1931 college football rankings
Open-knowledge reference entry
The 1931 college football rankings ranked the best teams participating in the 1931 college football season. They included a mathematical system operated by Frank G. Dickinson.
Champions (by ranking)
All major rankings (both contemporary and retroactive) have identified the University of Southern California as the season's champions, with exception of Parke H. Davis's retroactive ranking for Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide, which identified Pittsburgh and Purdue as co-champions.
Berryman QPRS: University of Southern California
Billingsley Report: University of Southern California
Boand System: University of Southern California
College Football Researchers Association: University of Southern California
Parke H. Davis: Pittsburgh and Purdue (co-champions)
Dickinson System: University of Southern California
Dunkel System: University of Southern California
Erskine Trophy poll: University of Southern California
Helms Athletic Foundation: University of Southern California
Houlgate System: University of Southern California
National Championship Foundation: University of Southern California
Poling System: University of Southern California
Sagarin Ratings Elo chess method: University of Southern California
Sagarin Ratings Predictor method: University of Southern California
Williamson System: University of Southern California
Note: Boand System, Dickinson System, Dunkel System, Houlgate System, Williamson System, and Erskine Trophy poll were given contemporarily. All other methods were given retroactively
Dickinson System
The Dickinson System was a mathematical rating system devised by University of Illinois economics professor Frank G. Dickinson. It ranked 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 awarded the Rissman Trophy to the winning university. It awarded 30 points for a win over a "strong team", and 20 for a win over a "weak team". Losses were awarded points (15 for loss to a strong team, 10 for loss to a weak team).
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