech number one (not unusual; the Davis ratings saw Penn as the 1924 champs, and there was virtual no such thing as consensus in any single season). The second factor hurting USC was that, after the regular season ended, their natural path to the Rose Bowl was blocked by their own decision not to play in Pasadena. The facts are murky to this day, but a dispute arose and, for the first and last time in their history, Southern California did not accept a challenge. California went in their stead and, after "Wrong Way" Roy Riegels ran . . . the wrong way, they fell to Georgia Tech, 8-7.

Cal's 1920 "Wonder Team" may well have beaten the 1924 Irish. Coach Andy Smith's Golden Bears, led by superb end Brick Muller, was almost unbeatable; in fact they were unbeatable, for fifty games. Perhaps it is political, but Notre Dame's historical reputation compared to Cal's less-than-stellar one, on and off the field, gives the edge to Notre Dame.

In the 1930s, co-national champions Notre Dame and Alabama (1930) or Alabama and Minnesota (1934) all have good arguments to make. The 1930 Irish are considered one of Rockne's greatest teams (not to mention his last; he died in a plane crash after the season). They featured the great quarterback Marchy Schwartz. In 1934, Don Hutson, one of the finest receivers ever, lined up opposite Bear Bryant.

Bernie Bierman's Minnesota Golden Gophers were champions from 1934-1936. In the late 1930s great Southern teams competed with varying degrees of success and disappointment when national championships, or chances at them, were denied to Duke, Alabama and Tennessee by the polls, the California Golden Bears and the USC Trojans.

Bob Neyland's Volunteers were powerhouses, as were the Alabama teams that transitioned from the era of Wallace Wade to that of Frank Thomas. Wade went on to coach the unbeaten, untied, unscored-on 1938 Duke Blue Devils who finally were scored on with a minute to go in their Rose Bowl loss to Southern California.

But Howard Jones's' 1932 "Thundering Herd" Trojans stand far above all other teams in this decade. They won eight games by shutout, beat Pittsburgh in the Rose Bowl, 35-0, and featured three All-Americans (Tay Brown, Aaron Rosenberg, Ernie Smith). All three are in the College Football Hall of Fame, as is teammate Cotton Warburton.

The 1940s were a replay of the 1930s, with numerous contenders. Again, reputation helps Notre Dame, but of course their reputation was built on solid achievement. That said, picking the 1947 Irish over the 1945 Army Black Knights or the 1948 Michigan Wolverines is not an easy sell. The Irish played in no bowl game, just as Army did not. In 1948 Michigan beat USC, 49-0 in the Rose Bowl. USC had tied undefeated Notre Dame, 14-14. Offensively both the 1948 Michigan and 1944-1945 Army juggernauts were more impressive than Notre Dame.

But in 1947, Notre Dame featured an incredible eight Hall of Famers. Quarterback Johnny Lujack won the Heisman Trophy and tackle George Connor was a consensus All-American selection. Lujack, Connor, Leon Hart, Ziggy Czaraboski, Moose Fischer, Red Sitko, Jim Martin and coach Frank Leahy are all in the College Football Hall of Fame. A record sixteen Notre Dame players were drafted.

In the 1950s, the choices come down to 1956 Oklahoma, 1955 Oklahoma and Oklahoma. Due to pre-bowl voting, only Michigan State (1952) can claim a worthy national championship between the 1950 and 1953 seasons. After Notre Dame finally ended the Sooners' winning streak at forty-seven games in 1957, there were solid teams (Woody Hayes's Ohio State Buckeyes in 1957, the famed LSU Tigers of the legendary Billy Cannon in 1958, and Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder's 1959 national champs). But in the 1950s, it was all Bud Wilkinson and OU. His 1956 team, by virtue of winning the title for the second year in row while running their winning streak to forty, is the pick.

The 1960s offer a more disparate set of choices. Four teams competed for domination: USC, Alabama, Notre Dame and Ohio State. Who was the best? At first glance, and certainly in the minds of Alabamians, it was Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide. In 1961 they featured quarterback Pat Trammell (who later became a doctor before dying of cancer) and the legendary lineman Lee Roy Jordan. Bill Curry, who later coached the Tide, said this was the best team he ever saw. Their 1966 team, starring quarterback Kenny Stabler and receiver Ray Perkins, was probably Bear's best in the 1960s, but for reasons gone over ad infinitum, they were not the national champions.

USC and Notre Dame battled each other, both rising after down periods. The best teams of the decade were the 1966 Irish and the 1968 Trojans. Neither is the "Team of the Decade" because, as Willie Mays once said when asked "whose gonna win the pennant this year?", well, "Hey man, that's why's we'se plays the games."

Notre Dame beat USC, 51-0 in 1966. They featured quarterback Terry Hanratty, end Jim Seymour, center George Goeddeke, tackle Bob Kuchenberg, running back Rocky Bleier, defensive lineman Alan Page, and linebacker Jim Lynch. An insane total of twelve Irish players earned some All-American recognition. "Team of the Decade" status is denied them, however, not just because they tied Michigan State, 10-10, but because Ara Parseghian played for the tie!

Great teams do not play for the tie!

In 1968, USC was looking to repeat their 1967 national championship with Heisman winner O. J. Simpson, wide receiver Bob Chandler, tackle Sid Smith, tight end Bob Klein, linemen Al Cowlings and Jimmy Gunn, and defensive back Mike Battle. Just as in 2005, when Troy arrived at the Rose Bowl knocking on history's door, their most-publicized glamour team was upset by a team that may have been more of a team: Woody Hayes's sophomore-laden Ohio State Buckeyes.

The 1969 Buckeyes were supposed to be better. After they beat TCU 62-0, Sports Illustrated touted them as the best team ever, but Bo Schembechler and Michigan ended that dream. In later years, Pasadena, would more often than not be a graveyard for Ohio State, but on January 1, 1969 Woody was singing "California Dreamin'." Led by quarterback Rex Kern, end Jan White, fullback Jim Otis, defensive lineman Jim Stillwagon, and all-everything defensive back Jack Tatum, the Bucks beat Troy, 27-16.

It looked like a Southern Cal day when O. J. ripped off an eighty-yard touchdown run. USC led, 10-0 before Ohio State took over. Trojan turnovers in the second half did them in, and history shall record that the 1968 Buckeyes were the best of this turbulent decade.

The 1970s offer two of the all-time best: the 1972 Trojans over the 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers. Four other "close but no cigar" teams will not go down in history as national champions, but were better than many that did finish number one: the 1971 Oklahoma Sooners (who lost to Nebraska), the 1973 Alabama Crimson Tide (beaten in the Sugar Bowl by Notre Dame), the 1979 Trojans (tied by Stanford) and the 1979 Buckeyes (whose hearts were broken in the last minute by USC in the Rose Bowl).

Oklahoma (1974) was a flawed probationary juggernaut. Notre Dame (1977) plus 1978 co-national champions USC and Alabama each had losses. What about Notre Dame (1973), Pittsburgh (1976) and Alabama (1979)? Great teams, not as good as the 1972 Trojans or the 1971 Cornhuskers. In 1973 Notre Dame fielded one of their best teams. In 1976 Tony Dorsett had one of the most incredible seasons any player ever had. In 1979 'Bama was the best of all Bear Bryant teams. As AC/DC once famously stated, "It's a long way to the top, if you wanna rock 'n' roll." It was that kind of decade.

The first five years of the 1980s did not produce a great champion. Georgia, led by freshman running back sensation Herschel Walker, played slightly above their level in winning it all. Clemson was a survivor in 1981. Penn State finally delivered a title for Joe Paterno, but he probably had three or four better teams in the preceding fifteen years. Nebraska was a team for the ages until Miami created a demarcation point in the game's history in 1983, knocking them off in the Orange Bowl. BYU, God bless 'em, won it in 1984, but outside of Utah they are not much remembered.

The decade's second half saw greatness. Of all those teams, Jimmy Johnson's 1987 Miami Hurricanes were the best of the bunch. Quarterback Steve Walsh and wide receiver Michael Irvin were unstoppable. Defensive back Bennie Blades personified the newer, fast DBs of the era. They were the new faces of college football; renegades, attitude, "hip hop" warriors.

The 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish were the second best team of the decade. Three years after losing to Miami 58-7, they held off the Hurricanes by the barest of margins, 31-30 in a classic Notre Dame Stadium confrontation. That game was called the "Catholics vs. the convicts" because the Hurricanes featured, uh, a criminal element.

Linebackers Frank Stams and Mike Stonebreaker, and defensive back Todd Lyght, represented a return to old school Irish football: hard-nosed defense. Quarterback Tony Rice and receiver Raghib "Rocket" Ismail represented the new: fast, explosive. After derailing Southern California at the Coliseum 27-10, coach Lou Holtz's team toppled unlikely Fiesta Bowl opponent West Virginia, 34-21 for the national championship.

Brian Bosworth's 1985 Oklahoma Sooners, Paterno's better 1980s Penn State team (1986) and the 1989 Hurricanes round out the other contenders. The best team looked to be Miami in 1986 behind Heisman quarterback Vinny Testaverde, but their 14-10 loss to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl did to them what Alabama's loss to Texas in the 1965 Orange Bowl, or Texas's 1971 Cotton Bowl defeat at the hands of Notre Dame, should have done to them: eliminate the very possibility of thinking they were national champions. Instead of sulking over it, Miami (like 'Bama in 1965) just went out there and earned it the next year.

Coming up with the best single-season team of the 1990s is a difficult exercise. Washington (1991) and Florida State (1999) are among the greatest teams of all times. Miami (1991), Penn State (1994), Florida (1996), Michigan (1997), Nebraska (1997) and Tennessee (1998) were all unbeaten champions that could make legitimate arguments they are among the best teams ever. When discussing such a thing, it is unfortunately inevitable such great teams as these do not get the recognition they deserve, but in a way this is what makes college football so wonderful. It is a game of fabulous teams, outstanding coaches, legendary players. The greatest of the 1990s are the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers. They may have been the finest team ever assembled.

The 2000s, at least after a couple seasons, started to look different from the previous decade. Nebraska, Penn State, Miami and Florida State, sooner or later, experienced a drop from the incredibly high standards they had risen to. Oklahoma, Ohio State, USC and Texas all made dramatic comebacks to restore their good names in the hierarchy of college football. Virginia Tech and Kansas State, both teams that had knocked on the door, were not able to make it to the next level. Florida, the "third wheel" in the Sunshine State after coach Steve Spurrier's departure to the NFL, climbed back to the top of the mountain.

The best team? Again, it was a team that lost in the end, the 2005 USC Trojans. But losing is not rewarded in this game, so they must step down and give it to somebody else. Their predecessors, the 2004 Trojans, rate as the best team of the 2000s. This is a decade that in its first five years produced three of the best five single-season teams in history. Texas (2005) and Miami (2001) are ranked close behind the 2004 Trojans. Such great teams in such a short time; the combination of traditional powers making comebacks; of USC dominating Notre Dame again after many years of suffering; of the Irish threatening in the years ahead to right those "wrongs," as they see it; as new shifts take place and perhaps some new programs rise to the highest level; all of this makes this decade a new "golden age" of college football. The 2000s have proven to be the best, most competitive decade yet.

TEAMS OF THE DECADES

19th Century: Princeton

1900s: Michigan

1910s: Washington

1920s: Notre Dame

1930s: Southern California

1940s: Notre Dame

1950s: Oklahoma

1960s: Southern California

1970s: Southern California

1980s: Miami

1990s: Nebraska

2000s: Southern California

The best team of all decades in the nineteenth century was Princeton, hands down. If one were to attach no relativism to the Tigers' record, without regard to modern logic, their numbers would dictate that this is the greatest dynasty in the history of collegiate football.

In the 1900s, Michigan's great teams between 1901 and 1905 resulted in two national championships. They are also given worthy consideration from a number of the historical systems in several other years. That was the period in which the Midwest truly took to football. Minnesota and Chicago had champions, too. Michigan first played Notre Dame in 1887. The series was an irregular affair but scheduled consistently enough to establish a strong rivalry. Finally, in the 1980s it took as a yearly home-and-home arrangement, eventually without interruption.

The Wolverines began playing Ohio State in 1897. While their rivals were still getting their feet wet from a football standpoint, Michigan established themselves as the first national power that, to this day, is still a national power.

### Through the decades

1900s Yale 100-4-5

1950s Oklahoma 105-9-6

1990s Florida State 109-13-1

### 1920s Southern California 88-13-2

1910s Washington 49-4-3

1990s Nebraska 108-16-1

1970s Alabama 103-16-1

1970s Oklahoma 101-12-2

1940s Notre Dame 82-9-6

1920s Notre Dame 81-12-4

1930s Alabama 79-11-5

1980s Nebraska 103-20

1980s Miami 99-20

1960s Alabama 89-16-4

2000s Oklahoma 79-14

2000s Texas 75-14

2000s Ohio State 70-18

2000s Southern California 69-19

The others – Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Penn – are Ivy League "small colleges." Chicago no longer plays football. Minnesota has maintained major college status, but nobody would confuse the Golden Gophers of recent years with a "national power."

In the 1910s, the so-called Ivy League maintained a strong presence. Great teams at Army, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech emerged. But the "Team of the Decade" was coach Gil Dobie's Washington Huskies. The logging industry and general wanderlust drew hardy settlers to the Pacific Northwest. Ocean and train travel created a population boom. So, too, did the discovery of gold in Alaska. Seattle became a destination point, just as Omaha/Council Bluffs had when the trans-continental railroad was built. Los Angeles had gotten off to a slow start and would not grow until creation of their water aqueduct. Washington had all the fresh water they needed.

Washington, Washington State and Oregon all had powerful champions in the 1910s. The Pacific Coast Conference was formed, and the Rose Bowl resumed after a fourteen-year absence. The Huskies lost a game in 1907 and never lost another one until 1917, when the war had taken a major toll. They tied four games in that period, cranking out a 39-game winning streak between 1908 and 1914. The 1913 squad, considered a legitimate national champion (although services have recognized others, too), were the best of the lot. They beat Whitworth, 100-0. The schedule also consisted of some athletic clubs, Oregon State, Oregon and Washington. At seven games it was not as impressive as Midwestern or Ivy League teams, and for this reason historians discount Washington's record slightly. But the temptation to play rugby in the years after President Theodore Roosevelt urged rules changes did not take. During this period Pacific Northwest teams went ahead of many others. When Washington State and Oregon won the first two Rose Bowls after the game was resumed on January 1, 1916 it demonstrated that in fact this region played the best brand of football at that time (better even than in California and particularly better than in southern California). It provides enough evidence to determine that the Huskies were the decade's best team.

It is considered an article of faith that Notre Dame is the "Team of the 1920s" because they took two national championships (1924, 1929) and easily could have won more. Historians have touted Knute Rockne's record in this decade as the greatest of periods. Of course, this also includes the unbeaten 1919 and 1930 campaigns. But based strictly on the 1920s, believe it or not, Southern California (88-13-2) had a better won-loss mark than the Irish (81-12-4). (Oklahoma, at 105-9-6, was far superior in the 1950s, for that matter.)

Nevertheless, the Irish _are_ the "Team of the 1920s." It was their popularity that spurred college football's growth more than any other factor. Whether USC had a better record in the decade or not is immaterial to the fact that the world knows full well who Knute Rockne and George Gipp are. They have little knowledge of Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson and Morley Drury, even though the latter was known as the "Noblest Trojan of them all." Howard Jones and his "Thundering Herd" are stamped into the football memory, to be sure, but much of their reputation is based on their games _against Notre Dame!_

Notre Dame played without a satisfactory stadium. They certainly had home games, but the really big contests were usually reserved for the Polo Grounds in New York City (beat Army 1924), Yankee Stadium (lost to Army 1925, beat Army 1926, 1928, 1929), Soldier Field in Chicago (beat Northwestern 1924, beat USC 1927, 1929, beat Navy 1928, beat Wisconsin 1919), Baltimore (beat Navy 1927, 1929), Philadelphia (beat Penn State 1928) or the L.A. Memorial Coliseum (beat USC 1926, lost to USC 1928). The demand for tickets could not be met in their South Bend facilities until 59,000-seat Notre Dame Stadium was built in 1930.

### Notre Dame – 2 decades

1910s 63-7-6

1920s 81-12-4

144-19-10

1920s 81-12-4

1930s 65-20-5

146-32-4

1930s 65-20-5

1940s 82-9-6

147-29-11

1960s 62-34-4

1970s 91-22

153-56-4

1970s 91-22

1980s 76-39-2

167-61-2

### Notre Dame – 3 decades

1910s 63-7-6

1920s 81-12-4

1930s 65-20-5

209-39-15

1920s 81-12-4

1930s 65-20-5

1940s 82-9-6

228-41-15

1960s 62-34-4

1970s 91-22

1980s 76-39-2

229-95-6

### Notre Dame – 4 decades

1910s 63-7-6

1920s 81-12-4

1930s 65-20-5

1940s 82-9-6

291-48-21

Southern California – 2 decades

### 1920s 88-13-2

1930s 73-25-9

161-38-11

1960s 76-25-4

1970s 93-22-1

169-47-5

1970s 93-22-1

1980s 78-36-3

171-58-4

Alabama (back-to-back national champions in 1925-1926) and Stanford (co-champions in 1926) were powerhouses, but it is sad that history accords so little attention on California's "Wonder Teams" of 1920-1924. It is almost as if, when the Vietnam War protesters took over in Berkeley, memory of Cal's wonderful football history was erased as by Stalinist purge. If Cal could have maintained their long, almost glorious football tradition, perhaps the "Wonder Teams" would be as consistently mentioned as are USC's "Thundering Herd" or other "wonder teams" at various schools.

### Alabama – 2 decades

1920s 71-22-6

1930s 79-11-5

150-33-11

1930s 79-11-5

1940s 66-24-4

145-35-9

1960s 89-16-4

1970s 103-16-1

192-32-5

1970s 103-16-1

1980s 85-33-2

188-49-3

### Alabama – 3 decades

1960s 89-16-4

1970s 103-16-1

1980s 85-33-2

277-65-7

They were 46-0-4, won three national championships and a Rose Bowl. Dan McMillan transferred from USC to Cal, making All-American and eventually the College Football Hall of Fame. They never lost to USC, a situation which got so bad in L.A. that "Gloomy Gus" Henderson was fired despite accomplishing the best record any Trojan coach ever had until Pete Carroll.

In all honesty, Cal should be the "Team of the 1920s." They did not fall off the map after finally losing in 1925 for the first time since 1919. Falling to Georgia Tech on the ignominious "Wrong Way" Riegels run in the 1929 Rose Bowl, however, seemed to be the kind of thing that would never happen at Notre Dame. The rivalry with Stanford was red-hot and the Golden Bears were the pride of the Golden West, but in the end Rockne's Irish star shines brighter.

USC earns "Team of the Decade" honors for the 1930s based on the fact that they were a dominant program in the first four years (1930-1933), which included two straight national titles and a 1932 team ranking as one of the greatest in history. Then, after a few down years, the Trojans were a powerhouse again, upending Duke in the 1939 Rose Bowl and Tennessee in the 1940 Rose Bowl. These are two of the greatest upsets ever and had a major effect on persuading the country that the most prestigious region was the West. Their 14-0 win over Bob Neyland and the Volunteers resulted in the Dickinson/Rockne system naming USC the 1939 national champions. In many ways, the systems were more accurate than the polls, since a majority of them rightly awarded their championships after bowls instead of prior to them. It was the bowls, not the polls, that really separated the "men from the boys."

### Michigan – 2 decades

1930s 59-20-8

1940s 73-15-3

132-35-11

The late 1930s saw California beat Alabama, 13-0 in the 1938 Rose Bowl, earning the fourth and last national championship for a Golden Bear squad coached by Stub Allison, featuring Vic Bottari and Sam Chapman. Chapman later starred for Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's baseball team.

Notre Dame lost momentum with the death of Knute Rockne in a 1931 plane crash that, interestingly enough, caused enough attention to help jump start creation of the Federal Aviation Administration. The Irish won the 1930 title and were excellent throughout most of the period, but captured no other national championships in the decade (the 1938 team received mention but Notre Dame does not recognize it as historically legitimate). Alabama under Frank Thomas continued to be a dominant power in the Southeastern Conference, with Rose Bowl victories accompanying both their titles (1930, 1934). Of course, Minnesota's three-national championship run (1934-1936) is an incredible accomplishment, but they never played in a bowl game in any of those years. Stanford's "Vow Boys" managed three straight wins over the Trojans (1933-1935) and a 1936 Rose Bowl victory over Southern Methodist, 7-0.

USC edges out the competition in this decade based in part on the fact that they were 4-0 in Rose Bowls against the most rugged competition available, with three national titles. Their 1932 team was bigger and faster than any other football team of the era, almost something from the future in terms of power and modern speed. USC was 5-4-1 against Notre Dame in the 1930s.

The easy pick for the 1940s is Notre Dame, winner of four national titles (1943, 1946, 1947, 1949). This despite the fact that Michigan (1948 national champions) and Army (1944-1945 repeat champs) enjoyed the best decades in their respective histories. Ohio State won their first national championship in 1942, a "shot over the bow" against rival Michigan, which until then looked down on the Buckeyes as inferior on the field, in the classroom, and in the alumni world. Minnesota earned two straight titles and Bruce Smith won the 1941 Heisman Trophy. Stanford under coach Clark Shaughnessy, who masterminded the T-formation, managed their last national title in 1940 with legendary left-handed quarterback Frankie Albert calling the signals.

As great as the college football scene was, World War II overshadowed the decade. Many players' careers were broken up by military service. Programs were disrupted and in some cases took years to return to normalcy, if they ever did. Notre Dame appeared to be a program that figured out how to navigate the war years and, when the boys came marching home, were in perfect position to assume the dominant position. Three Irish players earned Heismans in the decade (Angelo Bertelli, 1943; Johnny Lujack, 1947; Leon Hart, 1949).

The war created new sensibilities, too. Integration began to occur, albeit slowly, in professional sports (Jackie Robinson to the Dodgers in 1947) and the collegiate ranks. This would eventually be the prime reason USC, UCLA and Ohio State either returned to greatness or ascended to previously unheard of heights.

The war also helped make Catholicism mainstream. Many Catholics served in the military, spreading their love of Notre Dame football to fellow service members. Post-war population shifts created a suburban Catholic fan base, expanding beyond the cities Knute Rockne saw as Notre Dame's natural "subway alumni" fan base. Former Irish star Frank Leahy took over the program and they were absolutely phenomenal.

Bud Wilkinson's Oklahoma Sooners probably were better in the 1950s (not to mention the last few years of the 1940s) than any program ever was in a single decade. Notre Dame experienced some down years. USC and the PCC went through a ruinous scandal that saw the Trojans go on probation along with California, UCLA and Washington. It happened at a terrible time; just as UCLA had won their first (and only) national title (1954), Washington was strong, and Cal was still thought of as a power.

A shift to the South and the Southwest occurred in the 1950s. Oklahoma was simply unbeatable, featuring Heisman Trophy winner Billy Vessels (1952). Wilkinson's Sooners mainly did it with teamwork and great defense, the cornerstone of championships. LSU and Auburn broke out from under the considerable shadows that had been cast by Tennessee and Alabama in previous decades.

Choosing USC as the "Team of the 1960s" is subjective, since there are statistics favoring other programs, but in the end the intangibles and a certain amount of common sense favor the Trojans. Alabama's 89-16-4 record is better than USC's 77-25-4. So is Texas's 86-19-2 and Penn State's 80-26-1. However, win-loss record is not the only worthy criteria in college football.

Jim Murray of the L.A. Times wrote disparagingly of Alabama's social policies, stating that they needed to win more than the "Magnolia Bowl" if they wanted to be considered for national supremacy. While Murray's point is well taken, Bear Bryant's team was as good as anybody in these turbulent times.

"Alabama football was something we could be proud of," said Taylor Watson, curator of the Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa. "Alabamians don't have much to be proud of, but we could be proud of our football team."

They most assuredly were. The Tide won in 1961, but in 1964 their dreams of greatness were upended. Quarterback Joe Namath, the best player (and probably the best all-around athlete) in the nation, was injured in the seventh game of the season. It eliminated his Heisman Trophy hopes. Notre Dame's utilitarian John Huarte won it. The nature of how America looks at college football changed that year. First, the politics of Alabama could not help creep into the mindset of college football fans.

### UCLA – 2 decades

1950s 68-24-3

1960s 59-39-4

127-63-7

#### Texas – 2 decades

1960s 86-19-2

1970s 88-26-1

174-45-3

### Penn State – 2 decades

1960s 80-26-1

1970s 96-22

176-48-1

### Penn State – 3 decades

1960s 80-26-1

1970s 96-22

1980s 89-21-2

265-69-3

### Ohio State – 2 decades

1960s 68-21-2

1970s 91-20-3

158-41-5

The Alabama-Notre Dame rivalry, which was only partly about football, started when Tide fans resented the fact the Irish were ranked first every week despite Namath and Alabama appearing to be the better team. Namath's injury had Alabamians gritting their teeth because it not only jeopardized their title and bowl chances, but of course denied them what would have been the only Heisman ever won by a 'Bama player.

When USC knocked off the Irish, it was "happy days are here again" in Dixie. The polls went for 'Bama and it all looked good. Then Texas beat them in the Orange Bowl and Arkansas won the Cotton Bowl. Glory was denied. Two years later, the 1966 imbroglio just hardened feelings. They called it the "poll bowls" and the "poll wars." Alabama fans said that Alabama "plays football," while Notre Dame "plays politics." When Ara Parseghian went for a tie against Michigan State, they said that Bear Bryant "played to win, not to tie."

Both Texas and Alabama could make a strong claim that they were each the "Team of the Decade." Texas had two unbeaten, untied national championship seasons with Cotton Bowl wins over worthy Navy (Roger Staubach) and worthier Notre Dame (Joe Theismann) teams.

Alabama claims three titles, but of course one is the illegitimate 1964 version. The other comes in a 9-1-1 campaign in which the AP, for one year, reversed its policies as if manipulated by Bear Bryant. The UPI "crowned" Michigan State before they lost to UCLA in the Rose Bowl. The 1966 season is viewed as The Missing Ring in Alabama by their fans, and is the name of a fine book on the subject by Keith Dunnavant.

Notre Dame claims the semi-tainted 1966 crown, although their team was a powerhouse that season. USC only won two national championships (1962, 1967). So why are the Trojans the best team of the 1960s? For this reason: they produced two Heisman Trophy winners (Mike Garrett in 1965 and O. J. Simpson in 1968). Probably the most egregious error in the history of the Heisman balloting was the awarding of the trophy to UCLA's Gary Beban in 1967 instead of O. J. Their two titles came with wins over unbeaten Wisconsin (42-37 in the 1963 Rose Bowl) and Indiana (1968 Rose Bowl). The 1967 team produced a record five first round draft picks (including Outland Trophy winner Ron Yary) and most of their best players returned the next year. Yary was the overall first pick of the 1968 NFL Draft by Minnesota. O. J. was the number one pick in the entire 1969 draft by Buffalo. Two of the best teams they fielded in the 1960s were not national champions.

The 1968 Trojans may well have gone down in history as one of college football's best teams had they not met their match in the form of Woody Hayes's Ohio State Buckeyes on the green plains of Pasadena. The 1969 Trojans, known as the "Cardiac Kids," were one of the most exciting teams ever assembled. They won miracle comebacks against Stanford and UCLA. Featuring a defensive front called "The Wild Bunch" after the Sam Peckinpah Western of that year, they were tied by Notre Dame, 14-14 at South Bend. When Texas and Penn State ran the table, it cost the Trojans a national championship. Ohio State, the presumptive champion, was beaten by Michigan. The Wolverines, full of themselves after defeating a team many had called the best ever, were stopped stone cold by "The Wild Bunch" in Pasadena, 10-3.

USC went to the Rose Bowl four straight years and were one of the first teams to expand their schedule nationally when much of the rest of the country did not. John McKay's team consistently went into Dixie when teams from Dixie stayed in Dixie. Bob Devaney's Nebraska Cornhuskers went thirty-two games without a loss. The streak started after falling to Troy, 31-21 at home in 1969. The only tie: against USC the next season. The rivalry with Notre Dame heated up like never before. The Trojans started or continued rivalries with not one but four all-time great coaches and programs.

USC and college football fans were entertained by intense battles between McKay's charges and those of Notre Dame's Ara Parseghian, UCLA's Tommy Prothro, Ohio State's Woody Hayes and Michigan's Bo Schembechler. No team had ever put themselves out there against so many of the best teams and coaches in such a short time. In the era of color television, the Trojans became the face of collegiate football. Images of their games on green Coliseum fields, under blue California skies, with pretty cheerleaders and sun-drenched fans, glamorized the collegiate game in a way that had not occurred since Rockne's Irish.

That is why they were the "Team of the Decade."

Nobody can say that Alabama is not the "Team of the 1970s" because they were no longer integrated. After USC traveled to Birmingham and laid waste to them in the first game of the decade, Bryant's team did integrate (they already had Wilbur Jackson in school and John Mitchell was being recruited).

Record-wise, 'Bama again had the best mark (103-16-1), followed by Oklahoma (101-12-2), Michigan (96-16-3), Nebraska (98-20-4), Penn State (96-22), Ohio State (91-20-3), Southern California (93-22-1), Notre Dame (91-22), and Texas (88-26-1). Based on this, it would certainly appear that Bryant's program was the best of the 1970s. If not the Tide, then Oklahoma, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State . . .

Ask any fan of OU, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State or Ohio State if, given the totality of the decade, the glory of bowl victories, the Heismans and the hype, whether they would trade their better won-loss records of the 1970s for the decade enjoyed by USC.

The answer to that question is thought of, mulled over, analyzed, and answered: no. The boys play for national championships. Whatever formula exists resulting in national championships above all things, the Trojans – in this decade led by McKay and John Robinson – are usually better at it than anybody else. Forget Michigan and Ohio State. Every year, it seemed, they were 10-0 or some such gaudy record, averaging forty points per game or more. Then came January, the sight of those cardinal and gold uniforms, and with it defeat. Next . . .

Penn State? Joe Paterno's team would win and win and win. John Capelletti's 1973 Heisman Trophy was _Something for Joey_. They personified excellence, but when it came to ultimate glory, they were like the Allies when they tried to win World War II ahead of _shedjuel_ under the leadership of Sir Bernard Law Montgomery's ill-fated "Operation Market Garden" between D-Day and the Bulge: _A Bridge Too Far_ away.

Oklahoma? Most of the time the Sooners looked virtually unbeatable, which they actually were between 1973 and 1975. Unfortunately, they are part of that "close but no cigar" group based on the fact that in 1971 they lost to Nebraska; in *1974 their co-national championship is asterisked by NCAA probation; their 1977 team blew it in the Orange Bowl to Lou Holtz and Arkansas; and the 1978 Sooners watched in frustration while voters decided USC and Alabama were better. The Sooners' probations, their non-academic style, their wild coach, Barry Switzer; all of it would have made for a great Dan Jenkins novel, but in the end OU is a notch below.

### Oklahoma – 2 decades

1970s 101-12-2

1980s 92-26-2

193-34-4

### Nebraska – 2 decades

1970s 98-20-4

1980s 103-20

201-40-4

### Nebraska – 3 decades

1970s 98-20-4

1980s 103-20

1990s 108-16-1

309-56-5

Nebraska? Win and win and win and win and win . . . then lose to OU. Next . . .

Texas? Everybody waited for them to build on the 1969 title and their 30-game winning streak, snapped in the 1971 Cotton Bowl by Notre Dame. They could not reach the promised land. In 1977, led by Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell, it looked as if they would get there. When "The Eyes of Texas" – and everybody else – were upon the Longhorns, new coach Fred Akers's' team got stage fright in a way Darrell Royal's teams had not.

Notre Dame? Six words and an exclamation point separate the Irish from the honor: the University of Southern California Trojans! Troy just beat them every year. If they did not, then Notre Dame won the national championship (1973, 1977). The battle for ultimate collegiate glory between the Irish and USC; between McKay and Parseghian; between John Robinson and Dan Devine; between Anthony Davis and Pat Haden and Joe Montana; in the end it is the defining reason why USC is again the "Team of the Decade" for the 1970s.

Alabama was good, no doubt. They integrated and America was better for it. The whole South changed; socially, politically and athletically. In 1971 Alabama was unbeaten before losing to the great Nebraska juggernaut in the Orange Bowl, 38-6. In 1972 they were again undefeated until Auburn knocked them off in the "iron bowl," 17-16. In 1973 they were _again_ unbeaten until Notre Dame took them in New Orleans, and they could no longer hide behind the AP's pre-bowl vote, which did not stop them from hiding behind the UPI's pre-bowl vote. Their claim of "three national championships" rings hollow. Alabama would be better off not even reminding people of their titles "won" in bowl defeat.

In the mid-1970s, Alabama seemed to go 11-1 every year, but fell short to OU, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame again. In the decade, they played USC four times. They lost twice at Legion Field (42-21 in 1970, 24-14 in 1978). They beat the Trojans twice at the Coliseum (17-10 when they broke out the veer in 1971, then stood off a furious USC fourth quarter comeback, 21-20 in 1977). In 1978 they were co-national champions with USC, but even though they were legitimate AP winners, details of that season leave the thinking reader, armed with common sense, logically convinced they should not have been. The facts are these: Alabama was 11-1 with a Sugar Bowl win. USC was 12-1 with a Rose Bowl win. Fair enough, a split title makes sense. Except . . .

On September 23, USC traveled to Birmingham's Legion Field _and beat the Crimson Tide, 24-14!_ Alabama came in ranked number one. It was a re-match of the 1970 Sam "Bam" Cunningham game, but the event was marked more by what it _was not_. It was not a day of racial firsts and breakthroughs. Instead, integration had by 1978 come so seamlessly in all phases of Southern life that news reports do not even mention its significance.

Alabama was filled with just as many fast, skilled black athletes as the Trojans. The long-held "quiet advantage" McKay used to propel his program back to the top no longer existed. Still, USC put it to 'Bama on that steamy Saturday, behind Charles White's 199 yards. After the bowls, the AP voted for Alabama, the UPI for USC. It was not an _illegitimate_ national championship like the Tide's 1964 and 1973 claims.

That said, USC was robbed by the Associated Press. Rarely in the pre-BCS era have the voters been given the opportunity to judge the number one teams based on the fact that they actually played each other. When one team – USC – goes to the other guys' place and beats them soundly in front of their fans – and the season ends with no other discernible advantage in record weighing the difference, common sense dictates that the team who beat the other is the deserving champion. The UPI got it right, the AP did not.

'Bama fans make the fair argument that they defeated unbeaten, top-ranked Penn State in the Sugar Bowl. USC beat 10-1 Michigan in Pasadena. The logic works this way: Michigan was a less impressive opponent because, despite great regular season records, they always lost in the Rose Bowl. Yeah, they always did lose . . . _to USC!_ That is like discrediting Ty Cobb's batting championships because he always beat out "Shoeless Joe" Jackson, Eddie Collins and Tris Speaker who, if the argument is extended, were not so good because they never won the batting championships . . . that Cobb always won, often with a .400 average.

Hey man, Charlie White and Troy smoked 'Bama in their house. They should have won the AP title as well as the UPI version. In 1979 unbeaten and untied Alabama won it outright.

The Trojans had off years in the 1970s that Alabama did not have (except for 1970). They were only 6-4-1 in both 1970 and 1971, but when they shined, they shined brighter than anybody. The 1972 team is the finest in the history of the game.

The 1974 national championship Trojans are probably the most exciting college team in history. Anthony Davis's performances against Notre Dame in both 1972 and 1974 rate as two of the three greatest days any collegian ever had. Year after year, they beat Notre Dame in L.A. and South Bend.

Pitt may have been the 1976 national champion, but USC, after losing to Missouri in the season opener in John Robinson's first year, won eleven straight. Many pundits felt that had the two teams played, USC would have prevailed. The 1976 Trojans (11-1) were named national champions by no less than six services after smoking Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, or Michigan would have stuck it in their media guide trying to promote the idea that it was, as it could have been in USC's case, their twelfth national title. USC does not try and legitimize it, since the true consensus national champion of 1976 was Pitt. A game behind Tony Dorsett's Panthers and Ricky Bell's Trojans? Wow!

Then there is 1979. That year's USC team is likely, with the possible exception of the 2005 Trojans, to be the finest team _not_ to win a national title. USC's Charlie White won the Heisman Trophy in 1979. Anthony Munoz blocked for him. So did Lombardi Award winner Brad Budde. Quarterback Paul McDonald was an All-American. They beat unbeaten Ohio State, the number one team in the nation, to win a thrilling Rose Bowl, 17-16. Yes, Alabama went all the way, beating Arkansas, 24-9 in the Sugar Bowl to finish 12-0 with Bryant's last national championship. Bravo.

The 1979 Trojans (11-0-1) were also named national champions by the College Football Researchers Association after Ohio State fell to them in the manner by then well accustomed to. No, the school does not count this as their thirteenth title, either, even though the team was supposed to be the best ever, and a fair number of people still believe they were the finest in USC history. Alabama was the legitimate number one team. Therefore, while Alabama claims three titles and two are legit, they really should only have one. USC earned three with a Heisman (plus the 1978-1979 "Heisman teammate" duo of White and Marcus Allen, the 1981 winner).

Add to that the glamour of TV, the height of Notre Dame match-ups with Parseghian, Devine and Montana; the continued battles with UCLA's Pepper Rodgers, Terry Donahue and John Sciarra, Washington's Don James and Warren Moon, Stanford's Jim Plunkett and Bill Walsh, California's Steve Bartkowski and Chuck Muncie, Arizona State's Frank Kush and Mark Malone, Oregon's Dan Fouts; Ohio State's Woody Hayes and Archie Griffin, Michigan's Bo Schembechler and Rick Leach, Michigan State's Duffy Daugherty and Kirk Gibson; Nebraska's Bob Devaney and Johnny Rodgers, Oklahoma's Chuck Fairbanks, Lee Roy Selmon and Barry Switzer; Arkansas' Frank Broyles and Joe Ferguson; Pitt's Tony Dorsett; plus LSU at "Death Valley," Texas A&M in the South (twice) and of course Bear Bryant and the whole state of Alabama . . . the fact is that in this new "golden age" of college football they were a team with greater mystique and panache, took on bigger challenges, traveled more widely, and performed more spectacularly than any other. The Trojans are 1970's "Team of the Decade."

In the 1980s, Miami wins it hands down: three national championship, and two other years (1986, 1988) in which they just missed. Vinny Testaverde won the 1986 Heisman Trophy and the team reeled off a 36-game regular season winning streak while starting their historic 58-game home winning skein. In the Pac-10, a new power shift took place. UCLA beat USC three years in a row (1982-1984) and won three Rose Bowls. Washington rose under coach Don James. Arizona State beat Michigan, 22-15 in the 1987 Rose Bowl. Overall, the conference fell with the demise of USC but continued general dominance over the Big 10.

Penn State won two national championships (1982, 1986) and Notre Dame one (1988) while falling just short of a second one (1989). New coach Lou Holtz took over a program that had seen down times under Gerry Faust. In the late 1980s and early 1990s he returned them to the top of the college football mountain. They began a run of eleven straight wins over USC in 1983.

### Florida State – 2 decades

1980s 87-29-5

1990s 109-13-1

196-42-6

### Washington – 2 decades

1980s 84-33-2

1990s 82-35-1

166-68-3

Nebraska's 1983 team looked like it was going to go down in history as the best ever until coach Tom Osborne went for two against Miami in the Orange Bowl. He failed and the 'Huskers lost 31-30, but it was a courageous move by Osborne. There were no overtimes in those days. Had he tied the game Nebraska would have won the national championship but lost its claim to be "history's best team." He decided not to go the route of Ara Parseghian in 1966 and looked noble in defeat.

The 1990s come down to two teams: Nebraska and Florida State. Nebraska, winner of three national titles (1994, 1995, 1997) gets the nod over Florida State with two (1993, 1999). When Bobby Bowden defeated Tom Osborne in the 1994 Orange Bowl, 18-16, Osborne faced great criticism from the "Cornhusker nation" because, despite great records since taking over from Bob Devaney in 1973, he consistently lost the "big one" in the form of bowl defeats or Oklahoma games. Chief among his most disappointing efforts were the 1984 Orange Bowl loss to Miami and now, one decade later, the loss to Florida State. His heroic "go for two" against the Hurricanes was by then worn thin. 'Husker fans wanted the national championship that Devaney had delivered two years in a row (1970-1971).

After that, however, Osborne's team made him into a legend. His 1994-1995 champions may be the best two-year run ever. In 1997 he split the title with unbeaten Michigan. The Wolverines were very good, but most feel had the teams played, Nebraska would have prevailed.

The 2000s belong to Pete Carroll and USC. The numbers are staggering: thirty-four wins in a row (2003-2006), 45-1 (2002-2006), 51-2 (2002-2006), two straight national championships, thirty-three straight weeks ranked number one, perhaps the best-ever two year run (2003-2004), the best three-year run (2003-2005), inches removed from an unprecedented third straight title (2005) and a shot at Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak. All of this comes replete with a number one draft choice (Carson Palmer, 2003), seven first round selections, three Heisman Trophy winners (Palmer, 2002; Matt Leinart; 2004; Reggie Bush; 2005), five straight national-best recruiting classes (2003-2007), eleven NFL draftees (2006) and sixteen All-Americans in five seasons. There is no competition for the honor, so dominant has Troy been in the new century.

They ran their winning streak to seven against UCLA and five with Notre Dame. They won five straight Pac-10 titles, went to five straight BCS bowls (4-1), won two Rose Bowls and finished in the top four in five consecutive seasons. They did it all in the BCS era, which is like adding an extra national title to their record. Had the BCS not existed in 2005, USC would have beaten Penn State something like 75-2 in the Rose Bowl, leaving unbeaten Texas to complain that they never had their shot at the title.

Entering 2007, Carroll was 67–12 in six seasons, but wait. Of those twelve losses, only one has been by more than seven points (27–16 at Notre Dame in 2001). Ten of them have been on the road or in a bowl game. In 2001 he lost to Kansas State (home, 10–6), Oregon (road, 24–22), Stanford (home, 21–16), Washington (road, 27–24), and Utah (Las Vegas Bowl, 10–6).

In 2002 he lost to Kansas State (road, 27–20) and Washington State (road, 30–27 in overtime). In 2003 he lost to California (road, 34–31 in three overtimes). In 2006, he lost to Texas (Rose Bowl, 41–38). In 2006 he lost to Oregon State (road, 33-31) and UCLA (road, 13-9). That is twelve losses by a total of fifty-one points. Take away the Notre Dame defeat and it is eleven losses by forty, an average of less than four points per loss!

In other words, with luck and a few good bounces, Pete Carroll's record could be 76–1! If so, he could have five or six national championships, not two. If his 2001 team had won all those close games, finishing 10–1 at the end of the regular season, they might have gotten the nod over once-beaten Nebraska to play against Miami in the BCS Rose Bowl. Once-beaten Oregon was barely edged out as it was.

In 2002, both losses were by the slimmest of margins, so obviously if Troy were 12–0 (with the toughest schedule in the nation that year), they would have finished ahead of both Miami and Ohio State in the BCS standings going into the Fiesta Bowl.

In 2003, once-beaten USC was ranked number one by the Associated Press anyway in a season with no unbeatens. The 2006 Rose Bowl loss spoke for itself. All that need be said about USC in the 2000s is that the 2006 team was 11-2; won the Pac-10 title; beat Brady Quinn and Notre Dame by twenty points; beat Michigan (undefeated going into the "Game of the Century" with Ohio State), 32-18; were the junior year of a 2003 recruiting class considered the best of all time; had the number one recruiting class in the country for the fifth straight year; were led by a quarterback who would enter the following season the leading contender for the Heisman Trophy and a back-up who was the former Parade magazine National High School Player of the Year; were the odds-on early favorites to win their third national championship of the decade in 2007; and . . . were the worst USC team under Carroll in five seasons!

If all of that were not enough, when the season ended, Arkansas' freshman quarterback sensation Mitch Mustain, a potential Heisman-caliber star, transferred to USC! Carroll and Southern California entered the elite status of Knute Rockne's Irish of the 1920s, Frank Leahy's Notre Dame teams of the 1940s, and Bud Wilkinson's record at Oklahoma in the 1950s. Rockne (with the exception of the 1925 Rose Bowl win over Stanford) and Leahy had done it without the hassle of an end-of-the-season bowl challenge. Wilkinson's Sooners reeled off forty-seven straight and two titles, one without a bowl game to muck up the works. The BCS system, in place since 1998, had created a higher standard, but USC owned it.

In January of 2007, Ohio State thought they were making a bid for "Team of the Decade" when they carried their unbeaten record into the BCS championship game against Florida at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The subsequent pounding they received at the hands of the Gators eliminated the very hint that Ohio State deserved to be mentioned in the same breath with Carroll's Trojans.

Through the travail of ages

1900s

Yale 100-4-5

Michigan 83-8-3

YALE

1900 12-0

1901 11-1-1

1902 11-0-1

1903 11-1

1904 10-1

1905 10-0

1906 9-0-1

1907 9-0-1

1908 7-1-1

1909 10-0

100-4-5

MICHIGAN

1900 7-2-1

1901 11-0

1902 11-0

1903 11-0-1

1904 11-0

1905 12-1

1906 4-1

1907 5-1

1908 5-2-1

1909 6-1

83-8-3

1910s

Washington 49-4-3

Notre Dame 63-7-6

Harvard 69-8-8

WASHINGTON

1910 6-0

1911 7-0

1912 6-0

1913 7-0

1914 6-0-1

1915 7-0

1916 6-0-1

1917 1-2-1

1918 1-1

1919 5-1

49-4-3

NOTRE DAME

1910 4-1-1

1911 6-0-2

1912 7-0-0

1913 7-0-0

1914 6-2

1915 7-1

1916 8-1

1917 6-1-1

1918 3-1-2

1919 9-0

63-7-6

HARVARD

1910 8-0-1

1911 6-2-1

1912 9-0

1913 9-0

1914 7-0-2

1915 8-1

1916 7-3

1917 3-1-3

1918 2-1

1919 9-0-1

69-8-8

1920s

### Southern California 88-13-2

Notre Dame 81-12-4

California 73-16-7

Alabama 71-22-6

Stanford 67-22-6

Illinois 55-19-3

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

1920 6-0

1921 10-1

1922 10-1

1923 6-2

1924 9-2

1925 11-2

1926 8-2

1927 8-1-1

1928 9-0-1

1929 10-2

88-13-2

NOTRE DAME

1920 9-0

1921 10-1

1922 8-1-1

1923 9-1

1924 10-0

1925 7-2-1

1926 7-2-1

1927 7-1-1

1928 5-4

1929 9-0

81-12-4

CALIFORNIA

1920 9-0

1921 9-0-1

1922 9-0

1923 9-0-1

1924 8-0-2

1925 6-3

1926 3-6

1927 7-3

1928 6-2-2

1929 7-1-1

73-16-7

ALABAMA

1920 10-1

1921 5-4-2

1922 6-3-1

1923 7-2-1

1924 8-1

1925 10-0

1926 9-0-1

1927 5-4-1

1928 6-3

1929 6-3

71-22-6

STANFORD

1920 4-3

1921 4-2-2

1922 4-5

1923 7-2

1924 7-1-1

1925 7-2

1926 10-0-1

1927 8-2-1

1928 8-3-1

1929 9-2

67-22-6

ILLINOIS

1920 5-2

1921 3-4

1922 2-5

1923 8-0

1924 6-1-1

1925 5-3

1926 6-2

1927 7-0-1

1928 7-1

1929 6-1-1

55-19-3

1930s

Alabama 79-11-5

Tennessee 79-17-5

Pittsburgh 75-14-7

Southern California 73-25-9

Notre Dame 65-20-5

Minnesota 57-18-6

Michigan 59-20-8

ALABAMA

1930 10-0

1931 9-1

1932 8-2

1933 7-1-1

1934 10-0

1935 6-2-1

1936 8-0-1

1937 9-1

1938 7-1-1

1939 5-3-1

79-11-5

TENNESSEE

1930 9-1

1931 9-0-1

1932 9-0-1

1933 7-3

1934 8-2

1935 4-5

1936 6-2-2

1937 6-3-1

1938 11-0

1939 10-1

79-17-5

PITTSBURGH

1930 6-2-1

1931 8-1

1932 8-1-2

1933 8-1

1934 8-1

1935 7-1-2

1936 8-1-1

1937 9-0-1

1938 8-2

1939 5-4

75-14-7

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

1930 8-2

1931 10-1

1932 11-0

1933 10-1-1

1934 4-6-1

1935 5-7

1936 4-2-3

1937 4-4-2

1938 9-2

1939 8-0-2

73-25-9

NOTRE DAME

1930 10-0

1931 6-2-1

1932 7-2

1933 3-5-1

1934 6-3

1935 7-1-1

1936 6-2-1

1937 6-2-1

1938 8-1

1939 7-22

65-20-5

MINNESOTA

1930 3-4-1

1931 7-3

1932 5-3

1933 4-0-4

1934 8-0

1935 8-0

1936 7-1

1937 6-2

1938 6-2

1939 3-4-1

57-18-6

MICHIGAN

1930 5-1-2

1931 5-3-1

1932 7-1

1933 4-2-2

1934 8-1

1935 6-2

1936 6-1-2

1937 8-2

1938 6-3

1939 4-4-1

59-20-8

75-14-7

1940s

Notre Dame 82-9-6

Michigan 73-15-3

Army 59-17-7

Alabama 66-24-4

NOTRE DAME

1940 7-2

1941 8-0-1

1942 7-2-2

1943 9-1

1944 8-2

1945 7-2-1

1946 8-0-1

1947 9-0

1948 9-0-1

1949 10-0

82-9-6

MICHIGAN

1940 7-1

1941 6-1-1

1942 7-3

1943 8-1

1944 8-2

1945 7-3

1946 6-2-1

1947 10-0

1948 9-0

1949 6-2-1

73-15-3

ARMY

1940 1-7-1

1941 5-3-1

1942 6-3

1943 7-2-1

1944 9-0

1945 9-0

1946 9-0-1

1947 5-2-2

1948 8-0-1

1949 9-0

59-17-7

ALABAMA

1940 7-2

1941 9-2

1942 8-3

1943 (no team/WW II)

1944 5-2-2

1945 10-0

1946 7-4

1947 8-3

1948 6-4-1

1949 6-4-1

66-24-4

1950s

Oklahoma 105-9-6

Michigan State 68-17-1

Tennessee 72-30-4

UCLA 68-24-3

OKLAHOMA

1950 10-1

1951 10-1

1952 8-1-1

1953 9-1-1

1954 10-0

1955 11-0

1956 10-0

1957 10-1

1958 10-1

1959 7-3

105-9-6

MICHIGAN STATE

8-1

9-0

9-0

9-1

3-6

9-1

7-2

8-1

3-5-1

5-4

68-17-1

TENNESSEE

1950 11-1

1951 10-1

1952 8-2-1

1953 6-4-1

1954 4-6

1955 6-3-1

1956 10-1

1957 8-3

1958 4-6

1959 5-4-1

72-30-4

UCLA

1950 6-3

1951 5-3-1

1952 8-1

1953 8-2

1954 9-0

1955 9-2

1956 7-3

1957 8-2

1958 3-6-1

1959 5-4-1

68-24-3

1960s

Alabama 89-16-4

Texas 86-19-2

Penn State 80-26-1

Southern California 76-25-4

Notre Dame 62-34-4

Ohio State 68-21-2

UCLA 59-39-4

ALABAMA

1960 8-1-2

1961 11-0

1962 10-1

1963 9-2

1964 10-1

1965 9-1-1

1966 11-0

1967 8-2-1

1968 8-3

1969 6-5

89-16-4

TEXAS

1960 7-3-1

1961 10-1

1962 9-1-1

1963 11-0

1964 10-1

1965 6-4

1966 7-4

1967 6-4

1968 9-1-1

1969 11-0

86-19-2

PENN STATE

1960 7-3

1961 8-3

1962 9-2

1963 7-3

1964 6-4

1965 5-5

1966 5-5

1967 8-2-1

1968 11-0

1969 11-0

80-26-1

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

1960 4-6

1961 4-5-1

1962 11-0

1963 7-3

1964 7-3

1965 7-2-1

1966 7-4

1967 10-1

1968 9-1-1

1969 10-0-1

76-25-4

OHIO STATE

1960 7-2

1961 8-0-1

1962 6-3

1963 5-3-1

1964 7-2

1965 7-2

1966 4-5

1967 6-3

1968 10-0

1969 8-1

68-21-2

NOTRE DAME

1960 2-8

1961 5-5

1962 5-5

1963 2-7

1964 9-1

1965 7-2-1

1966 9-0-1

1967 8-2

1968 7-2-1

1969 8-2-1

62-34-4

UCLA

1960 7-2-1

1961 7-4

1962 4-6

1963 2-8

1964 4-6

1965 8-2-1

1966 9-1

1967 7-2-1

1968 3-7

1969 8-1-1

59-39-4

1970s

Alabama 103-16-1

Oklahoma 101-12-2

Michigan 96-16-3

Nebraska 98-20-4

Penn State 96-22

Ohio State 91-20-3

Southern California 93-22-1

Notre Dame 91-22

Texas 88-26-1

ALABAMA

1970 6-5-1

1971 11-1

1972 10-2

1973 11-1

1974 11-1

1975 11-1

1976 9-3

1977 11-1

1978 11-1

1979 12-0

103-16-1

OKLAHOMA

1970 7-4-1

1971 11-1

1972 11-1

1973 10-0-1

1974 11-0

1975 11-1

1976 9-2-1

1977 10-2

1978 11-1

1979 11-1

101-12-2

MICHIGAN

1970 9-1

1971 11-1

1972 10-1

1973 10-0-1

1974 10-1

1975 8-2-2

1976 10-2

1977 10-2

1978 10-2

1979 8-4

96-16-3

NEBRASKA

1970 11-0-1

1971 13-0

1972 9-2-1

1973 9-2-1

1974 9-3

1975 10-2

1976 9-3-1

1977 9-3

1978 9-3

1979 10-2

98-20-4

PENN STATE

1970 7-3

1971 11-1

1972 10-2

1973 12-0

1974 10-2

1975 9-3

1976 7-5

1977 11-1

1978 11-1

1979 8-4

96-22

OHIO STATE

1970 9-1

1971 6-4

1972 9-2

1973 10-0-1

1974 10-2

1975 11-1

1976 9-2-1

1977 9-3

1978 7-4-1

1979 11-1

91-20-3

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

1970 6-4-1

1971 6-4-1

1972 12-0

1973 9-2-1

1974 10-1-1

1975 8-4

1976 11-1

1977 8-4

1978 12-1

1979 11-0-1

93-22-1

NOTRE DAME

1970 10-1

1971 8-2

1972 8-3

1973 11-0

1974 10-2

1975 8-3

1976 9-3

1977 11-1

1978 9-3

1979 7-4

91-22

TEXAS

1970 10-1

1971 8-3

1972 10-1

1973 8-3

1974 8-4

1975 10-2

1976 5-5-1

1977 11-1

1978 9-3

1979 9-3

88-26-1

1980s

Nebraska 103-20

Miami 99-20

Penn State 89-21-2

Oklahoma 92-26-2

Florida State 87-29-5

Alabama 85-33-2

Washington 84-33-2

Southern California 78-36-3

Notre Dame 76-39-2

NEBRASKA

1980 10-2

1981 9-3

1982 12-1

1983 12-1

1984 10-2

1985 9-3

1986 10-2

1987 10-2

1988 11-2

1989 10-2

103-20

MIAMI

1980 9-3

1981 9-2

1982 7-4

1983 11-1

1984 8-5

1985 10-2

1986 11-1

1987 12-0

1988 11-1

1989 11-1

99-20

PENN STATE

1980 10-2

1981 10-2

1982 11-1

1983 8-4-1

1984 6-5

1985 11-1

1986 12-0

1987 8-4

1988 5-6

1989 8-3-1

89-21-2

OKLAHOMA

1980 10-2

1981 7-4-1

1982 8-4

1983 8-4

1984 9-2-1

1985 11-1

1986 11-1

1987 11-1

1988 9-3

1989 7-4

92-26-2

FLORIDA STATE

1980 10-2

1981 6-5

1982 9-3

1983 7-5

1984 7-3-2

1985 9-3

1986 7-4-1

1987 11-1

1988 11-1

1989 10-2

ALABAMA

1980 10-2

1981 9-2-1

1982 8-4

1983 8-4

1984 5-6

1985 9-2-1

1986 10-3

1987 7-5

1988 9-3

1989 10-2

85-33-2

WASHINGTON

1980 9-3

1981 10-2

1982 10-2

1983 8-4

1984 11-1

1985 7-5

1986 8-3-1

1987 7-4-1

1988 6-5

1989 8-4

84-33-2

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

1980 8-2-1

1981 9-3

1982 8-3

1983 4-6-1

1984 9-3

1985 6-6

1986 7-5

1987 8-4

1988 10-2

1989 9-2-1

78-36-3

NOTRE DAME

1980 9-2-1

1981 5-6

1982 6-4-1

1983 7-5

1984 7-5

1985 5-6

1986 5-6

1987 8-4

1988 12-0

1989 12-1

76-39-2

1990s

Florida State 109-13-1

Nebraska 108-16-1

Florida 102-22-1

Tennessee 98-22-3

Washington 82-35-1

FLORIDA STATE

199010-2

199111-2

199211-1

199312-1

199410-1-1

199510-2

199611-1

199711-1

1998 11-2

1999 12-0

109-13-1

NEBRASKA

1990 9-3

1991 9-2-1

1992 9-3

1993 11-1

1994 13-0

1995 12-0

1996 11-2

1997 13-0

1998 9-4

1999 12-1

108-16-1

FLORIDA

1990 9-2

1991 10-2

1992 9-4

1993 11-2

1994 10-2-1

1995 12-1

1996 12-1

1997 10-2

1998 10-2

1999 9-4

102-22-1

TENNESSEE

1990 9-2-2

1991 9-3

1992 9-3

1993 9-2-1

1994 8-4

1995 11-1

1996 10-2

1997 11-2

1998 13-0

1999 9-3

98-22-3

WASHINGTON

1990 10-2

1991 12-0

1992 9-3

1993 7-4

1994 7-4

1995 7-4-1

1996 9-3

1997 8-4

1998 6-6

1999 7-5

82-35-1

2000s

Oklahoma 79-14

Texas 75-14

Ohio State 70-18

Southern California 69-19

OKLAHOMA

2000 13-0

2001 11-2

2002 12-2

2003 12-2

2004 12-1

2005 8-4

2006 11-3

79-14

TEXAS

2000 9-3

2001 11-2

2002 11-2

2003 10-3

2004 11-1

2005 13-0

2006 10-3

75-14

OHIO STATE

2000 8-4

2001 7-5

2002 14-0

2003 11-2

2004 8-4

2005 10-2

2006 12-1

70-18

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

2000 5-7

2001 6-6

2002 11-2

2003 12-1

2004 13-0

2005 12-1

2006 11-2

70-19

##### w DYNASTIES

**1. Southern California under John McKay & John Robinson (1962-1982)** . . . greatest 2-decade run ever . . . 5 nat'l. titles . . . 4 Heismans . . . could have been no. 1 in unbeaten '69, '79 seasons . . . probably best team in '76 . . . Would have been no. 1 if not lost Rose Bowl on 1/'69 . . . 23-game ('71-'73), 28-game ('78-'80) unbeaten streaks . . . '72 team was greatest of all time . . . '74 Troy most exciting team ever . . . 5-0 ('78-'82) and 12-2-2 ('67-'82) vs. Irish during great Notre Dame stretch . . . McKay likely would rate with Bear Bryant, Bud Wilkinson had he not gone pro after '75 season . . .

1962 11-0 John McKay

1963 7-3

1964 7-3

1965 7-3

1966 7-4

1967 10-1

1968 9-1-1

1969 10-0-1

1970 6-4-1

### 1971 6-4-1

### 1972 12-0

### 1973 9-2-1

### 1974 10-1-1

### 1975 8-4

### 1976 11-1 John Robinson

### 1977 8-4

### 1978 12-1

### 1979 11-0-1

### 1980 8-2-1

### 1981 9-3

1982 8-3

2. Alabama under Bear Bryant (1958-1982) . . . 4 legit nat'l. champs plus 1 AP title ('64 with bowl loss) and one UPI title ('73 with bowl loss) . . . could have been no. 1 in unbeaten '66 season, '77 1-loss season . . . 26-game win streak ('60-'62) . . . greatest team concept ever . . . Bryant was greatest college football coach who ever lived . . .

### 1958 5-4-1

1959 7-2-2

1960 8-2-1

1961 11-0

1962 10-1

1963 9-2

1964 10-1

1965 9-1-1

1966 11-0

1967 8-2-1

1968 8-3

1969 6-5

1970 6-5-1

1971 11-1

1972 10-2

1973 11-1

1974 11-1

1975 11-1

1976 9-3

1977 11-1

1978 11-1

1979 12-0

1980 10-2

1981 9-2-1

1982 8-4

**3. Notre Dame under Knute Rockne (1919-1930)** . . . defined college football . . . 3-time nat'l. champs . . . could have been no. 1 ('19, '20, '26) . . . "Four Horseman" ('24) beat Army (Polo Grounds), Stanford (Rose Bowl) . . . Rockne was game's best coach until '60s . . .

1919 9-0

1920 9-0

1921 10-1

1922 8-1-1

1923 9-1

1924 10-0

1925 7-2-1

1926 7-2-1

1927 7-1-1

1928 5-4

1929 9-0

1930 10-1

4. Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson (1948-1958) . . . 47-game winning streak, 48-game unbeaten streak ('53-'57) . . . 31-game winning streak ('48-'50) . . . greatest decade in history . . . 2 nat'l. champs plus AP, UPI titles with bowl loss ('50) . . . could have been nat'l. champs ('49, '54) . . . 1 Heisman . . . Wilkinson was ultimate coach . . .

1948 10-1

1949 11-0

1950 10-1

1951 10-1

1952 8-1-1

1953 9-1-1

1954 10-0

1955 11-0

1956 10-0

1957 10-1

1958 10-1

**5. Notre Dame under Frank Leahy & Terry Brennan (1941-1955)** . . . dominated college football, solidified Irish legend forever . . . 4 nat'l. titles, 3 Heismans . . . could have won titles ('41, '48, '53) . . . 6 unbeaten seasons ('41, '46, '47, '48, '49, '53) . . . 39-game unbeaten streak ('46-'50) . . . ended Army reign with 0-0 tie at Yankee Stadium ('46) . . . '47 Irish were one of greatest teams ever . . . epitomized post-war American glory days . . . Leahy was embodiment of Notre Dame class . . .

1941 8-0-1 Frank Leahy

1942 7-2-2

1943 9-1

1944 8-2

1945 7-2-1

1946 8-0-1

1947 9-0

1948 9-0-1

1949 10-0

1950 4-4-1

1951 7-2-1

1952 7-2-1

1953 9-0-1

1954 9-1 Terry Brennan

1955 8-2

6. Miami under Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmy Johnson & Dennis Erickson (1983-1992) . . . re-defined modern game . . . 4 nat'l. titles, 2 Heismans . . . 36-game regular season winning streak ('85-'88) . . . unbeaten at home ('84-92) . . . almost won '86, '87, '88, '92 titles . . . '87 'Canes were one of best in history . . . galvanized talent in state of Florida . . .

1983 11-1Howard Schnellenberger

1984 8-5 Jimmy Johnson

1985 10-2

1986 11-1

1987 12-0

1988 11-1

1989 11-1 Dennis Erickson

1990 10-2

1991 12-0

1992 11-1

**7. Penn State under Joe Paterno (1968-1986)** . . . 31-game unbeaten streak ('67-'70) . . . 2 nat'l. titles, 1 Heisman . . . beat Miami (1/87 Fiesta Bowl) . . . came close in '68, '69, '73, '78 . . .

1968 11-0

1969 11-0

1970 7-3

1971 11-1

1972 10-2

1973 12-0

1974 10-2

1975 9-3

1976 7-5

1977 11-1

1978 11-1

1979 8-4

1980 10-2

1981 10-2

1982 11-1

1983 8-4-1

1984 6-5

1985 11-1

1986 12-0

**8. Nebraska under Tom Osborne (1993-2001)** . . . 3 nat'l titles, 1 Heisman . . . lost '01 BCS title game . . . just missed '93 title . . . '95 'Huskers were 2nd best team in history . . . beat Florida 62-24 in 1/95 Fiesta Bowl . . . '93-'97 'Huskers were as good as any team ever . . . re-established dominance over Oklahoma in pre-BCS era . . .

1993 11-1

1994 13-0

1995 12-0

1996 11-2

1997 13-0

1998 9-4

1999 12-1

2000 10-2

2001 11-2

**9. Oklahoma under Chuck Fairbanks & Barry Switzer (1971-1988)** . . . 37-game unbeaten streak ('72-'75) . . . repeat nat'l. champs ('74-'75) . . . '85 nat'l. title . . . 1 Heisman . . . just missed '71, '77, '87 nat'l titles . . . '71 loss to Nebraska in "Game of Century" . . . dominated Nebraska after that . . .

1971 11-1 Chuck Fairbanks

1972 11-1

1973 10-0-1 Barry Switzer

1974 11-0

1975 11-1

1976 9-2-1

1977 10-2

1978 11-1

1979 11-1

1980 10-2

1981 7-4-1

1982 8-4

1983 8-4

1984 9-2-1

1985 11-1

1986 11-1

1987 11-1

1988 9-3

**10. Southern California's "Thundering Herd" under Howard Jones (1928-1939)** . . . rivalry with Irish nationalized college football . . . 25-game winning streak, 27-game unbeaten streak ('31-'33) . . . 4 nat'l. championships ('28, '31, '32, '39) . . . '28 team was possibly best ever up to that year . . . '31-'32 repeat champs threw 14 shutouts, allowed 65 points . . . 16-14 win over Irish ('31) one of greatest all-time games . . . '32 team was greatest in history until then . . . integrated games vs. UCLA (Jackie Robinson, Kenny Washington, Woody Strode) before packed Coliseum crowds of '30s helped changed society . . .

1928 9-0-1

1929 10-2

1930 8-2

1931 10-1

1932 11-0

1933 10-1-1

1934 4-6-1

1935 5-7

1936 4-2-3

1937 4-4-2

1938 9-2

**11. Ohio State under Woody Hayes (1968-1995)** . . . 1 nat'l title ('68), 2-time Heisman winner (Archie Griffin '74-'75) . . . almost won '69, '70, '75 titles . . . beat O. J. Simpson & USC in memorable 1/69 Rose Bowl . . . loss to USC in 1/75 Rose Bowl thriller for ages, frustration vs. Pac-8 in Pasadena marked era . . . . rivalry with Trojans' John McKay and Wolverines' Bo Schembechler are what make college football great . . .

1968 10-0

1969 8-1

1970 9-1

1971 6-4

1972 9-2

1973 10-0-1

1974 10-2

1975 11-1

**12. Notre Dame's "Era of Ara" under Ara Parseghian & Dan Devine (1964-1978)** . . . USC rivalry marked "golden age" of college football, every game but 2 affected nat'l. title, all-time TV ratings . . . Parsheghian-John McKay (USC) match-ups were titanic struggles for nat'l. supremacy . . . 2 nat'l titles, 1 Heisman . . . just missed in '64 . . . beat USC 51-0 ('66 in L.A.) . . . 10-10 tie with Michigan State ('66) was "Game of Century" . . . 24-23 win over 'Bama in 12/73 Sugar Bowl one of greatest games ever . . . '77 "green jerseys" game vs. USC was Joe Montana's "coming out party," propelled nat'l. title . . . trounced Earl Campbell & Texas (1/'78 Cotton Bowl) . . . Devine-John Robinson (USC) rivalry just as heated in late '70s . . .

1964 9-1 Ara Parseghian

1965 7-2-1

1966 9-0-1

1967 8-2

1968 7-2-1

1969 8-2-1

1970 10-1

1971 8-2

1972 8-3

1973 11-0

1974 10-2

1975 8-3 Dan Devine

1976 9-3

1977 11-1

1978 9-3

**13. Florida State under Bobby Bowden (1993-2000)** . . . .Top 5 every year . . . greatest sustained run . . . 2 national titles, 2 Heismans . . . 3 BCS title games . . . just missed ('96, '98, '00) . . . Miami, Florida rivalries were apex of college football, shifted focus to Sunshine State . . .

1993 12-1

1994 10-1-1

1995 10-2

1996 11-1

1997 11-1

1998 11-2

1999 12-0

2000 11-2

**14. Southern California under Pete Carroll (2002-2006)** . . . ushered in new golden age . . . repeat nat'l. titles, 3 Heismans, 2 straight nat'l. title games defined higher standards of greatness in BCS era . . . 34-game winning streak ('03-1/'06) . . . 48-1 ('03-1/'06), 51-2, 55-3 ('02-'06) . . . Troy's 55-24 annihilation of Oklahoma (1/'05 BCS Orange Bowl) considered greatest single performance ever . . . '04 Trojans one of three best teams in history . . . '05 Troy was best of all time until last-19-seconds-of-game loss to Texas in 1/'06 Rose Bowl (best game ever played) . . . just missed first-ever "three-Pete" AP titles, chance to come within less than season of Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak . . . easily could have been '02, '05, '06 national champs . . . 5-0 vs. Irish ('02-'06), 4 straight vs. Bruins ('02-'05/66-19 in '05) . . . BCS game, Top 5 each season ('02-'06) . . . no. 1 recruiting class 5 straight yrs. . . absent NFL, L.A.'s "pro team" . . .

2002 11-2

2003 12-1

2004 13-0

2005 12-1

2006 11-2

15. Texas under Darrell Royal (1963-1970) . . . 2 nat'l. titles ('63, '69), UPI title with bowl loss ('70) . . . 30-game winning streak ('68-1/'71) . . . beat Irish in thrilling 1/'70 Cotton Bowl . . . "wishbone" changed face of offensive football . . . '69 15-14 "Game of Century" win over Arkansas was all-time classic . . . defined football as representative of Lone Star State . . .

1963 12-1

1964 10-1-1

1965 10-2

1966 11-1

1967 11-1

1968 11-2

1969 12-0

1970 11-2

**16. California's "Wonder Teams" under Andy Smith (1920-1924)** . . . 3 straight nat'l. titles ('20-'22) . . . longest 50-game unbeaten run in modern history (46-0-4) . . . 1st team to recruit, get transfers, revolutionized approach to game . . . opening of Memorial Stadium helped usher huge new stadiums . . . destroyed Ohio State in 1/'21 Rose Bowl . . . turned national focus to West in post-WWI era . . .

1920 9-0

1921 9-0-1

1922 9-0

1923 9-0-1

1924 8-0-2

**17. Army under Red Blaik (1944-1950)** . . . 2 straight nat'l. champs ('44-'45) . . . 2 Heismans, Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis ("Mr. Inside & "Mr. Outside") . . . '45 Black Knights one of all-time greatest . . . ' 44 team was better (56 points a game) . . . 32-game ('45-'47), 28-game ('47-'50) unbeaten streaks . . .

1944 9-0

1945 9-0

1946 9-0-1

1947 5-2-2

1948 8-0-1

1949 9-0

1950 8-1

18. Minnesota under Bernie Bierman (1934-1941) . . . last three-straight nat'l. champs ('34-'36), 1st AP champs ('36) . . . AP repeat nat'l champs ('40-'41) . . . 1 Heisman . . . unbeaten 3 yrs. ('33, '34, '35) . . .

1933 4-0-4

1934 8-0

1935 8-0

1936 7-1

1937 6-2

1938 6-2

1939 3-4-1

1940 8-0

1941 8-0

19. Alabama under Wallace Wade & Frank Thomas (1924-1937) . . . established Southern football with Rose Bowl wins (1/'25, 1/'30, 1/'34) . . . missed '37 nat'l. championship in Rose Bowl loss to California . . . back-to-back '25-'26, '30, '34 national champs . . . '34 Tide featured Don Hutson and Bear Bryant . . . 24-game unbeaten streak ('24-'27) . . .

1924 8-1 Wallace Wade

1925 10-0

1926 9-0-1

1927 5-4-1

1928 6-3

1929 6-3

1930 10-0

1931 9-1 Frank Tomas

1932 8-2

1933 7-1-1

1934 10-0

1935 6-2-1

1936 8-0-1

1937 9-1

20. Tennessee under Bob Neyland & W.H. Britton (1926-1940) . . . one of most dominant teams ever . . . received some nat'l. title recognition in '38 (11-0) but missed '39 title with Rose Bowl loss to USC . . . 33-2 from '37-'40 . . . along with 'Bama, Texas A&M, Tulane, Duke gave national recognition to Dixie before WWII . . .

1930 9-1 Bob Neyland

1931 9-0-1

1932 9-0-1

1933 7-3

1934 8-2

1935 4-5 W.H. Britton

1936 6-2-2 Bob Neyland

1937 6-3-1

1938 11-0

1939 10-1

1940 10-1

21. Michigan's "point a minute" teams under Fielding "Hurry Up" Yost (1901-1905) . . . made football popular beyond Ivy League in early 20th century . . . established Michigan grid tradition that lives today . . . 2 straight national champs ('01-'02), received some nat'l. title recognition ('03-'05) . . . along with Chicago, Minnesota made Midwestern football . . . beat Stanford 49-0 in 1st 1/'02 Rose Bowl . . . '01 Wolverines considered best team ever until then . . .

1901 11-0

1902 11-0

1903 11-0-1

1904 11-0

1905 12-1

**22. Michigan under Fritz Carlisle (1940-48)** . . . Nat'l. champs ('48), easily could have been in '47 (unbeaten with 49-0 Rose Bowl win over USC) . . . nat'l. struggle for supremacy with Notre Dame . . . established Midwest football dominance in early years of Big 10-PCC Rose Bowls . . .

1940 7-1

1941 6-1-1

1942 7-3

1943 8-1

1944 8-2

1945 7-3

1946 6-2-1

1947 10-0

1948 9-0

**23. Washington under Gil Dobie (1908-1916)** . . . focused attention on Pacific Northwest as pre-WWI football capital . . . at least 1 nat'l. title ('13) . . . 39-game winning streak ('08-'14) . . . 63-game unbeaten streak ('07-'17) is longest ever . . .

1908 6-0-1

1909 7-0

1910 6-0

1911 7-0

1912 6-0

1913 7-0

1914 6-0-1

1915 7-0

1916 6-0-1

**24. Michigan under Bo Schembechler (1970-1980)** . . . best non-title run . . . Wolverines dominated regular season but disappointed in Rose Bowls . . . finally won Rose Bowl over Washington (1/'81) . . . sustained excellence . . . embodied tough, interior game . . . Schembechler vs. Woody Hayes (Ohio State), vs. John McKay/John Robinson (USC), vs. Don James (Washington), vs. Dan Devine (starts sustained rivalry with 28-14 win at Notre Dame in '78) were epic battles in best settings ("Big House," "Horse Shoe," Rose Bowl, South Bend) that define game's appeal . . .

1970 9-1

1971 11-1

1972 10-1

1973 10-0-1

1974 10-1

1975 8-2-2

1976 10-2

1977 10-2

1978 10-2

1979 8-4

1980 10-2

**25. Stanford under Pop Warner (1924-1930)** . . . legendary coach had his best teams . . . '26 nat'l. champs . . . along with Cal, Notre Dame considered best programs prior to start of USC-Notre Dame rivalry in '26 . . . embodied nat'l. shift to warm weather West in Roaring '20s . . . Ernie Nevers was one of game's legends . . . building of Stanford Stadium ('21) marked sports popularity, harbinger of Rose Bowl, Coliseum, Olympics in Calif . . . Failed attempt to get Rose Bowl in Palo Alto instead of Pasadena marked shift from NoCal to SoCal . . .

1924 7-1-1

1925 7-2

1926 10-0-1

1927 8-2-1

1928 8-3-1

1929 9-2

1930 9-1-1

**26. Pittsburgh under Jock Sutherland (1929-1938)** . . . '37 nat'l. champs but Rose Bowl losses to USC (1/'30, 1/'33) diminished prestige of Eastern football . . . AP awarded Pitt in '37 but sentiment leaned toward California after beating 'Bama in Rose Bowl . . .

1929 9-1

1930 6-2-1

1931 8-1

1932 8-1-2

1933 8-1

1934 8-1

1935 7-1-2

1936 8-1-1

1937 9-0-1

1938 8-2

**27. Georgia Tech under John Heisman (1915-1919)** . . . won by series of most lopsided scores in history during war years . . . '17 nat'l. champs . . . award named after their legendary coach . . . unbeaten 3 straight yrs. ('15-'17) . . .

1915 7-0-1

1916 8-0-1

1917 9-0

1918 6-1

1919 7-3

****

Why is USC's run between 1962 and 1982 a greater two-decade dynasty than Bear Bryant's Alabama juggernauts of 1958 to 1982, despite the fact that Alabama's record in the 1960s and 1970s is 192-32-5, while USC's is "only" 169-47-5?

Because USC has:

  * Five legitimate national championships, all with Rose Bowl victories attached to them.

  * Four Heisman Trophy winners.

  * National rivalries with: Ara Parseghian and Dan Devine (Notre Dame); Tommy Prothro, Pepper Rodgers and Terry Donahue (UCLA); Woody Hayes and Earle Bruce (Ohio State); and Bo Schembechler (Michigan); all of which were dominated by Troy.

  * Five first round draft picks in 1968.

  * Three number overall draft picks.

  * Eleven draft picks (1968), ten (1970), ten (1973), fourteen (1975), fourteen (1977) and eleven (1983, seniors from the 1982 team).

  * Six players and one assistant coach from this era in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

  * Two players from this era who were Super Bowl Most Valuable Players.

  * Two players from this era who were NFL Players of the Year.

  * Thirteen players, one head coach, one assistant coach and one athletic director of this era in the College Football Hall of Fame.

  * Far more All-Americans than Alabama, not to mention winners of other major awards such as the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award.

  * Seven players in the 1977 Super Bowl, including five on the world champion Oakland Raiders.

  * Could have been national champions in 1976 and 1979; the 1968 team was thought to be one of the best ever until they lost the Rose Bowl, and the 1979 Trojans are felt to be one of the best _never_ to win the title.

  * In 1978 they beat Alabama at Legion Field and split the national title with the Tide, but USC should have been the consensus winner.

Alabama (1958-1982) has four legitimate national championships with bowl victories; two illegitimate ones (with bowl losses); one title they shared with the Trojans that should have been all USC's; zero Heisman Trophies; eight bowl losses in a row (1967 season to 1974 season); for almost half that period of time they were segregated; they played mostly segregated opponents; and when integrated USC traveled to Legion Field in 1970, the Trojans beat Alabama up and down the field.

The question is asked, and thus answered.

