AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Florida: 12-1-0 -- W, Sugar, 52-20
2. Ohio State: 11-1-0 -- W, Rose, 20-17
3. Florida State: 11-1-0 -- L, Sugar, 20-52
4. Arizona State: 11-1-0 -- L, Rose, 17-20
5. BYU: 14-1-0 -- W, Cotton, 19-15
6. Nebraska: 11-2-0 -- W, Orange, 41-21
7. Penn State: 11-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 38-15
8. Colorado: 10-2-0 -- W, Holiday, 33-21
9. Tennessee: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 48-28
10. North Carolina: 10-2-0 -- W, Gator, 20-13
Side note: Not sure why FSU finished above ASU in this final poll, considering the Sun Devils lost their bowl game by three points in the final seconds, while FSU lost their bowl game by many touchdowns the minute their bowl match-up was announced.
Technically, every team on this list, save FSU and ASU, have a shot at the McMNC. Yikes! Let's eliminate first: North Carolina didn't win the ACC, so they're out. Tennessee didn't win the SEC, so they're out. Nebraska and Colorado didn't win the Big XII, so they're out. Penn State didn't win the Big Ten, so they're out.
That leaves us with BYU, Ohio State and Florida.
The Cougars lost on the road to AP #16 Washington (9-3) by 12 points. Not a bad blemish, to be sure, but ... the problem for BYU is the rest of the schedule, as usual. With only a 48% SOS rating, they're way behind already. They only beat two ranked teams all year: AP #22 Wyoming (10-2) and AP #17 Kansas State (9-3) in the Cotton Bowl by a combined seven points. The rest of their schedule was a joke: Arkansas State, New Mexico, Utah State, UTEP, etc.
Ohio State, in usual fashion, blew their season in the last regular season game against AP #20 Michigan (8-4). Losing by four points at home to the Wolverines with everything on the line was just bad. But it's not fatal in this discussion: the Buckeyes had a very good 56% SOS rating, and they beat six winning teams in 1996 -- including four ranked teams. Ohio State has victories over unranked 7-4 Rice by 63 points at home, AP #19 Notre Dame (8-3) by 13 points on the road, #7 Penn State by 31 points at home, unranked 8-5 Wisconsin at home by three points, AP #18 Iowa (9-3) by 12 points on the road, and #4 Arizona State in the Rose Bowl.
Florida lost by three points on the road to Florida State on November 30, won the SEC title game the following weekend and found itself with a rematch against the Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl. The Gators had an SOS rating of 60%, which is excellent. Florida beat #9 Tennessee (10-2) by six points on the road (of course, they did!), they beat AP #12 Louisiana State (10-2) at home by 43 points, they beat AP #24 Auburn (8-4) by 41 points at home, they beat unranked 6-5 South Carolina by 27 points at home, they beat AP #11 Alabama (10-3) by 15 points in the SEC title game, and they beat #3 Florida State by 32 points in the bowl rematch.
Without a doubt, Florida has the better resume: higher SOS and dominating wins over five ranked teams. But the issue I have is the fact they got a rematch they didn't deserve in the bowl game, which gave them a shot at a championship they perhaps don't deserve, either. This will be an extensive problem later as I go through the BCS years, but this is a pre-BCS problem, of course.
Why did Florida get a rematch with Florida State? With Arizona State and Ohio State locked into the Rose Bowl, what other team could have faced undefeated Florida State in a bowl game worth its salt? Nebraska was an obvious choice, but with two losses and the promise of the rematch, the Bowl Coalition screwed us all up.
My problem is this: like 2006, why should a team get a second chance to beat a team it couldn't beat the first time? If the college football season is truly a playoff, Florida's loss to Florida State should have eliminated them from the fray. In fact, why doesn't it, anyway? Florida holds no edge over #3 Florida State, since they split the two head-to-head meetings. Why should the bowl game be given precedence over the regular season game?
Yes, the bowl game season has been a primary factor in the entire McMNC analysis. But this is a strange and unique circumstance. We've had rematches before (1965 UCLA and Michigan State come to mind, for example), but never a rematch after so late a regular season matchup.
Why did Ohio State's loss to Michigan eliminate the Buckeyes in the eyes of the voters while Florida's loss to Florida State did not eliminate the Gators? I don't like it, at all. It violates the very arguments that are routinely given for why there is no tournament championship in major college football.
I feel confident in saying that everyone *knew* Florida would beat Florida State in a rematch, that somehow the Seminoles had gotten lucky in the 24-21 win on November 30. And, since Arizona State was undefeated still, no one suspected Florida would win the MNC simply by beating Florida State. They still needed help.
Goddamn, Sun Devils. You could have made this all moot by just playing some better defense.
I know the purpose of this exercise is to clarify a proper champion, since we can never do it on the field. But I struggled with this one to the end: however wrong the rematch was, Florida was still the better team in 1996. If the Gators had beaten Arizona State instead, and the Buckeyes had beaten Florida State instead, this would be a clear choice.
Like BYU in 1984, Florida just got lucky this year when they had no business winning this title.
McMNC Revisions
1. Florida
2. Ohio State
3. Arizona State
4. BYU
5. Florida State
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Monday, August 11, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
1995 McMNC: Nebraska Cornhuskers
AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Nebraska: 12-0-0 -- W, Fiesta, 62-24
2. Florida: 12-1-0 -- L, Fiesta, 24-62
3. Tennessee: 11-1-0 -- W, Citrus, 20-14
4. Florida State: 10-2-0 -- W, Orange, 31-26
5. Colorado: 10-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 38-6
6. Ohio State: 11-2-0 -- L, Citrus, 14-20
7. Kansas State: 10-2-0 -- W, Holiday, 45-21
8. Northwestern: 10-2-0 -- L, Rose, 32-41
9. Kansas: 10-2-0 -- W, Aloha, 51-30
10. Virginia Tech: 10-2-0 -- W, Sugar, 28-10
This is pretty much the biggest slam dunk to date, I think. The only two teams within a game of Nebraska can't touch the Huskers, by virtue of a head-to-head loss and a non-conference champ status.
