What significant milestone in college football history occurred for the first time during the 1936 season?

The 1936 college football season marked the first time that the Associated Press (AP) writers' poll was used to select a national champion. This poll, initiated on October 20, 1936, surveyed 35 writers who ranked the top ten teams, with points awarded based on their rankings.

How was the national champion determined by the Associated Press poll in 1936?

The Associated Press poll in 1936 determined the national champion by tallying points awarded by 35 writers who ranked their top ten teams. Points were assigned based on a 10-point scale for first place, 9 for second, and so on. The twenty teams with the highest total points were then ranked.

Which team was the initial number one ranked team in the first AP poll released on October 20, 1936?

In the inaugural Associated Press poll released on October 20, 1936, Minnesota received the majority of first-place votes, garnering 32 out of 35, and a total of 345 points, establishing them as the initial number one ranked team.

How did the city of Dallas contribute to the 1936 college football season?

Dallas hosted the first Cotton Bowl Classic in 1937, marking the addition of another major New Year's Day bowl game to the college football landscape.

What conference began play in 1936, and how long did it remain active?

The Alamo Conference commenced its operations in 1936 and continued to be active through the 1940 season.

Which conference played its final season in 1936?

The Chesapeake Conference played its last season in 1936, having been active since the 1933 season.

Which teams transitioned into the Southern Conference for the 1936 season?

Several teams joined the Southern Conference for the 1936 season: The Citadel (moving from SIAA), Davidson (moving from Independent status), Furman (moving from SIAA), George Washington (moving from Independent status), Richmond (moving from the Virginia Conference), and Wake Forest (moving from Independent status). William & Mary also moved from the Virginia Conference to the Southern Conference.

Which team dropped its football program in 1936?

St. Francis (NY) dropped its football program in 1936.

Which team moved from the Southern Conference to become an Independent in 1936?

The University of Virginia moved from the Southern Conference to play as an Independent team in the 1936 season.

What was the outcome of TCU's opening game on September 19, 1936?

On September 19, 1936, TCU began their season with a 6-0 victory against Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas.

How did Minnesota's season opener on September 26, 1936, conclude?

Minnesota opened their 1936 season on September 26 with a 14-7 win over Washington in Seattle.

Which prominent teams suffered losses in their opening games on September 26, 1936?

On September 26, 1936, the defending champions SMU narrowly defeated North Texas 6-0, Stanford lost at home to Santa Clara 13-0, and TCU lost to Texas Tech 7-0. LSU defeated Rice 20-7, Alabama beat Samford 34-0, and Pittsburgh shut out Ohio Wesleyan 53-0.

What were the results of key games played on October 3, 1936?

On October 3, 1936, Santa Clara defeated Loyola Marymount 13-6, LSU and Texas tied 6-6, Alabama shut out Clemson 32-0, Northwestern started their season with an 18-7 win over Iowa, and Pittsburgh defeated West Virginia 34-0.

Which highly ranked teams faced off on October 10, 1936, and what were the outcomes?

On October 10, 1936, Minnesota defeated Nebraska 7-0, Pittsburgh won against Ohio State 6-0, and Washington defeated UCLA 14-0. Santa Clara beat San Francisco 15-7, and Alabama defeated Mississippi State 7-0. Northwestern also secured a victory against North Dakota State with a score of 40-7.

What significant upset occurred on October 17, 1936?

On October 17, 1936, Duquesne upset Pittsburgh with a 7-0 victory, marking a notable upset in the season.

How did the AP poll rankings change after the games of October 24, 1936?

Following the games on October 24, 1936, the AP poll saw significant shifts. Minnesota maintained its #1 ranking by defeating Purdue 33-0. Duke dropped from #2 to a lower position after losing to Tennessee 15-13. Pittsburgh climbed to #2 after defeating Notre Dame 26-0, and Fordham entered the top five at #5 after a close win over St. Mary's.

What was the outcome of the highly anticipated Big Ten game between Northwestern and Minnesota on October 31, 1936?

In a crucial Big Ten conference game on October 31, 1936, Northwestern defeated the previously undefeated and #1 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers with a score of 6-0, handing Minnesota their first loss in over three years.

Which teams were ranked in the top five of the AP poll following the games of October 31, 1936?

After the games on October 31, 1936, the top five teams in the AP poll were: #1 Northwestern, #2 Minnesota, #3 Fordham, #4 Marquette, and #5 Pittsburgh. This ranking reflected Northwestern's victory over Minnesota and Marquette's win over St. Mary's.

