What Might Have Been: 1976

[SWC75]

(for a discussion of what this is and how it was done see this post:
http://syracusefan.com/threads/what-might-have-been-1973.3805/

The situation:
ACC: Maryland was a perfect 11-0-0 (273-85).
SEC: Georgia got upset 17-21 by Mississippi but swept the rest of their schedule, including a 21-0 domination of Alabama, to go 10-1 and 5-1 in the league, (324-118).
Big 10: Michigan was #1 most of the season but got upset by Purdue 14-16. Still they were a dominating 10-1, 7-1, (426-81), including a 22-0 victory over Ohio State, who also finished 7-1 in the conference. Overall the Buckeyes were 8-2-1, (278-139).
Big 8: Talk about a flat conference. Oklahoma was 8-2-1, (285-185), Oklahoma State 8-3, (280-193), Colorado 8-3, (295-198), Iowa State 8-3, (369-216) and Nebraska 8-3-1 (389-157). Oklahoma lost to Oklahoma State and Colorado but beat Iowa State and Nebraska.
Oklahoma State lost to Colorado and Nebraska but beat Oklahoma and Iowa State. Colorado lost to Nebraska but beat Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Oklahoma in successive weeks- then lost to Missouri. Iowa State lost to Oklahoma, Colorado and Oklahoma State but beat Nebraska. Nebraska outscored their opponents by the largest margin on the season and beat Colorado and Oklahoma State but lost to Iowa State and Oklahoma as well as Missouri. When the dust settled, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado were co-champions with Iowa State and Nebraska in second place.
SWC: Texas Tech and Houston both went 7-1. Tech had the superior overall record (10-1, 312-179) but lost 19-27 to Houston, (9-2, 313-167), who had been beaten 7-14 by a 5-5-1 Arkansas team.
Pac 8: It came down to USC vs. UCLA in the final game and the Trojans won, as they usually do when they are better or comparable to the Bruins, 24-14. The Trojans lost their opener to pesky Missouri, (a 6-5 team who beat them, Ohio State, North Carolina, Nebraska and Colorado) but then won 10 in a row, ending at 10-1, (372-133). The Bruins were unbeaten with a 10-10 tie against Ohio State going into the USC game and wound up 9-1-1 (385-137) in Terry Donahue’s first year.
Other top teams: Pittsburgh ruled the East at 11-0 (354-130) with Tony Dorsett having a record-breaking year. They were ranked #1 after Michigan lost but many doubted them, including USC’s Johnny Robinson, who said their match-up with Michigan in the Rose Bowl was, everybody surely realized, the real battle for the national championship. Rutgers was under the radar with an 11-0 record of it’s own, (287-81), but against lesser competition. Mississippi State was 9-2, (269-178), as was North Carolina (243-199) and Texas A&M (327-126) and BYU (351-182). San Diego State continued to be a strong mid-major at 10-1 but didn’t score much (197-125).

What actually happened:
Rutgers and San Diego State didn’t go anywhere. Maybe they should have been matched up. Nebraska beat Texas Tech, 27-24 in the Bluebonnet Bowl. Texas A&M waxed Florida 37-14 in the Sun bowl, completing one of their more impressive seasons, (10-2, 364-140).
North Carolina lost to Kentucky, 0-21 in the Peach Bowl. BYU was no match for Oklahoma State in the Tangerine Bowl, 21-49. A disappointed UCLA team wasn’t ready for Alabama in the Liberty Bowl, losing 6-36. Oklahoma got stuck in the still second tier Fiesta Bowl and took out it’s frustrations on Wyoming, 41-7.
In the big games, Ohio State handled Colorado in the Orange Bowl, 27-10. Houston spoiled Maryland’ perfect season in the Cotton Bowl, 30-21. Southern Cal won it’s “real national championship game” vs. Michigan, 14-6. But when Pittsburgh crushed Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, 27-3 to go 12-0, everybody knew who the real national champion was.

If there was a BCS:
Pittsburgh,11-0 and #1 in both polls at the end of the regular season would have played 10-1 Michigan, #2 in both polls, for the national championship with a fuming Robinson, (whose team was also 10-1), watching on TV. Maryland at 11-0 and Georgia at 10-1 would also have been out of the picture.

What might have been:
(Alabama (#16/#15) barely beat out Rutgers (#15/#17) for the last spot.)
Alabama (8-3, 291-134) at Pittsburgh (11-0, 354-130)
Notre Dame (8-3, 274-149) at Michigan (10-1, 426-81)
Oklahoma State (8-3, 280-193) at Southern California (10-1, 372-133)
Nebraska (8-3-1, 389-157) at Maryland (11-0, 273-85)
Colorado (8-3, 295-198) at Georgia (10-1, 324-118)
Ohio State (8-2-1, 278-139) at Houston (9-2, 313-167)
Texas A&M (9-2, 327-126) at UCLA (9-1-1, 385-137)
Texas Tech (10-1, 312-179) at Oklahoma (8-2-1, 285-185)
Site for the title game: The Cotton Bowl
The Tide provides Pitt with a strong test right off. Same thing with Nebraska and Maryland, Ohio State and Houston. Notre Dame and Michigan anticipates a future annual series. I like the Texas A&M-UCLA match up, two of the best teams those schools ever had. And Texas Tech at 10-1 gets a shot. Sorry, Rutgers.

