AP All-Time Top Ten: Why They Are Correct, And Guess Who Is No. 1

"8  TEXAS (822 Points) Total appearances:703, 63.74% of all polls First appearance:1940 No.1 ranking:44 1/2 Championships:Three (last 2005) Best full decade:2000s appeared in 99.40% of polls. Worst full decade:1990s appeared in 47.34% of polls. Poll point:The Longhorns have not had a top-10 rankings since Sept. 19, 2010, the program’s longest such streak since Nov. 26, 1984-Nov. 4, 1990."

My first thought was that Texas should be higher in the poll. Under legendary coach Darrell Royal and then Fred Akers, the Longhorns dominated the Southwest Conference.

I also remember Royal’s terrific teams from the late 60s to the mid 70’s. However, in the last 30 years, Texas has usually had winning teams but haven’t always been in contention for a National title.

In my research, I found that it was a similar situation during the first 20 years of the AP poll as well. A number 8 ranking seems to be just about right.

Next: #7 Michigan