But let's discuss some ideas, anyway. Ohio State started this season 11-0 before losing to Michigan in their final regular season game of the year. That could have been interesting ... also, Northwestern came within two points of running the regular season table themselves this season. We were SO close to a four-team scrum at the end for the crown. That would have been a "plus-one" scenario, for sure, except that Northwestern would have been locked into the Rose Bowl, of course.
College football is good and terrible, isn't it?
For the record, the Huskers beat unranked 6-5-1 Michigan State on the road by 40 points, they beat unranked 6-5 Arizona State 77-28 at home (setting up the 1996 upset by the Sun Devils, of course), they beat #7 Kansas State by 24 points at home, they beat #5 Colorado by 23 points on the road, they beat #9 Kansas on the road by 38 points, and they beat #2 Florida by 38 points in the bowl game. See the obvious difference between the Huskers' 1994 and 1995 teams?
This team DOMINATED. And that's all she wrote ...
McMNC Revisions
1. Nebraska
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Virginia Tech
5. Florida State
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
1. Nebraska: 12-0-0 -- W, Fiesta, 62-24
2. Florida: 12-1-0 -- L, Fiesta, 24-62
3. Tennessee: 11-1-0 -- W, Citrus, 20-14
4. Florida State: 10-2-0 -- W, Orange, 31-26
5. Colorado: 10-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 38-6
6. Ohio State: 11-2-0 -- L, Citrus, 14-20
7. Kansas State: 10-2-0 -- W, Holiday, 45-21
8. Northwestern: 10-2-0 -- L, Rose, 32-41
9. Kansas: 10-2-0 -- W, Aloha, 51-30
10. Virginia Tech: 10-2-0 -- W, Sugar, 28-10
This is pretty much the biggest slam dunk to date, I think. The only two teams within a game of Nebraska can't touch the Huskers, by virtue of a head-to-head loss and a non-conference champ status.
But let's discuss some ideas, anyway. Ohio State started this season 11-0 before losing to Michigan in their final regular season game of the year. That could have been interesting ... also, Northwestern came within two points of running the regular season table themselves this season. We were SO close to a four-team scrum at the end for the crown. That would have been a "plus-one" scenario, for sure, except that Northwestern would have been locked into the Rose Bowl, of course.
College football is good and terrible, isn't it?
For the record, the Huskers beat unranked 6-5-1 Michigan State on the road by 40 points, they beat unranked 6-5 Arizona State 77-28 at home (setting up the 1996 upset by the Sun Devils, of course), they beat #7 Kansas State by 24 points at home, they beat #5 Colorado by 23 points on the road, they beat #9 Kansas on the road by 38 points, and they beat #2 Florida by 38 points in the bowl game. See the obvious difference between the Huskers' 1994 and 1995 teams?
This team DOMINATED. And that's all she wrote ...
McMNC Revisions
1. Nebraska
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Virginia Tech
5. Florida State
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Monday, August 4, 2008
1994 McMNC: Penn State Nittany Lions
AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Nebraska: 13-0-0 -- W, Orange, 24-17
2. Penn State: 12-0-0 -- W, Rose, 38-20
3. Colorado: 11-1-0 -- W, Fiesta, 41-24
4. Florida State: 10-1-1 -- W, Sugar, 23-17
5. Alabama: 12-1-0 -- W, Citrus, 24-17
6. Miami: 10-2-0 -- L, Orange, 17-24
7. Florida: 10-2-1 -- L, SUgar, 17-23
8. Texas A&M: 10-0-1 -- NONE (probation)
9. Auburn: 9-1-1 -- NONE (probation)
10. Utah: 10-2-0 -- W, Freedom, 16-13
Another interesting season, to be sure. Florida ruined Alabama's perfect season by winning the SEC title game, 24-23, on December 3. Otherwise, we might have had THREE unbeaten, untied teams in 1994. What a nightmare that could have been ... then again, maybe not (as you will see below).
Putting Miami in the Orange Bowl against the Huskers was dumb, since Miami's one regular season loss was by 18 points at home to 7-4 Washington. Did anyone really think the Hurricanes were a worthy opponent for the Huskers? I realize was the Bowl Coalition Era, or whatever, but still ...
Alabama can't be a TUC, since they didn't win the SEC. Too bad. If they had gone undefeated, they would have won the McMNC with their SOS rating (54%). Colorado isn't eligible, since they lost the Big 8 crown to Nebraska thanks to a 17-point loss in Lincoln.
That leaves us with three teams: Florida State, Penn State and Nebraska. The Seminoles will need a significant edge in SOS to even be in this debate? Do they have it?
Yes and no. FSU's SOS rating (60%) is excellent, but they have two blemishes: a 14-point road loss to #6 Miami and a home tie against #7 Florida. Are they bad blemishes? No. And they did beat the Gators in the bowl rematch. But losing by 14 to the Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl stadium, when the Huskers beat the Hurricanes there by seven points is a hard sell.
Unless, of course, Nebraska has a really poor SOS.
Which they do not: at 52%, the Huskers' SOS is fine and good enough to hold off the Seminoles. Nebraska beat unranked 7-6 West Virginia on the road 31-0, they beat unranked 6-5 Pacific 70-21 at home, they beat AP #19 Kansas State (9-3) by 11 points on the road, they beat #3 Colorado at home by 17 points, they beat unranked 6-5 Kansas at home by 28 points, and they beat #6 Miami in the Orange Bowl. Three wins over ranked teams is good, but certainly not great. Plus, they didn't necessarily blowout any of those three teams, either. Overall, they beat six winning teams. Iowa State (0-10-1) was the big dog on the schedule.
