The Panthers began play in 1890. In total, the University officially recognizes nine national championships. The university bases its claim for the five national championships from 1929 to 1937 on a 1967 article by Dan Jenkins of Sports Illustrated.[1][2] The NCAA's record book lists Pittsburgh as being selected for a national championship by "major selectors" in eleven different seasons.[3] Research by College Football Data Warehouse (CFBDW) has found that Pitt was selected as a national champion in 16 different seasons by at least one out of 80 selectors of titles.[4] Of these, CFBDW names six as national championship seasons for the University of Pittsburgh.[5]
Polls have been the most prominent form of championship selection since the inception of the AP Poll in 1936. The following systems have at one point in their history have named Pitt as a national champion or are still active today. Retroactive designations are marked in italics.
* The USA Today (USAT) Coaches' Poll is used as part of the BCS formula. † The NFF merged with UPI from 1991–1992 and was known as the UPI/NFF. Prior to 1991 the UPI had published the Coaches' Poll, which has been published by USA Today under various names and sponsorships since 1991.[6] ‡ The USA Today Poll was sponsored by CNN from 1982–1996, known as CNN/USA Today, and ESPN from 1997–2005, known as the ESPN/USA Today. The NFF briefly merged with USA Today poll from 1993–1994 and was known as the USAT/NFF.
The University of Pittsburgh claims nine national championships for the Panthers football team: four that are mostly unanimous, (1916, 1918, 1937, and 1976) and five shared titles (1915, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936). Parke Davis was the only major selector of four of the titles, including the 1934 selection attributed to him after his pre-season death.
The University bases its claim for the first eight national championships on a 1967 article by Dan Jenkins of Sports Illustrated.[2][1] These championships, together with its unanimous championship of 1976, are the basis for the university's claim of nine national championship seasons.
Furthermore, according to research conducted by the College Football Data Warehouse,[7] in eight additional years at least one out of 80 selectors of national titles has declared Pitt as its national champion. Combined with the Sports Illustrated article, Pitt has been recognized as the national champion by at least one selector in 17 different seasons. According to the NCAA Division 1 Football Records Book, Pitt has been named a national champion by a "Major Selector" in 11 separate seasons.[8]
Note: The table lists all known national championship selections for the University of Pittsburgh. The list of national championship selecting organizations choosing Pitt for any particular year is not necessarily comprehensive. For more information see College Football Data Warehouse Total National Championships. All selections for seasons before 1927 were made retrospectively, as were many later selections. Additional notations include the following:
Pitt: national championship selections are officially recognized by the University[9]
NCAA: Selection as national champions by organizations designated as "Major Selectors" in the official NCAA football records book[10]
1st-N-Goal Angelo Louisa Boand System* Bob Kirlin College Football Researchers Association* Earl Jessen Esso Gas Houlgate System* Jim Koger Loren Maxwell Patrick Premo
1st-N-Goal Angelo Louisa ARGH Power Ratings College Football Researchers Association* Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments* Harry DeVold* James Howell Jeff Self New York Times* Quality Champions Sagarin Ratings* Steve Eck The Fleming System
* Denotes setting of team single-season completion record
References
^ abcBorghetti, E.J.; Nestor, Mendy; Welsh, Celeste, eds. (2008). 2008 Pitt Football Media Guide(PDF). University of Pittsburgh. p. 156. Retrieved July 7, 2010. To settle countless arguments, Sports Illustrated in 1970 [sic] researched the first and only complete and wholly accurate list ever compiled of college football's mythical national champions [sic]. Every recognized authority that ever presumed to name a No. 1 was included [sic].
^National Championships as listed in the official NCAA football records book as selected by "Major Selectors" although the NCAA itself does not recognize or discriminate between national championship selections. "Official 2008 NCAA Division 1 Records Book"(PDF). NCAA. 2008.[permanent dead link]
^The University of Pittsburgh officially claims 9 National Championships for the Panthers football team. The University of Pittsburgh bases its claim for the first 8 national championships on a 1967 article by Dan Jenkins of Sports Illustrated. These championships, together with its unanimous championship of 1976, are the basis for the university's claim of 9 national championship seasons.