　

　

 

[SWC75]

FIRST ROUND (12/4/76)

At Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: PITTSBURGH 27 ALABAMA 10
The Crimson Tide took an early 10-0 lead on a Bucky Berry field goal and an 11 yard pass from Jeff Rutledge to Ozzie Newsome. Those who thought the Eastern team didn’t deserve it’s #1 ranking seemed to have been justified. But the Panthers totally dominated the rest of the game, scoring 27 unanswered points. Tony Dorsett ran for touchdowns of 38 and 4 yards. Elliott Walker scored from 3 yards out and Carson Long kicked two field goals.
At Ann Arbor, Michigan MICHIGAN 27 NOTRE DAME 24
The Fighting Irish threw a scare into the Wolverines as Al Hunter caught two touchdown passes from Joe Montana and ran for a third to turn a 0-7 deficit into a 17-7 Notre Dame lead. But Michigan answered just before halftime with a 22 yard pass form Rich Leach to Mark Schmerge. After Hunter’s third score, Gordon Bell answered again with an 18 yard run and then Leach hit Rich White for the go-ahead score from 23 yards out. There was no scoring in the fourth quarter and the Wolverines advanced- barely.
At Los Angeles, California SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 20 OKLAHOMA STATE 16
The Trojans also survived a scare from unheralded Okie State. They answered an early touchdown by Terry Miller with two Glenn Walker field goals and a one yard plunge by Mosi Tatupu. But a blocked punt was returned 65 yards for a score by Willie Lester to tie the score and the Cowboys took the lead with a 38 yard fourth quarter field goal by Abby Daigle. USC finally put the game away with a late drive that culminated in a 25 run by Ricky Bell.
At College Park, Maryland NEBRASKA 24 MARYLAND 17
The Terrapins came in undefeated but that made no difference to the defending national champion Cornhuskers, who scored 24 unanswered points after the Terps got a field goal on their opening drive. Vince Ferragamo Curtis Craig for a score and Monte Anthony an for two more. The home team tried to rally but two late scores by Steve Atkins were too little, too late.
At Athens, Georgia, GEORGIA 31 COLORADO 27
The Bulldogs won a wild one from the Buffalos. Colorado bolted out to n early lead on a 38 yard run by Tony Reed and a 75 yard touchdown pass from Jeff Knapple to Billy Waddy. But the second conversion was blocked. The Dogs broke the ice with a 39 yard punt return by Gene Washington. . They followed with a field goal by Allan Leavitt and two touchdown passes from Ray Goff to Washington and Al Pollard. Knapple came back with two TD strikes to 6-7 tight end Don Hasselbeck to take a 27-24 lead. But the home team won it on a 3rd yard run by Kevin McLee in the late going. Five Colorado turnovers were their undoing.
At Houston, Texas OHIO STATE 20 HOUSTON 9
The Cougars were excited to host an NCAA game against the storied Buckeyes but they chewed a bit more than they could swallow. State dominated the first half, taking a 20-3 lead and coasted to victory. Ron Springs scored after two long drives and Tom Skladany kicked two field goals. The Cougars never really got their veer option going, scoring their only touchdown later in the game on a pass from Bobby McGallion to fullback John Houseman. An attempt to run in the conversion for two points was stuffed by the Buckeyes.
At Pasadena, California TEXAS A&M 21 UCLA 18
The Aggies stormed to a 21-0 halftime lead and held off a furious Bruin rally to win 21-18. David Shipman shocked the home team with two touchdown passes out of the Aggie wishbone, both to speedster Mike Floyd. Big fullback George Woodard scored the other touchdown from two yards out. The UCLAN struck back with a 76 yard bomb from Jeff Dankworth to Wally Henry, a 78 yard punt return by Henry and an 11 yard pass from Dankworth to Don Pederson. Unfortunately the Bruins could convert on two extra point attempts or the try for two after the second score and that cost them the game and ended their season.
At Norman, Oklahoma OKLAHOMA 14 TEXAS TECH 7
The Sooners dominated play, outgaining the Red Raiders 276-109 with 201 yards rushing, but had trouble punching the ball in as they settled for a 14-7 win. Tech scored first on a one yard plunge by Larry Isaac. Thomas Lott threw 5 yards to Kenny King to tie it and Billy Sims went over form the four for the winner.

