1971 college football season
Encyclopedia
The 1971 college football season saw Coach Bob Devaney
's Nebraska Cornhuskers
repeat as national champions. After being ranked 2nd in the preseason poll, Nebraska captured first place the following week and remained there for the rest of 1971 and won the Orange Bowl
38–6 in a #1 vs. #2 game against Alabama.
During the 20th Century, the NCAA had no playoff for the college football teams that would later be described as "Division I-A". The NCAA Football Guide, however, did note an "unofficial national champion" based on the top ranked teams in the "wire service" (AP and UPI) polls. The "writers' poll" by Associated Press
(AP) was the most popular, followed by the "coaches' poll" by United Press International
) (UPI). In 1971, the UPI issued its final poll before the bowls, but the AP Trophy was withheld until the postseason was completed. The AP poll in 1971 consisted of the votes of as many as 55 sportswriters, though not all of them voted in every poll. Those who cast votes would give their opinion of the ten best teams. Under a point system of 20 points for first place, 19 for second, etc., the "overall" ranking was determined.
September 18
#1 Nebraska
beat Minnesota 35–7
#3 Texas
won at UCLA, 28–10.
#2 Notre Dame
beat Northwestern
50–7.
#4 Michigan
shut out Virginia
, 56–0.
#5 Ohio State
was idle and fell to 6th.
#6 Auburn
, which crushed UT-Chattanooga 60–7, reached #5. The poll was 1.Nebraska 2.Notre Dame 3.Texas 4.Michigan 5.Auburn
September 25
#1 Nebraska
beat Texas A&M
, 34–7. #3 Texas
beat Texas Tech
28–0. #2 Notre Dame
narrowly won at Purdue
, 8–7.
#4 Michigan
beat visiting UCLA
38–0.
#6 Ohio State
lost to visiting #10 Colorado
, 20–14.
#5 Auburn
edged #9 Tennessee
at home, 10–9. Michigan and Notre Dame traded places in the poll that followed: 1.Nebraska 2.Michigan 3.Texas 4.Notre Dame 5.Auburn
#1 Nebraska
beat Utah State at home, 42-6.
#3 Texas
defeated Oregon 35-7. #4 Notre Dame beat Michigan State 14-2, and fell to 7th place in the next poll. #2 Michigan registered its third straight shutout at home, beating Navy 46-0.
#5 Auburn Tigers
beat Kentucky 38-6
#6 Colorado
rose to 5th after beating Kansas State 31-21
Poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Michigan 3.Texas 4.Auburn 5.Colorado
October 9 The top 9 teams improved their records to 4-0 or 5-0. In their first Big 8 game and first on the road, #1 Nebraska
shut out Missouri 36-0.
#3 Texas
lost to #8 Oklahoma
in Dallas, 48-27. #2 Michigan won at Michigan State 24-13. #4 Auburn Tigers
beat Southern Mississippi 27-14. #5 Colorado
won at Iowa State, 24-14, but dropped in the poll to 6th.
# Alabama, which won at Vanderbilt 42-0, rose to 4th. Texas dropped to 10th place, while Oklahoma rose to 2nd. The poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn
October 16 #1 Nebraska
crushed Kansas 55-0, raising its record to 6-0-0 and outscoring its opposition 238-27. #2 Oklahoma
beat visiting #6 Colorado
45-17. #3 Michigan beat Illinois 35-6. #4 Alabama beat #14 Tennessee 32-15 at Birmingham. #5 Auburn
won over Georgia Tech in Atlanta, 31-14. Eight teams had records of 5-0 or 6-0. The next poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Notre Dame 7.Penn State 8.Georgia.
October 23 Seven of the top 8 teams stayed unbeaten, playing unranked opponents. #1 Nebraska
allowed Oklahoma State to reach double digits, but still won at Stillwater, OK, 41-13. #2 Oklahoma
invaded Manhattan, KS and decimated the Kansas State Wildcats 75-28. #3 Michigan won at Minnesota, 35-7. #4 Alabama hosted Houston
and won 34-20. #5 Auburn
beat Clemson 35-13. #6 Notre Dame lost to visiting USC, 28-14.
