> > AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

> > 1. Miami-FL: 12-0-0 -- W, Orange, 22-0
> > 2. Washington: 12-0-0 -- W, Rose, 34-14
> > 3. Penn State: 11-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 42-17
> > 4. Florida State: 11-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 10-2
> > 5. Alabama: 11-1-0 -- W, Blockbuster, 30-25
> > 6. Michigan: 10-2-0 -- L, Rose, 14-34
> > 7. Florida: 10-2-0 -- L, Sugar, 28-39
> > 8. California: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 37-13
> > 9. East Carolina: 11-1-0 -- W, Peach, 37-34
> > 10. Iowa: 10-1-1 -- T, Holiday, 13-13

> > Only four teams to consider here: Miami, Washington, Alabama and East
> > Carolina (courtesy?). But the Tide get rolled (heh), because Florida
> > won the SEC and the head-to-head matchup (35-0!).

> > East Carolina had a 48% SOS rating, and their loss was to 6-6 Illinois
> > on the road by a touchdown. They did beat AP #11 Syracuse (10-2) and
> > AP #24 North Carolina State (9-3), however. But they can't overcome
> > the loss with such a low SOS rating.

> > So, obviously, we're down to two unbeaten, untied teams for the 1991
> > McMNC. Let the debate begin ...

> > Miami had a 54% SOS rating, with wins over AP #21 Tulsa (10-2) on the
> > road by 24 points, #3 Penn State at home by six points, unranked 6-5
> > West Virginia by 24 points at home, #4 Florida State on the road by
> > one point (of course!), unranked 8-4-1 San Diego State at home by 27
> > points, and AP #15 Nebraska (9-2-1) in the Orange Bowl. The dogs on
> > their schedule? 0-10-1 Oklahoma State and 2-9 Cal State Long Beach.
> > They beat four ranked teams, including #3 and #4 by a combined seven
> > points. The Hurricanes beat six winning teams in 1991.

> > Washington had a 52% SOS rating, with wins over AP #22 Stanford (8-4)
> > by 35 points on the road, #15 Nebraska on the road by 15 points,
> > unranked 7-4 Kansas State by 53 points at home, #8 California by seven
> > points on the road, unranked 6-5 Arizona State by 28 points at home,
> > and #6 Michigan by 20 points in the Rose Bowl. The schedule dog? 1-10
> > Oregon State. The Huskies, too, beat four ranked teams, including #6
> > and #8 by a combined 27 points. Washington also beat six winning teams
> > in 1991.

> > Common opponents? Nebraska, for starters. Washington's win over
> > Nebraska in Lincoln on September 21 has to be given more significance,
> > since the Huskers were at home and probably believing they had a
> > chance at the national title. By the time the Orange Bowl rolled
> > around, Nebraska knew they had no shot at the championship, especially
> > in Miami's backyard. Another common opponent? Arizona. Miami beat the
> > 4-7 Wildcats by 27 points on the road, while Washington beat them 54-0
> > at home.

> > Miami has the slight SOS edge, but Washington takes the common
> > opponents' edge and the better wins edge (because of dominance in
> > those wins). The Huskies also have a better bowl win, since Miami was
> > at home in the Orange Bowl and playing a lesser team.

> I can't argue with this pick either way.  I would give an edge to
> Washington as well, but I would have loved to see this head-to-head.

> > Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, =1991

> Uh....did you change your mind?