Winning streaks (includes bowls, no ties)

Modern era (1919-2006)

1. Oklahoma 47 (1953-57)

2. Southern California 34 (2003-06)

2. Miami 34 (2000-03)

4. Oklahoma 31 (1948-51)

5. Texas 30 (1968-71)

6. Miami 29 (1990-93)

7. Alabama 28 (1991-93)

7. Alabama 28 (1978-80)

7. Oklahoma 28 (1973-75)

7. Michigan State 28 (1950-53)

11. Nebraska 26 (1994-96)

12. Southern California 25 (1931-33)

12. San Diego State 25 (1965-67)

12. Michigan 25 (1946-49)

12. Army 25 (1945-46)

Alabama's racial history is one that their fans would really like to forget. In truth Bear Bryant is a hero in the end because of the way he ended the practice, but in the glare of national scrutiny, when bidding for such terms as "Team of the Decade" or "greatest dynasty of them all," it must cost them valuable points.

It is also true that while USC carried on a yearly rivalry with Notre Dame on the field, Alabama's rivalry with the Irish was fought with placards and letters to the editor, at least until the 1973 Sugar Bowl. It is, however, a popular myth that USC played a tougher conference schedule than Alabama in the 1960s and 1970s. The Pac-8 and Pac-10 (beginning in 1978) produced some of its best teams during this time, but there were weak sisters (California, Washington State).

Unbeaten streaks (includes bowls and ties)

Modern era, 1919-2006

1. California 50 (1920-25)

2. Oklahoma 48 (1953-57)

3. Notre Dame 39 (1945-50)

4. Oklahoma 38 (1972-75)

5. Southern California 34 (2003-06)

5. Miami 34 (2000-03)

7. Nebraska 32 (1969-92)

7. Army 32 (1945-47)

9. Alabama 31 (1991-93)

9. San Diego State 31 (1968-70)

9. Penn State 31 (1967-70)

9. Georgia Tech 31 (1950-53)

9. Oklahoma 31 (1948-51)

14. Texas 30 (1968-71)

15. Alabama 29 (1978-80)

16. Southern California 28 (1978-80)

16. Oklahoma 28 (1973-75)

16. Army 28 (1947-50)

16. Minnesota 28 (1933-36)

20. Southern California 27 (1931-33)

21. Nebraska 26 (1994-96)

21. Alabama 26 (1960-62)

23. Southern California 25 (1931-33)

23. San Diego State 25 (1965-67)

23. Michigan 25 (1946-49)

23. Army 25 (1945-46)

27. Alabama 24 (1924-27)

28. Southern California 23 (1971-73)

29. Notre Dame 23 (1988-89)

There were weak sisters in the Southeastern Conference, but by and large it was as strong then as it is now, which is saying something. Based upon a review of the final poll rankings between 1962 and 1982, the parallel years of the essential dynasty period of USC and Alabama, the SEC scores a wide margin of victory.

The raw numbers, which tend to favor Alabama, speak to the core philosophies of the two programs and their place in the collegiate football realm. The Alabama fan looks at USC and sees a lot of flash, plenty of "Hollywood sparkle" in the form of flamboyant players (like Anthony Davis) winning big-time awards like the Heisman Trophy, earning well-publicized All-American honors, then signing million-dollar first round bonus contracts with the NFL.

AAWU-Pacific 8/10 vs. Southeastern Conference (1962-82)

Ranked in Associated Press polls

AAWU-Pac-8/10

No. 1 5

Top 10 22

Top 20 53

SEC

No. 1 5

Top 10 39

Top 20 66

Yearly polls (the polls went only to a Top 10 between 1962 and 1967, expanded back to a Top 20 in 1968, and a Top 25 in 1989)

1962

PAC: 1. USC

SEC: 3. Mississippi 5. Alabama 7. LSU

1963

PAC

SEC: 5. Auburn 7. Mississippi 8. Alabama

1964

PAC: 8. Oregon State 10. USC

SEC: 1. Alabama 7. LSU

1965

PAC: 4. UCLA 10. USC

SEC: 1. Alabama 7. Tennessee 8. LSU

1966

PAC: 5. UCLA

SEC: 3. Alabama 4. Georgia

1967

PAC: 1. USC 7. Oregon State 10. UCLA

SEC: 2. Tennessee 8. Alabama

1968

PAC: 2. USC 14. Oregon State 20. Stanford

SEC: 4. Georgia 8. Tennessee 12. Alabama

1969

PAC: 5. USC 10. UCLA 16. Stanford

SEC: 8. LSU 11. Tennessee 12. Auburn 13. Mississippi 15. Florida

1970

PAC: 8. Stanford 15. USC

SEC: 4. Tennessee 7. LSU 10. Auburn 20. Mississippi

1971

PAC: 10. Stanford 19. Washington 20. USC

SEC: 4. Alabama 7. Georgia 9. Tennessee 11. LSU 12. Auburn 15. Mississippi

1972

PAC: 1. USC 15. UCLA 19. Washington State

SEC: 5. Auburn 7. Alabama 8. Tennessee 11. LSU

1973

PAC: 8. USC 12. UCLA

SEC: 4. Alabama 13. LSU 19. Tennessee

1974

PAC: 1. USC

SEC: 5. Alabama 8. Auburn 15. Florida 17. Mississippi State 20. Tennessee

1975

PAC: 5. UCLA 14. California 17. USC

SEC: 3. Alabama

1976

PAC: 2. USC 15. UCLA

SEC: 10. Georgia 11. Alabama 20. Mississippi State

1977

PAC: 10. Washington 13. USC 15. Stanford

SEC: 2. Alabama 6. Kentucky

1978

PAC: 1. USC 14. UCLA 17. Stanford 20. Arizona State

SEC: 1. Alabama 16. Georgia

1979

PAC: 2. USC 11. Washington

SEC: 1. Alabama 16. Auburn

1980

PAC: 11. USC 13. UCLA 16. Washington

SEC: 1. Georgia 6. Alabama 19. Mississippi State 20. Florida

1981

PAC: 10. Washington 14. USC 16. Arizona State

SEC: 6. Georgia 7. Alabama 19. Mississippi State

1982

PAC: 5. UCLA 6. Arizona State 7. Washington 15. USC

SEC: 4. Georgia 11. LSU 14. Auburn 20. Alabama

There is a tendency to overrate USC because of its ancillary highlights - the weather, their cheerleaders, the Hollywood crowd who attend their games – and perhaps they are overrated in some aspects. But like Notre Dame they have a reputation that is well earned regardless of California sunshine, star power or the way its colorful Coliseum looks on TV. Whether or not the win-loss record of their conference opponents, or their poll rankings, matches up with the Southeastern Conference, USC stands above that. Their year-by-year non-conference schedule, the UCLA and Notre Dame rivalries, and the epic Woody Hayes-Bo Schembechler showdowns in Pasadena are part of the most glorious aspect of the college football landscape. While their "pretty boy" image may be part of their prestige, it is also part of the justification for that prestige. That said, the NFL does not draft players in the first round for being "pretty boys." Frank Gifford, O. J. Simpson, Lynn Swann; they looked good all right, but they got it done on the field in college and the pro ranks. When USC was driving for a late score, when their linemen were battling it out in the pits, they had only their talent, strength and perseverance. Reputation was gone by then.

Alabama is proud of the fact that they do not produce the superstars, but they do produce almost as many national championships. Bryant's first few champions were teams with local Alabama talent, but over time his sphere of influence grew. He even extended a scholarship offer to USC coach John McKay's son, J. K., who starred at Bishop Amat High in La Puente, California before choosing Southern Cal. The Bear had his share of "problem children." Fast-livin' quarterbacks Joe Namath and Ken Stabler both clashed with him before knuckling under to his disciplinarian style, with lasting – and winning – results.

"Coach Bryant did not have the philosophy of recruiting only the best players," said longtime assistant coach Clem Gryska, who was a member of his staff all the years Bryant was at 'Bama. George "Wallace was the governor, and so it was problematic to recruit black athletes because of that. Coach Bryant wanted to bring in black players, only he wanted them to possess certain ingredients of character. He wanted athletes who worked hard, not blue chippers who might have a prima donna attitude, white or black. This was the situation that affected both what kind of black players he wanted and why the team had gone down for a couple of years after the 1966 season."

## Notable streaks

### Regular season winning streaks

Oklahoma 45 (1953-1957)

Southern California 38 (2003-2006)

Miami 36 (1985-1988)

### Home winning streaks

Miami 58 (1985-1994)

Southern California 33 (2001-2007)

#### Consecutive bowl appearances

### Nebraska 36 (1969-2003)

Michigan 32 (1975-2006)

Florida State 25 (1982-2006)

Alabama 25 (1959-1983)

## Major bowl streak

Nebraska *17 (1982-1998)

*NCAA record 17 consecutive "major" bowls (January 1, 2), 1982 (Orange) to 1998 Orange

#### Pre-World War I era winning streaks (1900-1918)

Washington 39-0 (1908-1914)

Pittsburgh 32 (1913-1917)

Michigan 28 (1901-1903)

Pre-World War I era unbeaten streaks (1900-18)

Washington *63 (1909-1916)

Michigan *56 (1901-1905)

Georgia Tech *33 (1914-1918)

*Records are sketchy prior to World War I. This is not considered the modern era because in some cases rugby was played instead of football

#### Miscellaneous winning streaks

Concord (California) De La Salle High School 151 (1991-2003)

Mt. Dora College 54 (1996-1999)

Morgan State College 54 (1931-1938)

Mt. Union College 46-game unbeaten streak

Toledo 35 (1969-1972)

Hillsdale College 34 (1954-1957)

"First, Coach Bryant knew that a black player in the program would have to compete, to be of a certain type who could deal with the pressure. That was Wilbur Jackson. Wilbur was a country boy from Ozark, Alabama. Pat Dye, who later coached at Auburn, recruited him. Jackson's family was real conservative. He was a kid who could run like the wind and do anything he was asked. He was no prima donna. That had been the problem.

"After winning three national titles, almost a fourth, everybody wanted to come to play for Coach Bryant, and we got us some very highly rated kids; but they were, as I say, prima donnas. Coach Bryant would rather have a kid who was not as talented but had a bigger heart . . . . Wilbur Jackson fit that model.

"Kenny Stabler had been a guy who gave us a few problems. He did something and Coach suspended him, made him third string, and that turned his head around. It worked on a few others, but not all of them.

"Bryant loved Stabler because he was a street fighter who'd do anything to win. When the ball was teed up and it was time to play, he was very competitive, and Coach could see that in him. But when we brought in some of the so-called best players, they saw themselves as stars who did not conform to Coach Bryant's way of playing. Coach admitted this was the reason the team went down . . . .

"In order to get back to where we were, we had gotten greedy. We went to Cincinnati, Miami, California for recruits, but those brought prima donnas in, and they did not like his tough approach.

"When Joe Namath came in, it took just three or four practices on the freshman team to see he was a Cadillac, not a Ford. But he never acted like a star. Coach coached him, talked with him after practice, and won Joe over."

Jack Rutledge was also an assistant under Bryant throughout all the years that Bear coached at Alabama.

"Coach John McKay was always with Bryant," said Rutledge of the strong friendship between he and the Trojan coach. "Coach Bryant had the same relationship with other coaches; they'd see each other at speaking engagements and the like. He had a similar kind of close friendship with Bobby Dodd and stayed in touch with other head coaches. He'd call around and get all kinda opinions.

"Now John Wayne and McKay were friends, and that's how it came about that Bryant knew him. He picked up on that Wayne walk; he knew he needed certain things to make himself stand out, and that was one of 'em."

Rutledge's view of the political dynamics of the 1960s, and of the Bryant coaching philosophy, rings true with what most people who were close to the program say about it.

"Now, comparing 1966 versus 1978, well in '66 Coach Bryant had won three titles and was dominating football," recalled Rutledge. "A lot of people hate trophies and want 'em shared around. They'd given him the title because he'd been so strong, so maybe they wanted it to go to somebody else. Then we'd gone down, and in the 1970s we were back winnin' or almost winnin' titles almost every year. In 1977, we were 11–1. I think we should have been national champions, but we lost to Joe Montana and Notre Dame, who came from fifth to first after beating Earl Campbell and Texas in the Cotton Bowl. We should have won titles in 1976, 1977, and from 1978–79 we had a tremendous team, just a great team.

"In life, he never forgot anything. He still has a scholarship for the children of all his players. It started with Pat Trammell, his quarterback in 1961, and he had cancer and passed away. He'd never gone pro, he became a doctor, and the coach set up a scholarship for the needy ones, but now it's for all his former players. There's a grant set up with interest for all of them.

"In Junction, Texas, he was brutal and hard . . . Bryant's theory was that he had doctors trained to fix the hurt, and he was fixin' to do our business. Bryant was not about makin' money but making things happen.

"Coach Bryant was a team man; he didn't like single individuals as it related to his football team. I was on the freshman team when he came in from Texas A&M. Gene Stallings had been in Junction. Five or six guys came with him at 'Bama and put us through three months of that thing. We had great players here. A lot of those athletes were tremendous people who still could not put up with it. Bryant wanted to know who wanted to play. I was one of fourteen who went through that.

"Coach Bryant didn't want married men on his team, but Coach Bryant tells me he and I had an agreement, because I was to get married. So I talked to Thomas Helling, and he told me I could play as a married man. On the sideline in 1958, I asked Bryant could I be red-shirted, and he said yes. So I started sixteen games between Lee Roy Jordan and those guys.

"Now I'm going back [in time], but the players, they accepted Bryant, because he was tough but in a fair way. The only guy who complained was Steve Wright, who was not his type of player. He played pro several years.

"Coach could change with the times. Hair, for instance, they started growing it longer. Coach Bryant looked through a book and marked the styles of what he would or wouldn't let them do. He wanted them clean, but some of the black players, if they shave too close it causes in-grown hair, so he changed and let them not shave so close. These were the little details he attended to.

"He was the kind of person who could pick out any individual's full potential, and he said he needed 110 percent out of them. But he wouldn't ask people to do things they couldn't do. But it didn't matter who you were, if you followed the rules, if you gave the effort, Coach Bryant was with you. In the early years he dismissed guys, but in later years he put players on the second or third team. He'd tell the players what [they] needed to do to get back in good graces. He gave you a chance. If you overcame that, all was forgotten. If you didn't, then at the end of the semester, they quietly didn't report back. They all accepted it, what he did for them."

For the reasons outlined by Coaches Gryska and Rutledge, when judging all-time great college coaches, Bear Bryant merits as the very best of them all. It is precisely because USC really was better - they simply had more talent, as did several other programs of the time – that Bryant deserves the recognition for winning as much as the others.

The USC run between 1962 and 1982, and Alabama's dynasty which really encompassed Bryant's entire tenure (1958-1982), mark the two longest, greatest sustained runs of excellence the game has ever known. To have a dynasty extend over such time, no long down periods can truly break up the excellence. Such is the case at Penn State under Joe Paterno (1968-1986), at Oklahoma under Chuck Fairbanks and Barry Switzer (1971-1988), Alabama under Wallace Wade and Frank Thomas (1924-1937), and at Tennessee under Bob Neyland (and one year with W. H. Britton) between 1926 and 1940.

#### Great runs

S/Start season; F/Finish season

20-29 games

Southern California 20-0 (2003-04) 20 games

20-0 (1931-32)

20-0 (1927-32)

Oklahoma 20-0 (1953-55)

20-0 (1948-49)

Alabama 20-0 (1991-92)

20-0 (1924-26)

Miami 20-0 (2000-01)

Arizona State 20-0 (1969-71)

Texas 20-0 (1968-69)

Ohio State 20-0 (1967-68)

Tennessee 20-0 (1938-39)

Minnesota 20-0 (1933-36)

Washington 20-0 (1908-10)

Michigan 20-0 (1901-02)

Alabama 23-0 (1991-92) 23 games

Michigan 23-0 (1946-47)

Tennessee 23-0 (1938-39)

Southern California 21-0-2 (1971-73)

Southern California 25-0 (1931-33) 25 games

San Diego State 25-0 (1965-67)

Michigan 25-0 (1946-47)

Alabama 25-0-1 (1960-62) 26 games

Michigan 27-0 (1903-05) 27 games

Alabama 28-0 (1991-93) 28 games

Pittsburgh 28-0 (1913-17)

Michigan 28-0 (1901-03)

Southern California 27-0-1 (1931-33)

Georgia Tech 27-0-1 (1944-45)

Alabama 27-0-1 (1924-26)

Southern California 26-0-2 (1978-80)

Georgia Tech 26-0-2 (1947-50)

26-0-2 (1914-17)

Minnesota 24-0-4 (1933-36)

Michigan State 27-1 (1950-52)

Michigan 28-0-1 (1901-03) 29 games

California 28-0-1 (1920-22)

Georgia Tech 26-1-2 (1947-50)

30-39 games

Southern California 30-0 (2002-05) 30 games

Miami 30-0 (2000-02)

Toledo 30-0 (1969-71)

Texas 30-0 (1968-69)

Oklahoma 30-0 (1948-50)

Washington 30-0 (1908-13)

Alabama 29-0-1 (1991-93)

Nebraska 29-0-1 (1969-71)

San Diego State 29-0-1 (1968-70)

Penn State 29-0-1 (1967-69)

California 29-0-1 (1920-23)

Michigan 29-0-1 (1901-03)

Nebraska 29-1 (1993-95)

Michigan 26-1-3 (1929-32)

Oklahoma 31-0 (1948-50) 31 games

Alabama 30-0-1 (1991-93)

San Diego State 30-0-1 (1968-70)

Penn State 30-0-1 (1967-70)

Georgia Tech 29-0-2 (1950-53)

Texas 30-1 (1968-69)

Michigan 27-1-3 (1929-32)

Pittsburgh 32-0 (1913-17) 32 games

Nebraska 31-0-1 (1969-70)

Georgia Tech 30-0-2 (1944-47)

Georgia Tech 31-0-2 (1914-18)

Ohio State 31-2 (1967-70) 33 games

Penn State 30-2-1 (1967-69)

Southern California 34-0 (2003-06) 34 games

Miami 34-0 (2000-02)

Michigan 33-0-1 (1901-03)

Southern California 33-1 (2002-04)

Ohio State 31-2-1 (1973-75)

Texas 33-1 (1968-69)

Georgia Tech 32-1-1 (1914-18)

Boise State 32-2 (2001-03)

Toledo 35-0 (1969-71) 35 games

Southern California 34-1 (2003-06)

Miami 34-1 (2000-02)

Southern California 35-1 (2003-06) 36 games

Miami 35-1 (2000-02)

Nebraska 36-1 (1993-95) 37 games

Miami 35-2 (2000-02)

Southern California 33-2-2 (1967-70)

Ohio State 33-4 (1967-70)

Michigan State 36-2 (1950-43) 38 games

Georgia Tech 34-2-2 (1950-52)

Alabama 33-4-1 (1991-93)

Washington 39-0 (1908-14) 39 games

California 37-0-2 (1920-23)

Michigan 34-1-4 (1929-32)

Pittsburgh 36-2-1 (1913-17)

Southern California 36-3 (2002-03)

Alabama 34-4-1 (1930-33)

40-49 games

Michigan 39-0-1 (1901-05) 40 games

California 38-0-2 (1920-24)

Miami 39-1 (2002-03)

Oklahoma 38-1-1 (1947-50)

California 38-1-1 (1947-50)

Notre Dame 37-1-2 (1946-50)

Miami 38-2 (2000-03)

Boise State 38-2 (2001-04)

Nebraska 38-2 (1993-96)

Penn State 38-2 (1970-73)

## Notre Dame 37-2-1 (1919-23)

Pittsburgh 37-3 (1979-80)

Georgia Tech 35-2-3 (1944-48)

Southern California 41-2 (2002-06) 43 games

Pittsburgh 40-3 (1979-82)

Southern California 38-3-2 (1972-74)

Michigan 43-0-1 (1901-03) 44 games

Pittsburgh 40-3-1 (1913-18)

Alabama 39-3-2 (1960-63)

Southern California 40-4 (2001-04)

Boise State 43-2 (2001-04) 45 games

Ohio State 40-5-1 (1972-75) 46 games

Oklahoma 47-0 (1953-57) 47 games

Southern California 45-2 (2002-06)

Miami 43-4 (1985-88)

Nebraska 41-4-2 (1969-72)

Oklahoma 47-0-1 (1953-57) 48 games

Miami 45-3 (2002-03)

California 45-0-4 (1920-24) 49 games

Tennessee 43-5-1 (1937-41)

Alabama 44-4-1 (1991-94)

Southern California 42-6-1 (1978-79)

50-59 games

Michigan 49-0-1 (1901-05) 50 games

Washington 47-0-3 (1907-15)

California 46-0-4 (1920-25)

Oklahoma 49-1 (1953-57)

Southern California 48-2 (2002-06)

48-2 (2002-06)

48-2 (2002-05)

48-2 (2002-03)

Oklahoma 46-2-2 (1970-75)

Southern California 47-3 (2002-05)

Nebraska 47-3 (1993-96)

Michigan 46-3-1 (1970-74)

San Diego State 46-3-1 (1965-69)

## Notre Dame 46-3-1 (1919-24)

Georgia Tech 45-2-3 (1944-48)

Alabama 45-3-2 (1960-63)

Southern California 46-4 (2002-06)

46-4 (2001-05)

Miami 46-4 (2000-03)

California 45-4-1 (1947-50)

Washington 44-4-2 (1907-14)

Alabama 44-5-1 (1991-94)

Ohio State 42-6-2 (1972-76)

Notre Dame 43-7 (1988-91)

Southern California 48-3 (2002-05)

California 46-4-1 (1947-50)

Alabama 45-5-1 (1991-94)

Southern California 51-2 (2002-06) 53 games

San Diego State 49-3-1 (1965-69)

Alabama 47-5-1 (1991-95)

Georgia Tech 49-2-3 (1944-48) 54 games

Michigan 50-4-1 (1970-74) 55 games

Alabama 49-4-2 (1960-63)

Michigan 55-0-1 (1901-05) 56 games

Southern California 52-4 (2001-05)

Arizona State 51-5 (1969-73)

Washington 55-0-2 (1907-15) 57 games

Michigan 55-1-1 (1901-05)

Southern California 54-3 (2002-06)

Southern California 55-3 (2002-06) 58 games

Miami 54-5 (1985-89) 59 games

60-69 games

Washington 56-0-4 (1907-16) 60 games

Oklahoma 58-2 (1953-58)

Nebraska 57-3 (1993-97)

Georgia Tech 55-2-3 (1944-50)

## Notre Dame 56-3-1 (1919-25)

##

Oklahoma 55-3-2 (1970-75)

Southern California 56-4 (2002-06)

56-4 (2002-06)

San Diego State 54-5-1 (1965-70)

Southern California 55-5 (2002-06)

55-5 (2001-06)

Michigan 53-4-3 (1970-75)

Washington 53-4-3 (1907-15)

Alabama 53-5-3(1960-650

Miami 54-6 (1985-90)

Alabama 54-6 (1971-75)

Penn State 54-6 (1970-75)

Southern California 52-8 (1920-25)

Southern California 52-7-1 (1991-95)

Oklahoma 51-7-2 (1947-52)

Southern California 50-8-2 (1972-76)

Alabama 50-8-2 (1930-35)

Florida 50-9-1 (1992-96)

Southern California 50-10 (2001-05)

Oklahoma 60-2 (1953-58) 62 games

Washington 58-0-4 (1907-16)

Washington 59-2-1 (1907-16)

Southern California 58-4 (2002-06)

Brigham Young 53-9 (1979-83)

Washington 59-0-4 (1909-16) 63 games

Nebraska 60-3 (1993-97)

Georgia Tech 57-2-3 (1944-50)

Georgia Tech 57-3-3 (1944-50)

Southern California 58-5 (2001-06)

58-5 (2002-06)

Southern California 54-9 (2001-05)

Michigan 58-4-3 (1970-75) 65 games

Florida 54-10-1 (1992-96)

Oklahoma 60-4-2 (1970-76) 66 games

Michigan 58-6-3 (1970-75) 67 games

California 61-3-4 (1920-25)

Southern California 62-6 (2001-06) 68 games

Washington 60-4-4 (1907-16)

Arizona State 58-10 (1969-74)

Penn State 60-8-1 (1967-73) 69 games

## Southern California 58-8-3 (1927-32)

70-79 games

Nebraska 66-4 (1993-98) 70 games

##

Southern California 63-7 (2001-06)

Miami 63-7 (1985-90)

Oklahoma 62-6-2 (1970-76)

Oklahoma 61-8-1 (1988-92)

Penn State 61-8-1 (1967-74)

Michigan 60-7-3 (1970-77)

Alabama 61-9 (1971-76)

Brigham Young 61-9 (1979-84)

Southern California 60-10 (2001-06)

Florida State 60-10 (1986-92)

Florida 59-10-1-1 (1992-97)

Southern California 56-12-2 (1972-77)

Alabama 64-5-3 (1960-66)

##

## Boise State 65-6 (2001-06) 71 games

##

Miami 64-7 (1985-90)

Washington 61-6-5 (1907-17) 72 games

Alabama 63-9 (1971-76)

Florida State 64-10 (1986-92) 74 games

Southern California 65-7-3 (1927-32) 75 games

Brigham Young 66-9 (1979-83)

Nebraska 69-7 (1993-98) 76 games

Southern California 67-7-3 (1927-34) 77 games

Southern California 65-12 (2001-06) 77 games

Southern California 68-7-3 (1927-34) 78 games

80-89 games

Miami 73-7 (1985-91) 80 games

Oklahoma 70-7-3 (1970-77)

Alabama 71-5-4 (1960-67)

Notre Dame 63-5-2 (1919-26)

Florida State 70-10 (1986-93)

Brigham Young 70-10 (1979-85)

Alabama 70-10 (1971-77)

Arizona State 70-10 (1969-75)

Oklahoma 69-8-3 (1947-54)

Penn State 69-10-1 (1967-73)

Notre Dame 66-9-5 1940-48)

Notre Dame 68-11-1 80 (1988-94)

## Southern California 67-12-1 (1920-27)

Southern California 66-12-2 (1972-77)

Florida 66-13-1 (1992-98)

Miami 76-7 (1985-91) 83 games

Alabama 74-10 (1971-77) 84 games

Miami 77-8 (1985-92) 85 games

Florida State 76-11 (1986-93) 87 games

Alabama 77-7-4 (1960-67) 88 games

Florida 74-14-1 (1992-98) 89 games

90-99 games

Miami 81-9 (1985-93) 90 games

Oklahoma 79-8-3 (1970-78)

Notre Dame 79-8-3 (1919-28)

Florida State 79-11 (1986-94)

Alabama 79-11 (1971-79)

Michigan 78-9-3 (1970-77)

Penn State 78-11-1 (1976-75)

## Southern California 76-12-2 (1920-28)

##

Brigham Young 76-14 (1979-85)

## Notre Dame 72-6-2 (1919-26)

##

Notre Dame 75-9-6 (1940-48)

## Alabama 85-11 (1971-78) 96 games

Miami 86-11 (1985-93 97 games

Florida State 86-12-1 (1986-94) 99 games

100-109 games

## Southern California 92-12-5 (1971-80) 100 games

## Oklahoma 89-8-3 (1947-56)

##

Alabama 89-11 (1977-79)

Miami 88-12 (1985-94)

Michigan 87-12-1 (1986-95)

## Notre Dame 86-11-3 (1919-29)

##

Notre Dame 85-9-6 (1940-51)

## Southern California 85-12-3 (1971-79)

## Southern California 85-13-2 (1920-29)

##

Michigan 88-11-3 (1970-78) 102 games

## Southern California 88-12-4 (1972-80) 104 games

Alabama 97-11 (1971-79) 108 games

Miami 96-12 (1985-94)

110-119 games

Alabama 99-11 (1971-80) 110 games

Oklahoma 97-10-3 (1970-79)

## Notre Dame 96-11-3 (1919-30)

##

Florida State 96-13-1 (1986-95)

## Southern California 94-14-2 (1920-30)

##

Michigan 94-13-5 (1970-79)

### Notre Dame 91-11-8 (1940-52)

Alabama 104-11 (1971-80) 115 games

120-129 games

Alabama 107-13 (1971-80) 120 games

## Notre Dame 105-11-4 (1919-31)

##

Florida State 106-13-1 (1986-96)

Notre Dame 99-13-8 (1940-53)

Florida State 107-14-1 (1986-96) 122 games

Florida State 109-13-1 123 games

130-139 games

##

Florida State 115-14-1 (1986-97) 130 games

## Notre Dame 112-13-5 (1918-32)

## Southern California 113-15-2 (1920-31)

##

## Southern California 112-16-2 (1920-32)

##

Notre Dame 108-14-8 (1940-54)

Florida State 118-15-1 (1986-97) 134 games

Oklahoma 121-13-3 (1947-59) 137 games

140-149 games

##

Florida State 125-14-1 (1986-98) 140 games

Southern California 121-17-2 1920-33

## Notre Dame 118-14-8 (1940-55)

Florida State 129-15-1 (1986-98) 146 games

Southern California 127-17-3 (1920-32) 147 games

##

## 150-159 games

##

## Southern California 130-17-3 (1920-34) 150 games

Florida State 141-15-1 (1986-99) 157 games

160-169 games

Florida State 143-16-1 (1986-2000) 160 games

170-179 games

Florida State 152-17-1 (1986-2000) 170 games

180-189 games

Florida State 158-21-1 (1986-2001) 180 games

Florida State 160-21-1 (1986-2001) 182 games

Florida State 162-21-1 (1986-2001) 186 games

Most of the other great dynasties are roughly one decade or less. Notre Dame, for instance, never had a "down period" between Knute Rockne's champions of the 1920s and Frank Leahy's teams in the 1940s, but there was enough of a drop to create a separation of the two time frames.

It is tempting to state that Miami's dynasty, starting in 1983, did not end in 1992 but rather extends into the 2000s, thus encompassing the 2001 champions and their 34-game winning streak. However, their coaching changes (Dennis Erickson to Butch Davis to Larry Coker) and a few down seasons, like the 1960s at Oklahoma, creates a separation. Wilkinson left OU after the 1963 season to run for the U.S. Senate. At the time, Oklahoma was Democrat-heavy and the Republican Wilkinson lost!

One could easily state that the entire coaching career of Tom Osborne, which began in 1973, was a dynasty at Nebraska, but they suffered too many bowl loses and defeat at the hands of bitter rival Oklahoma to make this claim. Had the 1983 team made that all-or-nothing two-point conversion against Miami in the 1984 Orange Bowl, the Cornhuskers might have had a long enough run to call themselves a dynasty starting a decade earlier than the one they enjoyed in the 1990s until the early 2000s. Osborne, like Wilkinson, left coaching for politics, but had more success getting elected as a Republican to the Congress in one of the most GOP-friendly states in America.

Similarly, Woody Hayes (another staunch Republican) had a career at Ohio State which could have been considered one long dynasty. He won national titles in 1954 and 1957. The Buckeyes claim the 1961 title, but it is a false claim. Nevertheless, they were a powerhouse, but like Oklahoma in the 1960s the Buckeyes were competitive, not dynastic. Calling the 1968-1975 period a dynasty at Ohio State is problematic, since the team lost so many Rose Bowls. It makes the cut out of respect for Woody and the body of his career work; also on the strength of the 1968 national title earned in a Rose Bowl win over O. J. Simpson and Southern California.

Howard Jones had one of the all-time runs at Southern Cal (1928-1939). Notre Dame between 1964 and 1978 was in the hunt every year. They were hurt by the presence of USC on their schedule. In the annals of Irish football lore this period, while impressive, rates below the Rockne-Leahy juggernauts. This says a lot about the pressure of high expectations in South Bend.

Like Osborne at Nebraska, the Bobby Bowden run could start in the early 1980s at Florida State, not 1993. Why does it not? Because the teams play for national championships. This is the raison d'être of their existence. It is why USC, Alabama and Notre Dame so consistently rank at the top of almost all the categories in this most competitive of all worlds.

Speaking of the Trojans, it is why Pete Carroll's team is the dominant powerhouse of the 2000s. Darrell Royal at Texas could have rated higher if his Longhorns had beaten Notre Dame in the 1971 Cotton Bowl, then won some more in the 1970s. The Longhorns' chance at greatness ran into a number of obstacles, not the least of which was loss of the 1977 title. Earl Campbell's team watched their dreams disappear when Joe Montana and the Irish pounded them at the Cotton Bowl, 38-10.

Has anybody ever been better than the "Wonder Teams" at Cal between 1920 and 1924? Maybe not. If USC had not started the Notre Dame rivalry; if the Rose Bowl had accepted the offer to move to the Bay Area in 1921; Cal might have built on this record and become the dominant West Coast – and with that, national – power of the century. If, if, if . . .

Red Blaik's Army teams of the 1940s are a part of America's by gone past. At Michigan, the T-shirt vendors want you to believe that Fielding Yost and Fritz Crisler are still alive instead of part of "ancient history." Bo Schembechler never won a national championship and usually got smoked in Rose Bowls, but he is so important and such a fine figure that, out of respect, his decade-plus run of the 1970s deserves mention. Gil Dobie played a pivotal role in the development of football on the West Coast at Washington (1908-16). Calling Stanford's six years between 1924 and 1929 a "dynasty" is a stretch, but like others – Schembechler, Hayes, Osborne – Pop Warner should have his name listed because of his body of work (Carlisle and Jim Thorpe; an unbeaten Pitt team; all before Stanford). Besides, every teenage kid who plays football in America knows him because of the junior leagues named after him.

Jock Sutherland would be a giant of the gridiron had he beaten USC in both the 1930 and 1933 Rose Bowls. Like Warner, John Heisman of Georgia Tech has the name recognition.

#### Some other great runs

S/Start; F/Finish

TOLEDO

Year Record Run

1969 11-0 11-0 (1969)

1970 12-0 22-0 (1969-70)

20-0 (1969-70) 20 games

1971 12-0 35-0 (1969-71)

30-0 (1969-71) 30 games

BOISE STATE

2001 8-4 F/7-0 8-4 (2001)

7-0 (2001)

2002 12-1 20-5 (2001-02)

19-1 (2001-02)

2003 13-1 33-6 (2001-03)

32-2 (2001-03)

2004 11-1 44-7 (2001-04)

43-3 (2001-04)

43-2 (2001-04)

38-2 (2001-04) 40 games

2005 9-4 47-6 (2001-05)

2006 13-0 60-6 (2001-06)

SAN DIEGO STATE

1965 8-2 F/ 5-0 8-2 (1965)

5-0 (1965)

1966 11-0 19-2 (1965-66)

16-0 (1965-66)

1967 10-1 S/9-0, F/1-0 29-3 (1965-67)

28-2 (1965-67) 30 games

25-0 (1965-67)

1-0 (1967)

1968 9-0-1 38-3-1 (1965-68)

37-3-0 (1965-68) 40 games

10-0-1 (1967-68)

1969 11-0 49-3-1 (1965-69)

46-3-1 (1965-69) 50 games

21-0-1 (1968-69)

1970 9-2 S/9-0 58-5-1 (1965-69)

54-5-1 (1965-70) 60 games

30-0-1 (1968-70)

29-0-1 (1968-70) 30 games

ARIZONA STATE

1969 8-2 F/6-0 8-2 (1969)

6-0 (1969)

1970 11-0 19-2 (1969-70)

17-0 (1969-70)

1971 11-1 S/4-0 30-3 (1969-71)

21-0 (1969-71)

20-0 (1969-71) 20 games

1972 10-2 40-5 (1969-72)

1973 11-1 51-5 (1969-73)

46-5 (1969-73) 50 games

1974 7-5 S/2-0 58-10 (1969-74)

2-0 (1974)

1975 12-0 70-10 (1969-75) 80 games

14-0 (1974-75)

BRIGHAM YOUNG

Year Record Run

1979 11-1 11-1 (1979)

1980 12-1 23-2 (1979-80)

1981 11-2 34-4 (1979-81)

1982 8-4 42-8 (1979-82) 50 games

1983 11-1 53-9 (1979-83)

1984 13-0 66-9 (1979-83)

61-9 (1979-84) 70 games

1985 11-3 77-14 (1979-85)

70-10 (1979-85) 80 games

76-14 (1979-85) 90 games

TOP TWO-YEAR PERIODS

1. Nebraska (1994-1995)

2. Southern California (2003-2004)

3. Notre Dame (1946-1947)

4. Army (1944-1945)

5. Nebraska (1970-1971)

6. Southern California (1931-1932)

7. Oklahoma (1955-1956)

8. Alabama (1978-1979)

9. Notre Dame (1929-1930)

10. California (1920-1921)

11. Oklahoma (1974-1975)

It is tempting to state that USC between 2003 and 2004 represents the greatest two-year run in collegiate football history, and if that is not the best then the 2004-2005 Trojans are. The machinations of the BCS and upsets at California in 2003 and at the Rose Bowl in 2006 overturns that apple cart.

The fact that Nebraska ran the table in unbeaten, untied manner, complete with bowl victories and undisputed national championships in 1994 and 1995, is simply too impressive. The Cornhuskers of these two years represent the best. Their 1995 team is so close to actually being the best of all time that it is, for all practical purposes, actually the best of all time. As good as the 2004 Trojans were, the 1995 Cornhuskers look a little bit better.

Nebraska was never really pushed during this time. They ran the 1995 table without breaking a sweat. The 1994 team had a couple of games that look like close scores; 17-6 at Kansas State, 13-3 at Oklahoma, and 24-17 over Miami in the Orange Bowl; but there were no two-minute rallies or game-saving tackles in the open field.

USC was probably better in 2003 than they were in 2004. They had the great receiver Mike Williams in 2003, and after a shocking overtime upset in Berkeley, ran the table in a manner as impressive as any team ever has. But the 2004 team faced adversity here and there; just enough to degrade their historical ranking slightly.

The Beano Cook crowd still insists on Notre Dame between 1946 and 1947. Johnny Lujack won the 1947 Heisman Trophy. They needed to build an extra wing of the College Football Hall of Fame just to store the plaques from members of these two teams. Sixteen Notre Dame players were drafted in 1946. There are slight drawbacks, though. The 1947 Irish never trailed, and neither did the 1946 squad, but they were big underdogs going into the Army game, which ended in a 0-0 tie.

Oddly, Notre Dame counts this as one of their great moments. Certainly stopping Army's Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis cold was an enormous accomplishment. To truly rate as the best, however, they would (a) not have been underdogs in the first place, (b) scored more than zero points, and (c) won the game instead of hanging on by a thread courtesy of the famed Lujack open-field tackle of Blanchard.

All three teams (Nebraska 1994-1995, USC 2003-2004, Notre Dame 1946-1947) had somebody else who thought they deserved a shot. In 1994, Penn State ran the table but lost in the polls. In 2004, Auburn tried to convince themselves they might not have met the same fate against USC as Oklahoma had they gone to the BCS Orange Bowl instead. In 1947 Michigan thought they had been robbed.

Finally, Notre Dame, for all their advantages, is hurt in the historical sense by their long-held "no-bowl" policy. Gotta play in a bowl game. Another team that did not play in bowls were the Army Black Knights who tied the Irish that fall afternoon of 1946 at Yankee Stadium. Going strictly by the numbers, Army looks like the best (fifty-six points scored per game, thirty-five points allowed in 1944, forty-five allowed the next year; combined beatings of Notre Dame by 107-0), but there are factors that degrade them. First, it was the middle of World War II. The competition in college football was affected by it, but in an odd way Army benefited from it. Would Blanchard, Davis and all those All-Americans have gone to West Point if a war were not being waged? The old bugaboo of old-time teams also comes into play. It was a long time ago, an age in which few blacks played, the equipment was archaic. Comparison between the 1940s with the 1960s and beyond does not favor these guys.

For that matter, Fielding Yost's "point-a-minute" Wolverines or Andy Smith's "Wonder Teams" look better than modern teams when going strictly by the scoreboard. Even Babe Ruth, whose career is unparalleled, is no longer rated as highly in baseball because of the modern versus old-timer comparisons accompanying an analysis of the Bambino with the likes of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds. Creating all-time teams and lists at first glance, using raw statistics, makes it hard to conceive of anybody better than Red Grange, Ernie Nevers and Bronco Nagurski; that is until the highlight reels of Barry Sanders, Walter Payton and LaDainian Tomlinson are shown.

Rounding out the best of the two-year juggernauts is Nebraska under Bob Devaney (1970-1971). Their 1971 team was one of the finest ever, but the 1970 squad was fortunate to capture the AP title when Notre Dame, Texas and Ohio State all lost late or in bowl games.

USC between 1931 and 1932 had Howard Jones's greatest teams; consensus national champions and, in 1931, winners of one of the all-time best games at Notre Dame. Oklahoma was probably better between 1974 and 1975 (not to mention 1985 and 1986, or 2003 and 2004, when late losses ended their hopes and dreams), but the 1955-1956 seasons mark major college history in the form of Bud Wilkinson's greatest glory. Bear Bryant's 1978-1979 Alabama Crimson Tide rate higher than the 1978-1979 USC Trojans on the strength of one game; Stanford's 21-21 tie of the Trojans at the Coliseum in 1979.

Notre Dame (1929-1930) or USC (1931-1932)? It is a toss-up.

TOP THREE-YEAR PERIODS

#####

##### 1. Southern California (2003-2005)

2. Nebraska (1993-1995)

3. Notre Dame (1947-49)

4. Miami (1987-1989)

5. Southern California (1972-1974)

6. Army (1944-1946)

7. Oklahoma (1954-1956)

8. Southern California (1930-1932)

9. Alabama (1977-1979)

10. Minnesota (1934-1936)

11. Nebraska (1995-1997)

12. Oklahoma (1973-1975)

13. Alabama (1964-1966)

14. California (1920-1922)

The difference between USC (2003-2005) and Nebraska (1993-1995) is so close as to be barely discernible. USC won two straight and lost the third. Nebraska lost the first but won the second two. Why USC?

First, because the Trojans loss to Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl was more impressive than Nebraska's loss to Florida State in the 1994 Orange Bowl. Second, because USC did it in the BCS era. Had the old rules applied, they would have cruised to the 2005 national title regardless of how loud Texas coach Mack Brown screamed. Three, they featured two Heisman winners (Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush) to Nebraska's zero.

Notre Dame between 1947 and 1949 never lost and also featured two Heisman winners (Johnny Lujack, Leon Hart). They played no bowl games, though. It would have been nice to see these guys play Fritz Crisler and Michigan, Pappy Waldorf and Cal, or Doak Walker and SMU.

Miami (1987-1989) virtually changed the way college football is played. The speed and athleticism of the Hurricanes was breathtaking. Their only loss was by the barest margins in the extraordinary 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988.

Southern California (1972-1974) is an interesting case. In 1973 they lost to Notre Dame and Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. The 1974 Trojans are not really one of USC's best all-time teams, but they were the most exciting. Their back-to-back games with Notre Dame (fifty-five points in seventeen minutes at the Coliseum) and Ohio State (Pat Haden-to-J. K. McKay for a TD, then Haden-to-Shelton Diggs for two) were seminal moments defining what makes the game great. Their 1972 powerhouse is the best team ever. In 1972 the only team better than John McKay's Trojans were Don Shula's Miami Dolphins.

The only team better than Red Blaik's Army between 1944 and 1945 was George Patton's Third Army between 1944 and 1945.

Wilkinson's Sooners never lost between 1954 and 1956. Howard's Jones's Trojans (1930-1932) beat teams from the Midwest, South and East in demonstrating that the "West is the best." Bear Bryant's 1977-1979 Crimson Tide lost two games. At 'Bama they are convinced they were again robbed of the 1977 national title when Joe Montana and Notre Dame leapfrogged from fifth to first on New Year's Day. They have a point.

Bernie Bierman's 1934-1936 Minnesota Golden Gophers won three in a row but played no bowl games. There is a strong argument that Nebraska between 1995 and 1997 (35-2) was better than Nebraska between 1993 and 1995 (36-1). Either way, that 1995 team is part of the mix.

Oklahoma (1973-1975) probably would rate higher if they were not on probation part of the time. It cost them a bowl game after the 1974 season. Alabama (1964-1966) would rate higher if they had won their bowl after the 1964 season. California (1920-1922) would rate higher if they had done what they did in the era after leather helmets.

5/6 YEAR PERIODS

1. Nebraska (1993-1997)

2. Notre Dame (1943-1947)

3. Oklahoma (1953-1957)

4. Miami (1987-1992)

5. Southern California (1967-1972)

6. Southern California (1972-1976)

7. Oklahoma (1971-1975)

8. Southern California (1974-1979)

9. California (1920-1924)

10. Notre Dame (1973-1977)

11. Alabama (1961-1966)

12. Penn State (1982-1986)

13. Southern California (1928-1932)

14. Notre Dame (1924-1929)

15. Alabama (1930-1934)

16. Minnesota (1936-1941)

17. Notre Dame (1988-1993)

Go find a Nebraska fan. Start a discussion on the best five (roughly one full class plus a red-shirt) years ever. You cannot dissuade them from the conclusion that the 1993-1997 Cornhuskers were the best juggernaut the game has ever seen. They are right.

Three words: sixty and three!

'Nuff sed. Tom Osborne's "Big Red" won three national championships and barely missed a fourth (the first year, when Bobby Bowden's Seminoles won an ugly Orange Bowl, 18-16 to end their unbeaten year). There was only one slip. In 1996 the Cornhuskers traveled to Tempe to take on Pat Tillman and Arizona State, a team they beat 77-28 a year earlier. This time ASU shocked them, 19-0 (the shutout alone made this an upset worthy of headlines bigger than "FIDEL, OSAMA FOUND DEAD IN GAY LOVE TANGLE"). But that 1996 Cornhusker team finished the year with a 41-21 win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

Other teams have had more All-Americans and Heisman winners. At Nebraska, their Heisman is the Outland Trophy. In this period, two Cornhuskers won it (Zach Wiegert, 1994 and Aaron Taylor, 1997). The myth that they played a weakened schedule is just that, a myth. In 1994 two Big 8 teams were ranked in the Top 5, three in the Top 25. In 1995 four Big 8 programs were in the Top 10, two in the Top 5, five in the Top 25. The Southwest Conference joined the Big 8, creating the Big 12 in 1996, meaning that they had to win a conference championship game. While Oklahoma was down, Kansas State started a strong run. The 1996 Fiesta Bowl demolition derby against Florida (62-24, Nebraska) and the 1998 Orange Bowl blowout of Tennessee (42-17 'Huskers) were as impressive as it gets.

Frank Leahy's Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1943-1947) were just plain legends. Bud Wilkinson's Sooners (1953-1957) represent the five years in which their 47-game winning streak stretch out. Recent 34-game streaks by Miami (2000-2002) and USC (2003-2006) provided vivid examples of just how tough something like this is. Within sports circles, OU's streak is up there with Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, the Miami Dolphins' unbeaten 1972 season, the Los Angeles Lakers' 33-game run of 1971-1972, or any other milestone.

The Miami Hurricanes (1987-1992) won three titles, a Heisman Trophy (Gino Torretta, 1992), and did not lose at home. John McKay's 1967-1972 Trojans include two national titles (1967, 1972), one Heisman Trophy winner (O. J. Simpson in 1968), one Outland Trophy winner (Ron Yary in 1967), five first round picks (1968), two number one overall draft picks (Yary in 1968, O. J. in 1969), two of the most memorable wins over Notre Dame (O. J.'s 150 yards and three TDs in 1967, Anthony Davis's six touchdowns in 1972), a January 1, 1973 Rose Bowl blowout of Ohio State, 42-17, and general recognition that the 1972 team is college football's best single-season team.

Then there is the Trojan run of 1972-1976. They won two national titles (1972, 1974) and came within an inch of a third (Pitt refused to lose) in 1976. Oklahoma (1971-1975) would rate higher if they had won the "Game of the Century" against Nebraska. USC (1974-1979) would rate higher if coach John Robinson had not lost his first game against Missouri in 1976. They featured one national championship, four Rose Bowl wins, Heisman and Lombardi winners, in 1979 one of the best teams not to win a title, and in 1978-1979 a "teammate Heisman" duo of Charles White (1979) and Marcus Allen (who won his in 1981).

California's "Wonder Teams" (1920-1924) never lost. Before there was Notre Dame, before there was USC, before there was Alabama, these guys were the champions of the immediate post-World War I era. Notre Dame (1973-1977) would rate higher if they had beaten USC more than twice, but the two times they did it led to national championships. When USC beat the Irish in this era, the Trojans invariably finished number one or close to it. This says all that needs be said about the intensity of this awesome rivalry.

Alabama (1961-1966) may have been the ultimate team under Bear Bryant. The same thing can be said about Joe Paterno's Penn State Nittany Lions (1982-1986). Howard Jones's "Thundering Herd" Trojans of 1928-1932 took Western supremacy, wrested it from Cal and Stanford, then never looked back. Notre Dame (1924-1929) included the "Four Horsemen" and two national championships. Alabama (1930-1934) and Minnesota (1936-1941) would be rated higher if they had done it in a more modern era. Notre Dame (1988-1993) would be rated much higher but-for some excruciating losses.

TOP 10/15-YEAR PERIODS

1. Oklahoma (1947-1958)

2. Notre Dame (1919-1930)

3. Southern California (1967-1982)

4. Notre Dame (1941-1955)

5. Alabama Crimson (1964-1979)

6. Miami (1983-1994)

7. Southern California (1962-1976)

8. Nebraska (1990-2001)

9. Florida State (1988-2000)

10. Southern California (1928-1939)

11. Notre Dame (1966-1977)

12. Oklahoma (1971-1985)

13. Penn State (1982-1994)

14. Miami (1987-2001)

15. Southern California (1920-1933)

16. Nebraska (1970-1983)

17. Alabama (1924-1934)

In the ten/fifteen-year category, nobody can quite overcome the dominance of Bud Wilkinson's Sooners, who boasted a 31-game winning streak, a 47-game winning streak, a 48-game unbeaten streak, three AP national championships, one year they might have won had the polls waited for the bowls (1953), two Sugar Bowl wins, four Orange Bowl wins, a Heisman Trophy winner (Billy Vessels, 1952,) two Outland Trophy winners (Jim Weatherall, 1951; J. D. Roberts, 1953), and fourteen consensus All-Americans. On top of that, Wilkinson integrated Sooner football during this time frame. Hurrah for Bud.

Notre Dame (1919-1930) under Knute Rockne defined the game. Southern California (1967-1982) won four national championships; had two unbeaten seasons without titles (1969, 1979), plus just missing in 1968 and 1976; an 8-2 Rose Bowl record mostly versus the best of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler; an 11-2-2 mark against the best of Ara Parseghian and Dan Devine; with three Heisman Trophies, one Outland Trophy and a Lombardi Award.

Bear Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide (1964-1979) looks, on the surface, to be as strong as any, but there are cracks: the 1965 Orange Bowl loss to Texas; the one loss, one-tie 1965 team; the 1966 squad that was out-polled; social circumstances; and the 1978 Tide shared a title with the Trojans who beat them in their house. The 1979 Tide, however, were one of the greatest teams of all time.

Miami between 1983 and 1994 represents the true modern game. The Hurricanes had a modern feel, harnessed the long-suppressed black talent base that came to full fruition in the late 1970s and 1980s, and in so doing created an "urbanized" dynasty built on speed, strength and athleticism like none before. Steroids probably played a role in Miami's ascendancy, too, since in the 1980s and 1990s it was popularized while its ultimate effects were still not fully known. However, if the 'Canes were doing it, they sure weren't the only ones.

Just as Miami was the result of a paradigm shift – regionally, racially, athletically – in the 1980s, so to was USC between 1962 and 1976. They harnessed the growing post-war Baby Boomer generation, which moved en masse to the West. John McKay (and John Robinson) were able to seamlessly mesh their ancient traditions with a new style of play and player.

Nebraska's run from 1990 to 2001 includes arguably the best single-season team (1995), very likely the best two-year (1994-1995) and maybe even three-year runs (take your pick: 1993-1995 or 1995-1997). The Cornhuskers under Tom Osborne were a bit of an enigma. Bob Devaney built a dynasty, although nostalgia for the 1970-1971 teams is over-hyped. Devaney's Cornhuskers were solid prior to that, but not at the 1960s level of USC, Alabama, Notre Dame or Texas. Devaney's team was beaten by UCLA in 1972. Osborne's team beat everybody except when it really counted, for the most part, between 1973 and 1989. The 1990-2001 run, however, includes a frustrating 1994 Orange Bowl loss to Florida State and a brutal beating at the hands of Miami in the 2002 Rose Bowl.

Florida State's run between 1988 and 2000 is similar to the Osborne/Cornhusker success of the same time period. Bobby Bowden's team dominated, but instead of winning a truckload of national championships, they were prevented by Miami from winning more than two. This creates a natural comparison with both USC and Notre Dame. Florida State rates just below these programs because they lost to Miami so consistently when they were at their peak. In the case of USC and Notre Dame, these dynasties maintained their position at or near the top despite beating each other up, not to mention USC's annual "city game" with UCLA and, at least since the early 1980s, Notre Dame's rivalry with Michigan. A great rivalry cannot separate a program from true greatness; not if they wish to ascend to the throne.

Between 1928 and 1939, USC was not quite as good as Notre Dame had been in the 1920s, but winning four national championships in eleven years is a feat separating the Trojans from the rest of college football in a time frame stretching encompassing the Roaring '20s, the Great Depression and World War II.

Notre Dame (1966-1977) might very well have enjoyed one of the best ten/fifteen-year runs ever, but like Florida State in the 1980s and early 1990s, they had to play their nemesis (USC) every year. The road to glory was only attained when the "Trojan army" could be conquered. What a rivalry!

Oklahoma between 1971 and 1985 was spectacular, but cheated too much. Penn State between 1982 and 1994 was spectacular without cheating. Miami between 1987 and 2001 carried on a tradition of thuggery that unfortunately tarnishes their place in the grand scheme of things. USC (1920-1933) was, at least in the beginning of the run, unsung. Cal and Stanford dominated the West. USC could not beat Cal. But when the numbers are all added up, Troy had the best record in the 1920s. They added two national titles (1931-1932).

Nebraska (1970-1983) was like Florida State in the 1980s and 1990s, Notre Dame in the late 1960s and 1970s: why do we schedule (pick one) Oklahoma, Miami, USC? Alabama between 1924 and 1934 established Southern football. When the 1924 Crimson Tide arrived in Pasadena for the third Rose Bowl game to be played in the new stadium, the local press dubbed them "Tusca-losers!" Then they waxed Washington. Georgia Tech had been a dominant Southern team, but their record was overshadowed by World War I. Oklahoma, Texas and Auburn were either Southern or Southwestern. All were successful, but it was not until the Alabama teams of Wallace Wade and Frank Thomas that the nation really came to respect Southern football.

TOP 20/25-YEAR PERIODS

1. Southern California (1962-1982)

2. Alabama (1960-1982)

3. Miami (1980-2003)

4. Notre Dame (1964-1989)

5. Ohio State (1954-1975)

6. Notre Dame (1919-1939)

7. Alabama (1924-1945)

8. Nebraska (1970-1995)

9. Nebraska (1980-2001)

10. Florida State (1984-2004)

11. Penn State (1973-98)

USC's run between 1962 and 1982 has been documented and has no equal. They won national championships and Heismans, beat the best from every region, made history, defining college football glamour and popularity.

Alabama's "down period" was pretty tame – 6-5 and 6-5-1 seasons in 1969-1970 – with a consistent run of regular season success unmatched in history. The only drawback in analyzing Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide – and 'Bama fans would not think this is a drawback – is the fact they have no Heismans or Outland Trophy winners, plus fewer first round draft picks and consensus All-Americans than others.

Miami (1980-2003) overcame some down years in the late 1990s, but their overall twenty-three-year run is spectacular: five national championships, two Heismans, dominance over Florida State and, like USC before them, they took on all comers and beat them. Their 34-game winning streak (2000-2002) in the BCS era looked to be as impressive an accomplishment as there is in the collegiate game, at least until USC matched it a few years later. Wow!

Notre Dame (1964-1989), like Miami, overcame a down period in the mid-1980s to post a spectacular run, defining why they have and always will remain the poster boys of collegiate football.

Ohio State (1954-1975) might have been higher if not at the top, but they lost to USC in Rose Bowls. When they lost to Stanford and UCLA, too, it lowered their ranking while making the Pacific-10 the prestige conference of the times.

Notre Dame (1919-1939) won three national titles but could have won more. Alabama (1929-1945) would have been higher had their 1945 unbeaten team, the first ever to defeat USC in the Rose Bowl, won the national championship instead of Red Blaik's immortal Army Black Knights. Nebraska (1970-1995) sandwiched a lot of successful-yet-disappointing years with back-to-back national titles (1970-1971, 1994-1995). The Cornhusker run between 1980 and 2001 was one of the most consistent in the game's history. Florida State (1984-2004) had a similar record. Penn State under Joe Paterno (1973-1998) won and won and won.

"CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR"

_The best teams_ not _to win national championships_

1913 Army

1913 Auburn

1914 Texas

1915 Oklahoma

1916 Pittsburgh

1919 Texas A&M

1920 Notre Dame

1938 Duke

1939 Tennessee

1942 Georgia

1945 Alabama

1947 Michigan

1947-1951 California

1948 Notre Dame

1952 Georgia Tech

1966 Michigan State

1966 Alabama

1968-1969 Southern California

1968-1969 Penn State

1969-1970 Ohio State

1971 Oklahoma

1973 Michigan

1978 Penn State

1979 Southern California

1979 Ohio State

1983 Nebraska

1986 Miami

1994 Penn State

2003-2004 Oklahoma

2005 Southern California

2006 Ohio State

This is a tough category. Start with the 1913 Army Black Knights, whose bid for greatness was upended by Gus Dorais and Knute Rockne when they "introduced" the forward pass to college football.

Auburn (1914), Texas (1915), Pittsburgh (1916) and Texas A&M (1919) have all been accorded some national championship status. Rose Bowl victories by Washington State (1915), Oregon (1916) and Harvard (1919) make these teams legitimate historical national champions.

In 1920, Notre Dame would have won their first national championship, but everybody was gaga over California's "Wonder Team." In 1938, Duke was so close to immortality they could taste it: unbeaten, untied, unscored-on. Then Doyle Nave hit "Antelope Al" Kreuger with less than a minute to go, and USC spoiled their season in the Rose Bowl. The 1939 Tennessee Volunteers story is identical, only this time USC beat them from the first quarter to the last instead of waiting until the final minute.

Frank Sinkwich and Georgia thought they should have been national champions after beating UCLA in the 1943 Rose Bowl. The polls and the systems gave it to Ohio State. The 1945 Alabama Crimson Tide might go down in history if the 1945 Army Black Knights had not. Two years later, Michigan's 49-0 win over USC in the Rose Bowl had to serve only as a consolation prize when the voters went for the Irish. The 1948 Irish saw the situation reversed. That was nothing compared to Pappy Waldorf's 1947-1951 California Golden Bears. Three straight unbeaten regular seasons were ended by Big 10 thumpings. The 1951 team lost at home to USC. Cal's failure to uphold conference honor set the PCC back. Their part in the mid-1950s "payola" scandal almost destroyed their program forever (it certainly knocked Berkeley out of big-time football for a couple decades or more).

The 1952 Georgia Yellow Jackets had to succumb to the pollsters. They won a bowl game while national champion Michigan State did not play in one. The next year, the ending of their 31-game unbeaten streak simply added to the Notre Dame legend.

Michigan State and Bubba Smith just look back on the 1965-1966 seasons wistfully. "Close but no cigar." Joe Paterno and Penn State were "victims" of a bias against East Coast teams in 1968-1969. USC was not victimized by bias, just a loss to Ohio State in the 1969 Rose Bowl and a tie against Notre Dame in a 1969 season that otherwise would have been John McKay's third national title. Various Ohio State and Michigan teams of the 1970s make the "close but no cigar" list for reasons too desultory for Buck and Wolverine fans to try and recall. The 1971 Sooners were awesome but Nebraska was unbeatable that year. Penn State thought they finally had it in 1978 until the Sugar Bowl loss to 'Bama. In 1979 USC had what might have been the best team not to win a national title. Nebraska (1983) challenges that title. Penn State (1994) just said to themselves, "Same old story: unbeaten, untied, number two." How any team could ever have been good enough to beat USC in 2005 boggles the imagination. That a team that good played the same year and accomplished the feat (Texas in the Rose Bowl) creates a true ""Game of the Twenty-first Century." The 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes were just like the 1969, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1979 Ohio State Buckeyes.

# PART FOUR

# THE BEST OF THE REST

ELEVEN

FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

In a book that ranks College Football's Top 25 All-Time Traditions in order, at the time of its publication Florida State is ranked eleventh. However, at the pace they have been on over the past thirty years, if they continue in like manner by the year 2055 (if man is still alive) the Seminoles may just be contending for the top spot in the hierarchy.

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Founded: 1857

Enrollment: 30,015

Colors: Garnet and gold

Nickname: Seminoles

Stadium: Doak S. Campbell Stadium (opened: 1950; capacity: 82,300)

All-time record (1947-2006): 442-201-30

Bowl record: 21-13-2 (through 2006)

National championships: 1993, 1999

Atlantic Coast Conference championships: 12

Heisman Trophies: Charlie Ward (1993), Chris Weinke (2000)

First round NFL draft picks: 29

Website: www.seminoles.com

Notable alumni: Golfer Paul Azinger; baseball manager Tony LaRussa; volleyball player/model Gabrielle Reece; actor Robert Urich

Tradition builds upon tradition in college football, but there are times when the string comes to an end, or something is built seemingly out of nothing. Programs like Minnesota, Stanford, California, and Army were major juggernauts in the first half of the twentieth century. They all declined in the second half. Schools like Florida, Miami, Nebraska and Penn State were just ordinary in the first half, but competed with the big boys in the second half.

But none have come as far and as fast as Florida State. They were a girl's school until the late 1940s, then decided not only to open the campus to men (in response to the G.I. Bill after World War II), but to start playing football. They built a stadium in 1950 named after a player who starred at another school (Doak Campbell of Southern Methodist). The biggest inducement Florida State could offer recruits was the fact they were a girl's school, the theory being that Florida lovelies would surround the young men with little competition for their attention. Actor Burt Reynolds came to play football at Florida State based on that very premise. According to his sidekick Lee Corso (now an ESPN analyst), the two of them took full advantage of the situation.

But Florida State is in the South, and football is "religion" in the South. There were plenty of football players not recruited by Ole Miss, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, who wanted to keep playing ball. FSU offered that opportunity. The weather in Florida is a sports advantage any way you cut it, and in the 1950s the population grew. The invention of air conditioning by Willis Carrier allowed schools and businesses to prosper in the humid South.

The Seminoles' first consensus All-American was William Dawkins in 1951. The great Fred Biletnikoff, who went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Oakland Raiders, earned that honor in 1964. Ron Sellers made it in 1967.

Under coach Bill Peterson, Florida State began to attract national attention. They beat Oklahoma in the 1965 Gator Bowl, 36-19. By the mid-1970s, however, they were so bad that there was talk of disbanding the program. Bobby Bowden was hired in time for the 1976 season.

"I could think of only two jobs that would have been worse," wrote Bowden in his autobiography, Bound for Glory. "Being elected mayor of Atlanta shortly after Sherman left town or being the general who volunteers to replace George Custer during the last siege of the Little Big Horn."

Bowden went to a wide-open passing offense. At the time, most college football powers did it on the ground: USC's "student body right," Ohio State's "three yards and a cloud of dust," the Texas "wishbone," the veer at Oklahoma, Alabama and UCLA. But Bowden instituted pro-style sets that would usher in the era of passing offenses as seen at Brigham Young, Miami and Houston.

The plan: play the best teams on the road. Bowden figured his Seminoles would be taken lightly by opponents and fans. The upset wins would shed greater light on his program. He was right.

After going 5-5 in 1976, Florida State was 10-2 in 1977. In 1979 the Seminoles arrived. They were 11-0, ranked number four in the nation in an astounding season in which Ohio State, Alabama and USC all entered the bowls unbeaten. Florida State faced Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl after spending a month trying to figure out a scenario by which certain teams ahead of them might lose, thus giving them the national championship. The first leg of that journey was fulfilled when Southern California knocked off Ohio State, 17-16 in the Rose Bowl. With a tie to blemish USC's record, maybe a win over the Sooners might be able to push Florida State ahead of the Trojans. Alabama's Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas ended their national title dreams. So too did Oklahoma's 24-7 victory over the Seminoles, but the gauntlet had been thrown down.

Playing as an independent, Florida State was a power in the first half of the 1980s, but it was in 1987 when they stepped up to the next level. They lost in what was typical fashion, 26-25 to Miami in a battle amounting to a "national championship game," if not the over-hyped "Game of the Century" as so many others have been called. That was it, however. They beat Nebraska, 31-28 in the Fiesta Bowl to finish 11-1, number two behind the Hurricanes.

But it was the arrival of flashy two-time consensus All-American cornerback "Neon Deion" Sanders that truly cemented the Seminoles' on the national football consciousness.

"When those lights go on, it's 'prime time' for me," said Sanders. "It's like Jekyll and Hyde. When I have to put on a show, I put on a show."

Sanders is Florida State's greatest player, possibly the finest corner in college football history if not in all of NFL history, as well. He led number three Florida State to another 11-1 record in 1988, capped by a 13-7 win over Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. Sanders was the first pick of the Atlanta Falcons, but football was not the only thing he excelled in.

Florida State's Super Bowl MVPs

Fred Biletnikoff (1977), Dexter Jackson (2003)

Sanders had Olympic speed and might have run in the Games had he had the time. After leading Florida State's baseball team into the College World Series, he signed with the New York Yankees for big money, eventually making it to the Major Leagues with the Atlanta Braves. Since he also played for the Atlanta Falcons, he was able to make the unusual switch between baseball and football.

#### Florida State's Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Deion Sanders, San Francisco CB (1994)

He was a decent baseball player, a spectacular football star. Sanders also played corner unlike anybody else. Whereas Ronnie Lott of USC and the 49ers nailed ball carriers with bone-crushing hits, Sanders did not like contact. He was so fast, such a ball hawk, however, that despite this he completely disrupted offensive plans, forcing opponents into a half-field strategy. He became a pro mercenary, leading both San Francisco and Dallas to Super Bowl championships.

In the 1980s Florida State's other consensus All-Americans were Greg Allen, Jamie Dukes, and Leroy Butler. In the 1990s, Florida State was the winningest program (109-13-1). Bowden's sustained run between 1986 and 2001 included mind-boggling records: 143-16-1 over a 150-game stretch, and 158-21-1 over a 180-game stretch. No coach – not Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, Bud Wilkinson, John McKay, Joe Paterno or Bear Bryant – has kept up a run like that for such a long time. That said, however, Bowden's bid for the best two-decade period in history falls short of what USC accomplished between 1962 and 1982, or Alabama during roughly the same period, because Bowden teams still only won two national championships during these years.

National titles are what the men play for. Bowden's teams lost heartbreakers to Miami, costing them the ultimate prize on several crucial occasions. USC won five national titles, Alabama four (legit) and two (illegitimate) titles during their respective 1960s-1970s runs.

It is for this same reason that, as good as Florida State was in the 1990s, they are not the "Team of the Decade." Nebraska's overall record is not as good, but their three national titles trump that, because that is what they play for.

In 1993 Charlie Ward won the Heisman Trophy and Bowden captured his first national title. The team entered the Atlantic Coast Conference the previous year. Whether this ultimately has been beneficial is a question. The ACC is a "basketball league." Enthusiasm for football is high, but not matched by on-field greatness. Florida State plays a host of solid teams, but ultimately it lacks the kind of power ranking that comes with survival in the Southeast Conference.

Florida State All-Time Team

Chosen by Bob Harig, St. Petersburg Times

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OG Jamie Dukes

OG Jason Whitaker

OT Tra Thomas

OT Alex Barron

C Clay Shiver

TE Pat Carter

WR Fred Biletnikoff

WR Ron Sellers

SE Peter Warrick

QB Charlie Ward

RB Greg Allen

RB Warrick Dunn

FB William Floyd

PL Sebastian Janikowski

DEFENSE

Pos. Players

DE Derrick Alexander

DE Peter Boulware

DT Hugh Adams

DT Corey Simon

NG Ron Simmons

LB Paul McGowan

LB Marvin Jones

LB Derrick Brooks

CB Deion Sanders

CB Terrell Buckley

SS Stan Shiver

FS Leroy Butler

P Rohn Stark

However, Florida State has always played a strong non-conference schedule. This includes the yearly war with Miami, and for several seasons games with Notre Dame when Lou Holtz and the Irish were at their apex. This included the famed 1993 contest, which some have said is the greatest regular season game ever played (won by the Irish, 31-24).

Because they are always ranked at or near the top, Florida State consistently went to the most competitive bowl games. They gave as well as they got. When the BCS system came into being in 1998, Florida State was the first strong representative to emerge. They lost to Tennessee, 23-16 in the first BCS championship game (1999 Fiesta Bowl). The next year, quarterback Chris Weinke led Florida State. Weinke had originally played minor league baseball before coming to college in his mid-20s. Behind Weinke the Seminoles captured the 1999 national championship, going 12-0 with a stirring 46-29 win over Michael Vick and Virginia Tech in the BCS Sugar Bowl, 46-29.

Seminoles on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1987 11-1 11-1 (1986)

1988 11-1 22-2 (1986-87)

1989 10-2 32-4 (1986-89)

1990 10-2 42-6 (1986-90)

1991 11-2 53-8 (1986-91)

1992 11-2 64-10 (1986-92)

60-10 (1986-92) 70 games

1993 12-1 76-11 (1986-93)

70-10 (1986-93) 80 games

1994 10-1-1 86-12-1 (1986-94)

79-11 (1986-94) 90 games

1995 10-1 96-13-1 (1986-95)

87-12-1 (1986-95) 100 games

1996 11-1 107-14-1 (1986-96)

106-13-1 (1986-96) 120 games

1997 11-1 118-15-1 (1986-97)

115-14-1 (1986-97) 130 games

1998 11-2 129-15-1 (1986-98)

125-14-1 (1986-98) 140 games

1999 12-0 141-15-1 (1986-99)

109-13-1 (decade: 1970s)

2000 11-2 152-17-1 (1986-2000) 170 games

143-16-1 (1986-2000) 160 games

2001 8-4 S/2-0 160-21-1 (1986-2001)

158-21-1 180 games

162-21-1 (1986-2001)

Consensus All-Americans in the 1990s included Marvin Jones, Terrell Buckley, Charlie Ward, Derrick Brooks, Corey Sawyer, Clifton Abraham, Clay Shiver, the great Peter Boulware, Reinard Wilson, Sam Cowart, Andre Wadsworth, Sebastian Janikowski, Peter Warrick, Jason Whittaker, and Corey Simon. Warrick, the first overall pick of the entire NFL Draft by the Bengals (following the 1999 season), is considered one of the greatest college receivers of all time. Janikowski, the Oakland Raiders' number one draft choice in that same year, may be the best of all college place-kickers.

In 2000, Weinke won the Heisman Trophy, and Florida State squared off against unbeaten Oklahoma in their third straight BCS title match, this time a "home game" at the Orange Bowl. The so-called "Heisman curse" hit Weinke, who was ineffective against a smothering Sooner defense in the 13-2 loss.

Florida State football in the 2000s has been outstanding, except that by the "Bowden standards" it has not lived up to expectations. A changing of the guard has occurred, with the likes of USC, Texas, and Oklahoma stepping up to claim their place in the pantheon. Consensus All-Americans have included Marvin Minnis, Jamal Reynolds, Tay Cody and Alex Barron.

TWELVE

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

Oh, the Tennessee Volunteers. What a great tradition, what great fans. Football travelers to Knoxville come back marveling at the enthusiasm for Volunteer football. People are questioned on the street if they are not "wearing the colors" the week of a big game (which is any game). Neyland Stadium holds 104,000 people. Every game is instantly sold out. Then there are tales of Tennessee's women. It sometimes seems there is a city ordinance in Knoxville prohibiting the existence of girls unworthy of a modeling career.

University of Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

Founded: 1794

Enrollment: 19,639

Colors: Orange and white

Nickname: Volunteers

Stadium: Neyland Stadium (opened: 1921; capacity: 104,079)

All-time record (1891-2006): 759-316-54

Bowl record: 24-22 (through 2006)

National championships: *1951, 1998

*Illegitimate; lost bowl game

Southeastern Conference championships: 13

Outland Trophies: Steve DeLong (1964), John Henderson (2000)

First round NFL draftees: 35

Website: www.utsports.collegesports.com

Notable alumni: Singer Deanne Carter; writer Cormac McCarthy; baseball player Todd

Helton; women's basketball players Chamique Holdsclaw; basketball player Allan Houston; DuPont CEO Chad Holliday; Jordanian prime minister Ali Hussein Abu Ragheb; poker champion Chris Moneymaker; pro wrestler Kevin Nash; Hawaiian Tropics CEO Ron Rice.

Tennessee's football history is marvelous, wonderful and glorious all right, but it just misses. It is this close to being one of the most elite programs. Somehow, what Alabama with fewer resources was able to do, Tennessee fell just short of attaining. Tennessee has never had a Heisman Trophy winner. With a few exceptions, they have not produced as many pro stars as some of the other great programs. When Alabama was winning national championships in 1925, 1926, 1930 and 1934, Tennessee under Bob Neyland was almost winning national championships. Consensus All-Americans at Tennessee included Gene McEver and Beattie Feathers (considered one of the all-time great running backs, later a star in the NFL).

The 1938-1939 period provides an agonizing glimpse into this "close but no cigar" syndrome. Those teams included consensus All-Americans Bowden Wyatt, Ed Molinski, George Cafego, and Bob Sufferidge. In 1938, Tennessee was 11-0 with a 17-0 win over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. However, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Davey O'Brien led Texas Christian. They also went 11-0 with a Sugar Bowl triumph over Carnegie Tech. The Associated Press awarded the national championship to the Horned Frogs.

Volunteers on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1937 6-3-1 F/2-0 6-3-1 (1937)

2-0 (1937)

1938 11-0 17-3-1 (1937-38)

13-0 (1937-38)

1939 10-1 S/10-0 27-4-1 (1937-39)

23-0 (1938-39)

20-0 (1938-39) 20 games

23-1 (1938-39)

1940 10-1 S/10-0 37-5-1 (1937-40)

33-2 (1938-40)

33-2 (1938-40)

33-1 (1938-40)

29-1 (1938-40) 30 games

1941 8-2 S/1-0 45-7-1 (1937-41)

43-5-1 (1937-41)

In 1939, Tennessee again went unbeaten in the regular season. That was not the half of it. They were unscored on. All season. Somehow, the AP saw fit to rank Texas A&M as national champions. Tennessee went out to the Rose Bowl figuring that an impressive victory over unbeaten Southern California would be enough for the systems, which took into account bowl performance and opponent's records, to give them a share of the crown. Texas A&M barely beat Tulane in the Cotton Bowl, 14-13, but USC destroyed Tennessee, 14-0.

"We were outclassed by Southern Cal," said Neyland. Instead of Tennessee, the systems awarded Howard Jones and Troy their fourth national crown. In the 1940s, Dick Huffman earned consensus All-Americans honors (1946).

More of the "close but no cigar" syndrome came in the early 1950s. In 1950, Tennessee was 11-1 with a 20-14 win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl. Unbeaten Oklahoma lost to Kentucky in the Sugar Bowl, meaning that the legitimate national champion should have been Tennessee. But the lame-brained AP and UPI both voted before the game, as if the bowls were all-star games instead of the wars they were; wars the respective teams wanted to win with every fiber of their being because they knew that all glory was lost without doing so.

The scenario played out in unfortunate reverse manner the following year when Tennessee ran the table at 10-0 in the regular season, winning the AP and UPI national championships prior to the Sugar Bowl. Maryland, their opponent in New Orleans, was also 10-0. The game was unquestionably for the national championship. The Terrapins won, 28-13. Tennessee was forced to hide their trophy in a closet, glossing over their "1951 national championship" hoping nobody would ask for details about how it was "won." Maryland had pride but not the trophy. The AP and UPI just dug a whole in the sand, sticking their heads in a little deeper. Consensus Vol All-Americans in the 1950s were Hank Lauricella, John Michaels, and Johnny Majors.

In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s Tennessee produced consensus All-Americans Frank Emanuel, Paul Naumoff, Bob Johnson, Charles Rosenfelder, Steve Kiner, Chip Kell, Bobby Majors, Larry Seivers, Roland James, Bill Mayo, Tim McGee, and Eric Still. In 1983, defensive lineman Reggie White made All-American. He goes down in history as one of the finest collegiate linemen ever, but his professional record as a Hall of Famer in Philadelphia and Green Bay is even more impressive.

#### Tennessee's Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2)

Reggie White, Philadelphia DE (1987); Reggie White, Green Bay DE (1998)

Johnny Majors took over the program in 1977. He led them to a 1986 Sugar Bowl win over Miami, 35-7; and an 11-1 record with a number five ranking in 1989 after beating Arkansas, 31-27 in the Cotton Bowl. Majors stepped down after a 116-62-8 (.645) run. He was replaced by Phil Fulmer, who steered the Volunteers to an 11-1 mark in 1995. In 1997 Tennessee finished 11-2 but lost to national champion Nebraska, 42-17 in the Orange Bowl.

#### Tennessee's Associated Press NFL Offensive Players of the Year (2)

Jamal Lewis, Baltimore RB (2003), Peyton Manning, Indianapolis QB (2004)

The greatest Volunteer ever was Peyton Manning, a 1997 All-American who finished second to Michigan's Charles Woodson in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Manning had a star-crossed college and professional career, however. As great as he was Manning did not win the "big one" in college, and took years before going all the way as a professional.

####

#### Tennessee's Associated Press Pro Football Player of the Year (2)

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis QB (2003-2004)

In the 1998 draft, the great debate centered on whether Manning or Washington State's Ryan Leaf was the better prospect. Leaf led Washington State to the Rose Bowl. He was bigger and stronger than Manning. Many "experts" felt he was better. But Manning, the son of former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saint star Archie Manning (and the older brother of current New York Giants' signal-caller Eli Manning), had the smarts, leadership skills and savvy Leaf sorely lacked. Indianapolis went for Manning with the first pick. He became a sensation in the National Football League

Peyton finally won the "big one" when the Colts defeated Chicago in the 2007 Super Bowl. Leaf went to San Diego and is considered one of if not the best biggest busts in sports history.

Tennessee's Super Bowl MVP

Peyton Manning (2007)

In 1998 Tennessee found the promised land at last. It was the first true, unfettered, nobody-can-take-this-away-from-us national championship in Tennessee history. The Volunteers ran the table at 13-0, but what made it so impressive was that they ran a gauntlet most previous champions had not been forced to contend with. The Volunteers played a series of explosive games, outscoring opponents. Quarterback Tee Martin could do none of the things Peyton Manning could do except win more games. By 1998 the Southeastern Conference had firmly established itself as the toughest in the nation. The Pacific-10, traditionally the strongest when looking at the entirety of the twentieth century, had fallen on tough times.

Not only did Tennessee have to navigate the SEC, they had to win the conference championship game, 24-14 over Mississippi State at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Then they had to deal with Florida State in the first BCS title contest. When they emerged a 23-16 winner, Fulmer and his team had their title at last.

Did you know . . .

That Tennessee fans sing a ditty that goes, "Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top down in the Tennessee hills . . . Rocky Top Tennessee . . . " that is one of the all-time great college songs?

1990s consensus All-Americans included Antone Davis, Dale Carter, Al Wilson, Cosey Coleman, and Deon Grant. Since the 1998 national championship team, Tennessee has not built on that success. They have been, just as they have been since Neyland's days, a national power. Others – often in their own conference - have been better. Consensus All-Americans in the 2000s include John Henderson, Dustin Colquitt and Michael Munoz.