#7 Penn State
#8 Georgia
beat Kentucky at home, 34-0
Poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Penn State 7.Georgia
October 30 #1 Nebraska
handed visiting #9 Colorado a 31-7 defeat. #2 Oklahoma
beat Iowa State 43-12
#3 Michigan rolled over visiting Indiana 61-7. #4 Alabama beat Mississippi State at Jackson, Miss., #5 Auburn
beat Florida 40-7, #6 Penn State won at West Virginia, 35-7, and #7 Georgia
recorded its third consecutive shutout, at South Carolina, 24-0
The Top 7, all staying unbeaten, remained the same in the next poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Penn State 7.Georgia
beat Iowa State 37-0. #2 Oklahoma
won at Missouri, 20-3. #3 Michigan crushed Iowa, 63-7. #4 Alabama won at #18 LSU, 14-7. #5 Auburn
beat Mississippi State 30-21. #6 Penn State won 63-27 over Maryland. #7 Georgia
beat Florida at Jacksonville. As the Top 7 teams extended their records to 8-0 or 9-0, the poll stayed unchanged: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Penn State 6.Auburn 7.Georgia
November 13
#1 Nebraska
won at Kansas State 44-17.
#2 Oklahoma
beat Kansas 56-10. #3 Michigan narrowly won at Purdue, 20-17.
#4 Alabama defeated the visiting Miami Hurricanes, 31-3
#5 Auburn
(8-0-0) and #7 Georgia
(9-0-0) met at Athens, Ga., with the Auburn winning a decisive 35-20 victory.
#6 Penn State beat North Carolina State 35-3.
Poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Penn State
November 20 Four of the Top 5 teams were idle. #1 Nebraska
and
#2 Oklahoma
were preparing for their Thanksgiving Day meeting at Norman, OK, while #4 Alabama and #5 Auburn
prepared for their season closer in Birmingham. #3 Michigan (10-0-0) defeated Ohio State, 10-7, to win the Big 10 title and earn the Rose Bowl berth. #6 Penn State won at Pittsburgh 55-18
Poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Penn State
As the regular season neared its close, Big 8 rivals Nebraska and Oklahoma were unbeaten, as were SEC rivals Alabama and Auburn, and Big 10 champ Michigan. On Thanksgiving Day, #1 Nebraska
(10-0-0) and #2 Oklahoma
(9-0-0) met on the Sooners' field in a game that would determine the Big 8 title, the #1 ranking, and a trip to the Orange Bowl. The Nebraska Cornhuskers won a classic battle with a toucdown with 90 seconds left, 35-31. The loss dropped Oklahoma behind the unbeatens into 5th place in the polls. That weekend (November 27), #4 Alabama (10-0-0) and #5 Auburn
(9-0-0) played their annual season-ender at Birmingham, with Alabama handing the Tigers their first loss, 31-7; as a result of this impressive win, Alabama jumped over Michigan. As SEC champion, Bama was invited to, but not obligated to play in, the Sugar Bowl; instead accepted a bid to play #1 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl instead. Auburn went to the Sugar Bowl instead, to face Oklahoma in a meeting of the runners up in the SEC and the Big 8. #6 Penn State was idle. The next poll:
1.Nebraska 2.Alabama 3.Michigan 4.Penn State 5.Oklahoma
, with an 11-0-0 record, had NCAA permission to play a 12th game... in Hawaii. They beat the Rainbows 45-3 for their 12th win. #4 Penn State took its unbeaten (10-0-0) record to face #12 Tennessee (8-2-0), and lost, 31-11. #4 Oklahoma
's season ender was in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for their annual game against Oklahoma State, which the Sooners won 58-14. The final regular season poll was 1.Nebraska 2.Alabama 3.Michigan 4.Oklahoma 5.Auburn. Colorado, who lost only to Big 8 conference foes Nebraska and Oklahoma, was ranked 6th and headed for the Bluebonnet Bowl.
