1931 college football rankings

1931 college football rankings
Season	1931
Bowl season	1931–32 bowl games

The 1931 college football season rankings were an attempt to rank the best teams participating in the 1931 college football season. They included a mathematical system operated by Frank G. Dickinson.

Dickinson System

The Dickinson System was a mathematical rating system devised by University of Illinois economics professor Frank G. Dickinson.

Although 11–0 Tulane was unbeaten and untied they were second to 9–1 USC in the final Dickinson System mathematical ratings.

The teams were set to face off in the 1932 Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. The Trojans requested that presentation of the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy be delayed until after the game.^[1] During the delay, it was decided that the Dickinson System trophy would go to the winner of the Rose Bowl game.^[2] Professor Dickinson's system was vindicated when the Trojans came up with the win.

Rank	Team[3]	Record	Rating
1	USC	9–1	26.25
2	Tulane	11–0	24.85
3	Tennessee	8–0–1	23.10
4	Northwestern	7–1–1	22.45
5	Saint Mary's	7–1	22.23
6	Georgia	8–2	21.25
7	Harvard	7–1	19.50
8	Yale	5–1–2	18.79
9	Pittsburgh	8–1	17.50
10	Purdue	7–1	16.58
11	Notre Dame	8–2–1	16.17

See also

• 1931 College Football All-America Team

References

1. Written at Champaign, Illinois. "Trojans Request Delay — Rockne Memorial Trophy to Be Accepted After Tulane Game". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Associated Press. December 15, 1931. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
2. Written at Los Angeles. "USC Will Be Awarded Rockne Cup — Dr. Frank G. Dickinson to Present Trophy to Rose Bowl Winners". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. Tacoma, Washington. Associated Press. January 4, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024. The ratings made long in advance of the Tournament of Roses game New Year's day placed Southern California first and Tulane second but when these two teams met in a 'natural' Rose bowl game, it was decided that if Tulane could overrule Dickinson's rating, he would stand corrected and give the trophy to the New Orleans lads.
3. "Dickinson Gives Title to Trojans". Monroe Morning World. December 13, 1931. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.