THIRTEEN

FLORIDA GATORS

The past twenty years in college sports have centered around the state of Florida. Part Southern, part CIA/counter-revolutionary Cuba, no state has benefited athletically from integration more than the Sunshine State.

University of Florida

### Gainesville, Florida

Founded: 1853

Enrollment: 33,982

Colors: Blue and orange

Nickname: Gators

Stadium: Ben Hill Griffith Stadium at Florida Field (opened: 1930; capacity: 88,548)

All-time record (1906-2006): 619-368-40

Bowl record: 16-18 (through 2006)

Southeast Conference championships: 7

National championships: 1996, 2006

Heisman Trophies: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996)

First round NFL draftees: 35

Website: www.gatorzone.com/football/

Notable alumni: U.S. Senator Bob Graham; computer innovator John Atanasoff; actors Faye Dunaway and Buddy Ebsen; author Carl Hiaasen; Olympian Dara Torres; basketball player Joaquim Noah; This Old House host Bob Vila

The state was always competitive in football, as well as other sports, but produced no national champions. In the 1960s and early 1970s, Southern California and UCLA dominated college athletics. Then Miami built a powerhouse baseball program. This was a pre-cursor of a three-way battle for football supremacy between Miami, Florida State and Florida. In the "what goes around comes around category," it looks as of this writing like Florida has the upper hand.

The Gators were the first of the three schools to establish themselves as a major powerhouse, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Steve Spurrier in 1966. In the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, the three schools "traded" their spot at the very top.

But after coach Steve Spurrier's Gators won the 1996 national championship, they seemed to drop a bit while Miami and Florida State rose. In the state of Florida hierarchy, the Hurricanes and Seminoles held a distinctly higher place. But in 2006 the Gators asserted their dominance in unprecedented manner. They became the first college to win basketball and football national championships in the same calendar year. In 2007 they repeated the act in basketball under young coach Billy Donavan. With a youthful, energetic football coach named Urban Meyer, Florida built on the 2006 football title with a winning recruiting class (sharing the top spot among several services with USC). They promise to be in the hunt year in and year out for a long time to come.

In 1928, 1966, 1969 and 1985, Florida entered the season among the leading favorites to win the national championship. In 1995 they came within one game. Each time their hopes were dashed.

Of all the teams in the Southeastern Conference, they possessed the greatest advantages: year-round warm weather; a great stadium; a large state with a big population to recruit from; a major New Year's Day bowl game just down the road; a little more moderate attitude towards race than the likes of Alabama and Mississippi; enticing beaches beckoning not too far away; fever pitch fans who turn each game into a party; and pretty girls dressed the way pretty girls dress in 90-degree heat. Despite all of these accoutrements, Florida was not where Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana State, Auburn, or Georgia was. They were not where Miami and Florida State were.

That is all in the past.

"All Florida needs is the right man" to coach them, Bear Bryant once said. Just as USC and UCLA built themselves into athletic powerhouses on the basis of Sunbelt demographics in the 1960s, so too has Florida. Bryant could see it coming years before it happened.

Did you know . . .

That in 1965, at the request of a Gator assistant coach, Florida kidney specialist Dr. Robert Cade invented an electrolyte beverage to stem humidity-related heat prostration? The university still receives twenty percent of the profits from Gatorade, which to date is close to $90 million for the college.

In 1923, Florida traveled to Alabama, where a storm had turned the field into a lake. Trailing 6-0 at halftime, coach James Van Fleet had his starters switch jerseys with the reserves, then take the field at the last possible second. This psyched 'Bama and the Gators won, 16-6. Van Fleet was the commander of the school's ROTC program. He rose to the rank of general and became a Korean War hero.

In 1928, Florida may well have won the national title had they not lost the last game of the season to Tennessee, 13-12. USC captured the crown, their very first. From 1935 until 1951, Florida posted only one winning record. When Florida State (on the strength of football-playing soldiers entering college on the G.I. Bill) started up a football program, the Gators resisted playing them. Eventually though, the rivalry became a fierce, even violent one.

The Georgia game, played in Jacksonville, is universally known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." In 1963, lowly Florida beat vaunted Alabama, 10-6. Under coach Ray Graves, the Gators stock rose in the decade. In 1966, the man who came to symbolize football at the University of Florida made his mark on the nation. Quarterback Steve Spurrier led his team to a 9-2 record with a 27-12 Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech. Spurrier not only became the first Gator consensus All-American, but their first Heisman Trophy winner. He played in San Francisco for years. Receiver Carlos Alvarez made consensus All-American in 1969. The great Jack Youngblood starred at Florida from 1968 to 1970 before a stellar career with the Los Angeles Rams.

Florida All-Century Team

Chosen by the Gainesville Sun, 1999

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

G Burton Lawless

G Donnie Young

T Lomas Brown

T David Williams

C Jeff Mitchell

TE Jim Yarbrough

WR Carlos Alvarez

WR Wes Chandler

QB Danny Wuerffel

RB Neal Anderson

RB Emmitt Smith

PK Judd Davis

KR Jacquez Green

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DE Jack Youngblood

DE Kevin Carter

D Brad Culpepper

DT Ellis Johnson

LB Scot Brantley

LB David Little

LB Wilbur Marshall

CB Steve Tannen

CB Jarvis Williams

S Bruce Bennett

S Louis Oliver

P Bobby Joe Green

Doug Dickey coached from 1970-1978. Sammy Green made consensus in 1975. In the 1980s, consensus All-Americans were David Little, Lomas Brown and Louis Oliver. Two of the greatest college players of all time played in Gainesville in that decade. Hybrid linebacker Wilbur Marshall helped revolutionize the position as a pass-rusher. A symbolic shift in college football's balance of power occurred on an oppressively hot, humid afternoon at Florida Field on September 11, 1982.

Southern California came to town and they were still one of the kings of college football. To the Trojans, Florida was just a second-tier program that would fall before their march, but in front of a wild, capacity crowd, Marshall was a force to be reckoned with. He sacked and harassed USC quarterback Sean Salisbury all day long in a 17-9 Gators' victory. Over the next two decades, Florida was clearly the better program than USC. A two-time consensus All-American, Marshall was the first choice of the Chicago Bears in the 1984 draft.

In 1989, the superlative Emmitt Smith made consensus All-American. Smith was one of the first college stars to eschew his senior year. A first round choice of the Cowboys, he starred on the great Dallas teams of the 1990s, earning induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Florida's Super Bowl MVP

Emmitt Smith (1994)

In 1990, a serial killer roamed the Florida campus. Several coeds were killed in gruesome manner, putting a pall over the school just as football season was starting. But that was Spurrier's first year. He built the program into a powerhouse. In 1993 Florida beat defending national champion Alabama, 28-13, then knocked off West Virginia, 41-7 in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11-2. In 1995 the Gators were 12-0, having beaten Florida State, 35-34 and Arkansas, 34-3 in the SEC title game. The Fiesta Bowl against unbeaten Nebraska was built up to be another one of those "Games of the Century," but the Cornhuskers destroyed Florida, 62-24. The fact the Cornhuskers could beat a team of Florida's quality in such a manner cemented them as one of, if not the greatest, college football teams of all time.

The1996 Gators' national champions may not have been as good as the 1995 team. Led by Heisman-winning quarterback Danny Weurffel, they backed in, kind of. Florida State knocked them off in the last game of the regular season, a non-conference contest. But they came back a week later to upend Alabama, 45-30 in the SEC title game in Atlanta. Then they got Florida State again in the Sugar Bowl. This time, the Gators won big, 52-20 to finish number one.

Gators on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1992 9-4 F/ 2-0 9-4 (1992)

2-0 (1992)

1993 11-2 21-6 (1992-93)

13-2 (1992-93)

1994 10-2-1 31-8-1 (1992-94)

23-4-1 (1992-94)

1995 12-1 42-9-1 (1992-95)

35-5-1 (1992-95)

34-5-1 (1992-95) 40 games

1996 12-1 54-10-1 (1992-96)

50-9-1 (1992-96) 60 games

1997 10-2 64-12-1 (1992-97)

59-10-1-1 (1992-97) 70 games

1998 10-2 74-14-1 (1992-98)

66-13-1 (1992-98) 80 games

Consensus 1990s All-Americans were Brad Culpepper, Jack Jackson, Kevin Carter, Jason Odom, Wuerffel, Ike Hilliard, Reidel Anthony, Jacquez Green, and Fred Weary. After the 1996 title, Florida ceded their position to Florida State, Nebraska and then Miami. Spurrier left to take a questionable job with the Washington Redskins. His heart was not into the NFL.

Consensus 2000s All-Americans: Jabar Gaffney, Mike Pearson, Rex Grossman (quarterback of the 2006 NFC champion Chicago Bears), Alex Brown, and Keiwan Ratliff. Urban Meyer was scooped up after leading Utah to an unbeaten season behind quarterback Alex Smith, a Heisman finalist and number one overall draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers.

In 2006, the Gators emerged from a crowded, ever-changing field of BCS contenders to play Ohio State in the title game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Michigan carped that they should have gotten the bid. Florida, led by quarterback Chris Leak (who platooned with heralded freshman Tim Tebow) destroyed the Buckeyes, 41-14.

It was obvious after the bowls that Florida, LSU and USC were all vastly superior to the overrated Big 10 teams Ohio State and Michigan. USC, who would have gone to the title game had they not lost to UCLA in their regular season finale, looked at the Florida-Ohio State game with mixed emotions. On the one hand, they would have beaten the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes' Heisman quarterback, Troy Smith, was B-A-D in the BCS. On the other hand, they would not have beaten the Gators. When it was all said and done, Florida was the best team without controversy.

FOURTEEN

LOUISIANA STATE TIGERS

Like Florida, LSU is a little different from its fellow Southeastern Conference members. The state and by proxy the college are not "typically" Southern. They are obviously part of the Old Confederacy, and therefore the antebellum South, but their history and traditions are not quite the same.

Louisiana State University

### Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Founded: 1860

Colors: Purple and gold

Nickname: Tigers

Stadium: Tiger Stadium (opened: 1924; capacity: 91,600)

All-time record (1893-2006): 680-376-47

Bowl record: 19-18-1 (through 2006)

National championships: 1958, 2003

Southeastern Conference championships: 9

Heisman Trophies: Billy Cannon

First round NFL draftees: 25

Website: www.lsusports.com

Notable alumni: U.S. Senator John Breaux; basketball players Pete Maravich and Shaquille

O'Neal; baseball players Joe Adcock, Albert Belle, Ben McDonald, Lyle Mouton, Paul Byrd and Todd Walker; political consultant James Carville; actress Elizabeth Ashley; composer Bill Conti; Honduran president Carlos Roberto Flores; drama critic Rex Reed

First of all, Louisiana is French. Over the years, the influence of Napoleon Bonaparte ceded itself to something called "Cajun French," which is quite different from that found in Paris or Normandy. Napoleon somehow got it in his head that the future of the New World was not in the Louisiana swamps, but on the island of Haiti. He sold Louisiana to the United States and centered all his energy and resources on Haiti. The slave rebellion there supposedly made a pact with the devil himself. If the Dark Prince would repel French forces, so goes the legend, Haiti would practice voodoo in all the succeeding years. The rebels did repel the French; they do still practice voodoo; and a country with many natural advantages is to this day one of the poorest, most terrible places on Earth.

Its island neighbor, the Dominican Republic, made no deals with Satan, chose Christianity over voodoo, and today is a free country, producing baseball stars who return the millions they make in America to the poor of the Dominican. The lessons inherent in this tale are self-evident.

But Louisiana's French quickly turned away from Napoleon in favor of the wonders of America. The swamps of Louisiana were deemed uninhabitable by the French emperor, but great history has been made there. The Battle of New Orleans, which decided the War of 1812 (in 1815), is a bit of American glory this part of the South is able to celebrate, mitigating its role in the Civil War somewhat. The Catholic influence of Louisiana, particularly of Orleans Parish, makes for a unique disparity in comparison with the old school Baptists and Methodists who make up much of the South. Then there is the racial diversity, the mixtures of which created a far more tolerant attitude than was found in neighboring states.

Finally there is the question of, uh, honesty. Louisiana, federal and state, is considered one of if not the most corrupt political institutions in America. Louisiana politicians are not vilified for their dishonesty; they were historically admired for the way they could get away with things. Huey and Earl Long were New Deal Democrats who embodied this. They were unabashed LSU fans. In recent years the Republicans, as in the rest of the South, took power. They cleaned up the corruption angle, but vestiges of the old "liar's club" still abound. Political consultant James Carville, whose client Bill Clinton was the last of the old school Southern political scoundrels, is a rabid LSU graduate.

In 1908, LSU went 10-0. They scored 442 points in 450 minutes, earning the nickname "point a minute" as the Michigan Wolverines had been referred to a few years earlier. LSU joined the SEC in 1933 and were 7-0-3 in their first year. They went to three straight Sugar Bowls between 1936 and 1938, but the superiority of the West Coast was made obvious. After losing a lackluster 3-2 game to Texas Christian in the 1936 game, LSU managed to lose 21-14 and 6-0 to Santa Clara, a little Catholic school near San Jose, California, in the 1937 and 1938 Sugar Bowls.

On January 1, 1943 they beat Texas A&M, 19-14 in the Orange Bowl. Bowl games were generally not happy affairs for Louisiana State, however. They tied Arkansas, 0-0 in the 1947 Cotton Bowl and were blown out by Oklahoma, 35-0 in the 1950 Sugar Bowl. Consensus All-Americans were Gaynell Tinsley, Ken Kavanaugh and Sid Fournet.

In 1955, arguably their greatest coach took over in Baton Rouge. Paul Dietzel was 46-24-3 (.651) between 1955 and 1961. In 1958, he coached LSU's best all-time team to an 11-0 record, a 7-0 victory over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl, and the undisputed national championship.

In 1959 the Tigers were 9-2. After losing in the Sugar Bowl, 21-0 to Mississippi, one of the most legendary events in college-pro sports occurred. Billy Cannon, the Heisman Trophy winner, was signed by the Houston Oilers of the fledgling American Football League under the goal posts at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, site of the Sugar Bowl until the Louisiana Superdome was erected.

Cannon remains the ultimate Tiger legend. He starred in Houston and later was a mainstay for Al Davis's Oakland Raiders, but he became involved with shady characters and ran afoul of the law. Cannon's story was told in fictionalized form by writer Frank Deford in the novel Everybody's All-American. Dennis Quaid portrayed the Cannon character (nicknamed "The Grey Ghost") in the 1988 film.

Charlie McClendon took over in 1962. He stayed on through the 1979 campaign, compiling a 135-61-7 (.682) record. There were bowl victories (over Syracuse in the 1965 Sugar, over Arkansas in the 1966 Cotton, over Wyoming in the 1968 Sugar, over Florida State in the 1969 Peach, over Iowa State in the 1971 Sun, over Wake Forest in the 1979 Tangerine). However, McClendon never got where Dietzel took them. His era coincided with that of the great Bear Bryant at Alabama. Like all other SEC teams the Tigers were dominated by Bear's teams.

In the 1971 Sugar Bowl, LSU had a chance to knock Nebraska out of the national championship, leaving the whole thing in shambles. They lost, 17-12. LSU fell to Penn State in the 1974 Orange Bowl and to first-year coach Bill Walsh and Stanford, 24-14 in the 1977 Sun Bowl.

#### Louisiana State's Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Bert Jones, Baltimore QB (1976)

Consensus All-Americans in the McClendon era included Roy Winston, Jerry Stovall, Mike Anderson, Tommy Casanova, and Charles Alexander. Bert Jones, their greatest quarterback, was the first pick of the Baltimore Colts in the 1973 draft. He led Baltimore to many play-off games, including barnburners with Oakland and fellow SEC alum Kenny Stabler.

Louisiana State All-Centennial Team, 1893-1993

Chosen by fans

OFFENSE

Pos. Players

OG Tyler LaFauci

OG Eric Andolsek

OT Charles "Bo" Strange

OT Lance Smith

C Nacho Albergamo

WR Eric Martin

WR Wendell Davis

QB Bert Jones

RB Jimmy Taylor

RB Billy Cannon

RB Charles Alexander

RB Dalton Hilliard

PK David Browndyke

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DT Fred Miller

DT Ronnie Estay

DT A. J. Duhe

DT Henry Thomas

LB Roy "Moonie" Winston

LB Mike Anderson

LB Warren Capone

LB Liffort Hobley

LB Michael Brooks

DB Johnny Robinson

DB Jerry Stovall

DB Tommy Casanova

P Tommy Davis

Louisiana State 1893-1936 Team

Chosen by journalists

Pos. Player

E W. Jeff Barnett

E Gaynell Tinsley

L Thomas Dutton

L Jess Tinsley

L Jack Torrance

L Justin Rukas

L Martin "Moose" Stewart

QB G. E. "Doc" Fenton

B Jesse Fatherree

A Abe Mickal

B Charles "Pinky" Rohm

Consensus All-Americans in the 1980s and 1990s included Wendell Davis, Nacho Albergamo, Alan Faneca, and Chad Kessler. From 1989 to 1994, LSU had six straight losing seasons, never winning more than three SEC games in a single year. Nick Saban took over in 2000. Under his leadership LSU ascended to a place they had almost never been before. It has been the Tiger success of the 2000s that place them among College Football's Top 25 All-Time Traditions.

In 2003, LSU captured half the national championship by going 13-1 with a 21-14 win over Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. USC was ranked number one in all the polls at the end of the regular season, but a computer glitch created an LSU-Oklahoma match-up instead of the correct USC-LSU game. USC handled Michigan, 28-14 in the Rose Bowl to win the AP national championship. LSU won an uninspiring defensive struggle with Oklahoma, who looked embarrassed just to be in New Orleans. Pundits nationwide felt that had LSU played the Trojans, they would have fallen as all other teams had. That said, it was a fine LSU team and they deserved their invite to the BCS title game.

Louisiana State's Associated Press Pro Football Players of the Year (3)

Jim Taylor, Green Bay FB (1962), Y. A. Tittle, New York Giants QB (1963), Bert Jones, Baltimore QB (1973)

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the state. Saban departed to an ill-fated position with the Miami Dolphins. The Tigers were forced to play "home" games on the road, but inspired the entire state with their exciting play (11-2 with a 40-3 blowout win over Miami in the Peach Bowl) under coach Les Miles.

In 2006 Louisiana State was 11-2 with another blowout, this time by the score of 41-14 over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell out-played Brady Quinn of Notre Dame, making himself the number one pick in the 2007 draft by the Raiders. Consensus All-Americans in the 2000s have been Josh Reed, Chad Lavalais, Ben Wilkerson and Marcus Spears.

LSU represents a paradigm shift in SEC power. Alabama dropped into a second tier position. LSU is currently in an as-yet-to-be-decided struggle for conference supremacy with Florida and Auburn, at a time in which the SEC is the dominant conference in the land.

FIFTEEN

AUBURN TIGERS

There are rivalries, and then there is the Auburn-Alabama game. USC and Notre Dame have been described as "two frontrunners for the Republican presidential nomination" or "Nick Lachey eyeing Jessica Simpson from across a crowded room for the first time." The USC-UCLA game has been called by one comic on Fox Sports's The Hot List "a football game for the Beautiful People; everybody's tanned and rich." Ohio State-Michigan is a battle between equally matched powers. Oklahoma-Nebraska is a relatively recent phenomenon based on each team's national status more than natural rivalry. Florida-Georgia is "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party."

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama

Founded: 1856

Enrollment: 18,896

Colors: Navy blue and burnt orange

Nickname: Tigers

Stadium: Jordan-Hare Stadium (opened: 1939; capacity: 87,451)

All-time record (1892-2006): 667-384-47

Bowl record: 18-13 (through 2006)

National championships: 1957

Southeastern Conference championships: 6

Heisman Trophies: Pat Sullivan (1971), Bo Jackson (1985)

Outland Trophies: Zeke Smith (1958), Tracy Rocker (1988)

First round NFL draftees: 24

Website: www.auburntigers.com/football

Notable alumni: Alabama governor Fob James; basketball star Charles Barkley; Olympian Rowdy Gaines; baseball players Frank Thomas and Tim Hudson; author Anne Rivers Siddons

But Auburn-Alabama is the "Hatfields and the McCoys." People who are pre-disposed to put down the South paint an unflattering picture of toothless hillbilly's placed against the background of the theme song from Deliverance. This is not a realistic portrait, but drinking, craziness and uniquely Alabamian football fever does grip this game.

In 1948, after a lengthy hiatus, the rivalry resumed. Alabama won that year by a score of 55-0, but in 1949 Auburn prevailed, 14-13. The Alabama game was always played at Birmingham's Legion Field, which in theory is neutral territory, but in reality is "Crimson Tide country," the site of 'Bama's most important games over the years. Then in 1989, Auburn played 'Bama at Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time and won, 30-20.

"The single most emotional day in Auburn history <was> when Alabama came to town to play on our turf," recalled Auburn athletic director David Housel. "Donahue Drive <Tiger Walk> was so crowded that the players had to walk single file, pushing their way through the people. There were at least 20,000 people out there. It was as though the 'children of Israel' had been freed from Pharaoh. Or the Berlin Wall <which had come down days earlier in Germany> had come down."

Auburn's victory came to be known as the "freed from Pharoah" game.

Then there is the matter of Auburn's nickname: Tigers. Yes, they share the same nickname as conference rival LSU. Many people are confused, thinking they are the Auburn War Eagles. They are, kind of. Despite Auburn's backseat to Alabama's football history, Auburn sports perhaps the greatest tradition in the nation. This is where the confusion comes in, but so be it. In the state of Alabama history is revered, and anybody who does not know the story is not worth his salt, anyway.

During the Civil War, a Confederate soldier was "left for dead" with only a baby eagle to comfort him. The story has some similarity to the Romulus and Remus myth that supposedly was Rome's beginning, when two babies were raised by wolves.

Either way, the soldier recovered and kept the eagle as his constant companion. Later he taught at Auburn. In the first game ever played in 1892, the eagle is said to have soared over the field when Auburn scored, then returned to the soldier-teacher. The Auburn fans spotted the eagle and yelled, "War eagle! War eagle!" Auburn won, 10-0.

The tradition was born and maintained over the years. The eagle's ancestors have been raised on campus, taught to soar over the field to the chants of "Waaarrr eeeaagle!!" The eagles' name is always . . . Tiger (?).

Before Alabama won their first national championship, Auburn claimed a share, according to some systems, of the 1913 title on the strength of an 8-0 record under coach W. S. Kienholz. In 1914 they went 8-0-1. Auburn entered the Southern Conference in 1921 and the Southeastern Conference in 1933. They beat Michigan State, 6-0 in the 1938 Orange Bowl. Despite being in the same league they did not play Alabama (who they had played until 1907). The Tide disdained them until 1948.

Alabama considered themselves vastly superior to the "other school" over in "the loveliest village on the plains." After all, the Crimson Tide won national titles in 1925, 1926, 1930, and 1934. They had conquered the "best of the West" in numerous Rose Bowls. They considered the entire state of Alabama to be their personal fiefdom. Auburn's only consensus All-American up until the 1950s was Jimmy Hitchcock (1932).

In 1951, Ralph "Shug" Jordan took over. In 1957 he led the Tigers to a 10-0 record that included a 40-0 triumph over 'Bama, resulting in the national championship. In retrospect, they were the football version of the Japanese or Al Qaeda waking up the "sleeping giant"; in this case substitute the University of Alabama for the United States of America. 'Bama would take it no more. Bear Bryant was hired after that disastrous season. The rest is history. He and Alabama established dominance over Auburn and the rest of the SEC.

Consensus All-Americans in the 1950s and 1960s were Jimmy Phillips, Zeke Smith, Ken Rice, Tucker Frederickson (who starred for the New York Giants), and Buddy McClinton.

In 1971, quarterback Pat Sullivan won the Heisman Trophy. In 1972, the Tigers went 10-1 with a sweet 17-16 upset of Alabama at Legion Field. It ended any hopes the Crimson Tide harbored of winning the national championship. This was followed by a 24-3 win over Colorado in the Gator Bowl. Consensus All-Americans in the 1970s were Larry Willingham, Terry Beasley, and Ken Bernich.

Pat Dye, a former Alabama assistant coach, took over at Auburn in 1981. Consensus All-Americans who played under him included Gregg Carr, Ben Tamburello, Brent Fullwood, Tracy Rocker, Aundray Bruce, Ed King, and David Rocker. His teams were 99-39-4 between 1981 and 1992. His 11-1 Tigers of 1983 beat Michigan in the Sugar Bowl, 9-7. In 1986 the 10-2 Tigers upended USC, 16-7 in the Citrus Bowl behind the running of Brent Fullwood.

Th greatest of all Auburn Tigers was two-time consensus All-American (1983, 1985) running back Bo Jackson. Many consider him to be, pound for pound, the best running back ever. Others boldly call him the finest athlete who ever lived. He won the 1985 Heisman Trophy. Jackson was as good a baseball player as he was a football player, signing with the Kansas City Royals. He was the star of the 1989 All-Star Game and, had he not been injured, may well have been a Hall of Famer in baseball.

Jackson was made the number one overall pick of the 1986 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay. He turned them down in favor of baseball, his favorite sport. After Nike signed him to a shoe contract promoting him as a two-sport superstar with the famed catchphrase, "Bo knows . . . (name the sport)," he went back to football, signing with the Los Angeles Raiders. His performance against Seattle on Monday Night Football is considered one of the greatest games in the history of MNF. So good was Jackson that the Raiders benched, then traded the great Marcus Allen to make room for him. But injuries destroyed his football career, which was also Hall of Fame worthy. Jackson may well have made it to both Cooperstown and Canton had he not been hurt.

#### Auburn All-Century Team

Selected by fans, 1992

Coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OL Walter Gilbert

OL Ken Rice

OL Steve Wallace

OL Ben Tamburello

OL Ed King

WR Terry Beasley

WR Lawyer Tillman

QB Pat Sullivan

RB Joe Cribbs

RB James Brooks

RB Bo Jackson

K Al Del Greco

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DL Roger Duane "Zeke" Smith

DL Donnie Humphrey

DL Tracy Rocker

DE Jimmy "Red" Phillips

DE Aundray Bruce

LB Jackie Burkett

LB Mike Kolen

LB Gregg Carr

DB Tucker Frederickson

DB Mike Fuller

DB Kevin Porter

P Lewis Colbert

Terry Bowden, the son of the famed Florida State coach, took over in 1993. His tenure from 1993-1998 was star-crossed. The Tigers were 11-0 in 1993 (when he was national Coach of the Year) and 47-17-1 overall. But the unbeaten 1993 team was on probation, did not play in a bowl, and therefore did not win the national championship that his father's Seminole team did win.

Consensus All-Americans of the 1990s were Wayne Gandy, Terry Daniel, and Brian Robinson. Tommy Tuberville took over the program in 1999, improving them from 5-6 his first year to 13-0 in 2004. Despite the gaudy record and a 16-13 win over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, the Tigers finished second behind Southern California, who captured their second straight national title that season. It was frustrating for Tiger fans, who experienced two unbeaten, untied seasons in eleven years but no national championship trophy to show for it. Consensus All-Americans in the 2000s have included Damon Duval and Carlos Rogers. Tuberville was the AFCA Coach of the Year in 2004. Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown were both first round selections. Jason Campbell established himself as one of Auburn's best quarterbacks.

SIXTEEN

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

"How 'bout them Dawgs?"

You want tradition? As far back as 1895, none other than Glenn "Pop" Warner coached them. "How 'bout them Dawgs?"

University of Georgia

### Athens, Georgia

Founded: 1785

Enrollment: 24,814

Colors: Red and black

Stadium: Sanford Stadium (opened: 1929; capacity: 92,746)

All-time record (1892-2006): 702-378-54

Bowl record: 23-16-3 (through 2006)

National championships: 1980

Southeastern Conference championships: 12

Heisman Trophies: Frank Sinkwich (1942), Herschel Walker (1982)

Outland trophies: Bill Stanfill (1968)

First round NFL draftees: 24

Website: www.georgiadogs.com

Notable alumni: U.S. Senator Phil Gramm; actress Kim Basinger; Georgia Pacific Corporation chairman Pete Correll; PBS president Pat Mitchell; Church's Chicken president Hala Moddelmog; TV journalist Deborah Norville

A statement about Georgia and patriotism in the Deep South is embodied by the fact that the school fielded no football teams between 1917 and 1918. While other colleges at least fielded representative teams playing limited schedules, so heavy was Georgia volunteerism in World War I that they did not play at all.

Georgia played "second fiddle" to Georgia Tech throughout the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s. They joined the Southeastern Conference in 1933, but their bid to demonstrate prowess on a national level was curtailed by embarrassing 60-0 and 31-0 losses at USC. Incredibly, these games had the effect of eventually making Georgia an "all-Dixie" team. After playing UCLA in the 1943 Rose Bowl, Georgia hardly ever – to this day – ventured north of the Mason-Dixon Line again. This includes bowl games.

In 1965 Georgia traveled to Ann Arbor to play Michigan. That is the last game they have played outside of the South . . . period! No bowls. Nothin'. They are a great program, but the mandatory demerits accompanying this fact are enormous. It is also sad. Southern teams helped to make the Rose Bowl what it is. Racial politics are the primary reason teams like Georgia crawled into a hole, but that certainly is not an excuse after 1970.

Georgia's Super Bowl MVPs (3)

Jake Scott (1973), Terrell Davis (1998), Hines Ward (2006)

Consensus All-Americans of the 1920s and 1930s were Tom Nash and Vernon Smith. The 1942 Bulldogs featured Heisman Trophy-winning back Frank Sinkwich, a two-time consensus All-American. They beat UCLA, 9-0 in Pasadena and claimed the national championship of some systems. Ohio State, the AP champion, is considered the legitimate winner that year. The 1942 Bulldogs have been credited with arousing the interest of a young Southern boy in football. His name is Keith Jackson. As in "Whoa, Nellie!" Keith Jackson.

Back Charley Trippi was a consensus All-American in 1946. In 1959 the 'Dawgs were 10-1 with a 14-0 Orange Bowl triumph over Missouri. Vince Dooley took over in 1964. In 1966 Georgia was 10-1 with a 24-9 Cotton Bowl victory over SMU. Ed Chandler made consensus All-American in 1967 and Bill Stanfill won the 1968 Outland Trophy. Jake Scott, a consensus 1968 All-American, became one of the greatest defensive backs of all time, part of Miami's famed "No Name Defense" in 1972. Royce Smith headed the 1971 team which was 11-1, posted four shutouts, allowing three points (in one game), and seven points (in four games).

Georgia's Associated Press NFL Players of the Year (2)

Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota QB (1975), Terrell Davis, Denver RB (1998)

Led by consensus All-Americans Herschel Walker and Terry Hoage, the 1980 Bulldogs are the greatest team in school history. Walker stands out as the best player the program has ever produced and one of the finest collegiate running backs ever. He captured the 1982 Heisman before a career first in the USFL and later in the National Football League. His 1982 team was denied the national title when Penn State beat them, 27-23 in the Sugar Bowl. Kevin Butler, Jeff Sanchez, Pete Anderson, and Tim Worley all made consensus All-American in the 1980s. Dooley, a legend who probably could have been elected governor, retired after the 1988 campaign with a 201-77-10 (.715) record over fourteen years.

#### Associated Press NFL Offensive Players of the Year (3)

Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota QB (1975), Terrell Davis, Denver RB (1996, 1998),

Garrison Hearst, Champ Bailey and Matt Stinchcomb all made consensus in the 1990s. David Pollack and Thomas Davis earned those honors in the following decade, when Mark Richt took the program to new heights. Pollack was an extraordinary defensive back. While Richt has yet to win the national title Dooley did, his reign has been one of the best in school history. In 2002 the Bulldogs were 13-1, losing only to Florida in "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." Georgia won the SEC title with a 30-3 pasting of Arkansas at the Georgia Dome followed by a convincing 26-13 beating of Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.

SEVENTEEN

UCLA BRUINS

UCLA is an enigma. They enjoy some of the greatest advantages imaginable, yet have not truly taken advantage of them to the fullest extent. They are located in one of the best neighborhoods, smack dab in the middle of Los Angeles, California; a city, a state, a region that is head and shoulders above the rest of the world when it comes to producing athletes.

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

Founded: 1919

Enrollment: 25,715

Colors: Blue and gold

Nickname: Bruins

Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (opened: 1923, capacity: 92,000)

1982-2007: Rose Bowl (opened: 1922; capacity: 91,136)

All-time record (1919-2006): 528-346-37

Bowl record: 13-14-1 (through 2006)

National championships: 1954

Pacific-10 championships: 17

Heisman Trophies: Gary Beban (1967)

Outland Trophies: Jonathan Ogden (1995), Kris Farris (1998)

First round NFL draftees: 28

Website: www.uclabruins.com

Notable alumni: Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley; Hawaii Governor Benjamin Cayetano; Los

Angeles County Supervisors Yvonne Burke and Zev Yaroslavsky; Watergate figures H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman; Nobel Prize-winning diplomat Dr. Ralph Bunche; Nobel Laureate chemist R. Bruce Merrifield; Nobel Prize-winning economist William Sharpe; Academy Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola; director Rob Reiner; producers Harve Bennett and Frank Marshall; actors James Dean, Carol Burnett, Beau Bridges, Lloyd Bridges, Tim Robbins, Corbin Bernson, Michael Warren and George Takei; Academy Award-winning cinematographer Dean Cundey; Academy Award-winning composer John Williams; Grammy Award-winning singer Marilyn McCoo; singer/composer Randy Newman; Tony Award-winning composer John Rubinstein; Emmy Award-winning producer Gene Reynolds; Emmy Award-winning television journalist Sylvia Chase; television journalists Linda Alvarez and Tricia Toyota; Rhodes Scholar Steven Muller; Columbia/Tri-Star chairman Mark Canton; Walt Disney Television President David Neuman; Hollywood agent Michael Ovitz; Hollywood columnist Army Archerd; animator William Silverman; The Doors' Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek and John Densmore; astronauts Walter Cunningham and Anna Lee Fisher; astronomer Fred L. Whipple; California Supreme Court Associate Justice John Arguelles; Judge Dorothy Wright Nelson; Caltech president Thomas Everhart; Rockwell International CEO Sam Iocobellis Sr.; Great Western CEO James F. Montgomery; Suntory president Nobutada Saji; photographer Robert Glenn Ketcham; submarine explorer Waldo K. Lyon; civil rights activist Rachel Robinson; sports agent Scott Boras; American League President Dr. Bobby Brown; basketball Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton and Gail Goodrich; basketball players Walt Hazzard, Jamaal Wilkes, Sidney Wicks, Marquess Johnson, Dave Meyers, Curtis Rowe, Kiki Vandeweghe, Keith Erickson, Reggie Miller, Baron Davis, Matt Barnes, and Lucius Allen; women's basketball player Ann Meyers; Olympians Rafer Johnson, C. K. Yang, Jackie Joyner-Kersey, Donna de Varona, Charles Dumas, Dwight Stones, Shirley Babashoff, Brain Goodell, Kerri Strug, Lisa Fernandez, Mike Powell, Dot Richardson, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Gail Devers, Russ Hodge, Greg Foster, Donald Barksdale, Natalie Williams, John Smith, Sinjin Smith, Karch Kiraly, Evelyn Ashford and James E. Lu Valle; baseball players Troy Glaus, Chris Chambliss, Tim Leary, Eric Karros, Todd Zeile and Shane Mack; tennis players Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors; gymnast Mitch Gaylord; volleyball player Liz Mazakayan; swimmer Brain Goodell; skier Jill Kinmont; golfer Corey Pavin

Look at the college sports success of the region and the state. Historically number one in: football (USC or Notre Dame), basketball (UCLA), baseball (USC), track (USC, followed by UCLA), Olympians (USC and UCLA, a virtual tie), tennis (Stanford, followed by USC and UCLA), volleyball (UCLA followed by USC), soccer (University of San Francisco or St. Louis University), rugby and rowing (California), water polo (UCLA, California, Stanford), swimming (USC or Indiana), and women's volleyball (USC).

Most men's national championships: USC, UCLA and Stanford in that order. Most NCAA men's individual champions: USC. Women's basketball: Stanford is probably in the top four, behind Tennessee; USC likely in the top six or ten. Most overall men's and women's national championships: UCLA, Stanford and USC. Best high school football programs: De La Salle of Concord, California; followed by Long Beach (California) Poly; and Mater Dei of Santa Ana, California. Prep basketball: Mater Dei, L.A. Crenshaw and L.A. Verbum Dei are probably all in the top five or ten behind DeMatha of Maryland. Prep baseball: San Mateo (California) Serra, Larkspur (California) Redwood, Lakewood (California) and San Diego Rancho Bernardo, just to name a few.

Most big league baseball players: by college (USC, followed by UCLA at number two), by state (California) and by high school (L.A. Fremont). Most pro basketball players by college (UCLA) and by state (California). Most pro football players by college (USC and Notre Dame), by state (California) and by high school (Long Beach, California Poly).

This could go on for several pages. The premise is established to the point where all argument simply subsides. The point is that when you have a great campus, great weather, great academics, great facilities, a great neighborhood, great night life, beautiful girls, inviting beaches minutes away, and myriad other advantages, combined with all that talent right there in their backyard, UCLA's football team should have a lot more than one national title (1954).

For that matter, as good as USC is in football, considering that they possess virtually all the same advantages (with the exception of the great neighborhood), even they might be considered slightly underperforming with "only" eleven titles. If one compares all the athletic championships and champions from both UCLA and USC, then proffers the theory that they should dominate in football as they dominate in those other sports, then these two neighbors should have thirty national football titles between them.

USC is an enigma in basketball. Obviously UCLA became the dominant hoops team in the nation, but just as North Carolina consistently competes with Duke, so too should USC have stayed closer to UCLA. They have no national titles to show for themselves. The same can be said not only of UCLA football but UCLA baseball, which despite producing the second-most big league ball players (behind only USC), they have never won the College World Series.

But the Pacific-10 Conference, previously known as the PCC, the AAWU and the Pac-8, is historically the greatest football, basketball, baseball, track and overall athletic conference in America. In the 1990s and 2000s, the SEC has been better. Other leagues are now at least as good in football as well as other sports. But overall the Pac-10 has the most national titles in football (19 to 16 each for the SEC and Big 10), and so many more in all sports as to create one list for themselves, another for the "also-rans."

Whether or not UCLA is a historic under-achiever, they do have a fine football history, and are one of the reasons the Pac-10 can claim its high standing. The Bruins are a legitimate college power, worthy of a place among College Footbal's All-Time Top 25 Traditions.

UCLA originally opened as the University of California, Southern Branch on Vermont Avenue between downtown L.A. and Hollywood in 1919. They quickly outgrew their digs and began looking for a better location. It was announced that the new campus would be built in Westwood, located next to Bel-Air a few miles from Santa Monica beach.

"Nobody will go to school way out there," critics said. There was mostly farmland west of Western Avenue.

Ironically, while the school had enough room back then to build a stadium larger than one of those mammoth South American soccer arenas on their sprawling campus, they chose to play at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. This meant driving to the USC campus and walking past all of the Trojan shrines on the way to "home" games. Over time, surrounding Westwood, Santa Monica, Culver City and environs grew so dramatically that now there is no suitable location for a campus stadium.

The key to UCLA's athletic success began early. In the 1920s a black basketball player named Ralph Bunche played there. Bunche went on to earn first a doctorate, then the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to mediate a peace (albeit not a lasting one) between Israel and Palestine in the immediate aftermath of Israel's creation in the late 1940s.

Completely dwarfed by national powerhouse Southern California (UCLA was blown out 76-0 and 52-0 in their first two tries against USC), the series was discontinued by mutual decree. Then something funny happened. UCLA played catch-up by recruiting the great black athletes who lived in the Los Angeles region. In the 1930s, this meant Jackie Robinson, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode. Robinson later broke baseball's color barrier as a Hall of Famer with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Washington was also an Olympic sprinter. Strode played the black gladiator who sacrifices himself so Kirk Douglas can live in Spartacus.

UCLA became a winning team. USC briefly fell on hard times. USC agreed to resume the series (the Bruins had been in the Pacific Coast Conference since 1928) because the game promised to be a draw at the gate. In 1936 the Bruins stunned Troy, tying them 7-7. In 1939 (with Robinson, Washington and Strode), they tied the national champion Trojans again, 0-0. The games between UCLA and USC in the 1930s had a profound sociological effect. Upwards of 70,000 football fans sat in the Coliseum watching integrated teams playing on the green plains below. It was a statement above and beyond any protest, march or boycott!

UCLA tied USC again in 1941, 7-7. The Bruins finally broke through in 1942 with a 14-7 win over their cross-town rivals, who had to admit that they were rivals. That propelled the Bruins into the Rose Bowl. Powerful Georgia, led by running back Frank Sinkwich, overwhelmed them, 9-0. UCLA's quarterback, Bob Waterfield, went on to great stardom with the Los Angeles Rams. His girlfriend caused a bigger stir; typical of that touch of Hollywood glamour that has always shone brightly at UCLA. Her name was Jane Russell, the focus of Howard Hughes's notorious obsession with her ample breasts in The Outlaw, later Marilyn Monroe's co-star in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Under coach Bert LaBrucherie, led by consensus All-American Burr Baldwin, UCLA was 10-0 in the 1946 regular season. This included a 13-6 triumph over USC and an 18-0 victory over Nebraska. The final AP poll ranked them fourth, but both Notre Dame and Army tied each other and were not playing in a bowl game. If the Bruins could beat Illinois in the first-ever PCC-Big 10 Rose Bowl match-up, then they could argue bragging rights. The Bruins instead got a lesson in Big 10 toughness and (their) overconfidence when the Illini smothered them, 45-14.

In 1949, arguably UCLA's greatest coach arrived in Westwood. Henry "Red" Sanders was a Southern man charged with coaching the most integrated program in the country.

"Yes, I'm prejudiced," Sanders stated, "in favor of the player who can block, tackle and run fast."

Sanders immediately recognized that the USC-UCLA battle was on par with any of the big rivalries in the country.

"The USC-UCLA game isn't a matter of life and death," he opined, "it's more important than that."

Sanders coached from 1949-1957, compiling a 66-19-1 (.773) record that included one national championship (1954) and two Rose Bowls. Consensus All-Americans on his watch included Donn Moomaw, Paul Cameron, Jack Ellena, Hardiman Cureton, and Dick Wallen. Moomaw became a respected Christian pastor. Sanders was 5-4 against the Trojans, including a 34-0 rout before a crowd of more than 100,000 at the Coliseum in 1954.

Sanders was a true character who liked to pull a cork and chase skirts. He met his 1958 demise "John Garfield style," via a heart attack in a Sunset Strip brothel. His coaching contemporary was John Wooden, a family man who did not drink, smoke or seemingly have any vices.

"We were different kind of people," Wooden said diplomatically when asked about Sanders.

In 1954, the Bruins were 9-0, pitching an extraordinary five shutouts. In two games they allowed seven points and in one game allowed six. They won a thriller over Washington, 21-20. Aside from dismantling Troy 34-0, they beat Stanford 72-0, Oregon State 61-0, and Oregon 41-0 to claim the national championship.

In 1955, Sanders met his match in the form of multi-purpose quarterback Ronnie Knox. Knox was one of the most unusual athletes ever; a symbol of the "flaky" California athlete who remains a staple of popular mythology to this day.

Knox's real father was a rocket scientist. He had a sister. His parents were divorced. His mother then married a wealthy Jewish car salesman from Beverly Hills named Harvey Knox. The man was intimately involved in every aspect of his "children's" lives, to the point of obsession. The daughter was a budding ingenue and singer. The old man would buy every seat in the theatre, then hand the tickets out to prospective theatregoers, trying to assure a packed house. He attempted to bribe critics and manipulate press coverage.

That was nothing compared with the "son." Ronnie began at Beverly Hills High School. The "father" decided that Beverly Hills did not run a passing offense suitable to Ronnie's talents, so he transferred him to Santa Monica High. Same thing, so his junior year he transferred to Palisades. The coach and the "father" argued, so it was off to Inglewood High, where Knox was the state Player of the Year.

Ronnie then headed to Berkeley on a full ride scholarship to play for legendary California coach Pappy Waldorf. The "father" quickly made himself a resident of Berkeley, too, assumed the role of de facto "advisor" to Waldorf on how best to use Ronnie. This did not suit Waldorf. By mutual decision Ronnie left Cal and transferred to UCLA. The hard-nosed Sanders was probably the last guy who would want a prima donna like Knox, except that Knox was not really the prima donna. The problem was the old man, and besides, Knox could run and pass with the best of them.

Ronnie had blonde hair and resembled movie star Troy Donahue. UCLA's coeds went gaga for him, but he was shy, cowed by his "father's" overwhelming shadow. In 1955, he immediately made his mark, engineering UCLA to a 21-0 win over Bear Bryant and Texas A&M. After the game, Harvey went on and on to the press about how great Ronnie was. Sanders was asked, "Did you doubt his ability?" His one-word answer: "No."

Ronnie injured his leg at mid-season but returned for the Rose Bowl, a thrilling loss to Michigan State. Ronnie was considered one of the best players in the country, just a sophomore with two more years of eligibility. But Harvey immediately started talking about what a great professional Ronnie would make, how he was risking the loss of big money if he got injured playing college ball, and so forth. Sanders was fed up, all but telling "father" and "son" to "take a hike." Then Knox announced that he "hated" football, was not cut out for physical contact, certainly disliked all the yelling, and was dropping out of school not to pursue a pro football career, but because he had signed a movie contract with MGM.

Beach boy Ronnie was no Laurence Olivier, or even Troy Donahue for that matter. The acting experiment quickly fizzled out. Then he went to play in the Canadian Football League, where he was briefly brilliant but it did not last. He played for the Chicago Bears, but not surprisingly his act (and Harvey's) did not impress George Halas. Ronnie returned to Southern California.

In 1960, Sid Gillman was starting up the new Los Angeles Chargers' franchise in the American Football League. There was only one quarterback Gillman wanted to run his high-powered, new-style passing schemes: Ronnie Knox. The problem was that nobody knew where he was. A manhunt ensued.

"I found him living in a tent on Venice Beach," recalled Gillman. "He was covered by towels, had birds living in there with him. He had long hair and a beard and was like some guru on top of a mountain in the Himalayas."

Gillman tried to entice Ronnie with a nice contract offer and visions of the aerial circus that eventually was the AFL. Ronnie told him he was done with football and that was that. Ronnie lived for years at Venice Beach, in and out of actual housing. He became a well-known "local institution." People would periodically come looking for him. All they had to do was ask locals where Ronnie Knox was, or "that guy who played in the Rose Bowl." With a little luck he could be found. In the 1980s the L.A. Times did a portrait of the "poet of Venice." Ronnie wrote beautiful poetry; so beautiful that with a little moxie he could have made money off his writings, but he eschewed such bourgeoisie.

The sister? One rumor was that she became a Sunset Strip hooker, but that apparently was just a rumor. A more accurate story had her marrying into wealth in Hawaii, but this was years ago and developments beyond that are less known.

The Knox-Sanders story was just part of some very weird days on the Westwood campus. With the G.I. Bill, many servicemen came to school with money in their pockets. California real estate skyrocketed in the 1950s. Rents exploded, especially in Westwood. Slush funds were created by boosters at UCLA, USC, Washington, Stanford and California, helping football players handle these high rents at off-campus apartments. The NCAA started to investigate, starting with Stanford. Knowing that they would get caught red-handed, and knowing that all of their PCC competition was doing the same thing, Stanford turned "state's evidence," so to speak. They "snitched" on their rivals. The NCAA re-focused their investigation on the other schools while leaving Stanford alone as a reward for "self-reporting."

It broke USC, took much of Washington's thunder away just as they were getting good, all but de-escalated the focus on sports at California, and set the PCC years back. They had finally started to catch up to the Big 10, establishing themselves as a major conference again after many down years.

But UCLA managed to keep winning. Quarterback Billy Kilmer was a youthful version of Sanders. He came to UCLA from the Los Angeles suburbs, which were growing by leaps and bounds. He was a wild "party animal" who loved all those UCLA coeds, and would "throw his fists" at the drop of a hat. On the field, he "ate nails for breakfast." What he lacked in ability he made up for in guts, toughness and leadership.

Kilmer went to the San Francisco 49ers, where he was used as a runner/passer in Red Hickey's successful-yet-short-lived "shotgun" offense. After bouncing around pro football for a decade, Kilmer replaced the strong-armed Sonny Jurgensen as Washington's quarterback. Kilmer's passes were described as "dying quails" and by this time he could no longer run. But coach George Allen liked his stubborn toughness. Together, they led the "over the hill gang" Redskins to the 1973 Super Bowl, where they were beaten by the unbeaten Dolphins in Kilmer's old "stomping grounds," the Coliseum.

What did the Bruins in was the untimely and embarrassing demise of Sanders, followed by John McKay's arrival at USC in the early 1960s. UCLA saw all their football prestige lost to the national champion Trojans, but in 1965 Sander's former assistant, the Tennessee-bred Tommy Prothro, took over the program. That first year was one of the most memorable in Bruin football annals.

Led by Heisman Trophy-winning running back Mike Garrett, Southern California dominated UCLA for fifty minutes. USC lost two fumbles in the third quarter but seemed to have it won with a 16-6 lead and four minutes left. Then Bruin linebacker Dallas Grider forced USC quarterback Troy Winslow into a fumble, recovered by UCLA. Sophomore quarterback Gary Beban hit Dick Witcher with a touchdown pass to narrow it to 16-13. On the ensuring on-side kick, Grider recovered the fumbled ball. Beban hit Kurt Altenburg for a 52-yard game-winning touchdown, 20-16.

"John McKay said that game hurt more than any he ever coached," said Jim Perry, the co-writer of his autobiography McKay: A Coaches Story. "He watched film of that game at least once a week for years afterwards, thought about it as he went to sleep. He particularly disliked the notion in the press that Prothro was smarter than he was.

" 'I guess he was smarter than me on those two fumbles,' he would say."

The writers started calling UCLA the "gutty little Bruins." USC called them the "little Bruins" but the word before that, which started with an "s" and also ended with a "y," was not "gutty." The victory propelled UCLA into the Rose Bowl, but what awaited them in Pasadena was enough to make a grown man tremble. The unbeaten, untied, number one-ranked Michigan State Spartans were coached by Duffy Daugherty and led by the monumental defensive end Bubba Smith. They were seemingly unbeatable.

Then Daugherty made the mistake of housing his free-spirited group in a monastery somewhere in the mountains above Los Angeles. Just finding a monastery in the mountains above L.A., while avoiding the likes of the Manson family or whatever 1960s crazies might have been camped out up there, was an achievement.

Smith got totally spooked, unable to sleep. At night the wind blew his windows open. The night sounds of exotic birds, flapping shutters and wolves drove him nuts. The fog drifted in, making it look like a combination of a Boris Karloff movie and the Passover scene when Moses was preparing to flee Egypt.

By the time the Spartans arrived at the Rose Bowl they were ordinary human beings. Then there were the "verbal humiliations." Michigan State was openly confident, expressing to the Los Angeles press just how they would handle little UCLA. Every juicy sentence was posted on a bulletin board in UCLA's dressing room, firing them all up.

Beban engineered a ball control offense. UCLA led 14-6 with thirty-one seconds to play. Michigan State scored, then tried a two-point conversion for the tie. Two defensive players, Bobby Stiles and future coach Terry Donahue, made key tackles in the game. They barely weighed 300 pounds between. Stiles, who weighed 175 pounds, was knocked unconscious in making the stop on the two-point try, saving the 14-12 victory.

"Bobby sacrificed his life <figuratively>, and we had what we thought was the biggest upset ever," recalled Beban.

In 1966 UCLA was 9-1 with a 14-7 win over USC, but somehow the Trojans got the Rose Bowl bid. In 1967, all the forces of football creation came together in one unforgettable gridiron moment, which all things considered may be the biggest game ever played.

On November 18 number one UCLA met number four USC. The winner of the game would be the AP and UPI national champ, still decided in pre-bowl fashion by both polls. The AP switched it back that way after briefly voting after bowls. The game would also decide who would win the AAWU championship and go to the Rose Bowl. Naturally, city bragging rights were at stake as always. But it was the final factor that marked this as a game to be recognized above almost all others.

UCLA's senior quarterback, Beban was the leading contender for the Heisman Trophy. USC junior running back O. J. Simpson was his only strong competition. In what some still say is the biggest sporting event in Los Angeles history, the two stars were San Franciscans; Beban the son of a longshoreman, O. J. the son of a single mother from Potrero Hill.

Beban played the greatest game of his life, passing for over 300 yards. O. J. rambled for a game-winning 64-yard touchdown run that still tingles the spine of all Trojans. It brings dread to the hearts of all Bruins. Afterward, the L.A. press turned it from a football game into something more akin to Homer or Shakespeare. Supposedly, as O. J. was running like the wind past him, Prothro turned to an assistant remarking, "Only man can catch him's runnin' interference for him." That was Olympic sprinter and teammate Earl McCullough.

The press also quoted McKay saying at the same time, "McCullough's the only one who can catch him and he's blockin' for him."

Hmmmm.

Either way, it was the closest UCLA would come to a national championship since 1954, but their hearts would be broken again. On November 22, 1969 both UCLA and USC were unbeaten when they met in a night game at the Coliseum. A high school football player named Pete Carroll sat in the stands watching and dreaming. Both teams were still in the hunt for national championships, since earlier that day Ohio State was upset by Michigan. Everything at stake in 1967 was on the line again in 1969, with the exception of the Heisman Trophy.

UCLA quarterback Dennis Dummitt led his team to a 12-7 lead with three minutes left in the fourth quarter. Trojan quarterback Jimmy Jones was having a terrible night, having completed only one pass. He then completed three, but on a desperate fourth down try overthrew his receiver. It looked to be over, except that the official threw a controversial flag (still disputed in Westwood) on the Bruins' Ken Graham. Given reprieve with 1:32 left to play, Jones hit Sam Dickerson in the corner of the end zone with a 32-yard game-winning touchdown. Despite being denied the Rose Bowl and possibly more, the 8-1-1 Bruins of 1969 may well be the best UCLA team ever; a real offensive juggernaut.

Consensus UCLA All-Americans of the 1960s included Mel Farr (who would go on to star with the Detroit Lions), Don Manning and Mike Ballou. They also produced the great Jimmy Johnson, an All-Pro with the San Francisco 49ers whose brother Rafer, a UCLA track and basketball star, was the hero of the 1960 Olympics.

Pepper Rodgers took over in 1971. Excellent UCLA teams were overshadowed by majestic USC teams. In 1972, UCLA upset Nebraska, 20-17 in the season opener at the L.A. Coliseum. The victory ended a 32-game Cornhusker unbeaten streak. The Bruins' hero was veer/option quarterback Mark Harmon. Harmon was the son of Michigan Heisman Trophy legend Tom Harmon, who was in the broadcast booth announcing the game.

Mark, a handsome son of a gun, was voted the "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine in 1986. Much more than just a pretty face, Harmon enjoyed a highly successful acting career as a surgeon on St. Elsewhere, a teacher in Summer School, a cop in The Presidio, and the eerie portrayal of serial killer Ted Bundy in The Deliberate Stranger.

Kermit Johnson was a consensus All-American in 1973. Dick Vermeil became their coach and on January 1, 1976 led UCLA to another enormous Rose Bowl upset, 23-10 over number one Ohio State. Quarterback John Sciarra, a consensus pick, was the game's MVP. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles. Vermeil left UCLA and took over the Eagles. Terry Donahue replaced him.

Between 1976 and 1995, Donahue was 151-74-8 (.665). After losing his first four games to Southern Cal, he managed a career 10-9 record against USC. This included three straight victories over the Trojans from 1982 to 1985, then five straight between 1991 and 1995. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, Donahue is the winningest coach in Pac-10 Conference (ninety-eight) and UCLA (151 victories) history. He was 8-4-1 in bowl games, became the first coach to win seven straight bowls, and was 3-1 in Rose Bowls.

#### UCLA's Super Bowl MVP

Troy Aikman (1993)

Consensus All-Americans under Donahue were Jerry Robinson (who went on to an All-Pro career with the Eagles), Kenny Easley (a star in Seattle), Tim Wrightman (Bears), Don Rogers, John Lee (considered one of the greatest place-kickers ever), Darryl Henley, Carlton Gray, J. J. Stokes, Bjorn Merten, Jamir Miller, and Jonathan Ogden (1995 Outland Trophy winner). Two of Donahue's all-time greatest players teamed up as All-Pros on Dallas Cowboy Super Bowl champions: linebacker Ken Norton and Quarterback Troy Aikman.

#### UCLA's Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year

Kenny Easley, Seattle S (1984)

Between 1991 and 1998 UCLA beat USC eight consecutive times. In 1998 the unbeaten Bruins played at Miami in the final game of the season. It was a golden opportunity to compete in the BCS championship game, but they were denied by the Hurricanes; not to mention the hurricane, which had post-poned the game to December and given Miami a chance to improve. It was a wild score, 49-45. Under coach Bob Toledo (1996-2001), consensus All-Americans included 1998 Outland winner Kris Farris, Chad Overhauser, Cade McNown, Fred Mitchell, and Robert Thomas.

Dave Ball made consensus in 2003. Under coach Pete Carroll, USC took firm control over the city again. USC beat UCLA seven straight times while establishing themselves as one of college football's all-time greatest dynasties. Under Karl Dorrell, UCLA faces an uphill road. California, for years a doormat, has taken UCLA's traditional place as the main conference challenge to USC. But in the 1960s and early 1970s, the USC-UCLA rivalry was as good as any in the nation. UCLA established themselves as a major national power. Under Terry Donahue, they regained that position. Their history is dotted with ups and downs; they are not as dominant in football as in other sports and remain a "basketball school"; but this is a program with the potential to explode.

Bear Bryant always viewed Florida, because of the many natural advantages they possessed, as a "sleeping giant" just waiting to assert themselves as a dominating collegiate football superpower. All they needed, Bryant said, was "the right man." Eventually, they found Steve Spurrier, then Urban Meyer. They promise to shine brightly for years to come. If UCLA ever finds "the right man" – a football version of John Wooden? – then watch out! We will all "hail the blue and gold."

NUMBER EIGHTEEN

PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

If somebody had written College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions in 1950, the Pittsburgh Panthers of the first half of the twentieth century would be in the top ten, perhaps even in the top five.

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Founded: 1787

Color: Blue and gold

Nickname: Panthers:

Stadium: Heinz Field (opened: 2001; capacity: 65,000)

All-time record (1890-2006): 639-464-42

Bowl record: 10-14 (through 2006)

National championships: 1937, 1976

Big East Conference championships: 1

Heisman Trophies: Tony Dorsett (1976)

Outland Trophies: Mark May (1980)

First round NFL draftees: 21

Website: www.pittsburghpanthers.com

Notable alumni: Pittsburgh Steelers' announcer Myron Cope; Philadelphia 76ers'

President Pat Croce; female NBA referee Dee Kantner; dancert/actor/singer Gene Kelly; conductor Lorin Maazel; TV inventor Vladimir Zworykin

In 2008 whether they are ranked as "low" as eighteenth is highly debatable. After all, they represent western Pennsylvania, which was commonly thought of as the "football capital of America" before California's "gold mines," sunsplashed Florida fields and Texas prep dynasties were yielding their full crops of fruit. There are many programs in the SEC and throughout the country that might be considered historically better, but outside of USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and few others, Pittsburgh has given us as many big names as any collegiate program. These include Jock Sutherland, Mike Ditka, Dave Wannstedt, Tony Dorsett, Mark May, Hugh Green, Dan Marino, Bill Fralic and Larry Fitzgerald.

California, Stanford and to a lesser extent Georgia Tech all built their historical traditions largely on great years during or shortly after World War I, with fairly big drop-offs as the modern era became more modern. Pitt was a juggernaut during these years and, after a drop-off period, rebounded to great height in the 1970s and 1980s. In recent seasons they have been pretty good but not among the cream of the crop.

It starts with Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner. His first three teams from 1915 to 1917 were undefeated (26-0), outscoring opponents 762-17. Many systems credit them with the 1916 national championship; others give it to Oregon on the strength of their Rose Bowl win over Penn. Pitt's consensus All-Americans prior to 1920 included Robert Peck, James Herron, Jock Sutherland, Dale Sies, Leonard Hilty, Tom Davies, George McLaren, and Herb Stein.

Jock Sutherland took over in 1924. In fourteen years at the helm he guided the Panthers to a 111-20-12 record. They won the 1937 national championship (shared with California). But as great as Pitt was, they did not uphold the prestige of Eastern football at a time in which the sporting press made a big deal of distinguishing what region indeed played the best brand of football.

His unbeaten 1927 team was beaten . . . by Stanford, coached now by Warner, 7-6 in the Rose Bowl. Twice unbeaten Pitt teams came to Pasadena to take on USC. Twice they were sent home in embarrassment by a combined score of 82-14. In 1935 Sutherland's squad got a measure of revenge when they traveled to Los Angeles for a regular season finale against the Trojans, emerging with a 12-7 win. On January 1, 1937 Sutherland again brought Pittsburgh to the Rose Bowl. The bus was pulling in to the Arroyo Seco when the coach told the driver to stop. The team departed and stood on a ridge overlooking the Rose Bowl.

"There it is, boys," announced Sutherland. "Sight of three of the worst days in Pittsburgh football history. Are we going to let that stand today?"

Fired up, the Panthers beat Washington, 21-0. In 1937 the 9-0-1 Panthers won the AP national title. Consensus All-Americans of the 1920s and 1930s included Gibby Welch, Mike Getto, Joe Donchess, Ray Montgomery, Jesse Quatse, Joe Skladany, Warren Heller, Charles Hartwig, George Shotwell, Averell Daniell, Tony Matisi, and Marshall Goldberg.

#### Pittsburgh's Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Dan Marino, Miami QB (1984)

Offensive innovator Clark Shaughnessy, who led Stanford to the 1940 national championship, coached at Pitt in the 1940s with no success. Pittsburgh football went on a long, long dry spell, although they did have some great players including consensus All-Americans Joe Walton, John Guzik, Mike Ditka, and Paul Marth. Ditka is considered one of the finest college tight ends of all time, and an even better pro for his Hall of Fame work with George Halas's Chicago Bears. He coached the Bears to the 1985 world championship before becoming a well-known TV pitchman and football analyst.

Johnny Majors took over in 1973, the year a heralded freshman from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania named Tony Dorsett arrived on campus. 6,526 yards later, Panther football was back on top. In 1976, Dorsett rushed for 2,150 yards to lead Pitt to a 12-0 record and the national championship. They opened with a 31-10 win at Notre Dame, closed the regular season with a 24-7 win over Penn State at Three Rivers Stadium, then capped it all with a 27-3 shellacking of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Dorsett won the Heisman Trophy and is considered by many to be the greatest college running back in history. He was the first draft pick by Dallas, immediately leading the Cowboys to the 1977 world championship on his way to a Hall of Fame NFL career.

Majors left to take over his alma mater, Tennessee. Jackie Sherrill replaced him. Al Romano, Randy Holloway, Bob Jury and Tony Brzoza were additional 1970s consensus All-Americans.

#### Panthers on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1913 6-2-1 6-2-1 (1913)

1914 8-1 F/2-0 10-2-1 (1913-14)

2-0 (1914)

1915 8-0 18-2-1 (1913-15)

10-0 (1914-15)

1916 8-0 26-2-1 (1913-16)

18-0 (1914-16)

1917 10-0 36-2-1 (1913-17) 40 games

28-0 (1913-17)

1918 4-1 S/4-0 40-3-1 (1913-18)

32-0 (1913-17)

Year Record Run

1979 11-1 11-1 (1979)

1980 11-1 22-2 (1979-80)

1981 11-1 33-3 (1979-81)

1982 9-3 S/7-0 42-6 (1979-82)

40-3 (1979-82)

37-3 (1979-80) 40 games

The Panthers were 11-1 three straight years (1979-1981). They were 50-9-1 overall during Sherrill's Pitt tenure between 1977-1981. This included a 4-1 bowl record. Mark May won the 1980 Outland Trophy and is a College Football Hall of Famer. He was a first round draft pick by Washington in 1981, enjoying a successful pro career before joining ESPN, where he is a highly popular in-studio analyst.

Three-time consensus All-American defensive lineman Hugh Green won the Maxwell Award in 1980, placing second to South Carolina's George Rogers for the Heisman. Most "all-time college football All-American teams" are not complete without Green's name in the line-up. Green was Tampa Bay's first round selection in the 1981 draft.

#### Pittsburgh's Associated Press Pro Football Players of the Year (2)

Joe Schmidt, Detroit LB (1960), Dan Marino, Miami QB (1984)

In 1982, quarterback Dan Marino completed a remarkable four-year career. Marino, who grew up in the shadow of the Pittsburgh campus, entered college as one of the most heralded blue chippers ever. Despite great success some felt he did not live up to expectations. Selected in the first round by Miami in 1983's "Year of the Quarterback" NFL Draft, Marino led the Dolphins into the Super Bowl in his record setting second year (1984). He went on to a fabulous Hall of Fame career before becoming a TV analyst.

Sal Sunseri, Jimbo Covert, Randy Dixon, Tony Woods, Craig Heyward and Mark Stepnoski were consensus All-Americans in the 1980s. Bill Fralic, a two-time selection (1983-1984) is considered one of the best collegiate interior linemen of all time. In succeeding years, consensus picks have included Brian Greenfield, Antonio Bryant and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was a 2003 Heisman finalist and Arizona's first choice in the 2004 NFL Draft following one of the finest college careers in history.

NINETEEN

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

If College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions were written in 1940; even in 1950 or 1960, the Minnesota Golden Gophers would probably be ranked in the top three or four. Only Notre Dame, USC, possibly Alabama, Oklahoma and Michigan, might have been rated higher.

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Founded: 1851

Enrollment: 28,740

Colors: Maroon and gold

Nickname: Golden Gophers

Stadium: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (opened: 1982; capacity: 64,171)

All-time record (1882-2006): 626-439-44

Bowl record: 5-7 (through 2006)

National championships: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, *1960

*Illegitimate; lost bowl game

Big 10 Conference championships: 18

Heisman Trophies: Bruce Smith (1941)

Outland Trophies: Tom Brown (1960), Bobby Bell (1962)

First round NFL draftees: 16

Website: www.gophersports.com

Notable alumni: Vice Presidents Hubert H. Humphrey and Walter Mondale; actress

Loni Anderson; transplant specialist Dr. Christiaan Barnard; Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks; golfer Tom Lehman; Pillsbury Corporation founder Alford Pillsbury; syndicated columnist Carl Rowan; NAACP executive director Roy Wilkins; New Age pianist Yanni (Chisomallis)

But Minnesota's football program fell into mediocrity after 1962, when Bobby Bell won the Outland Trophy. In the Big 10, Ohio State and Michigan have passed them by light years. How did this happen? Cold weather has not helped, although they play their games in the Metrodome. The modern athlete might not find the kind of "bells and whistles" in Minnesota that can be found in Los Angeles or Miami, but the school is located in a major city, which is more than can be said of Tuscaloosa, South Bend, Athens or any number of college towns.

In the beginning, however, Minnesota took to football like few schools in America. Between 1900 and 1905, they were 65-4-5, won one national championship and outscored opponents 2,702-121. Wow! A look at Minnesota's scores in this period looks like a misprint.

Minnesota All-Time Team

Compiled by sports information director Shane Sandersfield, 2005

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OL Ed Ed Widseth

OL Richard Wildung

OL Tom Brown

OL Ben Hamilton

WR Ron Johnson

WR Chatarius Atwell

TE Doug Kingsriter

QB Sandy Stephens

RB Bruce Smith

RB Paul Giel

RB Darrell Thompson

K Dan Nystrom

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DL Bronco Nagurski

DL Leo Nomellini

DL Bobby Bell

DL Carl Eller

LB Robert Stein

LB William Light

LB Jim Fahnhorst

DB Jeff Wright

DB Sean Lumpkin

DB Tyrone Carter

DB Willie Middlebrooks

P Adam Kelly

They were in the Western Conference but everybody just called it the Big 10 beginning in 1917 (it became official in 1987). Michigan took to the game with just as much fervor. Over at the University of Chicago Amos Alonzo Stagg had a dynasty going, too. Minnesota settled in as the game expanded beyond the Big 10 and the Ivy League. Stanford, California, Southern California, Washington, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, and Notre Dame took their place on the national stage. Michigan and Ohio State made bids to surpass the Golden Gophers. Then Bernie Bierman took over at Minnesota. Between 1934 and 1941 the Gophers won five national championships and went 8-0 in four of those seasons. Bud Wilkinson was the Golden Gophers' quarterback.

####

#### Golden Gophers on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1933 4-0-4 F/1-0 4-0-4 (1933)

1934 8-0 12-0-4 (1933-34)

9-0 (1933-34)

1935 8-0 20-0-4 (1933-35)

17-0 (1933-35)

1936 7-1 S/4-0 27-1-4 (1933-36)

26-1-4 (1933-36) 30 games

24-0-4 (1933-36)

21-0 (1933-36)

20-0 (1933-36) 20 games

1937 6-2 33-3-4 (1933-37) 40 games

Bierman had two stints at Minnesota, retiring after the 1950 season with a 93-35-6 (.716) record. One of the reasons Minnesota does not resonate in the national mind as the collegiate powerhouse they were was that they never went to a Rose Bowl under Bierman, even when the Big 10's arrangement with the game was made official starting with the 1947 contest. They were only 5-7 in bowl games through the 2006 season.

Consensus All-Americans have included such stalwarts as Fred Schacht, John McGovern, James Walker, Bert Baston, George Hauser, Ray Ecklund, Herb Joesting, the great Bronco Nagurski (a star with the Chicago Bears), Biggie Munn, Frank Larson, Bill Bevan, Pug Lund, Ed Widseth, Urban Odson, George Franck, 1941 Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith, Dick Wildung, Leo Nomellini (an All-Pro and Hall of Famer with the 49ers), Clayton Tonnemaker, Paul Giel, Tom Brown, Sandy Stephens, Bobby Bell, Carl Eller (an All-pro with the Vikings), Aaron Brown, Tyrone Carter and Ben Hamilton. However, only two of those (Carter and Hamilton) have come since 1965. Only sixteen Golden Gophers have been first round NFL Draft picks.

####

#### Minnesota's College Hall of Famers (18)

Clayton Tonnemaker 1946-1949

Tom Brown 1958-1960

Leo Nomellini 1946-1949

Bobby Bell 1960-1962

Bronko Nagurski 1927-1929

Ed Widseth 1934-1936

Dick Wildung 1940-1942

Bert Baston 1914-1916

Bobby Marshall 1904-1906

Keith Jackson 1984-1987

John McGovern 1908-1910

Sonny Franck 1938-1940

Paul Giel 1951-1953

Pug Lund 1932-1934

Bruce Smith 1939-1941

Herb Joesting 1925-1927

## Coaches

Bernie Bierman 1919-1950

Henry Williams 1900-1921

Murray Warmath took over the program in 1954. After going 2-7 in 1959, Minnesota rebounded to finish 8-1, capturing the pre-bowl 1960 AP and UPI "national championships" before it was illegitimatized by Washington's 17-7 victory over them in the Rose Bowl. Like most Big 10 and Pacific Coast schools, Minnesota was a front-runner in social progress. Sandy Stephens became the second major college black quarterback in 1960 (USC's Willie Wood was the first in 1957).

In 1961 Minnesota won the Big 10 Conference again. The Big 10's contract with the Rose Bowl had run out and was briefly not renewed. Alabama wanted to come to Pasadena but their segregated roster did not impress the powers that be. Ohio State actually turned down a bid. Minnesota then upheld conference tradition by coming out, becoming the only Big 10 team to make a repeat appearance before the "no-repeat" rule was done away with beginning with the 1973 game. The Golden Gophers beat UCLA, 21-3. Warmath's 1967 co-Big 10 champs are the last conference titleholders in Minnesota history.

TWENTY

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS

Ah, what is there to say about the University of California, or UC-Berkeley, or just plain old Berkeley, or even "Berzerkeley," all of which they have allowed themselves to be called? Here is a school located across the bay from a city, San Francisco, that would make it a capitol offense if people call it "Frisco," but at Berkeley anything goes. For true "old Blues," however, nothing short of California or Cal will do.

University of California

Berkeley, California

Founded: 1868

Enrollment: 22,880

Colors: Blue and gold

Stadium: Memorial Stadium (opened: 1923; capacity: 73,981)

All-time record (1882-2006): 602-459-51

Bowl record: 8-8-1 (through 2006)

Pacific-10 Conference championships: 14

First round NFL Draftees: 21

Website: www.calbears.com

Notable alumni: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren; California Chief Justice Rose

Bird; California state Supreme Court Justice Wiley Manuel; Judges Thelton Henderson and Lance Ito; California Governors Jerry Brown and Pete Wilson; Pakistan President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto; Oakland Mayor Lionel Wilson; Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean; Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara; FBI Director William Simon; CIA Director John McCone; Apple co-founder Stephen Wozniak; Bechtel Corporation founder Stephen Bechtel; Korean Airlines President Choon Kun Cho; The Gap CEO Don Fisher; Intel Corporation President/CEO Andrew Grove; Intel Corporation co-founder Gordon Moore; publisher William Randolph Hearst Jr.; heiress Patricia Hearst; Dean Witter founder Dean Witter; economist John Kenneth Galbraith; philanthropist Colonel Charles T. Travers; financier Michael Milken; Nobel Prize-winning chemists Thomas Cech and Yuan T. Lee; Nobel Prize-winning nuclear physicist Glenn Seaborg; scientist Willard Libby; World War II hero Jimmy Doolittle; civil rights activists Ida Jackson and Mario Savio; restaurateur Alice Waters; architect Julia Morgan; astronauts Leroy Chiao and Margaret Rhea Seddon; authors Jack London, Maxine Hong Kingston and Terry McMillan; Academy Award-winning actor Gregory Peck; actors Bill Bixby, Jerry Mathers and George Takei; 20th Century Fox chairman Peter Chernin; producer Mark Goodson; singers Susanna Hoffs, Adam Duritz and Stephan Jenkins; author Joan Didion; syndicated columnist Abigail Van Buren; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Marguerite Higgins; Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner; Oakland Athletics' owner Walter Haas Jr.; sports agent Leigh Steinberg; baseball scout Greg Zunino; University of California baseball coach Bob Milano; baseball players Jeff Kent, Andy Messersmith, Mike Epstein, Lance Blankenship, Jon Zuber, Xaxier Nady and Conor Jackson; basketball players Jason Kidd, Darrall Imhoff, Phil Chenier, Kevin Johnson, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Lamond Murray; Olympians Natalie Coughlin, Matt Biondi, Michele Granger and Mary T. Meagher; women's soccer player Joy (Biefeld) Fawcett; women's tennis player Helen Wills Moody Roark

Perhaps no college athletic department has wasted more natural gifts bestowed upon it by God than Cal. Memorial Stadium itself, voted on by numerous polls as the most beautiful setting in college football, is known as Strawberry Canyon. It has all the trappings of pure Manifest Destiny. This is the oldest college in the biggest, most populous state. Fair weather graces it year round.

Two big cities feed its system. At least until the 1940s, San Francisco was perhaps the finest producer of high school sports talent (particularly baseball players) in the nation. Berkeley is part of what is known as the East Bay, which also consists of Oakland, Alameda and the outlying suburbs of Concord, Walnut Creek and Orinda. The quality of athletes who have matriculated at East Bay high schools over the years is astonishing. Only regions such as Orange County and Los Angeles – and even this is questionable – have produced the kind of names associated with the East Bay: Bill Russell, Joe Morgan, Vada Pinson, Willie Stargell, Dontrelle Willis, Rickey Henderson, Dave Stewart, Dennis Eckersley, Paul Silas, Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Jackie Jensen, Ken Dorsey and Gino Torretta, just to name a few.

In the beginning, the great athletes of the East Bay, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, the San Joaquin Valley and southern California made their way to the Berkeley campus for good schooling, great football, and wholesome Americana. But somewhere along the way, an attitude began to infect Berkeley – the city and the college – inculcating its denizens with the pernicious notion that America was not good.

Berkeley had an Atomic scientist named Robert Oppenheimer, who headed America's "Manhattan Project." After the U.S. used "the bomb" in 1945, Oppenheimer had second thoughts. He looked around and saw that the U.S. was the only nation with "the bomb." This fact leads to a series of conclusions. One was that, in the history of humankind, if all previous empires and military powers – think the Persians, Romans, Nazis and Communists, just for starters – had they been the only nation to have "the bomb," they would have used it indiscriminately until all conceivable political and military opposition to them was wiped from the face of the planet. If the tables were turned and the Soviets alone had it, Joseph Stalin would have used it against America, England and everybody deemed an "enemy," which was just about anyone.

The next reasonable conclusion is based on the fact that years passed in which America alone possessed this weapon, but they neither used it nor threatened to use it, even when major opposition to its democratic ideals forced it to take drastic action (Berlin airlift, support of nationalist Taiwan in the face of the Chinese Communist revolution). This reasonable conclusion further manifested itself with the self-evident truth that the reason America did not use "the bomb" again was out of a sense of pure benevolence and goodness. This can otherwise be characterized in the notion that it saw itself as under the authority of a just God, and that a just God would consider such use wrong, therefore punishing us had we done it.

So, these reasonable conclusions were made apparent to Oppenheimer and millions of others, most of whom understood all of this to be evidence of American decency and goodness. Most, except Oppenheimer and an increasing number of people who, for varying reasons, congregated in greater and greater numbers in Berkeley, on and around the University of California campus. The pervasive theme surrounding these people was that America was not good.

Furthermore, Oppenheimer possessed knowledge that within the Soviet Union, and under the yoke of international Communism, some 20 million people had been murdered . . . by the Communists. With all of these facts and conclusions placed squarely in front of him, Oppenheimer nevertheless chose to approach the Communists and give them our precious Atomic secrets. Why? Because it seemed fair. Because America was not good. Incredibly – and there seems no way to understand this other than to acknowledge the influence of Satan – many people in Berkeley, in and around the University of California campus, agreed with Oppenheimer. They began a crusade that lasts to this day, bent on justifying the notion that America is not good, that it is not fair that one nation be so much stronger, better, more powerful and righteous than all other nations; and that somehow this thing called Communism, which kept on killing until the 20 million became 100 million; well, it really wasn't so bad after all. It just had not been done right. The first time.

Into this throw the athletic department, particularly the football program, at the University of California. All sports aficionados know that sports, while the most egalitarian of occupations, the place where race, religion and background mean less than any other, is nevertheless the least fair of endeavors. It is utterly Darwinian, a meatgrinder of unassailable truths, played right out in the open, in which one either fails or succeeds based on pure merit. It is the heart of competition, the kind that drives the entrepreneurial spirit. It thrives on discipline and respect for authority, but provides a beautifully compelling twin locus: individual glory combined with shared team success. All of these concepts, the idea that hard work begets success, that earned merit is rewarded, and that individual greatness is spotlighted in the form of Heisman Trophies, All-American plaques and, worst of all from the Socialist perspective, big NFL contracts, was over time made anathema to this new denizen of "Berzerkeley."