With #1 Nebraska
slated to play #2 Alabama in the Orange Bowl
, there was little suspense as to which game or games would decide the national title. #3 Michigan
held out the slim hope that, if they handily defeated Stanford
while Nebraska or Alabama barely won or tied, they could leapfrog both teams into the #1 position. But for the second year in a row, underdog Stanford came from behind to defeat the undefeated Big 10 champion in the Rose Bowl, this time beating Michigan 13–12 on a last second field goal by Rod Garcia (who had missed 4 field goals when Stanford was upset by San Jose State earlier in the season, ironically by the score of 13–12). Nebraska then walloped Alabama in the Orange Bowl 38–6 to claim its second straight national title. In the Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma intercepted Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan
3 times and easily handled Auburn 40-22 to regain the #2 ranking in the final poll. With #2 Alabama, #3 Michigan, and #5 Auburn all losing, #6 Colorado, winner of the Bluebonnet Bowl, rose to #3. In fact, in the final poll, the Big 8 occupied the top 3 spots, with Oklahoma
#2 and Colorado
(whose only losses were to Nebraska and Oklahoma) #3. This is the only time teams from one conference were rated 1-2-3 in the final poll.
Blue Hens, which defeated Rutgers, Villanova and Boston University, averaged 40 points per game, and had a 9-1-0 record, were named best by UPI's 32 member coach board, followed by the (9-0-1) McNeese State Cowboys, #3 Eastern Michigan (7-0-2), #4 Tennessee State (8-1-0) and #5 C.W. Post (8-1-0) . The AP writers' panel also ranked Delaware, McNeese and Eastern Michigan 1,2 and 3, with Louisiana Tech fourth and Tennessee State fifth . Delaware and C.W. Post met in the Boardwalk Bowl
on December 11 in Atlantic City, with the Blue Hens winning 72-22.
In the NAIA playoffs, Livingston beat Arkansas Tech 14-12 (Div. I) and California Lutheran beat Westminster 30-14 (Div. II)
Bob Devaney
Robert S. "Bob" Devaney was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Wyoming from 1957 to 1961 and at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from 1962 to 1972, compiling a career college football record of 136–30–7...
's Nebraska Cornhuskers
1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1971 college football season. Nebraska was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln...
repeat as national champions. After being ranked 2nd in the preseason poll, Nebraska captured first place the following week and remained there for the rest of 1971 and won the Orange Bowl
1972 Orange Bowl
The 1972 Orange Bowl was played on January 1, 1972, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. In the final game of the 1971 college football season, top-ranked and defending national champion Nebraska soundly defeated the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide, 38–6....
38–6 in a #1 vs. #2 game against Alabama.
During the 20th Century, the NCAA had no playoff for the college football teams that would later be described as "Division I-A". The NCAA Football Guide, however, did note an "unofficial national champion" based on the top ranked teams in the "wire service" (AP and UPI) polls. The "writers' poll" by Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
(AP) was the most popular, followed by the "coaches' poll" by United Press International
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
) (UPI). In 1971, the UPI issued its final poll before the bowls, but the AP Trophy was withheld until the postseason was completed. The AP poll in 1971 consisted of the votes of as many as 55 sportswriters, though not all of them voted in every poll. Those who cast votes would give their opinion of the ten best teams. Under a point system of 20 points for first place, 19 for second, etc., the "overall" ranking was determined.
September
- In the preseason poll released on September 6, 1971, Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
was ranked #1, while defending champion Nebraska1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1971 college football season. Nebraska was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln...
was second. Nebraska had more first place votes (26) than Notre Dame (15), but fewer points overall (870 vs. 885). TexasTexas Longhorns footballThe Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
, Michigan1971 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1971 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
and USC rounded out the Top Five. The poll was 1.Notre Dame 2.Nebraska 3.Texas 4.Michigan 5.USC
- On Friday, September 10, in Los Angeles, #4 Alabama beat #5 USC, 17–10. The next day, September 11 #2 Nebraska1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1971 college football season. Nebraska was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln...
won its opener, 34–7 against OregonOregon Ducks footballThe Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
. #4 Michigan1971 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1971 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
won at #20 NorthwesternNorthwestern Wildcats footballThe Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
21–6. #3 TexasTexas Longhorns footballThe Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
had not started its season. In the poll that followed, Nebraska received 31 of the 50 first place votes, while #5 Ohio State1971 Ohio State Buckeyes football teamThe 1971 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1971-1972. The Buckeyes compiled a 6–4 record.-Schedule:-1972 NFL draftees:-References:Win/Loss statistics*...
took USC's #5 spot. The poll was 1.Nebraska 2.Notre Dame 3.Texas 4.Michigan 5.Ohio State
September 18
#1 Nebraska
1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1971 college football season. Nebraska was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln...
beat Minnesota 35–7
#3 Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
won at UCLA, 28–10.
