COLLEGE FOOTBALL : If Irish Defeat Buffaloes, They Could Rate a Shot at No. 1

Colorado could simplify the voting process in the final Associated Press and United Press International college football polls by beating Notre Dame Monday night in the Orange Bowl.

The Buffaloes, the current No. 1-ranked team, would remain unbeaten, and who really cares which teams finish second through fourth in the balloting.

All remaining contenders--Miami, Michigan and Notre Dame--would have at least one loss.

However, if Notre Dame beats Colorado, Miami beats Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and Michigan beats USC in the Rose Bowl, the voting could become more subjective.

In that event, it would seem logical to elevate Miami, now ranked No. 2, to the top spot, considering that it already had beaten Notre Dame, which had disposed of the current No. 1 team, Colorado.

However, Notre Dame, now No. 4, which has a strong national following, may get some support from reporters (Associated Press) and coaches (United Press International) for the No. 1 ranking.

There also could be voting backlash against Miami for reasons that have nothing to do with results. The Hurricanes, with their swaggering and finger-pointing on the field and previous “convict” image, may be a distasteful choice for the electorate.

Voters might be looking for any excuse not to promote Miami to No. 1.

An indication of Notre Dame’s popularity was evident in a recent USA Today phone-in poll. Answering the question of who is the nation’s No. 1 team, 1,063 voted for Notre Dame, 611 for Michigan, 498 for Miami and only 443 for Colorado.

Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler says it’s “a shot in the dark” for his team to get the No. 1 ranking.

However, considering that Schembechler is retiring after the Rose Bowl game and that he has never won a national championship in his 21 years as the Wolverines’ coach despite an impressive record, he and his Michigan team could be a sentimental choice to jump from No. 3 to No. 1.

That seems unlikely, though, because Notre Dame beat Michigan in a season-opening game.

In tiebreakers for conference championships, head-to-head results are the determining factor.

That is not necessarily a guideline for the voting in the wire service polls.

Take 1978, for example. USC beat Alabama, 24-14, in the third game of the season and then later lost to Arizona State. Alabama didn’t lose another game, and neither did USC.

Since USC beat Alabama, there was an obvious tiebreaker in the voting for No. 1. However, the AP poll selected Alabama as national champion. The UPI poll tabbed USC as No. 1.

There’s also the possibility that there could be split national champions again this season.

Since 1974, the UPI poll has not recognized teams that are on NCAA probation. The AP poll doesn’t make such a distinction.

In 1974, USC was designated national champion by UPI at the end of the season. Oklahoma, which was on probation, was AP’s national champion.

Obviously, it isn’t a perfect system but one that could be settled by playoffs such as in college basketball. Although a playoff system has been discussed, and some coaches favor it, nothing has been resolved.

The major bowls are opposed to a playoff formula, figuring that it might damage their prestige if, say, the Rose Bowl or the Orange Bowl were designated as semifinal NCAA playoff games, rather than the championship game.

One final thought: What if there are some tie games in the strategic bowl games? That’s another problem for the electorate.

Gamesmanship in the Orange Bowl began Dec. 22 when Colorado Coach Bill McCartney brought his team to Miami. Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz, whose team didn’t arrive until Monday night, has said that preparation is difficult at a bowl site because of bowl-related activities and distractions.

“All you try to do is control damage,” Holtz said. “You don’t even know if the ball is blown up or stuffed.”

McCartney interpreted Holtz’s comments as second-guessing.

“Coach Holtz questions our strategy in coming down here early and spending time with the beautiful people of Miami,” McCartney said. “I don’t understand that. (Former Oklahoma coach) Barry Switzer said he always came down early and felt like it was the ideal way to prepare his squad.

“I think Switzer is the guy I want to listen to.”

McCartney said the Buffaloes came to Miami early because cold weather and snow in Colorado made it difficult for them to practice at home.

The players seem to be enjoying the change in climate.

“It’s a chance for us to come down here and get used to the weather,” wide receiver Jeff Campbell said. “We’re coming from a place where there isn’t any oxygen to a place where there’s a lot of oxygen. So we have to get used to stuff like that.”

Said quarterback Darian Hagan, a Los Angeles native: “This is good weather to practice in. We’re living it up right now.”

Said McCartney: “I’m not in any way concerned about being down here too long.”

Your move, Lou.

Trivia time: What is the name of the only bowl game ever played in Havana, and which teams participated? (Answer below.)

Monday’s Rose Bowl game will be played on the 50th anniversary of the 1940 game between USC and Tennessee. The game was unique in that it marked the second consecutive year that USC defeated Rose Bowl opponents who came into the game unbeaten, untied and unscored upon.

USC beat Duke, 7-3, in the 1939 game on Doyle Nave’s last-minute touchdown pass to Al Krueger.

The Trojans then spoiled Tennessee’s perfect record, 14-0, behind the running and passing of tailback Ambrose Schindler.

USC’s victory prompted Henry McLemore of United Press to write:

“They raise them rugged out here. Perhaps nature sees that they do in order that they will be able to withstand earthquakes, unusual weather and the water that comes out of the taps.

“There is a lesson to be learned from the Rose Bowl game. There is no sense in betting on a team that buys its clothes in the boys’ department to beat a team that has to shave twice a day and is fitted for suits in the adult or grown-up section.”

It was the last Rose Bowl game for USC Coach Howard Jones. He died in 1941, leaving a legacy of five Rose bowl victories without a defeat.

If Miami wins the national championship, Dennis Erickson will become the first coach in 41 years to get the title in his first year at a school. Michigan’s Bennie Oosterbaan was the last coach to do it, in 1948.

Trivia answer: The Bacardi Bowl on Jan. 1, 1937, when Auburn and Villanova played to a 7-7 tie.