I just became aware that Pitt claims 9 National Championships

8 of those from back in the day of course lol

That means Pitt has the 5th most National Championships...more than quite a lot of big name football schools, including Penn State with their 2 trophies

(03-25-2020 02:43 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I just became aware that Pitt claims 9 National Championships

8 of those from back in the day of course lol

That means Pitt has the 5th most National Championships...more than quite a lot of big name football schools, including Penn State with their 2 trophies

I believe most BE fans were aware of this. If Bama can claim 17 starting from 1925. Pitt has just as much right to claim all of theirs starting from 1915. They are all recognized today. For some reason, some sports writers will only mention the last one in 76 or 77

(03-25-2020 02:43 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I just became aware that Pitt claims 9 National Championships

8 of those from back in the day of course lol

That means Pitt has the 5th most National Championships...more than quite a lot of big name football schools, including Penn State with their 2 trophies

"Back in the day" I'd say Pitt was a much bigger name than Penn State.

(03-25-2020 03:32 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 02:43 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I just became aware that Pitt claims 9 National Championships

8 of those from back in the day of course lol

That means Pitt has the 5th most National Championships...more than quite a lot of big name football schools, including Penn State with their 2 trophies

"Back in the day" I'd say Pitt was a much bigger name than Penn State.

There are 17 unique season where Pitt was named a national champion by one or more independent, 3rd party selectors of champions according to research by College Football Data Warehouse and other college football historians.

The Official NCAA Records Book lists 11 different seasons where a "major" selector of championships chose Pitt.

Pitt claims nine. This is based on a 1970 Sports Illustrated study of national championships, one of the first ever published, and Pitt's own claims originate from that and it has never deviated (except for adding the 1976 unanimous national title). Pitt has also had 8 undefeated season, four of which are not claimed as national championships. Pitt's claims are actually more conservative than some. 1910, for instance, is almost universally recognized by everyone but Pitt. That said, 1934 isn't recognized by anyone but Pitt but was listed in the 1970 SI study (and there is a reason for doing so) so it stays as in Pitt's official lists.

Pitt was an original blue blood from 1910 to 1940, dominating its series against all regional opponents including PSU and ND and going to the Rose Bowl 4 times and turning down a 5th invite. But like many pre-WWII powers, Pitt went through a period of misguided de-emphasis. Pitt didn't drop the sport or reduce schedule strength like some, just eliminated recruiting and enacted draconian purity rules that sabatoged the program during the 40s. It had a renaissance in the mid-50s, but then sank again in the 60s with bad coaching selections. It's been a roller coaster of either great power (1910, 20s, 30s, 70s, 80s) or terrible lows (40s, 60s, 90s). Rarely had Pitt had sustained mediocrity like it currently enjoys. Stability in the coaching ranks, often self inflicted, has been Pitt's major achilles heel.

(03-25-2020 03:09 PM)cuseroc Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 02:43 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I just became aware that Pitt claims 9 National Championships

8 of those from back in the day of course lol

That means Pitt has the 5th most National Championships...more than quite a lot of big name football schools, including Penn State with their 2 trophies

I believe most BE fans were aware of this. If Bama can claim 17 starting from 1925. Pitt has just as much right to claim all of theirs starting from 1915. They are all recognized today. For some reason, some sports writers will only mention the last one in 76 or 77

For me personally, I look at when the AP Poll started. I think college football championships are less credible the further you go back in time

Before AP- meh
AP-BCS - still pretty wonkey, but a little more consistent
BCS- for all of it's faults, it was a two team playoff. Sure the results were debatable at times, but no more Miami Hurricanes going from #5 all the way to #1 (1983), or BYU playing #13 Michigan for a Natty (1984)
Playoff - not perfect either, but way more valid then all the previous years

I know LSU has a 1908 championship they could easily claim, which would push them to 5 National Championships, but they don't

Michigan also has a vast difference in what they could claim pre and post AP. How many post AP championships? 2? But I think they claim 11

(03-25-2020 05:39 PM)CrazyPaco Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 03:32 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 02:43 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I just became aware that Pitt claims 9 National Championships

8 of those from back in the day of course lol

That means Pitt has the 5th most National Championships...more than quite a lot of big name football schools, including Penn State with their 2 trophies

"Back in the day" I'd say Pitt was a much bigger name than Penn State.