#2 Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
beat Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
50–7.
#4 Michigan
1971 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1971 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
shut out Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers football
Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, 56–0.
#5 Ohio State
1971 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1971 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1971-1972. The Buckeyes compiled a 6–4 record.-Schedule:-1972 NFL draftees:-References:Win/Loss statistics*...
was idle and fell to 6th.
#6 Auburn
1971 Auburn Tigers football team
The 1971 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1971 college football season. The Tigers offense scored 335 points while the defense allowed 182 points.-Season:In the Iron Bowl, Auburn lost to Alabama, 31–7.-Schedule:...
, which crushed UT-Chattanooga 60–7, reached #5. The poll was 1.Nebraska 2.Notre Dame 3.Texas 4.Michigan 5.Auburn
September 25
#1 Nebraska
1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1971 college football season. Nebraska was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln...
beat Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
, 34–7. #3 Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
beat Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
28–0. #2 Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
narrowly won at Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
, 8–7.
#4 Michigan
1971 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1971 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
beat visiting UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
38–0.
#6 Ohio State
1971 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1971 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1971-1972. The Buckeyes compiled a 6–4 record.-Schedule:-1972 NFL draftees:-References:Win/Loss statistics*...
lost to visiting #10 Colorado
1971 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 1971 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1971 college football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 245 points while the defense allowed 113 points. Led by head coach Eddie Crowder, the Buffaloes competed in the Bluebonnet...
, 20–14.
#5 Auburn
1971 Auburn Tigers football team
The 1971 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1971 college football season. The Tigers offense scored 335 points while the defense allowed 182 points.-Season:In the Iron Bowl, Auburn lost to Alabama, 31–7.-Schedule:...
edged #9 Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
at home, 10–9. Michigan and Notre Dame traded places in the poll that followed: 1.Nebraska 2.Michigan 3.Texas 4.Notre Dame 5.Auburn
October
October 2 Fifteen of the Top 20 teams remained unbeaten, including the Top 12.#1 Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
beat Utah State at home, 42-6.
#3 Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
defeated Oregon 35-7. #4 Notre Dame beat Michigan State 14-2, and fell to 7th place in the next poll. #2 Michigan registered its third straight shutout at home, beating Navy 46-0.
#5 Auburn Tigers
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
beat Kentucky 38-6
#6 Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
rose to 5th after beating Kansas State 31-21
Poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Michigan 3.Texas 4.Auburn 5.Colorado
October 9 The top 9 teams improved their records to 4-0 or 5-0. In their first Big 8 game and first on the road, #1 Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
shut out Missouri 36-0.
#3 Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
lost to #8 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in Dallas, 48-27. #2 Michigan won at Michigan State 24-13. #4 Auburn Tigers
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
beat Southern Mississippi 27-14. #5 Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
won at Iowa State, 24-14, but dropped in the poll to 6th.
# Alabama, which won at Vanderbilt 42-0, rose to 4th. Texas dropped to 10th place, while Oklahoma rose to 2nd. The poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn
October 16 #1 Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
crushed Kansas 55-0, raising its record to 6-0-0 and outscoring its opposition 238-27. #2 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
beat visiting #6 Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
45-17. #3 Michigan beat Illinois 35-6. #4 Alabama beat #14 Tennessee 32-15 at Birmingham. #5 Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
won over Georgia Tech in Atlanta, 31-14. Eight teams had records of 5-0 or 6-0. The next poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Notre Dame 7.Penn State 8.Georgia.
