No. 7 – The 1973 Ohio State team (10-0-1)
What Connelly says about the 1973 team
“Here’s what we remember about the 1973 Buckeyes: the tie. Woody Hayes’ squad drew 10-10 with Bo Schembechler’s Michigan, and because both teams finished with the same conference record, Big Ten ADs voted on whom to send to the Rose Bowl. Because of some combination of injury (Wolverines QB Dennis Franklin broke his collarbone in the final minutes) and Michigan resentment (a theory forever espoused by Schembechler), they chose the Buckeyes.”
“Here’s what we sometimes forget: This might have been Hayes’ best team. Archie Griffin rushed for 1,577 yards, and a defense driven by linebacker Randy Gradishar and end Van DeCree held opponents under six points per game. The Buckeyes pummeled USC 42-21 in the Rose Bowl, too. The tie in Ann Arbor dropped Ohio State from the No. 1 spot in the AP poll, however, and assured the Buckeyes a spot on this list instead.”