Penn State also has an SOS rating of 52% for 1994, so that's a draw. The Nittany Lions (why do I always want to abbreviate that as the Nits?) beat AP #13 USC (8-3-1) by 24 points at home, they beat AP #12 Michigan (8-4) by seven points on the road, they shredded AP #14 Ohio State (9-4) by 49 points at home (63-14), they beat unranked 6-5 Indiana by six points on the road (more on this later), they beat unranked 7-5 Illinois by four points on the road, and they beat AP #11 Oregon (9-4) by 18 points in the Rose Bowl. They beat four ranked teams on the season, although none ranked as high as Nebraska's two marquee victims. But they beat those four teams by almost 25 points each, on average. They, too, beat six winning teams in 1994. Temple (2-9) was the worst team on Penn State's schedule.
So who gets the edge?
The Big 8 had a down year; only three teams finished above .500 (see above). Six teams in the Big Ten finished above .500 in a down year for that conference, too. OOC scheduling was interesting: the Huskers scheduled West Virginia (road), Texas Tech (road), UCLA (home), Pacific (home) and Wyoming (home). Penn State scheduled USC (home), Rutgers (home) and Temple (road). They both tried to get good teams to play OOC.
Penn State's bowl win was probably more impressive, for simple transitive reasons: Washington's 38-20 win over Miami in the 'Canes' backyard dwarfs Nebraska's bowl win over Miami, although we can't underestimate the "pressure" factor. But when Penn State beat Oregon by 18 points, and the Ducks beat Washington by 11 points, and the Huskies beat the 'Canes by 18 points -- you'd have to think the Huskers could beat the 'Canes by more than seven points.
The Nits were probably the better team in 1994. They dropped in the polls after the "close" win over Indiana, which really wasn't all that close. They dominated better opponents in the season than Nebraska did, and they had a better bowl win comparatively speaking.
In the end, Penn State just has the better peripheral numbers.
McMNC Revisions
1. Penn State
2. Nebraska
3. Alabama
4. Colorado
5. Florida State
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
1. Nebraska: 13-0-0 -- W, Orange, 24-17
2. Penn State: 12-0-0 -- W, Rose, 38-20
3. Colorado: 11-1-0 -- W, Fiesta, 41-24
4. Florida State: 10-1-1 -- W, Sugar, 23-17
5. Alabama: 12-1-0 -- W, Citrus, 24-17
6. Miami: 10-2-0 -- L, Orange, 17-24
7. Florida: 10-2-1 -- L, SUgar, 17-23
8. Texas A&M: 10-0-1 -- NONE (probation)
9. Auburn: 9-1-1 -- NONE (probation)
10. Utah: 10-2-0 -- W, Freedom, 16-13
Another interesting season, to be sure. Florida ruined Alabama's perfect season by winning the SEC title game, 24-23, on December 3. Otherwise, we might have had THREE unbeaten, untied teams in 1994. What a nightmare that could have been ... then again, maybe not (as you will see below).
Putting Miami in the Orange Bowl against the Huskers was dumb, since Miami's one regular season loss was by 18 points at home to 7-4 Washington. Did anyone really think the Hurricanes were a worthy opponent for the Huskers? I realize was the Bowl Coalition Era, or whatever, but still ...
Alabama can't be a TUC, since they didn't win the SEC. Too bad. If they had gone undefeated, they would have won the McMNC with their SOS rating (54%). Colorado isn't eligible, since they lost the Big 8 crown to Nebraska thanks to a 17-point loss in Lincoln.
That leaves us with three teams: Florida State, Penn State and Nebraska. The Seminoles will need a significant edge in SOS to even be in this debate? Do they have it?
Yes and no. FSU's SOS rating (60%) is excellent, but they have two blemishes: a 14-point road loss to #6 Miami and a home tie against #7 Florida. Are they bad blemishes? No. And they did beat the Gators in the bowl rematch. But losing by 14 to the Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl stadium, when the Huskers beat the Hurricanes there by seven points is a hard sell.
Unless, of course, Nebraska has a really poor SOS.
Which they do not: at 52%, the Huskers' SOS is fine and good enough to hold off the Seminoles. Nebraska beat unranked 7-6 West Virginia on the road 31-0, they beat unranked 6-5 Pacific 70-21 at home, they beat AP #19 Kansas State (9-3) by 11 points on the road, they beat #3 Colorado at home by 17 points, they beat unranked 6-5 Kansas at home by 28 points, and they beat #6 Miami in the Orange Bowl. Three wins over ranked teams is good, but certainly not great. Plus, they didn't necessarily blowout any of those three teams, either. Overall, they beat six winning teams. Iowa State (0-10-1) was the big dog on the schedule.
Penn State also has an SOS rating of 52% for 1994, so that's a draw. The Nittany Lions (why do I always want to abbreviate that as the Nits?) beat AP #13 USC (8-3-1) by 24 points at home, they beat AP #12 Michigan (8-4) by seven points on the road, they shredded AP #14 Ohio State (9-4) by 49 points at home (63-14), they beat unranked 6-5 Indiana by six points on the road (more on this later), they beat unranked 7-5 Illinois by four points on the road, and they beat AP #11 Oregon (9-4) by 18 points in the Rose Bowl. They beat four ranked teams on the season, although none ranked as high as Nebraska's two marquee victims. But they beat those four teams by almost 25 points each, on average. They, too, beat six winning teams in 1994. Temple (2-9) was the worst team on Penn State's schedule.
So who gets the edge?
The Big 8 had a down year; only three teams finished above .500 (see above). Six teams in the Big Ten finished above .500 in a down year for that conference, too. OOC scheduling was interesting: the Huskers scheduled West Virginia (road), Texas Tech (road), UCLA (home), Pacific (home) and Wyoming (home). Penn State scheduled USC (home), Rutgers (home) and Temple (road). They both tried to get good teams to play OOC.
Penn State's bowl win was probably more impressive, for simple transitive reasons: Washington's 38-20 win over Miami in the 'Canes' backyard dwarfs Nebraska's bowl win over Miami, although we can't underestimate the "pressure" factor. But when Penn State beat Oregon by 18 points, and the Ducks beat Washington by 11 points, and the Huskies beat the 'Canes by 18 points -- you'd have to think the Huskers could beat the 'Canes by more than seven points.
The Nits were probably the better team in 1994. They dropped in the polls after the "close" win over Indiana, which really wasn't all that close. They dominated better opponents in the season than Nebraska did, and they had a better bowl win comparatively speaking.