October 23 Seven of the top 8 teams stayed unbeaten, playing unranked opponents. #1 Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
allowed Oklahoma State to reach double digits, but still won at Stillwater, OK, 41-13. #2 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
invaded Manhattan, KS and decimated the Kansas State Wildcats 75-28. #3 Michigan won at Minnesota, 35-7. #4 Alabama hosted Houston
Houston Cougars football
The Houston Cougars football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents the University of Houston. The team is commonly referred to as "Houston" or "UH" . The UH football program is currently a member of the Conference USA intercollegiate athletic conference, and is coached by...
and won 34-20. #5 Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
beat Clemson 35-13. #6 Notre Dame lost to visiting USC, 28-14.
#7 Penn State
#8 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
beat Kentucky at home, 34-0
Poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Penn State 7.Georgia
October 30 #1 Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
handed visiting #9 Colorado a 31-7 defeat. #2 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
beat Iowa State 43-12
#3 Michigan rolled over visiting Indiana 61-7. #4 Alabama beat Mississippi State at Jackson, Miss., #5 Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
beat Florida 40-7, #6 Penn State won at West Virginia, 35-7, and #7 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
recorded its third consecutive shutout, at South Carolina, 24-0
The Top 7, all staying unbeaten, remained the same in the next poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Penn State 7.Georgia
November
November 6 #1 NebraskaNebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
beat Iowa State 37-0. #2 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
won at Missouri, 20-3. #3 Michigan crushed Iowa, 63-7. #4 Alabama won at #18 LSU, 14-7. #5 Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
beat Mississippi State 30-21. #6 Penn State won 63-27 over Maryland. #7 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
beat Florida at Jacksonville. As the Top 7 teams extended their records to 8-0 or 9-0, the poll stayed unchanged: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Penn State 6.Auburn 7.Georgia
November 13
#1 Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
won at Kansas State 44-17.
#2 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
beat Kansas 56-10. #3 Michigan narrowly won at Purdue, 20-17.
#4 Alabama defeated the visiting Miami Hurricanes, 31-3
#5 Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
(8-0-0) and #7 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
(9-0-0) met at Athens, Ga., with the Auburn winning a decisive 35-20 victory.
#6 Penn State beat North Carolina State 35-3.
Poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Penn State
November 20 Four of the Top 5 teams were idle. #1 Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
and
#2 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
were preparing for their Thanksgiving Day meeting at Norman, OK, while #4 Alabama and #5 Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
prepared for their season closer in Birmingham. #3 Michigan (10-0-0) defeated Ohio State, 10-7, to win the Big 10 title and earn the Rose Bowl berth. #6 Penn State won at Pittsburgh 55-18
Poll: 1.Nebraska 2.Oklahoma 3.Michigan 4.Alabama 5.Auburn 6.Penn State
As the regular season neared its close, Big 8 rivals Nebraska and Oklahoma were unbeaten, as were SEC rivals Alabama and Auburn, and Big 10 champ Michigan. On Thanksgiving Day, #1 Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
(10-0-0) and #2 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
(9-0-0) met on the Sooners' field in a game that would determine the Big 8 title, the #1 ranking, and a trip to the Orange Bowl. The Nebraska Cornhuskers won a classic battle with a toucdown with 90 seconds left, 35-31. The loss dropped Oklahoma behind the unbeatens into 5th place in the polls. That weekend (November 27), #4 Alabama (10-0-0) and #5 Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
(9-0-0) played their annual season-ender at Birmingham, with Alabama handing the Tigers their first loss, 31-7; as a result of this impressive win, Alabama jumped over Michigan. As SEC champion, Bama was invited to, but not obligated to play in, the Sugar Bowl; instead accepted a bid to play #1 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl instead. Auburn went to the Sugar Bowl instead, to face Oklahoma in a meeting of the runners up in the SEC and the Big 8. #6 Penn State was idle. The next poll:
1.Nebraska 2.Alabama 3.Michigan 4.Penn State 5.Oklahoma
December
December 4 #1 NebraskaNebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
, with an 11-0-0 record, had NCAA permission to play a 12th game... in Hawaii. They beat the Rainbows 45-3 for their 12th win. #4 Penn State took its unbeaten (10-0-0) record to face #12 Tennessee (8-2-0), and lost, 31-11. #4 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
's season ender was in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for their annual game against Oklahoma State, which the Sooners won 58-14. The final regular season poll was 1.Nebraska 2.Alabama 3.Michigan 4.Oklahoma 5.Auburn. Colorado, who lost only to Big 8 conference foes Nebraska and Oklahoma, was ranked 6th and headed for the Bluebonnet Bowl.
