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My high school team had won the State Championship in 1967. We clinched the title in Ft. Smith and were rewarded with a Razorback game (versus SMU) in Fayetteville. Subsequently we were again rewarded with a trip to the Cotton Bowl. Had end zone seats and a perfect view of the 2nd play where Georgia ran 80 yards for the TD. Hole opened was huge. I was "lucky" enough to see 2 SMU loses in one of their better seasons.

I have a pennant in my office from that game.....how about a SMU v. SEC showdown in this years Liberty Bowl? SMU v. Auburn?

Heart breaking game as I sat there on the 45 yard line just hoping we could catch a break on a beautiful afternoon. Our D line just got torn apart and our half time adjustments just did not work as Georgia's tough, but small backs took big chunks of yardage. John LaGrone got double and triple teamed at nose tackle and our backers were making first contact 4 yards behind the line of scrimage. Offense had real problems particularly with the passing game and we simply could not get the ball to Jerry LeVias. Yes, someone stole Jerry's game jersey on game day and he ended up wearing another number for the game. That was a very good team despite the Cotton Bowl loss. As I recall, we ended up the #7 rated team in the nation in the final polls with a large number of All-SWC performers to include John and Jerry, Jerry Griffin, George Geiser, Ronnie Medlen, Billy Bob Stewart just to name a few. LaGrone was a consensus All-America and appeared on the Bob Hope show as part of the Kodak All-America team.

Had a great joint New Years party after the game at the Apparel Mart with the Georgia students and team attending. Great memory for an old timer.

You could be correct Pocono and they did rank the teams differently back then but a 8-3 record and loss in the Cotton Bowl would surprise me in getting a 7th in the nation ranking. I do not think we were in the top 20 in 1968 with an 8-3 record and a win over Oklahoma in the Bluebonnet Bowl.


EDIT: You were closer than I. In 1966 we were ranked 10th in the AP poll and 9th in the Coaches.
In 1968 we were ranked 14th in the AP poll and 16th in the Coaches.

mrydel wrote:My high school team had won the State Championship in 1967. We clinched the title in Ft. Smith and were rewarded with a Razorback game (versus SMU) in Fayetteville. Subsequently we were again rewarded with a trip to the Cotton Bowl. Had end zone seats and a perfect view of the 2nd play where Georgia ran 80 yards for the TD. Hole opened was huge. I was "lucky" enough to see 2 SMU loses in one of their better seasons.

Bad Mojo, even then?

Yep.

I was at that game and all I remember is that touchdown on the second play of the game. It literally took all the wind out of our sails. It seemed to me that the SMU players just wanted that game to be over. Probably not true, but it just seemed their hearts weren't in the game after that.

I believe the rankings were made before the bowl games in most polls and even the national championship was awarded by at least one organization before the bowls.

mrydel wrote:You could be correct Pocono and they did rank the teams differently back then but a 8-3 record and loss in the Cotton Bowl would surprise me in getting a 7th in the nation ranking. I do not think we were in the top 20 in 1968 with an 8-3 record and a win over Oklahoma in the Bluebonnet Bowl.


EDIT: You were closer than I. In 1966 we were ranked 10th in the AP poll and 9th in the Coaches.
In 1968 we were ranked 14th in the AP poll and 16th in the Coaches.

I do believe you are correct in that the rankings were before the bowl games. I guess my memory is bad as I recalled a #7 ranking for that 1966/67 team.