What major conference title did LSU secure in November 1936?

On November 28, 1936, LSU clinched the SEC title with a decisive 33-0 victory over Tulane.

Which team lost its top ranking in the AP poll after a defeat on November 21, 1936?

On November 21, 1936, Northwestern, which had been ranked #1, lost to Notre Dame 26-6, causing them to fall to seventh place in the AP poll. Minnesota regained the top spot.

What was the final top five ranking in the AP poll at the end of the 1936 regular season?

At the conclusion of the 1936 regular season, the final Associated Press poll ranked the top five teams as: Minnesota, LSU, Pittsburgh, Alabama, and Washington.

Which team finished as the champion of the Big Six Conference in 1936?

Nebraska concluded the 1936 season as the champion of the Big Six Conference, achieving a perfect conference record of 5-0 and an overall record of 7-2.

Who won the Big Ten Conference championship in 1936?

Northwestern secured the Big Ten Conference championship in 1936 with an undefeated conference record of 6-0 and an overall record of 7-1.

Which team was the champion of the Southeastern Conference in 1936?

LSU emerged as the champion of the Southeastern Conference in 1936, finishing with a conference record of 6-0 and an overall record of 9-1-1.

What was the outcome of the 1937 Rose Bowl game?

In the 1937 Rose Bowl, Pittsburgh defeated Washington with a score of 21-0, with Grantland Rice noting Pittsburgh's strong performance.

Which teams competed in the 1937 Sugar Bowl, and who won?

The 1937 Sugar Bowl featured LSU against Santa Clara. Santa Clara won the game with a score of 21-14, despite LSU being ranked higher in the AP poll.

What was the result of the inaugural 1937 Orange Bowl?

The first annual Orange Bowl in 1937 saw Duquesne defeat Mississippi State by a score of 13-12.

Which teams played in the 1937 Cotton Bowl Classic, and what was the final score?

The inaugural 1937 Cotton Bowl Classic was played between TCU and Marquette, with TCU winning the game 16-6. Sammy Baugh of TCU contributed 110 passing yards and a touchdown in the victory.

In which city was the Bacardi Bowl played in 1936?

The Bacardi Bowl in 1936 was played in Havana, Cuba.

What was the result of the Bacardi Bowl game between Auburn and Villanova?

The 1936 Bacardi Bowl game between Auburn and Villanova ended in a 7-7 tie.

Who won the Heisman Trophy in 1936, and what was his team and position?

Larry Kelley of Yale University, playing as an end (E), won the Heisman Trophy in 1936. He was the second recipient of the award, which was officially named the Heisman Trophy after John Heisman's death that year.

Who were the top vote-getters in the 1936 Heisman Trophy voting besides the winner?

Following Larry Kelley, the other top vote-getters for the 1936 Heisman Trophy were Sam Francis (Nebraska, HB) with 47 votes, Ray Buivid (Marquette, HB) with 46 votes, and Sammy Baugh (TCU, QB) with 40 votes.

What was the origin of the Heisman Trophy before it was officially named?

The Heisman Trophy was first awarded in 1935 but was known as the "DAC Trophy" during its inaugural year. It was renamed in honor of John Heisman after his death in 1936.

What unique claim to a national championship was made by Slippery Rock College in 1936?

Slippery Rock College was prominently claimed as a national champion in 1936 through a complex transitive property argument. This claim stemmed from their victory over Westminster College of Pennsylvania, which had defeated teams that, in turn, had beaten other contenders, creating a long chain of victories that eventually linked back to top-ranked teams like Minnesota and Pittsburgh.

What was the significance of the transitive property claims for national championships in 1936?

In 1936, due to debate over the national champion, some sportswriters nominated smaller colleges based on the transitive property. This meant a small college could claim a championship if it defeated a team that had beaten another team that had defeated a national contender, creating a chain of indirect victories.

Which teams were recognized as national champions by various selectors in 1936?

In 1936, Minnesota was the consensus national champion according to the AP poll. Other selectors recognized Pittsburgh (BS, CFRA, HS), Duke (SR, WS), and LSU (BQPRS) as national champions, highlighting the diverse opinions on the top team that year.

Which conference played its final season in 1936?

The Chesapeake Conference concluded its operations in 1936.

What was the record of the Big Ten Conference champion, Northwestern, in 1936?