Conference standings
The following is an incomplete list of conference standings:Major bowls
| BOWL | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORANGE 1972 Orange Bowl The 1972 Orange Bowl was played on January 1, 1972, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. In the final game of the 1971 college football season, top-ranked and defending national champion Nebraska soundly defeated the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide, 38–6.... |
#1 Nebraska Cornhuskers 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team The 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1971 college football season. Nebraska was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln... |
38 | #2 Alabama Crimson Tide | 6 |
| COTTON | #10 Penn State Nittany Lions | 30 | #12 Texas Longhorns Texas Longhorns football The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National... |
6 |
| SUGAR | #4 Oklahoma Sooners Oklahoma Sooners football The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
40 | #5 Auburn Tigers Auburn Tigers football Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the... |
22 |
| ROSE 1972 Rose Bowl The 1972 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1972. It was the 58th Rose Bowl Game. The Stanford Indians defeated the Michigan Wolverines, 13–12... |
#16 Stanford Indians* Stanford Cardinal football The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The... |
13 | #3 Michigan Wolverines 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1971 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler... |
12 |
- Last game Stanford used nickname "Indians." Nickname was changed to "Cardinals" early in 1972. Nickname was changed again to "Cardinal" in 1981.
With #1 Nebraska
1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1971 college football season. Nebraska was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln...
slated to play #2 Alabama in the Orange Bowl
1972 Orange Bowl
The 1972 Orange Bowl was played on January 1, 1972, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. In the final game of the 1971 college football season, top-ranked and defending national champion Nebraska soundly defeated the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide, 38–6....
, there was little suspense as to which game or games would decide the national title. #3 Michigan
1971 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1971 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
held out the slim hope that, if they handily defeated Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
while Nebraska or Alabama barely won or tied, they could leapfrog both teams into the #1 position. But for the second year in a row, underdog Stanford came from behind to defeat the undefeated Big 10 champion in the Rose Bowl, this time beating Michigan 13–12 on a last second field goal by Rod Garcia (who had missed 4 field goals when Stanford was upset by San Jose State earlier in the season, ironically by the score of 13–12). Nebraska then walloped Alabama in the Orange Bowl 38–6 to claim its second straight national title. In the Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma intercepted Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan
Pat Sullivan (American football)
Patrick Joseph Sullivan is an American football coach and former player. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1971 playing quarterback for the Auburn Tigers and then played in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins. Sullivan is currently the head coach at Samford University...
3 times and easily handled Auburn 40-22 to regain the #2 ranking in the final poll. With #2 Alabama, #3 Michigan, and #5 Auburn all losing, #6 Colorado, winner of the Bluebonnet Bowl, rose to #3. In fact, in the final poll, the Big 8 occupied the top 3 spots, with Oklahoma
1971 Oklahoma Sooners football team
The 1971 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1971 NCAA University Division season. Oklahoma Sooners football participated in the former Big Eight Conference at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium...
#2 and Colorado
1971 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 1971 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1971 college football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 245 points while the defense allowed 113 points. Led by head coach Eddie Crowder, the Buffaloes competed in the Bluebonnet...
(whose only losses were to Nebraska and Oklahoma) #3. This is the only time teams from one conference were rated 1-2-3 in the final poll.
