# Williamson System

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The **Williamson System** was a mathematical system used to rank [college football](/source/College_football) teams. The system was created by **Paul B. Williamson**, a geologist and member of the [Sugar Bowl](/source/Sugar_Bowl) committee.[1]

The [NCAA](/source/NCAA) college football records book includes the Williamson System as a "major selector" of [national championships](/source/College_football_national_championships_in_NCAA_Division_I_FBS) for the years 1932-1963.[1]

Paul Williamson died in 1955. His son **Mitch Williamson** subsequently took up his father's syndicated column for the 1955–1963 seasons.[2]

## National champions

The following teams were ranked No. 1 by the Williamson System for the 1932–1963 college football seasons.

The NCAA *Football Bowl Subdivision Records* book contains five apparent errors in its listing of Williamson System champions. The following table contains the contemporary champions syndicated by Paul Williamson. The NCAA record book's errors are documented in the *Notes* column.

Season Champion[1] Record Coach Notes 1932[3] USC 10–0 Howard Jones 1933[4] USC 10–1–1 Howard Jones 1934[5] Alabama 10–0 Frank Thomas 1935[6] TCU 12–1 Dutch Meyer [7] 1936[8] Minnesota 7–1 Bernie Bierman [9] 1937[10] California 10–0–1 Stub Allison [11] 1938[12] TCU 11–0 Dutch Meyer [13] Tennessee 11–0 Robert Neyland 1939[14] Texas A&M 11–0 Homer Norton 1940[15] Stanford 10–0 Clark Shaughnessy [16] 1941[17] Texas 8–1–1 Dana X. Bible 1942[18] Georgia 10–1 Wally Butts 1943[19] Notre Dame 9–1 Frank Leahy 1944[20] Army 9–0 Earl Blaik 1945[21] Army 9–0 Earl Blaik 1946[22] Georgia 11–0 Wally Butts 1947[23] Notre Dame 9–0 Frank Leahy 1948[24] Michigan 9–0 Bennie Oosterbaan 1949[25] Notre Dame 10–0 Frank Leahy 1950[26] Oklahoma 10–1 Bud Wilkinson 1951[27] Tennessee 10–1 Robert Neyland 1952[28] Michigan State 9–0 Biggie Munn 1953[29] Notre Dame 9–0–1 Frank Leahy 1954[30] Ohio State 10–0 Woody Hayes 1955[31] Oklahoma 11–0 Bud Wilkinson 1956[32] Oklahoma 10–0 Bud Wilkinson 1957[33] Auburn 10–0 Ralph Jordan 1958[34] LSU 11–0 Paul Dietzel 1959[35] Syracuse 11–0 Ben Schwartzwalder 1960[36] Ole Miss 10–0–1 Johnny Vaught 1961[37] Alabama 11–0 Bear Bryant 1962[38] USC 11–0 John McKay 1963[39] Texas 11–0 Darrell Royal

## References

1. ["National Champion Major Selections (1896 to Present)"](http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2022/FBS.pdf). *2022 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records*. Indianapolis: [National Collegiate Athletic Association](/source/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association). July 2022. pp. 112–119. Williamson System (1932-63), a power rating system chosen by Paul Williamson of New Orleans, a geologist and member of the Sugar Bowl committee.

1. ["1964 Williamson Ratings"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115788584/mitch-williamson-retires-the-williamson/). *Lincoln Journal Star*. October 1, 1964. Retrieved January 4, 2023. Mr. Williamson died and his son elected not to continue the rating system.

1. Gould, Alan (January 17, 1933). ["Sport Slants"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115699507/williamson-system-1932/). *The Dispatch*. Retrieved January 2, 2023. we find Southern California clearly on top, within two points of perfection, at 98.12, with the result of the Rose Bowl game considered.

1. Morin, Relman (January 23, 1934). ["Troy Given Title — '33 Grid Rankings Told"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115699281/williamson-system-1933/). *Los Angeles Evening Post–Record*. Retrieved January 2, 2023.

1. ["Alabama Chosen National Champ – Williamson System Says Minnesota Should Have 'Jeopardized' Record"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115699042/williamson-system-1934/). *Chattanooga Daily Times*. United Press. January 11, 1935. Retrieved January 2, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (January 16, 1936). ["Frogs Rated First In Final Grid Standings; S.M.U. Mustangs Placed Second By Williamson"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115690941/1935-williamson-system-final-football/). *Fort Worth Star–Telegram*. Retrieved January 2, 2023. No Undisputable National Champions Picked; Sugar Bowl Game One of Best

1. The NCAA records book erroneously lists a co-championship between TCU and LSU.[1]

1. Williamson, Paul B. (January 6, 1937). ["P.B. Williamson Ranks Gophers at Top — Nation's Leading 24 Football Teams"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115698494/p-b-williamson-ranks-gophers-at-top/). *The Knoxville News–Sentinel*. United Features Syndicate. Retrieved January 2, 2023. At the curtain of the 1936 football season, again like for 1935, the Williamson Rating System does not name any team that could be consistently called the out and out national football champion.

