By Darin In this episode, we talk about the history of College Football in 1935. The Football History Rewind Series, Part 76, goes through the big games, star players, and top teams of the season, as well as some of the rating systems used.
Gridiron Ghosts: The Wild and Scientific 1935 College Football Season
If you think modern college football playoffs are full of debate, imagine a time when "scientists" and math professors were the ones deciding who took home the trophy.
The 1935 season was a landmark year for the sport. It wasn't just about the heavy hitters on the field; it was the year the "Heisman" was born (though under a different name) and the year that mathematical models tried—and arguably failed—to bring order to the chaos of the gridiron.
The Reign of the Golden Gophers
Coming off a 1934 championship, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, led by legendary coach Bernie Bierman, were the team to beat. They didn't just win; they dominated.
- The Record:A perfect 8-0.
- The Stats:They outscored opponents by a staggering194-36.
- Key Victory:A 12-7 thriller against a highly-touted Nebraska Cornhuskers team.
- The Stars:The roster was a "who’s who" of 1930s legends, including tackleEd Widsethand guardBud Wilkinson.
The Pride of Dallas: SMU’s Rise
While Minnesota was bruising the Big Ten, Southern Methodist University (SMU) was putting Texas on the map. Under first-year coach Matty Bell, the Mustangs galloped to a 12-1 record and a Southwest Conference title. Their only blemish? A heartbreaking 7-0 loss to Stanford in the Rose Bowl.
The Great "Scientific" Debate
In 1935, there was no AP Poll (that wouldn't arrive until 1936). Instead, the NCAA recognized seven different mathematical systems to crown a champion. The result was a beautiful mess of conflicting opinions:
System1935 National ChampionDickinson SystemSMUBoand / Litkenhous / PolingMinnesotaDunkle IndexPrincetonWilliamson SystemTCU
Did you know? The Dunkle Index, devised by Dick Dunkle Sr., used a power index system so reliable it is still used in various forms today. In 1935, however, it threw a curveball by naming Princeton the top team in the land.
A Year of Firsts
The 1935 season gave us two major milestones that changed football forever:
- The Birth of the Heisman:Jay Berwangerof the University of Chicago became the first recipient of the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy. We know it today as the Heisman Trophy. Interestingly, Berwanger was also the first-ever NFL draft pick, though he never played a down in the pros.
- The "Slingin' Sammy" Era:WhileTexas Christian University (TCU)didn't get the consensus national title, they won a legendary Sugar Bowl (3-2 over LSU) thanks to the heroics ofSammy Baugh, who was just beginning his journey toward becoming a football icon.
Final Standings
While the "math" was split, the history books generally lean toward Minnesota for their second consecutive undefeated run. However, if you're a fan of the Mustangs or the Horned Frogs, 1935 remains a year where you have a very strong case for the crown.
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