In the end, Penn State just has the better peripheral numbers.
McMNC Revisions
1. Penn State
2. Nebraska
3. Alabama
4. Colorado
5. Florida State
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Thursday, July 31, 2008
1993 McMNC: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
AP Top 11: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Florida State: 12-1-0 -- W, Orange, 18-16
2. Notre Dame: 11-1-0 -- W, Cotton, 24-21
3. Nebraska: 11-1-0 -- L, Orange, 16-18
4. Auburn: 11-0-0 -- NONE (probation)
5. Florida: 11-2-0 -- W, Sugar, 41-7
6. Wisconsin: 10-1-1 -- W, Rose, 21-16
7. West Virginia: 11-1-0 -- L, Sugar, 7-41
8. Penn State: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 31-13
9. Texas A&M: 10-2-0 -- L, Cotton, 21-24
10. Arizona: 10-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 29-0
11. Ohio State: 10-1-1 -- W, Holiday, 28-21
I am including 11 teams in the "Top 10" this year, for obvious reasons.
Welcome to another clusterfucked college football analysis! Florida State, Notre Dame, Florida, Wisconsin, Penn State, Arizona and Ohio State are in; Nebraska, Auburn, West Virginia and Texas A&M are out.
First thing first: Florida State cannot win the McMNC, because they lost to Notre Dame head-to-head. What the hell the AP voters were thinking (oh, poor Bobby Bowden!) is beyond me. But the Seminoles are out, because they lost to another TUC in a head-to-head matchup. Too bad, too, because FSU's 60% SOS rating was PHAT. Arizona is out, because they lost the Pac-10 tiebreaker on the basis of their head-to-head loss to UCLA. Penn State is out, because they finished third in the Big Ten.
Florida is an interesting call: they lost to FSU and Auburn, but with the Tigers on probation, is Florida the default SEC rep? Yes, because they are the official SEC champion of record. So they're in, with the two losses. BUT, since they lost to FSU and the Seminoles lost to Notre Dame, the Gators are actually out.
So this comes down to Notre Dame and the Big Ten co-champions. Why co-champs? Because they each went 6-1-1 in the Big Ten, with the tie being against each other. The only reason the Badgers went to the Rose Bowl, was because Ohio State got Cooper'd against Michigan (see below). Since the Badgers hadn't been to Pasadena since JFK's presidency, they got to go and represent.
Here's the rub, though: the Badgers' sole loss was to 4-7 Minnesota. That's a bad loss, and you can't have a McMNC with a loss to a loser. Plus, Wisconsin's SOS rating of 48% wasn't going to hold much water, anyway.
Ohio State? Their sole loss was a 28-0 road pounding at AP #21 Michigan (8-4) when the Buckeyes were 9-0-1. You can't have a McMNC who lost by 28 points, even if it was to a decent team on the road. Shutout losses by four touchdowns are not good. The Buckeyes got exiled to the Holiday Bowl for their trouble, in a disturbing bowl assignment trend that continues to this day (i.e., just-misses get tucked away where no one cares, including themselves).
Which means Notre Dame wins this by default. Of course, with a 52% SOS rating, they might have half-earned it, anyway. Their sole loss was by two points at home to AP #13 Boston College (9-3) in their last regular season game. Otherwise, they beat AP #21 Michigan, USA #25 USC (8-5), #1 Florida State and #9 Texas A&M. The SOS was dragged down by 2-9 Northwestern, 1-10 Purdue, and 3-8 Pittsburgh.
Whether by attrition or not, it's the Irish in 1993. Somewhere, Lou Holtz is gumming it up with joy ...
McMNC Revisions
1. Notre Dame
2. Florida State
3. Nebraska
4. Ohio State
5. Wisconsin
RUNNING SCORECARD:
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Nebraska: =1970, =1971
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
1. Florida State: 12-1-0 -- W, Orange, 18-16
2. Notre Dame: 11-1-0 -- W, Cotton, 24-21
3. Nebraska: 11-1-0 -- L, Orange, 16-18
4. Auburn: 11-0-0 -- NONE (probation)
5. Florida: 11-2-0 -- W, Sugar, 41-7
6. Wisconsin: 10-1-1 -- W, Rose, 21-16
7. West Virginia: 11-1-0 -- L, Sugar, 7-41
8. Penn State: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 31-13
9. Texas A&M: 10-2-0 -- L, Cotton, 21-24
10. Arizona: 10-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 29-0
11. Ohio State: 10-1-1 -- W, Holiday, 28-21
I am including 11 teams in the "Top 10" this year, for obvious reasons.
Welcome to another clusterfucked college football analysis! Florida State, Notre Dame, Florida, Wisconsin, Penn State, Arizona and Ohio State are in; Nebraska, Auburn, West Virginia and Texas A&M are out.
First thing first: Florida State cannot win the McMNC, because they lost to Notre Dame head-to-head. What the hell the AP voters were thinking (oh, poor Bobby Bowden!) is beyond me. But the Seminoles are out, because they lost to another TUC in a head-to-head matchup. Too bad, too, because FSU's 60% SOS rating was PHAT. Arizona is out, because they lost the Pac-10 tiebreaker on the basis of their head-to-head loss to UCLA. Penn State is out, because they finished third in the Big Ten.
Florida is an interesting call: they lost to FSU and Auburn, but with the Tigers on probation, is Florida the default SEC rep? Yes, because they are the official SEC champion of record. So they're in, with the two losses. BUT, since they lost to FSU and the Seminoles lost to Notre Dame, the Gators are actually out.
So this comes down to Notre Dame and the Big Ten co-champions. Why co-champs? Because they each went 6-1-1 in the Big Ten, with the tie being against each other. The only reason the Badgers went to the Rose Bowl, was because Ohio State got Cooper'd against Michigan (see below). Since the Badgers hadn't been to Pasadena since JFK's presidency, they got to go and represent.
