1982 Grudge Match — Texas Monthly

[Joefreelance]

Anyone been a fan long enough to both recall and still be annoyed/irritated/cheesed by the fact that one-loss Penn State won the National Championship for the 1982 season instead of unbeaten SMU? If so, Texas Monthly is looking to interview some folks for a story on the upcoming playoff game. If you’re still holding a grudge or know someone who is, feel free to email me. (I’m writing the story.) [email protected]

[Dukie]

Anyone been a fan long enough to both recall and still be annoyed/irritated/cheesed by the fact that one-loss Penn State won the National Championship for the 1982 season instead of unbeaten SMU? If so, Texas Monthly is looking to interview some folks for a story on the upcoming playoff game. If you’re still holding a grudge or know someone who is, feel free to email me. (I’m writing the story.) [email protected]

Somebody make sure ponyte is in touch with Joe (and welcome, btw).

[SEASPony]

It appears that Kevin Sherrington beat you to it.

"Why SMU-Penn State College Football Playoff matchup is redemption decades in the making" via @SportsDayDFW https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/smu-m ... n-the-cfp/

[giacfsp]

I'll wait for the Texas Monthly piece.

I wasn't in school yet, but I remember my dad saying Penn State only won because the voters thought Paterno was going to retire soon and it was a charity vote for him.

I guess they were a little off on that one.

[BUS]

I remember I think... Sandusky was hi DC.

[Paladin]

Do I remember it correctly that Joe Pa almost cried tears on national television when pleading for Penn State to win NC over SMU ?

[Hugh Laurie]

I'll wait for the Texas Monthly piece.

I wasn't in school yet, but I remember my dad saying Penn State only won because the voters thought Paterno was going to retire soon and it was a charity vote for him.

I guess they were a little off on that one.

Penn State was voted #1 because they played a tougher regular season schedule not because anyone thought Paterno was going to retire. When the final post bowl rankings came out, Penn State had played #1 Georgia, #3 Nebraska, #9 Pitt, #13 North Carolina, #17 Alabama, and #19 West Virginia. SMU played #8 Arkansas, #9 Pitt, and #18 Texas.

[Dukie]

I'll wait for the Texas Monthly piece.

I wasn't in school yet, but I remember my dad saying Penn State only won because the voters thought Paterno was going to retire soon and it was a charity vote for him.

I guess they were a little off on that one.

Penn State was voted #1 because they played a tougher regular season schedule not because anyone thought Paterno was going to retire. When the final post bowl rankings came out, Penn State had played #1 Georgia, #3 Nebraska, #9 Pitt, #13 North Carolina, #17 Alabama, and #19 West Virginia. SMU played #8 Arkansas, #9 Pitt, and #18 Texas.

Sentimentality definitely played a role. And only one of those matchups for either team, was a loss—and a blowout at that.

[highlander]

I'll wait for the Texas Monthly piece.

I wasn't in school yet, but I remember my dad saying Penn State only won because the voters thought Paterno was going to retire soon and it was a charity vote for him.

I guess they were a little off on that one.

Penn State was voted #1 because they played a tougher regular season schedule not because anyone thought Paterno was going to retire. When the final post bowl rankings came out, Penn State had played #1 Georgia, #3 Nebraska, #9 Pitt, #13 North Carolina, #17 Alabama, and #19 West Virginia. SMU played #8 Arkansas, #9 Pitt, and #18 Texas.

Sentimentality definitely played a role. And only one of those matchups for either team, was a loss—and a blowout at that.

The good news is there will be no more debates about whether the college football champion is legit because of strength of schedule. This year might have the most legit champion in CFB history.

[Topper]

Do I remember it correctly that Joe Pa almost cried tears on national television when pleading for Penn State to win NC over SMU ?

I don't know if he was nearly in tears but he certainly made the rounds of all of the national morning shows claiming the title before the vote was released. It didn't help that ABC spent several weeks touting the Penn State / Georgia game as the "national title" game. SMU did not match up well with Penn State in the public relations campaign on Jan 2. I don't know if Bobby Collins appeare anywhere other than on Dallas TV.

[ponyte]

Check 1982 SMU opponents' record the game after SMU. With the exception of Texas, all lost. And didn't just lose but got blown out. SMU physically dominated opponents and left them hurting.

And PR played a role. Had Meyer been the head coach instead of Collins, the media attention to SMU would have been different as well.

Strength of sehedule has always been an opinion piece. 2007 Fiesta Bowl with BSU vs OU. Clearly OU had the 'strength off schedule' but BSU won.

Hate to admit, no doubt SMU had the strength of schedule in 1980 over BYU. Didn't work out like expected.

Because of bowl tie ins in 1982, the chances of a #1 vs #2 were rare. So it becomes an opinion piece. Basically, a judgement by those that voted. Anytime there is a judge or committee judge a results in sports isn't a sport. Its a beauty contest.

[EastStang]

We had one common opponent Pitt, who we both beat. They played 5 ranked teams we played 4. We never lost, they got humiliated by Alabama. I still think that tie against Arkansas hurt us and still believe that Collins should have gone for two.