There are 17 unique season where Pitt was named a national champion by one or more independent, 3rd party selectors of champions.

The Official NCAA Records Book lists 11 different seasons where a "major" selector of championships chose Pitt.

Pitt claims nine. This is based on a 1970 Sports Illustrated study of national championships and Pitt's own claims originate from that and it has never deviated (except for adding the 1976 unanimous national title).

Pitt was an original blue blood from 1910 to 1940, dominating its series against all regional opponents including PSU and ND and going to the Rose Bowl 4 times and turning down a 5th invite. But like many pre-WWII powers, went through a period of misguided de-emphasis. Pitt didn't drop the sport or reduce schedule strength like some, just eliminated recruiting and enacted draconian purity rules that sabatoged the program during the 40s. It had a renaissance in the mid-50s, but then sank again in the 60s with bad coaching selections. It's been a roller coaster of either great power (1910, 20s, 30s, 70s, 80s) or terrible lows (40s, 60s, 90s). Rarely had Pitt had sustained mediocrity like it currently enjoys. Stability in the coaching ranks, often self inflicted, has been Pitt's major achilles heel.

Interesting to know!

I did not know much of the backstory of Pitt

https://www.225.pitt.edu/story/pitt-foot...ine-titles

I suspect if you were to add up all the national championships claimed over the last 100 years they would number more than 200.

(03-25-2020 03:32 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 02:43 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I just became aware that Pitt claims 9 National Championships

8 of those from back in the day of course lol

That means Pitt has the 5th most National Championships...more than quite a lot of big name football schools, including Penn State with their 2 trophies

"Back in the day" I'd say Pitt was a much bigger name than Penn State.

Pitt was a football power when Penn State was a cow pasture.

The answer is zero that matter.

(03-25-2020 09:42 PM)esayem Wrote:  The answer is zero that matter.

Pretty much.

(03-25-2020 09:42 PM)esayem Wrote:  The answer is zero that matter.

If UNC had Pitts football legacy, you guys would be reminding us every chance you get, the same way you guys like to continuously remind us that UNC has more top 10 finishes than the rest of the ACC combined for the worthless Directors Cup.

(03-25-2020 11:44 PM)cuseroc Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 09:42 PM)esayem Wrote:  The answer is zero that matter.

If UNC had Pitts football legacy, you guys would be reminding us every chance you get, the same way you guys like to continuously remind us that UNC has more top 10 finishes than the rest of the ACC combined for the worthless Directors Cup.

Most likely true.


Still doesn't change the fact that Pitt hasn't won a national title in a time period that matters.


Hell, their biggest football accomplishment that matters these days lasted exactly one play.

(03-25-2020 11:44 PM)cuseroc Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 09:42 PM)esayem Wrote:  The answer is zero that matter.

If UNC had Pitts football legacy, you guys would be reminding us every chance you get, the same way you guys like to continuously remind us that UNC has more top 10 finishes than the rest of the ACC combined for the worthless Directors Cup.

That's a pretty impressive stat.

Teams which haven't won a championship since Pitt did it in 1976:
* Michigan State
* Arkansas
* Ole Miss
* Minnesota
* Iowa

Let's just make sure we hold everyone to the same standard.

(03-26-2020 08:24 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Teams which haven't won a championship since Pitt did it in 1976:
* Michigan State
* Arkansas
* Ole Miss
* Minnesota
* Iowa

Let's just make sure we hold everyone to the same standard.

* Virginia Tech (any national championship)

A timely article in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt...2003260087

Of special interest to Georgia Tech fans too.

(03-26-2020 08:29 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(03-26-2020 08:24 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Teams which haven't won a championship since Pitt did it in 1976:
* Michigan State
* Arkansas
* Ole Miss
* Minnesota
* Iowa

Let's just make sure we hold everyone to the same standard.