Here's the rub, though: the Badgers' sole loss was to 4-7 Minnesota. That's a bad loss, and you can't have a McMNC with a loss to a loser. Plus, Wisconsin's SOS rating of 48% wasn't going to hold much water, anyway.
Ohio State? Their sole loss was a 28-0 road pounding at AP #21 Michigan (8-4) when the Buckeyes were 9-0-1. You can't have a McMNC who lost by 28 points, even if it was to a decent team on the road. Shutout losses by four touchdowns are not good. The Buckeyes got exiled to the Holiday Bowl for their trouble, in a disturbing bowl assignment trend that continues to this day (i.e., just-misses get tucked away where no one cares, including themselves).
Which means Notre Dame wins this by default. Of course, with a 52% SOS rating, they might have half-earned it, anyway. Their sole loss was by two points at home to AP #13 Boston College (9-3) in their last regular season game. Otherwise, they beat AP #21 Michigan, USA #25 USC (8-5), #1 Florida State and #9 Texas A&M. The SOS was dragged down by 2-9 Northwestern, 1-10 Purdue, and 3-8 Pittsburgh.
Whether by attrition or not, it's the Irish in 1993. Somewhere, Lou Holtz is gumming it up with joy ...
McMNC Revisions
1. Notre Dame
2. Florida State
3. Nebraska
4. Ohio State
5. Wisconsin
RUNNING SCORECARD:
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Nebraska: =1970, =1971
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Monday, July 28, 2008
1992 McMNC: Alabama Crimson Tide
AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Alabama: 13-0-0 -- W, Sugar, 34-13
2. Florida State: 11-1-0 -- W, Orange, 27-14
3. Miami: 11-1-0 -- L, Sugar, 13-34
4. Notre Dame: 10-1-1 -- W, Cotton, 28-3
5. Michigan: 9-0-3 -- W, Rose, 38-31
6. Syracuse: 10-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 26-22
7. Texas A&M: 12-1-0 -- L, Cotton, 3-28
8. Georgia: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 21-14
9. Stanford: 10-3-0 -- W, Blockbuster, 24-3
10. Florida: 9-4-0 -- W, Gator, 27-10
Note: This is the year the USA Today published the second major poll, so "USA" will stand for that poll ranking (i.e., USA #21).
More voter idiocy: Florida State lost to Miami, so why are the Seminoles ranked above the Hurricanes? Two words -- bow(e)l momentum!
Well, the Tide are the obvious notion here, but for pity's sake, let's look at Florida State, Notre Dame and Michigan here, too. If the Aggies had only been able to win that Cotton Bowl (in their backyard), maybe we'd have had a debate.
Then again, maybe not.
The Seminoles are a weird case, because they lost to #3 Miami-FL (of course) -- and Alabama pounded Miami in the Sugar Bowl. Does that matter since the Florida State loss to Miami was only by three points on the road? FSU's SOS rating was 57%, which is on the high side of pretty good. They beat AP #17 North Carolina State (9-3-1) by 21 points on the road, they beat AP #25 Wake Forest (8-4) by 28 points at home, they beat AP #19 North Carolina by 23 points at home, they beat unranked 7-4 Virginia on the road by ten points, they beat #10 Florida at home by 21 points, and they beat AP #14 Nebraska (9-3) by 13 points in the Orange Bowl (of course, they did). That's a pretty firm schedule, marred only by 2-9 Duke, 2-9 Tulane and 3-8 Maryland. They beat five ranked teams, easily, and they lost to a sixth in a squeaker.
Michigan has the three ties, which is weird in itself. But their SOS was only 49% in 1992, so it's not looking good. The ties? On the road at #4 Notre Dame, at home against unranked 6-5-1 Illinois, and on the road at AP #18 Ohio State (8-3-1). The only ranked team Michigan beat all year? AP #11 Washington (9-3) in the Rose Bowl. In fact, that was also the only winning team Michigan beat all season. Be gone, Moeller!
Notre Dame has that tie against Michigan, but they also have a home loss, by 17 points, to #9 Stanford. With an SOS rating of 55%, they better have some hellish wins to compensate for that loss. Do they? They beat unranked 8-5 BYU at home by 26 points, they beat AP #21 Boston College (8-3-1) at home by 47 points (!), they beat USA #25 Penn State (7-5) by one point at home, they beat unranked 6-5-1 USC on the road by eight points, and they beat previously unbeaten #7 Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. The wins over BC and A&M are nice, but hardly hellish. They can't edge FSU in this debate.
So it comes down to Alabama: with a 53% SOS rating, they pretty much secure the McMNC. They beat unranked 7-4 Southern Mississippi at home by seven points, they beat AP #12 Tennessee (9-3) by seven points on the road, they beat AP #16 Mississippi (9-3) at home by 21 points, they beat AP #23 Mississippi State (7-5) by nine points on the road to take the Mississippi State Championship in a sweep, they beat #10 Florida by seven points at home, and they pounded #3 Miami in the Sugar Bowl by 21 points.
Congratulations to Alabama, the McMNC winner for 1992.
McMNC Revisions
1. Alabama
2. Miami
3. Florida State
4. Notre Dame
5. Michigan
RUNNING SCORECARD:
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Nebraska: =1970, =1971
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988
1. Alabama: 13-0-0 -- W, Sugar, 34-13
2. Florida State: 11-1-0 -- W, Orange, 27-14
3. Miami: 11-1-0 -- L, Sugar, 13-34
4. Notre Dame: 10-1-1 -- W, Cotton, 28-3
5. Michigan: 9-0-3 -- W, Rose, 38-31
6. Syracuse: 10-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 26-22
7. Texas A&M: 12-1-0 -- L, Cotton, 3-28
8. Georgia: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 21-14
9. Stanford: 10-3-0 -- W, Blockbuster, 24-3
10. Florida: 9-4-0 -- W, Gator, 27-10
Note: This is the year the USA Today published the second major poll, so "USA" will stand for that poll ranking (i.e., USA #21).
More voter idiocy: Florida State lost to Miami, so why are the Seminoles ranked above the Hurricanes? Two words -- bow(e)l momentum!
