[net.sport.foot] Penn State: #1

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