The Litkenhous Difference by Score Ratings system was a mathematical system used to rank football and basketball teams.[1][2][3] The Litrating system was developed by Vanderbilt University professor Edward E. Litkenhous (1907 – December 22, 1984)[2] and his brother, Francis H. Litkenhous (December 9, 1912 – June 22, 1996).[1][4]
Teams in the following table were ranked No. 1 by the Litkenhous Difference by Score Ratings system.[6][7]
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]
† Years where Litkenhous selection is omitted from the NCAA records book.[4]
Litkenhous trophy
The No. 1 team in the year's final ranking was awarded the Litkenhous Ratings Championship trophy.[5][10] The traveling trophy took the form of a huge wooden plaque and bronze mural by artist Marion Junkin.[26][5]
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.[5]
^ 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. Retrieved January 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. Retrieved January 12, 2023. ...presents the national championship Litkenhous trophy to Fritz Crisler, coach of Michigan's 1947 team.
^Litkenhous, E. E. (December 16, 1970). "Litkenhous (1970)". The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved January 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. Retrieved January 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. Retrieved January 23, 2023. South'n Cal 119.2
^"Bowl Litratings (1973)". The Tampa Times. Tampa, Florida. December 20, 1973. Retrieved January 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. Retrieved January 23, 2023. Top-ranked Oklahoma
^Leonard, George (January 5, 1978). "Sidelines". Nashville Banner. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 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. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 1. Nebraska 145.8, 2. Penn State 144.0
^The NCAA records book lists a selection of Penn State.[4]