...and Nebraska Has The Guns

There have been other seasons when three teams were so honored—as in 1926, when Alabama, Stanford and Navy received various awards, and in 1938, when TCU, Tennessee and Notre Dame were chosen. Moreover, in 16 other years over the past 40 the public has been informed that two different teams were national champions. More befuddling still is the fact that in 18 of the 40 years the team with the best record won no recognition.

There is of course a way for the NCAA to satisfy the public: play to a national title. The chart on the preceding page, based on this magazine's scouting reports, illustrates what could happen if there were a playoff. The scores are intended to reflect this year's strengths—and Nebraska is the champion, with its closest call against Texas in the semifinals. The country is divided East and West as accurately as possible for balance, all major areas are included and the first-round games determine regional superiority. For playing sites, it seems needless to point out that there are eight major bowl sponsors who would be pleased to continue their promotions.

Although the NCAA decides national champions in most other sports—for instance, fencing—its main argument against a football playoff centers vaguely around overemphasis. But as long as the administrators fire coaches, sell tickets, recruit athletes, play postseason games and peddle their product to television they are kidding no one.

Anyhow, the sport can use more emphasis. As USC's John McKay says, "There are still over 600 million Chinese who don't care if we win or lose."

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]