* Virginia Tech (any national championship)

Yes, ha ha... I only included teams which won football national championships BEFORE Pitt's last. I couldn't include UNC either...

(03-25-2020 05:39 PM)CrazyPaco Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 03:32 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 02:43 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I just became aware that Pitt claims 9 National Championships

8 of those from back in the day of course lol

That means Pitt has the 5th most National Championships...more than quite a lot of big name football schools, including Penn State with their 2 trophies

"Back in the day" I'd say Pitt was a much bigger name than Penn State.

There are 17 unique season where Pitt was named a national champion by one or more independent, 3rd party selectors of champions according to research by College Football Data Warehouse and other college football historians.

The Official NCAA Records Book lists 11 different seasons where a "major" selector of championships chose Pitt.

Pitt claims nine. This is based on a 1970 Sports Illustrated study of national championships, one of the first ever published, and Pitt's own claims originate from that and it has never deviated (except for adding the 1976 unanimous national title). Pitt has also had 8 undefeated season, four of which are not claimed as national championships. Pitt's claims are actually more conservative than some. 1910, for instance, is almost universally recognized by everyone but Pitt. That said, 1934 isn't recognized by anyone but Pitt but was listed in the 1970 SI study (and there is a reason for doing so) so it stays as in Pitt's official lists.

Pitt was an original blue blood from 1910 to 1940, dominating its series against all regional opponents including PSU and ND and going to the Rose Bowl 4 times and turning down a 5th invite. But like many pre-WWII powers, Pitt went through a period of misguided de-emphasis. Pitt didn't drop the sport or reduce schedule strength like some, just eliminated recruiting and enacted draconian purity rules that sabatoged the program during the 40s. It had a renaissance in the mid-50s, but then sank again in the 60s with bad coaching selections. It's been a roller coaster of either great power (1910, 20s, 30s, 70s, 80s) or terrible lows (40s, 60s, 90s). Rarely had Pitt had sustained mediocrity like it currently enjoys. Stability in the coaching ranks, often self inflicted, has been Pitt's major achilles heel.

(03-25-2020 05:39 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 03:09 PM)cuseroc Wrote:  

(03-25-2020 02:43 PM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I just became aware that Pitt claims 9 National Championships

8 of those from back in the day of course lol

That means Pitt has the 5th most National Championships...more than quite a lot of big name football schools, including Penn State with their 2 trophies

I believe most BE fans were aware of this. If Bama can claim 17 starting from 1925. Pitt has just as much right to claim all of theirs starting from 1915. They are all recognized today. For some reason, some sports writers will only mention the last one in 76 or 77

For me personally, I look at when the AP Poll started. I think college football championships are less credible the further you go back in time

Before AP- meh
AP-BCS - still pretty wonkey, but a little more consistent
BCS- for all of it's faults, it was a two team playoff. Sure the results were debatable at times, but no more Miami Hurricanes going from #5 all the way to #1 (1983), or BYU playing #13 Michigan for a Natty (1984)
Playoff - not perfect either, but way more valid then all the previous years

I know LSU has a 1908 championship they could easily claim, which would push them to 5 National Championships, but they don't

Michigan also has a vast difference in what they could claim pre and post AP. How many post AP championships? 2? But I think they claim 11

50 years from now, will any of the more recent championships "count" or will people in the future discount them?

(03-26-2020 10:22 AM)TerryD Wrote:  50 years from now, will any of the more recent championships "count" or will people in the future discount them?

50 years from now I expect there will be no college football, so... they won't count.

(03-26-2020 09:20 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(03-26-2020 08:29 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(03-26-2020 08:24 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  Teams which haven't won a championship since Pitt did it in 1976:
* Michigan State
* Arkansas
* Ole Miss
* Minnesota
* Iowa

Let's just make sure we hold everyone to the same standard.

* Virginia Tech (any national championship)

Yes, ha ha... I only included teams which won football national championships BEFORE Pitt's last. I couldn't include UNC either...

45 National Championships which is 8th most in the NCAA.