I consider myself a bit of a college football historian but I just learned something I didn't know today.

Notre Dame had a policy of not going to Bowl games from 1925 until 1969. It was probably based on the emphasis on academics. And ... until the late 1960s to early 1970s...Bowl games were considered rewards/exhibitions with little to no bearing on a teams "success/poll position" in a given year.

The NCAA didn't officially recognize ANY D1 Natties until OSU's 2014 Championship.

What I'm getting to is that NC's (the polls) were awarded before the Bowls...in part because many teams simply didn't (regularly) participate in bowls or..as in the case of the Big 10...only went to one...the Rose Bowl ...and you could never go in back to back years.

I believe that UPI didn't do post season polls until the mid 1960s and one or two others never did make that change...thus...OSU 's 1970 natty. (Football Writers Association)

And...considering that Notre Dame played 8 and 9 game seasons for the most part from 1925 to 1969...no wonder they accumulated Nattys that went unchallenged by not playing Bowl games.

And...interesting that by not playing in a conference...again...they avoid a 13th game against a quality opponent like in 2012.

Really...this wasn't meant to be a shot a Notre Dame...just something I never knew until today. The emphasis on EDUCATION was paramount once upon a time...so much in fact that Notre Dame did not participate for 35 years...the Big 10 only participated in one game...and never for repeat Champions until 1972/1973...and National Champions were...for at least the UPI and Football Writers Association ...based in your regular 8 to 9 game season.

Where I'm going is...in what world would a 12 and 1 Ohio State team not have been a National Champion? Let alone ranked #6? LOL

And...the eventual champion will have to play 15 games...and...most likely go 15 and 0!!!

And...yet...there are many of us (me included) that...for our own entertainment and amusement (ego?) are demanding 6 to 8 team playoffs and a 16 game (twice as long as seasons in the 1940s ...
1950s and even the early 1960s) seasons?

I...for one...am going to back off that sentiment for now...enjoy the 12 and 1 season posted so far by the Bucks and celebrate the New Year with a Rose Bowl appearance/victory and take my "wants " and ego based "needs" out of it.

Go Buckeyes..."F" ichigan.