25 College Football Records that will never be broken

#1
V

Volosaurus rex

Doctorate in Volology
Joined
Dec 2, 2009
Messages
6,039
Likes
4,252
#1
Disregard the source of this article. Fellow stat nuts will enjoy it: The Most Unbreakable Records in College Football | Bleacher Report. Of the 25 records which the author of this piece describes as unbreakable, all but two or three are at least 65 years old and those pertain to yearly streaks (e.g. most consecutive winning seasons). Two of these records are still held by Tennessee, including the 17 consecutive regular season shutouts achieved over portions of the 1938, ’39 and ’40 seasons. There are four other records which were established by Tennessee defenses back in the early ‘70s, ones pertaining to turnovers caused, which still have not been broken and which I believe may well stand the test of time. These include:

MOST OPPONENTS’ TURNOVERS
57—Tennessee, 1970 (21 fumbles recovered, 36 interceptions). Note: This does not include the eight turnovers forced against Air Force in the 1971 Sugar Bowl, which, by today's standards, would push the record further into the stratosphere at 65.

MOST YARDS GAINED ON INTERCEPTION RETURNS
782—Tennessee, 1971 (25 interceptions)

HIGHEST AVERAGE PER INTERCEPTION RETURN
(Min. 10-14 ints.) 36.3—Oregon St., 1959 (12 for 436)
(Min. 15 ints.) 31.3—Tennessee, 1971 (25 for 782)

MOST TOUCHDOWNS ON INTERCEPTION RETURNS
7—Tennessee, 1971 (25 interceptions; 287 pass attempts against)

Given the ever increasing emphasis on the forward pass, I would also be surprised if anyone ever approaches, let alone surpasses, the single-season team rushing record established by Oklahoma in 1971: 472.4 ypg. It would be interesting to hear your take on other unbreakable records in college football.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#2
#2
Interesting read, rex. Thanks for sharing.

Considering a lot of those had to do with defense, I'd say it's safe to say most of those will last forever. Too much O in today's game.
 
#3
#3
Good research Vol Rex, my favorite is still the shutouts, I don't care how long ago it happened. It is very impressive.
 
#4
#4
I know it's Bleacher Report, so standards for accuracy aren't that high, but:

Tennessee's record of 7 TDs off interceptions was broken by Southern Miss with 8 in 2011, and that was tied by SMU a year later.
 
#5
#5
I think we set the record for most mattresses burned in 2010. I'd like to see people top THAT.
 
#7
#7
bamawriter said:
I know it's Bleacher Report, so standards for accuracy aren't that high, but:

Tennessee's record of 7 TDs off interceptions was broken by Southern Miss with 8 in 2011, and that was tied by SMU a year later.
Click to expand...

Always have to ruin the fun don't ya! :hi:
 
#8
#8
Boca Vol said:
Interesting read, rex. Thanks for sharing.

Considering a lot of those had to do with defense, I'd say it's safe to say most of those will last forever. Too much O in today's game.
Click to expand...


There are a few offensive records which they did not cite that I believe will never be broken. The NCAA record book does not go back that far, so they don't acknowledge Georgia Tech's 222-0 annihilation of Cumberland in 1916. Clearly, it will stand the test of time as the current records are:

Most Points Scored 103—Wyoming vs. Northern Colo. (0), Nov. 5, 1949 (15 TDs, 13 PATs)

Most Points scored against a Major Opponent 100—Houston vs. Tulsa (6), Nov. 23, 1968 (14 TDs, 13 PATs, 1 FG)

Since ties are no longer permitted, this one certainly will last as well:

Most Points, Both teams in a tie game 104—BYU (52) & San Diego St. (52), Nov. 16, 1991

On the other hand, given the pinball pace of today's offensive juggernauts, I am not certain that Army's (1945) per-game average of 56 points per game won't eventually be eclipsed by some offensive wunderkind coach playing in a weak conference.
 
#10
#10
UT_Dutchman said:
Good research Vol Rex, my favorite is still the shutouts, I don't care how long ago it happened. It is very impressive.
Click to expand...


I cannot find a separate entry in the NCAA Record Book for this category, but it would be interesting to know what coach has won the most games by shutout. If memory serves me correctly, 106 of Neyland's 173 victories were by shutout, with an additional three scoreless ties.
 
#13
#13
Volosaurus rex said:
There are a few offensive records which they did not cite that I believe will never be broken. The NCAA record book does not go back that far, so they don't acknowledge Georgia Tech's 222-0 annihilation of Cumberland in 1916.
Click to expand...

The fact that the record book begins in 1937 causes some of the actual records to get overlooked. The shutout streak that the Bleacher Report article highlights is only officially the longest shutout streak. The actual longest streak occurred before 1937.
 
#14
#14
They forgot "Questionable national championships claimed by a single team: Alabama, 15 (1925-present)
 
#19
#19
Volosaurus rex said:
I cannot find a separate entry in the NCAA Record Book for this category, but it would be interesting to know what coach has won the most games by shutout. If memory serves me correctly, 106 of Neyland's 173 victories were by shutout, with an additional three scoreless ties.
Click to expand...

I have read that information in one of my media guides from the 90's, I will see if I can find that.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top