goldfarb (01/04/83)
I think Penn State has a legitimate claim on the #1 crown. The consensus of five active polls ranks them first. Here are the top 10 from each: AP UPI USA Today N.Y.Times Dunkel 1. Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State 2. SMU SMU SMU Nebraska Nebraska 3. Nebraska Nebraska Nebraska Georgia Georgia 4. Georgia Georgia Georgia SMU UCLA 5. UCLA UCLA UCLA UCLA Florida State 6. Ariz. State Ariz. State Ariz. State Ariz. State Ohio State 7. Washington Washington Pitt USC Clemson 8. Clemson Arkansas Arkansas Florida State Maryland USC (tie) 9. Arkansas Pitt Clemson Clemson --- 10. Pitt Florida State Washington Arkansas SMU The AP poll is based on sportswriters' votes, the UPI on coaches votes, the USA Today on a panel of sportswriters' votes, the N.Y. Times on computer rankings, and Dunkel on a mathematical formula. The last two, of course, consider the toughness of the schedule. Penn State beat Nebraska, Georgia, Pitt, and Maryland which are all ranked in at least one of the top ten's above. In addition, they played West Virginia and Alabama, both top twenty teams, as well as Boston College who played in the Tangerine Bowl. And say what you will about the Irish this year, Penn State beat them in South Bend, always a major accomplishment. The loss to Alabama, State's only one, was early in the season. I would say Penn State had the toughest schedule in football this year. Since I am obviously biased and fairly ignorant about SMU's schedule, I will welcome counterpoint from Pony fans. Ben Goldfarb ...!duke!ucf-cs!goldfarb