Well, the Tide are the obvious notion here, but for pity's sake, let's look at Florida State, Notre Dame and Michigan here, too. If the Aggies had only been able to win that Cotton Bowl (in their backyard), maybe we'd have had a debate.
Then again, maybe not.
The Seminoles are a weird case, because they lost to #3 Miami-FL (of course) -- and Alabama pounded Miami in the Sugar Bowl. Does that matter since the Florida State loss to Miami was only by three points on the road? FSU's SOS rating was 57%, which is on the high side of pretty good. They beat AP #17 North Carolina State (9-3-1) by 21 points on the road, they beat AP #25 Wake Forest (8-4) by 28 points at home, they beat AP #19 North Carolina by 23 points at home, they beat unranked 7-4 Virginia on the road by ten points, they beat #10 Florida at home by 21 points, and they beat AP #14 Nebraska (9-3) by 13 points in the Orange Bowl (of course, they did). That's a pretty firm schedule, marred only by 2-9 Duke, 2-9 Tulane and 3-8 Maryland. They beat five ranked teams, easily, and they lost to a sixth in a squeaker.
Michigan has the three ties, which is weird in itself. But their SOS was only 49% in 1992, so it's not looking good. The ties? On the road at #4 Notre Dame, at home against unranked 6-5-1 Illinois, and on the road at AP #18 Ohio State (8-3-1). The only ranked team Michigan beat all year? AP #11 Washington (9-3) in the Rose Bowl. In fact, that was also the only winning team Michigan beat all season. Be gone, Moeller!
Notre Dame has that tie against Michigan, but they also have a home loss, by 17 points, to #9 Stanford. With an SOS rating of 55%, they better have some hellish wins to compensate for that loss. Do they? They beat unranked 8-5 BYU at home by 26 points, they beat AP #21 Boston College (8-3-1) at home by 47 points (!), they beat USA #25 Penn State (7-5) by one point at home, they beat unranked 6-5-1 USC on the road by eight points, and they beat previously unbeaten #7 Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. The wins over BC and A&M are nice, but hardly hellish. They can't edge FSU in this debate.
So it comes down to Alabama: with a 53% SOS rating, they pretty much secure the McMNC. They beat unranked 7-4 Southern Mississippi at home by seven points, they beat AP #12 Tennessee (9-3) by seven points on the road, they beat AP #16 Mississippi (9-3) at home by 21 points, they beat AP #23 Mississippi State (7-5) by nine points on the road to take the Mississippi State Championship in a sweep, they beat #10 Florida by seven points at home, and they pounded #3 Miami in the Sugar Bowl by 21 points.
Congratulations to Alabama, the McMNC winner for 1992.
McMNC Revisions
1. Alabama
2. Miami
3. Florida State
4. Notre Dame
5. Michigan
RUNNING SCORECARD:
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Nebraska: =1970, =1971
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988
Thursday, July 24, 2008
1991 McMNC: Washington Huskies
AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Miami-FL: 12-0-0 -- W, Orange, 22-0
2. Washington: 12-0-0 -- W, Rose, 34-14
3. Penn State: 11-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 42-17
4. Florida State: 11-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 10-2
5. Alabama: 11-1-0 -- W, Blockbuster, 30-25
6. Michigan: 10-2-0 -- L, Rose, 14-34
7. Florida: 10-2-0 -- L, Sugar, 28-39
8. California: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 37-13
9. East Carolina: 11-1-0 -- W, Peach, 37-34
10. Iowa: 10-1-1 -- T, Holiday, 13-13
Only four teams to consider here: Miami, Washington, Alabama and East Carolina (courtesy). But the Tide get rolled, because Florida won the SEC and the head-to-head matchup (35-0!).
East Carolina had a 48% SOS rating, and their loss was to 6-6 Illinois on the road by a touchdown. They did beat AP #11 Syracuse (10-2) and AP #24 North Carolina State (9-3), however. But they can't overcome the loss with such a low SOS rating.
So, obviously, we're down to two unbeaten, untied teams for the 1991 McMNC. Let the debate begin ...
Miami had a 54% SOS rating, with wins over AP #21 Tulsa (10-2) on the road by 24 points, #3 Penn State at home by six points, unranked 6-5 West Virginia by 24 points at home, #4 Florida State on the road by one point (of course), unranked 8-4-1 San Diego State at home by 27 points, and AP #15 Nebraska (9-2-1) in the Orange Bowl. The dogs on their schedule? 0-10-1 Oklahoma State and 2-9 Cal State Long Beach. They beat four ranked teams, including #3 and #4 by a combined seven points. The Hurricanes beat six winning teams in 1991.
Washington had a 52% SOS rating, with wins over AP #22 Stanford (8-4) by 35 points on the road, #15 Nebraska on the road by 15 points, unranked 7-4 Kansas State by 53 points at home, #8 California by seven points on the road, unranked 6-5 Arizona State by 28 points at home, and #6 Michigan by 20 points in the Rose Bowl. The schedule dog? 1-10 Oregon State. The Huskies, too, beat four ranked teams, including #6 and #8 by a combined 27 points. Washington also beat six winning teams in 1991.
Common opponents? Nebraska, for starters. Washington's win over Nebraska in Lincoln on September 21 has to be given more significance, since the Huskers were at home and probably believing they had a chance at the national title. By the time the Orange Bowl rolled around, Nebraska knew they had no shot at the championship, especially in Miami's backyard. Another common opponent? Arizona. Miami beat the 4-7 Wildcats by 27 points on the road, while Washington beat them 54-0 at home.
Miami has the slight SOS edge, but Washington takes the common opponents' edge and the better wins edge (because of dominance in those wins). The Huskies also have a better bowl win, since Miami was at home in the Orange Bowl and playing a lesser team.
This really is a close one to call, but in the end, the Huskies were a better team. They outscored their opponents by 32 points per game, while Miami only outscored their opponents by 24 points per game. Consider the narrow difference in SOS and the closeness of the schedule strength breakdown above, and you can see the Huskies deserve the McMNC for 1991.