So it was that, slowly but surely, the University of California decided that instead of competing with symbols of American greatness like, say, the University of Southern California, they would disdain them, as if their ignominious defeats at the hands of such capitalists would not be made note of by millions who, at such time as they analyzed what they had seen, therefore concluded that UC-Berkeley was unimpressive.

Berkeley just went further and further into this disgraceful direction. When the Vietnam War hit and North Vietnam needed some public relations work done on their behalf, they were granted the following free gift: the Berkeley campus transformed into the de facto staging grounds of American Communism, right there in the home country of North Vietnam's enemies. Except that these Berkeleyites considered themselves to be friends of the "misunderstood" North Vietnamese, who history tells us contributed about 1 million of the 100 million murders committed by international Communism between 1917 and 1989. Most of those 1 million North Vietnamese murders were committed because the very thing Berkeley advocated, American disentanglement from Vietnam, actually did occur in 1975. Berkeley's "by proxy" friends, the Cambodian Communists of Pol Pot, contributed an additional 1.5 million murders between 1975 and 1979.

To date, Berkeley and all it stood for has never apologized for the role they played in all of this. Distressingly, what may not have been born in Berkeley but was given enough breathing space to grow like cancer there is a pervasive metastasis. Probably because human nature is what it is, this has spawned the idea not that this kind of activity needs to be apologized for, but rather needs to be justified! This is the heart of the modern "culture wars." These battles are continually fought over Christianity, abortion, military action, gun rights, patriotism, feminism, and what it means not just to be an American, but America's role in the world, past and present. Righteousness and freedom is called racism and genocide by these unimpressives.

It is an incredible tribute to America that, despite the best efforts of those embodied by this "Berkeley metastasis," the United States still won the Cold War. In the years since then, no longer able to ally themselves with an actual Communist country, and with Communism's horrors too obviously exposed, the Left instead has only an idea, which is not a new one. It is the old Oppenheimerism that America is not good. It is left for others to make note of these facts, possess knowledge of them, and expose it. In the mean time, a once-great sports institution became a laughing stock, but they were too blind to see it. However, it is a testament to the incredible amount of athletic talent in the San Francisco Bay Area, northern California, and the Golden State as a whole, that despite the one-time sports ethos at UC-Berkeley, Cal righted its ship, regaining some measure of respectability in this area.

After a long decline, Cal's football team has ranged from good to bad to excellent since 1990. Their track team actually won the 1971 NCAA championship (although they had to forfeit it due to academic ineligibility). Their baseball team has made it to several College World Series, and the basketball team a number of trips to the NCAA tournament. Cal women's athletics have produced many Olympians. Curiously, Cal has dominated such "elitist club sports" as rugby and rowing.

Despite all of their baggage, the University of California remains a great institution, attracting the best and the brightest in all fields of endeavor. Through all the years of turmoil and travail, patriotic and traditionalist "old Blues" have stuck to the course, fighting the bad influences that at one time overtook their beloved Cal. In the end they have prevailed as the guiding voices at Cal, particularly in athletic support.

Before all of that, however, there was unabashed, unapologized-for football glory at Cal. They started playing the game in 1882, a tradition almost as old as the one at Michigan. Over the years, Cal and Michigan have played several memorable games against each other, in the regular season and in the Rose Bowl. Their mutual color schemes resemble each other and account for both schools' alumni calling themselves "old Blues."

When Stanford came along Cal had a natural rival. The two schools pushed each other until they were both very good. The best football before World War I was played in the Pacific Northwest, by Washington, Washington State and Oregon. National championships and Rose Bowl wins came to all three of these "rough neck" schools, their growth spurred by pioneer populations settling there on the way to and from Alaska, where gold had been discovered in the Yukon and Klondike territories.

In 1916, the Pacific Coast Conference was formed, the Rose Bowl resumed, and after World War I football gained enormous popularity. A decision was made: a giant stadium would be built for the Rose Bowl. There was big money and prestige in football. Stanford built a huge stadium. California wanted its share of the pie. They hired a go-getter coach, Andy Smith and built a football palace of their own, not knowing that God would have the last laugh. It was erected smack dab on top of an enormous earthquake fault.

Smith looked around, trying to figure out how to make his teams stand out above the rest. It occurred to him that sleepy southern California was not so sleepy anymore. New citizens, new high schools, and new football prospects were filling up its vast canyons, valleys and basins faster than they could be counted. Smith saw that this was a twentieth century "California gold rush." He hired Nibs Price, a former San Diego high school coach who knew everybody on the prep football scene south of San Fernando. Price was put to work scouring the Southland, convincing football stars that their future lay at Cal. He was good at what he did; so good that one of the players recruited was already a USC star. Dan McMillan transferred to Cal where he became an All-American and College Hall of Famer for the Golden Bears.

Cal became the first college to actively "recruit" players. Until this time, try-outs would be held. Whoever from among the student body showed up was given a chance, either making the team or not. Obviously, talented players, usually from surrounding high schools, were identified ahead of time, sometimes given some form of inducement to make the school in question their first choice. But the idea of actively traveling to regions outside the colleges' sphere of influence, identifying prep stars, and putting a sell job on them with the intent of getting them to choose their school as opposed to a rival; this was a novel concept. It had its rough patches.

These recruits were naturally given special treatment, and as is human nature reacted like prima donnas. Smith was a hard-nosed coach whose practices were extremely difficult. After the first year, his southern California contingent decided they had enough of the grind and were to transfer out. Price was sent on an emergency summer mission by train to Fresno, the central valley town half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A meeting of the minds was reached. Price agreed, on Smith's behalf, that the coach would make concessions in the form of easier practices. The stars returned to Berkeley. The rest is history.

Brick Muller was a two-time consensus All-American end. He was with the sole exception of Jim Thorpe, up until the mid-1920s the greatest football player who ever lived.

California's College Football Hall of Famers (20)

Stan Barnes 1918-1921

Vic Bottari 1936-1938

Sam Chapman 1935-1937

Rod Franz 1946-1949

Walter Gordon 1916-1918

Matt Hazeltine 1951-1954

Bob Herwig 1935-1937

Babe Horrell 1923-1924

Bill Ingram 1931-1934

Jackie Jensen 1946-1948

Eggs Manksy 1947-1952

Dan McMillan 1920-1921

Craig Morton 1962-1964

Brick Muller 1920-1922

Les Richter 1949-1951

Ed White 1966-1968

Coaches

John Ralston (assistant) 1956-1958

Buck Shaw 1945

Andy Smith 1916-1925

Pappy Waldorf 1947-1956

In 1920 the Golden Bears were 9-0. They threw seven shutouts, allowing fourteen points all year. Ohio State fell in the Rose Bowl, 28-0 and they won the national championship. In 1921 California was 9-0-1 with five shutouts. The press was calling them the "Wonder Teams" by then. They also called them repeat national champions. In 1922 it was more of the same: 9-0 with six shutouts, and a third consecutive national title. Before there were dynasties at Notre Dame, USC or Alabama, there were the "Wonder Teams." They were not only the "best of the West," they were the best teams of all time in their times.

The 1923 and 1924 teams were also unbeaten, but Michigan and Notre Dame managed to snag those national championships. Smith died suddenly of pneumonia after the 1925 season. Some said he got drunk and fell asleep in the cold, just as Notre Dame's George Gipp had reportedly passed away a few years earlier. Smith's ashes were scattered over Memorial Stadium from an airplane.

Under Howard Jones, Southern California asserted itself in the late 1920s and early 1930s, firmly wrestling the mantel of Western supremacy from Cal and Stanford. The jealous rivalry flared up. Cal tried to say it was because the USC players were all academic dunderheads. When a series of those Trojans went on to careers in the law, Hollywood, teaching, poetry, and other noble professions, the Cal accusation was exposed for what it was.

Consensus All-Americans included Edwin Horrell, Irv Phillips, Ted Beckett, and Larry Lutz. The Golden Bears managed to get back at Troy the only legitimate way: on the field. Under coach Stub Alison, Cal beat the Trojans 13-6 en route to a 10-0-1 season in 1937. Southern juggernaut Alabama, slayer of all previous PCC opposition, met them in the Rose Bowl in a "national championship game." The Crimson Tide had never lost in four previous trips to Pasadena, but California stopped them cold, 13-0 to capture the national championship. It was the fourth in school history. Consensus All-Americans were Vic Bottari and Sam Chapman, who later starred for Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's baseball team.

As of January 1, 1938, in the nineteen years since the end of World War I divided the modern era from its "rugby past," Cal's four national titles were matched by USC and Alabama, followed by Notre Dame and Minnesota (three), and Michigan (two). The Cal Bears sat at the very top of the college football world.

Over the next fourteen years, greatness marked Cal football. So did ultimate disappointment. Pappy Waldorf took over in 1947, guiding the team to a 9-0-1 mark. Led by consensus All-Americans Jackie Jensen, Rod Franz and Les Richter, Cal went to three straight Rose Bowls following the 1948, 1949 and 1950 seasons.

In each of those regular seasons, Cal never lost a single game. Unfortunately, they lost all three Rose Bowls: to Northwestern (20-14, 1949), Ohio State (17-14, 1950) and Michigan (14-6, 1951). Jensen, a native of Oakland, won the Most Valuable Player award with the Boston Red Sox baseball team in 1958. A teammate of the great fellow Californian, Ted Williams, Jensen's career was cut short because of a terrible fear of flying. He became the head baseball coach at Cal, but his flying phobia caught up to him in that job, too. Trips to Hawaii had to be canceled, among other things.

No less an authority than the "voice of college football," Keith Jackson placed Richter on his "all-time All-American team." These great stars had the opportunity to turn California football back into the kind of historical tradition characterized by the Crimson Tide, the Sooners and the Cornhuskers. Instead they found themselves headed to the second tier with the Yellow Jackets and the Cardinal.

#### Golden Bears on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1920 9-0 9-0 (1920)

1921 9-0-1 19-0-1 (1920-21)

1922 9-0 28-0-1 (1920-22)

1923 9-0-1 37-0-2 (1920-23)

29-0-1 (1920-23) 30 games

1924 8-0-2 45-0-4 (1920-24)

38-0-2 (1920-24) 40 games

1925 6-3; S/2-0 61-3-4 (1920-25)

47-0-4 (1920-25)

46-0-4 (1920-25) 50 games

Year Record Run

1947 9-1 9-1 (1947)

1948 10-1 19-1 (1947-48)

1949 10-1 29-1 (1947-49)

1950 9-1-1 38-2-1 (1947-50

38-1-1 (1947-50) 40 games

1952 8-2 46-4-1 (1947-50)

45-4-1 (1947-50) 50 games

In the mid-1950s a recruiting scandal rocked the program. It was the beginning of the end. The scandal centered on a slush fund to pay rent for players living in off-campus apartments at Berkeley, which were increasingly expensive. Waldorf was forced out. Emphasis on sports began to de-escalate. National championships were won in baseball (1957) and basketball (1959), a Rose Bowl played in on January 1, 1959. But a 1959 incident served to lead the school down a bad path.

Steve Bates of Cal was hurt after an alleged late hit by USC's massive Mike McKeever. Cal sued USC over the incident. Tape from the coaches' game film exonerated McKeever. Instead of apologizing, Cal just started the trend of trying to convince the world their bad sports performances did not matter. They fooled nobody.

This was an athletic department that had won four national titles in football, two in baseball, one in basketball, and produced numerous Olympians. They let it all go to hell amid anti-war protests, the "free speech movement," stink bombs and hostile campus takeovers. Governor Ronald Reagan built his legend in large part because he opposed all that Berkeley stood for. What a shame, and shame on Berkeley.

There is little in their succeeding years to write about in a book describing excellence. The gold mine of football talent their campus straddles means the occasional "nugget" makes his way to Cal. Consensus All-Americans since their last Rose Bowl in 1959 have included Sherman White, Steve Rivera, Ron Rivera, Russell White, Sean Dawkins, Deltha O'Neal, Andre Carter, Nick Harris and J. J. Arrington.

1958 Rose Bowl quarterback Joe Kapp later led the Vikings to the 1970 Super Bowl. He was California's coach for a stretch during the 1980s, which included the remarkable 1982 win over Stanford, which is simply known as "The Play." Kapp remarked, "The bear will not die." He also did a turn as an actor, most notably as one of the sadistic prison guards in the Burt Reynolds classic The Longest Yard.

Ed White was an All-pro with the Vikings. Steve Bartkowski was the first pick of the 1975 draft by Atlanta. One of the first millionaire pros, he also was the first client of a young Boalt Hall lawyer named Leigh Steinberg. Chuck Muncie was New Orleans' first pick of the draft. Tony Gonzalez became an All-Pro tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs. Hardy Nickerson was an All-Pro linebacker. Joe Roth was a tragic figure who died of cancer shortly after finishing a brilliant Cal career.

In 1991 the Golden Bears were 10-2 under coach Bruce Snyder, finishing with a number eight AP ranking after defeating Clemson, 37-13 in the Citrus Bowl. For a brief time, it appeared that a seismic power shift had occurred in the Pacific-10 Conference.

On November 2, 1991 California annihilated Southern California, 52-30 at Memorial Stadium. The Berkeley crowd was orgasmic watching their team torture a program that had for decades humiliated them. Worse for USC, the hero of the day was Golden Bears' running Russell White, the nephew of former Trojan Heisman Trophy winner Charles White. In the entire history of USC football, that season – and this game particularly – may have been their all-time low point.

Southern California fired coach Larry Smith. They were in the throes of disaster that was one-time hotshot quarterback Todd Marinovich, perhaps the biggest flop in school history, and one of the biggest in the annals of the game at any level. It was a unique opportunity for Cal and the rest of the Pac-10 to fill the huge void left by USC. In the 1990s, the Trojans suffered the worst decade in their storied history. Washington had a strong decade, winning the 1991 national championship. Oregon made it to the 1995 Rose Bowl and won the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. Oregon State won the 2001 Fiesta Bowl. UCLA beat USC eight consecutive years.

But Cal could not keep their coaches. Snyder departed for Arizona State. Steve Mariucci took the money and ran . . . across the Bay Bridge to the San Francisco 49ers after the 1996 season. Ex-49er Tom Holmoe (it sounds like Homo) replaced him, and every painstaking gain of the previous seven years was lost in his disastrous tenure (1997-2001). His firing led to one of the great double-entendres in a Bay Area newspaper headline: "Holmoe's out at Cal."

In recent years coach Jeff Tedford re-built the program and they are bidding for a place at the table, but their past is a tough nut to crack. On the other hand, there is enough tradition if they look hard enough to lay the foundation for a successful future. Considering everything, Tedford's work has been just short of miraculous, but Cal alumni live in mortal fear that he will leave for the NFL as did Mariucci.

In 2004, California had four shots at the USC goal in the Coliseum, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers could not convert in a spine-tingling 23-17 USC victory. They ran the table the rest of the regular season to go 10-1. With Troy headed to the BCS Orange Bowl for a national championship showdown with Oklahoma, an invite to their first Rose Bowl since 1959 seemed imminent. Instead Vince Young and Texas were given the nod. What happened after that typified why the Golden Bears did not belong . . . in the 2005 Rose Bowl or in any discussion about the most elite programs.

The San Francisco Bay Area railed against the "unfairness" of Texas getting the invite, but failed to mention that the Bears had not won the conference, the requirement for a Rose Bowl bid. Also lost in the equation was the fact that Texas is an elite program, worthy of the respect given to one. Cal, while a power during the Warren Harding Administration, was still a pretender. Cal supporters also made a big political deal out of the fact that Texan George W. Bush had recently won re-election to the presidency, which offended Berkeley's profound "blue state" sensibilities. Howls of outrage were mixed with indignation against UT, in Cal's minds a proxy for the evils of Republicanism. The Longhorns were depicted as "hicks . . . rednecks . . . banjo pickers"; the usual garbage.

Then they played the bowl games. Cal went to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego and was unceremoniously dumped, 45-31 by a Texas Tech squad that the Longhorns had beaten, 42-7. Any chance Cal had to justify their Rose Bowl arguments were rendered mere synapses in the air via their abysmal performance.

Texas fans traveled very well to Pasadena, as the Tournament of Roses Committee knew they would. Young and Texas were nothing short of brilliant. They expressed joy d'vivre and sheer excellence in one of the greatest Rose Bowls ever played, a 38-37 comeback thriller over Michigan.

The comparison of the Holiday Bowl and the Rose Bowl mirrored the history of the two programs; one a traditional, worthy powerhouse, the other not there yet. Nationally, Cal has benefited and suffered from Pete Carroll's extraordinary run, in which he restored the Trojans to a level of greatness beyond even their wildest dreams. They have benefited because, by emerging as USC's strongest conference opponent in the 2000s, their games with Troy have drawn major nationwide ratings and attention. They have suffered because they have been in USC's considerable shadow. They ought to be used to it by now.

TWENTY-ONE

ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS

Army by its very definition and purpose is the opposite of UC-Berkeley, but similar if for different reasons. It is similar because, up until the 1950s, West Point was a football powerhouse. After that they fell by the wayside. It is opposite because Army, like the Naval Academy, attracts the very finest young people America has to offer. The best and the brightest do not end up at Cal, Stanford, Harvard or Radcliffe. They end up at the academies. The bravest, the most physically fit, the most disciplined, the best students, with the best character. Make no mistake about it, the rest of America's college student body cannot hold a candle to these young people.

But they are not good in football anymore.

### U.S. Military Academy

West Point, New York

Founded: 1802

Enrollment: 4,209

Colors: Black, gold and gray

Stadium: Miche Stadium/Blaik Field (opened: 1924; capacity: 38,115)

All-time record (1890-2006): 631-427-51

Bowl record: 2-2 (through 2006)

National championships: 1914, 1944, 1945

Heisman Trophies: Doc Blanchard (1945), Glenn Davis (1946), Pete Dawkins (1958)

Outland Trophies: Joe Steffy (1947)

First round NFL draftees: 3

Website: www.goarmysports.com

Notable alumni: Allied Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower; Pacific Theatre Supreme Commander Douglas MacArthur; Union Army Commander Ulysses Grant; Confederate General Robert E. Lee; Secretary of State Alexander Haig; World War II heroes Generals George Patton and Omar Bradley; Persian Gulf War Commander Norman Schwarzkopf

Army's early football prowess was natural. Other colleges did not offer scholarships, so if a young man wished to attend Michigan, Chicago, Harvard or any other college, he had to pay his own tuition. Over time various forms of graft, bribery, corruption and inducement made the difference, at least in the case of the very best players. This would all coalesce into what came to be known as the "full ride scholarship."

But Army's cadets did not pay for their education. They were hand picked from among America's best, usually appointed by Senators from their respective home states. Around 1900, the U.S. Congress felt that West Point needed to make a change. The academy was disproportionately filled with the scions of Army past; Civil War heroes, generals, West Point grads, political contributors and the connected few. This was the policy that produced the likes of Douglas MacArthur, the son of a Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, General Arthur MacArthur. Therefore, the Corps of Cadets became America's version of the "royal family."

But Congress wanted Army to reflect a more egalitarian, merit-based student body. They wanted above-average young men from average families in the heartland. This policy was responsible for the recruitment of such "citizen soldiers" as Dwight Eisenhower and Omar Bradley, who served equally if not without some tension alongside the "royalty," the likes of MacArthur and George Patton. Congress certainly appeared to have gotten it right; the young men produced by this policy fought and won first World War I, then orchestrated, masterminded and carried out victory over Hitler and Japan in World War II. Not bad for a bunch of Midwestern farmboys.

This policy had the direct effect of making Army football really good. Those tough farm lads took to the game and its manly tests. Dwight Eisenhower, who came from humble beginnings and had no chance of attending college unless it was paid for by the government, chose West Point primarily because he could play football there. When World War I ended he contemplated going into civilian life. It was the chance to coach football for Army teams that kept him in the service. The rest is most definitely history.

Under coach Charles Daly, Army won the 1914 national championship with a 9-0 mark. Prior to the arrival of legendary coach Earl "Red" Blaik in 1941, consensus Army All-Americans included Charles Romeyn, William Smith, Charles Daly, Paul Bunker, Robert Boyers, Arthur Tipton, Henry Torney, William Erwin, Leland Devore, Louis Merillat, John McEwan, Elmer Oliphant, Edgar Garbisch, Bud Sprague, Red Cagle, and Milt Summerfelt.

However, Army had often been seen as a "prop" of sorts for Notre Dame. In 1913, it was the unbeaten cadets who lost to the Irish when Gus Dorais and Knute Rockne "invented" the forward pass. In 1924, it was Army who was on the receiving end of the "Hour Horsemen" described by Grantland Rice. In 1928, it was heavily favored Army who succumbed to the fired-up Irish after they heard Rockne's "win one for the Gipper" halftime speech.

At first, Blaik changed all of that. In examining how America won World War II, it is obvious that our superior equipment, manpower, leadership and steadfast democratic spirit is due all great credit. However, one must consider what was going through the minds of the German and Japanese high commands. As it became increasingly apparent America was winning on all fronts, back home the college producing the very men who were doing the winning also had time to play football.

Undoubtedly no German generals actually had the nerve to say this to Adolph Hitler, but it is not hard to conceive that in their minds they observed this, among other things. "Who are these American supermen," they must have thought, "who can defeat all our efforts while still pursuing games?"

Under Blaik, Army football symbolized American superiority. Just as our refusal to give up our way of life while fighting evil had to discourage our enemies, it also was an enormous morale booster for the American citizenry, not to mention admiring allies. America truly was viewed as supermen during this time, "knights on a white horse," or in the case of West Point football, Black Knights riding to the rescue.

### Army's Teammate Heisman Trophies

Doc Blanchard (1945), Glenn Davis (1946)

Blaik and Army got revenge on Notre Dame, and then some, beating the Irish 59-0 at Yankee Stadium in 1944, then 48-0 in the same location in 1945. Their backfield combination, known as "Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside," consisted of the 1945 Heisman winner (Doc Blanchard) and the 1946 winner (Glenn Davis). Army was 9-0 in both 1944 and 1945, winners of consensus, back-to-back national championships. They averaged fifty-six points per game in 1944 while giving up thirty-five total points, then pitched five shutouts while allowing only forty-five points in 1945. Statistically, these two Army champions are probably the two greatest teams in college football history. They must be judged in light of recent developments in the modern era, one in which a great team of the 1990s or 2000s need not accomplish the numbers they did to rate higher, but the 1944-1945 Black Knights are unquestionably still considered one of college football's all-time greatest juggernauts.

Blacks Knights on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1944 9-0 9-0 (1944)

1945 9-0 18-0 (1944-45)

1946 9-0-1 27-0-1 (1944-45)

1947 5-2-2 S/3-0-1, F/1-0-1 32-2-2 (1944-45)

30-0-2 (1944-47)

1-0-1 (1947)

1948 8-0-1 40-2-3 (1944-48)

35-2-3 (1944-48) 40 games

9-0-2 (1947-48)

1949 9-0 49-2-3 (1944-48)

45-2-3 (1944-48) 50 games

18-0-2 (1947-49)

1950 8-1 S/8-0 57-3-3 (1944-50)

57-2-3 (1944-50)

55-2-3 (1944-50) 50 games

26-1-2 (1947-50)

26-0-2 (1947-50)

In 1946 they met Notre Dame again on the green plains of the hallowed Yankee Stadium. The romance of the times, the war years, America's place in history, the glamour of New York in that era, the ghosts of the Stadium; there is mythology associated with this rivalry in that location which makes the 1946 Army-Notre Dame game truly one for the ages.

Army was heavily favored. The psychology of having lost by the combined score of 107-0 in the previous two years weighed heavily on the Irish. The game settled into a defensive masterpiece. Blanchard had a chance to break it open when he scampered for an open-field run, only to be tackled by Notre Dame's great All-American, Johnny Lujack. The impact of Lujack's play had the effect of fixing in voters' minds the idea that the 0-0 tie was actually an upset favoring Notre Dame, despite protestations from Irish coach Frank Leahy that he was dissatisfied with the result. With neither team playing in a bowl game, the AP did vote for Notre Dame for the national championship.

Additional consensus All-Americans of the 1940s were Casimir Myslinski, Tex Coulter, John Green, Hank Foldberg, Joe Steffy (winner of the 1947 Outland Trophy), and Arnold Galifa.

Army went on a 28-game unbeaten streak between 1947 and 1950 that was ended by archrival Navy, 14-2 in Philadelphia. In the 1950s, consensus All-Americans included Dan Foldberg, Bob Anderson and Bill Carpenter. Things came crashing down at West Point when a cheating scandal was exposed. Blaik still brought Army back, however. In 1958 they featured Heisman Trophy-winning running back Pete Dawkins and an 8-0-1 record. Dawkins, a Rhodes Scholar, brigadier general, "captain of industry" and Republican, was viewed as a surefire winner for New Jersey's U.S. Senate seat in 1988. Despite flawless credentials he lost to Democrat Frank Lautenberg. What this says about New Jersey is self-evident.

That was the end of Army greatness, however. They continue to play a Division I-A schedule. The annual Army-Navy game is a pageant, especially in wartime, but it does not appear that West Point will emerge as a collegiate football power again in our lifetimes, if ever.

TWENTY-TWO

WASHINGTON HUSKIES

The three most beautiful natural settings in college football are probably California's Strawberry Canyon, Pasadena's Arroyo Seco, and Seattle's Husky Stadium, which sits on Puget Sound and accepts incoming fans by way of yachts and ferries. Pacific Bell Park (now AT&T Park) in San Francisco was built for baseball with this concept in mind.

University of Washington

Seattle, Washington

Founded: 1861

Enrollment: 29,028

Colors: Purple and gold

Nickname: Huskies

Stadium: Husky Stadium (opened: 1920; capacity: 72,500)

All-time record (1889-2006): 646-379-54

Bowl record: 15-14-1 (through 2006)

National championships: 1909, 1913, 1991

Pacific-10 Conference championships: 15

Outland Trophies: Steve Emtman (1991)

First round NFL draftees: 18

Website: www.gohuskies.com

Notable alumni: Speaker of the House Thomas Foley; U.S. Congressman Norm Dicks;

Washington Governors Dan Evans and Booth Gardner; Seattle Mayor Norm Rice; World War II hero Gregory "Pappy" Boyington; astronauts Bonnie Dunbar, John Fabain and Richard Gordon; actors Dyan Cannon, Patrick Duffy, Dawn Wells, Kyle MachLachlan, Pamela Reed, Julia Sweeney and Rob Weller; rock star Kim Thayil; saxophonist Kenny "Kenny G" Gorelick; martial artist Bruce Lee; authors Kitty Kelley and Ann Rule; cartoonist Hank Ketcham; United Airlines CEO Edward E. Carlson; ESPN founder Stu Evey; lumber executive John Brazier; basketball players James Edwards and Detlef Schrempf

The University of Washington is also relatively unique in that it exists side-by-side with, and often is more popular than, major professional sports franchises (Seahawks Supersonics, Mariners). USC and UCLA in Los Angeles; Stanford and California in the San Francisco Bay Area; Arizona State in Phoenix; much of the Pacific-10 Conference share its crown jewels with professional sports. The pros all-but destroyed great football programs at Fordham and Columbia in New York City; the University of Chicago; and to a lesser extent Houston and SMU (Dallas). But Washington, along with its Pac-10 brethren, continue to thrive. Perhaps it is the laid-back attitude in the West. Washington fans are exuberant and love their team, but do not live and die with them as happens at Alabama, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Penn State and many other hyper-active programs.

It is frustrating to many in other regions of the country, while undoubtedly more passionate about their teams, that the best teams as often as not come from the West Coast. Thus are rewarded fans, at least in the minds of <ED: MAYBE NOT CORRECT BUT FOR EFFECT> Tuscaloosans, Knoxvillians, and Ann Arboreans, who do not quite deserve such gifts. At the high school, college and pro level, sniffs of disgust are reserved for the mediocre facilities of Concord (California) De La Salle (151 straight prep football victories), San Francisco "wine tasters" (five Super Bowl titles), Dodger Stadium "late arrivers" (five World Series champions), the Lakers' "in crowd" (nine NBA crowns), empty seats at Pauley Pavilion (eleven NCAA crowns), the "Microsoft and grunge crowd" (three national titles at UW).

Too bad.

Washington football is not the best in the Pacific-10, but they are a traditional powerhouse. Their all-time record of 646-379-54 (1889-2006) is second in the conference only to Southern California's 743-300-54. Their .627 winning percentage through the 2005 season is better than Arizona State (.619), UCLA (.602), Arizona (.574), Stanford (.571), Oregon (.539), and Washington State (.507). Only Oregon State (.473) has a losing record in this competitive conference. If they did not share the Pac-10 with the almighty USC Trojans, Washington would probably have more national championships and a much higher ranking among College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions.

In recent years the Huskies have faltered, but they will have their day in the sun again. In the Don James era, their success was a direct reflection of their ability to recruit "blue chippers" from California who otherwise would have been ticketed for USC. With James retired and Pete Carroll in charge at Southern California, this trend was reversed. Washington still has many advantages; too many to be in the lower division long.

Stanford won the 1905 national championship, but before California or Southern Cal were major national powers, Washington ascended to the very heights of collegiate football. The reason for this seems to be the result of a large migration of hardy pioneer stock settling in the Pacific Northwest. When gold was discovered in Alaska, a huge demographic settled in the Seattle area. These were people on their way to and from Alaska. They found the area to be a pleasant place to live and raise families.

Washington Centennial Team

Selected by alumni, media and season-ticket holders, 2000

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

WR Paul Skansi

WR Lonzell Hill

OG Max Starcevich

OG Chuck Allen

OT Vic Markov

OT Arnie Weinmeister

C Blair Bush

QB Don Heinrich

RB George Wilson

RB Hugh McElhenny

RB Joe Steele

PK Chuck Nelson

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DL Paul Schwegler

DL Doug Martin

DL George Strugar

DL Ron Holmes

LB Rick Redman

LB Michael Jackson

LB Joe Kelly

DB Nesby Glasgow

DB Ray Horton

DB Calvin Jones

DB Dick Sprague

P Rich Camarillo

High schools sprouted up with modern facilities, good coaching and, in turn, a steady flow of prep talent. This fueled the Washington dynasty of Gil Dobie between 1907 and 1916. Dobie – this is not a typo – never lost a game in nine seasons. Forget Knute Rockne, John McKay, Bud Wilkinson, all the usual suspects. You cannot do better than that.

Under coach Victor Place, the Huskies closed the 1907 season with a 0-0 tie against Idaho. Dobie was hired and won his first four games in 1908 before tying Washington State, 6-6. Then he led his team to a 39-game winning streak that did not end until a 0-0 tie with Oregon State in 1914. The Huskies were the national champions of 1909 and 1913. After the tie with Oregon State, Washington won twelve more games in a row before tying Oregon, 0-0 in 1916. They closed out the season with three more wins. Dobie then retired. Claude Hunt took over in 1917. After winning the opener, 14-6 over Whitman, Washington's unbeaten streak was sixty-three straight games. Two weeks later Andy Smith and California ended it, 27-0.

Huskies on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1907 4-4-2 F/0-0-1 4-4-2 (1907)

0-0-1 (1907)

1908 6-0-1 F/2-0 10-4-2 (1907-08)

6-0-2 (1907-08)

2-0 (1908)

1909 7-0 17-4-2 (1907-09)

13-0-2 (1907-09)

9-0 (1908-09)

1910 6-0 23-4-2 (1907-10) 19-0-2 (1907-10)

15-0 (1908-10)

1911 7-0 30-4-2 (1907-11)

26-0-2 (1907-11)

22-0 (1908-10)

20-0 (1908-10) 20 games

1912 6-0 36-4-2 (1907-12)

32-0-2 (1907-12)

28-0-2 (1907-12) 30 games

28-0 (1908-12)

1913 7-0 43-4-2 (1907-12)

39-0-2 (1907-13)

38-0-2 (1907-13) 40 games

35-0 (1908-13)

30-0 (1908-13) 30 games

1914 6-0-1 S/4-0 49-4-3 (1907-14)

44-4-2 (1907-14) 50 games

45-0-3 (1907-14)

39-0 (1908-14)

1915 7-0 56-4-3 (1907-15)

53-4-3 (1907-15) 60 games

52-0-3 (1907-15)

47-0-3 (1907-15) 50 games

1916 6-0-1 60-4-4 (1907-16)

58-0-4 (1907-16)

56-0-4 (1907-16) 60 games

1917 1-2-1 S/1-0 61-6-5 (1907-17)

59-2-1 (1907-16)

59-0-4 (1909-16)

Washington's run put the school, the state and the region on the map. It was a major factor in the formation of the Pacific Coast Conference. Two of their biggest rivals, Washington State and Oregon, built their programs largely on the strength of their rivalry with Washington. In so doing they captured consecutive national championships with Rose Bowl victories in the 1915 (Cougars) and 1916 (Ducks) seasons.

Did you know . . .

That ten Washington Huskies are in the College Football Hall of Fame?

Washington (the state more than the university) can even be credited, in some measure, with the development of Southern California's dynasty. After World War I, when California and Stanford were bidding for PCC supremacy, USC decided they wanted in as well. Plans were made to build the Coliseum and enter the conference. In order to develop a program matching their grandiose expectations, the Trojans needed a coach who could do in Los Angeles what Gil Dobie had done at Washington, Bill Dietz had done at Washington State, Hugo Bezdek had done at Oregon, Andy Smith was doing at Berkeley, and what Pop Warner would do at Stanford.

They looked around the landscape and saw that the best high school football was played in the Pacific Northwest, namely in Seattle. The best high school coach in Seattle was Elmer Henderson. He was hired under the proviso he bring some of those great Seattle high school stars to Los Angeles with him, which he did. USC's first All-American, Brice Taylor, was from Seattle. It was the reverse of the method by which Washington would catch up with USC in the 1980s, when they recruited from under Trojan noses. Henderson recruited from under Huskie noses.

Washington football did not dominate as they had under Dobie, but that is like saying a basketball team is a "failure" because they did meet the standards set by John Wooden's Bruins or Red Auerbach's Celtics. The Pacific Coast Conference was by far the best league in the nation. California, Stanford, USC and Washington all battled each other in Olympian fashion. The 1923 Huskies, coached by Enoch Bagshaw (63-22-6 between 1921 and 1929) went to their first Rose Bowl. They tied Navy, 14-14. On January 1, 1926 Washington took an unbeaten record to Pasadena, meeting Alabama in a game determining the national champion. It was a thriller, but the Crimson Tide prevailed in comeback manner, 20-19.

James Phelan led Washington to the 1937 Rose Bowl, where they fell to Pittsburgh, 21-0. Entering World War II, a perceptible change had occurred in the PCC. Once dominant Washington, while still a major football success, had fallen behind their rivals. USC, California and Stanford all won Rose Bowls after World War I. With these came national titles. Washington failed in Pasadena. Thus, no national glory came their way. Furthermore, a major new rival was on the rise in Los Angeles, the new sports capital of America: UCLA. The population growth of the Alaskan "gold rush" was no more. People flocking to the West settled in California, mostly southern California, not Seattle.

Prior to World War II, Washington's consensus All-Americans included George Wilson, Chuck Carroll, Max Starcevich, Rudy Mucha, and Ray Frankowski. They would not have another one until 1963. Washington struggled to deal with two things. First, the "Red Scare" revealed a disproportionate number of Communist "fellow travelers" in the Washington state education system, with inexorable unfavorable fallout at UW. Second, a "payola" scandal in the 1950s halted their progress, setting the stage for wholesale takeover by USC and UCLA in the 1960s. The rest of the conference struggled for more than a decade.

Running back Hugh McElhenny starred at Washington prior to a Hall of Fame career in San Francisco. Coach Jim Owens took over in 1957. He coached through the 1974 season with a 99-82-6 (.545) record. His accomplishments in Seattle were overshadowed by the glory days of John McKay and Tommy Prothro in L.A. Owens had his moments, to be sure. In 1959 his 10-1 team beat Wisconsin, 44-8 in the Rose Bowl. Before McKay and Prothro completely reversed Big 10 dominance, Owens's 1960 Rose Bowl victory over the Badgers set the stage. The next year, Minnesota came to Pasadena calling themselves "national champions" by virtue of settled Associated Press and United Press International votes. Washington's 17-7 win over the Golden Gophers forced them to put the plaques next to the gardening equipment, thus affixing an embarrassing * next to the season records.

Rick Redman was a two-time consensus All-American guard in 1963 and 1964. Other consensus selections were Tom Greenlee and Al Worley. Racial animosity reared its ugly head in the late 1960s with disastrous results. USC had the same thing occur but "weathered the storm," mainly through participation in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This "coming together" did not happen at UW. Sonny Sixkiller was a passing phenom in the early 1970s.

What did elevate Washington to their greatest heights was coach Don James. He was 150-60-1 (.712) between 1975 and 1992. His 1977 team, featuring quarterback Warren Moon, beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl, 27-20. Moon became an All-Pro with the Houston Oilers.

In the first half of the 1980s, Washington was as strong as any program in the nation. The 1981 Huskies (10-2) beat Iowa, 28-0 in the Rose Bowl. In 1982 they were 10-2 with a 21-20 victory over Maryland in the Aloha Bowl. The 1984 club (11-1) knocked off powerful Oklahoma, 28-17 in the Orange Bowl. 1980s consensus selections were Chuck Nelson (one of the best kickers in history), Ron Holmes, Jeff Jaeger, and Reggie Rogers.

#### Washington's Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Warren Moon, Houston (2005)

Their 34-7 Freedom Bowl victory over Florida in 1989 was a pre-cursor of things to come. In 1990 USC, led by heralded sophomore quarterback Todd Marinovich, entered Husky Stadium with national championship aspirations. The 31-0 shellacking administered by Washington instead set James's team on the national title trajectory. USC went in the opposite direction. The "fall of the Trojan empire" was one of unprecedented proportions (Marinovich's unhappy departure, coach Larry Smith's firing, mediocrity). The 10-2 Huskies beat Iowa, 46-34 in the Rose Bowl. They entered 1991 having replaced Southern Cal as the "best of the West," expecting to win the national championship. They accomplished that very goal.

Quarterback Mark Brunell was replaced by Billy Joe Hobert. He teamed with consensus All-American wide receiver and all-everything lineman Steve Emtman (winner of the Outland Trophy) to lead Washington to a commanding 12-0 record. After defeating Michigan, 34-14 in the Rose Bowl, Washington finished number one. The 1991 Huskies go down in history as one of the finest college football teams ever assembled. Emtman was the number one pick in the entire 1992 NFL Draft (selected by Indianapolis).

Consensus All-Americans in the 1990s also included Lincoln Kennedy, Lawyer Milloy, Benji Olson and Olin Kreutz. Kennedy was the first pick of the Falcons in the 1993 draft. Milloy starred at New England. Running back Napoleon Kaufman exemplified why Washington surpassed the Trojans as the Pac-10's prestige program (at least for a decade). A southern California prep "blue chipper," he normally would have been ticketed no-questions-asked to the "Heisman factory" in south-central Los Angeles. Instead, he was enticed to choose the wide-open spaces and fresh air of Seattle.

Kaufman was the Raiders' first pick in 1995, starring in Oakland. Running back Corey Dillon became a mainstay of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl champions. Under coach Rick Neuheisel, Washington was 11-1 in 2000 with a 34-24 triumph over Purdue in the Rose Bowl. In 2002 Reggie Williams was a consensus All-American.

Neuheisel was fired over petty basketball-pool-betting stupidities. His replacements were inadequate. Washington was the first great West Coast dynasty. The demographics it depends on will insure that they will be competitive. Some of the best high school football programs in the country are located in the Seattle suburbs. However, in order to overtake Southern California – not to mention UCLA and California – they must make bold, successful recruiting missions into the "enemy" heartland, stealing the hottest prospects. Pete Carroll has set up a "roadblock" just north of Eureka, but the game is cyclical in nature. The day will come again when the college football world will "bow down to Washington."

TWENTY-THREE

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

Prior to the arrival of coach Clarence "Biggie" Munn, Michigan State's greatest claim to fame was the fact it was their season-ending game with Notre Dame in 1920 that George Gipp missed with pneumonia before famously passing away.

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Founded: 1855

Enrollment: 35,408

Colors: Green and white

Nickname: Spartans

Stadium: Spartan Stadium (opened: 1923; capacity: 75,000)

All-time record (1896-2006): 599-403-44

Bowl record: 7-10 (through 2006)

National championships: 1952, *1965

*Illegitimate; lost bowl game

Big 10 Conference championships: 6

Outland Trophies: Ed Bagdon (1949)

First round NFL draftees: 33

Website: www.msuspartans.com

Notable alumni: Basketball star Magic Johnson; actor James Caan; Michigan Governor John Engler; writer Jim Harrison; Teamsters president James Hoffa; Houston Astros' owners R. Drayton McLane; director Sam Raimi; baseball players Mark Mulder and Mike Marshall

Prior to Munn's arrival in 1947, Neno Jerry DaPrato (1915) and Sidney Wagner (1935) were Michigan State's only consensus All-American players. But when Munn showed up at East Lansing it was a whole new ballgame. In 1949, guard Ed Bagdon earned the Outland Trophy. Bob Carey and Don Coleman made consensus in 1951. In 1950 the Spartans were 8-1. They followed that up with a 9-0 mark in 1951. These were two confusing years in college football.

In 1950, "national champion" Oklahoma was voted number one by the Associated Press as well as the brand new UPI. The UPI might have made the smart decision to wait until after the bowls so as to create a legitimate champion based upon post-season results, but they did not. Consequently, everybody looked stupid when the Sooners lost their bowl game.

Spartans on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Runs

1950 8-1 8-1 (1950)

1951 9-0 17-1 (1950-51)

1952 9-0 27-1 (1950-52)

1953 9-1 36-2 (1950-43)

In 1951, the Spartans were 9-0 and may have won the national championship, which was awarded to Tennessee before they lost their bowl gamine. In 1952 the Spartans left no doubt, again going 9-0 to earn the AP and UPI titles. Finally, after years of trying, the magic gates of the so-called "Western Conference," which folks had called the Big 10 since 1917 (but would not officially name until 1987) were opened to Michigan State. This came against the screams and howls of in-state rival Michigan. They were aghast that the school on the "wrong side of the tracks" in East Lansing would gain equality with its leafy sense of academe and football pedigree.

Michigan State's entrance into the Big 10 was uniquely American. They simply demonstrated excellence that could not be denied. They did not enter the conference on the strength of a political campaign, protest or boycott. They just performed at such a high level that their membership was deemed a benefit to all associated with them.

Michigan's worst fears were realized. Michigan State not only entered the conference, they proved themselves superior to the Wolverines. They maintained that superiority until 1969, when Bo Schembechler finally restored greatness to Michigan football.

In 1953, the Spartans' initial Big 10 schedule, they were 9-1 with a thrilling 17-14 victory over UCLA in the Rose Bowl. The game demonstrated a shifting wind in college football; two programs on the rise, overshadowing storied programs (Michigan and USC) that long had gotten all the attention.

1953 was another poll disaster, though. When Maryland lost their bowl game it was the third of four years in which both the AP and UPI got it wrong. Michigan State should have been the repeat national champion (or possibly Notre Dame).

In 1954 Duffy Daugherty took over in East Lansing. After a brief slip (3-6 in 1954) he had the Spartans right back where they had been (9-1 in 1955, 7-2 in 1956, 8-1 in 1957). Daugherty, like UCLA and USC at the same time, built Spartan football on the strength of integration.

For close to two decades Southern coaches watched in increasing frustration while Michigan State, UCLA, USC, Syracuse, Ohio State and like programs developed into national powers. They "stole" black players who prepped in Dixie, not to mention those from high schools in the ever-growing West and post-war industrial Midwest.

In the Big 10, it settled into a major rivalry not between Ohio State and Michigan but Ohio State and Michigan State; for recruits, press attention and national prestige. Woody Hayes and Daugherty were young hotshot coaches seemingly with their pulse on changing times.

#### Michigan State's Associated Press Pro Football Player of the Year

Earl Morrall, Baltimore QB (1968)

In the 1950s, consensus Spartan All-Americans included Norman Masters, Earl Morrall (the star quarterback of the 1968 Colts and 1972 Dolphins Super Bowl teams), Dan Currie, Walt Kowalczyk, and Sam Williams.

After a few down years, Daugherty brought his team back with a vengeance in 1965. Two defensive superstars anchored his new dynasty. Both are prominent members on most "all-time All-American teams." The first was Bubba Smith, a monster defensive end from Beaumont, Texas. Smith was one of those incredible black athletes who, after being denied opportunity by the colleges in their home states, arrived like Manna from Heaven at Northern or Western schools. Smith was a two-time All-American and the number one draft choice of the Baltimore Colts in 1967. He immediately turned the Colts around. In 1968, led by Smith and fellow Michigan State alum Earl Morrall, Baltimore was 13-1 before being upset by "Broadway Joe" Namath and "Super Jets." In 1970 the Colts won the world championship. Smith was a free spirit who went into acting and starred in the Police Academy franchise.

As great as Smith was, George Webster had a greater impact. Before there was Lawrence Taylor, Ronnie Lott or Deion Sanders, there was Webster. He revolutionized the position of "roverback." He was a hybrid defensive back/linebacker who made tackles all over the field. Unlike a pure cornerback whose side of the field could be avoided, Webster filled gaps that stopped runs and passes wherever they were tried.

He was another one of those fabulous black athletes from Dixie, hailing from Anderson, South Carolina. The six-foot, four-inch, 218-pound Webster "is not only the finest football player I've ever seen," said Daugherty, "but he symbolizes the great 1965 and '66 teams." As a junior he helped the Spartans set school records for total defense (169.9 yards per game) and rushing defense (a paltry 45.6 yards a game). He had ninety-three tackles, including ten for losses. As a senior he played on a unit allowing 9.9 points and 51.4 yards a game. Webster's number 90 was retired in 1967. For college football's one hundredth anniversary in 1969, he was voted the greatest player in Michigan State history. Webster was the first pick of the Houston Oilers in the 1967 draft.

Michigan State All-Centennial Team

Chosen by an 850-ballot reader poll, Lansing State Journal, 1996

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OL Buck Nystrom

OL Dan Currie

OL Dave Behrman

OL Joe DeLaumiellure

OL Tony Mandarich

WR Gene Washington

WR Kirk Gibson

QB Earl Morrall

RB Clinton Jones

RB Eric Allen

RB Lorenzo White

PK Morten Andersen

KR Derrick Mason

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DE Sam Williams

DE Bubba Smith

OL Larry Bethea

LB George Webster

LB Dan Bass

LB Carl Banks

LB Percy Snow

DB Herb Adderley

DB Allen Brenner

DB Brad Van Pelt

DB Bill Simpson

P Greg Montgomery

PRE-BIG 10 ERA

Pos. Player

L Sid Wagner

L Ed Bagdon

L Frank Kush

L Don Coleman

L Dick Tamburo

E Bob Carey

E Don Dohoney

B John Pingel

B Lynn Chandnois

B Sonny Grandelius

B Don McAuliffe

As great as the 1965-1966 teams were, however, those were star-crossed years. The 1965 squad opened by shutting down UCLA, 13-3 at the L.A. Coliseum. They closed regular season play with a 12-3 beating of Notre Dame, then entered the Rose Bowl in a year in which the AP decided to vote after the game. When UCLA got revenge for the season-opening loss, 14-12, the AP gave deserving Alabama the national championship.

In 1966, the Spartans were just insane. All season the build-up intensified in anticipation of the season-ending contest against Notre Dame at Spartan Stadium. It was the proverbial "Game of the Century," which still gets a lot of play on ESPN Classic. In truth it does not hold up to comparisons with the 1967 USC-UCLA, 1969 Texas-Arkansas, 1971 Nebraska-Oklahoma, or 2006 USC-Texas (Rose Bowl) games. Nevertheless, it was a defensive masterpiece, but Irish coach Ara Parseghian "tied one for the Gipper" by running out the clock in undramatic style. Michigan State had to settle for number two for the second straight season.

It was Michigan State's "last hurrah" of sorts. Michigan rose again and, along with Ohio State, effectively dominated Big 10 play in all the succeeding years. In 1987 the Spartans opened the season with a 27-13 home win over Rodney Peete and Southern California. They met the Trojans in a Rose Bowl re-match, just as they had with UCLA in 1966. This time there was no revenge exacted. Michigan State held off Troy a second time, 20-17.

Consensus All-Americans at Michigan State between 1962 and 2004 have included George Saimes, Sherman Lewis, Clint Jones, Brad Van Pelt (considered one of the best defensive backs ever), Lorenzo White, Tony Mandarich (the first overall pick in the 1989 draft), Bob Kula, Percy Snow, Charles Rodgers, and Brandon Fields.

Two of Michigan State's most famous football players made their names in baseball. Wide receiver Kirk Gibson was an All-American in 1978, but is best remembered for hitting a home run off of Dennis Eckersley in game one of the 1988 World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Oakland A's. Gibson was the National League's Most Valuable Player that season. Steve Garvey played football at Michigan State in the 1960s and was also the National League MVP for the Dodgers (1974).

TWENTY-FOUR

STANFORD INDIANS/CARDINAL

Stanford football is a bit of a puzzle. Even more than archrival California, its campus, its surroundings natural gifts, even its history and founding, are the end result of Manifest Destiny. The school's location is as perfect as any in the nation. They are positioned as a suburb of nearby San Francisco, just a short fifteen-minute freeway drive from San Jose, easy bridge-crossings from the East Bay (Oakland and Berkeley). They are in the middle of the famed Silicon Valley, one of the world's economic and intellectual juggernauts. They are located on a stretch of land known as The Farm, which is big enough to expand campus facilities and is a town in and of itself (Stanford, California 94305, as opposed to nearby Palo Alto). They are within hailing distance of San Francisco Bay with all of its vistas and views, but geographically located where the famed fog and wind gives way to temperate warmth. Two freeways make it accessible. Famed surfing beaches are a half-hour away. Affluent residential communities surround the area, but unlike UCLA and Cal, it is not congested with traffic. Stanford is safe, filled with bike paths and natural trails, unlike USC (surrounded by urbanity). Stanford is close to happening nightlife, including the hot spots of San Francisco (known as The City), with major corporations and shopping all within hailing distance. Despite its rustic nature, Stanford University is located in the heart of the Bay Area, a population of some seven to eight million people and one of the greatest producers of athletic talent on Earth. Nearby Serra High School in San Mateo, for instance, is one of the all-time great prep sports dynasties, having given the world the likes of Barry Bonds, Tom Brady, Jim Fregosi and John Robinson among many others.

Stanford University

### Stanford, California

Founded: 1885

Enrollment: 6,753

Colors: Cardinal and white

Nickname: Indians (1930-1971), Cardinal (1972-present)

Stadium: Stanford Stadium (opened: 1921; capacity: 50,000)

All-time record (1891-2006): 543-412-49

Bowl record: 9-10-1 (through 2006)

National championships: 1905, 1926, 1940

Pacific-10 Conference championships: 12

Heisman Trophy winners: Jim Plunkett (1970)

First round NFL draftees: 19

Website: www.gostanford.com

Notable alumni: President Herbert Hoover; Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day

O'Connor, William Rehnquist, David Breyer, Anthony Kennedy and Sandra Day O'Connor; California Governor Gray Davis; U.S. Senators Max Baucus, Jeff Bingaman, Kent Conrad, Mark Hatfield, Ron Weiden, Dianne Feinstein and Alan Cranston; Secretary of Defense William Perry; Secretary of Transportation Claude Brinegar; Health, Education and Welfare Secretary John Gardner; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Carla Hills; Secretary of Education Shirley Hufstedler; Secretary of State Warren Christopher; Watergate figure John Ehrlichman; astronauts Mae Jemison, Sally Ride and Steve Smith; Guatemala President Jorge Serrano; U.S. Poet Laureate Richard Hass; Hewlett-Packard co-founders William Hewlett and David Packard; Yahoo co-founders David Filo and Jerry Yang; Bank of America President/CEO Samuel Armacost; Nike president Philip Knight; Mondavi Wines' founder Robert Mondavi; Charles Schwab & Co. founder Charles Schwab; Ford Motor Co. chairman Donald Peterson; Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Maxwell Anderson; Tony Award-winning writer David Hwang; authors John Steinbeck, Scott Turow and Ken Kesey; Internet pioneer Vincent Cerf; Academy Award-winning actor Jack Palance; actors Sigourney Weaver, Richard Boone and Ted Danson; producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown; screenwriters Colin Higgins, Waldo Salt and Ron Bass; University of California president Clark Kerr; Yale University president Richard Levin; Lehigh University president Peter Likens; Brown University president Vartan Greforian; Harvard University president Derek Bok; network news anchor Ted Koppel; Sunset magazine publisher Bill Lane; Los Angeles Times chairman Otis Chandler; Miss America Gretchen Carlson; San Francisco Giants' president Peter Magowan; Stanford University baseball coach Mark Marquess; baseball players Bob Boone, Mike Mussina, Jim Lonborg and Jack McDowell; Stanford University basketball coach Howie Dalmar; basketball players Adam Keefe, Robin Lopez and Hank Luisetti; Stanford University tennis coach Dick Gould; tennis players John McEnroe and Roscoe Tanner; golfers Tiger Woods, Charles Seaver and Tom Watson; figure skater Debi Thomas; swimmer Summer Sanders; Olympians Janet Evans, Eric Heiden and Pablo Morales

Its facilities are all state of the art, built out of one of the largest endowments in the nation. Stanford's academics are second to none. That includes Harvard, MIT or any of the "small" or "liberal arts" colleges. Among the top tier academic universities, it is with the possible exception of Duke the only one that truly competes at the highest level of inter-collegiate athletics. As a private school, they can manipulate their entrance requirements to allow "blue chip" prep stars in who otherwise might not make the grade. Excellent student-athletes are drawn to the Stanford challenge. More are likely to stay in school through graduation rather than move on to professional ball. It is a modern school yet steeped in tradition.

Stanford was founded by Leland Stanford, one of the original "robber barons" who built the trans-continental railroad. Its existence is a literal and figurative result of that amazing accomplishment; the end of the line. The "pot at the end of the rainbow." The promised land.

Stanford's all-around athletic programs are ranked with USC and UCLA as the best in the nation. These three schools have produced the most NCAA championships. Stanford women's sports are second to none. Despite their academic emphasis, Stanford promotes and supports its sports with as much fervor as any other school.

But the success of Stanford baseball, women's basketball, and to a lesser extent Stanford basketball, has not been matched in recent years by Stanford football. There is no legitimate reason for this. Coach Mark Marquess built a baseball dynasty with far more disadvantages than the football program. The football team is able to provide full ride scholarships to all their key players. Scholarship limitations in baseball forced the program to divide them, meaning they must compete with a certain number of "walk on" and partial-scholarship players. Furthermore, any football player must play in college before he goes pro. In the vast majority of cases he must compete for four years. A high school baseball star has the option of signing after high school. If he is any kind of prospect he will almost always leave college after his junior year.

Stanford, like California, allowed itself to become a haven of campus radicalism in the 1960s, but unlike Berkeley they still thrived in football. Its band embarrassed themselves by performing a "Tribute to Chairman Mao" during the height of China's Cultural Revolution, when Mao was murdering some 35 million human beings. A cultural-political "war" with the University of Southern California marked the late 1960s and early 1970s. Trojan coach John McKay despised Stanford's liberalism, which he saw as utter hypocrisy in light of the fact that conservative USC was giving the most opportunities to black athletes. The "elitist" Stanford students yelled "the most vile, foul racial epithets I've ever heard in all my years in coaching," said McKay.

Stanford certainly had the chance to establish itself as a college football powerhouse on par with USC, Notre Dame and Alabama. They had a "head start" over those schools. California allure brought Walter Camp to Stanford, where he coached in the 1890s. Fielding Yost was there for a year (1900) before moving on to Michigan. Stanford played in the first Rose Bowl, a 49-0 loss to Michigan's "point a minute" team in 1902. In 1905 they won the national championship and had a lively rivalry with cross-bay California.

Good weather, bustling nearby San Francisco, and post-war demographics favored Stanford. They decided to make their bid for a Rose Bowl "franchise shift" to Stanford Stadium when it was built in 1921. Pasadena's successful building of their stadium in the Arroyo Seco, along with the simultaneous erection of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, stanched Stanford's efforts. This eventually led to USC establishing clear dominance. UCLA eventually replaced Stanford and California as USC's main rival.

With California's "Wonder Teams" dominating the early 1920s, Stanford knew they had to do something spectacular. They did. After building Stanford Stadium, coach Glenn "Pop" Warner was brought in for the 1924 season. Warner was 71-17-8, responsible for such innovations as single- and double-winged attacks, leading to halfback reverse plays. Warner introduced the "huddle" and a numbering system for plays.

His greatest player was Ernie Nevers. He played his senior year of high school in Santa Rosa, north of San Francisco, then compiled a remarkable collegiate career. Nevers, a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, was also a great baseball player who threw two home run pitches to Babe Ruth the year he hit sixty homers (1927). In 1962, Sports Illustrated named him the greatest college football player who ever lived.

Despite Warner and Nevers, Stanford lost to the "Four Horsemen of Notre Dame" in the 1925 Rose Bowl, 27-10, awarding the national championship to the Irish instead of Stanford. In 1926 Stanford was 10-0-1 with a 7-7 tie against Alabama in the Rose Bowl, earning them their second national championship. In 1927 they were 8-2-1 with a 7-6 triumph over Pittsburgh in the Rose Bowl. Consensus All-Americans in the 1920s were Jim Lawson, Nevers, Seraphim Post, and Don Robesky.

#### Stanford's Associated Press Pro Football Player of the Year

John Brodie, San Francisco QB (1970)

But Warner's teams could not beat Howard Jones and Southern Cal, which was reportedly the reason Warner left after the 1932 season. Following the 13-0 loss to USC in 1932, Stanford's freshmen, who were not yet eligible for varsity play, got together and "vowed" never to lose to the Trojans again.

The next year, Stanford's sophomores beat USC, 13-7 to advance to the Rose Bowl (a 7-0 loss to Columbia). In 1934 they again knocked off the Trojans, 16-0 en route to a Rose Bowl appearance against Alabama (who beat them 29-13). In 1935, they were seniors. When Stanford defeated USC, 3-0 they became known forever as the "Vow Boys." That team was 8-1 with a 7-0 victory over Southern Methodist in the Rose Bowl. Consensus All-Americans of the 1930s were Bill Corbus, Bob Reynolds (later a founding owner/partner with Gene Autry of the Los Angeles Angels), Bobby Grayson, and Hank Moscrip.

In 1940, Clark Shaughnessy took over at Stanford. He created the T-formation and was as revolutionary a coach as Warner. Led by two-time consensus All-American quarterback Frankie Albert, the Indians were 10-0, beat Nebraska by a score of 21-13 in the Rose Bowl, and captured the school's third (and last) national championship. Albert went on to great stardom with the San Francisco 49ers. Shaughnessy left Stanford after the 1941 season and they never ascended to those heights again. He became a successful coach of the Chicago Bears, ironically figuring out how to stop coach Red Hickey's 49er "shotgun" offense in 1961.

Chuck Taylor was a consensus All-American at Stanford in 1942. In 1951 he was named head coach. In his first year Taylor led the Indians to a 9-2 mark, but they were beaten badly by Illinois in the Rose Bowl, 40-7. Consensus All-Americans of the 1950s were Bill McColl and John Brodie. Brodie was one of the 49er quarterbacks stopped by Shaughnessy when he solved the "shotgun." Brodie went on to a Hall of Fame career with San Francisco.

The greatest athlete in Stanford history, and possibly the finest all-around athlete ever, was Bob Mathias. He starred as a running back for Taylor. As a central California schoolboy, Mathias won his first Olympic decathlon gold medal at London in 1948. He repeated the accomplishment at Helsinki in 1952. Mathias played for the Los Angeles Rams and became a U.S. Congressman.

Stanford All-Centennial Team

Chosen by fans, 1891-1991

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

OG Chuck Taylor

OG George Buehler

OT Bob Reynolds

OT Blaine Nye

C Vin Lindskog

TE Bill McColl

WR Gene Washington

WR James Lofton

QB Jim Plunkett

RB Ernie Nevers

RB Darrin Nelson

PK Rod Garcia

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DL Paul Wiggin

DL Pete Lazetich

DL Pat Donovan

DL Garin Veris

LB Jeff Siemon

LB Gordy Ceresino

LB David Wymans

DB Dick Horn

DB Benny Barnes

RB Randy Poltl

DB Toi Cook

P Frankie Albert

John Ralston took over at The Farm in 1963. Between 1968 and 1970, Stanford was led by one of the finest collegiate quarterbacks of all time, Jim Plunkett. In 1970 Plunkett won a pitched battle for the Heisman Trophy during what came to be known as the "Year of the Quarterback." He led the Indians to a 27-17 upset of Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, which goes down as one of the biggest upsets ever.

The following season, Stanford's defense was called the "Thunder Chickens." They managed an equally improbable upset of Michigan in the Rose Bowl behind quarterback Don Bunce, who was no Plunkett but efficiently led his team to the promised land.

In 1972, threatened by a lawsuit from native American groups and in pseudo solidarity with Indians who orchestrated a "hostile takeover" of nearby Alcatraz Island, Stanford changed their name to the Cardinal, which they been known as prior to "Indians" (1930-1971). There was and even remains confusion over the name, which is the color Cardinal (no "s"), as opposed to the bird Cardinals (plural). Their cheerleaders once looked darn good wearing Indian headdresses. Their mascot became . . . a tree.

As great as Camp, Warner, Shaughnessy and Ralston were, perhaps Stanford's greatest coach was Bill Walsh. In 1977 he led them to a 9-3 record with a 24-14 victory over LSU in the Bluebonnet Bowl. The next year they capped an 8-4 campaign with a 25-22 win over Georgia in the Bluebonnet Bowl. Walsh left to take Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott and the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl triumphs in the 1980s. He returned to Stanford in 1992, leading his team to a 10-3 record, including a 33-16 victory at Notre Dame and a 24-3 win over Joe Paterno and Penn State in the Blockbuster Bowl.

Consensus All-Americans in the 1970s were Jeff Siemon (All-Pro at Minnesota), Pat Donovan, Guy Benjamin and Ken Margerum. The greatest Stanford player ever was consensus 1982 All-American quarterback and three-time Pac-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year John Elway. Elway went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Denver Broncos, which included Super Bowl championships in the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

Stanford's Super Bowl MVPs (2)

Jim Plunkett (1984), John Elway (1997)

Brad Muster was a consensus All-American running back in 1986, then starred for the Chicago Bears. In the 1990s Bob Whitfield and Troy Walters were consensus picks.

TWENTY-FIVE

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

Number twenty-five among College Football's All-Time Top 25 Traditions is Georgia Tech. They sneak in ahead of a few other programs, namely Arkansas and Brigham Young. Their strengths include a recent national championship (1990) versus Brigham Young (1984) and Arkansas (none unless one counts the 1964 "systems" title when Alabama's bowl loss rendered no "real" champion). BYU has little history prior to the late 1970s. Arkansas does, but Georgia Tech was much stronger.

Georgia Institute of Technology

### Atlanta, Georgia

Founded: 1885

Enrollment: 11,251

Colors: Old gold, white and blue

Nickname: Yellow Jackets

Stadium: Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field (opened: 1913; capacity: 55,000)

All-time record (1892-2006): 646-436-43

Bowl record: 22-13 0-1 (through 2006)

National championships: 1917, 1928, 1990

Atlantic Coast Conference championships: 2

First round NFL draftees: 7

Website: www.wramblinwreck.com

Notable alumni: President Jimmy Carter; baseball star Nomar Garciaparra; golfer David

Duval; comedian Jeff Foxworthy; U.S. Senator Sam Nunn; NASA head Dick Truly

While LSU, Auburn, Texas and Oklahoma all made their mark, Tech was in fact the first real Southern power; before Alabama, Tennessee or anybody. When people made fun of Southern football, Tech brought respectability. The coach of their 1917 national champions, John Heisman is immortalized by virtue of the trophy in his name.

Furthermore, Georgia Tech is part of Rose Bowl tradition. Their 8-7 victory over California in 1929 came on the "strength" of the famed "Wrong Way" Riegels run, leading to a game-winning safety for Tech. This gave the Yellow Jackets a share of the 1928 national championship with USC.

Georgia Tech's drawback is they are not in the Southeastern Conference anymore. They were members of the SEC from 1933-1963, but when they left it marked a loss in prestige just as the SEC was on the rise. They are not paid the attention given to Alabama, Florida and other SEC juggernauts. When professional football and baseball came to Atlanta in the 1960s, interest in Tech waned a bit, as opposed to most Southern programs performing without the shadow of Major League teams.

Georgia Tech All-Time Time

Chosen by fan ballots, 1991

OFFENSE

Pos. Player

G Billy Shaw

G Rufus Guthrie

T Kent Hill

T John Davis

T Bill Curry

TE Billy Martin

WR Jimmy Robinson

WR Drew Hill

QB Billy Lothridge

RB Eddie Lee Ivery

RB Robert Lavette

K Scott Sisson

DEFENSE

Pos. Player

DL Larry Stallings

DL Rocky Perdoni

DL Pat Swilling

LB George Morris

LB Maxie Baughan

LB Lucius Sanford

CB Randy Rhino

CB Reginald Rutland

S Don Bessillieu

S Ken Swilling

P Billy Lothridge

Tech got some added attention in 1998. Best selling novelist Tom Wolfe wrote an entertaining book called A Man In Full, whose two main characters were former and current Georgia Tech football stars. The book detailed the nature of Southern college football reverence as well as an in-depth look at Atlanta's class and racial politics. Of all Southern cities, Atlanta – once partially burned to the ground by General William Sherman – has symbolized the region. It has certainly been the center of Southern economic and political revival, symbolized by its successful hosting of the 1996 Olympics.

Georgia Tech's fame stems in some measure from frequently repeating the score of their 1916 victory over Cumberland: 222-0. This remains the single most lopsided win in collegiate football history. John Heisman coached from 1904-1919, compiling a 102-29-7 record (.764). Consensus All-Americans of the era were Everett Strupper, Ashel Day, Joe Guyon and Bill Fincher.

They were "Ramblin' Wrecks from Georgia Tech"

Georgia Tech 105, Mercer 0 (10/10/14)

Georgia Tech 222, Cumberland 0 (10/7/16)

Georgia Tech 118, Furman 0 (10/12/18)

Georgia Tech 123, 11th Cavalry 0 (10/19/18)

Georgia Tech 128, North Carolina State 0 (11/10/18)

Coach Bill Alexander's 1928 team was 10-0 with the Rose Bowl win over California and the co-national title. Peter Pund was a consensus selection that season. In 1930 their famed appellation "Rambling' Wrecks from Georgia Tech" was given them by virtue of a 1930 Model A Ford Sports Coupe. The team forever-after followed it onto the field prior to games while fans sing, "I'm a Rambling' Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer. A helluva, helluva, helluva, helluva, hell of an engineer."

Yellow Jackets on the run

S/Start season; F/Finish season

Year Record Run

1914 6-2 F/2-0 6-2 (1914)

2-0 (1914)

1915 7-0-1 13-2-1 (1914-15)

9-0-1(1914-15)

1916 8-0-1 21-2-2 (1914-16)

17-0-2 (1914-16)

1917 9-0 30-2-2 (1914-17)

26-0-2 (1914-17)

1918 6-1 S/5-0 36-3-2 (1914-18)

35-3-2 (1914-18) 40 games

31-0-2 (1914-18)

32-1-1 (1914-18)

Year Record Run

1950 5-6 F/2-0 5-6 (1950)

2-0 (1950)

1951 11-0-1 13-0-1 (1950-51)

1952 12-0 25-0-1 (1950-52)

1953 9-2-1 S/4-0-1 34-2-2 (1950-52)

29-0-2 (1950-53)

1940s consensus picks were Harvey Hardy and Phil Tinsley. Coach Bobby Dodd (1945-1966) is considered one of the greatest collegiate coaches of all time. Bear Bryant idolized him. Dodd's consensus picks were Paul Duke, Bob Davis, Hal Miller, Larry Morris, Maxie Baughan and Jim Breland. Between 1950 and 1953 Tech "engineered" a 31-game unbeaten streak, which came to an end courtesy of Notre Dame, 27-14. The 1952 squad was 12-0 with a 24-7 win over Mississippi State in the Sugar Bowl. Some systems awarded them a national championship, but the consensus winner was unbeaten Michigan State, ranked number one in both the AP and UPI.

Georgia Tech's Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year

Pat Swilling, New Orleans LB (1992)

Consensus All-Americans of the 1970s were Rock Perdoni and Randy Rhino. In 1990, coach Bobby Ross and consensus All-American free safety Pat Swilling led the Yellow Jackets to an 11-0-1 record with a 45-21 Citrus Bowl victory over Nebraska. The UPI awarded them with the national championship. In succeeding years, Tech consensus All-Americans have been Craig Page, Joe Hamilton and Chris Brown. In 2006, wide receiver Calvin Johnson made consensus All-American and was Detroit's first draft pick.

PART FIVE

CONFERENCES, GAMES, PLAYERS AND COACHES

A CITY (LOS ANGELES)

A SCHOOL (USC)

A GAME (THE ROSE BOWL)

A STATE (CALIFORNIA)

A REGION (THE WEST) . . .

AND A CONFERENCE (THE PACIFIC-10)

160 years after the actual '49ers, the greatest "gold mine" of sports talent in the world is in California; its teams, its traditions, and its conference reflect this excellence. In football, it has stiffer competition than other sports.

In recent years, supporters of various college football programs have more and more argued the merits of particular teams based as much on the conference they play in as on the individual schools. There is some validity in this, but only so much.

Conference comparisons are sometimes uneven. Some conferences have ten teams, others twelve. The Pacific-10 only had eight until they added Arizona and Arizona State in 1978. The more teams in a conference, mathematically the greater likelihood that a larger number of teams from that conference will go to a bowl game, or be ranked. Many conference schedules do not include all the teams in the conference. Some conferences have divisions and a championship game. Some do not.

However, history has a way of evening things out. Different eras create different criterias, but when you go back eighty to 100 years, there is a tendency to see equality in the numbers and statistics. For roughly fifteen or twenty years, the Southeastern Conference has increasingly shown itself to be the toughest football – and arguably the best overall athletic - conference in the nation. There is no indication that this will change soon, but the cyclical nature of sports history says that at some point it will.

In this same period of time, the Pacific-10 Conference has experienced a down period. Many have argued that it is "soft." While the Pac-10 has undoubtedly not been as strong up and down as the SEC of late, much of the disparagement of it is not particularly valid. There is a political and social edge to this criticism. Southerners in particular view the Pac-10 from a "red state versus blue state" mentality, as if support for the military and the War on Terror is indicative of better college football. There is unquestionably a jealousy factor, too. The Pacific-10 Conference includes big metropolitan areas like the Los Angeles/Orange County basin, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and fast-sprouting Phoenix metro. It is Hollywood, Silicon Valley, the "Microsoft and grunge crowd"; the "Left Coast." It is a trendsetting region in culture and style. It is a quasi-"kingmaker" in presidential elections, electorally and financially. College football has not been big time in New York City, or really anywhere in the tri-state area, since the 1920s or 1930s at the latest (although Rutgers has been surging in recent years). The covetousness of human nature is more often then directed at the West Coast, and all it stands for; good and bad.

At the heart of all this is the University of Southern California. Athletically, they are the top dog in their conference. Academically, the Pac-10 has more heavyweights than most conferences. Stanford is considered to be as outstanding an all-around educational experience as any in the nation. California and UCLA are not far behind. Until recently, USC had the reputation of being a "jock school." No more. If there were a "top 25" rating schools in every area, USC would be a contender for the list. In fact, there is one: _U.S. News & World Report_ ranks USC, along with more Pac-10 schools than any of the so-called "sports conferences". USC was also rated "College of the Year" as recently as 2000 in the _Time/Princeton Review_.

On the football field, USC dominates. Out of this an argument arises. Much of the conference prestige emanates from the success of USC. The Trojans often appear to "carry" the Pac-10. SEC fans say that USC would not be as successful in their conference because the competition is greater. They may be right, but there is a flip side to that logic: does USC dominate the Pac-10 because the Pac-10 is a weaker conference, or is the Pac-10 a weaker conference because USC dominates it?

That is, should USC be "penalized" in the court of public opinion because they are so good? No one college dominates its conference as USC always has dominated the Pac-10. Texas was a strong team in the Southwestern Conference and in recent years has had great teams in the Big 12, but their record in these leagues does not compare with USC in the Pac-10. Nebraska and Oklahoma have fairly evenly battled in the Big 8 (now Big 12).

Alabama has been the top dog in the Southeastern Conference, but in recent years especially has taken a back seat to Florida, LSU, Auburn, Tennessee and Georgia. These teams fight each other "tooth and nail" for recruits on and off the field. Out of this fray emerges BCS national champions (Tennessee in 1998, LSU in 2003, Florida in 2006) and close contenders (Auburn in 2004).

The Big 10 is no longer considered a truly great conference. Neither Michigan nor Ohio State holds the "hammer" on each other. The conference consistently loses bowl games. The Big 10 produces national titles infrequently (two since 1968).

On the other hand, USC quite thoroughly dominates its greatest conference rival, UCLA. This makes a powerful statement, because UCLA is probably the second best overall athletic tradition in the nation. They have all the pieces in place to create one of the top football programs in the country, and in so doing to create equality with USC. They have not achieved this. The reason they have not: USC. The Trojans have not let them.

This would be like Alabama not letting Florida or LSU achieve the power they _have_ achieved. The Bruins have always had many advantages: thorough integration since their beginning, great weather, the L.A. recruiting base, glamour, academics, good facilities, beautiful girls and the nearby attractions of Bel-Air, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Malibu beach. John Wooden demonstrated in basketball what could happen when all of these advantages are maximized. USC was a hoops power and likely would have won a few of those national titles Wooden gobbled up in the 1960s and '70s. In football, UCLA has been strangely enigmatic. They are usually good, often very powerful, yet only one national title has been bestowed upon the Sons of Westwood.

The fact they do not have a stadium partly explains this. They joined the PCC in 1928 and were more or less "tenants" of USC at the L.A. Coliseum. For fifty-plus years their fans had to drive to USC, park in and around the campus, then walk past Trojan shrines on their way to and from games. In 1982 they moved into the venerable Rose Bowl, but this has not turned them into the powerhouse they always threatened to be. It is problematic for students, located some forty-five minutes from campus even without traffic and parking hassles. Worse, when the Trojans play in the Rose Bowl game on January 1 it tends to place forth the discomfiting fact that, while the Bruins rent the place in the fall, it is USC's "house" come New Year's Day.

Nevertheless, in a city and region producing a gold mine of high school football talent; with the advantage of being able to bring in kids whose friends and family can conveniently visit the school and attend the games (plus vice versa), UCLA should do better. They do not because USC dominates them, almost (but not quite) as thoroughly as Wooden dominated USC in basketball. In this regard the Trojans tower over the city and the conference. No single SEC, Big 12 or Big 10 team comes close to creating this kind of hegemony on their own turf.

Florida State in the ACC, and Miami (an independent, then in the Big East, then in the ACC) have done this in their conferences at times, but their leagues are historically considered a notch below the "big boys" (Pac-10, SEC, et al). If Florida could dominate the SEC the way USC has for the most part dominated the Pac-10, they would separate themselves from the competition.

It therefore comes down to the question: who has the talent? Does USC get the best talent from a smaller pool of potential players, or the best of a larger pool? Since integration, there is no question the South, with the three Florida schools leading the way, created a paradigm shift in the power base of collegiate football. However, it is a myth to think the SEC was ever weak. It may have been maligned, it may not have benefited from having media centers in its midst, and its racial politics definitely engendered bad feelings; but they have always been good.

Still, this kind of thing has a tendency to be cyclical and subject to outside influences. The Big 10 has probably suffered a bit because of economic downturns, especially in the manufacturing sector. The South and the West enjoy good weather, campus populations including a plethora of pretty girls (a recruiting factor that cannot be underestimated) and, in recent years for the most part, fairly vibrant economies. The "new South" has thrived politically and financially since integration. The ultimate multi-cultural event, the Olympics, came to Atlanta in 1996. Its big cities all have major professional sports franchises now. West Coast cities, and by extension its colleges, have benefited from ties to the defense/aerospace industry, Silicon Valley, Hollywood, Pacific Rim trade . . .

While the SEC holds the current bragging rights, history is always the best guide. In judging conferences by viewing the bigger picture of things, the Pacific-10 (which has been the PCC, the AAWU and the Pac-8) is arguably the best in football. They are so much better than everybody else in all sports that there simply is no debate!

In football, it is closer than the other sports. They have won nineteen legitimate national championships and ten Heisman Trophies since World War I. Prior to the Great War, Stanford, Washington, Washington State and Oregon had teams considered worthy historical national champions. Washington was the "Team of the Decade" (1910s). The best football in the country was played in the Pacific Northwest up until World War I; in northern California (California, Stanford) right after the war; and in southern California (USC) in the late 1920s and 1930s.

The "Ivy League," which was really just a loose confederation of independent teams, dominated the nineteenth and early twentieth century, but there is no way to compare that era with the modern one, or even the 1920s, when sports in America saw great advances. The Big 10 boasts sixteen national championships and fourteen Heisman Trophies. In the 1900s, the best football was played at Michigan, Minnesota and Chicago. Throughout the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, it was arguably as good if not the best conference in America, but it has not maintained that level in the ensuing decades.

The Southeastern Conference, once known as the Southern Conference, has produced sixteen national titles and eight Heismans. Its most ardent supporters argue that the SEC's rugged schedule, topped off by a conference title game, make it difficult for the league to produce national champions. There may be years in which this is true, but overall the cream tends to rise to the top. Over the course of history, it all evens itself out one way or another. Even in the last decade-plus, there really are not any years in which some SEC team can make a legitimate claim they were actually better than some non-SEC team that won the championship. Florida could credit participation in such a rugged conference with giving them the edge, via computers and polls over Michigan when choosing who would play in the 2007 BCS title game. When the underdog Gators destroyed highly favored Ohio State, it had the effect of increasing SEC prestige while undermining that of the Big 10.

Did you know . . .

That Sports Illustrated reported in 2006 that for twenty-six years running, the Southeastern Conference led the nation in attendance, averaging 5,715,917 fans per season (74,700 per game)? They filled 97.6 percent of their stadiums to capacity. The Big 10 is second at 72,566, even though they have two of the largest stadiums (Ohio State's "horseshoe" and Michigan's "Big House"). The Big 12 averaged 58,397; the ACC: 52,257; the Pacific-10: 57,479; and the Big East: 39,400 during this period.

The Big 12, which started as the Missouri Valley Conference, was the Big 7 and the Big 8, then the Big 12 when they incorporated the Southwest Conference. They have thirteen national titles (including Texas in 2005) and ten Heisman winners. During the heyday of the Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry (1970s and 1980s), the conference was weak outside the Cornhuskers and Sooners. When Oklahoma fell in the 1990s, the rest of the conference improved noticeably, most particular in the form of longtime weak sister Kansas State. The casual fan also might be surprised by Colorado's history. The Buffaloes shared the 1990 national championship, but aside from that the school produced a 643-397-36 (.614) record through 2004, with one Heisman winner (Rashaan Salaam) and one of the most famous of All-Americans, Byron "Whizzer" White (1937). (President John F. Kennedy appointed White to the Supreme Court.)

