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The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: OrangeAfroMan on October 25, 2020, 06:26:26 PM

Title: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on October 25, 2020, 06:26:26 PM

This is tricky for Independent teams back in the day. 

Based on their falling short of being ranked #1 for undefeated seasons, I assume Penn State wasn't considered a "P5"-level program in the 60s, but what about by the early 70s?

Arizona State was great in the 70s, but in the WAC.


This question is about pre-SWC Houston team.  Were they considered as "less-than" in 1973?

Title: Re: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: FearlessF on October 25, 2020, 07:01:13 PM

Houston competed as a member of the NCAA in the University Division, independent of any athletic conference. It was their fourteenth year of doing so. The Cougars had been admitted to the Southwest Conference two years prior, but were ineligible for conference play until the 1976 season.

I voted "no"

their schedule:

Rice
South Carolina
Memphis St.
San Diego St
Virginia Tech
Miami
Auburn 
Florida St.
Colorado St.
Wyoming
Tulsa

Title: Re: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on October 25, 2020, 08:41:45 PM

Yeah, I got all the factual stuff.  I just wanted an opinion from someone who was a fan back then.  
They played 1 ranked opponent, then another in the bowl.

But by that measure alone, Penn State wasn't major in 1973, either.  They played zero ranked opponents until their finale, and another in the bowl.

Title: Re: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on October 25, 2020, 08:43:13 PM

I'd buy that they were a respected independent and got brownie points for having Yeoman as HC and inventing the veer and all.


I'd also buy that they were a red-headed stepchild of the SWC and had to be good a lot and often to become accepted as a 'big boy' program.  

Title: Re: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: FearlessF on October 25, 2020, 09:36:17 PM

my opinion is "no"

I don't remember much of the 73 season, I was 11 and a Buckeye fan.  Probably wasn't aware of Houston.

obviously someone else doesn't share my opinion - that's fine

Title: Re: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on October 25, 2020, 09:44:59 PM

That's useful, though.  If they weren't on your radar at all, but a team like Penn State was, that would differentiate them.  Other independents then were Boston College, Tulane, and South Carolina.  

Were any of them in your 11 year old football mindscape?

Title: Re: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: FearlessF on October 25, 2020, 10:00:36 PM

Penn State with JoePa and  John Cappelletti were certainly on the radar back then

don't recall Tulane or Boston College, but that was a long time ago

Title: Re: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: Hawkinole on October 26, 2020, 12:33:48 AM

I attended the Penn St @ Iowa game in 1971. Penn State featured Franco Harris (who was unknown), and Lydell Mitchell (well-known) as their featured backs. Their pro careers were the opposite of their college careers. Yes, Penn State was really good by 1971, so I imagine by 1973 they were pretty good as well. 

I think Penn St was an independent, known as the "beast of the east." My memory may not be the best on this part.

Title: Re: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 26, 2020, 07:02:52 AM

Can't help. Too young.

Title: Re: If you remember 1973, HELP!
Post by: Cincydawg on October 26, 2020, 08:25:19 AM

Can't help, too old.