The 1933 college football rankings included mathematical systems operated by William F. Boand and Frank G. Dickinson. Both systems selected the undefeated Michigan Wolverines as the national champion.
The AP sportswriters' poll would not begin being published continuously until 1936. (although, the first time was a one instance publishing in 1934)
Champions (by ranking) Most major rankings (both contemporary and retroactive) have identified Michigan as the season's champion. The three exceptions were the contemporary ranking Dunkel System (which found Ohio State the champion), the contemporary Williamson System ranking (which found USC to be the champion), and ranking by Parke H. Davis for Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide (which found Princeton to have been co-champion alongside Michigan).
Berryman QPRS: Michigan Billingsley Report: Michigan Boand System: Michigan College Football Researchers Association: Michigan Parke H. Davis: Michigan and Princeton (co-champions) Dickinson System: Michigan Dunkel System: Ohio State Helms Athletic Foundation: Michigan Houlgate System: Michigan National Championship Foundation: Michigan Poling System: Michigan Sagarin Ratings Elo chess method: Michigan Sagarin Ratings Predictor method: Michigan Williamson System: USC Note: Boand System, Dickinson System, Dunkel System, Houlgate System, and were Williamson System given contemporarily. Parke Davis' rankings were also published soon after season. All other methods were given retroactively
Boand System The Boand System was a mathematical ranking system developed by William F. Boand and sometimes billed as the "Azzi Ratem" (as I rate 'em) system.
1. Michigan 2. Princeton 3. USC
Dickinson System Frank G. Dickinson, an economics professor at the University of Illinois, had invented the Dickinson System to rank colleges based upon their records and the strength of their opposition. The system was originally designed to rank teams in the Big Nine (later the Big Ten) conference. Chicago clothing manufacturer Jack Rissman then persuaded Dickinson to rank the nation's teams under the system, and the Rockne Memorial Trophy was awarded to the winning university.Herschel Nissenson Tales From College Football's Sidelines (Sports Publishing LLC, 2001), p93.
In an AP story, the system was explained:
Michigan (7–0–1), Minnesota (4–0–4) and Princeton (9–0) were all unbeaten, and Princeton was untied as well. Based on its schedule, Michigan was ranked highest by Professor Dickinson. As in 1932, Dickinson, an economics professor at the University of Illinois, included four Big Ten Conference teams among the best in the US. In 1933, they were Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Purdue.
"Dickinson System Awards Michigan National Grid Title," Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.), December 10, 1933, p19
Rank Team Record Rating 1 Michigan 7–0–1 28.52 2 Nebraska 8–1 24.61 3 Minnesota 4–0–4 23.87 4 Pittsburgh 8–1 23.01 5 Ohio State 7–1 22.79 6 USC 10–1–1 22.61 7 Princeton 9–0 22.50 8 Oregon 9–1 22.36 9 Army 9–1 22.16 10 Purdue 6–1–1 21.88 11 Stanford 9–1–1 20.34
The Dickinson System was a mathematical rating system devised by University of Illinois economics professor Frank G. Dickinson.
1. Michigan - 28.52 points 2. Nebraska - 24.61 3. Minnesota - 23.87 4. Pittsburgh - 23.01 5. Ohio State - 22.79 6. USC - 22.61 7. Princeton - 22.50 8. (tie) Oregon - 22.16 8. (tie) Army - 22.16 10. Purdue - 21.88 11. Stanford - 20.34
Dunkel System
Houlgate System
1. Michigan 2. USC 3. Princeton 4. LSU 5. Oregon 6. Stanford 7. Minnesota 8. Duquesne 8. Nebraska 10. Centenary 11. Columbia 11. Pittsburgh
Williamson System
1. USC 98.05 2. Michigan 97.58 3. Princeton 97.26 [...] 279. Montana State
See also 1933 College Football All-America Team
Notes
References