SECOND ROUND (12/11/76)
At Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PITTSBURGH 23 NEBRASKA 10
The panthers passed another big test, topping the Cornhuskers with a 16 point third quarter. With Nebraska focused on stopping Tony Dorsett, Matt Cavanaugh found Gordon Jones for touchdown passes of 16 and 67 yards. Then Tony clinched it with a 54 yarder in the fourth. The Panthers rolled up 202 yards rushing and another 212 passing on the “Blackshirts”.
At Ann Arbor Michigan MICHIGAN 13 OHIO STATE 10
The Wolverines had beaten the Buckeyes 22-0 in Columbus but had much more trouble at home two weeks later. The Buckeyes had another big first half, taking a 10-0 lead on a 21 yard run by Rod Springs and a 40 yard field goal by Rod Springs. Meanwhile the Buckeye defense bottled up the home team until the fourth quarter when, after along drive, Rob Lytle went over from the 2. Field goals of 37 and 39 yards by Bob Wood helped Michigan overcome five turnovers and advance.
At Los Angeles, California SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 38 TEXAS A&M 21
A&M seemed primed to pull off another upset on the west coast when they took a 14-0 lead on the Trojans after 265 pound fullback George Woodard went over from the one and 9.4 sprinter Curtis Dickey slipped away for a 4 yard TD pass from David Walker. USC answered with 21 yard scoring pass from Vince Evans to Shelton Diggs but the Aggies came right back with a 25 yard toss from Walker to Darrell Smith to give the visitors a 21-7 halftime lead. But that was their high water mark as the Trojans totally dominated the second half. First Ricky Bell bulled in from the 3 then Gary Jeter blocked a punt and returned it 25 yards for the tying score. Glen Walker kicked a school record 55 yard field goal for the lead and Charles White finished the Aggies off with fourth quarter TD runs of 4 and 7 yards.
At Athens, Georgia GEORGIA 27 OKLAHOMA 22
The Bulldogs jumped out on top on an exciting 69 yard burst by Kevin McLee and an 18 yard quarterback draw by Ray Goff for a 14-0 lead. Then the Sooners got their wishbone going with Kenny King bolting over from the 12. But the extra point was blocked. Alan Leavitt kicked a 52 yard field goal for the home team and then Goff found Gene Washington for a 30 yard pass play. Elvis Peacock straddled the sidelines for 47 yards but a try for two failed and the halftime score was 24-12 in favor of the Bulldogs. The teams traded field goals in the third period. Thomas Lott found tight end Victor Hicks for a 6 yard score late in the fourth quarter but it was too late.
　
SEMI-FINALS (12/18/76)
At Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PITTSBURGH 27 GEORGIA 3
The Panthers had little trouble with the “Junkyard Dogs”, out gaining them 480-181. Matt Cavanaugh scored on an 8 yard keeper in the first quarter, then found Gordon Jones with a 59 yard second quarter bomb. Tony Dorsett, who ran for 202 yards, scored from 11 yards out to make it 21-0 at the half. The second half was an anti-climactic exchange of field goals. (This game actually took place in the Sugar Bowl that year.)
At Ann Arbor, Michigan SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 14 MICHIGAN 6
In a tight defensive duel, Rob Lytle put the home team ahead with a one yard plunge in the second quarter but the extra point was no good. Vince Evans answered with a quarterback sneak and the successful conversion gave the Trojan a 7-6 halftime lead. Charles White scored from the seven in the fourth quarter to clinch it. Michigan had led the country in total offense, scoring and scoring defense but their season was over and the Trojans moved on. (This game actually took place in the Rose Bowl that year)
　
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME at the COTTON BOWL
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 18 PITTSBURGH 17
The national title was decided as it should be: in an exciting back-and forth game. Glen Walker opened the scoring with a 30 yard field goal. Elliott Walker scored from the 4 while the Trojan defense was focused on teammate Tony Dorsett. That was the only scoring for the first three quarters but a wild fourth quarter made up for it. Evans found tight end William Gay for an 8 yard score to make it 10-7 but Pitt came right back on a 3 yard run by Dorsett and a 32 yard field goal by Carson Long to take a 17-10 lead and the national title was in sight for the Panthers. The Trojans got the ball on their own 17 with 2:03 left and drove to the Pittsburgh 40, where they faced a 4th and one. Charles White bulled forward for the one yard. On the next play Evans lofted a pass to Shelton Diggs who was breaking toward the goal line on a corner route. He caught it to pull the Trojans within a point. Johnny Robinson decided to try for two rather than take a chance on overtime. Evans rolled out and threw to Diggs, who made a diving catch for a 18-17 lead. But the Panthers weren’t quite dead yet. Carson Long attempted a 62 yard field goal on the game’s last play but it fell short and the USC Trojans were the national champions.

When they got back to LA, the team was serenaded by their band at the airport:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX01jHMSBHA