In the 2000s, the Big 12 produced two national champions (Oklahoma in 2000, Texas in 2005) plus BCS championship game appearances by the Sooners following the 2003 and 2004 campaigns. The SEC, however, argued they were better than the Big 12. In the case of LSU (2003) they were. In the case of Auburn (2004) they may or may not have been.

The ACC also has roots in the Southern Conference. They have five titles with two Heismans. Miami won three as an independent and two as a member of the Big East, which they have since left to join the ACC. The old Southwest Conference boasted four titles (Texas won two from the SWC) and five Heismans. BYU gives the WAC their only one. The rest are distributed between independents Notre Dame (eleven), Army (three), Penn State (two before joining the Big 10), Pitt and Syracuse (both now in the Big East). The average fan probably has little idea how good Army was at least until the late 1950s. Pitt made a revival of its glorious past during Tony Dorsett's magical Heisman/national championship campaign of 1976. Syracuse, like Colorado, is a sleeper; one national title (1959), one Heisman winner (Ernie Davis in 1961), a 664-435-40 (.600) record through 2004, and a fella named Jim Brown!

Just as USC holds the national championship edge, insofar as none of their titles are illegitimatized by bowl losses, or by a long list of empty championships won without playing in bowls, the Pac-10's history is similar. Of their nineteen titles, all are legit. Other teams and conferences have any number of national championships diluted by bowl losses, no bowls, and probation. Cal's four include three Rose Bowl wins and a tie. From 1948-1950, their national title chances went up in smoke because of Rose Bowl defeats. Nevertheless, unlike other programs, there is no misleading literature purporting the myth that any of those teams were indeed "champions" based on their unbeaten regular season records.

Stanford's two post-World War I titles include a 1927 Rose Bowl tie with Alabama, the team they split with. Their 1940 champions beat Nebraska in the Rose Bowl. Washington's 1991 co-national championship came on the heels of a 34-14 thumping of 10-1 Michigan at Pasadena.

The "granddaddy of 'em all" represents the single greatest barometer of college football excellence there is. The Rose Bowl is the most prestigious of all the bowl games; the oldest, the most established, the one generating the most attention. It has more consistently than any other game pitted the two best teams in the country. It has produced more national champions and decided more titles than any other bowl by a long shot. Michigan dominated in the first Rose Bowl; the Big 10 in the first decade of the post-World War II arrangement. The overall record of this game demonstrates Pacific Coast superiority.

National champions (historical, systems, polls, BCS) produced by the Rose Bowl include (years reflect the January date of the games): Michigan (1902), Washington (1916), Oregon (1917), Harvard (1920), California (1921-1922), Notre Dame (1925), Alabama (1926-1927), Stanford (1927), Alabama (1931), USC (1932-1933), Alabama (1935), California (1938), USC (1940), Stanford (1941), Ohio State (1955), Ohio State (1958), USC (1963), USC (1968), Ohio State (1969), USC (1973), USC (1975), USC (1979), Washington (1992), Michigan (1998), Miami (2002), USC (2004), and Texas (2006).

The Rose Bowl was usually, for all practical purposes, a "national championship game" until World War II. The winner in Pasadena was assured of national championship status in one way or another in 1921 (Cal over Ohio State), 1925 (Notre Dame over Stanford), 1926 (Alabama over Washington), 1927 (Stanford tied Alabama), 1932 (USC over Tulane), and 1940 (USC over Tennessee). After the war, both teams knew ahead of time that if they won, some form of the "brass ring" would come their way in 1963 (USC over Wisconsin), 1969 (Ohio State over USC), 2002 (Miami over Nebraska), and 2006 (Texas over USC). Twice, tie games still produced national champions. In 1922, Cal tied Washington & Jefferson and won the title. As mentioned, the 1927 Stanford-Alabama tie resulted in splitting the title.

Georgia Tech's 1929 win over Cal vaulted them to national championship status in some of the systems. Georgia argued that they should have been the national champions after beating UCLA in 1943. The Rose Bowl also had the effect of knocking teams out of the national title picture (in some cases the systems as polls were closed) when they lost to non-national championship contenders. These included Pitt (to Stanford, 1928), SMU (to Stanford, 1936), Duke (to USC, 1939 and to Oregon State, 1942), UCLA (to Illinois, 1947), Cal (to Northwestern, 1949; to Ohio State, 1950; and to Michigan, 1951), Ohio State (to Stanford, 1971), Michigan (to Stanford, 1972), Ohio State (to UCLA, 1976), Ohio State (to USC, 1980), and Arizona State (to Ohio State, 1997). In 1961 Minnesota lost to Washington. They retained the AP and UPI "titles" from before the game, but history illegitimatizes them. Michigan State's 1966 loss to UCLA relegates their "UPI title" to the broom closet, as well.

#### Heisman Trophies by conference

Independents 20

Big 10 14

Pacific Coast-AAWU-Pacific 8/10 10

MVC-Big 6/8/12 10

Southern/Southeastern 8

Southwest 5

Southern/Atlantic Coast 2

Big East 2

Western Athletic 1

INDEPENDENTS 20

Notre Dame: 7 (Angelo Bertelli, 1943; John Lujack, 1947; Leon Hart, 1949; John

Lattner, 1953; Paul Hornung, 1956; John Huarte, 1964; Tim Brown, 1987)

Army: 3 (Doc Blanchard, 1945; Glenn Davis, 1945; Pete Dawkins, 1958)

Navy: 2 (Joe Bellino, 1960; Roger Staubach, 1963)

Yale: 2 (Larry Kelley, 1936; Clint Frank, 1937)

Boston College: 1 (Doug Flutie, 1984)

Pittsburgh: 1 Tony Dorsett, 1976

Penn State: 1 (John Cappelletti, 1973)

Syracuse: 1 (Ernie Davis, 1961)

Princeton: 1 (Dick Kazmaier, 1951)

Chicago: 1 (Jay Berwanger, 1935)

BIG 10 14

Ohio State: 7 (Les Horvath; 1944; Vic Janowicz, 1950; Howard Cassady, 1955; Archie

Griffin, 1974-75, Eddie George, 1995, Troy Smith, 2006)

Michigan: 3 (Tom Harmon, 1940; Desmond Howard, 1941; Charles Woodson, 1997)

Wisconsin: 2 (Alan Ameche, 1954; Ron Dayne, 1999)

Minnesota: 1 (Bruce Smith, 1941)

Iowa: 1 (Nile Kinnick, 1939)

PACIFIC COAST/AAWU/PACIFIC 8/10 10

Southern California: 7 (Mike Garrett, 1965; O.J. Simpson, 1968; Charles Whites, 1979;

Marcus Allen, 1981; Carson Palmer, 2002; Matt Leinart, 2004; Reggie Bush, 2005)

Oregon State: 1 (Terry Baker, 1962)

UCLA: 1 (Gary Beban, 1967)

Stanford: 1 (Jim Plunkett, 1970)

MVC/BIG 6/8/12 10

Oklahoma: 4 (Billy Vessels, 1952; Steve Owens, 1969; Billy Sims, 1978; Jason White,

2003)

Nebraska: 3 (Johnny Rodgers, 1972; Mike Rozier, 1983; Eric Crouch, 2001)

Texas: 1 (Ricky Williams, 1998)

Oklahoma State: 1 (Barry Sanders, 1988)

Colorado: 1 (Rashaan Salaam, 1994)

SOUTHERN/SOUTHEASTERN 8

Florida: 2 (Steve Spurrier, 1966; Danny Wuerffel, 1996)

Auburn: 2 (Pat Sullivan, 1971; Bo Jackson, 1985)

Georgia: 2 (Frank Sinkwich, 1942; Herschel Walker, 1982)

Louisiana State: 1 (Billy Cannon, 1959)

South Carolina: 1 (George Rogers, 1980)

SOUTHWEST 5

Houston: 1 (Andre Ware, 1990)

Texas 1: (Earl Campbell, 1977)

Southern Methodist: 1 (Doak Walker, 1948)

Texas A&M: 1 (John David Crow, 1957)

Texas Christian: 1 (Davey O'Brien, 1938)

ATLANTIC COAST 2

Florida State: 2 (Charlie Ward, 1993; Chris Weinke, 2000)

BIG EAST 2

Miami: *2 (Vinny Testaverde, 1986; Gino Torretta, 1992)

*Independent, 1986; joined Big East, 1991

WESTERN ATHLETIC 1

Brigham Young: 1 (Ty Detmer, 1990)

On January 1, 1980, USC's win over Ohio State (number one had they prevailed) would have given the Trojans the national championship if Alabama had lost that night to Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. In 1995 Penn State's win over Oregon would have given the Nittany Lions the final number one ranking had Nebraska lost the Orange Bowl to Miami.

In college football there never has been a play-off. The Rose Bowl traditionally represents the greatest historical arbiter of national success. It is the closest thing the game has to a Super Bowl or a Final Four. The polls and the systems are fraught with obvious miscalculations and oversights. The Rose Bowl therefore is the best place to determine a century's worth of superiority on the field of play.

It is not a perfect system, of course. The game tends to favor the Pac-10 team, especially USC and UCLA. It is played right next to their town. In UCLA's case, it is played in their stadium. While the ticket distribution is as even as possible, naturally the L.A. and West Coast schools play in front of _de facto_ "home crowds."

Call it a "historical accident," or perhaps a "self-fulfilling prophesy," but the Rose Bowl game has had the effect of elevating USC and the Pac-10 above other teams and conferences. The legend of USC is made in large part by the Rose Bowl. The legend of the Rose Bowl is made in large part by USC. It is not unlike the USC-Notre Dame rivalry. What came first? Who helps whom the most?

Sure, Notre Dame was bigger than USC when they started to play each other in 1926. The rivalry elevated USC to Notre Dame's national level. When USC won national titles in 1928, 1931, 1932 and 1939, they helped make Notre Dame just as much as Notre Dame helped make USC. The two schools, despite beating each other up every season, are great for each other. The road to glory has often led through Los Angeles, South Bend . . . and Pasadena ever since.

It is easy to complain that the Rose Bowl game has had the effect of overglamorizing the Trojans and their conference. It is also true the superior performance of the Trojans and their conference glamorized the game, the team and the Pac-10, through their sheer display of excellence. After all, if USC lost most of the time in Pasadena; if the Pac-10's record there were abysmal; these would be major factors in discrediting their respective historical traditions. The true nature of Michigan's history is also revealed for what it is, and for what it is not. Over time, this tells us that USC is perhaps even a little better than a lot of people might think, and Michigan is not quite as good as their reputation suggests. This is a telling pattern, explaining much about the teams and conferences that have played in the Rose Bowl.

Big 10 teams certainly enjoyed the arrangement between 1947 and 1952 when they won the first six years. What they mostly enjoy about it now is the trip to L.A., sunning by the beach in the winter, and all the mystique of "California dreamin'." Their record of losses over the years might have them reflecting on whether they would fare better playing other teams from other conferences in other bowls. Their record in games against those other teams suggests that the other teams they play in those other bowls are not as good as the teams they play in the Rose Bowl.

Southern California's excellent weather is an advantage for the more freewheeling West Coast offenses. The Big 10 representatives come out to L.A. after playing the last month of their season in cold climes. They must practice in inclement conditions, or in-doors. USC and UCLA enjoy generally sunny Decembers. They do not have to get on a plane and deal with a hotel (other than their normal "home game" arrangements, a staple with all college teams for regular season games). But there is no logical place for criticism of the weather. The optimum conditions for any game is always warm and dry. This is why the Super Bowl strives for that end.

Teams outside the Pacific-10 and Big 10 obviously have not played many Rose Bowls (none between January 1947 and January 2001, with BCS variation since then). Naturally, Alabama or LSU would rather be judged by their Sugar Bowl record; Oklahoma and Nebraska in the Orange Bowl; Texas in the Cotton Bowl. Or, perhaps not. None of those teams has a record in any of those games approaching USC's record in the Rose Bowl. The competition the Trojans have faced in those games has generally been as good as any offered in any bowls. The Pac-10 has built its Rose Bowl record in fair part against unbeaten Big 10 powerhouses who, had they won, might have won national championships.

The storied tradition of this game suggests that, along with a study of national championships, Heisman Trophies, All-Americans and other criteria, the Rose Bowl provides a sweeping landscape of collegiate football history. It reveals a yearly tapestry telling us as much about the game as anything.

Because of the Pacific Coast (since 1902) and Big 10 (since 1947) nature of the game, it is of course dominated by the Western and Midwestern regions. These are two old, distinguished conferences; not the only ones, but two conferences that play a big part in defining the game. The Pacific-10 was the best Rose Bowl team in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Big 10 was better. In the more modern era, which by all accounts and use of commons sense dictates should be given more weight, the Pac-10 is better by a long shot.

Based on all the empirical evidence that this game provides, along with other information and logic (records of teams in other bowls, for instance), the best conclusion available is that USC is the superior college tradition, and the Pacific-10 is the best of all the conferences.

#### Rose Bowl records

## By conference

Pacific Coast-AAWU-Pac-8/10 45-41-3

Big 10 25-28

Southern-Southeastern 6-5-1

Big 12 3-2

Independents 2-4

Military service-academies 2-1-2

Independent-"Ivy League" 2-2-1

Big East 1-0

Southwest 0-1

## By school

Southern California 22-9

Michigan 8-12

Washington 7-6-1

Stanford 5-6-1

UCLA 5-6

Ohio State 4-7

Alabama 4-1-1

Wisconsin 3-3

Michigan State 3-1

Illinois 3-1

California 2-5-1

Iowa 2-3

Texas 2-0

Washington State 1-3

Oregon 1-3

Pittsburgh 1-3

Oregon State 1-2

Arizona State 1-1

Purdue 1-1

Northwestern 1-1

Penn State 1-1

Minnesota 1-1

Mare Island Marines 1-1

Oklahoma 1-0

Miami 1-0

Georgia 1-0

Columbia 1-0

Georgia Tech 1-0

Notre Dame 1-0

Harvard 1-0

Great Lakes 1-0

Nebraska 0-2

Navy 0-0-1

Washington & Jefferson 0-0-1

Camp Lewis 0-1

Pennsylvania 0-1

Tennessee 0-2

Duke 0-2

Indiana 0-1

Southern Methodist 0-1

Tulane 0-1

Brown 0-1

But there is other evidence pointing to Pacific-10 superiority. True, much of it is weighted on the shoulders of USC's extraordinary record in every single category in which greatness is judged. But the rest of the schools are in the conference, that is that, and there is no apologizing over it. Any great empire has a capital. Rome was a single center of political, military and commercial empire. From London, England oversaw a world in which the "sun never set." In America, which might be considered the "new Rome," it is in Washington.

So, too, is USC, the city of Los Angeles, the state of California – by extension the entire Pacific-10 Conference and the West – the center of the world's professional and amateur sports empire. Its natural advantages tell part of the story: year-round fair weather combined with the biggest population. The economy is good in California. It is a state consisting of large middle class areas that take youth sports seriously; rural regions that are as excited about sports as Texas or the Deep South; and several urban centers with large populations of blacks, Latinos and Pacific Islanders. The best high school programs in almost every sport invariably are in the Golden State. California produces the most national champions in prep football, basketball and baseball, just to name the three main sports. Californians can watch more big league and big time college sports games in some of the nation's best and most famous stadiums, in addition to first class TV and radio broadcasts. They read about athletic exploits in some of the largest, most professional metropolitan newspapers ( _L.A. Times_ , _Orange County Register_ , _Sacramento_ _Bee_ , _San Francisco Chronicle_ and _San Diego Union-Tribune_ ). It is a big league state with a big league mindset explaining why, despite the fact Los Angeles has not had professional football since 1994, USC under Peter Carroll is referred as "L.A.'s pro team."

National championships by conferences/modern era, 1919-2006

Pacific Coast (10 Heismans) 19 LEGITIMATE

Independents (20 Heismans) 19 LEGITIMATE

Big 10 (14 Heismans) 16 LEGITIMATE

Southern/Southeastern (8 Heismans) 16 LEGITIMATE

MVC/Big 6/8/12 (10 Heismans) 13 LEGITIMATE

Southern/Atlantic Coast (2 Heismans) 5 LEGITIMATE

Big East (2 Heismans) 5 LEGITIMATE

Southweste (5 Heismans) 4 LEGITIMATE

Western Athletic (1 Heisman) 1 LEGITIMATE

PACIFIC COAST/AAWU/PACIFIC 8/10 19 LEGITIMATE

10 Heismans

Southern California 11 legitimate, 6 consensus, 5 co, 5 AP, 5 UPI, 1 BCS, 10 bowl

wins, 1 no bowl

California 4 legitimate, 3 consensus, 1 co, 3 bowl wins, 1 bowl tie, 1 no bowl

Stanford 2 legitimate, 2 co, 1 bowl win, 1 bowl tie

Washington 1 legitimate, 1 co, 1 UPI, 1 USA, 1 bowl win

UCLA 1 legitimate, 1 co, I UPI, 1 no bowl

Southern California: 11 (1928-co, 1931, 1932, 1939-co, 1962 AP/UPI, 1967 AP/UPI,

1972 AP/UPI, 1974-co UPI, 1978-co UPI, 2003-co AP, 2004 AP/BCS)

California: 4 (1920, 1921, 1922, 1937-co)

Stanford: 2 (1926-co, 1940-co)

Washington: 1 (1991-co UPI/USA)

UCLA: 1 (1954-co UPI)

INDEPENDENTS 19 LEGITIMATE

20 Heismans

Notre Dame 11 legitimate, 9 consensus, 2 co, 8 AP, 6 UPI, 1 USA, 4 bowl

wins, 7 no bowls

Penn State 2 legitimate, 2 consensus, 2 AP, 2 UPI, 2 USA, bowl wins

Pittsburgh 2 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 co, 2 AP, 1 UPI, 1 bowl win, 1 no

bowl

Army 2 legitimate, 2 consensus, 2 AP, 2 no bowls

Syracuse 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 AP, 1 UPI, 1 bowl win

Princeton 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 bowl win

Notre Dame: 11 (1924, 1929, 1930-co, 1943 AP, 1946 AP/UPI, 1947 AP/UPI, 1949

AP/UPI, 1966 AP/UPI, 1973-co AP, 1977 AP/UPI, 1988 AP/UPI/USA)

Penn State: 2 (1982 (AP/UPI/USA, 1986 AP/UPI/USA)

Pittsburgh: 2 (1937-co AP, 1976 AP/UPI)

Army: 2 (1944 AP, 1945 AP)

Syracuse: 1 (1959 AP/UPI)

Princeton: 1 (1919)

BIG 10 16 LEGITIMATE

14 Heismans

Minnesota 5 legitimate, 1 ILLEGITIMATE, 3 consensus, 2 co, 4 AP, 1 UPI,

1 bowl loss, 4 no bowls

Ohio State 5 legitimate, 3 consensus, 2 co, 3 AP, 2 UPI, 1 BCS, 4 bowl wins,

1 no bowl

Michigan 4 legitimate, 3 consensus, 1 co, 2 AP, 1 bowl win, 3 no bowls

Michigan State 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 ILLEGITIMATE, 1 revised, 1 co, 1

AP, 2 UPI, 1 bowl loss, 1 no bowl

Illinois 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 no bowl

Minnesota: 5 (1934-co, 1935, 1936 AP, 1940-co AP, 1941 AP, 1960 AP/UPI)

ILLEGITIMATE)

Ohio State: 5 (1942, 1954-co AP, 1957-co UPI, 1968 AP/UPI, 2002 AP/BCS)

Michigan: 4 (1923, 1933, 1948 AP, 1997-co AP)

Michigan State: 1 (1952 AP/UPI, 1953 REVISED, 1965-co UPI ILLEGITIMATE)

Illinois: 1 (1927)

SOUTHERN/SOUTHEASTERN 16 LEGITIMATE

8 Heismans

Alabama 9 legitimate, 4 consensus, 2 ILLEGITIMATE, 6 co, 5 AP, 4 UPI, 1 USA, 7 bowl

wins, 2 bowl loss, 1 bowl tie, 1 no bowl

Florida 2 legitimate, 2 consensus, 2 AP, 1 USA, 1 BCS, 2 bowl wins

Louisiana State 2 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 AP, 1 UPI, 1 BCS, 2 bowl wins

Tennessee 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 revised, 1 AP, 1 BCS, 1 bowl win, 1 bowl loss

Georgia 1 legitimate, consensus, 1 AP, 1 UPI, 1 bowl win

Auburn 1 legitimate, 1 co, 1 AP, 1 no bowl

Alabama: 9 legitimate (1925, 1926-co, 1930-co, 1934-co, 1961 AP/UPI, 1964 AP/UPI

ILLEGITIMATE, 1965-co AP, 1973-co UPI ILLEGITIMATE, 1978-co AP, 1979 AP/UPI, 1992 AP/UPI/USA)

Florida: 2 (1996 AP/USA, 2006 AP/BCS)

Louisiana State: 2 legitimate, (1958 AP/UPI, 2003-co BCS)

Tennessee: 1 legitimate (1950 REVISED, 1951 AP/UPI ILLEGITIMATE, 1998

AP/BCS)

Georgia: 1 legitimate (1980 AP/UPI)

Auburn: 1 legitimate (1957-co AP)

Mississippi: 0 legitimate (1960 REVISED)

MVC-BIG 6/8/12 13 LEGITIMATE

10 Heismans

Oklahoma 6 legitimate, 5 consensus, 1 ILLEGITIMATE, 1 probation, 1 co,

6 AP, 5 UPI, 1 USA, 1 BCS, 4 bowl wins, 1 bowl loss, 2 no bowl

Nebraska 5 legitimate, 3 consensus, 2 co, 4 AP, 3 UPI, 3 USA, 2 HOF, 5

bowl wins

Texas 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 AP, 1 BCS, 1 bowl win

Colorado 1 legitimate, 1 co, 1 AP, 1 bowl win

Oklahoma: 6 legitimate (1950 AP/UPI ILLEGITIMATE, 1955 AP/UPI, 1956 AP/UPI.

1974-co AP PROBATION, 1975 AP/UPI, 1985 AP/UPI/USA, 2000 AP/BCS)

Nebraska: 5 legitimate (1970-co AP, 1971 AP/UPI, 1994 AP/UPI/USA/HOF, 1995

AP/UPI/USA/HOF, 1997-co USA)

Texas: 1 legitimate (2005 AP/BCS)

Colorado: 1 legitimate (1990-co AP)

SOUTHERN/ATLANTIC COAST 5 LEGITIMATE

2 Heismans

Florida state 2 legitimate, 2 consensus, 1 AP, 1 UPI, 1 USA, 1 HOF, 1 BCS, 2

bowl wins

Georgia Tech 1 legitimate, 1 co, 1 UPI, 1 bowl win

Clemson 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 AP, 1 UPI, 1 bowl win

Maryland 0 legitimate, 1 ILLEGITIMATE, 1 revised, 1 AP, 1 UPI, 1 bowl

loss

Florida State: 2 legitimate (1993 AP/UPI/USA/HOF, 1999 AP/BCS)

Georgia Tech: 1 legitimate (1990-co UPI)

Clemson: 1 legitimate (1981 AP/UPI)

Maryland: 0 legitimate (1951 REVISED, 1953 ILLEGITIMATE AP/UPI)

BIG EAST 5 LEGITIMATE

2 Heismans

Miami 5 legitimate, 4 consensus, 1 co, 3/independent, 5 AP, 4 UPI, 5

bowl wins

Miami: 5 legitimate (1983/independent AP/UPI, 1987/independent AP/UPI/USA,

1989/independent AP/UPI/USA, 1991-co, AP/UPI/USA, 2001 AP/BCS)

SOUTHWEST 4 LEGITIMATE

5 Heismans

Texas 2 legitimate, 2 consensus, 1 co, 1 ILLEGITIMATE, 2 AP, 3 UPI, 2 bowl wins, 1 bowl

loss

Texas A&M 1 legitimate, 1 co, 1 AP, 1 bowl win

Texas Christian 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 AP, 1 bowl win

Texas: 2 legitimate (1963 AP/UPI, 1969 AP/UPI, 1970-co UPI ILLEGITIMATE)

Texas A&M: 1 legitimate (1939-co AP)

Texas Christian: 1 (1938 AP)

Arkansas: 0 legitimate (1964 REVISED)

WESTERN ATHLETIC 1 LEGITIMATE

1 Heisman

Brigham Young 1 legitimate, 1 consensus, 1 AP, 1 UPI, 1 USA, 1 bowl win

USC has been the "Olympic village" of two successful Games. In the heyday of coach Dean Cromwell and Southern Cal track (twenty-six overall NCAA championships, the most of any team in any college or pro sport, men's or women's), the U.S. Olympic track team was called the "Trojans in red, white and blue." The Trojans in their heyday were so much better than everybody else that, for all practical purposes, there should have been rules for them and rules for all the rest; like LPGA veterans playing in a pro/am. Right up there in terms of Olympic medals? UCLA. Do not forget the University of California. Their legendary coach, Brutus Hamilton, was like Cromwell also the U.S. Olympic track coach.

In almost all areas of examination, the state of California dominates the talent field. By margins that vary from huge to solid, California has produced the most pro football players, Major League ball players, NBA basketball players, professional tennis players, trackmen, golfers, swimmers, Olympians, and women athletes. The only major sport lacking a big California contingent is ice hockey, but even other winter sports like skiing include a steady flow of Californians. The 1960 Winter Olympics were held in Squaw Valley, California.

The state of California has produced the most Hall of Famers in all the major pro and college sports. They have produced by outrageous margins the largest number of Most Valuable Players, Cy Young award winners, All-Americans, All-Pros, Super Bowl MVPs and the like. The Pacific-10 has produced twenty-six NCAA baseball champions, eleven Cy Young award winners and twelve big league MVPs. Next: the Big 12, after combining the Southwest Conference teams they brought in, have won nine NCAA baseball championships. USC and the Pac-10 are an extension of California. There are four Pac-10 universities in the state, but a review of rosters at the Arizona, Oregon and Washington schools reveal a large number of star players hailing from California.

#### National champions – legitimate - by states

California 19

Southern California (11), California (4), Stanford (3), UCLA (1)

Indiana 11

Notre Dame (11)

Alabama 10

Alabama (9), Auburn (1)

Florida 9

Miami (5), Florida (2), Florida State (2)

Michigan 8

Michigan (7), Michigan State (1)

Oklahoma 6

Oklahoma (6)

Minnesota 6

Minnesota (6)

Pennsylvania 6

Penn State (2), Pittsburgh (2), Penn (2)

Texas 5

Texas (3), Texas A&M (1), Texas Christian (1)

Nebraska 5

Nebraska (5)

Ohio State 5

Ohio State (5)

Washington 4

Washington (3), Washington State (1)

New York 4

Army (3), Syracuse (1)

Georgia 3

Georgia Tech (2), Georgia (1)

Louisiana 2

Louisiana State (2)

Illinois 2

Illinois (1), Chicago (1)

Oregon 1

Oregon (1)

Colorado 1

Colorado (1)

South Carolina 1

Clemson (1)

Tennessee 1

Tennessee (1)

Utah 1

Brigham Young (1)

Maryland 1 ILLEGITIMATE

Maryland (1 ILLEGITIMATE)

New Jersey 20

Princeton (20)

Connecticut 12

Yale (12)

Massachusetts 5

Harvard (5)

The University of California has always lived and died on their ability to get players from southern California to Berkeley. This goes back to the "Wonder Teams," reputed to actively recruit outside their area when assistant coach Nibs Price exploited his contacts from San Diego. When Cal steals a few extra "blue chippers" away from USC and UCLA, they are able to compete. The key is to keep the many top players in northern California who might sign with the Trojans, Bruins, Ducks, or go eastward. The likes of O .J. Simpson, Gary Beban, Lynn Swann, Jerry Robinson and Gino Torretta are just a few of these examples.

The state is big enough to support a nationally-ranked baseball program at Fresno State; competitive programs at San Diego State, San Jose State and Santa Clara; and strong lower division programs such as Cal Poly Pomona and LaVerne. Pepperdine won the 1992 College World Series. Their biggest rival, Cal State Fullerton, is probably one of the three or four greatest college baseball programs in history. They sustain themselves largely with local players from the Orange Coast/Long Beach high school and junior college recruiting base. Stanford is a national power. California's baseball team beat former President George H. W. Bush's Yale squad to win the first College World Series (1947), the first of their two national titles. The list of big league players who have come out of these programs is tremendous. Overall, the state of California has produced twenty College Wold Series champions.

USC's record in baseball is utterly astounding: twelve national championships, one MVP, nine Cy Young award-winners, three Rookies of the Year, the most Major League players, All-Stars, and professional players of any college. Arizona State, LSU and Texas trail USC in College World Series titles with five apiece, followed by Miami and Cal State Fullerton with four.

#### Top baseball traditions

1. Southern California

2. Texas

3. Cal State Fullerton

4. Arizona State

5. Miami

6. Stanford

7. Louisiana State

8. Florida State

9. Oklahoma State

10. Arizona

11. Oregon State

12. Florida

13. Mississippi State

14. Texas A&M

15. Arkansas

16. Georgia

17. Oklahoma

18. California

19. Fresno State

20. Minnesota

USC has produced Hall of Famer Tom Seaver and future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. Mark McGwire, once considered a shoe-in, will have to wait but eventually should get in. Other Trojans include Don Buford, Ron Fairly, Dave Kingman, Fred Lynn, Rich Dauer, Roy Smalley, Steve Kemp, Steve Busby, Bill Lee, Jeff Cirillo, Bret Boone, Aaron Boone, Geoff Jenkins, Morgan Ensberg, Mark Prior and Barry Zito.

For what it is worth, an unofficial count of _Sports Illustrateds_ by the USC sports information department reveal Trojan baseball players graced the cover twenty-seven times (as of 2005) and a Trojan athlete ninety-two times (as of 2004). Even USC's cheerleaders are considered the "gold standard" of collegiate cheerleaders, according to Lonnie White in _UCLA VS. USC: 75 Years of the Greatest Rivalry in Sports_. Owner Jerry Buss, a USC graduate, modeled the Lakers Girls on USC's song girls. In 1999-2000, New Millennium teams and lists included Rod Dedeaux ("College Baseball Coach of the Twentieth Century") and USC ("College Baseball Program of the Twentieth Century", "College Athletic Program of the Twentieth Century").

Then there is cross-town rival UCLA. They are a baseball enigma with zero College World Series championships to show for themselves, but an unofficial tally _by USC_ in 1999 indicated that they had the second most Major League alumni. Bruin big leaguers are not just marginal guys either: Jackie Robinson, Chris Chambliss, Tim Leary, Shane Mack, Eric Karros, Todd Zeile and Troy Glaus, for starters. By comparison Texas, probably the second greatest historical baseball tradition behind USC, boasts Roger Clemens, Burt Hooton and Huston Street, but not a lot of All-Star caliber talent beyond that. The gaudy record of Longhorn pitchers in school and disappointment beyond suggests they are overpitched in Austin (think Greg Swindell).

Then there are UCLA's eleven national championships in basketball, an unprecedented number followed by Kentucky (seven), Indiana (five), North Carolina and Duke (three each). UCLA has easily produced the most NBA number one draft picks, first round selections, total players, MVPs and Hall of Famers. Their alumni include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (known as Lew Alcindor in college), Bill Walton, Gail Goodrich, Walt Hazzard, Sidney Wicks, Curtis Rowe, Henry Bibby, Keith Wilkes, Dave Meyers, Marquess Johnson, Kiki Vandeweghe and Reggie Miller. John Wooden is as much a deity as he was a coach.

#### Top basketball traditions

1. UCLA

2. Kentucky

3. Indiana

4. North Carolina

5. Duke

6. Kansas

7. Michigan

8. Ohio State

9. Virginia

10. Michigan State

11. Nevada-Las Vegas

12. Louisville

13. Arizona

14. Florida

15. Stanford

16. West Virginia

17. San Francisco

18. Syracuse

19. Maryland

20. Connecticut

21. Cincinnati

22. California

23. Oregon State

24. Villanova

25. Houston

Overall, the Pacific-10 Conference has won the most NCAA basketball championships (fifteen). The state of California has produced fifteen. This includes two at the University of San Francisco, the first great collegiate dynasty. Led by Bill Russell and K. C. Jones, the Dons set the record for consecutive wins (sixty), a record broken by UCLA (extended to eighty-eight in 1974). While basketball might be considered the "weakest" sport in California and the Pac-10 Conference, both the state and the league have produced the highest number of NBA players. Even USC, where their lack of basketball success is enigmatic, boasts two Hall of Famers who both coached NBA champions (Bill Sharman, Alex Hannum), plus coaching successes Paul Westphal and Tex Winter.

Stanford is the king of "minor sports" and, along with UCLA, women's athletics. John McEnroe anchored a Stanford tennis program that is the finest in all of NCAA history. Who is next? UCLA and USC. Jimmy Connors and Arthur Ashe played for the Bruins. Stan Smith was a Trojan. Jim Murray of the _L.A. Times_ once wrote that UCLA volleyball coach Al Scates "is to volleyball what Napoleon was to artillery." The 2000 UCLA football media guide revealed no less than 95 _Sports Illustrated_ covers featuring Bruin athletes.

#### Top athletic traditions

1. Southern California

2. UCLA

3. Texas

4. Miami

5. Michigan

6. Alabama

7. Ohio State

8. Florida State

9. Stanford

10. Oklahoma

11. Louisiana State

12. Tennessee

13. Notre Dame

14. Penn State

15. Arkansas

16. Florida

17. Indiana

18. Georgia

19. Texas A&M

20. Oklahoma State

21. Arizona State

22. Auburn

23. Duke Blue

24. North Carolina

25. Syracuse

26. California

27. Brigham

28. Arizona

29. Washington

30. Minnesota

Despite having to compete with the "big boys," the state of California provides enough resources for Fresno State and San Diego State to maintain excellent football programs. Fresno in particular travels all over the country, competitively playing and often beating ranked teams, earning Top 25 spots for themselves. They have produced quality quarterbacks such as Trent Dilfer, who led the 2000 Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl title, and Houston's David Carr. In the 1960s under coach Don Coryell, San Diego State ran off one of the longest winning streaks in college football. They produced the likes of Fred Dryer, Dennis Shaw and Haven Moses, while spawning assistant coaches John Madden, Joe Gibbs and others.

The majority of the world's greatest athletes come from "greater" Los Angeles. The "greater" L.A. Area runs roughly 120 miles north to south from Ventura to San Clemente. It is about seventy miles east to west between the towns of San Bernardino and Riverside in the east; Santa Monica, the South Bay, Long Beach and Huntington Beach in the west. The Southland is a larger geographical area covering L.A., Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern and Ventura Counties. This includes the desert communities of Palm Springs and beyond. Southern California is everything south of Fresno in the central San Joaquin Valley and San Luis Obispo on the coast; covering the Tehachapi Mountain and San Gabriel Mountain ranges; the ski resorts east of Los Angeles; the deserts stretching from the Nevada, Arizona and Mexico borders; the 'L.A. sprawl"; and all of San Diego County.

While the Southland produces the best sports talent in the world, the San Francisco Bay Area is probably in the top five, comparable with the entire states of Florida, Texas, and Ohio, respectively. The Bay Area runs roughly 100 miles north to south from Santa Rosa to San Jose, and about sixty miles east to west from the Antioch/Concord delta to Marin County, San Francisco and the peninsula (Daly City, San Mateo, Palo Alto). Sacramento encompasses a separate area approximately ninety miles east of San Francisco, and is part of the Sac-Joaquin Section of the California Interscholastic Federation, covering the Interstate 5 southward towards Fresno and Bakersfield.

San Francisco proper became a high school sports wasteland of sorts since the anti-war 1960s made families near-extinct, but at one time it was a goldmine producing talent as impressive as in Los Angeles. Galileo High School boasts athletes who in their respective primes were the best baseball player (Joe DiMaggio), basketball player (Hank Luisetti) and football player (O. J. Simpson) in the United States. The City (which it calls itself) produced the likes of Joe Cronin and Dr. Bobby Brown (both one-time presidents of the American League), Frank Crosetti, Tony Lazzerri, Dom DiMaggio, K. C. Jones and Dan Fouts.

No smaller area in the state or the country, for that matter, is as impressive as the East Bay, an area running from Pinole and Benicia in the north to Fremont in the south. Just a sampling of the superstars who have toiled on the fields and gymnasiums of the East Bay include Joe Morgan, Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, Curt Flood and Rickey Henderson (Oakland Castlemont), Dave Stewart (Oakland St. Elizabeth's), Bill Russell and Paul Silas (Oakland McClymond's), Gary Payton (Oakland Skyline), Jackie Jensen (Oakland Tech), Willie Stargell, Bobby Rollins, and Dontrelle Willis (Alameda Encinal), Jason Kidd (Alameda St. Joseph's), John Lambert and Billy Martin (Berkeley), Gino Torretta (Pinole), Ken Dorsey (Orinda Miramonte), and Dennis Eckersley (Fremont Washington.

Ever heard of Serra High School in San Mateo? All they have produced are Barry Bonds, Tom Brady, Lynn Swann, and Jim Fregosi. Do not forget the football coaches from the Bay Area: Pete Carroll (Larkspur Redwood), John Robinson (San Mateo Serra), John Madden (Daly City Jefferson), Paul Hackett (Orinda Miramonte), Dick Vermeil (Calistoga), Bill Walsh (Fremont Washington), Norv Turner (Crockett), Bob Toledo (San Jose Lincoln), Jack Del Rio (Hayward), George Seifert (San Francisco Poly) and Mike Holmgren (San Francisco Lincoln).

#### Prep baseball dynasties

Centennial Higfh School (Compton, Califo.)

Clovis West High (Fresno, Calif.)

Fremont High School (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Lakewood High School (Calif.)

Rancho Bernardo High School (San Diego, Calif.)

Redwood High School (Larkspur, Calif.)

Serra High School (San Mateo, Calif.)

Sharpstown High School (Houston, Tex.)

When it comes to junior college sports, California dominates. The greatest juco baseball dynasty ever was Cerritos J.C. (L.A. County) under coach Wally Kincaid (1960s, 1970s). Fresno City College, where Tom Seaver once toiled, and one-time perennial champion L.A. Harbor are not far behind.

Compton J.C. was a basketball powerhouse between the 1940s (when Tex Winter played there) until the 1960s. Pasadena City College, Santa Monica J.C., El Camino J.C. of Torrance, Fullerton J.C. of Orange County, and Taft J.C. near Bakersfield, have all won juco national championships in football, but the greatest junior college grid dynasty of all time is the highly unlikely City College of San Francisco. San Francisco is far from a hotbed of prep football talent. It would stand to reason that the nation's best J.C. football team would be in Texas, Mississippi, Kansas (all states with excellent juco traditions) or in the Southland. CCSF has somehow managed to overshadow all contenders, beginning with O. J. Simpson (1965-1966) and carrying on to the present day. CCSF uses the attraction of the city they are located in to recruit top players from all over America, many of whom transfer in after a year with major programs like Florida State or Texas.

Just as CCSF is an unlikely standard bearer, so to is another Bay Area school, De La Salle High of Concord. Located across the bay, about a half-hour's drive from San Francisco and twenty minutes east of Oakland, De La Salle won 151 consecutive football games and four national championships between 1991 and 2004. In all of sports – pro, college, high school – the De La Salle record may be the single most impressive. In the late 1990s, critics complained that their great winning streak was built on second rate competition in the CIF-North Coast Section (Fremont in the south to Marin County in the west to Antioch in the east to Santa Rosa in the north bay). The best football was and is played in the vast CIF-Southern Section, covering everything from San Luis Obispo southwards and the desert communities, to San Diego County, excluding the Los Angeles City public schools (but including L.A.'s powerful private and Catholic schools).

Two giants have sat astride the Southern Section for decades. Mater Dei of Santa Ana, currently coached by Bruce Rollinson, has produced several national championships and is, along with Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas (TCU's Davey O'Brien, 1938; Notre Dame's Tim Brown, 1987) the only other school to boast two Heisman Trophy winners (Notre Dame's John Huarte, 1964; USC's Matt Leinart, 2004). Aside from their football dynasty, Mater Dei under coach Gary McKnight is among the all-time elite prep basketball traditions in American history.

#### Prep football dynasties

Baylor School (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

De La Salle High School (Concord, Calif.)

Clovis West High School (Fresno, Calif.)

Highland Park High School (Dallas, Texas)

Hoover High School (Alabama)

Jenks High School (Oklahoma)

Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Mission Viejo High School (Calif.)

Moeller High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Poly High School (Long Beach, Calif.)

Punahou High School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)

Their nemesis is Long Beach Poly High School, the single greatest prep athletic program in history according to _Sports Illustrated_. Poly is a unique mixture of wealthy white, middle class Asian, Pacific-Islander, and African-American students who together created an unparalleled melting pot of social, academic and athletic success. This is reflected by several facts. Poly is indeed a "football factory," producing more All-Americans and NFL players than any program (the list includes Morley Drury, Southern Cal's "noblest Trojan of them all" in 1927, and 1989 Jim Thorpe award-winner Mark Carrier of USC and the Chicago Bears). However, they have also excelled in baseball, track and so-called "upscale sports" like swimming, golf and tennis. Baseball stars include Bobby Grich and Tony Gwynn. Tennis stars include women's pioneer Billie Jean King.

In order to live up to its national reputation, it was felt that De La Salle needed to schedule and beat the likes of Mater Dei, Long Beach Poly, Honolulu Punahou, Honolulu St. Louis, Cincinnati Moeller, Mission Viejo, Massillon of Ohio, Everett of Washington, and other national prep programs. Over the course of the next five years that is exactly what they did. When their winning streak continued to grow (until Everett ended it at 151 games in 2004), De La Salle silenced all critics. The success of this and other California prep sports powers is emblematic of the state's dominant position in athletics, which is felt in every area of domestic and international competition.

Outside of De La Salle, Mater Dei and Long Beach Poly, Bakersfield (Frank Gifford) and Clovis West have enjoyed great high school football histories in central California. Around the nation, Florida's Neece and St. Augustine's High, Alabama's Hoover High, and Carroll High in Texas have all gathered accolades.

In basketball, L.A.'s Verbum Dei and Crenshaw High Schools, and Oakland McClymonds, have rivaled such powerhouses as DeMatha High (near Washington, D.C.) and Power Memorial Academy in New York City (where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar starred as Lew Alcindor).

#### Prep basketball dynasties

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Baltimore, Mary.)

Crenshaw High School (Los Angeles, Calif.)

De Matha High School (Hiattsville, Mary.)

Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.)

McClymonds High School (Oakland, Calif.)

New Trier High School (Winnetka, Ill.)

Power Memorial Academy (New York, N.Y.) (closed)

Verbum Dei High School (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Baseball is "what we do here," explained Brewers' Hall of Fame shortstop Robin Yount, who starred at Taft High School in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley (1973). L.A. Fremont High (Gene Mauch, Dick Williams, Bobby Doerr) has produced more Major League players than any school. L.A. Locke and Compton Centennial were extraordinary producers of inner city black baseball talent in the 1960s and 1970s (Ozzie Smith, Eddie Murray, Reggie Smith, Don Wilson, Wayne Simpson). Royals' Hall of Famer George Brett and, before him his brother, Boston and Chicago pitcher Ken Brett, played under coach John Stevenson at El Segundo High, located between Marina Del Rey and Manhattan Beach. The 1972 El Segundo team, featuring Brett and future Oriole lefty Scott McGregor, is considered one of the best prep teams ever assembled. McGregor set the state record with 51 consecutive victories over the course of his four-year high school career.

After Brett left El Segundo, the two best high school baseball programs in the state, if not the nation, were Redwood High in northern California (coached by Al Endriss) and Lakewood High in southern California (coached by John Herbold). Lakewood, Redwood and Edgewood High in West Covina all won national championships. Two Texas programs, Spring Branch High School (Roger Clemens) and Sharpstown High School (a Houston suburb originally built for NASA employees) have rivaled the California juggernauts. In recent years, San Diego has emerged as a prep baseball capitol, with Rancho Bernardo High being the standard bearer. Prep national championships have also been won at Simi Valley (Ventura County) and Villa Park High (Orange County). West Covina and Santa Monica have won American Legion national championships. Several California cities have produced winners of the Little League World Series. The 1969 Santa Clara, California team included Carney Lansford, who later starred for the Oakland A's. Long Beach, California won in 1991 and 1992 behind future big leaguer Sean Burroughs, the son of 1974 American League MVP Jeff Burroughs, who prepped at Long Beach Wilson High.

San Diego area athletes include the likes of Ted Williams, Cotton Warburton, Graig Nettles and Terrell Davis. Helix High in La Mesa has an extraordinary record: Bill Walton, 2005 NFL first round pick Alex Smith, and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. San Diego seems to have a particular ability to produce Heisman winners. Aside from Bush, who won the award at USC, San Diego has produced Heisman winners Marcus Allen (USC, 1981), Rashaan Salaam (Colorado, 1994), and Ricky Williams (Texas, 1998). Additional Heisman Trophy winners who played high school football in California include the likes of Glenn Davis (Army, 1946), Mike Garrett (USC, 1965), Gary Beban (UCLA, 1967), O.J. Simpson (USC, 1968), Jim Plunkett (Stanford, 1970), Charles White (USC, 1979), Gino Torretta (Miami, 1992), Carson Palmer (USC, 2002) and Matt Leinart (USC, 2004).

Aside from these stars, all-time greats and near greats who played high school and/or college football in the Golden State include the likes of Brick Muller, Frankie Albert, Bob Waterfield, Tom Fears, Willie Wood, Jon Arnett, John Brodie, Billy Kilmer, Joe Gibbs, Ron Mix, Marlin McKeever, Jimmie Johnson, Craig Morton, Mel Farr, Ron Yary, Tim Rossovich, Ed White, Fred Dryer, Jeff Siemon, Bob Chandler, John Vella, Charles Young, Sam Cunningham, Marvin Powell, Richard "Batman" Wood, Steve Bartkowski, Mosi Tatupu, Dennis Thurman, Jerry Robinson, Darrin Nelson, James Lofton, Randy Cross, Anthony Munoz, Dennis Smith, Jeff Fisher, Ronnie Lott, Bruce Matthews, Claw Matthews, Don Mosebar, John Elway, Brad Muster, Troy Aikman, Tim McDonald, Junior Seau, John Lynch, Ken Norton Jr., Tony Boselli, Jason Sehorn, Tony Gonzalez, Willie McGinest, and Troy Polamalu.

Just a sampling of the baseball players not previously mentioned who came from California include Ernie Lombardi, Gary Carter, Frank "The Pearless Leader" Chance, Wes Parker, Ken Hubbs, Jim Lefebvre, Steve Sax, Jeff Kent, Arky Vaughn, Allen Trammell, Ken Caminiti, Harry Heilmann, Joe Rudi, George Foster, Dusty Baker, Bobby Bonds, Joe Charboneau, Willie McGee, Kevin Mitchell, Duke Snider, Rick Monday, Daryl Strawberry, Walter Johnson, Lefty Gomez, Bob Lemon, Don Larsen, Don Drysdale, Wally Bunker, Mike McCormick, Rollie Fingers, Andy Messersmith, Bert Blyleven, Randy Jones, Dave Righetti, Bret Saberhagan, Mike Scott, Mark Davis, Jack McDowell, Mike Mussina, Trevor Hoffman, John McNamera, and Sparky Anderson.

Jim Palmer grew up in Beverly Hills and took classes at USC, but went to high school in Arizona.

Kenny Washington was Jackie Robinson's backfield partner on the UCLA football team and an Olympic sprinter. Sam Chapman, who came from Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, was an All-American football star on Cal's 1937 national champions, then Connie Mack's starting center fielder with the Philadelphia A's. Jackie Jensen came out of Oakland, was an All-American football star at Cal, and the 1958 American League Most Valuable Player with the Boston Red Sox. Bob Mathias of Tulare was a football star at Stanford and one of the greatest Olympic decathletes of all time. Rafer Johnson of Kingsburg played basketball for John Wooden at UCLA before defeating his Bruin teammate, C. K. Yang in the 1960 Olympic decathlon. Mark Spitz of Carmichael is the most heralded swimmer in Olympic history. Second behind him? Maybe USC's John Naber. Bob Seagren of USC was an Olympic pole-vault champion. Bruce Jenner trained for the 1976 Olympics at San Jose State University. Cypress's Tiger Woods has redefined golf, just as Compton's Williams sisters (Venus and Serena) have redefined tennis. Jack Kramer was the best tennis player in the world at one time. The Palos Verdes Peninsula produced a later version of the same, Pete Sampras, not to mention Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport and basketball enforcer Bill Laimbeer.

Even world leaders and celebrities were athletes in California. President Richard Nixon played football at Whittier College. John "Duke" Wayne played for Howard Jones at USC. Mark Harmon was UCLA's quarterback when they ended Nebraska's 32-game unbeaten streak in 1932. Kevin Costner was a baseball player at Cal State Fullerton and in the movies.

How about broadcasting? Frank Gifford, Pat Haden, John Naber, Bill Walton, Dan Fouts, Lynn Swann, Tim Ryan, Jason Sehorn, Randy Cross . . .

The Mission Viejo swim club is world-renowned. Many of the best ironman triathletes, bike riders and cross-country runners train in California. Then there is the sport that literally defines California above all others: surfing.

All in all, California dominates the sports landscape of the country, the West, the nation . . . and the Pacific-10 Conference. Based in no small part on this domination, there are two inescapable conclusions. One is that the Pac-10 is historically, by a relatively narrow margin, the greatest football conference in the nation. Two, the Pac-10 is by as wide a margin as the Grand Canyon, the greatest all-around sports conference in America. Within this conference, USC is easily the best football program and, by a relatively narrow margin, the best all-around athletic department (with UCLA second).

The University of Southern California has all of the greatest advantages that California and Los Angeles have to offer: weather, population, a golden recruiting base from top-notch high schools, the world's most famous sports stadium (L.A. Memorial Coliseum), excellent academics, girls, nightlife, an exciting city, alumni networking, old money, new money, lots of money, and tradition that is second to none. They embody their city, their state and their conference. They – and the Pac-10 - are number one!

"WHOA, NELLIE!"

THE GREATEST GAMES EVER PLAYED

November 6, 1869: Rutgers 6, Princeton 4 (Rutgers University/East Brunswick, N.J.) . . .

1st college football game

February 20, 1892: Auburn 10, Georgia 0 (Atlanta, Ga.) . . . Fans chant _"Waaarrrr_

_eagle!"_ when actual eagle flies, nests in stands with Confederate soldier-turned-Auburn prof who had been nursed to health by bird in Civil War

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1902): Michigan 49, Stanford 0 (Cal Tech/Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

"Grandaddy of 'em all"

November 1, 1913: Notre Dame 35, Army 13 (U.S. Military Academy/West Point, N.Y.)

. . . Knute Rockne/Gus Dorais "invent" forward pass

October 16, 1916: Georgia Tech 222, Cumberland 0 (Grant Field/Atlanta, Ga.) . . .

Biggest score ever

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1920): California 28, Ohio State 0 (Cal Tech/Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

"Wonder Team" announces arrival of West Coast dominance in post-war era

November 20, 1920: Notre Dame 33, Northwesterm 7 (Northwestern Univ./Evanston,

Ill.) . . . According to legend, George Gipp sat out game with strep throat &

gambling debts, was pressured to enter game late, became sicker because of it,

died 1 mo. later

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1923): Southern California 14, Penn State 3 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

1st Rose Bowl game in new stadium; Penn State late (caught in L.A. traffic); coaches Hugo Bezdek (PSU) & "Gloomy Gus" Henderson (SC) almost come to blows

October 18, 1924: Notre Dame 13, Army 7 (Polo Grounds/New York City) . . .

"Under a blue-gray October sky, the Four Horsemen rode again . . ."

October 18, 1924: Illinois 39, Michigan 14 (Memorial Stadium/Champaign, Ill.) . . . "The

Galloping Ghost," Illinois' Red Grange, gains 402 yards rushing & kick returning; greatest individual game ever until possibly SC's Anthony Davis (vs. Notre Dame '72)

#### Top 20 greatest single game individual performances

1. Anthony Davis (Southern California) vs. Notre Dame, 1972

2. Vince Young (Texas) vs. Southern California, 2006 Rose Bowl

3. Red Grange (Illinois) vs. Michigan, 1924

4. Johnny Rodgers (Nebraska) vs. Oklahoma, 1971

5. Matt Leinart (Southern California) vs. Oklahoma, 2005 BCS Orange Bowl

6. Joe Montana (Notre Dame) vs. Houston, 1979 Cotton Bowl

7. Ron VanderKelen (Wisconsin) vs. Southern California, 1963 Rose Bowl

8. Anthony Davis (Southern California) vs. Notre Dame, 1974

9. Doug Flutie (Boston College) vs. Miami, 1984

19. Tim Brown (Notre Dame) vs. Southern California, 1986

11. 1977 Joe Montana (Notre Dame) vs. Southern California, 1977

12. O. J. Simpson (Southern California) vs. UCLA, 1967

13. Joe Montana (Notre Dame) vs. Southern California, 1978

14. C. R. Roberts (Southern California) vs. Texas, 1956

15. Johnny Lujack (Notre Dame) vs. Army, 1946

16. Ty Detmer (Brigham Young) vs. Miami, 1990

17. Vince Young (Texas) vs. Michigan, 2005 Rose Bowl

18. Tommie Frazier (Nebraska) vs. Florida,1996 Fiesta Bowl

19. Charles Woodson (Michigan) vs. Washington State, 1998 Rose Bowl

20. Knute Rockne/Gus Dorais (Notre Dame) vs. Army, 1913

January 1, 1925 (Rose Bowl): Notre Dame 27, Stanford 10 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

Establishes Notre Dame & Knute Rockne as "America's Team"

November 26, 1925: Nebraska 17, Notre Dame 0 (Memorial Stadium/Lincoln, Neb.) . . .

After defeat in freezing Lincoln Knute Rockne is convinced on train by Gwynn

Wilson to play series with USC, only it was not Wilson, it was Mrs. Rockne, who wanted to shop on Rodeo Drive after Wilson's wife painted picture of warm California

December 4, 1926: Notre Dame 13, Southern California 12 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

The greatest rivalry in all college football begins

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1927): Stanford 7, Alabama 7 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . . 1st "Game

of Century," true "nat'l. championship game" ends with co-titleists

November 26, 1927: Notre Dame 7, Southern California 6 (Soldier Field/Chicago) . . .

120,000 see re-match from '26 L.A. battle

November 10, 1928: Notre Dame 12, Army 6 (Yankee Stadium/New York City) . . .

Knute Rockne's "win one for the Gipper" speech propels upset . . . except it was

all made up by Hollywood!

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1929): Georgia Tech 8, California 7 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

"Wrong Way" Roy Riegels

November 21, 1931: Southern California 16, Notre Dame 14 (Notre Dame

Stadium/South Bend, Ind.) . . . Establishes USC; 1st SC-ND game since Rockne's death, 1st SC-ND game in new Notre Dame Stadium

#### Top 50 greatest upsets

1. Southern California 16, Notre Dame 14 (1931)

2. Michigan 24, Ohio State 12 (1969)

3. Miami 31, Nebraska 30 (1984 Orange Bowl)

4. Kansas State 35, Oklahoma 7 (2003 Big 12 Championship Game)

5. UCLA 14, Michigan State 12 (1966 Rose Bowl)

6. Southern California 20, Notre Dame 17 (1964)

7. Notre Dame 35, Army 13 (1913)

8. Notre Dame 7, Oklahoma 0 (1957)

9. Kansas 23, Oklahoma 3 (1975)

10. Kentucky 13, Oklahoma 7 (1951 Sugar Bowl)

11. Stanford 27, Ohio State 17 (1971 Rose Bowl)

12. Boston College 41, Notre Dame 39 (1993)

13. Southern California 7, Duke 3 (1939 Rose Bowl)

14. Notre Dame 0, Army 0 (1946)

15. Arizona State 19, Nebraska 0 (1996)

16. Notre Dame 12, Army 6 (1928)

17. Texas 41, Southern California 38 (2006 Rose Bowl)

18. Southern Methodist 32, Navy 28 (1963)

19. UCLA 23, Ohio State 10 (1976 Rose Bowl)

20. Arkansas 31, Oklahoma 6 (1978 Orange Bowl)

21. Stanford 13, Michigan 12 (1972 Rose Bowl)

22. Ohio State 31, Miami 24 (2003 BCS Fiesta Bowl)

23. Notre Dame 27, Georgia Tech 14 (1953)

24. UCLA 20, Nebraska 17 (1972)

25. Notre Dame 27, Oklahoma 21 (1952)

26. Santa Clara 21, Louisiana State 14 (1937 Sugar Bowl)

27. Notre Dame 31, Miami 30 (1988)

28. Southern California 38, Notre Dame 28 (1970)

29. Notre Dame 24, Texas 11 (1971 Cotton Bowl)

30. Auburn 17, Alabama 16 (1972)

31. UCLA 0, Southern California 0 (1939)

32. Dartmouth 3, Cornell 0 (1940)

33. Boston College 47, Miami 45 (1984)

34. St. Mary's 33, Oklahoma State 13 (1946 (Sugar Bowl)

35. UCLA 45, Illinois 9 (1984 Rose Bowl)

36. Notre Dame 38, Texas 10 (1977 Cotton Bowl)

37. Southern California 21, California 14 (1951)

38. Texas 21, Alabama 17 (1965 Orange Bowl)

39. Notre Dame 23, Southern California 14 (1973)

40. UCLA 13, Southern California 9 (2006)

41. Notre Dame 49, Southern California 19 (1977)

42. Alabama 14, Penn State 7 (1979 Sugar Bowl)

43. California 25, Stanford 20 (1982)

44. Penn State 14, Miami 10 (1987 Fiesta Bowl)

45. Auburn 30, Alabama 20 (1989)

46. Brigham Young 28, Miami 21 (1990)

47. Northwestern 17, Notre Dame 15 (1995)

48. Miami 49, UCLA 45 (1998)

49. Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42 (2007 Fiesta Bowl)

50. Florida 41, Ohio State 14 (2007 BCS Championship Game)

October 20, 1934: Michigan 9, Georgia Tech 2 (Michigan Stadium/Ann Arbor, Mich.) . .

. Future President Jerry Ford defends honor of black teammate Willis Ward, forced to sit because Tech refused to play vs. blacks; fired up Ford and defending nat'l. champ Wolverines win their only game of season

Sugar Bowl (January 1, 1937): Santa Clara 21, Louisiana State 14 (New Orleans, Louis.)

. . . Little California school beats mighty SEC foe on "home turf"

Rose Bowl (January 2, 1939): Southern California 7, Duke 3 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . . Nave-

to-Kreuger ends hopes of unbeaten, untied, unscored-on Duke

December 9, 1939: Southern California 0, UCLA 0 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . . Sight of

integrated Trojan-Bruin teams (includes Jackie Robinson, Kenny Washington, Woody Strode) before Coliseum throng is social statement, puts UCLA on map

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1940): Southern California 14, Tennessee 3 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

Trojans "outclass" Bob Neyland's best team; West Coast wins battle vs. South

September 28, 1940: Michigan 41, California 0 (Memorial Stadium/Berkeley, Calif.) . . .

Cal fan leaps from stands in vain effort to tackle Heisman winner Tom Harmon

November 16, 1940: Dartmouth 3, Cornell 0 (Memorial Field/Hanover, N.H.) . .

After "5th down" review, Cornell concedes victory to Dartmouth, costing them

shot at nat'l. title

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1941): Stanford 21, Nebraska 13 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . . Clark

Shaughnessy's T-formation, QB Frankie Albert lead Indians to nat'l. title

January 1, 1946 (Sugar Bowl): St. Mary's 33, Oklahoma State 13 (New Orleans, Louis.) .

. . _Hawaii 5-0_ actor Herman Wedemeyer leads little California Catholic school

November 9, 1946: Notre Dame 0, Army 0 (Yankee Stadium/York City) . . . Johnny

Lujack tackles Doc Blanchard in open-field in 2nd "Game of Century"

November 1, 1947: Southern Methodist 14, Texas 13 (Southern Methodist/Dallas, Tex.) .

. . Doak Walker vs. Bobby Layne

November 22, 1947: California 21, Stanford 18 (Memorial Stadium/Berkeley, Calif.) . . .

Jackie Jensen-to-Paul Keckley pass saves 8-1 Cal in <ED: CAPS> Big Game over 0-8 Stanford

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1948): Michigan 49, Southern California 0 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

Wolverines demolish SC, establish Big 10 supremacy

December 2, 1950: Navy 14, Army 2 ( Philadelphia) . . . 2-6 Navy ends Army's

unbeaten streak, knocks Red Blaik's Black Knights out of nat'l. title

Sugar Bowl (January 1, 1951): Kentucky 13, Oklahoma 7 (New Orleans, Louis.) . . .

Wildcats end Bud Wilkinson's 1st winning streak @ 31

October 20, 1951: Southern California 21, California 14 (Memorial Stadium/Berkeley,

Calif.) . . . Frank Gifford leads SC in upset, ends Pappy Waldorf's PCC title run

September 26, 1953: Notre Dame 28, Oklahoma 21 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend,

Ind.) . . . Oklahoma's last defeat before 47-game winning, 48-game unbeaten

streak

October 24, 1953: Notre Dame 27, Georgia Tech 14 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend.

Ind.) . . . Heisman winner John Lattner's Irish end Tech's 31-game unbeaten

streak

September 22, 1956: Southern California 44, Texas 20 (Memorial Stadium/Austin, Tex.)

. . . SC's black RB, C. R. Roberts, rushes for 251 yards in the 1st half in racially-charged atmosphere

Rose Bowl (January 2, 1956): Michigan State 17, UCLA 14 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . . classic

Big 10-Pacific Coast battle

November 16, 1957: Notre Dame 7, Oklahoma 0 (Oklahoma Memorial Stadium/Norman, Okla.) . . . Ends Sooner 47-game winning streak

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1963): Southern California 42, Wisconsin 37 (Pasadena, Calif.) . .

. Ron VanderKelen almost gets it done for Badgers in wild 3rd "Game of Century"

October 11, 1963: Southern Methodist 32, Navy 28 (Dallas, Tex.) . . . Lowly Mustangs

upset Heisman winner Roger Staubach in Texas shoot-out

November 28, 1964: Southern California 20, Notre Dame 17 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

Craig Fertig-to-Rod Sherman TD pass ends Irish nat'l. title try in 1st year of

"Era of Ara"

Orange Bowl (January 1, 1965): Texas 21, Alabama 17 (Miami, Fla.) . . . 'Horns end Bama's unbeaten year, send Joe Namath out cryin'

September 17, 1966: Southern California 10, Texas 6 (Memorial Stadium/Austin Tex.) . .

. Ex-USC player John "Duke" Wayne serenaded by Longhorn fans; Duke gives 'em "the finger" disguised as "hook 'em 'Horns" salute

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1966): UCLA 14, Michigan State 12 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . . "Gutty

little Bruins" end dreams of Duffy Daugherty & Bubba Smith's Spartans

November 19, 1966: Notre Dame 10, Michigan State 10 (Spartan Stadium/East Lansing,

Mich.) . . . 4th "Game of Century," Ara Parseghian "ties one for the Gipper"

November 26, 1966: Notre Dame 51, Southern California 0 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

Ara Parseghian runs it up on USC for the voters; SC & John McKay so fired up they only lose to Irish twice in next 16 years

Sugar Bowl (January 2, 1967): Alabama 34, Nebraska 7 (New Orleans, Louis.) . . . Ken

Stabler leads unbeaten, controversial no. 3 Tide

###### NCAA single-game extra point kicks

13 Terry Leiweke, Houston vs. Tulsa, 1968

13 Derek Mahoney, Fresno St vs. New Mexico, 1991

November 18, 1967: Southern California 21, ULA 20 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . . 5th

"Game of Century," O. J Simpson leads Troy to nat'l. title in Heisman battle with UCLA's Gary Beban

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1969): Ohio State 27, Southern California 16 (Pasadena, Calif.) . .

. 6th "Game of Century" was no. 1 vs. no. 2 John McKay-Woody Hayes

showdown

Orange Bowl (January 1, 1969): Penn State 15, Kansas 14 (Miami, Fla.) . . . thrilling win

gives Joe Paterno unbeaten team, puts Nittany Lions on football map

October 11, 1969: Southern California 26, Stanford 24 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . . Ron

Ayala's FG wins wild one for "Cardiac Kids" under lights over Jim Plunkett

November 22, 1969: Southern California 14, UCLA 12 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

Jimmy Jones-to-Sam Dickerson in back of end zone wins it in last minute for "Wild Bunch" Trojans

November 22, 1969: Michigan 24, Ohio State 12 (Michigan Stadium/Ann Arbor, Mich.) .

. . Bo Schembechler's first team upsets "greatest college team ever" Buckeyes, ends Woody Hayes's try for repeat title

###### NCAA single-game field goals

7 Dale Klein, Nebraska vs. Missouri, 1985

7 Mike Prindle, W. Mich vs. Marshall, 1984

December 6, 1969: Texas 15, Arkansas 14 (Razorback Stadium/Fayetteville, Ark.) . . .

7th "Game of Century," Dick Nixon proclaims 'Horns no. 1; Freddie Steinmark has leg amputated for cancer 6 days later, dies in '71

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1970): Southern California 10, Michigan 3 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

Bo Schembechler's heart attack on eve of game sidelines Michigan coach

Cotton Bowl (January 1, 1970): Texas 21, Notre Dame 17 (Dallas, Tex.) . . . ND ends

"no-bowl" policy; Texas rallies late, last all-white nat'l. champs

September 12, 1970: Southern California 42, Alabama 21 (Legion Field/Birmingham,

Ala.) . . . Sam "Bam" Cunningham's "this here's what a football player looks

like" game is tipping point end of segregation

#### NCAA single-game rushing yards records

406 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU vs. UTEP, 1999

396 Tony Sands, Kansas vs. Missouri, 1991

386 Marshall Faulk, San Diego St vs. Pacific, 1991

378 Troy Davis, Iowa St. vs. Missouri, 1996

377 Anthony Thompson, Indiana vs. Wisconsin, 1989

373 Astron Whatley, Kent vs. E. Michigan, 1997

Cotton Bowl (January 1, 1971): Notre Dame 24, Texas 11 (Dallas, Tex.) . . . Epic re-

match ends Texas's 30-game winning streak, chance at legit nat'l. title

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1971): Stanford 27, Ohio State 17 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . . Heisman

winner Jim Plunkett leads Stanford to huge upset over Woody Hayes's greatest team

November 25, 1971: Nebraska 35, Oklahoma 31 (Oklahoma Memorial Stadium/Norman, Okla.) . . . 8th "Game of Century" (some still say best ever) leads 'Huskers to nat'l. title

September 9, 1972: UCLA 20, Nebraska 17 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . . Actor Mark

Harmon and Bruins end Nebraska's 32-game unbeaten streak

December 2, 1972: Southern California 45, Notre Dame 23 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

Anthony Davis: 6 TDs, greatest individual game ever

#### Greatest single-game individual performance

At the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on December 2, 1972, Southern Cal sophomore Anthony "A. D." Davis scored six touchdowns, two on kickoff returns, totaling 218 yards on three runbacks averaging 72.7 yards, to lead the number one Trojans to a 45-23 blowout of Notre Dame. USC was well on their way to the national championship and general consensus (as well as Keith Jackson's analysis) as the "greatest team of all time." Two other games stand, possibly equaling A. D.'s 1972 game as the finest single-game performance of all times. Two years later he repeated the effort versus the Irish (earning him the sobriquet "The Notre Dame Killer"). In 1924, Illinois' Red Grange had a phenomenal game versus Michigan, which not only electrified college football but is credited with kickstarting the NFL when his entrance into the league generated enormous crowds. Vince Young's performance for Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl certainly contends, as well.

NCAA single-game touchdown receptions

6 Tim Delaney, S. Diego St vs. N. Mex. St., 1969

December 2, 1972: Auburn 17, Alabama 16 (Legion Field/Birmingham, Ala.) . . . Tigers

end 'Bama's title hopes in Iron Bowl upset

October 27, 1973: Notre Dame 23, Southern California 14 (Notre Dame Stadium/South

Bend, Ind.) . . . Irish end SC's 27-game unbeaten streak on way to nat'l. title

November 24, 1973: Ohio State 10, Michigan 10 (Ohio Stadium/Columbus, Oh.) . . .

Everything rode on this, but tie left everybody peeved, especially Wolverines when Bucks went to Pasadena

###### NCAA single-game touchdown passes

11 David Klingler, Houston vs. E. Wash., 1990

9 Dennis Shaw, San Diego St vs. N. Mex. St., 1969

Sugar Bowl (December 31, 1973): Notre Dame 24, Alabama 23 (New Orleans, Louis.) . .

. 'Bama fails in revenge for '66 in 9th "Game of Century"

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1974): Ohio State 42, Southern California 21 (Pasadena, Calif.) . .

. Woody Hayes gets last Rose Bowl win, revenge for previous year's SC pounding

November 23, 1974: Stanford 22, California 20 (Memorial Stadium/Berkeley, Calif.) . . .

Steve Bartkowski of Cal loses <ED: CAPS> Big Game duel on long last-second FG in gloaming

November 30, 1974: Southern California 55, Notre Dame 24 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

Anthony Davis runs wild, leads Troy, but his '72 game was even better

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1975): Southern California 18, Ohio State 17 (Pasadena, Calif.) . .

. Last minute Pat Haden-to-J. K. McKay TD and Haden-to-Shelton Diggs 2-pointer

gives Troy, most exciting team in history, nat'l. title in one of most exciting games ever

November 8, 1975: Kansas 23, Oklahoma 3 (Oklahoma Memorial Stadium/Norman, Okla.) . . .28-game Sooner winning streak ends in epic upset

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1976): UCLA 23, Ohio State 10 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . . Woody

loses to Pac-8 again!

September 24, 1977: Oklahoma 29, Ohio State 28 (Ohio Stadium/Columbus, Oh.) . . .

Field goal wins battle of nat'l. powers

October 22, 1977: Notre Dame 49, Southern California 19 (Notre Dame Stadium/South

Bend, Ind.) . . . Joe Montana, green jerseys, and Irish glory

NCAA single-game rushing touchdowns

8 Howard Griffith, Illinois vs. So. Ill, 1990

7 Showboat Boykin, Ole Miss vs. Miss. St., 1951

Orange Bowl (January 2, 1977): Arkansas 31, Oklahoma 6 (Miami, Fla.) . . . Lou

Holtz's Razorbacks knock Sooners out of title

September 23, 1978: Southern California 24, Alabama 14 (Legion Field/Birmingham,

Ala.) . . . Teams that would end up co-nat'l. champs play with SC winning

November 25, 1978: Southern California 27, Notre Dame 25 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

Frank Jordan's field goal, Camelot days at SC; Joe Montana unreal in defeat

Gator Bowl (December 29, 1978): Clemson 17, Ohio State 15 (Jacksonville, Fla.) . . .

Woody Hayes attacks Clemson player after interception; "good-by, Woody"

Sugar Bowl (January 1, 1979): Alabama 14, Penn State 7 (Miami, Fla.) . . . Joe Pa denied

by the Bear

Cotton Bowl (January 1, 1979): Notre Dame 35, Houston 34 (Dallas, Tex.) . . . Flu-

ridden Montana leads legendary comeback in freezing conditions to make his

legend

September 15, 1979: Notre Dame 12, Michigan 10 (Michigan Stadium/Ann Arbor,

Mich.) . . . The great Notre Dame-Michigan rivalry heats up

Holiday Bowl (December 21, 1979): Indiana 38, Brigham Young 37 (San Diego

Stadium) . . . eight lead changes

Rose Bowl (January 1,1980): Southern California 17, Ohio State 16 (Pasadena, Calif.) . .

. SC, Charlie White drive in last minute to knock Buckeyes out of title

September 20, 1980: Notre Dame 29, Michigan 27 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend,

Ind.) . . . In short time rivalry produces games as good as tradition with Trojans

#### NCAA single-game passing yards records

716 David Klingler, Houston vs. Arizona St., 1990

690 Matt Vogler, TCU vs. Houston, 1990

637 Brian Lindgren, Idaho vs. Middle Tenn. St., 2001

631 Scott Mitchell, Utah vs. Air Force, 1988

622 Jeremy Leach, New Mexico vs. Utah, 1989

621 Dave Wilson, Illinois vs. Ohio St., 1980

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1981): Michigan 23, Washington 6 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . . Bo

Schembechler finally wins a Rose Bowl

September 26, 1981: Southern California 28, Oklahoma 24 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

Last-second pass wins battle of no. 1 vs. no. 2 football titans

November 20, 1982: California 25, Stanford 20 (Memorial Stadium/Berkeley, Calif.) . . .

"The Play" (Joe Starkey: _"The band is on the field!"_ )

NCAA single-game points records

48 Howard Griffith, Illinois vs. So. Ill., 1990

44 Marshall Faulk, S. Diego St vs. Pacific, 1991

43 Jim Brown, Syracuse vs. Colgate, 1956

42 Showboat Boykin, Mississippi vs. Miss. St., 1951

42 Fred Wendt, UTEP vs. N. Mex. St., 1948

Liberty Bowl (December 29, 1982): Alabama 21, Illinois 15 (Memphis, Tenn.) . . . Bear

Bryant retires with all-time record 323 wins

Orange Bowl (January 1, 1984): Miami 31, Nebraska 30 (Miami, Fla.) . . . 'Canes upset

"greatest ever" 'Huskers for no. 1 to begin Miami era

November 23, 1984: Boston College 47, Miami 45 (Orange Bowl/Miami, Fla.) . . . Doug

Flutie's "Hail Mary" wins it for BC

November 30, 1985: Alabama 25, Auburn 23 (Legion Field/Birmingham, Ala.) . . .

'Bama upsets Bo Jackson in Iron Bowl

September 13, 1986: Michigan 24, Notre Dame 23 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend,

Ind.) . . . Resumed series is" barn burner"

November 29, 1986: Notre Dame 38, Southern California 37 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

Irish "wake up the echoes" in L.A.

Fiesta Bowl (January 2, 1987): Penn State 14, Miami 10 (Tempe, Ariz.) . . . 10th "Game

of Century" is upset, Joe Pa's 2nd title

October 3,1987: Miami 26, Florida State 25 (Doak S. Campbell Stadium/Tallahassee,

Fla.) . . . Pushed FG, heartbreak for Bowden, a title for 'Canes

October 15, 1988: Notre Dame 31, Miami 30 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend, Ind.) . .

. "Catholics vs. convicts," ND ends Miami's 36-game regular season win streak

on way to nat'l. title

###### NCAA single-game receiving yards

405 Troy Edwards, Louisiana Tech vs. Nebraska, 1998

363 Randy Gatewood, UNLV vs. Idaho, 1994

349 Chuck Hughes, UTEP vs. N. Texas St., 1965

326 Nat Burleson, Nevada vs. San Jose St., 2001

322 Rick Eber, Tulsa vs. Idaho St., 1967

November 19, 1988: Southern California 31, UCLA 22 (Rose Bowl/Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

"Heisman showdown" between SC's Rodney Peete, UCLA's Troy Aikman won by SC, but Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders captures trophy

November 26, 1988: Notre Dame 27, Southern California 10 (Los Angeles Coliseum) . . .

11th "Game of Century" pitted no. 1 vs. no. 2, all Irish in L.A. . . again!

December 2, 1989: Auburn 30, Alabama 20 (Jordan-hare Stadium/Auburn, Ala.) . . .

The "freed from Pharoah" game

September 8, 1990: Brigham Young 28, Miami 21 (LaVell Edwards Stadium/Provo,

Utah) . . . Ty Detmer launches his Heisman bid

October 6, 1990: Colorado 33, Missouri 31 (Faurot Memorial Stadium/Columbia, Mo.) . .

. 5th down gives Buffaloes' win on way to nat'l. title

November 17, 1990: Southern California 45, UCLA 42 (Rose Bowl/Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

shootout between Bruin frosh Tommy Maddox and Trojan soph Todd Marinovich

#### NCAA single-game passing completion records

55 Drew Brees, Purdue vs. Wisconsin, 1998

55 Rusty LaRue, Wake Forest vs. Duke, 1995

50 Rusty LaRue, Wake Forest vs. North Carolina St., 1995

49 Brian Lindgren, Idaho vs. Middle Tenn. St., 2001

48 David Klingler, Houston vs. SMU, 1990

Sugar Bowl (January 1, 1993): Alabama 34, Miami 13 (The Superdome/New Orleans,

Louis.) . . . Only Tide nat'l. title in post-Bear Bryant era

November 13, 1993: Notre Dame 31, Florida State 24 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend,

Ind.) . . . Irish knock 'Noles out of picture, or do they?

November 20, 1993: Boston College 41, Notre Dame 39 (Notre Dame Stadium/South

Bend, Ind.) . . . 1 week later BC makes comeback for all times to break Irish hearts and lift FSU hopes

Orange Bowl (January 1, 1994): Florida State 18, Nebraska 16 (Miami, Fla.) . . . Totally

improbable season ends with "ugly" title for Bobby Bowden in 12th "Game of Century"

September 17, 1994: Auburn 30, Louisiana State 26 (Jordan-Hare Stadium/Auburn, Ala.)

. . . Wild finish, Tigers come back from 23-9 4th quarter deficit

September 24, 1994: Washington 38, Miami 20 (Orange Bowl/Miami, Fla.) . . . Huskies

end Miami's 58-game home winning streak

August 16,1995: Michigan 18, Virginia 17 (Michigan Stadium/Ann Arbor, Mich.) . . . All

stops pulled in season opener

September 2, 1995: Northwestern 17, Notre Dame 15 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend,

Ind.) . . . Wildcats upset leads to Rose Bowl

Fiesta Bowl (January 2, 1996): Nebraska 62, Florida 24 (Tempe, Arizona) . . . 'Huskers:

greatest college team ever? Greatest performance ever?

Rose Bowl (January 1, 1997): Ohio State 20, Arizona State 17 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

Last-minute score ends nat'l. title hopes of Pat Tillman's unbeaten Sun Devils

November 14, 1998: Tennessee 28, Arkansas 24 (Neyland Stadium/Knoxville, Tenn.) . . .

Vols win on "ol' Rocky Top" on way to nat'l. title

#### NCAA single-game total receptions records

23 Randy Gatewood, UNLV vs. Idaho, 1994

22 Jay Miller, BYU vs. New Mexico, 1973

21 Troy Edwards, Louisiana Tech vs. Nebraska, 1998

21 Chris Daniels, Purdue vs. Michigan St., 1999

December 5, 1998: Miami 49, UCLA 45 (Orange Bowl/Miami, Fla.) . . . In game literally

re-scheduled due to hurricane, Hurricanes end Bruin nat'l. title hopes

BCS Sugar Bowl (January 4, 2000): Florida State 46, Virginia Tech 29 (New Orleans.

Louis.) . . . FSU outlasts Michael Vick in wild BCS title showdown

#### NCAA single-game total offense records

732 David Klingler, Houston vs. Arizona St., 1990

696 Matt Vogler, TCU vs. Houston, 1990

625 David Klingler, Houston vs. TCU, 1990

625 Scott Mitchell, Utah vs. Air Force, 1988

612 Jimmy Klingler, Houston vs. Rice, 1992

October 13, 2001: Arkansas 58, Mississippi 56 (Reynolds Razorback Stadium/Fayetteville, Ark.) . . . Who let the Hogs out?

