TheLitkenhous Difference by Score Ratings system was a mathematical system used to rankfootball andbasketball teams.[1][2][3] TheLitrating system was developed byVanderbilt University professorEdward Earl ("E.E.") Litkenhous Jr. (1907 – December 22, 1984)[2] and his brother,Francis H. Litkenhous (December 9, 1912 – June 22, 1996).[1][4]
Edward Litkenhous (1907-1984) received an undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville and a doctorate from theUniversity of Minnesota. He began his career as a professor of chemical engineering at theSpeed Scientific School of theUniversity of Louisville.[5] He later became a professor atVanderbilt University and served as head of that school's engineering department. He died in 1984.[6]
Teams in the following table were ranked No. 1 by the Litkenhous Difference by Score Ratings system.[8][9]
The NCAA records book credits Litkenhous as a "major selector" for the seasons 1934 through 1984, and credits the system with 51 total rankings.[4] However no selections are listed in the NCAA records book for six seasons: 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, and 1980.[4]
The No. 1 team in the year's final ranking was awarded the Litkenhous Ratings Championship trophy.[7][14] The traveling trophy took the form of a huge wooden plaque and bronze mural by artist Marion Junkin.[30][7]
The trophy plaque is engraved with the winners for 1934–1962. Ole Miss was evidently the last Litkenhous champion to receive the trophy; the trophy is still held today at the University of Mississippi.[7]
^abcdef"National Champion Major Selections (1896 to Present)".2022 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. July 2022. pp. 112–114. RetrievedJanuary 4, 2023.The criteria for being included in this historical list of poll selectors is that the poll be national in scope, either through distribution in newspaper, television, radio and/or computer online. The list includes both former selectors, who were instrumental in the sport of college football, and selectors who were among the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) selectors.
^"Fritz Gets Trophy".Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. October 23, 1948. RetrievedJanuary 12, 2023....presents the national championship Litkenhous trophy toFritz Crisler, coach of Michigan's 1947 team.
^Litkenhous, E. E. (December 16, 1970)."Litkenhous (1970)".The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin. RetrievedJanuary 23, 2023.Texas is the Litkenhous national champion as the Longhorns wound up at 124.0.
^"'Huskers capture final".Johnson City Press. Johnson City, Tennessee. December 8, 1971. RetrievedJanuary 23, 2023.With the regular season completed, it's Nebraska as expected in the No. 1 slot in the Litkenhous Ratings. — Nebraska 120.6
^Litkenhous, E. E. (December 28, 1972)."Lit Bowls 'Em Over".Journal and Courier. Lafayette, Indiana. RetrievedJanuary 23, 2023.South'n Cal 119.2
^"Bowl Litratings (1973)".The Tampa Times. Tampa, Florida. December 20, 1973. RetrievedJanuary 22, 2023.Alabama 123.0, Ohio State 122.8, Notre Dame 116.5
^"Dr. Lit favors Penn State today".Johnson City Press. Johnson City, Tennessee. November 28, 1972. RetrievedJanuary 23, 2023.Top-ranked Oklahoma
^Leonard, George (January 5, 1978)."Sidelines".Nashville Banner. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. RetrievedOctober 24, 2023.Dr. Litkenhous traditionally determines his system's national champion after the regular season ends. Texas won in 1977.
^"Final Litratings (1982)".The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. December 14, 1982. RetrievedJanuary 23, 2023.1. Nebraska 145.8, 2. Penn State 144.0
^The NCAA records book lists a selection of Penn State.[4]
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