Two years in a row, the UPI got it right. Why are they out of business?!
McMNC Revisions
1. Washington
2. Miami-FL
3. Alabama
4. East Carolina
5. Penn State
RUNNING SCORECARD:
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Nebraska: =1970, =1971
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, =1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988
1. Miami-FL: 12-0-0 -- W, Orange, 22-0
2. Washington: 12-0-0 -- W, Rose, 34-14
3. Penn State: 11-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 42-17
4. Florida State: 11-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 10-2
5. Alabama: 11-1-0 -- W, Blockbuster, 30-25
6. Michigan: 10-2-0 -- L, Rose, 14-34
7. Florida: 10-2-0 -- L, Sugar, 28-39
8. California: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 37-13
9. East Carolina: 11-1-0 -- W, Peach, 37-34
10. Iowa: 10-1-1 -- T, Holiday, 13-13
Only four teams to consider here: Miami, Washington, Alabama and East Carolina (courtesy). But the Tide get rolled, because Florida won the SEC and the head-to-head matchup (35-0!).
East Carolina had a 48% SOS rating, and their loss was to 6-6 Illinois on the road by a touchdown. They did beat AP #11 Syracuse (10-2) and AP #24 North Carolina State (9-3), however. But they can't overcome the loss with such a low SOS rating.
So, obviously, we're down to two unbeaten, untied teams for the 1991 McMNC. Let the debate begin ...
Miami had a 54% SOS rating, with wins over AP #21 Tulsa (10-2) on the road by 24 points, #3 Penn State at home by six points, unranked 6-5 West Virginia by 24 points at home, #4 Florida State on the road by one point (of course), unranked 8-4-1 San Diego State at home by 27 points, and AP #15 Nebraska (9-2-1) in the Orange Bowl. The dogs on their schedule? 0-10-1 Oklahoma State and 2-9 Cal State Long Beach. They beat four ranked teams, including #3 and #4 by a combined seven points. The Hurricanes beat six winning teams in 1991.
Washington had a 52% SOS rating, with wins over AP #22 Stanford (8-4) by 35 points on the road, #15 Nebraska on the road by 15 points, unranked 7-4 Kansas State by 53 points at home, #8 California by seven points on the road, unranked 6-5 Arizona State by 28 points at home, and #6 Michigan by 20 points in the Rose Bowl. The schedule dog? 1-10 Oregon State. The Huskies, too, beat four ranked teams, including #6 and #8 by a combined 27 points. Washington also beat six winning teams in 1991.
Common opponents? Nebraska, for starters. Washington's win over Nebraska in Lincoln on September 21 has to be given more significance, since the Huskers were at home and probably believing they had a chance at the national title. By the time the Orange Bowl rolled around, Nebraska knew they had no shot at the championship, especially in Miami's backyard. Another common opponent? Arizona. Miami beat the 4-7 Wildcats by 27 points on the road, while Washington beat them 54-0 at home.
Miami has the slight SOS edge, but Washington takes the common opponents' edge and the better wins edge (because of dominance in those wins). The Huskies also have a better bowl win, since Miami was at home in the Orange Bowl and playing a lesser team.
This really is a close one to call, but in the end, the Huskies were a better team. They outscored their opponents by 32 points per game, while Miami only outscored their opponents by 24 points per game. Consider the narrow difference in SOS and the closeness of the schedule strength breakdown above, and you can see the Huskies deserve the McMNC for 1991.
Two years in a row, the UPI got it right. Why are they out of business?!
McMNC Revisions
1. Washington
2. Miami-FL
3. Alabama
4. East Carolina
5. Penn State
RUNNING SCORECARD:
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Nebraska: =1970, =1971
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, =1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988
Monday, July 21, 2008
1990 McMNC: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Colorado: 11-1-1 -- W, Orange, 10-9
2. Georgia Tech: 11-0-1 -- W, Citrus, 45-21
3. Miami-FL: 10-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 46-3
4. Florida State: 10-2-0 -- W, Blockbuster, 24-17
5. Washington: 10-2-0 -- W, Rose, 46-34
6. Notre Dame: 9-3-0 -- L, Orange, 9-10
7. Michigan: 9-3-0 -- W, Gator, 35-3
8. Tennessee: 9-2-2 -- W, Sugar, 23-22
9. Clemson: 10-2-0 -- W, Hall of Fame, 30-0
10. Houston: 10-1-0 -- NONE (probation)
By the way, #14 Louisville went 10-1-1 with a 39% SOS. Weak!
This is an interesting poll year. I always felt the AP voters were going all sympathetic on Bill McCartney and Colorado, based on the end to 1989's season and the Sal Aunese affair. Throw in the Fifth Down against Missouri and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqC_Br3cDJg, and well ... something's rotten in Denmark.
However, the numbers won't lie, so let's start the crunch.
Colorado, Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State and Washington are all in the fray here. But Washington lost at Colorado by six points on September 29, so they're out. Florida State lost to Miami (of course, they did) by nine points in Miami on October 6, so they're gone, too.
Miami has two losses to go with their outstanding 60% SOS rating: they lost on the road to AP #22 BYU (10-3) by seven points, and they went down to #6 Notre Dame on the road by nine points. Good losses, to be sure, but two of them? That hurts. The Hurricanes did beat unranked 7-4-1 California on the road by 28 points, AP #18 Iowa (8-4) at home by 27 points, #4 Florida State at home by nine points, UPI #21 Syracuse (7-4-2) by 26 points at home, 6-5 San Diego State on the road by two points, and AP #12 Texas (10-2) in the Cotton Bowl by 43 points. Overall, an impressive schedule featuring eight winning teams, even with the two losses.
Georgia Tech has only a tie to mar their record: the 55% SOS is good, and the tie was to 6-4-1 North Carolina on the road. Not an ugly blemish, to be sure -- and it's only a partial blemish. The Yellowjackets beat 7-5 North Carolina State at home by eight points, 6-5 South Carolina at home by 21 points, 6-5-1 Maryland on the road by 28 points, #9 Clemson at home by two points, AP #23 Virginia (8-4) on the road by three points, UPI #25 Virginia Tech (6-5) by three points at home, and AP #24 Nebraska (9-3) by 24 points in the Citrus Bowl. They squeaked by three ranked teams and then blew out a fourth in a bowl game. They played seven winning teams overall.
