Flagstaffsooner
9/14/2007, 06:05 AM
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2007-09-13-historic-ranking_N.htm
By Greg Dohmann, USA TODAY
With USC vs. Nebraska and Tennessee vs. Florida highlighting this weekend's games, the USA TODAY Coaches' Poll could look significantly different come Sunday. But regardless how those teams perform this weekend, their spots in one list are safe — for now.
Robert Lemieux, an associate professor in the communications department at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md., has created an historical ranking of the best teams in Division I-A since the inception of the Associated Press poll in 1936. By dividing each team's average positions in the postseason media and coaches polls by the percentage of times it appeared in the polls, Lemieux ranked 94 current I-A teams. Lemieux did not include teams no longer in I-A (now the Football Bowl Subdivision).
Who is No. 1? That honor belongs to Oklahoma, which has been ranked in 68% of the postseason polls with an average position of 7.18. Notre Dame is No. 2, followed by Michigan, which has appeared in 77% of the polls, more than any other team. Alabama and Ohio State round out the top 5.
Although the top of the poll is filled with the usual suspects, a few surprising teams challenged the more established programs. Boise State, which joined I-A in 1996, is listed 20th, aided by recent high rankings. Army and Duke, perennial losers in recent seasons, relied on their success of yesteryear, finishing at Nos. 31 and 34, respectively.
So, what's the point?
By Greg Dohmann, USA TODAY
With USC vs. Nebraska and Tennessee vs. Florida highlighting this weekend's games, the USA TODAY Coaches' Poll could look significantly different come Sunday. But regardless how those teams perform this weekend, their spots in one list are safe — for now.
Robert Lemieux, an associate professor in the communications department at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md., has created an historical ranking of the best teams in Division I-A since the inception of the Associated Press poll in 1936. By dividing each team's average positions in the postseason media and coaches polls by the percentage of times it appeared in the polls, Lemieux ranked 94 current I-A teams. Lemieux did not include teams no longer in I-A (now the Football Bowl Subdivision).
Who is No. 1? That honor belongs to Oklahoma, which has been ranked in 68% of the postseason polls with an average position of 7.18. Notre Dame is No. 2, followed by Michigan, which has appeared in 77% of the polls, more than any other team. Alabama and Ohio State round out the top 5.
Although the top of the poll is filled with the usual suspects, a few surprising teams challenged the more established programs. Boise State, which joined I-A in 1996, is listed 20th, aided by recent high rankings. Army and Duke, perennial losers in recent seasons, relied on their success of yesteryear, finishing at Nos. 31 and 34, respectively.
So, what's the point?