Excluding the modern undefeated seasons (1968, 1969, 1973, 1986, 1994) and national championship seasons (1982, 1986), with a shoutout to those national championship seasons of 1911 and 1912, (yes they're legit the NCAA recognizes them) and that incredible 9-0-1 1947 team that gave up only 40 points the entire season, which Penn State team was the best of the rest?
Excluding the undefeated and national championship seasons, which Penn State team was the best of the rest?
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1978. Never should have lost that Sugar Bowl.
Who called those plays at the goal line anyhow?
1977. Had all the major players from 1978 plus Cefalo and Shuler.
The 1978 team without a doubt. Those bonehead failed runs up the middle cost Penn State a National Championship in the 1979 Sugar Bowl. I am still bitter about that loss.
Second, the 1981 team who had some impressive big game wins over Nebraska, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh (48-14), and finished with a win against USC and Heisman trophy winner Marcus Allen. Losses to Miami and Alabama derailed the 1981 team and they had to settle for a No. 3 consensus ranking. That 1981 schedule was insanely difficult.
Second, the 1981 team who had some impressive big game wins over Nebraska, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh (48-14), and finished with a win against USC and Heisman trophy winner Marcus Allen. Losses to Miami and Alabama derailed the 1981 team and they had to settle for a No. 3 consensus ranking. That 1981 schedule was insanely difficult.
I agree losing those two hurt. However, the core of the team were sophomores in 1977. Clark, Millen, Guman, Matt Suhey and several more. Surely they were better as juniors in 1978. Timing can be frustrating.
This is a follow-up to my 1981 post above. Despite the two losses, I thought PSU was the best team in the country that year. They were like this years OSU team. Two dum losses. Had their been a p[layoff back then, i would have had supreme confidence PS would have won it all. A shame.
The 1994 team was the best team who got SCREWED out of a MNC by our Big Ten brethren’s press homers.
Same. PSU 2005 for #3. But for the Bizarre Avant Catch and the extra seconds…that team is 12-0 and shafted by the media again. We would have beaten Texas and the game with USC….exciting.
Decades of ridiculous ways to determine a national champion. Finally. This year. Loss or not…it’s been a blast.
Good call. That loss to Tennessee was an odd one. UT had4 TDs and only one came from the offense and that was on a short field after a fumble. The others were on a punt return, a pick 6 and an intercepted lateral. Held Texas without a TD in the Cotton Bowl.
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1991 was pretty good as well. Lost at USC right after beating Cincinnati 81-0 at home. Had #1 Miami on the ropes at Miami in 26-20 loss where Tony Sacca threw away chance to win at end. Beat 8-1 Notre Dame team 35-13. Spotted Tennessee a 17-7 half-time lead in Fiesta Bowl and won 42-17 to finish #3.
My bad. They were #5 and lost at home to Tennessee by a point the week before, so we were both 8-2. We were ranked higher because of that, but it was fun to win that one so handily because it seemed like the national sports media was making Rick Mirer out to be the greatest ND QB ever.
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