Northwestern, the champion of the Big Ten Conference in 1936, finished with a conference record of 6 wins and 0 losses, and an overall season record of 7 wins and 1 loss.

Which team won the Pacific Coast Conference title in 1936?

Washington won the Pacific Coast Conference title in 1936 with a conference record of 7 wins, 0 losses, and 1 tie, and an overall record of 7 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie.

What was the conference record of the Rocky Mountain Conference champion, Utah State, in 1936?

Utah State finished the 1936 season as the champion of the Rocky Mountain Conference with a perfect conference record of 6 wins and 0 losses, and an overall record of 7 wins, 0 losses, and 1 tie.

Which team was the champion of the Southern Conference in 1936?

Duke University was the champion of the Southern Conference in 1936, achieving a conference record of 7 wins and 0 losses, and an overall record of 9 wins and 1 loss.

Who was the champion of the Southwest Conference in 1936?

The University of Arkansas secured the Southwest Conference championship in 1936 with a conference record of 5 wins and 1 loss, and an overall record of 7 wins and 3 losses.

Which two teams shared the championship of the Alamo Conference in 1936?

St. Mary's (TX) and Texas A&I were declared co-champions of the Alamo Conference in 1936.

What was the outcome of the game between Minnesota and Purdue on October 24, 1936?

On October 24, 1936, #1 ranked Minnesota defeated #5 Purdue with a decisive score of 33-0, reinforcing their top ranking.

Which team was the first to be ranked #1 in the AP poll during the 1936 season?

Minnesota was the first team to be ranked #1 in the Associated Press poll during the 1936 college football season.

What was the final overall record for the AP national champion, Minnesota, in 1936?

Minnesota, recognized as the consensus national champion by the AP poll, finished the 1936 season with an overall record of 7 wins, 1 loss, and 0 ties.

Which team was ranked #3 in the AP poll on October 20, 1936, and what was their record at that point?

Army was ranked #3 in the AP poll on October 20, 1936. Their record at that point is not explicitly stated, but they were considered a top contender.

What was the record of the 1936 Heisman Trophy winner, Larry Kelley, for Yale?

Larry Kelley, the 1936 Heisman Trophy winner from Yale, played as an end and received 213 total votes for the award.

Which teams were co-champions of the Midwest Collegiate Athletic Conference in 1936?

Carleton and Coe shared the championship of the Midwest Collegiate Athletic Conference in 1936. Carleton finished with a conference record of 3-0, and Coe had a conference record of 4-0.

What was the result of the game between Pittsburgh and Notre Dame on October 24, 1936?

On October 24, 1936, Pittsburgh defeated Notre Dame, which was previously unbeaten, with a score of 26-0.

Which team was ranked #4 in the AP poll released on October 20, 1936?

Northwestern was ranked #4 in the Associated Press poll released on October 20, 1936.

1936 College Football Season Wiki: Gridiron Genesis: The Dawn of Modern College Football Rankings

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The Inaugural AP Poll

A New Era in Rankings

The 1936 college football season marked a significant milestone: the introduction of the Associated Press (AP) writers' poll to determine a national champion. This system, based on the aggregated opinions of 35 sportswriters, provided a standardized method for ranking teams, moving beyond earlier mathematical systems and subjective assessments. The first poll, released on October 20, 1936, immediately established Minnesota as the dominant force, reflecting their strong performance.

Early Season Dynamics

The season commenced with several notable upsets and close contests. Defending champions like SMU and Stanford experienced early setbacks, while traditional powers such as Minnesota and Pittsburgh demonstrated consistent strength. The early weeks set the stage for intense competition, with teams vying for recognition in the nascent AP ranking system.

The Heisman Trophy

This season also celebrated individual excellence. The prestigious Heisman Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding player, was presented to Larry Kelley, an end from Yale University. Kelley's recognition underscored the growing importance of individual performance within the collegiate football landscape.

The First AP Poll Revealed

Minnesota Leads the Pack

The inaugural AP poll, released on October 20, 1936, placed Minnesota at the forefront, garnering 32 out of 35 first-place votes and a total of 345 points. This early consensus reflected Minnesota's undefeated status and dominant performances. The poll also highlighted the competitive landscape, with Duke, Army, Northwestern, and Purdue rounding out the top five, indicating a strong field of contenders.

Diverse Ranking Methodologies

While the AP poll relied on journalistic consensus, it's important to note that contemporary "math system" selectors offered alternative rankings. Two such systems favored Pittsburgh as the top team, illustrating the varied approaches to evaluating team performance during this era. This diversity in assessment methods provided a richer, albeit sometimes conflicting, view of team hierarchies.