1. The NCAA records book erroneously lists LSU as champions.[1]

1. ["Williamson System Names Bears Champs"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115698786/williamson-system-1937/). *The Knoxville News–Sentinel*. United Press. January 6, 1938. Retrieved January 2, 2023.

1. The NCAA records book erroneously lists Pittsburgh as champions.[1]

1. Williamson, Paul B. (January 6, 1938). ["Vols, T.C.U. Share Grid Laurels"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115700400/williamson-system-1938/). *The Oklahoma News*. Retrieved January 2, 2023.

1. The NCAA records book erroneously omits co-champion Tennessee.[1]

1. Williamson, Paul B. (January 7, 1940). ["Williamson Places Aggies on Top in Final Rankings"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115714453/williamson-system-1939/). *Asheville Citizen–Times*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (January 7, 1941). ["Williamson Votes National Title to Stanford"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115715254/williamson-system-1940/). *Nasheville Banner*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. The NCAA records book erroneously lists Tennessee as champions.[1]

1. Williamson, Paul B. (January 6, 1942). ["Williamson Hails Steers As His National Champs"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115720760/williamson-system-1941/). *Tyler Morning Telegraph*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 24, 1942). ["Georgia and Tulsa One-Two in Final Williamson Ratings"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115722005/williamson-system-1942/). *The St. Louis Star and Times*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (November 30, 1943). ["Williamson System Has Big Season; Awards Irish College Championship"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115723520/williamson-system-1943/). *The Charlotte Observer*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 7, 1944). ["Williamson Gives Final 1944 Ratings: Army Best Eleven"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115722998/williamson-system-1944/). *The Durham Sun*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 5, 1945). ["Williamson Rang Bell on Army–'Bama–U.S.C.–Mizzou"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115725812/williamson-system-1945/). *The Nebraska State Journal*. Retrieved January 3, 2023. National football champions: Army

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 4, 1946). ["Georgia Football King — Bulldogs Are Williamson's Choice as 1946 Grid Champs; Irish Second, Army Third"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115739622/williamson-system-1946/). *Nashville Banner*. Retrieved January 2, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 12, 1946). ["Williamson's Football Ratings and Predictions"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115742746/williamson-system-1947/). *The Times*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 7, 1948). ["Williamson Crowns Michigan King"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115742952/williamson-system-1948/). *The Charlotte Observer*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 7, 1949). ["Williamson: Notre Dame Tops Final Rankings"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115747855/williamson-system-1949/). *The Boston Globe*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 12, 1950). ["Oklahoma No. 1 on P.B.'s Roll — Texas Second, then Princeton, Tenn."](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115748197/williamson-system-1950/). *The Memphis Press–Scimitar*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 4, 1951). ["System Rates Vols Top Team Of 1951"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115754131/williamson-system-1951/). *The Charlotte Observer*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 16, 1952). ["Spartans, Georgia Tech Atop Williamson Ratings"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115755547/williamson-system-1952/). *The Albuquerque Tribune*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 16, 1953). ["Williamson Votes irish Best Team"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115755748/williamson-system-1953/). *The Lawton Constitution*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Paul B. (December 8, 1954). ["Ohio State Rated Best By System"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115755969/williamson-system-1954/). *The Austin American*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Mitch (December 7, 1955). ["System Rates Sooners First"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115756228/williamson-system-1955/). *Austin American–Statesman*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Mitch (December 6, 1956). ["The Williamson System: Pre-Season Dope on Okies Right; Iowa Big Surprise"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115756659/williamson-system-1956/). *Lincoln Journal Star*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Mitch (December 17, 1957). ["The Williamson System: Auburn Ranked First In Final Grid Ratings"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115757104/williamson-system-1957/). *Lincoln Journal Star*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Mitch (December 2, 1958). ["Williamson System: LSU Rated Tops In Nation"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115759650/williamson-system-1958/). *Lincoln Journal Star*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. Williamson, Mitch (December 1, 1959). ["The Williamson System 1959"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115783158/williamson-system-1959/). *Lincoln Journal Star*. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

1. Williamson, Mitch (December 13, 1960). ["Final Grid Standings: Ole Miss The King on System's Throne"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115784990/williamson-system-1960/). *The Miami Herald*. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

1. Williamson, Mitch (December 15, 1961). ["In Final Williamson Ratings Alabama, Ohio State End Up 1–2"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115786743/williamson-system-1961/). *The Durham Sun*. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

1. Williamson, Mitch (December 11, 1962). ["Williamson Rates Troy No. 1 Club"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115787611/williamson-system-1962/). *The Durham Sun*. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

1. Williamson, Mitch (December 3, 1963). ["Texas Stays On Top In Williamson Poll"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115788071/williamson-system-1963/). *The Daily Herald*. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Williamson System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamson_System) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamson_System?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.