BCS Fiesta Bowl (January 3, 2003): Ohio State 31, Miami 24 (Tempe, Ariz.) . . .

Buckeyes end Miami's 34-game winning streak, try for 2nd straight nat'l.

championship in double-OT

September 6, 2003: Miami 38, Florida 33 (Orange Bowl/Miami) . . . QB Brock Berlin

transfers from Florida to Miami, wins barnburner

BCS Orange Bowl: Southern California 55, Oklahoma 19 (Miami, Fla.) . . . USC puts on

"best performance I've ever seen," according to ESPN's Lee Corso, to demolish OU, run table 2nd straight year in 1st "Game of 21st Century"

#### Top 40 greatest single-game team performances

1. Southern California 55, Oklahoma 24 (2005 BCS Orange Bowl)

2. Nebraska 62, Florida 24 (1996 Fiesta Bowl)

3. Notre Dame 51, Southern California 0 (1966)

4. Army 48, Notre Dame 0 (1945)

5. Nebraska 38, Alabama 6 (1972 Orange Bowl)

6. Michigan 49, USC 0 (1948 Rose Bowl)

7. Georgia Tech 222, Cumberand 0 (1916)

8. Alabama 66, California 0 (1973)

9. Southern California 55, Notre Dame 24 (1974)

10. Oklahoma 77, Texas A&M 0 (2003)

11. Michigan 55, Iowa 0 (1970)

12. Miami 58, Notre Dame 7 (1985)

13. Florida 52, Florida St. 20 (1997 Sugar Bowl)

14. Arkansas 31, Oklahoma 6 (1978 Orange Bowl)

15. Ohio State 62, Texas Christian 0 (1969)

16. Texas 66, UCLA 3 (1997)

17. Oklahoma 35, Louisiana State 0 (1950 Sugar Bowl)

18. Michigan 49, Stanford 0 (1902 Rose Bowl)

19. Southern California 42, Ohio St. 17 (1973 Rose Bowl)

20. Illinois 39, Michigan 14 (1924)

21. Notre Dame 49, Southern California 19 (1977)

22. Texas 41, Southern Cal 38 (2006 Rose Bowl)

23. UCLA 45, Illinois 9 (1984 Rose Bowl)

24. Miami 46, Texas 3 (1991 Cotton Bowl)

25. Southern California 35, Pittsburgh 0 (1933 Rose Bowl)

26. Alabama 61, Syracuse 6 (1953 Orange Bowl)

27. Nebraska 40, Notre Dame 6 (1973 Orange Bowl)

28. Alabama 34, Southern California 14 (1946 Rose Bowl)

29. Alabama 34, Nebraska 7 (1967 Sugar Bowl)

30. Louisiana State 41, Notre Dame 14 (2007 Sugar Bowl)

31. Notre Dame 38, Texas 10 (1977 Cotton Bowl)

32. Alabama 35, Ohio St. 6 (1978 Sugar Bowl)

33. Alabama 34, Miami 13 (1993 Sugar Bowl)

34. Southern California 50, Arizona State 0 (1988)

35. Washington 31, Southern California 0 (1990)

36. UCLA 41, Nebraska 28 (1988)

37. Brigham Young 48, New Mexico 0 (1984)

38. Miami 37, Nebraska 14 (2002 BCS Rose Bowl)

39. Oklahoma 63, Kansas State 0 (1974)

40. Arizona State 19, Nebraska 0 (1996)

October 15, 2005: Southern California 34, Notre Dame 31 (Notre Dame Stadium/South

Bend, Ind.) . . . Maybe most intense game ever played, best in history of Trojan-Irish rivalry . . . most exciting college game ever?

Rose Bowl (January 4, 2006): Texas 41, Southern California 38 (Pasadena, Calif.) . . .

Vince Young and Texas end SC's 34-game winning streak, try for 3rd straight national title, run at Oklahoma's 47-game win streak, and 33 straight weeks ranked no. 1, in greatest college football game ever played! EVER!

#### Top 30 greatest games ever played

1. Texas 41, Southern California 38 (Rose Bowl/Pasadena, Calif.); January 4, 2006

2. Southern California 21, UCLA 20 (Los Angeles Coliseum); November 18, 1967

3. Nebraska 35, Oklahoma 31 (Tinker Field/Norman, Okla.); November 25, 1971

4. Texas 15, Arkansas 14 (Little Rock, Ark. FACT CHECK); December 6, 1969

5. Notre Dame 10, Michigan State 10 (Spartan Stadium/East Lansing, Mich.); November

19, 1966

6. Southern California 16, Notre Dame 14 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend, Ind.);

November 21, 1931

7. Southern California 7, Duke 3 (Rose Bowl/Pasadena, Calif.); January 2, 1939

8. Southern California 42, Wisconsin 37 (Rose Bowl/Pasadena, Calif.); January 1, 1963

9. Southern California 34, Notre Dame 31 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend, Ind.);

October 15, 2005

10. Notre Dame 0, Army 0 (Yankee Stadium/York City); November 9, 1946

11. Notre Dame 24, Alabama 23 (Sugar Bowl/New Orleans, Louis.); December 31, 1973

12. Miami 31, Nebraska 30 (Orange Bowl/Miami, Fla.); January 1, 1984

13. Notre Dame 31, Miami 30 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend, Ind.); October 15,

1988

14. Ohio State 31, Miami 24 (BCS Fiesta Bowl/Tempe, Ariz.); January 3, 2003

15. California 25, Stanford 20 (Memorial Stadium/Berkeley, Calif.); November 20, 1982

16. Southern California 55, Notre Dame 24 (Los Angeles Coliseum); November 30, 1974

17. Notre Dame 7, Oklahoma 0 (Tinker Field/Norman, Okla.); November 16, 1957

18. Boston College 47, Miami 45 (Orange Bowl/Miami, Fla.); November 23, 1984

19. Notre Dame 31, Florida State 24 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend, Ind.); November

13, 1993

20. Ohio State 41, Michigan 38 (Ohio Stadium/Columbus, Oh.); November 18, 2006

21. Southern California 18, Ohio State 17 Rose Bowl/Pasadena, Calif.); January 1, 1975

22. Georgia Tech 8, California 7 (Rose Bowl/Pasadena, Calif.); January 1, 1929

23. Southern California 20, Notre Dame 17 (Los Angeles Coliseum); November 28, 1964

24. Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42 (Fiesta Bowl/Glendale, Ariz.); January 1, 2007

25. Illinois 39, Michigan 14 (Memorial Stadium/Champaign, Ill.); October 18, 1924

26. Southern California 27, Notre Dame 25 (Los Angeles Coliseum); November 25, 1978

27. Oklahoma 29, Ohio State 28 (Ohio Stadium/Columbus, Oh.); September 24, 1977

28. Notre Dame 49, Southern California 19 (Notre Dame Stadium/South Bend, Ind.);

October 22, 1977

29. Southern California 42, Alabama 21 (Legion Field/Birmingham, Ala.); September 12,

1970:

30. Dartmouth 3, Cornell 0 (Memorial Field/Hanover, N.H.); November 16, 1940

November 18, 2006: Ohio State 41, Michigan 39 (Ohio Stadium/Columbus, Oh.) . . .

Greatest game in history of Ohio State-Michigan rivalry

Fiesta Bowl (January 1, 2007): Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42 (Glendale, Ariz.) . . .

Double-OT game may have been wildest ever played, rivaling "The Play"

September 1, 2007: Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32 (Michigan Stadium/Ann Arbor, Mich.) . . . Greatest upset in college football history

ALL-TIME ALL-AMERICAN TEAM

THE GREATEST PLAYERS

OFFENSE

Pos. Player College

QB Matt Leinart Southern California

RB O. J. Simpson Southern California

RB Tony Dorsett Pittsburgh

WR Tim Brown Notre Dame

WR Johnny Rodgers Nebraska

TE Mike Ditka Pittsburgh

OL Ron Yary Southern California

OL John Hannah Alabama

OL Orlando Pace Ohio State

OL Dean Steinkuhler Nebraska

C Dwight Stephenson Alabama

DEFENSE

Pos. Player College

DL Tony Casillas Oklahoma

DL Lee Roy Selmon Oklahoma

DL Bob Lilly Texas Christian

DE Hugh Green Pittsburgh

DE Warren Sapp Miami

LB Junior Seau Southern California

LB Cornelius Bennett Alabama

LB Brian Bosworth Oklahoma

DB Ronnie Lott Southern California

DB Jack Tatum Ohio State

DB Charles Woodson Michigan

SPECIAL TEAMS

Pos. Player College

K John Lee UCLA

P Reggie Roby Iowa

KR Anthony Davis Southern California

FB Bronco Nagurski Minnesota

OFFENSIVE PLAYER Matt Leinart, Southern California

DEFENSIVE PLAYER Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma

COACH Paul "Bear" Bryant, Alabama

Picking an "All-Time All-American Team" spanning all of college football's history (1869-2006) may be just slightly less daunting a task than the one John F. Kennedy issued when he announced that it was "the stated purpose of this great nation to place a man on the Moon . . . and return him safely to Earth!"

_Surrre_ , mon, no problemo.

But picking any subjective list like this is all in good fun anyway; a bar room argument. Thankfully it is a lot less challenging than preventing the Soviets from "dropping nuclear bombs on us, like kids droppin' rocks from a freeway overpass," as Lyndon Johnson described the "space race."

This chapter contains a number of "All-American teams," including a list put together in 2004 by ESPN's football analysts, along with assorted college football historians. Concentration is centered on a list of the "top 60 greatest players" of all time. These players are chosen based on their career body of work, not merely a single Heisman-spectacular season. Greater weight is given to the modern player. Statistics are not nearly as important as winning, which is, after all, "why we play the games," as baseball great Willie Mays once exclaimed.

#### Top 60 greatest players

1. Matt Leinart, Southern California

2. Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma

3. O. J. Simpson, Southern California

4. Orlando Pace, Ohio State

5. Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska

6. Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh

7. Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska

8. Hugh Green, Pittsburgh

9. Warren Sapp, Miami

10. Charles Woodson, Michigan

11. Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma

12. Jack Tatum, Ohio State

13. Desmond Howard, Michigan

14. Earl Campbell, Texas

15. Jim Plunkett, Stanford

16. Archie Griffin, Ohio State

17. Herschel Walker, Georgia

18. Roger Staubach, Navy

19. Ricky Williams, Texas

20. Bubba Smith, Michigan State

21. Mike Ditka, Pittsburgh

22. John Hannah, Alabama

23. Harold "Red" Grange, Illinois

24. Ronnie Lott, Southern California

25. Dwight Stephenson, Alabama

26. Dave Rimington, Nebraska

27. Ty Detmer, Brigham Young

28. Doug Flutie, Boston College

29. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin

30. Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State

31. Ross Browner, Notre Dame

32. Ted Hendricks, Miami

33. Steve Emtman, Washington

34. Mike Reid, Penn State

35. Jim McMahon, Brigham Young

36. Randy White, Maryland

37. Jim Sillwagon, Ohio State

38. Jim Thorpe, Carlisle

39. Dick Butkus, Illinois

40. Lee Roy Jordan, Alabama

41. Don Hutson, Alabama

42. Tommy Nobis, Texas

43. John David Crow, Texas A&M

44. Doak Walker, Southern Methodist

45. Brick Muller, California

46. Deion Sanders, Florida State

47. Sammy Baugh, Texas Christian

48. Ernie Nevers, Stanford

49. John Elway, Stanford

50. Vince Young, Texas

51. Davey O'Brien, Texas Christian

52. Bronco Nagurski, Minnesota

53. George Gipp, Notre Dame

54. Tom Shevlin, Yale

55. Leon Hart, Notre Dame

56. George Webster, Michigan State

57. Marshy Schwartz, Notre Dame

58. Tom Harmon, Michigan

59. Bo Jackson, Auburn

60. David Klingler, Houston

Again, it becomes increasingly evident (or difficult, or annoying, depending upon one's point of view) to ignore the contributions of the University of Southern California and the spectacular young men who have played football for them over the years. Number one: Matt Leinart. The surefire number one pick of the 2005 draft, he opted instead to return to school where he and his team came within precious inches of becoming the first team ever to win three straight AP national championships.

Had Leinart not played in an offense with more weapons than the Pentagon, therefore "forcing" him to share glory with Reggie Bush and LenDale White; had he in fact been compelled to carry the Trojans on his six-foot, five-inch frame in order to propel them to victory; then his reflected numbers would have been enough to make him only the second two-time Heisman Trophy winner in history.

#### NCAA career touchdown passes

Rk Player, School Yrs No.

1 Ty Detmer, BYU 1988-91 121

2 Tim Rattay, La. Tech 1997-99 115

3 Danny Wuerffel, Florida 1993-96 114

4 Chad Pennington, Marshall 1997-99 100

5 David Klingler, Houston 1988-91 91

He was a three-time All-American; a landslide Heisman winner as a junior; and the star of repeat national champions (2003-2004) that were not as good as the 2005 squad dubbed by ESPN "the greatest college football team in history."

Number two is a man who never won a Heisman, but Brian Bosworth symbolized rebellion and college football at Oklahoma in the mid-1980s. He put together the most dominant defensive career in history, spearheading a Sooner team that finished number one in 1985 on the strength of their defense.

Number three is a guy who is hard to ignore in more ways than one really wants to admit. O. J. Simpson lacks the four-year career rushing imprimatur of Archie Griffin, Tony Dorsett, Charles White, Barry Sanders or Ricky Williams. Even his single-season marks in 1967 and 1968, while record setting at the time, were broken by wide margins by the aforementioned running backs, among others, in succeeding years.

But O.J. absolutely and positively should have won two Heisman Trophies. Unlike Archie Griffin, who won two but only deserved one, O. J. was denied the 1967 award because it was utterly incongruous to voters that a junior college transfer simply waltz in and win it. When O. J.'s breathtaking 64-yard run beat UCLA in the 1967 "Game (to beat all games) of the Century," it surely seemed to cinch the Heisman for him over his beaten foe, Bruin quarterback Gary Beban.

Aside from that game, a look at the numbers leaves the logical man utterly astonished at how Beban still won the Heisman. Beban had name recognition, having engineered the "gutty little Bruins" win over big, bad Bubba Smith and Michigan State in the Rose Bowl two years before. He was a solid QB, but his numbers throughout the 1967 campaign are nothing less than pedestrian. O. J. ran for 1,415 yards, an average of 157.2 per game, but _reportage_ of his games in the national media resemble men describing flying dinosaurs: they had never seen anything like him before.

#### NCAA career rushing yards

1. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (1996-99): 6,397 yards

2. Ricky Williams, Texas (1995-98): 6,279 yards

3. Charles White, Southern California (1976-79): 6,245

4. Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh (1973-76): 6,082 yards

5. Travis Prentice, Miami-OH (1996-99): 5596

6. Steve Owens, Oklahoma (1967-69): 3,867 yards

7. Archie Griffin, Ohio State (1972-75): 5,177 yards

8. Ed Marinaro, Cornell (1969-71): 4,715 yards

Beban did throw for 300 yards against USC, but in his first eight contests the man threw for 107, 69, 114, 108, 133, 50, and 157 yards, respectively. TD passes? Three in those eight games. Then, on top of everything else, Beban's Bruins managed to lose to Syracuse after the USC loss. O. J.'s Trojans beat Indiana in the Rose Bowl to take the national championship. Not only should O.J. have won the Heisman, his performance in 1967 was probably the finest single season any college football player ever had up to that time. Then he had a much better year in 1968, when he won he Heisman, getting enough votes to challenge Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey in that year's presidential election had he chosen to. His pro career was rivaled by none while he played; whether he was better than Jim Brown or not is debatable. He probably was not, but the fact the discussion can be had says all that needs be said about his career with the Buffalo Bills. After that? Well, as it says in the Bible, "pride goeth before the fall."

#### NCAA career pass receptions

## Rk Player, School Yrs No

1 Arnold Jackson, Louisville 1997-00 300

2 Trevor Insley, Nevada 1996-99 298

3 Geoff Noisy, Nevada 1995-98 295

4 Troy Edwards, La. Tech 1996-98 280

5 Aaron Turner, Pacific 1989-92 266

Orlando Pace was a monster on defense at Ohio State in the mid-1990s. Johnny Rodgers electrified Nebraska football, whose fans are so blasé otherwise . . . _not!_ Tony Dorsett might well be considered the greatest all-time college football player. He was a four-year starter, a three-year All-American, and the 1976 Heisman winner. Eastern football fans might take exception to this, but the only thing holding him back is Pitt's competition. They were playing too many games against William & Mary, Army, Navy and Temple. Syracuse and Miami were on the schedule, but those programs were mediocre in the 1970s. Nevertheless, the Panthers beat Penn State when they had to in 1976, then knocked off Georgia, 27-3, in the Sugar Bowl to wrap up the national title.

Other superstars include Jack Tatum, who dominated the defensive side of the ball at Ohio State from 1968-1970 and, if fairness has its way, will someday be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his work in Oakland. A 1-3 record in the Rose Bowl mars Archie Griffin's career. So far, he has not done the right thing, which is to mail his 1974 Heisman to the worthy recipient, Anthony Davis of USC. A. D. lives in Irvine, California and is not hard to find.

#### NCAA career receptions per game

## Rk Player, School Yrs No Avg

1 Manny Hazard, Houston 1989-90 220 10.5

2 Alex Van Dyke, Nevada 1994-95 227 10.3

3 Howard Twilley, Tulsa 1963-65 261 10.0

4 Jason Phillips, Houston 1987-88 207 9.4

5 Troy Edwards, La. Tech 1996-98 280 8.2

#### NCAA career non-kickers – points

## Rk Player, School Yrs TD XP FG Pts

1 Travis Prentice, Miami-OH 1996-99 78 0 0 468

2 Ricky Williams, Texas 1995-98 75 2 0 452

3 Anthony Thompson, Ind 1986-89 65 4 0 394

4 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin 1996-99 63 0 0 378

5 Marshall Faulk, S.D. St. 1991-93 62 4 0 376

Bubba Smith re-defined the role of pass rushers at Michigan State in the mid-1960s. Mike Ditka epitomized the hard-nosed nature of football toughness, first as a tight end at Pitt, later with the Chicago Bears. Pitt has a great football history, but would not be considered an upper tier tradition ranking alongside Oklahoma or Nebraska. Despite that, they have produced some of the greatest individual players of all time. Aside from Ditka, Hugh Green enjoyed one of if not the best defensive season any player has ever had in 1980. Dan Marino was a superstar in college, even better in the NFL. If one were to make the statement that Tony Dorsett is the best college football player who ever lived, there would not be a chorus of argument against that sentiment. In recent years, receiver Larry Fitzgerald rose to heights above and beyond what is expected of ball catchers.

#### NCAA career points per game

## Avg. Player, School Years

12.1 Marshall Faulk, San Diego St., 1991-93

11.8 Ed Marinaro, Cornell, 1969-71

11.3 Bill Burnett, Arkansas, 1968-70

11.2 Steve Owens, Oklahoma, 1967-69

10.8 Eddie Talboom, Wyoming, 1948-50

#### NCAA career kickers – points

## Rk Player, School Yrs FG XP Pts

1 Roman Anderson, Hou 1988-91 70 213 423

2 Carlos Huerta, Mia-FL 1988-91 73 178 397

3 Jason Elam, Hawaii 1988-89, 91-92 79 158 395

4 Derek Schmidt, Fla. St 1984-87 73 174 393

5 Kris Brown, Nebraska 1995-98 57 217 388

6 Jeff Hall, Tennessee 1995-98 61 188 371

Shayne Graham, Va. Tech 1996-99 68 167 371

8 Luis Zendejas, Ariz. St 1981-84 78 134 368

9 Jeff Jaeger, Wash 1983-86 80 118 358

10 John Lee, UCLA 1982-85 79 116 353

Max Zendejas, Arizona 1982-85 77 122 353

Kevin Butler, Georgia 1981-84 77 122 353

John Hannah is one of the great individual stars to come out of Alabama. Ironically, and happily too, Hannah played opposite Sam "Bam" Cunningham when the Trojan fullback led USC to the historic 42-21 win over the Crimson Tide, "ending" segregation once and for all in 1970. Then Hannah blocked for Cunningham over the next decade in New England.

Ronnie Lott hit with the force of thunder at USC. He played on the 1978 Trojans national championship team, and later earned no less than four Super Bowl rings playing alongside his college foe, Notre Dame's Joe Montana in San Francisco. Dwight Stephenson is generally considered to be the best center in college football and perhaps pro football history. He spearheaded the Alabama national champions of 1979. It is typical of a Bear Bryant team that the best-remembered player of his best team was a center.

#### NCAA career rushing yards per game

## Rk Player, School Yrs Yds Avg

1 Ed Marinaro, Cornell 1969-71 4715 174.6

2 O. J. Simpson, USC 1967-68 3124 164.4

3 Herschel Walker, Georgia 1980-82 5259 159.4

4 LeShon Johnson, No. Ill. 1992-93 3314 150.6

5 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin 1996-99 6397 148.8

Ted Hendricks, a star at Miami in the mid-1960s, tuned the linebacker from a quasi-defensive end into a rover who could intercept passes, rush the quarterback, and play the length of the field. Those who saw Steve Emtman play at Washington in the early 1990s often state that he was the best player they ever saw. Mike Reid helped establish the dominant linebacker position at Penn State in the late 1960s. Randy White astonished onlookers at Maryland in the 1970s, then lived up to his star billing at Dallas. Deion Sanders was a true rarity at Florida State and in the NFL, where he was the reason San Francisco won the 1994 world championship, then Dallas in 1995. Sanders, unlike Ronnie Lott, did not like to hit people. His speed and athleticism, however, forced offenses to completely change their game plans. Leon Hart was a defensive giant at Notre Dame who won the 1949 Heisman Trophy.

#### NCAA career kickers - field goals

## Rk Player, School Yrs No

1 Jeff Jaeger, Washington 1983-86 80

2 John Lee, UCLA 1982-85 79

Jason Elam, Hawaii 1988-89, 91-92 79

4 Philip Doyle, Alabama 1987-90 78

Luis Zendejas, Arizona St 1981-84 78

#### NCAA career all-purpose yards

## Rk Player, School Yrs Yds

1 Ricky Williams, Texas 1995-98 7206

2 Napoleon McCallum, Navy 1981-85 7172

3 Darrin Nelson, Stanford 1977-78, 80-81 6885

4 Kevin Faulk, LSU 1995-98 6833

5 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin 1996-99 6701

Nose guard Tony Casillas teamed up with Brian Bosworth to make Barry Switzer's Oklahoma Sooners of the mid-1980s almost unbeatable. Junior Seau left USC a year early. Had he stayed, the 1990 Trojans may have contended for the national title. Instead, quarterback Todd Marinovich imploded, becoming the poster boy for lost potential.

#### Total Offense Yards

## Rk Player, School Yrs Yds

1 Ty Detmer, BYU 1988-91 14,665

2 Tim Rattay, La. Tech 1997-99 12,689

3 Chris Redman, Louisville 1996-99 12,129

4 Drew Brees, Purdue 1997-00 11,815

5 David Neill, Nevada 1998-01 11,664

#### NCAA career all-purpose yards per game

## Rk Player, School Yrs Yds Avg

1 Ryan Benjamin, Pacific 1990-92 5706 237.8

2 Sheldon Canley, S. Jose St. 1988-90 5146 205.8

3 Howard Stevens, Louisville 1971-72 3873 193.7

4 O. J. Simpson, USC 1967-68 3666 192.9

5 Alex Van Dyke, Nevada 1994-95 4146 188.5

NCAA career total offense per game

Rk Player, School Yrs Yds Avg

1 Tim Rattay, La. Tech 1997-99 12,689 382.4

2 Chris Vargas, Nevada 1992-93 6,417 320.9

3 Ty Detmer, BYU 1988-91 14,665 318.8

4 Daunte Culpepper*, C. Fla. 1996-98 10,344 313.5

5 Mike Perez, San Jose St 1986-87 6,182 309.1

NCAA career interceptions

Rk Player, School Yrs No

1 Al Brosky, Illinois 1950-52 29

2 John Provost, Holy Cross 1972-74 27

Martin Bayless, Bowling Green 1980-83 27

4 Tom Curtis, Michigan 1967-69 25

Tony Thurman, Boston College 1981-84 25

Tracy Saul, Texas Tech. 1989-92 25

NCAA career punting average

Rk Player, School Yrs Avg

1 Todd Sauerbrun, West Va. 1991-94 46.3

2 Reggie Roby, Iowa 1979-82 45.6

3 Greg Montgomery, Mich. St 1985-87 45.4

4 Tom Tupa, Ohio St. 1984-87 45.2

5 Barry Helton, Colorado 1984-87 44.9

NCAA career punt return average

Rk Player, School Yrs Avg

1 Jack Mitchell, Oklahoma 1946-48 23.6

2 Gene Gibson, Cincinnati 1949-50 20.5

3 Eddie Macon, Pacific 1949-51 18.9

4 Jackie Robinson, UCLA 1939-40 18.8

Two tied at 17.7 each.

NCAA career touchdown receptions

Rk Player, School Yrs No

1 Troy Edwards, La. Tech 1996-98 50

2 Aaron Turner, Pacific 1989-92 43

3 Ryan Yarborough, Wyoming 1990-93 42

4 Clarkston Hines, Duke 1986-89 38

Marcus Harris, Wyoming 1993-96 38

NCAA career kickoff return average

Rk Player, School Yrs Avg

1 Anthony Davis, USC 1972-74 35.1

2 Eric Booth, So. Miss. 1994-97 32.4

3 Overton Curtis, Utah St 1957-58 31.0

4 Fred Montgomery, New Mexico St. 1991-92 30.5

5 Allie Taylor, Utah St. 1966-68 29.3

NCAA career rushing touchdowns

Rk Player, School Yrs No

1 Travis Prentice, Miami-OH 1996-99 73

2 Ricky Williams, Texas 1995-98 72

3 Anthony Thompson, Indiana 1986-89 64

4 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin 1996-99 63

5 Eric Crouch, Nebraska 1998-01 59

NCAA career passing leaders

1. Timmy Chang, Hawaii (1999-2004): 17,072 yards

2. Colt Brennan, Hawaii (2004-07) FACT CHECK

3. Ty Detmer, Brigham Young (1988-91): 15,031 yards

4. Matt Leinart, Southern California (2002-06): 10,693

5. Doug Flutie, Boston College (1981-84): 10,579 yards

6. Jim McMahon, Brigham Young (1977-78, 80-81): 9,536 yards

7. Mark Hermman, Purdue (1977-80): 9,188 yards

8. Jim Plunkett, Stanford (1968-70): 7,544 yards

NCAA career passing efficiency rating

Rk Player, School Yrs Rtg

1 Danny Wuerffel, Florida 1993-96 163.6

2 Ty Detmer, BYU 1988-91 162.7

3 Steve Sarkisian, BYU 1995-96 162.0

4 Billy Blanton, San Diego St. 1993-96 157.1

5 Jim McMahon, BYU 1977-78, 80-81 156.9

NCAA career pass completions

Rk Player, School Yrs No

1 Chris Redman, Louisville 1996-99 1031

2 Tim Rattay, La. Tech 1997-99 1015

3 Ty Detmer, BYU 1988-91 958

4 Drew Brees, Purdue 1997-00 942

5 Todd Santos, San Diego St 1984-87 910

NCAA career reception yards

Rk Player, School Yrs No Yds

1 Trevor Insley, Nevada 1996-99 298 5005

2 Marcus Harris, Wyoming 1993-96 259 4518

3 Ryan Yarborough, Wyoming 1990-93 229 4357

4 Troy Edwards, La. Tech 1996-98 280 4352

5 Aaron Turner, Pacific 1989-92 266 4345

Greatest players by position (1955-2004) based on the book Fifty Years of College Football by Bob Boyles and Paul Guido

OFFENSE

Wide receivers/wingbacks

Fred Biletnikoff (Florida State), Tim Brown (Notre Dame), Anthony Carter (Michigan), Desmond Howard (Michigan), Raghib "Rocket" Ismail (Notre Dame), John Jefferson (Arizona State), Johnny Rodgers (Nebraska), Charles Rogers (Michigan), Ron Sellers (Florida State), J. J. Stokes (UCLA), Peter Warrick (Florida State)

Tight ends

Dave Casper (Notre Dame), Mike Ditka (Pittsburgh), Gordon Hudson (Brigham Young), Ron Kramer (Michigan), Keith Jackson (Oklahoma), Ted Kwalick (Penn State), Ken MacAfee (Notre Dame), Pat Richter (Wisconsin), Kellen Winslow Jr. (Miami), Dave Young (Purdue)

Tackles

Tony Boselli (Southern California), Jimbo Covert (Pittsburgh), Irv Eatman (UCLA), Jumbo Elliott (Michigan), Bill Fralic (Pittsburgh), John Hicks (Ohio State), George Kunz (Notre Dame), Tony Mandarich (Michigan State), Mark May (Pittsburgh), Chris McIntosh (Wisconsin), Jonathan Ogden (UCLA), Orlando Pace (Ohio State), Chris Samuels (Alabama), Jerry Sisemore (Texas), Ron Yary (Southern California)

Guards

Bob Brown (Nebraska), Brad Budde (Southern California), Mark Donahue (Michigan), Roy Foster (Southern California), John Hannah (Alabama), Calvin Jones (Iowa), Randall McDaniel (Arizona State), Reggie McKenzie (Michigan), Jim Parker (Ohio State), Greg Roberts (Oklahoma), Dean Steinkuhler (Nebraska), Del Wilkes (South Carolina), Steve Wisniewski (Penn State)

Centers

Tom Brahaney (Oklahoma), E.J. Holub (Texas Tech), Dave Huffman (Notre Dame), Bob Johnson (Tennessee), Jim Richter (North Carolina State), Dave Rimington (Nebraska), Dwight Stephenson (Alabama)

Quarterbacks

Ty Detmer (Brigham Young), Doug Flutie (Boston College), Tommie Frazier (Nebraska), Turner Gill (Nebraska), Bob Griese (Purdue), Jimmy Harris (Oklahoma), Mark Hermman (Purdue), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Chuck Long (Iowa), Dan Marino (Pittsburgh), Jim McMahon (Brigham Young), Jim Plunkett (Stanford), Philip Rivers (North Carolina State), Roger Staubach (Navy), Michael Vick (Virginia Tech), Charlie Ward (Florida State)

Halfbacks/tailbacks

Marcus Allen (Southern California), Jim Brown (Syracuse), Earl Campbell (Texas), Billy Cannon (Louisiana State), Ki-Jana Carter (Penn State), Ron Dayne (Wisconsin), Tony Dorsett (Pittsburgh), Archie Griffin (Ohio State), Bo Jackson (Auburn), Terry Miller (Oklahoma State), Darrin Nelson (Stanford), Steve Owens (Oklahoma), Mike Rozier (Nebraska), Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State), O. J. Simpson (Southern California), Billy Sims (Oklahoma), Anthony Thompson (Indiana), Herschel Walker (Georgia), Ricky Williams (Texas)

Fullbacks

Mike Alstott (Purdue), Larry Conjar (Notre Dame), Larry Csonka (Syracuse), Bob Ferguson (Ohio State), Charlie Flowers (Mississippi), Jim Grabowski (Illinois), Brad Muster (Stanford), Cory Schlesinger (Nebraska), Mosi Tatupu (Southern California), Steve Worster (Texas)

DEFENSE

Defensive ends

Peter Boulware (Florida State), Courtney Brown (Penn State), Ross Browner (Notre Dame), Dwight Freeney (Syracuse), Hugh Green (Pittsburgh), Ted Hendricks (Miami), E. J. Junior (Alabama), Casey Moore (Virginia Tech), Julius Peppers (North Carolina), Billy Ray Smith (Arkansas), Bubba Smith (Michigan State), Art Still (Kentucky)

Defensive tackles

Bobby Bell (Minnesota), Jerome Brown (Miami), Steve Emtman (Washington), Alex Karras (Iowa), Charlie Kreuger (Texas A&M), Bob Lilly (Texas Christian), Lou Michaels (Kentucky), Michael Dean Perry (Clemson), Loyd Phillips (Arkansas), Mike Reid (Penn State), Tracy Rocker (Auburn), Lee Roy Selmon (Oklahoma), Kenneth Sims (Texas), Mike Stensrud (Iowa State), Randy White (Maryland)

Nose guards

Tony Casillas (Oklahoma), Rich Glover (Nebraska), Tim Krumrie (Wisconsin), Mike Ruth (Boston College), Ron Simmons (Florida State), Robert Stewart (Alabama), Jim Stillwagon (Ohio State), Rob Waldrop (Arizona), Chris Zorich (Notre Dame)

Linebackers

Cornelius Bennett (Alabama), Brian Bosworth (Oklahoma), Franklin Brooks (Georgia Tech), Michael Brooks (Louisiana State), Dick Butkus (Illinois), Shane Conlan (Penn State), Quentin Coryatt (Texas A&M), Randy Gradishar (Ohio State), Dana Howard (Illinois), Marvin Jones (Florida State), Lee Roy Jordan (Alabama), Tommy Nobis (Texas), Dennis Onkontz (Penn State), Jack Pardee (Texas A&M), Jerry Robinson (UCLA), Mike Singletary (Baylor), Gary Spani (Kansas State), Chris Spielman (Ohio State), Larry Station (Iowa), Daryll Talley (West Virginia), Jerry Tubbs (Oklahoma), George Webster (Michigan State), Richard "Batman" Wood (Southern California)

Cornerbacks

Champ Bailey (Georgia), Luther Bradley (Notre Dame), John David Crow (Texas A&M), Ernie Davis (Syracuse), Michael Haynes (Texas A&M), Leroy Keyes (Purdue), Terrence Newman (Kansas State), Johnny Robinson (Louisiana State), Deion Sanders (Florida State), Shawn Springs (Ohio State), Roger Wehrli (Missouri), Charles Woodson (Michigan)

Safeties

Dick Anderson (Colorado), Steve Atwater (Arkansas), Bennie Blades (Miami), Russell Carter (Southern Methodist), Chuck Cecil (Arizona), Tommy Casanova (Louisiana State), Thom Darden (Michigan), Kenny Easley (UCLA), Thomas Everett (Baylor), Johnny Johnson (Texas), Terry Kinard (Clemson), Bobby Majors (Tennessee), Edward Reed (Miami), Jake Scott (Georgia), Jack Tatum (Ohio State), Brad Van Pelt (Michigan State), Roy Williams (Oklahoma)

Punters

Travis Dorsch (Purdue), Russell Erxleiben (Texas), Jim Miller (Mississippi), Reggie Roby (Iowa), Todd Saurbreun (West Virgina)

Additional picks added by author Steven Travers

Wide receivers

Lynn Swann (Southern California)

Tight ends

Tony Gonzalez (California), Charles Young (Southern California)

Centers

Randy Cross (UCLA), Dave Dalby (UCLA)

Quarterbacks

John Elway (Stanford), David Klingler (Houston), Matt Leinart (Southern California), Joe Montana (Notre Dame), Steve Young (Brigham Young), Andre Ware (Houston), Vince Young (Texas)

Running backs

Reggie Bush (Southern California), Mike Garrett (Southern California), Frank Gifford (Southern California), Charles White (Southern California)

Fullbacks

Sam "Bam" Cunningham (Southern California)

Defensive ends

Fred Dryer (San Diego State)

Defensive tackles

Ed White (California)

Linebackers

Ken Norton Jr. (UCLA), Tim Rossovich (Southern California), Junior Seau (Southern California), Lawrence Taylor (North Carolina)

Safeties

Ronnie Lott (Southern California)

Punters

Ray Guy (Southern Mississippi)

Kickers

Phil Dawson (Texas), Sebastian Janikowski (Florida State), John Lee (UCLA)

Coaches

Bobby Bowden, Paul "Bear" Bryant, Bobby Dodd, Vince Dooley, Pete Carroll, Don James, John McKay, Tom Osborne, Darrell Royal, Ara Parseghian, Joe Paterno, Barry Switzer, Bud Wilkinson

Additional pre-1955 players

Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian), Morley Drury (Southern California), Harold "Red" Grange (Illinois), George Gipp (Notre Dame), Leon Hart (Notre Dame), Don Hutson (Alabama), Jackie Jensen (California), Brick Muller (California), Bronco Nagurski (Minnesota), Ernie Nevers (Stanford), Davey O'Brien (Texas Christian), Tom Shevlin (Yale), Marshy Schwartz (Notre Dame), Jim Thorpe (Carlisle)

Additional pre-1955 coaches

Earl "Red" Blaik, Walter Camp, Fritz Crisler, John Heisman, Howard "Head Man" Jones, Frank Leahy, Knute Rockne. Bob Neyland, Amos "Alonzo" Stagg, Jock Sutherland, Fielding "Hurry Up" Yost, Frank Thomas, Glenn "Pop" Warner, Wallace Wade, Bob Zuppke

From ESPN College Football Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Game: a panel of college football writers, analysts, announcers, color commentators, ex-coaches and ex-players were asked to name the "eleven greatest college football players" they ever saw. The first seven choices had to represent one player from each of the position groups on offense and defense, with the last four being "wild cards."

Furman Busher, long-time sports columnist, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

QB Steve Spurrier, Florida

RB Charlie Justice, North Carolina

WR Terry Beasley, Auburn

OL Moon Pie Wilson, Auburn

DL Richard Seymour, Georgia

LB George Morris, Georgia Tech

RB Jackie Parker, Mississippi State

TB George McAfee, Duke

FB Herschel Walker, Georgia

QB Fran Tarkenton, Georgia

Beano Cook, ESPN analyst

QB Jim Plunkett, Stanford

RB O. J. Simpson, Southern California

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh

OL Orlando Pace, Ohio State

DL Bruce Clark, Penn State

LB Chuck Bednarik, Pennsylvania

DB John Lattner, Notre Dame

RB Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh

TB Dick Kaszmaier, Princeton

TB Doak Walker, Southern Methodist

QB Johnny Lujack, Notre Dame

Lee Corso, former player and coach; ESPN GameDay analyst

QB Roger Staubach, Navy

RB Archie Griffin, Ohio State

WR Braylon Edwards, Michigan

OL Tony Boselli, Southern California

DL Warren Sapp, Miami

LB Tom Jackson, Louisville

DB Deion Sanders, Florida State

RB Ernie Davis, Syracuse

QB Michael Vick, Virginia Tech

QB Matt Leinart, Southern California

TE Kellen Winslow, Missouri

Bill Curry, former player and coach; ESPN color analyst

QB Byron Leftwich, Marshall

RB Bo Jackson, Auburn

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh

OL John Davis, Georgia Tech

DL Derrick Thomas, Alabama

LB Maxie Baughan, Georgia Tech

DB Charles Woodson, Michigan

LB Mike Curtis, Duke

LB Pat Swilling, Georgia Tech

QB Peyton Manning, Tennessee

WB Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska

Chris Fowler, ESPN announcer

QB Tommie Frazier, Nebraska

RB Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State

WR Randy Moss, Marshall

OL Orlando Pace, Ohio State

DL Warren Sapp, Miami

LB Cornelius Bennett, Alabama

DB Deion Sanders, Florida State

RB Herschel Walker, Georgia

LB Zach Thomas, Texas Tech

LB Pat Tillman, Arizona State

RB Marshall Faulk, San Diego State

Kirk Herbstreit, former player; ESPN GameDay analyst

QB Michael Vick, Virginia Tech

RB Ricky Williams, Texas

WR Raghib "Rocket" Ismail, Notre Dame

OL Orlando Pace, Ohio State

DL Peter Boulware, Florida State

LB Michael Barrow, Miami

DB Charles Woodson, Michigan

QB Art Schlichter, Ohio State

QB Jamelle Holieway, Oklahoma

QB Matt Leinart, Southern California

RB Bo Jackson, Auburn

Keith Jackson, longtime network football announcer, known as "The voice of college football"

QB John Elway, Stanford

RB Earl Campbell, Texas

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh

OL Dave Rimington, Nebraska

DL Hugh Green, Pittsburgh

LB Jerry Robinson, UCLA

DB Charles Woodson, Michigan

B Doak Walker, Southern Methodist

QB Doug Flutie, Boston College

RB Archie Griffin, Ohio State

LB Les Richter, California

Michael MacCambridge, editor of ESPN College Football Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Game

QB John Elway, Stanford

RB Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh

WR Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska

OL Anthony Munoz, Southern California

DL Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma

LB Al Wilson, Tennessee

DB Roy Williams, Oklahoma

QB Chuck Ealey, Toledo

RB Billy Sims, Oklahoma

DL Derrick Thomas, Alabama

DB Deion Sanders, Florida State

Edwin Pope, longtime sports columnist, Miami Herald

QB Sammy Baugh, Texas Christian

RB Charley Trippi, Georgia

WR Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska

OL John Hannah, Alabama

DL Bill Stanfill, Georgia

LB Dan Morgan, Miami

DB Doak Walker, Southern Methodist

QB Johnny Rauch, Georgia

LB Tommy Nobis, Texas

RB Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh

TB Frank Sinkwich, Georgia

Blackie Sherrod, longtime sports columnist, Dallas Times-Herald and Dallas Morning News

QB Sammy Baugh, Texas Christian

RB Doak Walker, Southern Methodist

WR Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska

OL Jim Weatherall, Oklahoma

DL Jim Modzelewski, Maryland

LB Tommy Nobis, Texas

DB Johnny Lujack, Notre Dame

OB Johnny Majors, Tennessee (also DB)

OB Billy Cannon, Louisiana State (also DB)

RB Jim Brown, Syracuse

QB Roger Staubach, Navy

Dan Jenkins, longtime Sports Illustrated college football writer (author of Semi-Tough and Saturday's Game)

QB Sammy Baugh, Texas Christian

RB Tom Harmon, Michigan

WR Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska

OL Jim Weatherall, Oklahoma

DL DeWitt Coulter, Army

LB Tommy Nobis, Texas

DB Doak Walker, Southern Methodist

RB O.J. Simpson, Southern California

QB Johnny Lujack, Notre Dame

DB Charley Trippi, Georgia

WR Michael Irvin, Miami

ALL-TIME MYTHICAL HEISMAN TROPHY

THE GREATEST SEASONS

1. Matt Leinart, Southern California (2004)

2. Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh (1976)

3. Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State (1988)

4. Marcus Allen, Southern California (1981)

5. Harold "Red" Grange, Illinois (1924)

6. Jim Thorpe, Carlisle (1912)

7. Hugh Green, Pittsburgh (1980)

8. Earl Campbell, Texas (1977)

9. Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska (1972)

10. Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma (1985)

11. Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska (1983)

12. Andre Ware, Houston (1989)

13. O. J. Simpson, Southern California (1968)

14. Tim Brown, Notre Dame (1987)

15. Ty Detmer, Brigham Young (1990)

16. Ricky Williams, Texas (1998)

17. Mike Rozier, Nebraska (1983)

18. Charles Woodson, Michigan (1997)

19. Charles White, Southern California (1979)

20. Jim Plunkett, Stanford (1970)

22. Ernie Nevers, Stanford (1925)

22. Doak Walker, Southern Methodist (1948)

23. Roger Staubach, Navy (1963)

24. Billy Cannon, Louisiana State (1959)

25. Sammy Baugh, Texas Christian (1936)

26. Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma (1975)

27. Herschel Walker, Georgia (1982)

28. Doug Flutie, Boston College (1984)

29. Brick Muller, California (1922)

30. Desmond Howard, Michigan (1991)

31. George Gipp, Notre Dame (1920)

32. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (1999)

33. Davey O'Brien, Texas Christian (1939)

34. Glenn Davis, Army (1946)

35. John Elway, Stanford (1982)

36. Tom Shevlin, Yale (1905)

37. Archie Griffin, Ohio State (1975)

38. Vince Young, Texas (2005)

39. Joe Theismann, Notre Dame (1970)

40. Don Hutson, Alabama (1934)

In a book that is as subjective and vulnerable to bias in terms of region and school loyalty as this, perhaps the most ridiculous notion of all is the one that says that there can be any such thing as an "All-Time Mythical Heisman Trophy" winner. That is to say, that out of all the football players who have played for all the colleges throughout all the years, one can determine the forty greatest single seasons any of them ever had!

NCAA single-season scoring

No. Players, School Year

234 Barry Sanders, Okla. St., 1988

174 Mike Rozier, Nebraska, 1983

174 Lydell Mitchell, Penn St., 1971

166 Art Luppino, Arizona, 1954

157 Bobby Reynolds, Nebraska, 1950

NCAA single-season rushing touchdowns

Np. Player, School year

37 Barry Sanders, Okla. St., 1988

29 Mike Rozier, Nebraska, 1983

25 Ricky Williams, Texas, 1997

25 Travis Prentice, Miami-OH, 1997

This is crazy, of course. Every season there is enormous debate simply trying to find the best guy for that particular year. College football seems to be subject to . . . subjectiveness . . . more than any other sport. The weekly college basketball polls produce nary a whisper of controversy, and the play-off style of "March Madness" leaves no argument at season's end over the NCAA champion. Nobody ever seems to argue much over college basketball's National Player of the Year, an award that is given often by more than one organization. At various times this has been determined by the Associated Press, _The Sporting News_ , _Sports Illustrated_ , and in recent years there has been an attempt to formalize it via the awarding of the Naismith Trophy or the John Wooden Wooden award. Many people who follow college basketball closely do not really know what the Naismith or Wooden awards are for, really. Best player? Best sportsman? Whatever.

Pro football, the NBA and Major League baseball offer a much easier determination. The teams play a uniform schedule against roughly equal competition. The statistics make for good comparisons. A savvy sportswriter can look at a players' scoring average, rushing yards, batting average, ERA; make an informed analysis of these numbers in comparison to other players and that player's team success; then cast a reasoned Most Valuable Player vote that usually does not elicit great huzzahs.

Hypothetical "Heisman Trophy winners" (prior to first award, 1935), according to Sports Illustrated football writer Dan Jenkins (author of Semi-Tough and Saturday's Game), as printed in ESPN College Football Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Game.

1889 William Walter "Pudge" Heffelfinger, Yale

Others: T. Truxtun Hare, Pennsylvania; Charlie Daly, Harvard/Army; Willie Heston,

Michigan

1905 Tom Shevlin, Yale

1906 Walter Eckersall, Chicago

1907 Dwight "Tad" Jones, Yale

1908 George "Doc" Fenton, Louisiana State

1909 Ted Coy, Yale

1910 Earl Sprackling, Brown

1911 Percy Wendell, Harvard

1912 Jim Thorpe, Carlisle

1913 Charley Brickley, Harvard

1914 Eddie Mahan, Harvard

1915 Charley Barrett, Cornell

1916 Elmer Oliphant, Army

1917 Joe Guyon, Georgia Tech

1918 Tom Davies, Pittsburgh

1919 Chic Harley, Ohio State

1920 George Gipp, Notre Dame

1921 Bo McMillin, Centre

1922 Brick Muller, California

1923 "Memphis Bill" Mallory, Yale

1924 Red Grange, Illinois

1925 Ernie Nevers, Stanford

1926 Benny Friedman, Michigan

1927 Morley Drury, Southern California

1928 Ken Strong, New York

1929 Christian Keener "Red" Cagle, Army

1930 Marchy Schwartz, Notre Dame

1931 Gaius "Gus" Shaver, Southern California

1932 Harry Newman, Michigan

1933 Dixie Howell, Alabama

1933 Beattie Feathers, Tennessee

But college football and the Heisman are different. The teams do not play an equal schedule. There is no play-off to determine a champion. Besides, even if there were, the Heisman is awarded _before_ the bowls are played. It is more than any other award a media campaign. The schools with the most Heismans – USC, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, the usual suspects – are the best at orchestrating these "political events." Perhaps in this regard the "All-Time Mythical Heisman Trophy" is easier, since the weight of history in all its glory can be taken into consideration in so choosing.

That said, the beauty part of this book and sports arguments in general is that there is no death chamber waiting, no wars that can break out, no international or diplomatic crises that are likely to occur when the "wrong" decision is rendered. The yearly Heisman voting always shows that a guy from the West tends to vote for a player from the West; a Southern for a Southerner; and more hidden, yes, a Catholic for a Catholic and, disturbingly, a white for a white and a black for a black. Human nature, that sort of thing.

That said, while taking these choices with a grain of salt, do consider all the statistics, facts, figures and anecdotes spread throughout the pages of this book. Assess correctly that whether bias is alleged and in fact exists, it is not an uninformed opinion. The research is here. Lack of information is not the problem.

This gives rise to a study of NCAA statistical leaders, whether it be by game, season or career. Guys nobody ever heard of, hardly heard of, or barely remember own many of the gaudiest numbers. David Klingler is not the greatest college quarterback who ever lived. If one went strictly by his stats, he sure would be. If not Klingler, then perhaps another former Houston Cougar, Andre Ware (who unlike Klingler actually won a Heisman). Ed Marinaro? After partying in Manhattan with Joe Namath a few times his pro career dried up and then, after _Hill Street Blues_ , so too did his acting career.

#### NCAA single-season touchdown receptions

## No. Player, School Year

25 Randy Moss, Marshall 1997

22 Manny Hazard, Houston 1989

17 Troy Edwards, Louisiana Tech 1998

19 Desmond Howard, Michigan 1991

19 Ashley Lelie, Hawaii 2001

#### NCAA single-season touchdown passes

## No. Player, School Year

54 David Klingler, Houston 1990

47 Jim McMahon, BYU 1980

46 Andre Ware, Houston 1989

41 Ty Detmer, BYU 1990

Ty Detmer? Well, sure, a great quarterback, but is Detmer to be de-graded a little bit because he played at Brigham Young? Had he played at Miami would he be considered better? Well, does anybody really think he would have put up the numbers he put up had he played the schedule that Miami, USC or LSU plays?

Ron Dayne was insane at Wisconsin, but does his mediocre pro career suggest that there was some kind advantage he had then which should be taken into consideration now?

In 2003 Jason White did things at OU that defy description, but what did it all mean? When the spotlight shined, he withered in the Big 12 Championship Game, the Sugar Bowl, and the Orange Bowl.

The overriding fact is, _does he win?_ In college, the best players play for the best teams. If they play for a weaker team against weaker competition, they are not the best of the best, regardless of statistics. The "victory factor" applies in all sports. It is why Michael Jordan and his six rings are rated over Oscar Robertson and Jerry West with one each. It is why Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, both multiple winners, rise in the pantheon. Bill Russell's numbers are puny next to Wilt Chamberlain's; all except the "championships" column.

When for a few years in the mid-1970s some people said that O. J. Simpson had replaced Jim Brown as pro football's all-time greatest running back, the single factor holding O. J. back in the discussion was that Brown had won titles. O. J. had not, and would not, ever win a Super Bowl. Dan Marino is not considered as great as Joe Montana, despite greater statistics. Montana won, Marino did not. John Elway only shed the "disappointment" moniker hung on his career when he finally won twice at the end. Only by winning a Super Bowl has Peyton Manning allowed his great numbers to be given greater imprimatur than Tom Brady's. Barry Bonds has done things - steroids or no steroids - in baseball that seemingly defy logic, but he has never won. For this reason he cannot be rated ahead of Babe Ruth.

The college greats are also rated, like virtually all other aspects of sports comparison, with greater weight given to the modern stars. Track, swimming and other records measured solely by numbers leave no doubt that, using this yardstick, the modern Olympians would have beaten the earlier ones. Of course, relative comparison with others in the same era is still an equitable point of comparison. In this regard, Ruth towers above all others, as does Wayne Gretzky in hockey. Johnny Weismuller or Mark Spitz? Hank Luisetti or Kobe Bryant?

#### NCAA single-season field goals

## No. Player, School Year

29 John Lee, UCLA 1984

28 Paul Woodside, W. Virginia 1982

28 Luis Zendejas, Arizona St. 1983

27 Fuad Reveiz, Tennessee 1982

NCAA single-season passing efficiency rating

Rtg. Player, School Year

178.4 Danny Wuerffel, Florida 1995

176.9 Jim McMahon, BYU 1980

175.6 Ty Detmer, BYU 1989

173.6 Steve Sarkisian, BYU 1996

173.1 Trent Dilfer, Fresno St. 1993

In college football, there are numerous factors favoring the modern hero. The annual Heisman dinner offers an exercise in societal evolution. One by one the camera pans old-time winners – aging white men – until the modern winners are shown. They are often as not black.

Red Grange or Barry Sanders? Don Hutson or Larry Fitzgerald? Sammy Baugh or Brady Quinn? Yes, if Grange were born with the same tools in Orange County, California in the late 1980s; schooled at a prep powerhouse like Mater Dei; given access to specialized coaching, diet and power lifting, would he be an All-American at USC or Illinois or Notre Dame?

Who knows? Considering the paucity of white running backs, it seems likely he would be a tight end or a linebacker instead of a tailback. Probably a very good one, but a Hall of Famer? The "Galloping Ghost"? Probably not.

Only in baseball do the old-timers hold a truly esteemed place in history. Only in recent years have people dared state that the likes of Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter are better than Honus Wagner; that perhaps Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson are better than Walter Johnson and Christy Mathewson, despite the mind-boggling statistics of "The Big Train" and "Big Six," as they were known back in the day.

Often, judging great collegians is colored by their professional careers. This list certainly is dotted with its fair share of NFL superstars, but there are pro busts, too. The number one man, Matt Leinart of Southern California, may become a Hall of Famer in the National Football League. As of this writing, he is not there yet.

#### NCAA single-season passing yards

No. Player, School Year

5188 Ty Detmer, BYU 1990

5140 David Klingler, Houston 1990

4699 Andre Ware, Houston 1989

4571 Jim McMahon, BYU 1980

4560 Ty Detmer, BYU 1989

NCAA single-season pass completions

Np. Player, School Year

374 David Klingler, Houston 1990

365 Andre Ware, Houston 1989

363 Tim Couch, Kentucky 1997

361 Ty Detmer, BYU 1990

338 Robbie Bosco, BYU 1985

So why Leinart? Number two is Tony Dorsett. Dorsett has all the right credentials: four-year starter with unheard-of career statistics; won the Heisman while leading his team to the national championship in his best season; a Hall of Famer with the Dallas Cowboys.

What edge does Leinart have over that? First, the pro angle cannot be made since the calendar of Leinart's NFL career must be played out first. Statistically, Dorsett set or came very close to setting more rushing records than Leinart did passing marks. The edge goes to the quarterback because . . . he is the quarterback. It is that simple. It is the truth about football from Pop Warner to the pros; gotta have a quarterback. Running backs win MVP awards, QBs win Super Bowls, national championships, and Texas AAAAA state high school crowns.

Leinart came to USC in 2001. He was a blue chipper at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, but a review of Southland quarterbacks in his senior year reveals that, while he was one of the nation's best, others came with as many "bells and whistles." Dorsett was a greater high school phenom growing up in the "football factory" town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

Dorsett was a superstar from his freshman year forward, and a leading Heisman favorite entering the 1976 campaign. Leinart red-shirted his freshman year, then sat behind Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer in 2002. When Palmer was made the number one pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, Leinart won a spirited battle to replace him, but he was by no means anointed.

NCAA single-season rushing yards

No. Player, Schooll Year

2628 Barry Sanders, Okla. St. 1988

2342 Marcus Allen, USC 1981

2185 Troy Davis, Iowa St. 1996

2148 Mike Rozier, Nebraska 1983

2084 Byron Hanspard, Texas Tech 1996

NCAA single-season rushing yards per game

No. Player, School Year

238.9 Barry Sanders, Okla. St. 1988

212.9 Marcus Allen, USC 1981

209.0 Ed Marinaro, Cornell 1971

198.6 Troy Davis, Iowa St. 1996

189.5 Byron Hanspard, Texas Tech 1996

In 2003 he was a first team All-American, leading Southern California to the national championship as a sophomore. He performed brilliantly in the Trojans' 28-14 victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl, earning a _Sports Illustrated_ cover shot of his scoring a touchdown next to the headline, "USC's the one!"

In this respect, he entered his Heisman campaign with a slight edge over Dorsett, whose Pittsburgh teams up until his senior year were excellent, but not particularly close to national championship quality.

In 2004, every single pre-season magazine and poll declared Leinart the 2004 Heisman favorite. Similarly, everybody picked USC to repeat. Many felt the Trojans might just be the greatest college team ever assembled. The pressure was on the team and its leader. Leinart responded. With a balanced offense, he did not put up passing statistics to compare with Klingler and Ware at Houston, or even Timmy Chang, his contemporary at the University of Hawaii. In fact, Leinart's numbers paled next to Colt Brennan, who succeeded him at Mater Dei and Chang at Hawaii, where he became the NCAA's career passing leader.

NCAA single-season pass receptions

No. Player, School Year

142 Manny Hazard, Houston 1989

134 Howard Twilley, Tulsa 1965

129 Alex Van Dyke, Nevada 1995

114 Damond Wilkins, Nevada 1996

109 Marcus Harris, Wyoming 1996

NCAA single-season receptions per game

No. Player, School Year

13.4 Howard Twilley, Tulsa 1965

12.9 Manny Hazard, Houston 1989

11.7 Alex Van Dyke, Nevada 1995

10.4 Damond Wilkins, Nevada 1996

9.8 Jason Phillips, Houston 1988

This means nothing. Passing yardage and passing touchdowns are, perhaps not meaningless, but some of the most overrated numbers in sports. USC coach Pete Carroll would have cringed had he been forced to try to win games with a quarterback routinely passing for 440, 500 yards or more. He wanted 250-300 yards in the air, a couple hundred from the infantry, a touchdown toss here and there. USC's offensive coordinator, Norm Chow, always wanted to keep the defense guessing, not waiting for a "live by the pass, die by the pass" Trojan quarterback also tossing interceptions.

Leinart undoubtedly benefited from incredible talent surrounding him; an offensive line matched by few if any in history; fabulous receivers; "Thunder and Lighting" (Reggie Bush and LenDale White) pounding for ground yardage. The team generally won big, but Leinart was called on when challenged several times in the year.

What truly gives Matt the edge was his performance against Jason White and Oklahoma in the 2005 BCS national championship Orange Bowl game. It was billed as the "Game of the Twenty-first Century," perhaps the most hyped match-up ever. For Leinart to utterly dominate a team of OU's caliber in circumstances such as this elevated him above all but the most revered quarterbacks. Lee Corso called it the "greatest game" any team or player he had ever seen play. It was a display above and beyond all others.

The argument for Dorsett is that he likely was more valuable to his team than Leinart was to his. Pitt never would have gone unbeaten without him. The Trojans had enough talent; even if they had been ground-oriented with a quarterback such Craig Krenzel, who led Ohio State to the 2002 title in utilitarian manner, they may have prevailed anyway. When you win the national championship game by thirty-six points, there is a lot of room for leeway.

NCAA single-season reception yards

No. Player, School Year

1854 Alex Van Dyke, Nevada 1995

1779 Howard Twilley, Tulsa 1965

1707 Troy Edwards, La. Tech 1997

1689 Manny Hazard, Houston 1989

1650 Marcus Harris, Wyoming 1996

NCAA single-season all-purpose yards

No. Player, School Year

3250 Barry Sanders, Okla. St. 1988

2995 Ryan Benjamin, Pacific 1991

2690 Mike Pringle, CS-Fullerton 1989

2633 Paul Palmer, Temple 1986

2597 Ryan Benjamin, Pacific 1992

Beyond Leinart and Dorsett, Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders enjoyed one of the most spectacular seasons in history (1988). However, his team did not go all the way or really come very close. Oddly, Sanders was not well known until the second half of the year. His incredible numbers pushed him ahead of two glamour boys, each touted in Hollywood fashion for the Heisman since gracing pre-season magazines with color photos. USC's Rodney Peete and UCLA's Troy Aikman seemed to have put on a battle for the Heisman, won by Peete and Troy in a 31-22 win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl in November. Peete overcame the measles but not a secret shoulder injury. When he disappointed in USC's 27-10 "Game of the Century" loss to Notre Dame, Sanders walked away with the statue.

Marcus Allen's 1981 Heisman season at USC very likely would be considered the best in history, but his team was upset three times, leading one to conclude that perhaps the upsets were not really upsets. USC was just a little overrated that year. Marcus also fell flat in a Fiesta Bowl match-up with Penn State's Curt Warner, won by the Nittany Lions, 26-10.

Red Grange was off the charts in 1924, but of course that was 1924. As a historical figure, he may well be larger than Leinart, Dorsett, or Allen. He is credited, along with Notre Dame and USC, with first making college football a national sport, then making pro football a success. He is regarded as an icon of the Roaring '20s, along with such larger-than-life figures as Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh. Plus, who can match that nickname: "The Galloping Ghost." Old footage of him is just precious; a literally _ghostlike_ figure running on snow-covered fields in a era before machines could remove it. Close-ups reveal the kind of face that eighty years of nutrition, skin care and MTV simply have made extinct. At age twenty-one he looked fifty.

#### NCAA single-season all-purpose yards per game

## No. Player, School Year

295.5 Barry Sanders, Okla. St. 1988

249.6 Ryan Benjamin, Pacific 1991

246.3 Byron (Whizzer) White, Colo 1937

244.6 Mike Pringle, CS-Fullerton 1989

239.4 Paul Palmer, Temple 1986

NCAA single-season total offense yards

No. Player, School Year

5221 David Klingler, Houston 1990

5022 Ty Detmer, BYU 1990

4661 Andre Ware, Houston 1989

4627 Jim McMahon, BYU 1980

4433 Ty Detmer, BYU 1989

Then there is Jim Thorpe. Figuring out how good he was is speculative, but relative to his rivals he had none. For one thing, Thorpe had size and strength like the modern players. Had he lifted (juiced?) he would have been off the charts. As an athlete, few if any are his equal to this day: college and pro football star, big league ball player, Olympic gold medallist.

Hugh Green did not even win the 1980 Heisman Trophy. George Rogers of South Carolina did. Nothing against Rogers, but this was a joke. Defensive players just do not win Heisman Trophies. Earl Campbell's career at Texas was comparable to Tony Dorsett, his contemporary at Pitt. Had Campbell's Longhorns beaten Joe Montana's Irish in the 1978 Cotton Bowl, his ranking would be much higher.

Johnny Rodgers at Nebraska might have been better in 1971, his junior year when the Cornhuskers were one of the game's all-time great teams. He won the Heisman in 1972, when the Huskers dropped. Rodgers is hard to judge. He went to Canada, never really making his mark in pro football. He did not handle fame particularly well. But in football mad "Big Red" country, his legend is above reproach. Then there is Brian Bosworth, perhaps the greatest linebacker in college football history. He somehow managed to get more attention in Norman, Oklahoma than guys in Hollywood or New York. Bos never did win a Heisman Trophy. In 1985, the year he led Oklahoma to the national championship, Bo Jackson won it in one of the closest elections ever over Iowa quarterback Chuck Long. Bosworth was not even in the top 10! He did capture the Butkus Award (teammate Tony Casillas, an equal force at nose guard, won the Lombardi). In 1986 pretty boy Vinny Testaverde walked away with it. Bosworth was a distant fourth, a repeat Butkus winner and a consensus All-American for the second straight season. But Testaverde's Miami Hurricanes upset Bosworth's Sooners in their third game of the season, ending OU's repeat title hopes. The Bosworth memory, unfortunately, contains a laugh track. He was part of that new trend of "punk" athletes, _a la_ Jim McMahon, with his blonde spiked hair and rock star looks on top of a WWF body. He tried acting and, God help me, I liked _Stone Cold_ , but he was weighed, measured and found wanting by the film industry. The same, unfortunately, can be said of his pro football career in Seattle. People expected Bos and Bo Jackson to turn the Seahawks into Lombardi's Packers. Fate would not play out in that way. Maybe Bos was on the juice. It was rampant in football long before he came along, and by the time he hung 'em up it had spread to all the other sports, we are now told. But as a collegian playing for Barry Switzer: wow!

NCAA single-season total offense per game

No. Player, School Year

474.6 David Klingler, Houston 1990

423.7 Andre Ware, Houston 1989

418.5 Ty Detmer, BYU 1990

402.6 Mike Maxwell, Nevada 1995

395.1 Steve Young, BYU 1983

NCAA single-season interceptions

No. Player, School Year

14 Al Worley, Washington 1968

13 George Shaw, Oregon 1951

Dean Steinkuhler literally embodied why Nebraska football was so dominant. Somebody in Lincoln figured out how to get ahead of the curve when it came to making their guys bigger and stronger. How they did that, well, let's just say they were good at it.

Andre Ware is a tough one to put on this list, but tougher to keep off of it. His passing numbers at Houston, when the Cougars still played big-time football in the Southwest Conference, were insane. It was the beginning of the end for passing offenses ushered in by the likes of LaVell Edwards at Brigham Young. David Klingler would follow Ware a few years later. Ty Detmer would do similar things at BYU. It is still around at places like Hawaii and Texas Tech, but coaches have figured out that balance works best.

O. J. Simpson would have broken every record in the book had he played for Barry Switzer at Oklahoma. The 1968 USC Trojans occasionally put the ball in the air, sometime swinging out in the flat to O .J. His 1968 season was a wonder and very well might have been the best, if only his team had beaten Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

Ty Detmer of BYU (1990): ditto Andre Ware. Ricky Williams of Texas (1998) rivals the likes of Archie Griffin, Tony Dorsett, Charles White, Marcus Allen and Barry Sanders statistically. His greatness is built on the strength of a phenomenal four-year career capped by a great senior season. Today, he would not have been around to play as a senior. His record is downgraded for two reasons: the Longhorns were continually disappointing and his pro career was a picture of lost potential.

NCAA single-season punting average

No. Player, School Year

50.3 Chad Kessler, LSU 1997

49.8 Reggie Roby, Iowa 1981

49.3 Kirk Wilson, UCLA 1956

48.4 Todd Sauerbrun, W. Virginia 1994

48.2 Zack Jordan, Colorado 1950

NCAA single-season punt return average

No. Player, School Year

25.9 Bill Blackstock, Tennessee 1951

25.0 George Sims, Baylor 1948

24.8 Gene Derricotte, Michigan 1947

Mike Rozier's spectacular 1983 campaign at Nebraska is somehow shadowed by the odd notion that he was part of a Cornhusker system in which "anybody" could succeed. Nobody else did like Rozier. The old bugaboo – ya gotta win! – dogs Rozier, in that his unbeatable team was beaten by the thinnest of margins by Miami in the Orange Bowl. Then teammates Roger Craig and Irving Fryar were better in the NFL than he was.

Charles Woodson did what few have done: win a Heisman for his defensive skills (1997). His clutch performance against Ryan Leaf and Washington State in the Rose Bowl earned him his legend, and he starred at the next level, too. Charles White did it all at USC for four years. In the winning drive of the Rose Bowl against Ohio State, coach John Robinson gave the ball to White on almost every play. The Buckeyes could not stop him. USC won, 17-16. In terms of college accomplishments, White could easily lay claim to being the best ever. He starred in the Rose Bowl as a freshman, was all-conference as a sophomore, and many felt he should have beaten out Oklahoma's Billy Sims for the 1978 Heisman. As cocky as they come, White predicted he would win "two or three of those things" when he entered school, but finally got his only one as a senior. In his junior year USC won the national title. In his senior year they were perhaps the best team _not_ to win one. But White's star-crossed pro career (which includes leading the NFL in rushing one season) reduces his power rating.

A lot of people say Stanford's Jim Plunkett was the best college quarterback they ever saw. Much of this is based on the fact that he won the 1970 Heisman Trophy against perhaps the toughest field ever, the vaunted "Year of the Quarterback" class which included stalwarts Joe Theismann of Notre Dame, Archie Manning of Ole Miss, Rex Kern of Ohio State, Lynn Dickey of Kansas, Pat Sullivan of Auburn, John Reaves of Florida, Bill Montgomery of Arkansas, and Dan Pastorini of Santa Clara. Plunkett was a "gamer," first engineering one of the all-time upsets of Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, then leading the Raiders to two Super Bowl wins.

NCAA single-season kickoff return average

No. Player, School Year

40.1 Paul Allen, BYU 1961

39.5 Tremain Mack, Miami (FL) 1996

39.3 Leeland McElroy, Texas A&M 1993

38.2 Forrest Hall, San Francisco 1946

36.4 Tony Ball, Tenn-Chattanooga 1977

Ernie Nevers, another Stanford superstar (1925), was one of the finest athletes of all time. He pitched in the big leagues, serving up two of Babe Ruth's record sixty home runs in 1927. Doak Walker was the kind of white Southern legend at SMU (1948) who had some fans thinking their teams could win without integrating. If they were all as good as Walker they might have gone another decade. Walker's match-ups with Bobby Layne of Texas are the stuff of fable.

How a quarterback as good as Roger Staubach ended up committing to the Naval Academy is a mystery for the ages. The fact he could have Navy challenging for the national championship (their 1963 victory over Notre Dame being the last time the Midshipmen ever beat the Irish) was nothing short of amazing. Nobody was quite sure what to make of "Roger the Dodger" at Navy. His clean-cut image made him a wonder boy, but any questions about him in the field were answered when, after serving his four years as an officer, he developed into one of pro football's all-time best quarterbacks.

Billy Cannon is another one of those oddly Southern breeds; a guy idolized by the LSU faithful in pagan fashion, as shown in the 1988 film _Everybody's All-American_ starring Dennis Quaid as a quasi-Cannon/Red Grange figure. Cannon's signing under the goalposts after the 1960 Sugar Bowl was part Hollywood, part _coup d'etat_ by the American Football League. How good was Sammy Baugh of TCU (1936)? There are still those who say, _better than Joe Montana_. It does not get better than that.

Lee Roy Selmon _was_ Oklahoma's 1975 defense on a Sooner national championship team. Herschel Walker would have had a great senior year in 1983 had he not jumped ship to the fledgling USFL. His 1982 Heisman came off an excellent season, but there was always the sense he was living off the best freshman season ever (1980) when he led Georgia to the promised land. Walker's rookie exploits foreshadowed Adrian Peterson's 2004 rookie year at Oklahoma as well as the vague discomfort that both peaked too soon.

NCAA annual passing leaders

Year Player, School Com Pct TD Yds

1937 Davey O'Brien, TCU 94 .402 NA 969

1938 Davey O'Brien, TCU 93 .557 NA 1457

1939 Kay Eakin, Arkansas 78 .404 NA 962

1940 Billy Sewell, Wash. St 86 .494 NA 1023

1941 Bud Schwenk, Wash.-MO 114 .487 NA 1457

1942 Ray Evans, Kansas 101 .505 NA 1117

1943 Johnny Cook, Georgia 73 .465 NA 1007

1944 Paul Rickards, Pittsburgh 84 .472 NA 997

1945 Al Dekdebrun, Cornell 90 .464 NA 1227

1946 Travis Tidwell, Auburn 79 .500 5 943

1947 Charlie Conerly, Ole Miss 133 .571 18 1367

1948 Stan Heath, Nev-Reno 126 .568 22 2005

1949 Adrian Burk, Baylor 110 .576 14 1428

1950 Don Heinrich, Washington 134 .606 14 1846

1951 Don Klosterman, Loyola-CA 159 .505 9 1843

1952 Don Heinrich, Washington 137 .507 13 1647

1953 Bob Garrett, Stanford 118 .576 17 1637

1954 Paul Larson, California 125 .641 10 1537

1955 George Welsh, Navy 94 .627 8 1319

1956 John Brodie, Stanford 139 .579 12 1633

1957 Ken Ford, H-Simmons 115 .561 14 1254

1958 Buddy Humphrey, Baylor 112 .574 7 1316

1959 Dick Norman, Stanford 152 .578 11 1963

1960 Harold Stephens, H-Simm. 145 .566 3 1254

1961 Chon Gallegos, S. Jose St 117 .594 14 1480

1962 Don Trull, Baylor 125 .546 11 1627

1963 Don Trull, Baylor 174 .565 12 2157

1964 Jerry Rhome, Tulsa 224 .687 32 2870

1965 Bill Anderson, Tulsa 296 .582 30 3464

1966 John Eckman, Wichita St 195 .426 7 2339

1967 Terry Stone, N. Mexico 160 .476 9 1946

1968 Chuck Hixson, SMU 265 .566 21 3103

1969 John Reaves, Florida 222 .561 24 2896

1970 Sonny Sixkiller, Wash 186 18.6 15 2303

1971 Brian Sipe, S. Diego St. 196 17.8 17 2532

1972 Don Strock, Va. Tech 228 20.7 16 3243

1973 Jesse Freitas, S. Diego St. 227 20.6 21 2993

1974 Steve Bartkowski, Cal 182 16.5 12 2580

1975 Craig Penrose, S. Diego St. 198 18.0 15 2660

1976 Tommy Kramer, Rice 269 24.5 21 3317

1977 Guy Benjamin, Stanford 208 20.8 19 2521

1978 Steve Dils, Stanford 247 22.5 22 2943

1979 Turk Schonert, Stanford 148 19 1922 163.0

1980 Jim McMahon, BYU 284 47 4571 176.9

1981 Jim McMahon, BYU 272 30 3555 155.0

1982 Tom Ramsey, UCLA 191 21 2824 153.5

1983 Steve Young, BYU 306 33 3902 168.5

1984 Doug Flutie, BC 233 27 3454 152.9

1985 Jim Harbaugh, Michigan 139 18 1913 163.7

1986 Vinny Testaverde, Miami-FL 175 26 2557 165.8

1987 Don McPherson, Syracuse 129 22 2341 164.3

1988 Timm Rosenbach, Wash. St. 199 23 2791 162.0

1989 Ty Detmer, BYU 265 32 4560 175.6

1990 Shawn Moore, Virginia 144 21 2262 160.7

1991 Elvis Grbac, Michigan 152 24 1955 169.0

1992 Elvis Grbac, Michigan 112 15 1465 154.2

1993 Trent Dilfer, Fresno St. 217 28 3276 173.1

1994 Kerry Collins, Penn St. 176 21 2679 172.9

1995 Danny Wuerffel, Florida 210 35 3266 178.4

1996 Steve Sarkisian, BYU 278 33 4027 173.6

1997 Cade McNown, UCLA 173 22 2877 168.6

1998 Shaun King, Tulane 223 36 3232 183.3

1999 Michael Vick, Va. Tech 90 12 1840 180.4

2000 Bart Hendricks, Boise St. 210 35 3364 170.6

2001 Rex Grossman, Florida 259 34 3896 170.8

2002 Bart Hendricks, Boise St. 210 35 3364 170.6

2003 Jason White, Oklahoma 265 40 3744 168.0

2004 Stefan Lefors, Louisville 171 18 2402 185.4

2005 Rudy Carpenter, Arizona St. 156 17 2273 175.0

2006 Colt Brennan, Hawaii 406 59 5549 186.0

In 1984, Heisman winner Doug Flutie threw the ultimate "Hail Mary" to beat Miami. He represents the epitome of what college football is all about. Undersized and big-hearted, he foiled the cynics by having a fine pro career after leaving Boston College. Look at old photos of Cal's Brick Muller (1922) wearing that leather "helmet" of his. Adolf Hitler heard about Muller. He theorized that Germany's best and brightest had been "lost" to American immigration in the nineteenth century. After helping to pacify the American West, they were now running wild on football fields. Hitler feared that this "drain" of German manpower would make it too difficult to beat America in a war. He was right.

How good was George Gipp of Notre Dame (1920)? Who knows where the legend ends and the truth begins, but he is too big a name in college football history to leave off this list. Ron Dayne of Wisconsin (1999) was built like Earl Campbell. His career and singles-season numbers were staggering, but in the NFL he never came close. Who knows why? As Alec Baldwin says in _Glengarry Glenross_ , "It's a tough racket."

Davey O'Brien of TCU (1938) was good enough to have the award given to the best college quarterback annually named after him. Hey, it could have been the Sammy Baugh Award instead. Glenn Davis is another one of those grid legends who seem to have been made up, but the halfback from Southern California was a real man who won the 1946 Heisman at Army ("Mr. Outside"). After serving he played for the Rams. A high school award for the best player in the Southland is named after him, and some of those who have won it have been pretty spectacular in their own right. Oh, poor John Elway. After "The Play" denied him a shot at his only bowl game (Stanford was in line to go to the Prune Bowl in Modesto or something), John lamented that the referees had, "Ruined my senior year." The former Los Angeles prep sensation should have adhered to the adage, "Thou shalt not grow up in the shadow of the Coliseum yet spurn Trojan recruiting advances."

#### NCAA annual rushing leaders

## Year Player, School Att Yards

1937 Byron (Whizzer) White, Colorado 181 1121

1938 Len Eshmont, Fordham 132 831

1939 John Polanski, Wake Forest 137 882

1940 Al Ghesquiere, Detroit 146 957

1941 Frank Sinkwich, Georgia 209 1103

1942 Rudy Mobley, Hardin-Simmons 187 1281

1943 Creighton Miller, Notre Dame 151 911

1944 Red Williams, Minnesota 136 911

1945 Bob Fenimore, Oklahoma A&M 142 1048

1946 Rudy Mobley, Hardin-Simmons 227 1262

1947 Wilton Davis, Hardin-Simmons 193 1173

1948 Fred Wendt, Texas Mines 184 1570

1949 John Dottley, Ole Miss 208 1312

1950 Wilford White, Arizona St 199 1502

1951 Ollie Matson, San Francisco 245 1566

1952 Howie Waugh, Tulsa 164 1372

1953 J. C. Caroline, Illinois 194 1256

1954 Art Luppino, Arizona 179 1359

1955 Art Luppino, Arizona 209 1313

1956 Jim Crawford, Wyoming 200 1104

1957 Leon Burton, Arizona St 117 1126

1958 Dick Bass, Pacific 205 1361

1959 Pervis Atkins, New Mexico St 130 971

1960 Bob Gaiters, New Mexico St 197 1338

1961 Jim Pilot, New Mexico St 191 1278

1962 Jim Pilot, New Mexico St 208 1247

1963 Dave Casinelli, Memphis St 219 1016

1964 Brian Piccolo, Wake Forest 252 1044

1965 Mike Garrett, USC 267 1440

1966 Ray McDonald, Idaho 259 1329

1967 O. J. Simpson, USC 266 1415

1968 O. J. Simpson, USC 355 1709

1969 Steve Owens, Oklahoma 358 1523

1970 Ed Marinaro, Cornell 285 1425 158.3

1971 Ed Marinaro, Cornell 356 1881 209.0

1972 Pete VanValkenburg, BYU 232 1386 138.6

1973 Mark Kellar, Northern Ill 291 1719 156.3

1974 Louie Giammona, Utah St. 329 1534 153.4

1975 Ricky Bell, USC 357 1875 170.5

1976 Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh 338 1948 177.1

1977 Earl Campbell, Texas 267 1744 158.5

1978 Billy Sims, Oklahoma 231 1762 160.2

1979 Charles White, USC 293 1803 180.3

1980 George Rogers, S. Carolina 297 1781 161.9

1981 Marcus Allen, USC 403 2342 212.9

1982 Ernest Anderson, Okla. St. 353 1877 170.6

1983 Mike Rozier, Nebraska 275 2148 179.0

1984 Keith Byars, Ohio St. 313 1655 150.5

1985 Lorenzo White, Mich. St. 386 1908 173.5

1986 Paul Palmer, Temple 346 1866 169.6

1987 Ickey Woods, UNLV 259 1658 150.7

1988 Barry Sanders, Okla. St. 344 2628 238.9

1989 Anthony Thompson, Ind 358 1793 163.0

1990 Gerald Hudson, Okla. St 279 1642 149.3

1991 Marshall Faulk, S. Diego St. 201 1429 158.8

1992 Marshall Faulk, S. Diego St. 265 1630 163.0

1993 LeShon Johnson, No. Ill. 327 1976 179.6

1994 Rashaan Salaam, Colorado 298 2055 186.8

1995 Troy Davis, Iowa St. 345 2010 182.7

1996 Troy Davis, Iowa St. 402 2185 198.6

1997 Ricky Williams, Texas 279 1893 172.1

1998 Ricky Williams, Texas 361 2124 193.1

1999 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU 268 1850 168.2

2000 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU 369 2158 196.2

2001 Chance Kretschmer, Nevada 302 1732 157.5

2002 Larry Johnson, Penn State 251 2015 167.9

2003 Patrick Cobbs, North Texas 284 1570 157.0

2004 Jamario Thomas, North Texas 256 1709 189.9

2005 DeAngelo Williams, Memphis 310 1964 178.6

2006 Garrett Wolfe, Northern Ill. 309 1928 148.3

Who was Tom Shevlin of Yale (1905)? I have little clue except for two sources. Dan Jenkins said he was one of the best players ever. As late as the 1930s, USC coach Howard Jones was still saying he was the best he ever saw. That is good enough for me. Archie Griffin of Ohio State (1975) is the only two-time Heisman winner. His 1974 award should have gone to Anthony Davis, who scored something like twelve touchdowns and 179 points against Notre Dame after the ballots were mailed in those pre-fax, pre-email days. Griffin was the first to play as a freshman after the NCAA allowed them to play varsity ball after many years of restrictions (1972). His four-year career is one of the all-time best. When the Buckeyes ventured to the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1976 there was a sense that it was the final "icing on the cake" for Griffin. With two Heismans safely tucked away, all Griffin lacked was a national title. If Ohio could beat heavy underdog UCLA, then he would not only have the ring, but a much, much higher place in the collegiate football hierarchy. Instead, UCLA handled Ohio State. The great Griffin is unfortunately dogged by memory of three hard losses in the Arroyo Seco (although his 1974 Rose Bowl pounding of USC counts for something).