Expanding Post-Season Play

The Cotton Bowl's Debut

The 1936 season witnessed the expansion of major bowl games with the inaugural hosting of the Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas. This addition provided another prestigious platform for collegiate teams to showcase their talents on New Year's Day, further solidifying the importance of the post-season in college football tradition.

Conference Realignment

Evolving Structures

The collegiate athletic landscape was dynamic in 1936, with conferences undergoing changes. The Alamo Conference commenced operations, while the Chesapeake Conference concluded its activities. Furthermore, several institutions shifted their conference affiliations, reflecting the ongoing evolution of collegiate athletic governance and competition.

Key membership changes included:

The Citadel Bulldogs moved from the SIAA to the Southern Conference.
Davidson Wildcats transitioned from Independent status to the Southern Conference.
Furman Paladins joined the Southern Conference from the SIAA.
George Washington Colonials moved from Independent status to the Southern Conference.
Richmond Spiders moved from the Virginia Conference to the Southern Conference.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons joined the Southern Conference as an Independent.
William & Mary Indians moved from the Virginia Conference to the Southern Conference.
Virginia Cavaliers moved from the Southern Conference to Independent status.
St. Francis (NY) Terriers dropped their football program.

Key Matchups and Outcomes

September Surprises

The season began with notable results. Minnesota opened strongly with a victory over Washington, while Stanford, the previous Rose Bowl winner, suffered an early loss to Santa Clara. TCU, the Sugar Bowl champion, also faced an early defeat against Texas Tech, indicating that the established order was not guaranteed.

October's Shifting Tides

October saw significant shifts in the national rankings. A pivotal game occurred on October 31st, where Northwestern defeated previously undefeated Minnesota 6-0, propelling Northwestern to the top of the AP Poll. This upset demonstrated the volatility of the new ranking system and the competitive parity among top teams.

November's Championship Contenders

November featured critical conference showdowns. Northwestern clinched the Big Ten title but subsequently lost to Notre Dame, causing them to fall in the rankings. Minnesota regained the top spot after Northwestern's loss. LSU secured the SEC title, and Alabama remained a strong contender, highlighting the intense competition for the national championship as the season concluded.

Conference Standings Overview

A detailed examination of conference performance reveals the competitive dynamics across the nation. Below are select conference standings from the 1936 season.

Big Ten Conference

Northwestern emerged as the conference champion, finishing undefeated in conference play. Minnesota also had a strong showing, securing the second position.

1936 Big Ten Conference football standings
Team	Conf.					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 7 Northwestern $	6	–	0	–	0	7	–	1	–	0
No. 1 Minnesota	4	–	1	–	0	7	–	1	–	0
Ohio State	4	–	1	–	0	5	–	3	–	0
Indiana	3	–	1	–	1	5	–	2	–	1
Purdue	3	–	1	–	1	5	–	2	–	1
Illinois	2	–	2	–	1	4	–	3	–	1
Chicago	1	–	4	–	0	2	–	5	–	1
Iowa	0	–	4	–	1	3	–	4	–	1
Wisconsin	0	–	4	–	0	2	–	6	–	0
Michigan	0	–	5	–	0	1	–	7	–	0

Southeastern Conference

LSU and Alabama demonstrated exceptional performance, finishing as co-champions of the SEC. Both teams were highly ranked nationally.

1936 Southeastern Conference football standings
Team	Conf.					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 2 LSU $	6	–	0	–	0	9	–	1	–	1
No. 4 Alabama	5	–	0	–	1	8	–	0	–	1
Auburn	4	–	1	–	1	7	–	2	–	2
No. 17 Tennessee	3	–	1	–	2	6	–	2	–	2
Mississippi State	3	–	2	–	0	7	–	3	–	1
Georgia	3	–	3	–	0	5	–	4	–	1
Georgia Tech	3	–	3	–	1	5	–	5	–	1
Tulane	2	–	3	–	1	6	–	3	–	1
Vanderbilt	1	–	3	–	1	3	–	5	–	1
Kentucky	1	–	3	–	0	6	–	4	–	0
Florida	1	–	5	–	0	4	–	6	–	0
Ole Miss	0	–	3	–	1	5	–	5	–	2
Sewanee	0	–	5	–	0	0	–	6	–	1

Rocky Mountain Conference

Utah State dominated the Rocky Mountain Conference, finishing undefeated in conference play and achieving a strong overall record.

