Phil C
09-07-2012, 04:38 PM
This has been a topic of debate and will continue to be as time goes on but one team that deserves consideration but has received little recognition is the 1901 Michigan team that played in the first Rose Bowl in January, 1902. This great team was coached by the great coach Fielding H. Yost. During 1900 to 1909 Michigan had a record of 82-8-3. They didn't have polls back then but most polls recognize them as the National Champions in 1901. They had 3 perfect seasons, one with just one tie and 4 with only one loss. These were against recognized good teams in that era. Remember also that ties were not decided in OT.
The 1901 team was fantastic. They were 11-0 and won the first Rose Bowl ever against a good Stanford team. They outscored the opponents 550-0 which is fantastic as they didn't allow any points to be scored and some of those were good teams. Their closest game was with Ohio State that they won 21-0 so they dominated every opponent.
This was their results in order played:
Albion 50-0
Case 57-0
Indiana 33-0
Northwestern (A good team that year) 29-0
Buffalo 128-0 Incredible
Carlisle 22-0 Good teams during that era
Ohio State 21-0
Chicago 22-0 Also a good team during those times
Beloit 89-0
Iowa 50-0
Rose Bowl Michigan 49 Stanford 0
Incredible indeed even during those earlier days of football.
The 1901 team was fantastic. They were 11-0 and won the first Rose Bowl ever against a good Stanford team. They outscored the opponents 550-0 which is fantastic as they didn't allow any points to be scored and some of those were good teams. Their closest game was with Ohio State that they won 21-0 so they dominated every opponent.
This was their results in order played:
Albion 50-0
Case 57-0
Indiana 33-0
Northwestern (A good team that year) 29-0
Buffalo 128-0 Incredible
Carlisle 22-0 Good teams during that era
Ohio State 21-0
Chicago 22-0 Also a good team during those times
Beloit 89-0
Iowa 50-0
Rose Bowl Michigan 49 Stanford 0
Incredible indeed even during those earlier days of football.