#### NCAA annual receiving leaders

## Year Player, School No TD Yds

1937 Jim Benton, Arkansas 47 7 754

1938 Sam Boyd, Baylor 32 5 537

1939 Ken Kavanaugh, LSU 30 NA 467

1940 Eddie Bryant, Virginia 30 2 222

1941 Hank Stanton, Arizona 50 NA 820

1942 Bill Rogers, Texas A&M 39 NA 432

1943 Neil Armstrong, Okla. A&M 39 NA 317

1944 Reid Moseley, Georgia 32 NA 506

1945 Reid Moseley, Georgia 31 NA 662

1946 Neil Armstrong, Okla. A&M 32 1 479

1947 Barney Poole, Ole Miss 52 8 513

1948 Red O'Quinn, Wake Forest 39 7 605

1949 Art Weiner, N. Carolina 52 7 762

1950 Gordon Cooper, Denver 46 8 569

1951 Dewey McConnell, Wyoming 47 9 725

1952 Ed Brown, Fordham 57 6 774

1953 John Carson, Georgia 45 4 663

1954 Jim Hanifan, California 44 7 569

1955 Hank Burnine, Missouri 44 2 594

1956 Art Powell, San Jose St 40 5 583

1957 Stuart Vaughan, Utah 53 5 756

1958 Dave Hibbert, Arizona 61 4 606

1959 Chris Burford, Stanford 61 6 756

1960 Hugh Campbell, Wash. St 66 10 881

1961 Hugh Campbell, Wash. St 53 5 723

1962 Vern Burke, Oregon St 69 10 1007

1963 Lawrence Elkins, Baylor 70 8 873

1964 Howard Twilley, Tulsa 95 13 1178

1965 Howard Twilley, Tulsa 134 16 1779

1966 Glenn Meltzer, Wichita St 91 4 1115

1967 Bob Goodridge, Vanderbilt 79 6 1114

1968 Ron Sellers, Florida St 86 12 1496

1969 Jerry Hendren, Idaho 95 12 1452

1970 Mike Mikolayunas, Davidson 87 8.7 8 1128

1971 Tom Reynolds, San Diego St 67 6.7 7 1070

1972 Tom Forzani, Utah St 85 7.7 8 1169

1973 Jay Miller, BYU 100 9.1 8 1181

1974 D. McDonald, San Diego St 86 7.8 7 1157

1975 Bob Farnham, Brown 56 6.2 2 701

1976 Billy Ryckman, La. Tech 77 7.0 10 1382

1977 W. Tolleson, W. Carolina 73 6.6 7 1101

1978 Dave Petzke, Northern Ill 91 8.3 11 1217

1979 Rick Beasley, Appalach. St 74 6.7 12 1205

1980 Dave Young, Purdue 67 6.1 8 917

1981 Pete Harvey, N. Texas St 57 6.3 3 743

1982 Vincent White, Stanford 68 6.8 8 677

1983 Keith Edwards, Vanderbilt 97 8.8 8 909

1984 David Williams, Illinois 101 9.2 8 1278

1985 Rodney Carter, Purdue 98 8.9 4 1099

1986 Mark Templeton, L. Beach St 99 9.0 2 688

1987 Jason Phillips, Houston 99 9.0 3 875

1988 Jason Phillips, Houston 108 9.8 15 1444

1989 Manny Hazard, Houston 142 12.9 22 1689

1990 Manny Hazard, Houston 78 7.8 9 946

1991 Fred Gilbert, Houston 106 9.6 7 957

1992 Sherman Smith, Houston 103 9.4 6 923

1993 Chris Penn, Tulsa 105 9.6 12 1578

1994 Alex Van Dyke, Nevada 98 8.9 10 1246

1995 Alex Van Dyke, Nevada 129 11.7 16 1854

1996 Damond Wilkins, Nevada 114 10.4 4 1121

1997 Eugene Baker, Kent 103 9.4 18 1549

1998 Troy Edwards, La. Tech 140 11.7 27 1996

1999 Trevor Insley, Nevada 134 12.2 13 2060

2000 James Jordan, La. Tech 109 9.1 4 1003

2001 Kevin Curtis, Utah St. 100 9.1 10 1531

2002 Nate Burleson, Nevada 138 11.5 12 1629

2003 Lance Moore, Toledo 103 8.6 9 1194

2004 Dante Ridgeway, Ball St. 105 9.6 8 1399

2005 Greg Jennings, Western Mich. 98 8.9 14 1259

2006 Chris Williams, New Mex, St. 92 7.7 12 1425

How about Vince Young of Texas (2005)? Hoo boy! His performance against USC in the Rose Bowl was one for the ages. If he had won the Heisman a month earlier, he would be in the top three or so. The fact is, when the award was announced in favor of USC's Reggie Bush, Bush deserved it. It is also a fact that, had it been awarded after the Rose Bowl, Young would have won it. In earlier years he would have come back for his senior year to win the Heisman and lead Texas, as William Shatner used to say, "Where no man has gone before." Alas, those days are gone bye-bye.

#### NCAA annual all-purpose yardage leaders

## Year Player, School Yds Ave

1937 Byron (Whizzer) White, Colorado 1970 246.3

1938 Parker Hall, Ole Miss 1420 129.1

1939 Tom Harmon, Michigan 1208 151.0

1940 Tom Harmon, Michigan 1312 164.0

1941 Bill Dudley, Virginia 1674 186.0

1942 Complete records not available

1943 Stan Koslowski, Holy Cross 1411 176.4

1944 Red Williams, Minnesota 1467 163.0

1945 Bob Fenimore, Oklahoma A&M 1577 197.1

1946 Rudy Mobley, Hardin-Simmons 1765 176.5

1947 Wilton Davis, Hardin-Simmons 1798 179.8

1948 Lou Kusserow, Columbia 1737 193.0

1949 Johnny Papit, Virginia 1611 179.0

1950 Wilford White, Arizona St. 2065 206.5

1951 Ollie Matson, San Francisco 2037 226.3

1952 Billy Vessels, Oklahoma 1512 151.2

1953 J. C. Caroline, Illinois 1470 163.3

1954 Art Luppino, Arizona 2193 219.3

1955 Jim Swink, TCU 1702 170.2

TIE Art Luppino, Arizona 1702 170.2

1956 Jack Hill, Utah St 1691 169.1

1957 Overton Curtis, Utah St 1608 160.8

1958 Dick Bass, Pacific 1878 187.8

1959 Pervis Atkins, New Mexico St 1800 180.0

1960 Pervis Atkins, New Mexico St 1613 161.3

1961 Jim Pilot, New Mexico St 1606 160.6

1962 Gary Wood, Cornell 1395 155.0

1963 Gary Wood, Cornell 1508 167.6

1964 Donny Anderson, Texas Tech 1710 171.0

1965 Floyd Little, Syracuse 1990 199.0

1966 Frank Quayle, Virginia 1616 161.6

1967 O. J. Simpson, USC 1700 188.9

1968 O. J. Simpson, USC 1966 196.6

1969 Lynn Moore, Army 1795 179.5

1970 Don McCauley, North Carolina 2021 183.7

1971 Ed Marinaro, Cornell 1932 214.7

1972 Howard Stevens, Louisville 2132 213.2

1973 Willard Harrell, Pacific 1777 177.7

1974 Louie Giammona, Utah St 1984 198.4

1975 Louie Giammona, Utah St 2045 185.9

1976 Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh 2021 183.7

1977 Earl Campbell, Texas 1855 168.6

1978 Charles White, USC 2096 174.7

1979 Charles White, USC 1941 194.1

1980 Marcus Allen, USC 1794 179.4

1981 Marcus Allen, USC 2559 232.6

1982 Carl Monroe, Utah 2036 185.1

1983 Napoleon McCallum, Navy 2385 216.8

1984 Keith Byars, Ohio St 2284 207.6

1985 Napoleon McCallum, Navy 2330 211.8

1986 Paul Palmer, Temple 2633 239.4

1987 Eric Wilkerson, Kent St 2074 188.6

1988 Barry Sanders, Oklahoma St. 3250 295.5

1989 Mike Pringle, CS-Fullerton 2690 244.6

1990 Glyn Milburn, Stanford 2222 202.0

1991 Ryan Benjamin, Pacific 2995 249.6

1992 Ryan Benjamin, Pacific 2597 236.1

1993 LeShon Johnson, Northern Ill. 2082 189.3

1994 Rashaan Salaam, Colorado 2349 213.5

1995 Troy Davis, Iowa St. 2466 224.2

1996 Troy Davis, Iowa St. 2364 214.9

1997 Troy Edwards, La. Tech 2144 194.9

1998 Troy Edwards, La. Tech 2784 232.0

1999 Trevor Insley, Nevada 2176 197.8

2000 Emmett White, Utah St. 2628 238.9

2001 Levron Williams, Indiana 2201 200.1

2002 Larry Johnson, Penn St. 2575 214.6

2003 DeAngelo Williams, Memphis 2113 192.1

2004 Garrett Wolfe, Northern Ill. 1920 192.0

2005 Reggie Bush, Southern Cal 2890 222.3

2006 Garrett Wolfe, Northern Ill. 2177 167.5

Joe Theismann's place in history and his efforts to win a Heisman which would match the change in pronunciation of his last name from _Thees_ -mann to _Theis_ -mann (in a bald-faced attempt to coopt the 1970 vote) all went down not in flames but in sheets of water at the L.A. Coliseum on November 28, 1970. The Irish entered Los Angeles like Caesar's legions, looking for national championship glory and Heisman imprimatur against an underperforming 5-4-1 Trojan squad. It "never rains in Southern California, but girl, let me warn ya, it pours, oh man it pours." This is not what stopped _Thees_ -mann, er, _Theis_ -mann, though. His 526 yards passing and two touchdowns had _Heis_ -man written all over it. His five interceptions were enough to sink Noah's Ark. Good-bye, Joe, hello Jim Plunkett. Theismann found redemption, Notre Dame style, a month later when he engineered a Cotton Bowl win over Texas, sinking their title hopes. Bob Devaney and Nebraska then snuck in like the Trojans (not the USC kind) against the Greeks wayback when.

#### NCAA annual total offense leaders

## Year Player, School Plays Yds

1937 Byron (Whizzer) White, Colorado 224 1596

1938 Davey O'Brien, TCU 291 1847

1939 Kenny Washington, UCLA 259 1370

1940 Johnny Knolla, Creighton 298 1420

1941 Bud Schwenk, Washington-MO 354 1928

1942 Frank Sinkwich, Georgia 341 2187

1943 Bob Hoernschemeyer, Indiana 355 1648

1944 Bob Fenimore, Oklahoma A&M 241 1758

1945 Bob Fenimore, Oklahoma A&M 203 1641

1946 Travis Bidwell, Auburn 339 1715

1947 Fred Enke, Arizona 329 1941

1948 Stan Heath, Nevada-Reno 233 1992

1949 Johnny Bright, Drake 275 1950

1950 Johnny Bright, Drake 320 2400

1951 Dick Kazmaier, Princeton 272 1827

1952 Ted Marchibroda, Detroit 305 1813

1953 Paul Larson, California 262 1572

1954 George Shaw, Oregon 276 1536

1955 George Welsh, Navy 203 1348

1956 John Brodie, Stanford 295 1642

1957 Bob Newman, Washington St 263 1444

1958 Dick Bass, Pacific 218 1440

1959 Dick Norman, Stanford 319 2018

1960 Billy Kilmer, UCLA 292 1889

1961 Dave Hoppmann, Iowa St 320 1638

1962 Terry Baker, Oregon St 318 2276

1963 George Mira, Miami-FL 394 2318

1964 Jerry Rhome, Tulsa 470 3128

1965 Bill Anderson, Tulsa 580 3343

1966 Virgil Carter, BYU 388 2545

1967 Sal Olivas, New Mexico St 368 2184

1968 Greg Cook, Cincinnati 507 3210

1969 Dennis Shaw, San Diego St 388 3197

1970 Pat Sullivan, Auburn 333 2856 285.6

1971 Gary Huff, Florida St 386 2653 241.2

1972 Don Strock, Va. Tech 480 3170 288.2

1973 Jesse Freitas, San Diego St. 410 2901 263.7

1974 Steve Joachim, Temple 331 2227 222.7

1975 Gene Swick, Toledo 490 2706 246.0

1976 Tommy Kramer, Rice 562 3272 297.5

1977 Doug Williams, Gambling 377 3229 293.5

1978 Mike Ford, SMU 459 2957 268.8

1979 Marc Wilson, BYU 488 3580 325.5

1980 Jim McMahon, BYU 540 4627 385.6

1981 Jim McMahon, BYU 487 3458 345.8

1982 Todd Dillon, Long Beach St 585 3587 326.1

1983 Steve Young, BYU 531 4346 395.1

1984 Robbie Bosco, BYU 543 3932 327.7

1985 Jim Everett, Purdue 518 3589 326.3

1986 Mike Perez, San Jose St 425 2969 329.9

1987 Todd Santos, San Diego St. 562 3688 307.3

1988 Scott Mitchell, Utah 589 4299 390.8

1989 Andre Ware, Houston 628 4661 423.7

1990 David Klingler, Houston 704 5221 474.6

1991 Ty Detmer, BYU 478 4001 333.4

1992 Jimmy Klingler, Houston 544 3768 342.6

1993 Chris Vargas, Nevada 535 4332 393.8

1994 Mike Maxwell, Nevada 477 3498 318.0

1995 Mike Maxwell, Nevada 443 3623 402.6

1996 Josh Wallwork, Wyoming 525 4209 350.8

1997 Tim Rattay, La. Tech 541 3968 360.7

1998 Tim Rattay, La. Tech 602 4840 403.3

1999 Tim Rattay, La. Tech 562 3810 381.0

2000 Drew Brees, Purdue 564 3939 358.1

2001 Rex Grossman, Florida 429 3904 354.9

2002 Byron Leftwich, Marshall 481 4024 365.8

2003 B. J. Symons, Texas Tech 481 5476 456.3

2004 Sonny Cumbie, Texas Tech 632 4061 369.2

2005 Colt Brennan, Hawaii 371 4301 371.3

2006 Colt Brennan, Hawaii 645 5915 422.5

Can't leave Don Hutson off the list. Alabama, as great as they have been, have not had the great stars of other programs. They always did it with teamwork. Had he not hurt himself in 1964, Joe Namath was on his way to one of those dream seasons, but he did so he didn't. Hutson lined up opposite Bear Bryant on the 1964 Crimson Tide national champions, and was even better playing for Green Bay.

#### NCAA annual scoring leaders

## Year Player, School TD XP FG Pts

1937 Byron (Whizzer) White, Colo 16 23 1 122

1938 Parker Hall, Ole Miss 11 7 0 73

1939 Tom Harmon, Michigan 14 15 1 102

1940 Tom Harmon, Michigan 16 18 1 117

1941 Bill Dudley, Virginia 18 23 1 134

1942 Bob Steuber, Missouri 18 13 0 121

1943 Steve Van Buren, LSU 14 14 0 98

1944 Glenn Davis, Army 20 0 0 120

1945 Doc Blanchard, Army 19 1 0 115

1946 Gene Roberts, Tenn-Chatt 18 9 0 117

1947 Lou Gambino, Maryland 16 0 0 96

1948 Fred Wendt, Texas Mines 20 32 0 152

1949 George Thomas, Oklahoma 19 3 0 117

1950 Bobby Reynolds, Nebraska 22 25 0 157

1951 Ollie Matson, San Francisco 21 0 0 126

1952 Jackie Parker, Miss. St. 16 24 0 120

1953 Earl Lindley, Utah St. 13 3 0 81

1954 Art Luppino, Arizona 24 22 0 166

1955 Jim Swink, TCU 20 5 0 125

1956 Clendon Thomas, Oklahoma 18 0 0 108

1957 Leon Burton, Ariz. St. 16 0 0 96

1958 Dick Bass, Pacific 18 8 0 116

1959 Pervis Atkins, N. Mexico St. 17 5 0 107

1960 Bob Gaiters, N. Mexico St. 23 7 0 145

1961 Jim Pilot, N. Mexico St. 21 12 0 138

1962 Jerry Logan, W. Texas St. 13 32 0 110

1963 Cosmo Iacavazzi, Princeton 14 0 0 84

TIE Dave Casinelli, Memphis St. 14 0 0 84

1964 Brian Piccolo, Wake Forest 17 9 0 111

1965 Howard Twilley, Tulsa 16 31 0 127

1966 Ken Hebert, Houston 11 41 2 113

1967 Leroy Keyes, Purdue 19 0 0 114

1968 Jim O'Brien, Cincinnati 12 31 13 142

1969 Steve Owens, Oklahoma 23 0 0 138

1970 Brian Bream, Air Force 20 0 0 120 12.0

TIE Gary Kosins, Dayton 18 0 0 108 12.0

1971 Ed Marinaro, Cornell 24 4 0 148 16.4

1972 Harold Henson, Ohio St 20 0 0 120 12.0

1973 Jim Jennings, Rutgers 21 2 0 128 11.6

1974 Bill Marek, Wisconsin 19 0 0 114 12.7

1975 Pete Johnson, Ohio St 25 0 0 150 13.6

1976 Tony Dorsett, Pitt 22 2 0 134 12.2

1977 Earl Campbell, Texas 19 0 0 114 10.4

1978 Billy Sims, Oklahoma 20 0 0 120 10.9

1979 Billy Sims, Oklahoma 22 0 0 132 12.0

1980 Sammy Winder, So. Miss 20 0 0 120 10.9

1981 Marcus Allen, USC 23 0 0 138 12.5

1982 Greg Allen, Fla. St 21 0 0 126 11.5

1983 Mike Rozier, Nebraska 29 0 0 174 14.5

1984 Keith Byars, Ohio St 24 0 0 144 13.1

1985 Bernard White, B. Green 19 0 0 114 10.4

1986 Steve Bartalo, Colo. St 19 0 0 114 10.4

1987 Paul Hewitt, S. Diego St. 24 0 0 144 12.0

1988 Barry Sanders, Okla.St. 39 0 0 234 21.3

1989 Anthony Thompson, Ind 25 4 0 154 14.0

1990 Stacey Robinson, No. Ill 19 6 0 120 10.9

1991 Marshall Faulk, S.D. St. 23 2 0 140 15.6

1992 Garrison Hearst, Georgia 21 0 0 126 11.5

1993 Bam Morris, Texas Tech 22 2 0 134 12.2

1994 Rashaan Salaam, Colo 24 0 0 144 13.1

1995 Eddie George, Ohio St. 24 0 0 144 12.0

1996 Corey Dillon, Washington 23 0 0 138 12.6

1997 Ricky Williams, Texas 25 2 0 152 13.8

1998 Troy Edwards, La. Tech 31 2 0 188 15.7

1999 Shaun Alexander, Alabama 24 0 0 144 13.1

2000 Lee Suggs, Va. Tech 28 0 0 168 15.3

2001 Luke Staley, BYU 28 2 0 170 15.5

2002 Brock Forsey, Boise St. 29 0 0 174 14.5

2003 Cedric Benson, Texas 21 0 0 128 11.6

2004 DeAngelo Williams, Memphis 22 0 0 132 12.0

2005 Michael Bush, Louisville 24 0 0 144 14.4

2006 Ian Johnson, Boise St. 25 0 0 162 12.7

### Heisman Trophy winners

In 1935, the Downtown Athletic Club established the DAC Trophy, to be awarded to the best football player from a college east of the Mississippi River. John W. Heisman, the great coach from Georgia Tech, became the club's athletic director. When he died on October 3, 1936 the award was re-named the Heisman Memorial Trophy. It has since been awarded annually to the nation's outstanding college player by a panel of 870 media representatives and all living trophy winners.

Year Winner, College, Pos Runner-Up Third Place

1935 Jay Berwanger, Chicago, HB Monk Meyer, Army, HB Bill Shakespeare, Notre

Dame, HB

1936 Larry Kelley, Yale, E Sam Francis, Nebraska, FB Ray Buivid, Marquette,

HB

1937 Clinton Frank, Yale, HB Byron (Whizzer) White, Colo., HB Marshall Goldberg, Pitt, HB

1938 Davey O'Brien, TCU, QB Marshall Goldberg, Pitt, HB Sid Luckman, Columbia, QB

1939 Nile Kinnick, Iowa, HB Tom Harmon, Michigan, HB Paul Christman, Missouri, QB

1940 Tom Harmon, Michigan, HB John Kimbrough, Texas A&M, FB George Franck, Minnesota, HB

1941 Bruce Smith, Minnesota, HB Angelo Bertelli, Notre Dame, QB Frank Albert, Stanford, QB

1942 Frank Sinkwich, Georgia, TB Paul Governali, Columbia, QB Clint Castleberry, Ga. Tech, HB

1943 Angelo Bertelli, Notre Dame, QB Bob Odell, Penn, HB Otto Graham, Northwestern, QB

1944 Les Horvath, Ohio St., TB-QB Glenn Davis, Army, HB Doc Blanchard, Army, FB

1945 Doc Blanchard, Army, FB Glenn Davis, Army, HB Bob Fenimore, Oklahoma A&M, HB

1946 Glenn Davis, Army, HB Charlie Trippi, Georgia, HB Johnny Lujack, Notre Dame, QB

1947 Johnny Lujack, Notre Dame, QBBob Chappuis, Michigan, HB Doak Walker, S MU, HB

1948 Doak Walker, SMU, HB Charlie Justice, N. Carolina, HB Chuck Bednarik, Penn, C

1949 Leon Hart, Notre Dame, E Charlie Justice, N. Carolina, HB Doak Walker, SMU, HB

1950 Vic Janowicz, Ohio St., HB Kyle Rote, SMU, HB Reds Bagnell, Penn, HB

1951 Dick Kazmaier, Princeton, TB Hank Lauricella, Tennessee, HB Babe Parilli, Kentucky, QB

1952 Billy Vessels, Oklahoma, HB Jack Scarbath, Maryland, QB Paul Giel, Minnesota, HB

1953 Johnny Lattner, Notre Dame, HB Paul Giel, Minnesota, HB Paul Cameron, UCLA, HB

1954 Alan Ameche, Wisconsin, FB Kurt Burris, Oklahoma, C Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, Ohio St., HB

1955 Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, Ohio St., HB Jim Swink, TCU, HB George Welsh, Navy, QB

1956 Paul Hornung, Notre Dame, QB Johnny Majors, Tennessee, HB Tommy McDonald, Oklahoma, HB

1957 John David Crow, Texas A&M, HB Alex Karras, Iowa, T Walt Kowalczyk, Mich. St., HB

1958 Pete Dawkins, Army, HB Randy Duncan, Iowa, QB Billy Cannon, LSU, HB

1959 Billy Cannon, LSU, HB Richie Lucas, Penn St., QB Don Meredith, SMU, QB

1960 Joe Bellino, Navy, HB Tom Brown, Minnesota, G Jake Gibbs, Mississippi, QB

1961 Ernie Davis, Syracuse, HB Bob Ferguson, Ohio St., HB Jimmy Saxton, Texas, HB

1962 Terry Baker, Oregon St., QB Jerry Stovall, LSU, HB Bobby Bell, Minnesota, T

1963 Roger Staubach, Navy, QB Billy Lothridge, Ga. Tech, QB Sherman Lewis, Mich. St., HB

1964 John Huarte, Notre Dame, QB Jerry Rhome, Tulsa, QB Dick Butkus, Illinois, C

1965 Mike Garrett, USC, HB Howard Twilley, Tulsa, E Jim Grabowski, Illinois, FB

1966 Steve Spurrier, Florida, QB Bob Griese, Purdue, QB Nick Eddy, Notre Dame, HB

1967 Gary Beban, UCLA, QB O. J. Simpson, USC, HB Leroy Keyes, Purdue, HB

1968 O. J. Simpson, USC, HB Leroy Keyes, Purdue, HB Terry Hanratty, Notre Dame, QB

1969 Steve Owens, Oklahoma, HB Mike Phipps, Purdue, QB Rex Kern, Ohio St., QB

1970 Jim Plunkett, Stanford, QB Joe Theismann, Notre Dame, QB Archie Manning, Mississippi, QB

1971 Pat Sullivan, Auburn, QB Ed Marinaro, Cornell, RB Greg Pruitt, Oklahoma, RB

1972 Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska, FL Greg Pruitt, Oklahoma, RB Rich Glover, Nebraska, MG

1973 John Cappelletti, Penn St., RB John Hicks, Ohio St., OT Roosevelt Leaks, Texas, RB

1974 Archie Griffin, Ohio St., RB Anthony Davis, USC, RB Joe Washington, Oklahoma, RB

1975 Archie Griffin, Ohio St., RB Chuck Muncie, California, RB Ricky Bell, USC, RB

1976 Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh, RB Ricky Bell, USC, RB Rob Lytle, Michigan, RB

1977 Earl Campbell, Texas, RB Terry Miller, Oklahoma St., RB Ken MacAfee, Notre Dame, TE

1978 Billy Sims, Oklahoma, RB Chuck Fusina, Penn St., QB Rick Leach, Michigan, QB

1979 Charles White, USC, RB Billy Sims, Oklahoma, RB Marc Wilson, BYU, QB

1980 George Rogers, South Carolina, RB Hugh Green, Pittsburgh, DE Herschel Walker, Georgia, RB

1981 Marcus Allen, USC, RB Herschel Walker, Georgia, RB Jim McMahon, BYU, QB

1982 Herschel Walker, Georgia, RB John Elway, Stanford, QB Eric Dickerson, SMU, RB

1983 Mike Rozier, Nebraska, RB Steve Young, BYU, QB Doug Flutie, Boston College, QB

1984 Doug Flutie, Boston College, QB Keith Byars, Ohio St., RB Robbie Bosco, BYU, QB

1985 Bo Jackson, Auburn, RB Chuck Long, Iowa, QB Robbie Bosco, BYU, QB

1986 Vinny Testaverde, Miami-FL, QB Paul Palmer, Temple, RB Jim Harbaugh, Michigan, QB

1987 Tim Brown, Notre Dame, WR Don McPherson, Syracuse, QB Gordie Lockbaum, Holy Cross, WR-DB

1988 Barry Sanders, Oklahoma St., RB Rodney Peete, USC, QB Troy Aikman, UCLA, QB

1989 Andre Ware, Houston, QB Anthony Thompson, Ind., RB Major Harris, West Va., QB

1990 Ty Detmer, BYU, QB Rocket Ismail, Notre Dame, FL Eric Bieniemy, Colorado, RB

1991 Desmond Howard, Michigan, WR Casey Weldon, Florida St., QB Ty Detmer, BYU, QB

1992 Gino Torretta, Miami-FL, QB Marshall Faulk, San Diego St., RBGarrison Hearst, Georgia, RB

1993 Charlie Ward, Florida St., QB Heath Shuler, Tennessee, QB David Palmer, Alabama, RB

1994 Rashaan Salaam, Colorado, RB Ki-Jana Carter, Penn St., RB Steve McNair, Alcorn St., QB

1995 Eddie George, Ohio St., RB Tommie Frazier, Nebraska, QB Danny Wuerffel, Florida, QB

1996 Danny Wuerffel, Florida, QB Troy Davis, Iowa St., RB Jake Plummer, Arizona St., QB

1997 Charles Woodson, Michigan, DB-WR Peyton Manning, Tennessee, QB Ryan Leaf, Washington St., QB

1998 Ricky Williams, Texas, RB Michael Bishop, Kansas St., QB Cade McNown, UCLA, QB

1999 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin, RB Joe Hamilton, Ga. Tech, QB Michael Vick, Va. Tech, QB

2000 Chris Weinke, Florida St., QB Josh Heupel, Oklahoma, QB Drew Brees, Purdue, QB

2001 Eric Crouch, Nebraska, QB Rex Grossman, Florida, QB Ken Dorsey, Miami, QB

2002 Carson Palmer, Southern Cal, QB Brad Banks, Iowa, QB Larry Johnson, Penn St., RB

2003 Jason White, Oklahoma, QB Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh, WR Eli Manning, Mississippi, QB

2004 Matt Leinart, Southern Cal, QB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma, RB Jason White, Oklahoma, QB

2005 Reggie Bush, Southern Cal, RB Vince Young, Texas, QB Matt Leinart, Southern Cal, QB

2006 Troy Smith, Ohio St., QB Darren McFadden, Arkansas, RB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, QB

Maxwell Trophy winner

The Maxwell Memorial Football Club of Philadelphia has presented the Maxwell Award since 1937 to the nation's outstanding college football player. The award is named for Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, who starred as a guard for the University of Chicago from 1902 through 1904 and at Swarthmore College in 1905. Maxwell was killed in a car crash at the age of thirty-seven. The club named for him presents several other trophies, including the Bert Bell Award for the NFL Player of the Year, the Greasy Neale Award for the NFL Coach of the Year, the George Munger Award for the College Coach of the Year, and the Chuck Bednarik Award for the College Defensive Player of the Year.

Year Winner, School, Pos.

1937 Clinton Frank, Yale, HB

1938 Davey O'Brien, TCU, QB

1939 Nile Kinnick, Iowa, HB

1940 Tom Harmon, Michigan, HB

1941 Bill Dudley, Virginia, HB

1942 Paul Governali, Columbia, QB

1943 Bob Odell, Penn, HB

1944 Glenn Davis, Army, HB

1945 Doc Blanchard, Army, FB

1946 Charley Trippi, Georgia, HB

1947 Doak Walker, SMU, HB

1948 Chuck Bednarik, Penn, C

1949 Leon Hart, Notre Dame, E

1950 Reds Bagnell, Penn, HB

1951 Dick Kazmaier, Princeton, TB

1952 Johnny Lattner, Notre Dame, HB

1953 Johnny Lattner, Notre Dame, HB

1954 Ron Beagle, Navy, E

1955 Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, Ohio St., HB

1956 Tommy McDonald, Okla., HB

1957 Bob Reifsnyder, Navy, T

1958 Pete Dawkins, Army, HB

1959 Rich Lucas, Penn St., QB

1960 Joe Bellino, Navy, HB

1961 Bob Ferguson, Ohio St., HB

1962 Terry Baker, Oregon St., QB

1963 Roger Staubach, Navy, QB

1964 Glenn Ressler, Penn St., G

1965 Tommy Nobis, Texas, LB

1966 Jim Lynch, Notre Dame, LB

1967 Gary Beban, UCLA, QB

1968 O. J. Simpson, USC, HB

1969 Mike Reid, Penn St., DT

1970 Jim Plunkett, Stanford, QB

1971 Ed Marinaro, Cornell, RB

1972 Brad Van Pelt, Michigan St., DB

1973 John Cappelletti, Penn St., RB

1974 Steve Joachim, Temple, QB

1975 Archie Griffin, Ohio St., RB

1976 Tony Dorsett, Pitt, RB

1977 Ross Browner, Notre Dame, DE

1978 Chuck Fusina, Penn St., QB

1979 Charles White, USC, RB

1980 Hugh Green, Pitt, DE

1981 Marcus Allen, USC, RB

1982 Herschel Walker, Georgia, RB

1983 Mike Rozier, Nebraska, RB

1984 Doug Flutie, Boston Col., QB

1985 Chuck Long, Iowa, QB

1986 V. Testaverde, Miami, FL, QB

1987 Don McPherson, Syracuse, QB

1988 Barry Sanders, Okla. St., RB

1989 Anthony Thompson, Indiana, RB

1990 Ty Detmer, BYU, QB

1991 Desmond Howard, Mich., WR

1992 Gino Torretta, Miami, FL, QB

1993 Charlie Ward, Florida St., QB

1994 Kerry Collins, Penn St., QB

1995 Eddie George, Ohio St., RB

1996 Danny Wuerffel, Florida, QB

1997 Peyton Manning, Tennessee, QB

1998 Ricky Williams, Texas, RB

1999 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin, RB

2000 Drew Brees, Purdue, QB

2001 Ken Dorsey, Miami, FL, QB

2002 Larry Johnson, Penn St., HB

2003 Eli Manning, Mississippi, QB

2004 Jason White, QB, Oklahoma

2005 Vince Young, Texas

2006 Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, QB

Walter Camp Award winners

The Walter Camp Football Foundation has presented this award to the nation's outstanding college football player since 1967. The award is named for Walter Camp, often known as the "father of American football" for the many rules changes he pioneered that transformed rugby into football. The winner is chosen by a vote of Division 1-A coaches and sports information directors.

Year Player, School

1967 O. J. Simpson, Southern California

1968 O. J. Simpson, Southern California

1969 Steve Owens, Oklahoma

1970 Jim Plunkett, Stanford

1971 Pat Sullivan, Auburn

1972 Johnny Rogers, Nebraska

1973 John Cappelletti, Penn State

1974 Archie Griffin, Ohio State

1975 Archie Griffin, Ohio State

1976 Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh

1977 Ken MacAfee, Notre Dame

1978 Billy Sims, Oklahoma

1979 Charles White, Southern California

1980 Hugh Green, Pittsburgh

1981 Marcus Allen, Southern California

1982 Herschel Walker, Georgia

1983 Mike Rozier, Nebraska

1984 Doug Flutie, Boston College

1985 Bo Jackson, Auburn

1986 Vinny Testaverde, Miami FL

1987 Tim Brown, Notre Dame

1988 Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State

1989 Anthony Thompson, Indiana

1990 Raghib Ismail, Notre Dame

1991 Desmond Howard, Michigan

1992 Gino Torretta, Miami FL

1993 Charie Ward, Florida State

1994 Rashaan Salaam, Colorado

1995 Eddie George, Ohio State

1996 Danny Wuerfflel, Florida

1997 Charles Woodson, Michigan

1998 Ricky Williams, Texas

1999 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin

2000 Josh Heupel, Oklahoma

2001 Eric Crouch, Nebraska

2002 Larry Johnson, Penn State

2003 Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh

2004 Matt Leinart, Southern Cal

2005 Reggie Bush, Southern Cal

2006 Troy Smith, Ohio State

### Davey O'Brien Award winners

The Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy was originally awarded to the outstanding college player in the Southwest by the Davey O'Brien Educational and Charitable Trust of Ft. Worth, Texas. In 1981, it was renamed the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award. It has since been given to the nation's outstanding college quarterback. The award is named for the Texas Christian University quarterback who won the 1938 Heisman Trophy.

Year Player, School

1981 Jim McMahon, BYU

1982 Todd Blackledge, Penn St.

1983 Steve Young, BYU

1984 Doug Flutie, Boston College

1985 Chuck Long, Iowa

1986 Vinny Testaverde, Miami, FL

1987 Don McPherson, Syracuse

1988 Troy Aikman, UCLA

1989 Andre Ware, Houston

1990 Ty Detmer, BYU

1991 Ty Detmer, BYU

1992 Gino Torretta, Miami-FL

1993 Charlie Ward, Florida St.

1994 Kerry Collins, Penn St.

1995 Danny Wuerffel, Florida

1996 Danny Wuerffel, Florida

1997 Peyton Manning, Tennessee

1998 Michael Bishop, Kansas St.

1999 Joe Hamilton, Ga. Tech

2000 Chris Weinke, Florida St.

2001 Eric Crouch, Nebraska

2002 Brad Banks, Iowa

2003 Jason White, Oklahoma

2004 Jason White, Oklahoma

2005 Vince Young, Texas

2006 Troy Smith, Ohio State

Outland Trophy winners

John H. Outland played football at the University of Kansas for two years, then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania to study medicine. Walter Camp named him an All-American at tackle in 1897 and at halfback in 1898. After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Outland returned to Kansas to practice surgery. He also coached the university's football team in 1901. In 1946, Dr. Outland donated a trophy to be awarded to the outstanding interior lineman in college football, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Year Player, School, Pos

1946 George Connor, N. Dame, T

1947 Joe Steffy, Army, G

1948 Bill Fischer, Notre Dame, G

1949 Ed Bagdon, Michigan St., G

1950 Bob Gain, Kentucky, T

1951 Jim Weatherall, Oklahoma, T

1952 Dick Modzelewski, Maryland, T

1953 J. D. Roberts, Oklahoma, G

1954 Bill Brooks, Arkansas, G

1955 Calvin Jones, Iowa, G

1956 Jim Parker, Ohio St., G

1957 Alex Karras, Iowa, T

1958 Zeke Smith, Auburn, G

1959 Mike McGee, Duke, T

1960 Tom Brown, Minnesota, G

1961 Merlin Olsen, Utah St., T

1962 Bobby Bell, Minnesota, T

1963 Scott Appleton, Texas, T

1964 Steve DeLong, Tennessee, T

1965 Tommy Nobis, Texas, G

1966 Loyd Phillips, Arkansas, T

1967 Ron Yary, USC, T

1968 Bill Stanfill, Georgia, T

1969 Mike Reid, Penn St., DT

1970 Jim Stillwagon, Ohio St., MG

1971 Larry Jacobson, Neb., DT

1972 Rich Glover, Nebraska, MG

1973 John Hicks, Ohio St., OT

1974 Randy White, Maryland, DT

1975 Lee Roy Selmon, Okla., DT

1976 Ross Browner, Notre Dame, DE

1977 Brad Shearer, Texas, DT

1978 Greg Roberts, Oklahoma, G

1979 Jim Richter, N.C. State, C

1980 Mark May, Pittsburgh, OT

1981 Dave Rimington, Nebraska, C

1982 Dave Rimington, Nebraska, C

1983 Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska, G

1984 Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech, DT

1985 Mike Ruth, Boston College, NG

1986 Jason Buck, BYU, DT

1987 Chad Hennings, Air Force, DT

1988 Tracy Rocker, Auburn, DT

1989 Mohammed Elewonibi, BYU, G

1990 Russell Maryland, Miami-FL, NT

1991 Steve Emtman, Washington, DT

1992 Will Shields, Nebraska, G

1993 Rob Waldrop, Arizona, NG

1994 Zach Wiegert, Nebraska, OT

1995 Jonathan Ogden, UCLA, OT

1996 Orlando Pace, Ohio St., OT

1997 Aaron Taylor, Nebraska, G

1998 Kris Farris, UCLA, OT

1999 Chris Samuels, Alabama, OT

2000 John Henderson, Tennessee, DT

2002 Bryant McKinnie, Miami, OT

2003 Rien Long, Washington St., DT

2004 Jammal Brown, Oklahoma, OT

2004 Greg Eslinger, Minnesota, C

2006 Joe Thomas, Wisconsin, OT

### Lombardi Award winners

The Rotary Club of Houston, Texas has presented the Lombardi Award since 1970 to the nation's outstanding college lineman. The award is named for Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. Lombardi was a lineman at Fordham College, where he was a member of a unit known as "the Seven Blocks of Granite." The trophy shows a block of granite sitting atop a pedestal.

Year Winner, School, Pos.

1970 Jim Stillwagon, Ohio St., MG

1971 Walt Patulski, Notre Dame, DE

1972 Rich Glover, Nebraska, MG

1973 John Hicks, Ohio St., OT

1974 Randy White, Maryland, DT

1975 Lee Roy Selmon, Okla., DT

1976 Wilson Whitley, Houston, DT

1977 Ross Browner, Notre Dame, DE

1978 Bruce Clark, Penn St., DT

1979 Brad Budde, USC, G

1980 Hugh Green, Pitt, DE

1981 Kenneth Sims, Texas, DT

1982 Dave Rimington, Neb., C

1983 Dean Steinkuhler, Neb., G

1984 Tony Degrate, Texas, DT

1985 Tony Casillas, Oklahoma, NG

1986 Cornelius Bennett, Alabama, LB

1987 Chris Spielman, Ohio St., LB

1988 Tracy Rocker, Auburn, DT

1989 Percy Snow, Michigan St., LB

1990 Chris Zorich, Notre Dame, NT

1991 Steve Emtman, Washington, DT

1992 Marvin Jones, Florida St., LB

1993 Aaron Taylor, Notre Dame, OT

1994 Warren Sapp, Miami, FL, DT

1995 Orlando Pace, Ohio St., OT

1996 Orlando Pace, Ohio St., OT

1997 Grant Wistrom, Nebraska, DE

1998 Dat Nguyen, Tex. A&M, LB

1999 Corey Moore, Va. Tech, DE

2000 Jamal Reynolds, Florida St., DE

2001 Julius Peppers, North Carolina, DE

2002 Terrell Suggs, Arizona St., DE

2003 Tommie Harris, Oklahoma, DT

2004 David Pollack, Georgia, DE

2005 A. J. Hawk, Ohio St., LB

2006 LaMarr Woodley, Michigan, DE

### Doak Walker Award winners

The SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors has presented the Doak Walker Award to the nation's outstanding college running back since 1990. The award is named for the SMU two-way back who won the Maxwell Award in 1947 and the Heisman Trophy in 1948. Walker went on to star with the Detroit Lions and is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. He died in 1998 as the result of a skiing accident.

## Year Winner, School

1990 Greg Lewis, Washington

1991 Trevor Cobb, Rice

1992 Garrison Hearst, Georgia

1993 Bam Morris, Texas Tech

1994 Rashaan Salaam, Colorado

1995 Eddie George, Ohio State

1996 Byron Hanspard, Texas Tech

1997 Ricky Williams, Texas

1998 Ricky Williams, Texas

1999 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin

2000 Ladainian Tomlinson, TCU

2001 Luke Staley, BYU

2002 Larry Johnson, Penn St.

2003 Chris Perry, Michigan

2004 Cedric Benson, Texas

2005 Reggie Bush, USC

2006 Darren McFadden, Arkansas

### Jim Thorpe Award winners

The Jim Thorpe Athletic Club of Oklahoma City has presented the Thorpe Award since 1986 to the nation's outstanding collegiate defensive back. The award is named for Jim Thorpe, a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

Year Winner, School

1986 Thomas Everett, Baylor

1987 Bennie Blades, Miami, FL

TIE Rickey Dixon, Oklahoma

1988 Deion Sanders, Florida St.

1989 Mark Carrier, USC

1990 Darryl Lewis, Arizona

1991 Terrell Buckley, Florida St.

1992 Deon Figures, Colorado

1993 Antonio Langham, Alabama

1994 Chris Hudson, Colorado

1995 Greg Myers, Colorado St.

1996 Lawrence Wright, Florida

1997 Charles Woodson, Michigan

1998 Antoine Winfield, Ohio St.

1999 Tyrone Carter, Minnesota

2000 Jamar Fletcher, Wisconsin

2001 Roy Williams, Oklahoma

2002 Terence Newman, Kansas St.

2003 Derrick Strait, Oklahoma

2004 Carlos Rogers, Auburn

2005 Michael Huff, Texas

2006 Aaron Ross, Texas

Dick Butkus Award winners

The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Florida has presented the Butkus Award since 1985 to the nation's outstanding college linebacker. The award is named for Dick Butkus, a two-time All-American center and linebacker at the University of Illinois and six-time All-Pro linebacker with the Chicago Bears.

## Year Winner, School

1985 Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma

1986 Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma

1987 Paul McGowan, Florida St.

1988 Derrick Thomas, Alabama

1989 Percy Snow, Michigan St.

1990 Alfred Williams, Colorado

1991 Erick Anderson, Michigan

1992 Marvin Jones, Florida St.

1993 Trev Alberts, Nebraska

1994 Dana Howard, Illinois

1995 Kevin Hardy, Illinois

1996 Matt Russell, Colorado

1997 Andy Katzenmoyer, Ohio St.

1998 Chris Claiborne, USC

1999 LaVar Arrington, Penn St.

2000 Dan Morgan, Miami, FL

2001 Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma

2002 E.. J. Henderson, Maryland

2003 Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma

2004 Derrick Johnson, Texas

2005 Paul Posluszny, Penn St.

2006 Patrick Willis, Mississippi

### Bronko Nagurski Award winners

The Charlotte Touchdown Club of North Carolina has presented this award to the nation's outstanding defensive player since 1993. The award is named for Bronko Nagurski, a tackle and fullback who is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

## Year Player, School

1993 Rob Waldrop, Arizona

1994 Warren Sapp, Miami FL

1995 Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern

1996 Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern

1997 Charles Woodson, Michigan

1998 Champ Bailey, Georgia

1999 Corey Moore, Virginia Tech

2000 Dan Morgan, Miami FL

2001 Roy Williams, Oklahoma

2002 Terrell Suggs, Arizona State

2003 Derrick Strait, Oklahoma

2004 Derrick Johnson, Texas

2005 Elvis Dumervil, Louisville

2006 James Laurinaitis, Ohio St.

Pro Football's Player of the Year and MVP Awards

In 1938, the National Football League established the Joe F. Carr Trophy, named for the league's president, as its MVP award. The trophy was discontinued after the 1946 season.

There is no longer an official NFL award. United Press International in 1953 began presenting a Player of the Year Award. The Associated Press followed suit in 1957 and the Pro Football Writers Association initiated a Most Valuable Player award in 1976. Since 1959, the Maxwell Club of Philadelphia has awarded the Bert Bell Trophy as its most valuable player award.

United Press International also began giving an AFL Player of the Year award in 1960, when the league began play. With the AFL/NFL merger in 1970, UPI began giving two Player of the Year awards, for the National and American Football Conferences.

Beginning in 1983, the UPI chose separate Players of the Year for offense and defense in each conference. The UPI awards were discontinued after the 1996 season.

#### Associated Press NFL Players of the Year

#### By college

Notre Dame: 5

Paul Hornung, Green Bay HB (1961)

Alan Page, Minnesota DT (1971)

Joe Theismann, Washington QB (183)

Joe Montana, San Francisco QB (1989)

Joe Montana, San Francisco QB (1990)

Alabama: 3

Bart Starr, Green Bay QB (1966)

Ken Stabler, Oakland QB (1974)

Shaun Alexander, Seattle RB (2005)

Southern Mississippi: 3

Brett Favre, Green Bay QB (1995)

Brett Favre, Green Bay QB (1996)

Brett Favre, Green Bay QB (1997)

Louisiana State: 3

Jim Taylor Green Bay, FB (1962)

Y. A. Tittle NY Giants, QB (1963)

Bert Jones, Baltimore QB (1982)

Southern California: 2

O.J. Simpson, Buffalo RB (1973)

Marcus Allen, LA Raiders RB (1985)

Syracuse: 2

Jim Brown, Cleveland FB (1957)

Jim Brown, Cleveland FB (1965)

San Diego State: 2

Brian Sipe, San Diego QB (1980)

Marshall Falk, St. Louis RB (2000)

Brigham Young: 2

Steve Young, San Francisco QB (1992)

Steve Young, San Francisco QB (1994)

Northern Iowa: 2

Kurt Warner, Northern Iowa QB (1999)

Kurt Warner, Northern Iowa QB (2001)

Tennessee: 2

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis QB (2003)

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis QB (2004)

Oklahoma State: 2

Thurman Thomas, Buffalo RB (1991)

Barry Sanders, Detroit, RB (TIE) (1997)

Georgia:: 2

Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota QB (1975)

Terrell Davis, Denver RB (1998)

Pittsburgh: 2

Joe Schmidt, Detroit LB (1960)

Dan Marino, Miami QB (1984)

Louisville: 2

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore QB (1965 and 1967

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore, QB (1967)

San Francisco: 1

Gino Marchetti, Baltimore DE (1958)

Mississippi: 1

Charlie Conerly, NY Giants QB (1959)

Oregon: 1

Norm Van Brocklin, Philadelphia. QB (1960)

Michigan State: 1

Earl Morrall, Baltimore QB (1968)

North Carolina State: 1

Roman Gabriel, LA Rams QB (1969)

Stanford: 1  
John Brodie, San Francisco QB (1970)

Kansas State: 1

Larry Brown, Washington RB (1972)

Jackson State: 1

Walter Payton, Chicago RB (1977)

Louisiana Tech: 1

Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh QB (1978)

Texas: 1

Earl Campbell, Houston RB (1979)

Augustana: 1

Ken Anderson, Cincinnati QB (1981)

Stephen F. Austin: 1

Mark Moseley, Washington PK (1982)

North Carolina: 1

Lawrence Taylor, NY Giants LB (1986)

Mississippi Valley State: 1

Jerry Rice, San Francisco WR (1987)

Moorehead State: 1

Boomer Esiason, Cincinnati QB (1988)

Florida: 1

Emmitt Smith, Dallas RB (1993)

Delaware: 1

Rich Gannon, Oakland QB (2002)

Alcorn State: 1

Steve McNair, Tennessee QB (2003)

Texas Christian: 1

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego RB (2006)

#### Associated Press NFL Offensive Players of the Year

#### By college

Texas: 4

1978 Earl Campbell, Houston RB

1979 Earl Campbell, Houston RB

1980 Earl Campbell, Houston RB

2002 Priest Holmes, Kansas City RB

Oklahoma State: 3

1991 Thurman Thomas, Buffalo RB

1994 Barry Sanders, Detroit RB

1997 Barry Sanders, Detroit RB

San Diego State: 3

1999 Marshall Faulk, St. Louis RB

2000 Marshall Faulk, St. Louis RB

2001 Marshall Faulk, St. Louis RB

Georgia: 3

1975 Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota QB

1996 Terrell Davis, Denver RB

1998 Terrell Davis, Denver RB

Southern California: 2

1973 O. J. Simpson, Buffalo RB

1985 Marcus Allen, Raiders RB

Notre Dame: 2

1983 Joe Theismann, Washington QB

1989 Joe Montana, San Francisco QB

Mississippi Valley State: 2

1987 Jerry Rice, San Francisco WR

1993 Jerry Rice, San Francisco WR

Tennessee: 2

2003 Jamal Lewis, Baltimore RB

2004 Peyton Manning, Indianapolis QB

Kansas State: 1

1972 Larry Brown, Washington RB

Alabama: 2

1974 Ken Stabler, Oakland QB

2005 Shaun Alexander, Seattle RB

Louisiana State: 1

1976 Bert Jones, Baltimore QB

Jackson State: 1

1977 Walter Payton, Chicago RB

Augustana: 1

1981 Ken Anderson, Cincinnati QB

Oregon: 1

1982 Dan Fouts, San Diego QB

Pittsburgh: 1

1984 Dan Marino, Miami QB

Southern Methodist: 1

1986 Eric Dickerson, Rams RB

Nebraska: 1

1988 Roger Craig, San Francisco RB

Washington: 1

1990 Warren Moon, Houston QB

Brigham Young: 1

1992 Steve Young, San Francisco QB

Southern Mississippi: 1

1995 Brett Favre, Green Bay QB

Texas Christian: 1

2006 LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego RB

#### Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year

#### By college

Miami: 5

1992 Cortez Kennedy, Seattle DT

1999 Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay DT

2000 Ray Lewis, Baltimore LB

2003 Ray Lewis, Baltimore LB

2004 Ed Reed, Baltimore S

North Carolina: 3

1981 Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants LB

1982 Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants LB

1986 Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants LB

Baylor: 2

1985 Mike Singletary, Chicago LB

1988 Mike Singletary, Chicago LB

Tennessee: 2

1987 Reggie White, Philadelphia DE

1998 Reggie White, Green Bay DE

Virginia Tech: 2

1990 Bruce Smith, Buffalo DE

1996 Bruce Smith, Buffalo DE

Notre Dame

1971 Alan Page, Minnesota DT

Kent State

1976 Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh LB

Ohio State

1978 Randy Gradishar, Denver LB

Oklahoma

1979 Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay DE

Texas A&M

1980 Lester Hayes, Oakland CB

Montana

1983 Doug Betters, Miami DE

UCLA

1984 Kenny Easley, Seattle S

Georgia Tech

1991 Pat Swilling, New Orleans LB

Purdue

1993 Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh CB

Florida State

1994 Deion Sanders, San Francisco CB

Kansas

1997 Dana Stubblefield, San Francisco DT

Texas Southern

2001 Michael Strahan, NY Giants DE

New Mexico

2005 Brian Urlacher, Chicago LB

Akron

2006 Jason Taylor, Miami DE

Super Bowl MVPs

By college

Alabama: 3

Joe Namath (1969)

Bart Starr (1967, 1968)

Michigan: 3

Desmond Howard (1997)

Tom Brady (2002, 2004)

Notre Dame: 3

1990 Joe Montana (1982, 1989, 1990)

Miami: 2

Otis Anderson (1991)

Ray Lewis (2001)

Georgia: 3

Jake Scott (19973)

Terrell Davis (1998)

Hines Ward (2006)

Southern California: 2

Lynn Swann (1975)

Marcus Allen (1984)

Stanford: 2

Jim Plunkett (1984)

John Elway (1997)

Louisiana Tech: 2

Terry Bradshaw (1979, 1980)

Tennessee: 1

Peyton Manning (2007)

Louisville: 1

Deion Branch (2005)

Florida State: 1

Dexter Jackson (2003)

Northern Iowa: 1

Kurt Warner (2000)

Texas Christian: 1

Larry Brown (1996)

Brigham Young: 1

Steve Young (1995)

Florida: 1

Emmitt Smith (1994)

UCLA: 1

Troy Aikman (1993)

Washington State: 1

Mark Rypien (1992)

Mississippi Valley State: 1

Jerry Rice (1989)

Grambling: 1

Doug Williams (1988)

Morehead State: 1

Phil Simms (1987)

Tennessee State: 1

Richard Dent (1986)

Kansas: 1

John Riggin (1983)

Maryland: 1

Randy White (1978)

Florida State: 1

Fred Biletnikoff (1977)

Penn State: 1

Franco Harris (1993)

Syracuse: 1

Larry Csonka (1974)

Navy: 1

Roger Staubach (1972)

West Virginia: 1

Chuck Howley (1971)

Purdue: 1

Len Dawson (1970)

East Texas State: 1

Harvey Martin (1978)

NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Year Player, Team Pos

1971 Alan Page, Minnesota DT

1972 Joe Greene, Pittsburgh DT

1973 Dick Anderson, Miami S

1974 Joe Greene, Pittsburgh DT

1975 Mel Blount, Pittsburgh CB

1976 Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh LB

1977 Harvey Martin, Dallas DE

1978 Randy Gradishar, Denver LB

1979 Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay DE

1980 Lester Hayes, Oakland CB

1981 Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants LB

1982 Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants LB

1983 Doug Betters, Miami DE

1984 Kenny Easley, Seattle S

1985 Mike Singletary, Chicago LB

1986 Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants LB

1987 Reggie White, Philadelphia DE

1988 Mike Singletary, Chicago LB

1989 Keith Millard, Minnesota DT

1990 Bruce Smith, Buffalo DE

1991 Pat Swilling, New Orleans LB

1992 Cortez Kennedy, Seattle DT

1993 Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh CB

1994 Deion Sanders, San Francisco CB

1995 Bryce Paup, Buffalo LB

1996 Bruce Smith, Buffalo DE

1997 Dana Stubblefield, San Francisco DT

1998 Reggie White, Green Bay DE

1999 Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay DT

2000 Ray Lewis, Baltimore LB

2001 Michael Strahan, NY Giants DE

2002 Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay LB

2003 Ray Lewis, Baltimore LB

2004 Ed Reed, Baltimore S

2005 Brian Urlacher, Chicago LB

2006 Jason Taylor, Miami DE

Joe F. Carr Trophy

Year Player, Team, Pos

1938 Mel Hein, NY Giants, C

1939 Parker Hall, Cleveland Rams, HB

1940 Ace Parker, Brooklyn, HB

1941 Don Hutson, Green Bay, E

1942 Don Hutson, Green Bay, E

1943 Sid Luckman, Chicago Bears, QB

1944 Frank Sinkwich, Detroit, HB

1945 Bob Waterfield, Cleveland Rams, QB

1946 Bill Dudley, Pittsburgh, HB

Discontinued

UPI Player of the Year

Year Player, Team, Pos

1953 Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns, QB

1954 Joe Perry, San Francisco, FB

1955 Otto Graham, Cleveland, QB

1956 Frank Gifford, NY Giants, HB

1957 Y. A. Tittle, San Francisco, QB

1958 Jim Brown, Cleveland, FB

1959 Johnny Unitas, Baltimore, QB

1960 Norm Van Brocklin, Philadelphia., QB

1961 Paul Hornung, Green Bay, HB

1962 Y. A. Tittle, NY Giants, QB

1963 Jim Brown, Cleveland, FB

1964 Johnny Unitas, Baltimore, QB

1965 Jim Brown, Cleveland, FB

1966 Bart Starr, Green Bay, QB

1967 Johnny Unitas, Baltimore, QB

1968 Earl Morrall, Baltimore, QB

1969 Roman Gabriel, LA Rams, QB

Discontinued

Bert Bell Trophy

Year Player, Team, Pos

1959 Johnny Unitas, Baltimore, QB

1960 Norm Van Brocklin, Philadelphia., QB

1961 Paul Hornung, Green Bay, HB

1962 Andy Robustelli, NY Giants, DE

1963 Jim Brown, Cleveland, FB

1964 Johnny Unitas, Baltimore, QB

1965 Pete Retzlaff, Philadelphia, TE

1966 Don Meredith, Dallas, QB

1967 Johnny Unitas, Baltimore, QB

1968 Leroy Kelly, Cleveland, RB

1969 Roman Gabriel, LA Rams, QB

1970 George Blanda, Oakland, QB-PK

1971 Roger Staubach, Dallas, QB

1972 Larry Brown, Washington, RB

1973 O. J. Simpson, Buffalo, RB

1974 Merlin Olsen, LA Rams, DT

1975 Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota, QB

1976 Ken Stabler, Oakland, QB

1977 Bob Griese, Miami, QB

1978 Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh, QB

1979 Earl Campbell, Houston, RB

1980 Ron Jaworski, Philadelphia, QB

1981 Ken Anderson, Cincinnati, QB

1982 Joe Theismann, Washington, QB

1983 John Riggins, Washington, RB

1984 Dan Marino, Miami, QB

1985 Walter Payton, Chicago, RB

1986 Lawrence Taylor, NY Giants, LB

1987 Jerry Rice, San Francisco, WR

1988 Randall Cunningham, Phila., QB

1989 Joe Montana, San Francisco, QB

1990 Randall Cunningham, Phila., QB

1991 Barry Sanders, Detroit, RB

1992 Steve Young, San Francisco, QB

1993 Emmitt Smith, Dallas, RB

1994 Steve Young, San Francisco, QB

1995 Brett Favre, Green Bay, QB

1996 Brett Favre, Green Bay, QB

1997 Barry Sanders, Detroit, RB

1998 Randall Cunningham, Minnesota, QB

1999 Kurt Warner, St. Louis, QB

2000 Rich Gannon, Oakland, QB

2001 Marshall Faulk, St. Louis, HB

2002 Rich Gannon, Oakland, QB

2003 Peyton Manning, Indianapolis, QB

PFWA Player of the Year

Year Player, Team, Pos

1976 Bert Jones, Baltimore, QB

1977 Walter Payton, Chicago, RB

1978 Earl Campbell, Houston, RB

1979 Earl Campbell, Houston, RB

1980 Brian Sipe, Cleveland, QB

1981 Ken Anderson, Cincinnati, QB

1982 Dan Fouts, San Diego, QB

1983 Joe Theismann, Washington, QB

1984 Dan Marino, Miami, QB

1985 Marcus Allen, LA Raiders, RB

1986 Lawrence Taylor, NY Giants, LB

1987 Jerry Rice, San Francisco, WR

1988 Boomer Esiason, Cincinnati, QB

1989 Joe Montana, San Francisco, QB

1990 Randall Cunningham, Phila., QB

1991 Thurman Thomas, Buffalo, RB

1992 Steve Young, San Francisco, QB

1993 Emmitt Smith, Dallas, RB

1994 Steve Young, San Francisco, QB

1995 Brett Favre, Green Bay, QB

1996 Brett Favre, Green Bay, QB

1997 Barry Sanders, Detroit, RB

1998 Terrell Davis, Denver, RB

1999 Kurt Warner, St. Louis, QB

2000 Marshall Faulk, St. Louis, RB

2001 Marshall Faulk, St. Louis, HB

2002 Discontinued

UPI NFC Player of the Year

Year Player, Team Pos

1970 John Brodie, San Francisco QB

1971 Alan Page, Minnesota DT

1972 Larry Brown, Washington RB

1973 John Hadl, Rams QB

1974 Jim Hart, St. Louis QB

1975 Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota QB

1976 Chuck Foreman, Minnesota RB

1977 Walter Payton, Chicago RB

1978 Archie Manning, New Orleans QB

1979 Ottis Anderson, St. Louis RB

1980 Ron Jaworski, Philadelphia QB

1981 Tony Dorsett, Dallas RB

1982 Mark Moseley, Washington PK

1983 O-Eric Dickerson, Rams RB

D-Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants LB

1984 O-Eric Dickerson, Rams RB

D-Mike Singletary, Chicago LB

1985 O-Walter Payton, Chicago RB

D-Mike Singletary, Chicago LB

1986 O-Eric Dickerson, Rams RB

D-Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants LB

1987 O-Jerry Rice, San Francisco WR

D-Reggie White, Philadelphia DE

1988 O-Roger Craig, San Francisco RB

D-Mike Singletary, Chicago LB

1989 O-Joe Montana, San Francisco QB

D-Keith Millard, Minnesota DT

1990 O-Randall Cunningham, Philadelphia QB

D-Charles Haley, San Francisco LB

1991 O-Mark Rypien, Washington QB

D-Reggie White, Philadelphia DE

1992 O-Steve Young, San Francisco QB

D-Chris Doleman, Minnesota DE

1993 O-Emmitt Smith, Dallas RB

D-Eric Allen, Philadelphia CB

1994 O-Steve Young, San Francisco QB

D-Charles Haley, Dallas DE

1995 O-Brett Favre, Green Bay QB

D-Reggie White, Green Bay DE

1996 O-Brett Favre, Green Bay QB

D-Kevin Greene, Carolina LB

Discontinued.

UPI AFL/AFC Player of the Year

Year Player, Team Pos

1960 Abner Haynes, Dallas HB

1961 George Blanda, Houston QB

1962 Cookie Gilchrist, Buffalo FB

1963 Lance Alworth, San Diego FL

1964 Gino Cappelletti, Boston FL-PK

1965 Paul Lowe, San Diego HB

1966 Jim Nance, Boston FB

1967 Daryle Lamonica, Raiders QB

1968 Joe Namath, New York Jets QB

1969 Daryle Lamonica, Raiders QB

1970 George Blanda, Raiders QB-PK

1971 Otis Taylor, Kansas City WR

1972 O. J. Simpson, Buffalo RB

1973 O. J. Simpson, Buffalo RB

1974 Ken Stabler, Raiders QB

1975 O. J. Simpson, Buffalo RB

1976 Bert Jones, Baltimore QB

1977 Craig Morton, Denver QB

1978 Earl Campbell, Houston RB

1979 Dan Fouts, San Diego QB

1980 Brian Sipe, Cleveland QB

1981 Ken Anderson, Cincinnati QB

1982 Dan Fouts, San Diego QB

1983 O-Curt Warner, Seattle RB

D-Rod Martin, Raiders LB

1984 O-Dan Marino, Miami QB

D-Mark Gastineau, New York Jets DE

1985 O-Marcus Allen, Raiders RB

D-Andre Tippett, New England LB

1986 O-Curt Warner, Seattle RB

D-Rulon Jones, Denver DE

1987 O-John Elway, Denver QB

D-Bruce Smith, Buffalo DE

1988 O-Boomer Esiason, Cincinnati QB

D-Bruce Smith, Buffalo DE

TIE D-Cornelius Bennett, Buffalo LB

1989 O-Christian Okoye, Kansas City RB

D-Michael Dean Perry, Cleveland NT

1990 O-Warren Moon, Houston QB

D-Bruce Smith, Buffalo DE

1991 O-Thurman Thomas, Buffalo RB

D-Cornelius Bennett, Buffalo LB

1992 O-Barry Foster, Pittsburgh RB

D-Junior Seau, San Diego LB

1993 O-John Elway, Denver QB

D-Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh CB

1994 O-Dan Marino, Miami QB

D-Greg Lloyd, Pittsburgh LB

1995 O-Jim Harbaugh, Ind QB

D-Bryce Paup, Buffalo LB

1996 O-Terrell Davis, Denver RB

D-Bruce Smith, Buffalo DE

FIELD GENERALS

THE GHREATEST COACHES

1. Paul "Bear" Bryant

2. Knute Rockne

3. Bud Wilkinson

4. Joe Paterno

5. Frank Leahy

6. Bobby Bowden

7. John McKay

8. Woody Hayes

9. Howard "Head Man" Jones

10. Eddie Robinson

11. Glenn "Pop" Warner

12. Earl "Red" Blaik

13. Ara Parseghian

14. Bob Neyland

15. Amos Alonzo" Stagg

16. Tom Osborne

17. John Heisman

18. Darrell Royal

19. Barry Switzer

20. Walter Camp

21. Fielding "Hurry Up" Yost

22. Wallace Wade

23. Bo Schembechler,

24. Bobby Dodd

25. Bob Devaney

26. Vince Dooley

27. Pete Carroll

28. Bernie Bierman

29. Jock Sutherland

30. Don James

31. Bob Zuppke

32. Frank Thomas

33. Lou Holtz

34. Jimmie Johnson

35. Gil Dobie

36. Johnny Majors

37. Frank Kush

38. LaVell Edwards

39. Hayden Dry

40. Andy Smith

41. Frank Broyles

42. Duffy Daugherty

43. Fritz Crisler

44. Red Sanders

45. Jim Tressel

Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden have won more games. So did Grambling's Eddie Robinson. 'Bama supporters claim he won "six national championships" and was "robbed" of a seventh. He won four legitimately; got lucky with two of them, might have been "robbed" of the one, easily could have had another one or two. He has his detractors. There are those who say he integrated too late in the game; he mumbled; he was too hard on his players; he was idolized like a pagan god.

Winningest coaches (through 2004)

Eddie Robinson of Grambling has 408 wins in the "college division." Bobby Bowden of Florida State passed Joe Paterno of Penn State with his 339th career victory in 2003. Bear Bryant passed the previous record-holder, Amoz Alonzo Stagg, retiring in 1982 with 323 wins.

Say what you will, Paul "Bear" Bryant is the greatest college football coach of all time. Start off with the fact that he was the best coach Texas A&M ever had, before he took over at Alabama in 1958. His "Junction Boys" are legend. He coached at Maryland, too. Then he returned to his alma mater, a school where he had starred as an end opposite the great Don Hutson on the Crimson Tide's 1934 national championship team.

Bryant did it with teamwork, probably more so than any other. Most of the great coaches had fabulous players. Alabama certainly had talent, but whether it was by design or not, they were always called "gritty . . . little guys . . . tough." His one true superstar, Joe Willie Namath, would have won Alabama's only Heisman Trophy in 1964 had he not injured himself in the seventh game of that star-crossed season.

#### Career winning percentage - coaches

## Rk Coach Yrs W L T Pct

1 Knute Rockne 13 105 12 5 .881

2 Frank Leahy 13 107 13 9 .864

3 George Woodruff 12 142 25 2 .846

4 Barry Switzer 16 157 29 4 .837

5 Tom Osborne 25 255 49 3 .836

6 Percy Haughton 13 96 17 6 .832

7 Robert Neyland 21 173 31 12 .829

8 Hurry Up Yost 29 196 36 12 .828

9 Phillip Fulmer 10 95 20 0 .826

10 Bud Wilkinson 17 145 29 4 .826

11 Jock Sutherland 20 144 28 14 .812

12 Bob Devaney 16 136 30 7 .806

13 Frank Thomas 19 141 33 9 .795

14 Henry Williams 23 141 34 12 .786

15 Gil Dobie 33 180 45 15 .781

16 Paul "Bear" Bryant 38 323 85 17 .780

17 Fred Folsom 19 106 28 6 .779

18 Bobby Bowden 36 323 91 4 .778

19 Steve Spurrier 15 142 40 2 .777

20 Bo Schembechler 27 234 65 8 .775

21 Joe Paterno 36 327 97 3 .769

22 Fritz Crisler 18 116 32 9 .768

23 Charley Moran 18 122 33 12 .766

24 Wallace Wade 24 171 49 10 .765

25 Frank Kush 22 176 54 1 .764

This book has gone to great lengths in pointing out the "illegitimacy" of 'Bama's 1964 and 1973 "national championships," based on the logical premise that, well, bowl games count for something. Take those away and The Bear is still the best. His 1961 and 1979 champions were unbeaten, consensus winners; the 1979 Tide one of the best in history. His 1966 team may have been his best, but they did not win at the polls in a year of controversy. His 1965 team benefited from a one-year loophole in the AP voting tactics to capture the title. His 1978 team lost to USC at home, but still shared the national championship with the Trojans. The 1974, 1975 and 1977 Crimson Tide could just as easily have been the champions as the teams that were voted number one. His 1973 squad was a juggernaut. Perhaps it was this team that says everything that needs be said about Bear, football and America.

Just a few years earlier, segregation was still practiced. Only a few years before, "it was the law of the land," stated Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom. In 1973, Alabama ventured into the Sugar Bowl for a New Year's Eve confrontation with Notre Dame, yet all the political stories that might have manifested itself faded into oblivion amidst great on-field drama. There was little fanfare concerning the fact that Alabama was now as integrated as Notre Dame, with the likes of team captain Wilbur Jackson, John Mitchell, and Croom. The announcers made no mention of it. The fans could care less. It was barely noticeable, if at all. A change had washed over America in what, upon reflection, seems to have been a miraculous manner.

Jackson was a senior in 1973. In the fall of 1970 he entered the school, its first recruited, scholarship African-American football player. There had been a few "tokens" and photo-ops before him, but he was a groundbreaker. Bryant had moved Heaven and Earth to make sure it would run smoothly. Some say he let his team be smoked by USC for the express purpose of "paving the way" for Jackson. In 1973, the eight black players on the 'Bama roster were still a distinct minority, but Jackson was still voted team, captain.

A miracle _had_ taken place. Slow to integrate? Maybe. A genius who got it done just right when he finally did it? That was Bryant.

#### Career victories – coaches

Rk Coach Yrs W L T Pct

1 Paul "Bear" Bryant 38 323 85 17 .780

2 Joe Paterno 35 322 90 3 .780

3 Pop Warner 44 319 106 32 .733

4 Bobby Bowden 35 315 87 4 .781

5 Amos Alonzo Stagg 57 314 199 35 .605

6 Lavell Edwards 29 257 101 3 .722

7 Tom Osborne 25 255 49 3 .836

8 Woody Hayes 33 238 72 10 .759

9 Bo Schembechler 27 234 65 8 .775

10 Hayden Fry 37 232 178 10 .564

11 Lou Holtz 29 224 110 7 .667

12 Jess Neely 40 207 176 19 .539

13 Warren Woodson 31 203 95 14 .673

14 Don Nehlen 30 202 128 8 .609

15 Vince Dooley 25 201 77 10 .715

Eddie Anderson 39 201 128 15 .606

17 Jim Sweeney 32 200 154 4 .564

18 Dana X. Bible 33 198 72 23 .715

19 Dan McGugin 30 197 55 19 .762

20 Hurry Up Yost 29 196 36 12 .828

21 Howard Jones 29 194 64 21 .733

22 John Cooper 24 192 84 6 .691

23 Johnny Vaught 25 190 61 12 .745

24 George Welsh 28 189 132 4 .588

25 John Heisman 36 185 70 17 .711

Johnny Majors 29 185 137 10 .572

Perhaps Bryant could have used his powers to bring blacks into the Southeastern Conference in 1963, when they were admitted to the university under the force of federal order. That had occurred against the protests of Governor George Wallace, and with the aid of gun-wielding troops.

But Bryant was meticulous and patient. He did it his way and on his timetable, even though a lawsuit and advocacy groups pressured him. In the end, history judges that he handled it as best as it could be handled. He did it with John McKay, his good friend and fellow coach at Southern California. McKay and Bryant were two of a kind; good ol' boys from the South (McKay hailing from West Virginia) who liked to pull a cork, hunt and enjoyed the company of men.

But McKay had left West Virginia early. A rare Catholic in that state, his family had once undured a burning cross on their lawn, courtesy of the local KKK. Bryant understood this, too. He was as poor growing up as the black folks in Fordyce, Alabama. He befriended them, understood their plight, sided with the underdog. Later, he played golf with presidents, drank with celebrities, but his roots in Fordyce were never forgotten.

#### National Champions

This list of national champions (1869-2006) differs slightly from the national champions at the beginning of this book, which endeavors to use all the modern resources history allows us to determine the legitimate number one team in college football year-by-year. Most of the historical rankings did not take into account bowl games; wins, losses, and those not played in.

In the following list of champions, provided for purposes of identifying the coaches, consensus winners are shown first, if there was a consensus. Other winners are shown afterward, with the selector(s) in parentheses. A -T after a selector indicates that two or more teams were tied in that poll.