Colorado's SOS rating in 1990 was as good as Miami's rating: 60%. The Buffaloes tied #8 Tennessee on the road to open the season, and they lost to AP #25 Illinois on the road by a point in mid-September. But they did beat #12 Texas by seven points on the road, #5 Washington at home by six points, AP #17 Oklahoma (8-3) by nine points at home, #24 Nebraska by 15 points on the road, and #6 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. They played seven ranked teams and went 5-1-1 against them.
First, we have to decide between Miami and Colorado: both have two blemishes, and both have a 60% SOS rating. The Buffaloes get the edge, because they played one more ranked team than Miami did, and they only lost once, on the road by a point to a ranked team. Miami's two losses were by bigger margins.
So, it's Colorado versus Georgia Tech. Colorado definitely played the better schedule. When it comes to the blemishes, Tech's tie is worse than Colorado's tie by a wide margin, and Colorado's loss isn't bad enough to loss that wide margin. Call it even -- and both teams pummeled Nebraska pretty good. Colorado has two better wins than Georgia Tech's best win.
But there is the Fifth Down to consider. Colorado should have lost a second game. The officials made a big mistake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQJT8q0MMwQ). In essence, Colorado was 10-2-1 in 1990, and that doesn't cut it.
Don't even get me started on the Rocket Ismail call, either.
Georgia Tech wins the McMNC outright.
McMNC Revisions
1. Georgia Tech
2. Colorado
3. Miami-FL
4. Washington
5. Florida State
RUNNING SCORECARD:
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Washington: +1960
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Nebraska: =1970, =1971
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988
1. Colorado: 11-1-1 -- W, Orange, 10-9
2. Georgia Tech: 11-0-1 -- W, Citrus, 45-21
3. Miami-FL: 10-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 46-3
4. Florida State: 10-2-0 -- W, Blockbuster, 24-17
5. Washington: 10-2-0 -- W, Rose, 46-34
6. Notre Dame: 9-3-0 -- L, Orange, 9-10
7. Michigan: 9-3-0 -- W, Gator, 35-3
8. Tennessee: 9-2-2 -- W, Sugar, 23-22
9. Clemson: 10-2-0 -- W, Hall of Fame, 30-0
10. Houston: 10-1-0 -- NONE (probation)
By the way, #14 Louisville went 10-1-1 with a 39% SOS. Weak!
This is an interesting poll year. I always felt the AP voters were going all sympathetic on Bill McCartney and Colorado, based on the end to 1989's season and the Sal Aunese affair. Throw in the Fifth Down against Missouri and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqC_Br3cDJg, and well ... something's rotten in Denmark.
However, the numbers won't lie, so let's start the crunch.
Colorado, Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State and Washington are all in the fray here. But Washington lost at Colorado by six points on September 29, so they're out. Florida State lost to Miami (of course, they did) by nine points in Miami on October 6, so they're gone, too.
Miami has two losses to go with their outstanding 60% SOS rating: they lost on the road to AP #22 BYU (10-3) by seven points, and they went down to #6 Notre Dame on the road by nine points. Good losses, to be sure, but two of them? That hurts. The Hurricanes did beat unranked 7-4-1 California on the road by 28 points, AP #18 Iowa (8-4) at home by 27 points, #4 Florida State at home by nine points, UPI #21 Syracuse (7-4-2) by 26 points at home, 6-5 San Diego State on the road by two points, and AP #12 Texas (10-2) in the Cotton Bowl by 43 points. Overall, an impressive schedule featuring eight winning teams, even with the two losses.
Georgia Tech has only a tie to mar their record: the 55% SOS is good, and the tie was to 6-4-1 North Carolina on the road. Not an ugly blemish, to be sure -- and it's only a partial blemish. The Yellowjackets beat 7-5 North Carolina State at home by eight points, 6-5 South Carolina at home by 21 points, 6-5-1 Maryland on the road by 28 points, #9 Clemson at home by two points, AP #23 Virginia (8-4) on the road by three points, UPI #25 Virginia Tech (6-5) by three points at home, and AP #24 Nebraska (9-3) by 24 points in the Citrus Bowl. They squeaked by three ranked teams and then blew out a fourth in a bowl game. They played seven winning teams overall.
Colorado's SOS rating in 1990 was as good as Miami's rating: 60%. The Buffaloes tied #8 Tennessee on the road to open the season, and they lost to AP #25 Illinois on the road by a point in mid-September. But they did beat #12 Texas by seven points on the road, #5 Washington at home by six points, AP #17 Oklahoma (8-3) by nine points at home, #24 Nebraska by 15 points on the road, and #6 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. They played seven ranked teams and went 5-1-1 against them.
First, we have to decide between Miami and Colorado: both have two blemishes, and both have a 60% SOS rating. The Buffaloes get the edge, because they played one more ranked team than Miami did, and they only lost once, on the road by a point to a ranked team. Miami's two losses were by bigger margins.
So, it's Colorado versus Georgia Tech. Colorado definitely played the better schedule. When it comes to the blemishes, Tech's tie is worse than Colorado's tie by a wide margin, and Colorado's loss isn't bad enough to loss that wide margin. Call it even -- and both teams pummeled Nebraska pretty good. Colorado has two better wins than Georgia Tech's best win.
But there is the Fifth Down to consider. Colorado should have lost a second game. The officials made a big mistake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQJT8q0MMwQ). In essence, Colorado was 10-2-1 in 1990, and that doesn't cut it.
Don't even get me started on the Rocket Ismail call, either.
Georgia Tech wins the McMNC outright.
McMNC Revisions
1. Georgia Tech
2. Colorado
3. Miami-FL
4. Washington
5. Florida State
RUNNING SCORECARD:
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Washington: +1960
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Nebraska: =1970, =1971
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988
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