1936 Rocky Mountain Conference football standings
Team	Conf.					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
Utah State $	6	–	0	–	1	7	–	0	–	1
Denver	6	–	1	–	1	7	–	1	–	1
Utah	5	–	2	–	0	6	–	3	–	0
Colorado	4	–	2	–	0	4	–	3	–	0
Colorado State–Greeley	4	–	3	–	0	5	–	4	–	0
BYU	4	–	4	–	0	4	–	5	–	0
Colorado A&M	3	–	4	–	1	4	–	4	–	1
Colorado College	3	–	4	–	0	3	–	4	–	1
Wyoming	2	–	4	–	1	2	–	5	–	1
Montana State	1	–	4	–	0	3	–	5	–	0
Western State (CO)	1	–	5	–	0	1	–	6	–	0
Colorado Mines	0	–	6	–	0	2	–	6	–	0

Individual Accolades

Larry Kelley's Heisman Triumph

The 1936 season was also distinguished by the awarding of the Heisman Trophy. Larry Kelley, an end representing Yale University, was recognized as the most outstanding player of the year. His achievement highlights the individual brilliance that characterized this era of college football.

National Championship Recognition

Shared Titles and AP Consensus

The 1936 season saw multiple teams recognized as national champions by various selectors. Minnesota, Pittsburgh, LSU, and Duke were all acknowledged as co-champions by different contemporary systems. The AP poll, however, solidified Minnesota's position as the leading team throughout much of the season, setting a precedent for future national championship determinations.

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References

"Gophers Given Big Edge Over Other Grid Squads", The Sheboygan (Wis.) Press, Oct. 20, 1936, p10

"Wildcats Smash Gophers' Long Gridiron Dynasty, 6â0", Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 31, 1936, p9

Grantland Rice, from North American News syndicate, quoted in "Panthers Turn Rose Bowl into 21 to 0 Rout", Lincoln (Neb.) State Journal, Jan. 2, 1937, p7

"Santa Clara Scores Twice First Period To Trip L.S.U. 21-14", Lincoln (Neb.) State Journal, Jan. 2, 1937, p7

"Slingin' Sam Rifles Texas Christian to 16-6 Bowl Conquest", Lincoln (Neb.) State Journal, Jan. 2, 1937, p7

A full list of references for this article are available at the 1936 college football season Wikipedia page

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Important Considerations

This content has been generated by an AI model for educational purposes, drawing upon historical data from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the information represents a specific point in time and may not encompass all nuances or subsequent interpretations of the 1936 college football season.

This is not professional sports analysis or historical consulting. The information provided is intended for academic enrichment and should not be considered a substitute for rigorous historical research or expert consultation. Always consult primary sources and scholarly works for definitive historical accounts.

The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or interpretations derived from this content.

Gridiron Genesis

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

The Inaugural AP Poll 🏆

📰 A New Era in Rankings

🗓️ Early Season Dynamics

🌟 The Heisman Trophy

The First AP Poll Revealed 📊

🥇 Minnesota Leads the Pack

⚖️ Diverse Ranking Methodologies

Expanding Post-Season Play 🎉

🏟️ The Cotton Bowl's Debut

Conference Realignment 🔄

🏛️ Evolving Structures

Key Matchups and Outcomes ⚔️

🗓️ September Surprises

💥 October's Shifting Tides

🔥 November's Championship Contenders

Conference Standings Overview 📈

🏈 Big Ten Conference

🏈 Southeastern Conference

🏈 Rocky Mountain Conference

Individual Accolades ⭐

🏅 Larry Kelley's Heisman Triumph

National Championship Recognition 👑

🏅 Shared Titles and AP Consensus

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Inaugural AP Poll

A New Era in Rankings

Early Season Dynamics

The Heisman Trophy

The First AP Poll Revealed

Minnesota Leads the Pack

Diverse Ranking Methodologies

Expanding Post-Season Play

The Cotton Bowl's Debut

Conference Realignment

Evolving Structures

Key Matchups and Outcomes

September Surprises

October's Shifting Tides

November's Championship Contenders

Conference Standings Overview

Big Ten Conference

Southeastern Conference

Rocky Mountain Conference

Individual Accolades

Larry Kelley's Heisman Triumph

National Championship Recognition

Shared Titles and AP Consensus

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Considerations