The key to the selectors:

AF = American Football Coaches Association

AP = Asssociated Press

CF = College Football Researchers Association

Di = Dickenson

Du = Dunkel

FW = Football Writers Association of America

HF = Helms Athletic Foundation

IN = International News Service

Li = Litkenhous

NC = National Championship Foundation

NF = National Football Foundation

UP = United Press/UP International

Wi = Williamson

Note: Records include bowl games

Year School Record Coach

1869 Princeton 1-1-0

1870 Princeton 1-0-0

1871 No games played this year

1872 Princeton 1-0-0

1873 Princeton 1-0-0

1874 Yale 3-0-0

1875 Princeton (CF) 2-0-0

Harvard (NC) 4-0-0

1876 Yale 3-0-0

1877 Yale 3-0-1

1878 Princeton 6-0-0

1879 Princeton 4-0-1

1880 Yale (CF) 4-0-1

Princeton (NC) 4-0-1

1881 Yale 5-0-1

1882 Yale 8-0-0

1883 Yale 8-0-0

1884 Yale 8-0-1

1885 Princeton 9-0-0

1886 Yale 9-0-1

1887 Yale 9-0-0

1888 Yale 13-0-0

1889 Princeton 10-0-0

1890 Harvard 11-0-0 G. Stewart/G. Adams

1891 Yale 13-0-0 Walter Camp

1892 Yale 13-0-0 Walter Camp

1893 Princeton 11-0-0

1894 Yale 16-0-0 William C. Rhodes

1895 Penn 14-0-0 George W. Woodruff

1896 Princeton (CF) 10-0-1

Lafayette (NC) 11-0-1

1897 Penn 15-0-0 George W. Woodruff

1898 Harvard 11-0-0 W. Cameron Forbes

1899 Princeton (CF) 12-1-0

Harvard (NC, HF) 10-0-1 Benjamin H. Dibblee

1900 Yale 12-0-0 Malcolm McBride

1901 Harvard (CF) 12-0-0 Bill Reid

Michigan (NC, HF) 11-0-0 Hurry Up Yost

1902 Michigan 11-0-0 Hurry Up Yost

1903 Princeton 11-0-0 Art Hillebrand

1904 Penn (CF, HF) 12-0-0 Carl Williams

Michigan (NC) 10-0-0 Hurry Up Yost

1905 Chicago 10-0-0 Amos Alonzo Stagg

1906 Princeton 9-0-1 Bill Roper

1907 Yale 9-0-1 Bill Knox

1908 Penn (CF, HF) 11-0-1 Sol Metzger

LSU (NC) 10-0-0 Edgar Wingard

1909 Yale 12-1-0 Howard Jones

1910 Harvard (CF, HF) 8-0-1 Percy Haughton

Pittsburgh (NC) 9-0-0 Joe Thompson

1911 Princeton (CF, HF) 8-0-2 Bill Roper

Penn St. (NC) 8-0-1 Bill Hollenback

1912 Harvard (CF, HF) 9-0-0 Percy Haughton

Penn St. (NC) 8-0-0 Bill Hollenback

1913 Harvard 9-0-0 Percy Haughton

1914 Army 9-0-0 Charles Daly

1915 Cornell 9-0-0 Al Sharpe

1916 Pittsburgh 8-0-0 Pop Warner

1917 Georgia Tech 9-0-0 John Heisman

1918 Pittsburgh (CF, HF) 4-1-0 Pop Warner

Michigan (NC) 5-0-0 Hurry Up Yost

1919 Harvard (CF-T, HF) 9-0-1 Bob Fisher

Illinois (CF-T) 6-1-0 Bob Zuppke

Notre Dame (NC) 9-0-0 Knute Rockne

1920 California 9-0-0 Andy Smith

1921 California (CF) 9-0-1 Andy Smith

Cornell (NC, HF) 8-0-0 Gil Dobie

1922 Princeton (CF) 8-0-0 Bill Roper

California (NC) 9-0-0 Andy Smith

Cornell (HF) 8-0-0 Gil Dobie

1923 Illinois (CF, HF) 8-0-0 Bob Zuppke

Michigan (NC) 8-0-0 Hurry Up Yost

1924 Notre Dame 10-0-0 Knute Rockne

1925 Alabama (CF, HF) 10-0-0 Wallace Wade

Dartmouth (Di) 8-0-0 Jesse Hawley

1926 Alabama (CF, HF) 9-0-1 Wallace Wade

Stanford (Di) 10-0-1 Pop Warner

1927 Yale (CF) 7-1-0 Tad Jones

Illinois (NC, HF, Di) 7-0-1 Bob Zuppke

1928 Georgia Tech (CF, NC, HF) 10-0-0 Bill Alexander

Southern California (Di) 9-0-1 Howard Jones

1929 Notre Dame 9-0-0 Knute Rockne

1930 Alabama (CF) 10-0-0 Wallace Wade

1930 Notre Dame (NC, HF, Di, Du) 10-0-0 Knute Rockne

1931 Southern California 10-1-0 Howard Jones

1932 Southern California (CF, NC, HF, Du, Wi)

10-0-0 Howard Jones

Michigan (Di) 8-0-0 Harry Kipke

1933 Michigan (CF, NC, HF, Di) 8-0-0 Harry Kipke

Ohio State (Du) 7-1-0 Sam Williman

Southern Cal (Wi) 10-1-1 Howard Jones

1934 Minnesota 8-0-0 Bernie Bierman

Alabama (Du, Wi) 9-0-0 Frank Thomas

1935 Minnesota (CF, NC, HF, Li) 8-0-0 Bernie Bierman

Southern Methodist (Di) 12-1-0 Matty Bell

Princeton (Du) 9-0-0 Fritz Crisler

Louisiana St. (Wi) 9-2-0 Bernie Moore

1936 Minnesota 7-1-0 Bernie Bierman

Louisiana St. (Wi) 9-1-1 Bernie Moore

1937 Pittsburgh 9-0-1 Jock Sutherland

California (Du) 10-0-1 Stub Allison

1938 TCU 11-0-0 Dutch Meyer

Notre Dame (Di) 8-1-0 Elmer Layden

Tennessee (Li) 11-0-0 Robert Neyland

1939 Texas AM 11-0-0 Homer Norton

Cornell (Li) 8-0-0 Carl Snavely

1940 Minnesota 8-0-0 Bernie Bierman

Tennessee (Du, Wi) 10-0-0 Robert Neyland

1941 Minnesota 8-0-0 Bernie Bierman

Texas (Wi) 8-1-1 Dana X. Bible

1942 Ohio St. 9-1-0 Paul Brown

Georgia (Li, Wi) 11-1-0 Wally Butts

1943 Notre Dame 9-1-0 Frank Leahy

1944 Army 9-0-0 Red Blaik

1945 Army 9-0-0 Red Blaik

1946 Notre Dame 8-0-1 Frank Leahy

Georgia (Wi) 11-0-0 Wally Butts

1947 Notre Dame 9-0-0 Frank Leahy

Michigan (Du, Li, Wi) 10-0-0 Fritz Crisler

1948 Michigan 9-0-0 Bennie Oosterbaan

Notre Dame (Wi) 9-0-1 Frank Leahy

1949 Notre Dame 10-0-0 Frank Leahy

1950 Oklahoma 10-1-0 Bud Wilkinson

Tennessee (Du, Li) 11-1-0 Robert Neyland

1951 Tennessee 10-0-0 Robert Neyland

Maryland (Du) 10-0-0 Jim Tatum

1952 Michigan St. (AP, UP) 9-0-0 Biggie Munn

Georgia Tech (IN) 12-0-0 Bobby Dodd

1953 Maryland 10-1-0 Jim Tatum

1954 Ohio St. (AP, IN) 10-0-0 Woody Hayes

UCLA (UP, FW) 9-0-0 Red Sanders

1955 Oklahoma 11-0-0 Bud Wilkinson

1956 Oklahoma 10-0-0 Bud Wilkinson

1957 Auburn (AP) 10-0-0 Shug Jordan

Ohio St. (UP, FW, IN) 9-1-0 Woody Hayes

1958 LSU (AP, UP) 11-0-0 Paul Dietzel

Iowa (FW) 8-1-1 Forest Evashevski

1959 Syracuse 11-0-0 Ben Schwartzwalder

1960 Minnesota (AP, UP, NF) 8-2-0 Murray Warmath

Mississippi (FW) 10-0-1 Johnny Vaught

1961 Alabama (AP, UP, NF) 11-0-0 Paul "Bear" Bryant

Ohio St. (FW) 8-0-1 Woody Hayes

1962 Southern California 11-0-0 John McKay

1963 Texas 11-0-0 Darrell Royal

1964 Alabama (AP, UP), 10-1-0 Paul "Bear" Bryant

Arkansas (FW) 11-0-0 Frank Broyles

Notre Dame (NF) 9-1-0 Ara Parseghian

1965 Alabama (AP, FW-T) 9-1-1 Paul "Bear" Bryant

Michigan St. (UP, NF, FW-T) 10-1-0 Duffy Daugherty

1966 Notre Dame (AP, UP, FW, NF-T)

9-0-1 Ara Parseghian

Michigan St. (NF-T) 9-0-1 Duffy Daugherty

1967 Southern California 10-1-0 John McKay

1968 Ohio St. 10-0-0 Woody Hayes

1969 Texas 11-0-0 Darrell Royal

1970 Nebraska (AP, FW) 11-0-1 Bob Devaney

Texas (UP, NF-T), 10-1-0 Darrell Royal

Ohio St. (NF-T) 9-1-0 Woody Hayes

1971 Nebraska 13-0-0 Bob Devaney

1972 Southern California 12-0-0 John McKay

1973 Notre Dame (AP, FW, NF) 11-0-0 Ara Parseghian

Alabama (UP) 11-1-0 Paul "Bear" Bryant

1974 Oklahoma (AP) 11-0-0 Barry Switzer

Southern California (UP, FW, NF)

10-1-1 John McKay

1975 Oklahoma 11-1-0 Barry Switzer

1976 Pittsburgh 12-0-0 Johnny Majors

1977 Notre Dame 11-1-0 Dan Devine

1978 Alabama (AP, FW, NF) 11-1-0 Paul "Bear" Bryant

Southern California (UP) 12-1-0 John Robinson

1979 Alabama 12-0-0 Paul "Bear" Bryant

1980 Georgia 12-0-0 Vince Dooley

1981 Clemson 12-0-0 Danny Ford

1982 Penn St. 11-1-0 Joe Paterno

1983 Miami (FL) 11-1-0 H. Schnellenberger

1984 BYU 13-0-0 Lavell Edwards

1985 Oklahoma 11-1-0 Barry Switzer

1986 Penn St. 12-0-0 Joe Paterno

1987 Miami (FL) 12-0-0 Jimmy Johnson

1988 Notre Dame 12-0-0 Lou Holtz

1989 Miami (FL) 11-1-0 Dennis Erickson

1989 Miami (FL) 11-1-0 Dennis Erickson

1990 Colorado (AP, FW, NF) 11-1-1 Bill McCartney

Georgia Tech (UP) 11-0-1 Bobby Ross

1991 Miami (FL) (AP) 12-0-0 Dennis Erickson

Washington (USA, FW, NF) 12-0-0 Don James

1992 Alabama 13-0-0 Gene Stallings

1993 Florida St. 12-1-0 Bobby Bowden

1994 Nebraska 13-0-0 Tom Osborne

1995 Nebraska 12-0-0 Tom Osborne

1996 Florida 12-1 Steve Spurrier

1997 Michigan (AP, FW, NF) 12-0 Lloyd Carr

Nebraska (ESPN/USA) 13-0 Tom Osborne

1998 Tennessee 13-0 Phillip Fulmer

1999 Florida St. 12-0 Bobby Bowden

2000 Oklahoma 13-0 Bob Stoops

2001 Miami (FL) 12-0 Larry Coker

2002 Ohio St. 14-0 Jim Tressel

2003 Southern Cal. (AP) 12-1 Pete Carroll

TIE Louisiana St. (ESPN/USA) 13-1 Nick Saban

2004 Southern Cal. 13-0 Pete Carroll

2005 Texas 13-0 Mack Brown

2006 Florida 13-1 Urban Meyer

McKay became "liberalized" by World War II and the University of Oregon, where he became a "star" among West Coast assistants. McKay was hired under coach Don Clark at USC, and after the 1959 season was chosen ahead of . . . Al Davis (who campaigned hard for the job) to replace Clark. McKay kept much of his staff. Knowing Davis was not a "second fiddle" type, he did not keep him. The rest is history. McKay built USC back after a couple decades in which their luster had tarnished. He did it largely by recruiting the great black players in the Los Angeles area, as well as the best blacks from the South who were unable to play in their home regions unless they opted for the traditional black colleges such as Grambling. McKay's strategy was identical to that of his contemporary, UCLA basketball coach John Wooden (although their styles differed greatly). Each built powerhouse programs by taking advantage of integration when many of their competitors for national supremacy could not.

McKay and Bryant met each year at California high school coaching clinics. One of them was the Diamond B camp, held north of the Bay Area each year by Redwood High School coach Bob Troppmann. At some point, Bryant made a speech to a group of California high school football coaches.

"Send yer 'A' students to Cal 'n' Stanford," he drawled. "Send yer 'B' students to UCLA and Southern Cal. Hell, I'd sen' my own kin there. Send yer 'C' students to one of yer fine state universities er junior colleges. But send yer skirt-chasin', whiskey drinkin' 'D' students to ol' Bear, and I'll turn 'em into football players."

The crowd laughed, because they knew he was talking about Joe Namath and Kenny Stabler. At some point, probably after one of those speeches, Bear and McKay shared a late-night cocktail. According to legend, they discussed how a football game between McKay's integrated Trojans against Bryant's segregated Crimson Tide, played in front of a packed house at Birmingham's Legion Field, would have the effect of "opening eyes" to the fact that, if 'Bama wanted to continue to compete with the USC's of the world, then they needed to _look_ like the USC's of the world.

This legend is further accentuated by the fact that one of Coach Troppmann's teenage football players attended all those camps in Booneville, California and likely was sleeping in a nearby cabin when Bryant and McKay were figuring out how to change the world. That teenager was Pete Carroll. This story has been re-told several times, and in fact Bob Troppmann, a modest man, insisted it "did not happen quite that way." No matter. It happened close enough to that way. Like another story, the one about how Bryant said Sam "Bam" Cunningham was "what a football player looks like," it may be more apocryphal than pure truth, but the essential legend of a legendary coach in trying times is too good not to be true.

Bryant's quarterback, Scott Hunter once said that after USC whipped Alabama, 42-21 in the game McKay and his coach planned at Legion Field on September 12, 1970, ol' Bear never brought Cunningham into the locker room, telling the beaten Tide he was "what a football player looks like.'

"But he should have," said Hunter, laughing.

All-time career victories are of course important statistics to use in trying to determine the "greatest" all-time college football coach, but as in all things the men play for national championships. Bo Schembechler never won one. Woody Hayes won three, but huge upsets in the final games of the 1969, 1970 and 1975 seasons (not to mention a tie with Michigan in 1973) prevented him from winning four more.

#### Coach of the Year

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) began presenting its Coach of the Year Award in 1935 and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) inaugurated its own award in 1950. In 1960, the AFCA added a second award, for the College Division Coach of the Year. When the NCAA divisional structure changed in 1983, the AFCA replaced the College Division award with three new awards, for Divisions I-AA, II, and III.

The Eddie Robinson Award was established by The Sports Network in 1987, to be presented to the Division I-AA football coach of the year. The award is named for the College Football Hall of Fame coach who retired in 1997 after fifty-six years at Grambling State University.

The FWAA has confused the issue somewhat by naming its own coach of the year award after Eddie Robinson.

#### AFCA Division I-A

## Year Coach, School

1935 Lynn Waldorf, Northwestern

1936 Dick Harlow, Harvard

1937 Edward E. Mylin, Lafayette

1938 Bill Kern, Carnegie Tech

1939 Eddie Anderson, Iowa

1940 Clark Shaughnessy, Stanford

1941 Frank Leahy, Notre Dame

1942 Bill Alexander, Georgia Tech

1943 Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pacific

1944 Carroll Widdoes, Ohio State

1945 Bo McMillin, Indiana

1946 Red Blaik, Army

1947 Fritz Crisler, Michigan

1948 Bennie Oosterbaan, Michigan

1949 Bud Wilkinson, Oklahoma

1950 Charles Caldwell, Princeton

1951 Charles Taylor, Stanford

1952 Biggie Munn, Michigan State

1953 James Tatum, Maryland

1954 Red Sanders, UCLA

1955 Duffy Daugherty, Michigan State

1956 Bowden Wyatt, Tennessee

1957 Woody Hayes, Ohio State

1958 Paul Dietzel, Louisiana State

1959 Ben Schwartzwalder, Syracuse

1960 Murray Warmath, Minnesota

1961 Paul "Bear" Bryant, Alabama

1962 John McKay, Southern California

1963 Darrell Royal, Texas

1964 Frank Broyles, Arkansas

TIE Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame

1965 Tommy Prothro, UCLA

1966 Tom Cahill, Army

1967 John Pont, Indiana

1968 Joe Paterno, Penn State

1969 Bo Schembechler, Michigan

1970 Charlie McClendon, LSU

TIE Darrell Royal, Texas (tie)

1971 Paul "Bear" Bryant, Alabama

1972 John McKay, Southern California

1973 Paul "Bear" Bryant, Alabama

1974 Grant Teaff, Baylor

1975 Frank Kush, Arizona State

1976 Johnny Majors, Pittsburgh

1977 Don James, Washington

1978 Joe Paterno, Penn State

1979 Earle Bruce, Ohio State

1980 Vince Dooley, Georgia

1981 Danny Ford, Clemson

1982 Joe Paterno, Penn State

1983 Ken Hatfield, Air Force

1984 Lavell Edwards, Brigham Young

1985 Fisher DeBerry, Air Force

1986 Joe Paterno, Penn State

1987 Dick MacPherson, Syracuse

1988 Don Nehlen, West Virginia

1989 Bill McCartney, Colorado

1990 Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech

1991 Bill Lewis, East Carolina

1992 Gene Stallings, Alabama

1993 Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin

1994 Tom Osborne,Nebraska

1995 Gary Barnett, Northwestern

1996 Bruce Snyder, Arizona State

1997 Lloyd Carr, Michigan

1998 Phil Fulmer, Tennessee

1999 Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech

2000 Bob Shoops, Oklahoma

2001 Ralph Friedgen, Maryland

TIE Larry Coker, Miami (FL)

2002 Jim Tressel, Ohio State

2003 Pete Carroll, Southern Cal

2004 Tommy Tuberville, Auburn

2005 Joe Paterno, Penn State

John McKay has only one such "close but no cigar" moment. His teams took a few lumps, upset a few apple carts, and always entertained, but when they had a chance to close it out and finish number one, they got it done in 1962, 1967, 1972 and 1974. On January 1, 1969 McKay squared off with Woody, coming out on the losing end, 27-16. They played each other three more times, with McKay getting two of them and taking home the "brass ring" both times.

One year after the historical game at Legion Field, Alabama entered the L.A. Coliseum with their first black recruits, Wilbur Jackson and lineman named John Mitchell. Mitchell grew up in Mobile, then played junior college ball in Arizona. McKay went after him, then bragged to Bear that he had gotten a "blue chipper" from under his nose. Bryant made his way to a phone at the golf club they were playing at, got Mitchell on the phone, put a "sell job" on him, and turned the kid into an Alabama recruit for 1971. On the game's kickoff at the Coliseum, when 'Bama met USC in the re-match, Mitchell sprinted past McKay on the sidelines. McKay turned to assistant coach Craig Fertig, wryly stating, "Well, that's what you get."

Alabama won that day, 17-10.

"Bear won one, McKay won one," said Fertig. "They shook hands. It was perfect."

#### FWAA Award

## Year Coach, School

1957 Woody Hayes, Ohio St.

1958 Paul Dietzel, LSU

1959 Ben Schwartzwalder, Syracuse

1960 Murray Warmath, Minnesota

1961 Darrell Royal, Texas

1962 John McKay, USC

1963 Darrell Royal, Texas

1964 Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame

1965 Duffy Daugherty, Michigan St.

1966 Tom Cahill, Army

1967 John Pont, Indiana

1968 Woody Hayes, Ohio St.

1969 Bo Schembechler, Michigan

1970 Alex Agase, Northwestern

1971 Bob Devaney, Nebraska

1972 John McKay, USC

1973 Johnny Majors, Pitt

1974 Grant Teaff, Baylor

1975 Woody Hayes, Ohio St.

1976 Johnny Majors, Pitt

1977 Lou Holtz, Arkansas

1978 Joe Paterno, Penn St.

1979 Earle Bruce, Ohio St.

1980 Vince Dooley, Georgia

1981 Danny Ford, Clemson

1982 Joe Paterno, Penn St.

1983 Howard Schnellenberger, Miami-FL

1984 Lavell Edwards, BYU

1985 Fisher DeBerry, Air Force

1986 Joe Paterno, Penn St.

1987 Dick MacPherson, Syracuse

1988 Lou Holtz, Notre Dame

1989 Bill McCartney, Colorado

1990 Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech

1991 Don James, Washington

1992 Gene Stallings, Alabama

1993 Terry Bowden, Auburn

1994 Rich Brooks, Oregon

1995 Gary Barnett, Northwestern

1996 Bruce Snyder, Arizona St.

1997 Mike Price, Washington St.

1998 Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee

1999 Frank Beamer, Va. Tech

2000 Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

2001 Ralph Friedgen, Maryland

2002 Jim Tressel, Ohio St.

2003 Nick Saban, LSU

2004 Urban Meyer, Utah

2005 Charlie Weis, Notre Dame

McKay will not rank in history with Bryant. There is only reason why: he took off for the NFL in 1976. Had he stayed at USC and compiled the same record as his successor, John Robinson (1976-1982), McKay may well be considered the best coach ever. If he had stayed longer, well into the 1980s, and if USC could have avoided the NCAA penalties that they were hit with in 1982, McKay may have broken Stagg's all-time win record.

The "what if?" game applies in equal measure to Knute Rockne. As great as Bryant was, Rockne was the most influential football coach, pro or college, in American history. Obviously he knew the game, but he was equally adept at psychology and marketing. Rock went down in a plane crash in the spring of 1931. He was still in his early forties. Had he coached at Notre Dame another twenty or thirty years, compiling the same records as Elmer Layden and Frank Leahy, two of his successful successors, his lifetime record would be without equal.

#### AFCA College Division

## Year Coach, School

1960 Warren Woodson, New Mexico State

1961 Alonzo S. Gaither, Florida A&M

1962 William M. Edwards, Wittenberg

1963 William M. Edwards, Wittenberg

1964 Clarence Stasavich, East Carolina

1965 Jack Curtice, UC-Santa Barbara

1966 Dan Jessee, Trinity College

1967 A.C. Moore, UT-Chattanooga

1968 Jim Root, New Hampshire

1969 Larry Naviaux, Boston University

1970 Bennie Ellender, Arkansas State

1971 Tubby Raymond, Delaware

1972 Tubby Raymond, Delaware

1973 Dave Maurer, Wittenberg

1974 Roy Kramer, Central Michigan

1975 Dave Maurer, Wittenberg

1976 Jim Dennison, Akron

1977 Bill Manlove, Widener

1978 Lee Tressel, Baldwin-Wallace

1979 Bill Narduzzi, Youngstown State

1980 Rick Carter, Dayton

1981 Vito Ragazzo, Shippensburg State

1982 Jim Wacker, Southwest Texas State

Rock did it without having a real home field advantage. In order to accommodate Notre Dame's appeal, they played their biggest games away from the cozy 30,000-seat facility on campus. This meant the Polo Grounds, Yankee Stadium, Soldier Field, the L.A. Coliseum; huge arenas that held 70,000, 100,000. Notre Dame Stadium was built under his auspices, but he only coached one season there (1930). Rockne's death in a 1931 plane crash is said to have actually inspired creation of the Federal Aviation Administration. Rockne goes down in history as only those who die young can. He was a James Dean, a Marilyn Monroe, a JFK type of figure; larger than life. He did not grow old, forced to fend off the increasingly inquisitive questions of sportswriters wanting to know if George Gipp really did tell him to "win one for the Gipper," or any of the other fables of Irish football lore.

Rockne won three national championships, but could have won more. His 1919 team gets some recognition, although it is not generally viewed as the true champion of that season. The same goes for his unbeaten 1920 squad. History accords the first of California's "Wonder Teams" to be the national champion that season. One adds these two years to the possibility of Rockne winning in 1931 (if he holds off USC as Hunk Anderson's team was unable to) or in 1938 (when only a last-game shutout loss to the Trojans prevented Elmer Layden's Irish from finishing number one). Nobody could have done it better than Frank Leahy in the 1940s (four national titles), but it is not a stretch to believe that had Rockne still been at the helm in South Bend all those years, his team would have been just as successful.

#### AFCA Division I-AA

## Year Coach, School

1983 Rey Dempsey, Southern Illinois

1984 Dave Arnold, Montana State

1985 Dick Sheridan, Furman

1986 Erk Russell, Georgia Southern

1987 Mark Duffner, Holy Cross

1988 Jimmy Satterfield, Furman

1989 Erk Russell, Georgia Southern

1990 Tim Stowers, Georgia Southern

1991 Jim Tressel, Youngstown State

1992 Charlie Taaffe, The Citadel

1993 Dan Allen, Boston University

1994 Jim Tressel, Youngstown State

1995 Don Read, Montana

1996 Ray Tellier, Columbia

1997 Andy Talley, Villanova

1998 Mark Whipple, Massachusetts

1999 Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern

2000 Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern

2001 Bobby Johnson, Furman

2002 Jack Harbaugh, Western Kentucky

2003 Dick Biddle, Colgate

2004 Mickey Matthews, John Madison

  2004. Jerry Moore, Appalachian St.

  2005. Don Brown, Massachussetts

When it comes to streaking teams, Bud Wilkinson's Oklahoma Sooners of the late 1940s and early 1950s were the most unbeatable teams ever. Ever! Detractors said the conference was weak; one "national title" came with a bowl loss; the 1956 team was prevented by a "no-repeat" rule from playing in the Orange Bowl; it was a no-face-mask, no-blacks-need-apply time and place; the Sooners were always rumored to be under NCAA investigation for recruiting violations. How else, some said, could a little school in Norman get all these great players, many from Texas, to come play in the "Dust Bowl"? Maybe, but all Wilkinson did was win. Besides, he courageously did integrate his program in the late 1950s, long before it was done in Tuscaloosa.

Wilkinson left coaching early to run for the Senate. He was a Republican. Today, he would win Oklahoma in a landslide. In 1964, he lost in the LBJ sweeps. He became a TV analyst. Viewers were taken aback by his soft-spoken tone. In an age of Vince Lombardi and Bear Bryant, who could make football practices seem like Marine boot camp, it seemed hard to believe somebody as polite and quiet as Wilkinson could get his players to do what he did. But he sure did.

#### AFCA Division II

## Year Coach, School

1983 Don Morton, North Dakota State

1984 Chan Gailey, Troy State

1985 George Landis, Bloomsburg

1986 Earle Solomonson, North Dakota State

1987 Rick Rhoades, Troy State

1988 Rocky Hager, North Dakota State

1989 John Williams, Mississippi College

1990 Rocky Hager, North Dakota State

1991 Chuck Broyles, Pittsburg State

1992 Bill Burgess, Jacksonville State

1993 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama

1994 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama

1995 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama

1996 Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado

1997 Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado

1998 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Missouri State

1999 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Missouri State

2000 Danny Hale, Bloomsburg

2001 Dale Lennon, North Dakota

2002 Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St.

2003 Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St.

TIE Mike Van Diest, Carroll (MT)

2004 Chris Hatcher, Valdosta St.

2005 Chuck Martin, Grand Valley St.

Joe Paterno broke Bryant's career wins record, but Bobby Bowden then overtook Paterno. Jo Pa is the face of college football integrity. He seems to have done it the right way from the beginning, never getting into trouble with the NCAA, graduating his seniors, and with very, very few exceptions ever experiencing off-field problems. His players have included Franco Harris, Mike Reid, Lydell Mitchell, John Capelletti and Ki-Jana Carter. He has two national championships to his credit, but in 1968, 1969, 1973 and 1994 the Nittany Lions were unbeaten, untied and victorious in bowls. Each time they were denied by the polls. He finally won in 1982 without his best team, but in 1986 Penn State got their shot at Miami in unfettered manner.

At a banquet a few nights before the game, Miami's Jerome Brown, dressed like a Special Forces soldier (dropped behind enemy lines to help the resistance in Laos, circa 1961), got up announcing, "Did the Japanee siddown to dinna wit Pearl Harba before dey bombed 'im? No. Fellas, let's go."

With that, the Miami football team departed the room in the manner of the "double secret probation" Delta fraternity leaving while humming "Glory, glory hallelujah" in _Animal House_. It was a defining moment, one win in which the thug mentality of Miami placed itself before the American public. While their performance on the field manifested itself as greatness, their comportment off it provided visual evidence to all observing that as "men" they were unimpressive. At the same time, the high class of Paterno and his team contrasted with the 'Canes. A few days later the world rooted for Penn State, cheering when they won it all, 14-10.

#### AFCA Division III

## Year Coach, School

1983 Bob Reade, Augustana (IL)

1984 Bob Reade, Augustana (IL)

1985 Bob Reade, Augustana (IL)

1986 Bob Reade, Augustana (IL)

1987 Walt Hameline, Wagner

1988 Jim Butterfield, Ithaca

1989 Mike Kelly, Dayton

1990 Ken O'Keefe, Allegheny

1991 Jim Butterfield, Ithaca

1992 John Luckhardt, Wash. & Jeff.

1993 Larry Kehres, Mount Union

1994 Pete Schmidt, Albion

1995 Roger Harring, Wisconsin-La Crosse

1996 Larry Kehres, Mount Union

1997 Larry Kehres, Mount Union

1998 Larry Kehres, Mount Union

1999 Frosty Westering, Pacific Lutheran

2000 Larry Kehres, Mount Union

2001 Larry Kehres, Mount Union

2002 Larry Kehres, Mount Union

2003 John Gagliardi, St. John's (MN)

2004 Jay Locey, Linfield

2005 Bob Berezowitz, Wisconsin-Whitewater

Bobby Bowden would be considered the best of all coaches had he beaten Miami more. Had he done that, he would have as many national titles as Bryant and McKay. He did not, so he does not. Then there is Howard "Head Man" Jones. He was taciturn and joyless. History does not shower him with the accolades of a Rockne or a Wilkinson. But guess what? He has more national championships than any of them. Jones won at Yale in 1908. At Iowa he did the near undoable: beat Rockne and Notre Dame. When USC went looking for a coach, trying for Rockne, Rock suggested Jones in his stead. That move, and the subsequent scheduling of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, _made_ Southern Cal football. Jones won five legitimate national titles (1928, 1931, 1932, 1939 plus his Yale title). There are some services that give his 1929 and 1933 teams the title, but it is not considered legitimate (although it sure could be; they lost to Notre Dame by one point in 1929, shut them out in 1933; and beat unbeaten, untied Pitt by a score rarely achieved in those days: 47-14 in the 1930 Rose Bowl).

Whether Pop Warner is really the ninth best college football coach of all time is debatable. His record is highlighted by the fact that he was partly responsible for giving America Jim Thorpe at Carlisle; started Pitt's great tradition; achieved the kind of success Stanford never really repeated; and is memorialized by a popular youth league.

#### Eddie Robinson Award

## Year Coach, School

1987 Mark Duffner, Holy Cross

1988 Bill Russo, Lafayette

1989 Erk Russell, Georgia Southern

1990 Gene McDowell, Central Florida

1991 Chris Ault, Nevada

1992 Charlie Taaffe, Citadel

1993 Dan Allen, Boston University

1994 Jim Tressel, Youngstown State

1995 Houston Nutt, Murray State

1996 Darren Barbier, Nicholls State

1997 Andy Talley, Villanova

1998 Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern

1999 Mickey Matthews, James Madison

2000 Joe Glenn, Montana

2001 Pete Lembo, Lehigh

2002 Tommy Tate, McNeese State

2003 Mike Ayers, Wofford

2004 Jerry Kill, Southern Illinois

2005 Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire

Earl "Red" Blaik is fixed in the mind's eye like one of those presidents on Mt. Rushmore. Unfortunately, Army football took a big hit on his watch. A cheating scandal involving his quarterback son forced West Point officials to de-emphasize football. With the exception of Pete Dawkins's 1958 Heisman it has never recovered.

(An interesting aside to the Army scandal occurred around the same time at The Citadel. Al Davis literally connived his way onto The Citadel's coaching staff through a doctored resume. When the head coaching vacancy occurred, Davis lobbied for it like Al Gore angling for the Academy Award. Davis was on the verge of being fired because his questionable recruiting practices were the reason the job was open in the first place. That did not stop Davis from having the _chutzpah_ to march into the office of Citadel Provost General Mark Clark demanding that he be hired even though he was barely older than the cadets. Clark, who had liberated Italy in 1944, demurred. "Don't you want to win?" asked Davis. Clark, who knew the price of victory like few men on the face of the Earth, replied softly, "Yes, but not at any cost.")

Ara Parseghian would likely be ranked higher if he had coached longer, figuring out a way to beat John McKay and USC more than once after his Irish derailed Troy, 51-0 in 1966. The "Era of Ara" restored Notre Dame to glory. Many said the school could not compete in the new . . . era . . . of national recruiting, television, big money, and administrators like Oklahoma University president George Cross (1948-1968), who once stated, "I would like to build a university which the football team could be proud of."

Darrell Royal "walked on water" at Texas, but he would have treaded a little further out on the sea had his Longhorns beaten Notre Dame in the 1971 Cotton Bowl. Then there is Barry Switzer, who was as different from Bud Wilkinson as he could be in every way except one: his OU teams won in a manner as impressive as Bud's. Switzer took over from Chuck Fairbanks, who re-built Oklahoma after a few down years, getting them within a few inches of the promised land in 1971. Barry "parted the Red Sea," albeit illegally by NCAA standards. His 1974 *national champions are asterisked by a big, fat probation, keeping 'em out of bowl action. Switzer repeated the feat without sanctions in 1975. His boys were back in the number one position in 1985, then fell just shy the next year. He took over at Dallas when Jimmy Johnson left, winning a Super Bowl. Barry was a good-lookin' son of a gun who did not mind doin' a little bit a drinkin' at OU frat parties, maybe even favoring a coed or two with his "wisdom." When asked his strategy before a game he just as likely would reply, "Let's hang half a hun' on 'em," as in half of 100 points (fifty).

The anti-Switzer was Nebraska's Tom Osborne. There is not much to say about Tom except he won all the time; lost too much to OU and in bowl games; then beat everybody all the time in the 1990s, period. He had no good quotes, told no funny stories. The percentage of votes he gathered as a Republican Congressman representing Nebraska was just slightly below what Saddam Hussein used to get in his salad days. Eventually his colorless personality started to wear thin, even with Nebraskans.

Walter Camp of Yale was the "father of college football." He started the picking of All-American teams. Wallace Wade is the best coach you never heard of. Wade led Alabama to three national championships (1925, 1926, 1930). He took over at Duke and had the Blue Demons seconds away from an unbeaten, untied, unscored on season in 1938. USC's Doyle Knave spoiled the party with a winning touchdown pass to Al Kreuger. Wade was about as graceful in defeat as Osama Bin Laden when the Taliban collapsed, but a few years later he was in the Navy with Nave. He expressed great admiration for the Trojan quarterback.

Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd was the ultimate class act; so much so that Bear Bryant counted him as the coach he most admired. He would have been much better known had he integrated Yellow Jacket football in the 1950s around the same time Bud Wilkinson was doing just that at Oklahoma. Vince Dooley could have been elected Governor of Georgia, but he only won one national championship (1980). He was there a long time and always came in with a good team, but his record was overshadowed by two things: (a) Bear Bryant at rival Alabama, and (b) refusal to play _any games including bowls_ north of the Mason-Dixon Line after 1965.

Pete Carroll was a head coach with two NFL teams in the 1990s. He was USC's fourth or fifth choice to take over, having been being fired in New York and then by New England. The list of coaches whose record in their first six seasons equals Carroll is as short as Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, Bud Wilkinson, and Bear Bryant. That's pretty good company. At this rate (two national championships, a 34-game winning streak, three Heismans, the number one recruiting class every year), he will move up the ladder faster than a firefighter with winged boots.

Jock Sutherland is another one of those guys, like Ara Parseghian (John McKay), Tom Osborne (Barry Switzer) and Bobby Bowden (Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Erickson) who would be rated a lot higher if he had not had to contend with (Howard Jones and) USC in two Rose Bowls (1930, 1933). Combined Pitt teams of 17-0-2 were beaten by combined Jones teams by combined scores of 82-14. He finally won the Rose Bowl when the PCC mercifully sent Washington instead of Troy. In 1937 he shared the national title with California.

Gil Dobie single-handedly made the Pacific Northwest "football central" when his Washington Huskies went 63 games between losses between November 21, 1907 and November 3, 1917. For those of you in <ED: A RUSH LIMBAUGH TERM> Rio Linda, that's just two weeks shy of a decade.

Somehow, Andy Smith of California faded into memory, overshadowed by contemporaries Pop Warner, Knute Rockne, Howard Jones, and Bob Zuppke. He died early, his ashes scattered from an airplane over Memorial Stadium. His "Wonder Teams" went fifty games without a loss between 1920 and 1925. USC coach Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson was fired because he could not beat Smith, even though his winning percentage was almost ninety percent. How Cal wishes they could get the current USC coach for the same reason!

Red Sanders might have been one of the all-time greats. He won UCLA's only national championship in 1954, famously stating, "The USC-UCLA game is not a matter of life and death. It's more important than that." A Southern good ol' boy who took to California in style, winning with black athletes by the bushel, Sanders was the kind of colorful personality rarely seen in sanitized times.

# PART SIX

THE BOWLS, THE POLLS AND THE ROLLS

THE BOWLS

JANUARY JAMBOREE

After twelve years, the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, California thought that their New Year's Day festival would attract more interest if it were moved to Washington's Birthday, converting it into an offshoot of the patriotic holiday.

James Wagner, a newcomer from the East, was elected president of the tournament in the fall of 1901. He suggested staging a post-season football game to draw more interest and spectators. A guarantee of $3,500 was offered to participating teams, covering expenses. There was immediate concern that this would dry up the tournament's fund. When Fielding "Hurry Up" Yost, the coach of Michigan's undefeated team, issued a challenge to the University of California early in December, Wagner saw an opportunity. A Michigan-California matchup, he reasoned, would be a great draw in Pasadena.

California turned down the challenge. Stanford - where Yost had coached in 1900 - stepped in as a substitute. A crowd of about 8,000 watched Michigan annihilate the Indians, 49-0.

To the great relief of Wagner and the tournament committee, the game was very profitable. The problem was the score. Organizers believed its lopsided nature would discourage fans from returning in 1903. They replaced football with chariot racing. After amateur drivers did not work out because they kept colliding with one another, professionals were brought in to race the chariots. Then spectators began to suspect the races were fixed. The committee decided to try football again.

The second Tournament of Roses game, as it was then called, took place on January 1, 1916. Washington State beat Brown, 14-0. Originally played in Pasadena's Tournament Park, the game was successful from that point on. It had the effect of demonstrating that, after years of Eastern and Midwestern domination, Western football was now superior. Washington and the Pacific Northwest played the best brand of football in the 1910s. The state of California produced excellent teams, too; Stanford and the University of California. UCLA did not even open for business until 1919, and the University of Southern California still struggled for recognition.

Stanford Stadium was built in 1921. It was one of the first of the great football arenas, at least in the West. Harvard had built a 42,000-seat facility almost two decades prior to that, and the Yale Bowl opened in 1914. Stanford Stadium was a statement; about its school, its conference (the young PCC), its state and its region. World War I was now over. A population shift to the Pacific Coast was underway. Radio would be invented. The "Roaring '20s" were in full swing. Newspapers sold out on the strength of grandiose sports coverage by the likes of Grantland Rice and Ring Lardner. America went gaga over its athletic heroes: Babe Ruth, Red Grange, "The Four Horsemen of Notre Dame." The popularity of baseball was easily translated to football. The National Football League opened for business.

Huge stadiums were built on college campuses in the 1920s throughout the West, the Midwest, the East, the North, and the South. American supremacy was "declared" in New York, via building of the "House That Ruth Built" (Yankee Stadium) five years after U.S. forces in the Argonne forced the Kaiser to acquiesce. The Los Angeles Coliseum, with its Roman _motifs_ , was a West Coast version of its ancient counterpart; the gladiators of its spectacular green plains symbolizing the bold, superior nature of a young country and a younger city.

Stanford took one look around the collegiate landscape. They saw the future and decided to harness it. They would be the next great football power. With the building of Stanford Stadium, they decided to bid for the Rose Bowl to travel some 350 miles north and be played in Palo Alto instead of little Tournament Park in Pasadena. There was immediate momentum in favor of this move. However, people made note of the fact that it often rains in Northern California on January 1. As the famed 1960s song exclaims, it almost "never rains in Southern California." Pasadena's Arroyo Seco often resembles Shangri-La on New Year's Day; temperatures reaching into the eighties with just a touch of mist drifting in from the canyons of the surrounding, snowcapped San Gabriel Mountains. When the most visionary pioneers set forth for the 1849 California "gold rush," those with the wildest imaginations might have pictured something like it.

The city of Pasadena also saw the future. They stepped up. ding what needed to be done, assuring that their precious Rose Bowl would stay in its city. The Rose Bowl stadium was built, opening for business in 1922. In its first New Year's Day game on January 1, 1923, Southern California defeated Penn State, 14-3.

The building of the Rose Bowl and the Coliseum some ten miles away, across the street from the USC campus just south of downtown L.A., was enormous. The huge crowds filling these stadiums did not only lead to a power shift away from the northern California schools, California and Stanford, in favor of Southern California. The Olympics were drawn to the city just nine years later. The Rose Bowl would become a wild success of legendary proportions. The West and the Pacific Coast Conference would come to be the dominant football and sports region of America. USC would ride the whirlwind of that dominance above and beyond all over programs.

The Rose Bowl's great success led to other bowl games. For a brief period in the mid-1920s, a Christmas Festival was played at the Coliseum. In 1933, Miami started a Palm Festival on New Year's Day, with a post-season game between the University of Miami and Manhattan College as an attraction. To capitalize on the Rose Bowl's popularity, the game was renamed the Orange Bowl and the festival became the Orange Bowl Festival in 1935.

Also in 1935, the Sugar Bowl was inaugurated in New Orleans. Two more bowl games began in Texas in the next two years: El Paso's Sun Bowl (1936) and the Cotton Bowl in Dallas (1937). Although they were not called bowls, many other post-season games were played during the early 1930s, raising money for various charitable efforts established to raise money for the growing number of unemployed.

The NCAA estimates that there were more than 100 such games, almost all of them one-shot affairs. The effect of these games was the resumption of the Army-Navy football series. The two service academies stopped playing their annual game after the 1927 season. In 1930, they were persuaded to play a charity game in New York's Yankee Stadium. It drew a large, enthusiastic crowd, and was repeated in 1931 before another throng. Its success created full Army-Navy athletic relations in 1932.

After World War II, a number of new bowl games started:, the Cigar Bowl in Tampa, the Camellia Bowl in Louisiana, the Delta Bowl in Memphis, the Dixie Bowl in Birmingham, the Great Lakes Bowl in Cleveland, the Harbor Bowl in San Diego, the Oil Bowl in Houston, the Raisin Bowl in Fresno, and the Salad Bowl in Phoenix.

Two post-season games founded in that period are still in existence, the Gator Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl (originally the Tangerine Bowl). A third, San Antonio's Alamo Bowl, was revived in 1993 after having been played just once before, in 1947.

Since the late 1950s, the prospect of money from television lured many other bowl games into existence. Some went out of business after just a year or two, others lasted a decade or more, and a few of them have become fixtures of the holiday season.

More recently, television exposure for sponsoring companies became as important as the money paid for television rights. In 1988 the Sugar Bowl became the much-maligned USF&G Sugar Bowl, but aside from the Rose Bowl this trend has continued. There is no reason to see it coming to an end soon. There is the FedEx Orange Bowl, the Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl (which was, for a time, the Mobil Cotton Bowl), and the Nokia Sugar Bowl, to name a few.

Then there is the Blockbuster Bowl, the Carquest Bowl, and now the MicronPC.com Bowl. "Bowl season" has been extended beyond New Year's Day. The first bowl game is played about a week before Christmas and the last is played early in January, but after New Years.

Rose Bowl

Pasadena, California

Capacity: 102,038

Date: January 1 (with exceptions)

The "granddaddy of 'em all," as it is called, originated as an extra-added attraction to Pasadena's Tournament of Roses. From 1922 through 1945, the Rose Bowl pitted the Pacific Coast Conference champion against an at-large opponent, usually from the East or the South. Starting with the 1946 season, the bowl featured the Pacific-10 (previously PCC, AAWU and Pac-8) with the Big 10 champions.

With the formation of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), if either conference champion is ranked number one or number two, that champion will play in the BCS championship game, to be replaced by that conference's second-ranked team. The Rose Bowl hosted the BCS championship game in 2002 (Miami over Nebraska) and on January 4, 2005 it was the sight of what is probably considered the greatest collegiate football game ever played, Texas's stunning comeback win over USC for the national championship.

## Year Result

1902 Michigan 49, Stanford 0

1916 Washington St. 14, Brown 0

1917 Oregon 14, Penn 0

1918 Mare Island 19, Camp Lewis 7

1919 Great Lakes 17, Mare Island 0

1920 Harvard 7, Oregon 6

1921 California 28, Ohio St. 0

1922 California 0, Wash. & Jeff. 0

1923 USC 14, Penn St. 0

1924 Navy 14, Washington 14

1925 Notre Dame 27, Stanford 10

1926 Alabama 20, Washington 19

1927 Alabama 7, Stanford 7

1928 Stanford 7, Pittsburgh 6

1929 Georgia Tech 8, California 7

1930 USC 47, Pittsburgh 14

1931 Alabama 24, Washington St. 0

1932 USC 21, Tulane 12

1933 USC 35, Pittsburgh 0

1934 Columbia 7, Stanford 0

1935 Alabama 29, Stanford 13

1936 Stanford 7, SMU 0

1937 Pittsburgh 21, Washington 0

1938 California 13, Alabama 0

1939 USC 7, Duke 3

1940 USC 14, Tennessee 0

1941 Stanford 21, Nebraska 13

1942 Oregon St. 20, Duke 16

1943 Georgia 9, UCLA 0

1944 USC 29, Washington 0

1945 USC 25, Tennessee 0

1946 Alabama 34, USC 14

1947 Illinois 45, UCLA 14

1948 Michigan 49, USC 0

1949 Northwestern 20, California 14

1950 Ohio St. 17, California 14

1951 Michigan 14, California 6

1952 Illinois 40, Stanford 7

1953 USC 7, Wisconsin 0

1954 Michigan St. 28, UCLA 20

1955 Ohio St. 20, USC 7

1956 Michigan St. 17, UCLA 14

1957 Iowa 35, Oregon St. 19

1958 Ohio St. 10, Oregon 7

1959 Iowa 38, California 12

1960 Washington 44, Wisconsin 8

1961 Washington 17, Minnesota 7

1962 Minnesota 21, UCLA 3

1963 USC 42, Wisconsin 37

1964 Illinois 17, Washington 7

1965 Michigan 34, Oregon St. 7

1966 UCLA 14, Michigan St. 12

1967 Purdue 14, USC 13

1968 USC 14, Indiana 3

1969 Ohio St. 27, USC 16

1970 USC 10, Michigan 3

1971 Stanford 27, Ohio St. 17

1972 Stanford 13, Michigan 12

1973 USC 42, Ohio St. 17

1974 Ohio St. 42, USC 21

1975 USC 18, Ohio St. 17

1976 UCLA 23, Ohio St. 10

1977 USC 14, Michigan 6

1978 Washington 27, Michigan 20

1979 USC 17, Michigan 10

1980 USC 17, Ohio St. 16

1981 Michigan 23, Washington 6

1982 Washington 28, Iowa 0

1983 UCLA 24, Michigan 14

1984 UCLA 45, Illinois 9

1985 USC 20, Ohio St. 17

1986 UCLA 45, Iowa 28

1987 Arizona St. 22, Michigan 15

1988 Michigan St. 20, USC 17

1989 Michigan 22, USC 14

1990 USC 17, Michigan 10

1991 Washington 46, Iowa 34

1992 Washington 34, Michigan 14

1993 Michigan 38, Washington 31

1994 Wisconsin 21, UCLA 16

1995 Penn St. 38, Oregon 20

1996 USC 41, Northwestern 32

1997 Ohio St. 20, Arizona St. 17

1998 Michigan 21, Washington St. 16

1999 Wisconsin 38, UCLA 31

2000 Wisconsin 17, Stanford 9

2001 Washington 34, Purdue 24

2002 Miami (FL) 37, Nebraska 14

2003 Oklahoma 34, Washington St. 14

2004 Southern Cal 28, Michigan 14

2005 Texas 38, Michigan 37

2006 Texas 41, Southern Cal 38

2007 Southern Cal 32, Michigan 18

### Orange Bowl

#### Miami, Florida

Pro Player Stadium (capacity: 75,192)

Date: January

The second-oldest bowl game was created in 1933 as part of the Miami Palm Festival. It became known as the Orange Bowl in 1935. Originally played in Miami Field Stadium, it moved into its own stadium, also known as the Orange Bowl, in 1938. Since 1996, the game has been staged in Pro Player Stadium, which is in Ft. Lauderdale.

In 1965 the Orange Bowl became the first major bowl game to be played at night. It was an enormous spectacle, pitting number one Alabama against defending national champion Texas, with the Longhorns prevailing in a thriller over Joe Namath's Crimson Tide, 21-17. It has been at night ever since.

From 1953 through 1963 and 1975 through 1994, it featured the Big 8 champion against an at-large opponent. During the intervening years, the Big 8 champion or runner-up often played in the Orange Bowl, but did not get an automatic invitation.

Federal Express (FedEx) has sponsored the game since 1989. As a member of the Bowl Alliance, the Orange Bowl hosted the "mythical national championship game" in 1994, another "Game of the Century" affair between Florida State and Nebraska, with the Seminoles giving Bobby Bowed his first national title. On January 3, 2001 it was again the site of the championship, this time under the auspices of the Bowl Championship Series (Oklahoma over Florida State).

Year Result

1935 Bucknell 26, Miami (FL) 0

1936 Catholic U. 20, Mississippi 19

1937 Duquesne 13, Mississippi St. 12

1938 Auburn 6, Michigan St. 0

1939 Tennessee 17, Oklahoma 0

1940 Georgia Tech 21, Missouri 7

1941 Mississippi St. 14, Georgetown 7

1942 Georgia 40, TCU 26

1943 Alabama 37, Boston College 21

1944 LSU 19, Texas A&M 14

1945 Tulsa 26, Georgia Tech 12

1946 Miami (FL) 13, Holy Cross 6

1947 Rice 8, Tennessee 0

1948 Georgia Tech 20, Kansas 14

1949 Texas 41, Georgia 28

1950 Santa Clara 21, Kentucky 13

1951 Clemson 15, Miami (FL) 14

1952 Georgia Tech 17, Baylor 14

1953 Alabama 61, Syracuse 6

1954 Oklahoma 7, Maryland 0

1955 Duke 34, Nebraska 7

1956 Oklahoma 20, Maryland 6

1957 Colorado 27, Clemson 21

1958 Oklahoma 48, Duke 21

1959 Oklahoma 21, Syracuse 6

1960 Georgia 14, Missouri 0

1961 Missouri 21, Navy 14

1962 LSU 25, Colorado 7

1963 Alabama 17, Oklahoma 0

1964 Nebraska 13, Auburn 7

1965 Texas 21, Alabama 17

1966 Alabama 39, Nebraska 28

1967 Florida 27, Georgia Tech 12

1968 Oklahoma 26, Tennessee 24

1969 Penn St. 15, Kansas 14

1970 Penn St. 10, Missouri 3

1971 Nebraska 17, LSU 12

1972 Nebraska 38, Alabama 6

1973 Nebraska 40, Notre Dame 6

1974 Penn St. 16, LSU 9

1975 Notre Dame 13, Alabama 11

1976 Oklahoma 14, Michigan 6

1977 Ohio St. 27, Colorado 10

1978 Arkansas 31, Oklahoma 6

1979 Oklahoma 31, Nebraska 24

1980 Oklahoma 24, Florida St. 7

1981 Oklahoma 18, Florida St. 17

1982 Clemson 22, Nebraska 15

1983 Nebraska 21, LSU 20

1984 Miami (FL) 31, Nebraska 30

1985 Washington 28, Oklahoma 17

1986 Oklahoma 25, Penn St. 10

1987 Oklahoma 42, Arkansas 8

1988 Miami (FL) 20, Oklahoma 14

1989 Miami (FL) 23, Nebraska 3

1990 Notre Dame, 21, Colorado 6

1991 Colorado 10, Notre Dame 9

1992 Miami (FL) 22, Nebraska 0

1993 Florida St. 27, Nebraska 14

1994 Florida St. 18, Nebraska 16

1995 Nebraska 24, Miami (FL) 17

1996 Florida St. 31, Notre Dame 26

1996 Nebraska 41, Virginia Tech 21

1998 Nebraska 42, Tennessee 17

1999 Florida 31, Syracuse 10

2000 Michigan 35, Alabama 34

2001 Oklahoma 13, Florida St. 2

2002 Florida 56, Maryland 23

2003 Southern Cal 38, Iowa 17

2004 Miami (FL) 16, Florida St. 14

2005 Southern Cal 55, Oklahoma 19

2006 Penn St. 26, Florida St. 23 (OT)

2007 Louisville 24, Wake Forest 13

**Cotton Bo** wl

Dallas, Texas

Capacity: 68,252

Date: January 1

The first Cotton Bowl was actually a post-season game between two high school teams on New Year's Day, 1936. The following year, college teams replaced the high school teams. The game was originally played in Dallas's Fair Park Stadium. In 1938, it moved into its own stadium, which is named for the game.

Mobil Corporation sponsored the Cotton Bowl from 1988 through 1995. Since 1996, Southwestern Bell has been the sponsor. The Cotton Bowl was played on December 31 following the 1966 season. In all other years, it has taken place on January 1.

From the 1942 season through the 1994 season, the game matched the Southwestern Conference champion against an at-large opponent. Currently, teams from the Big 12 and the SEC participate in the Cotton Bowl. The folding of the SWC into the Big 12, however, has had the effect of reducing the game's prestige. It is played early on New Year's Day. Many late-rising West Coast revelers do not tune in until halftime if at all.

In the 1970s, however, it was the scene of major confrontations involving Notre Dame against Texas. In 1979 the Cotton Bowl featured an ailing Joe Montana forecasting the future when he led the Irish to an impossible comeback over Houston in freezing conditions. The weather is unpredictable in Dallas on New Year's, ranging from balmy to icy.

## Year Result

1937 TCU 16, Marquette 6

1938 Rice 28, Colorado 14

1939 St. Mary's 20, Texas Tech 13

1940 Clemson 6, Boston College 3

1941 Texas A&M 13, Fordham 12

1942 Alabama 29, Texas A&M 21

1943 Texas 14, Georgia Tech 7

1944 Texas 7, Randolph Field 7

1945 Oklahoma A&M 34, TCU 0

1946 Texas 40, Missouri 27

1947 Arkansas 0, LSU 0

1948 SMU 13, Penn St. 13

1949 SMU 21, Oregon 13

1950 Rice 27, N. Carolina 13

1951 Tennessee 20, Texas 14

1952 Kentucky 20, TCU 7

1953 Texas 16, Tennessee 0

1954 Rice 28, Alabama 6

1955 Georgia Tech 14, Arkansas 6

1956 Mississippi 14, TCU 13

1957 TCU 28, Syracuse 27

1958 Navy 20, Rice 7

1959 0-0, TCU vs Air Force

1960 Syracuse 23, Texas 14

1961 Duke 7, Arkansas 6

1962 Texas 12, Mississippi 7

1963 LSU 13, Texas 0

1964 Texas 28, Navy 6

1965 Arkansas 10, Nebraska 7

1966 LSU 14, Arkansas 7

1966 Georgia 24, SMU 9

1968 Texas A&M 20, Alabama 16

1969 Texas 36, Tennessee 13

1970 Texas 21, Notre Dame 17

1971 Notre Dame 24, Texas 11

1972 Penn St. 30, Texas 6

1973 Texas 17, Alabama 13

1974 Nebraska 19, Texas 3

1975 Penn St. 41, Baylor 20

1976 Arkansas 31, Georgia 10

1977 Houston 30, Maryland 21

1978 Notre Dame 38, Texas 10

1979 Notre Dame 35, Houston 34

1980 Houston 17, Nebraska 14

1981 Alabama 30, Baylor 2

1982 Texas 14, Alabama 12

1983 SMU 7, Pittsburgh 3

1984 Georgia 10, Texas 9

1985 Boston College 45, Houston 28

1986 Texas A&M 36, Auburn 16

1987 Ohio St. 28, Texas A&M 12

1988 Texas A&M 35, Notre Dame 10

1989 UCLA 17, Arkansas 3

1990 Tennessee 31, Arkansas 27

1991 Miami (FL) 46, Texas 3

1992 Florida St. 10, Texas A&M 2

1993 Notre Dame 28, Texas A&M 3

1994 Notre Dame 24, Texas A&M 21

1995 USC 55, Texas Tech 14

1996 Colorado 38, Oregon 6

1997 BYU 19, Kansas St. 15

1998 UCLA 29, Texas A&M 23

1999 Texas 38, Mississippi St. 11

2000 Arkansas 27, Texas 6

2001 Kansas St. 35, Tennessee 21

2002 Oklahoma 10, Arkansas 3

2003 Texas 35, LSU 20

2004 Mississippi 31, Oklahoma St. 28

2005 Tennessee 38, Texas A&M 7

2006 Alabama 13, Texas Tech 10

2007 Auburn 17, Nebraska 14

Fiesta Bowl

#### Tempe, Arizona (1971-2006)

Sun Devil Stadium (capacity: 73,379)

Glendale, Arizona (2007-present)

University of Phoenix Stadium (capacity: 63,000)

Date: January

The Fiesta Bowl is now a major post-season game. Played until 2006 in Arizona State's Sun Devil Stadium, it originally pitted Arizona State against an at-large rival in late December. Attendance hovered around the 50,000 mark until the game moved to January 1 after the 1981 season, when a Penn State-Southern California matchup drew more than 70,000. After the 1986 season, an epic national title showdown - Penn State over Miami - was held after New Year's Day to create TV ratings. It was a bonanza, leading to this practice on a regular basis. The Fiesta Bowl's major status was further established when it became a member of the Bowl Alliance in 1992.

The Fiesta Bowl was sponsored by the Sunkist Citrus Growers from 1986 through 1991 and by IBM OS/2 from 1993 through 1995. Since 1996, Frito-Lay Tostitos chips has sponsored the game.

On January 4, 1999 the Fiesta Bowl hosted the first "national championship" game staged under the auspices of the Bowl Championship Series (won by Tennessee). It also hosted the championship game in 2003 (a thrilling overtime win by Ohio State over Miami).

In January 2007, the Fiesta Bowl was moved to University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, a Phoenix suburb and the new home of the Arizona Cardinals' NFL franchise. The first game there was one of the greatest ever, Boise State's improbable 43-42 overtime win over Oklahoma. One week later, Florida won the BCS national championship at this location, but the game was called the BCS national championship game, not the Fiesta Bowl.

Year Result

1971 Arizona St. 45, Florida St. 38

1972 Arizona St. 49, Missouri 35

1973 Arizona St. 28, Pittsburgh 7

1974 Oklahoma St. 16, BYU 6

1975 Arizona St. 17, Nebraska 14

1976 Oklahoma 41, Wyoming 7

1977 Penn St. 42, Arizona St. 30

1978 Arkansas 10, UCLA 10

1979 Pittsburgh 16, Arizona 10

1980 Penn St. 31, Ohio St. 19

1982 Penn St. 26, USC 10

1983 Arizona St. 32, Oklahoma 21

1984 Ohio St. 28, Pittsburgh 23

1985 UCLA 39, Miami (FL) 37

1986 Michigan 27, Nebraska 23

1987 Penn St. 14, Miami (FL) 10

1988 Florida St. 31, Nebraska 28

1989 Notre Dame 34, West Va. 21

1990 Florida St. 41, Nebraska 17

1991 Louisville 34, Alabama 7

1992 Penn St. 42, Tennessee 17

1993 Syracuse 26, Colorado 22

1994 Arizona 29, Miami (FL) 0

1995 Colorado 41, Notre Dame 24

1996 Nebraska 62, Florida 24

1997 Penn St. 38, Texas 15

1997 Kansas St. 35, Syracuse 18

1999 Tennessee 23, Florida St. 16

2000 Nebraska 31, Tennessee 21

2001 Oregon St. 41, Notre Dame 9

2002 Oregon 38, Colorado 16

2003 Ohio St. 31, Miami (FL) 24 (2OT)

2004 Ohio State 35, Kansas State 28

2005 Utah 35, Pittsburgh 7

2006 Ohio St. 34, Notre Dame 20

2007 Boise St. 43, Oklahoma 42

Sugar Bowl

New Orleans, Louisiana

Tulane Stadium (capacity: 69,767), 1935-1974

Louisiana Superdome (capacity: 77,446), 1975-present

Date: January

First played in Tulane Stadium on January 1, 1935, the Sugar Bowl usually featured the SEC champion in its early years. That was formalized through an agreement with the conference during the 1946 season, which continued through the 1994 season.

In 1975, the Sugar Bowl moved to the new Louisiana Superdome, becoming the first (and still the only) major bowl game played indoors. In 1987 the Sugar Bowl also became the first major bowl game to accept corporate sponsorship, under an agreement with USF&G Financial Services, continuing through 1995. Nokia cellular telephones of Finland has sponsored the game since 1996.

As a member of the Bowl Alliance and Bowl Championship Series, the Sugar Bowl now hosts one of the top three post-season matchups. On January 3, 2000, it hosted the second annual championship game played under the auspices of the BCS (Florida State's amazing win over Michael Vick and Virginia Tech).

## Year Result

1935 Tulane 20, Temple 14

1936 TCU 3, LSU 2

1937 Santa Clara 21, LSU 14

1938 Santa Clara 6, LSU 0

1939 TCU 15, Carnegie Tech 7

1940 Texas A&M 14, Tulane 13

1941 Boston College 19, Tennessee 13

1942 Fordham 2, Missouri 0

1943 Tennessee 14, Tulsa 7

1944 Georgia Tech 20, Tulsa 18

1945 Duke 29, Alabama 26

1946 Okla. A&M 33, St.Mary's 13

1947 Georgia 20, N. Carolina 10

1948 Texas 27, Alabama 7

1949 Oklahoma 14, N. Carolina 6

1950 Oklahoma 35, LSU 0

1951 Kentucky 13, Oklahoma 7

1952 Maryland 28, Tennessee 13

1953 Georgia Tech 24, Mississippi 7

1954 Georgia Tech 42, West Va. 19

1955 Navy 21, Mississippi 0

1956 Georgia Tech 7, Pittsburgh 0

1957 Baylor 13, Tennessee 7

1958 Mississippi 39, Texas 7

1959 LSU 7, Clemson 0

1960 Mississippi 21, LSU 0

1961 Mississippi 14, Rice 6

1962 Alabama 10, Arkansas 3

1963 Mississippi 17, Arkansas 13

1964 Alabama 12, Mississippi 7

1965 LSU 13, Syracuse 10

1966 Missouri 20, Florida 18

1967 Alabama 34, Nebraska 7

1968 LSU 20, Wyoming 13

1969 Arkansas 16, Georgia 2

1970 Mississippi 27, Arkansas 22

1971 Tennessee 34, Air Force 13

1972 Oklahoma 40, Auburn 22

1972 Oklahoma 14, Penn St. 0

1973 Notre Dame 24, Alabama 23

1974 Nebraska 13, Florida 10

1975 Alabama 13, Penn St. 6

1977 Pittsburgh 27, Georgia 3

1978 Alabama 35, Ohio St. 6

1979 Alabama 14, Penn St. 7

1980 Alabama 24, Arkansas 9

1981 Georgia 17, Notre Dame 10

1982 Pittsburgh 24, Georgia 20

1983 Penn St. 27, Georgia 23

1984 Auburn 9, Michigan 7

1985 Nebraska 28, LSU 10

1986 Tennessee 35, Miami (FL) 7

1987 Nebraska 30, LSU 15

1988 Syracuse 16, Auburn 16

1989 Florida St. 13, Auburn 7

1990 Miami (FL) 33, Alabama 25

1991 Tennessee 23, Virginia 22

1992 Notre Dame 39, Florida 28

1993 Alabama 34, Miami (FL) 13

1994 Florida 41, West Va. 7

1995 Florida St. 23, Florida 17

1995 Va. Tech 28, Texas 10

1997 Florida 52, Florida St. 20

1998 Florida St. 31, Ohio St. 14

1999 Ohio St. 24, Texas A&M 14

2000 Florida St. 46, Va. Tech 29

2001 Miami (FL) 37, Florida 20

2002 LSU 47, Illinois 34

2003 Georgia 26, Florida St. 13

2004 LSU 21, Oklahoma 14

2005 Auburn 16, Virginia Tech 13

2006 West Virginia 38, Georgia 35

2007 LSU 41, Notre Dame 14

THE POLLS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

### NFL DRAFT

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———. "Can anyone beat USC?" Sports Illustrated, October 17, 2005.

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www.MgloBlue.com

t.com

www.usctrojans.com.

http://www.wearesc.com

Additional DVDs

The Big Game. New York: College Sports Television, 2005.

Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. New York: College Sports Television, 2005.

Fight On! An Anside Look at the 2005 USC Trojans. Los Angeles: University of

Southern California, 2006.

The History of USC Football. Produced and directed by Roger Springfield. Burbank, CA:

Warner Home Video, 2005.

Tackling Segregation. New York: College Sports Television, 2006.

Additional video

History of Notre Dame Football.

Ohio State Buckeyes: National Champions 1968. The Computer Group, 2003.

The Rites of Autumn.

Trojan Video Gold. Narrated by Tom Kelly. Los Angeles: University of Southern

California, 1988.

Undisputed. Bayview Productions, 2005.

University of Southern California: Bowl Championship Series. New York: American

Broadcasting Co., Inc., 2005.

The University of Tadcasting Co., Inc., 2006.

Additional websites

www.lhgames.com

http://www.msnbc.com

Additional documentaries

Songs of Our Success. Hosted by Tony McEwen, 2003.

Sports Century. ESPN.

Miscellaneous

Best Damn Sports Show Period. Fox Sports.

The Jim me Show

Rome Showw

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## Index
Frazier, Tommie,

Taylor, Aaron,

Wistrom, Grant,

Peter, Jason,

Brown, Ralph,

Crouch, Eric,

Callahan, Bill,

Brown, Bob,

Chamberlin, Guy,

Lyman, Link,

Craig, Roger,

Ferragamo, Vince,

Fischer, Pat,

Fryar, Irving,

MIAMI HURRICANES

Johnson, Dwayne,

Miller, Bill,

Beir, Tom,

Hendricks, Ted,

Cristiani, Tony,

Carter, Rubin,

Marion, Fred,

Mira, George,

Gustafson, Andy,

Schnellenberger, Howard,

Kosar, Bernie,

Johnson, Jimmy,

Testaverde, Vinny,

Brown, Jerome,

Erickson, Dennis,

Blades, Benny,

Stubbs, Daniel,

Walsh, Steve,

Hawkins, Bill,

Mark, Greg,

Torretta, Gino,

Davis, Butch,

Crum, Maurice,

Maryland, Russell,

Huerta, Carlos,

Williams, Darryl,

Torretta, Gino,

Barrow, Michael,

McNeil, Ryan,

Sapp, Warren,

Coker, Larry,

Dorsey, Ken,

McKinnie, Bryant,

Shockey, Jeremy,

Buchanon, Phillip,

Reed, Edward,

Rumph, Mike,

Taylor, Sean,

Winslow, Kellen,

Vilma, Jonathan

D. J. Williams,

Carey, Vernon,

Wilfork, Vince,

TEXAS LONGHORNS

Landry, Tom,

Layne, Bobby,

Royal, Darrell,

Street, James,

Worster, Steve,

Steinmark, Freddie,

Nobis, Tommy,

Campbell, Earl,

Akers, Fred,

Sisemore, Jerry,

Wyman, Bill,

Leaks, Roosevelt,

Simmons, Bob,

Shearer, Brad,

Johnson, Johnnie,

McMichael, Steve,

Williams, Ricky,

Brown, Mack,

Young, Vince,

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Shulz, Adolph,

Maulbetsch, John,

Kipke, Harry,

Blott, Jack,

Friedman, Benny,

Pommerening, Otto,

Heikkinen, Ralph,

Riffenburg, Dick,

Dierdorf, Dan,

Muransky, Ed,

Hammerstein, Mike,

Messner, Mark,

Skrepenak, Greg,

Yost, Fielding H.,

Heston, Willie,

Wells, Stanfield,

Pontius, Miller,

Craig, Jim,

Maulbetsch, John,

Grange, Harold "Red" ,

Newman, Harry,

Wistert, Francis,

Bernard, Chuck,

Heikkinen, Ralph,

Harmon, Tom,

Ford, Gerald R.,

Rickey, Branch,

Robinson, Jackie,

Ward, Willis,

Crisler, Fritz,

Oosterbaan, Bennie,

Schembechler, Glenn "Bo",

Moorhead, Don,

Crisler, Fritz,

Schembechler, Bo,

Franklin, Dennis,

Lantry, Mike,

Dierdorf, Dan,

McKenzie, Reggie,

Taylor, Mike,

Seymour, Paul,

Logan, Randy,

Gallagher, Dave,

Brown, Dave,

Lytle, Rob,

Donahue, Mark,

Simpkins, Ron,

Hoard, Leroy,

Carter, Anthony,

Muransky, Ed,

Becker, Kurt,

Hammerstein, Mike,

Cochran, Brad,

Elliott, Jumbo,

Vitale, John,

Messner, Mark,

Wellborne,Tripp,

Moeller, Gary,

Howard, Desmond,

Carr, Lloyd,

Woodson, Charles,

Griese, Brian,

Brady, Tom,

Montana, Joe,

Skrepenak, Greg,

Howard, Desmond,

Irons, Jarrett,

Woodson, Charles,

Hutchinson, Steve,

Perry, Chris,

Edwards, Braylon,

Baas, David,

Jackson, Marlin,

Shazor, Ernest,

Young, Vince,

Hall, Leon,

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

Lambert Trophy

Paterno, Joe,

Arrington, LaVar,

Ham, Jack,

Moore, Lenny,

Harris, Franco,

Munchak, Mike,

Michalske, August,

Bezdek, Hugo,

Walker, Doak,

Southern Methodist

Dunn, Mother,

Higgins, Bob,

Way, Charles,

Killinger, Glenn,

Wilson, Harry,

Lucas, Rich,

Ressler, Glenn,

Paterno, Joe,

Reid, Mike,

Smear, Steve,

Ham, Jack,

"Rover Boys"

Burkhart, Chuck,

Nixon, President Richard,

Royal, Darrell,

Kwalick, Ted,

Cappelletti, John,

Something for Joey

Hartenstine, Mike,

Buttle, Greg,

Dorney, Keith,

Fusina, Chuck,

Clark, Bruce,

Warner, Curt,

Conlan, Shane,

Farrell, Sean,

Dozier, D. J.,

McDuffie, O. J.,

Carter, Ki-Jana,

Collins, Kerry,

Hartings, Jeff,

Envy, Curtis,

Arrington, LaVar,

Brown, Lev,

Short, Brandon,

Brown, Courtney,

Johnson, Larry ,

WHY USC?

Wilkinson Bud,

Reagan, President Ronald,

"Gipper, the",

WHOSE NUMBER ONE?

Lombardi, Vince,

De La Salle High School,

DON'T LOSE YOUR BOWL GAME AND CALL YOURSELVES A CHAMPION

Murray, Jim,

_Los Angeles Times_ ,

Bryant, Bear,

Royal, Darrell,

Namath, Joe,

Barra, Allen,

Daugherty, Duffy,

Smith, Bubba,

Parseghian, Ara,

McKay, John,

Murray, Jim,

Wallace, Governor George,

King Jr., Dr. Martin Luther.

Nixon, President Richard,

Royal, Darrell,

Plunkett, Jim

Cunningham, Sam "Bam",

Thomas, Bob,

Jackson, Wilbur,

Mitchell, John,

Croom, Sylvester,

Dobie, Gil,

Wilson, President Woodrow,

Dorais, Gus,

Rockne, Knute

"Four Horsemen of Notre Dame"

Warner, Glenn "Pop"

Nevers, Ernie

Rice, Grantland

Lincoln, Abraham

Stanford,.Leland,

Roosevelt, President Theodore,

Henderson, Elmer "Gloomy Gus",

Taylor, Brice

"Wonder Teams"

Muller, Brick,

McMillan, Dan,

Jones, Howard,

"Thundering Herd",

"Lost Generation";

Fitzgerald, F. Scott, voice of the,

Hemingway, Ernest, voice of the,

Miller, Henry, voice of the.

Stein, Gertrude, voice of the,

Lindbergh, Charles,

Ruth, Babe,

Grange, Red,

McNamee, Graham,

Husing, Ted,

Schenkel, Chris,

Musburger, Brent,

Barber, Red,

Scully, Vin,

Jackson, Keith,

Rice, Grantland,

Murray, Jim,

_Los Angeles Times_ ,

Ford, President Gerald,

Carter, Jimmy

Ward, Willis

Dodd, Bobby

Nave, Doyle

Kreuger, Al

Neyland, Bob

Jones, Howard

THE SWEEP OF HISTORY

Louis, Joe

Robinson, John,

Goux, Marv,

Waldorf, Pappy,

Matson, Ollie,

Clair, Bob St.,

Rozelle, Pete,

Grier, Bobby,

Taylor, Brice,

Roberts, C. R.,

Wood, Willie,

Cunningham, Sam "Bam",

Robinson, Jackie,

Washington, Kenny,

Strode, Woody,

Jewett, George,

Ward, Willis,

Pollard, Frederick Douglass "Fritz"

Robeson, Paul,

Simmons, Oze,

Trice, Jack,

Moore, Fred,

Sadat-Singh, Wimeth,

Brown, Jim,

Williams, Ed,

Bright, Johnny,

Young, Buddy,

Gautt, Prentice,

Williams, Sidney,

Stephens, Sandy,

Grier, Bobby,

LeVias, Jerry,

Whittier, Julius,

Leaks, Roosevelt,

McClain, Lester,

Jackson, Wilbur,

Mitchell, John,

Croom, Sylvester,

THE SOUTH RISES AGAIN

Marinovich, Todd,

Carroll, Pete,

Riegels, Roy,

THE NEW CENTURIONS

Bush, President George H. W.,

Vick, Michael,

Stoops, Bob,

Palmer, Carson,

RANKING TRADITION

Sanders, Barry,

George, Eddie,

Montana, Joe,

Simpson, O J.,

Brown, Tim,

Swann, Lynn,

Allen, Marcus,

## TOP SINGLE-SEASON TEAMS

Young, Charles "Tree",

Daugherty, Duffy,

Pelt, Brad Van

Davis, Anthony,

Grange, Red,

Goux, Marv,

McKay, John,

Hayes, Woody,

Graf, Allan,

Williams, Mike,

Leinart, Matt,

Heisman Trophy

Bush, Reggie,

Cody, Shaun,

Grootegoed, Matt,

Carroll, Pete,

Brown, Mack,

Royal, Darrell,

Young, Vince,

Cook, Beano,

Lujack, Johnny,

Connor, George,

Lujack, Johnny,

Czaraboski, Ziggy,

Fischer, Moose,

Sitko, Red,

Martin, Jim,

Leahy, Frank,

Rodgers, Johnny,

Harper, Willie,

Jacobson, Larry,

Kinney, Jeff,

Glover, Rich,

Blaik, Earl "Red",

TOP SINGLE-SEASON TEAMS OF THE DECADES

"Four Horsemen of Notre Dame";

Crowley, Jim, member of the

Layden, Elmer, member of the

Miller, Don, member of the

Stuhldreyer, Harry, member of the,

Jordan, Lee Roy,

Curry, Bill,

Stabler, Kenny,

Perkins, Ray,

Page, Alan,

Ismail, Raghib "Rocket",

Bosworth, Brian,

Paterno, Joe,

Heisman Trophy,

Testaverde, Vinny,

TEAMS OF THE DECADES

Shaughnessy, Clark,

Albert, Frankie

"Wild Bunch, the";

Peckinpah, Sam, director of,

DYNASTIES

10

Namath, Joe,

Stabler, Ken

Gryska, Clem,

Jackson, Wilbur,

Jordan, Lee Roy,

TOP THREE-YEAR PERIODS

5/6 YEAR PERIODS

"CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR"

Nave, Doyle,

Kreuger, "Antelope Al",

Sinkwich, Frank,

FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

Reynolds, Burt,

Corso, Lee,

Dawkins, William,

Biletnikoff, Fred,

Sellers, Ron,

Peterson, Bill,

Bowedn Bobby;

Bound for Glory, author of,

Sanders, "Neon Deion",

Ward, Charlie,

Heisman Trophy

Weinke, Chris,

Boulware, Peter,

Wilson, Reinard,

Cowart, Sam,

Wadsworth, Andre,

Janikowski, Sebastian,

Warrick, Peter,

Whittaker, Jason,

Simon, Corey,

Neyland, Bob,

McEver, Gene,

Feathers, Beattie,

O'Brien, Davey,

Majors, Johnny,

White, Reggie,

Fulmer, Phil,

Manning, Peyton,

Woodson, Charles,

Heisman Trophy

Leaf, Ryan,

Manning, Archie,

Manning, Eli,

FLORIDA GATORS

Heisman Trophy

Spurrier, Steve,

Meyer, Urban,

Bryant, Bear,

Gatorade

"World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party"

Youngblood, Jack,

Marshall, Wilbur,

Smith, Emmitt,

Heisman

Weurffel, Danny,

Grossman, Rex,

Leak, Chris,

Tebow, Tim,

LOUISIANA STATE TIGERS

Texas Christian

Santa Clara

Sugar Bowl

Texas A&M

Orange Bowl

Arkansas

Cotton Bowl

Oklahoma

Tinsley, Gaynell,

Kavanaugh, Ken,

Fournet, Sid,

Dietzel, Paul,

Cannon, Billy,

McClendon, Charlie,

Jones, Bert,

Saban, Nick,

Miles, Les,

Russell, JaMarcus,

AUBURN TIGERS

Jordan, Ralph "Shug",

Sullivan, Pat,

Dye, Pat,

Fullwood, Brent,

Jackson, Bo,

Tuberville, Tommy,

Williams, Carnell,

Brown, Ronnie,

Campbell, Jason,

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Sinkwich, Frank,

Jackson, Keith,

Dooley, Vince,

Stanfill, Bill,

Walker, Herschel,

Pollack, David,

UCLA BRUINS

Robinson, Jackie,

Washington, Kenny,

Strode, Woody,

Waterfield, Bob,

Sanders, Henry "Red",

Wooden, John,

Knox, Ronnie,

Kilmer, Billy,

Prothro, Tommy,

Beban, Gary,

Donahue, Terry,

Farr, Mel,

Manning, Don,

Ballou, Mike,

Johnson, Jimmy,

Harmon, Mark,

Vermeil, Dick,

Sciarra, John,

Easley, Kenny,

Norton, Ken,

Aikman, Troy,

Toledo, Bob,

Farris, Kris,

McNown, Cade,

PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

Warner, Glenn Scobey "Pop"

Sutherland, Jock,

Ditka, Mike,

Majors, Johnny,

Dorsett. Tony,

Heisman Trophy

Green, Hugh,

Marino, Dan,

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

Bell, Bobby,

Stagg, Amos Alonzo

Bierman, Bernie,

Wilkinson, Bud,

Nagurski, Bronco,

Smith, Bruce,

Nomellini, Leo,

Eller, Carl,

Stephens, Sandy

Wood, Willie, the;

first major college black quarterbacks

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS

Oppenheimer, Robert,

Smith, Andy,

Price, Nibs,

McMillan, Dan,

Muller, Brick,

Thorpe, Jim,

"Wonder Teams"

Alison, Stub,

Bottari, Vic,

Chapman, Sam,

Waldorf, Pappy,

Jensen, Jackie,

Franz, Rod,

Richter, Les

Jackson, Keith;

"voice of college football", the,

Kapp, Jo,e

"Play, The,"

Bartkowski, Steve,

Steinberg, Leigh,

Muncie, Chuck,

Gonzalez, Tony,

Roth, Joe,

Tedford, Jeff,

Rodgers, Aaron,

ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS

MacArthur, Douglas,

Eisenhower, Dwight,

Bradley, Omar,

George Patton,

Blaik, Earl "Red",

"Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside";

Blanchard, Doc, the "inside" man,

Davis, Glenn, the "outside" man

Heisman Trophy

Dawkins, Pete,

WASHINGTON HUSKIES

James, Don,

Dobie, Gil,

McElhenny, Hugh,

Owens, Jim,

Moon, Warren,

Brunell, Mark,

Hobert, Billy Joe,

Emtman, Steve,

Outland Trophy,

Dillon, Corey,

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

Daugherty, Duffy,

Morrall, Earl,

Smith, Bubba,

Webster, George,

Van, Pelt Brad,

White, Lorenzo,

Mandarich, Tony,

Gibson, Kirk,

Garvey, Steve,

STANFORD INDIANS/CARDINAL

"Tribute to Chairman Mao";

Stanford band, performed by,

Camp, Walter,

Stanford Stadium,  
Warner, Glenn "Pop",

Nevers, Ernie,

"Four Horsemen of Notre Dame",

"Vow Boys, the",

Shaughnessy, Clark;

T-formation, created the,

Stanford

Albert, Frankie,

Rose Bowl,

Taylor, Chuck,

Brodie, John,

Mathias, Bob,

Ralston, John,

Plunkett, Jim,

"Year of the Quarterback",

"Thunder Chickens",

Walsh, Bill,

Elway, John,

Muster, Brad,

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

Heisman, John,

Riegels, "Wrong Way" ,

# "Ramblin' Wrecks from Georgia Tech",

Dodd, Bobby,

Ross, Bobby,

Swilling, Pat,

Johnson, Calvin,

A CITY (LOS ANGELES)

A SCHOOL (USC)

A GAME (THE ROSE BOWL)

A STATE (CALIFORNIA)

A REGION (THE WEST) . . .

AND A CONFERENCE (THE PACIFIC-10)

"granddaddy of 'em all",

Rose Bowl,

THE GREATEST GAMES EVER PLAYED

Davis, Anthony,

Grange, Red,

ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS

Leinart, Matt,

Bosworth, Brian,

ALL-TIME MYTHICAL HEISMAN TROPHY

Grange, Red;

"Galloping Ghost", known as the,

Sanders, Barry,

Hutson, Don,

Fitzgerald, Larry

Baugh, Sammy,

Quinn, Brady,

Staubach, Roger,

FIELD GENERALS

THE GHREATEST COACHES

Bryant, Bear,

McKay, John,

"This here's what a football player looks like";

Cunningham, Sam "Bam", stated by Bear Bryant of,

Hayes, Woody,

Rockne, Knute,

Leahy, Frank,

Wilkinson, Bud,

Paterno, Joe,

Bowden, Bobby,

Jones, Howard "Head Man",

Warner, Pop,

#### Eddie, Robinson,,

Camp, Walter,

Carroll, Pete,