Other bowls
| BOWL | Location | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUN | El Paso | LSU 33 | Iowa State 15 |
| GATOR | Jacksonville | Georgia 7 | North Carolina 3 |
| TANGERINE | Orlando | Toledo 28 | Richmond 3 |
| ASTRO-BLUEBONNET | Houston | Colorado 1971 Colorado Buffaloes football team The 1971 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1971 college football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 245 points while the defense allowed 113 points. Led by head coach Eddie Crowder, the Buffaloes competed in the Bluebonnet... 29 |
Houston 17 |
| LIBERTY 1971 Liberty Bowl The 1971 Liberty Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Tennessee Volunteers. In the thirteenth Liberty Bowl, #9 Tennessee defeated #18 Arkansas 14-13 in front of 45,410 patrons.-#18 Arkansas:... |
Memphis | Tennessee 14 | Arkansas 13 |
| PEACH | Atlanta | Mississippi 41 | Georgia Tech 18 |
| FIESTA | Tempe, Arizona Tempe, Arizona Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale... |
Arizona State 1971 Arizona State Sun Devils football team The 1971 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the 1971 college football season. The offense scored 462 points while the defense allowed 201 points... 45 |
Florida State 38 |
| MERCY | Los Angeles | Cal State Fullerton 17 | Fresno State 14 |
| PASADENA | Pasadena | Memphis State 28 | San Jose State 9 |
Other champions
The schools that are now in the NCAA's "Division I-AA" were ranked in the "small college poll", taken by both the UPI (coaches) and AP (a panel of writers). The University of DelawareUniversity of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
Blue Hens, which defeated Rutgers, Villanova and Boston University, averaged 40 points per game, and had a 9-1-0 record, were named best by UPI's 32 member coach board, followed by the (9-0-1) McNeese State Cowboys, #3 Eastern Michigan (7-0-2), #4 Tennessee State (8-1-0) and #5 C.W. Post (8-1-0) . The AP writers' panel also ranked Delaware, McNeese and Eastern Michigan 1,2 and 3, with Louisiana Tech fourth and Tennessee State fifth . Delaware and C.W. Post met in the Boardwalk Bowl
Boardwalk Bowl
The Boardwalk Bowl is a post-season college football game held at the former Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The game featured an annual matchup between Pennsylvania Military College and the United States Merchant Marine Academy, known as the "Little Army–Navy Game"...
on December 11 in Atlantic City, with the Blue Hens winning 72-22.
In the NAIA playoffs, Livingston beat Arkansas Tech 14-12 (Div. I) and California Lutheran beat Westminster 30-14 (Div. II)
Heisman Trophy
- Pat SullivanPat Sullivan (American football)Patrick Joseph Sullivan is an American football coach and former player. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1971 playing quarterback for the Auburn Tigers and then played in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins. Sullivan is currently the head coach at Samford University...
, QB - Auburn, 1,597 points - Ed MarinaroEd MarinaroEd Marinaro is an American former football player turned actor.-Football career:Marinaro played high school football in New Milford, New Jersey, for the New Milford High School Knights....
, RB - Cornell, 1,445 - Greg PruittGreg PruittGregory Donald Pruitt is a former American football running back in the NFL from 1973 through 1984. He was selected to five Pro Bowls, four as a member of the Cleveland Browns and one as a member of the Los Angeles Raiders, the last one as a kick returner...
, RB - Oklahoma, 586 - (only junior in top 10) - Johnny Musso, RB - Alabama, 365
- Lydell MitchellLydell MitchellLydell Douglas Mitchell , is a former professional American football player. He played running back in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers and Los Angeles Rams spanning 1972-1980....
, RB - Penn State, 251 - Jack MildrenJack MildrenLarry Jack Mildren a native Texan, was an All-American quarterback at The University of Oklahoma in his college years, and professional football player with the Baltimore Colts and New England Patriots, an oil company owner, was elected as the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, and enjoyed a...
, QB - Oklahoma, 208 - Jerry TaggeJerry TaggeJerry Lee Tagge is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the NFL, WFL, and CFL from 1972-79. He is best known as the quarterback of the Nebraska Cornhusker teams which won national championships in 1970 and 1971....
, QB - Nebraska1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1971 college football season. Nebraska was coached by Bob Devaney and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln...
, 168 - Chuck EaleyChuck EaleyCharles "Chuck" Ealey is a former football player for Notre Dame High School, University of Toledo, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.-High school and college years:...
, QB - Toledo, 137 - Walt PatulskiWalt PatulskiWalter George Patulski is a former American football defensive end at the University of Notre Dame and the National Football League.-High school:...
, DE - Notre Dame, 121 - Eric Allen, RB - Michigan State, 109