1938 college football season

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1938 college football season ended with the Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University (TCU) being named the nation's No. 1 team by 55 of the 77 voters in the final Associated Press writers' poll in early December. Tennessee was also chosen by six contemporary math system selectors as a national champion; both teams won every game. Notre Dame was chosen by the Dickinson System and won the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy.[1]

First AP No. 1 of seasonPittsburgh
Number of bowls5
Champion(s)TCU[a]
Tennessee[b]
Notre Dame[c] (not claimed)
HeismanTCU quarterback Davey O'Brien
Quick facts First AP No. 1 of season, Number of bowls ...
1938 college football season
Coach Wallace Wade of the Duke Blue Devils, with Dan Hill and Eric Tipton
First AP No. 1 of seasonPittsburgh
Number of bowls5
Champion(s)TCU[a]
Tennessee[b]
Notre Dame[c] (not claimed)
HeismanTCU quarterback Davey O'Brien
← 1937 Â·
football seasons
· 1939 â†’
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Conference and program changes

Conference changes

Membership changes

More information School, 1937 Conference ...
School1937 Conference1938 Conference
BYU CougarsRocky MountainMountain States (Big Seven)
Colorado BuffaloesRocky MountainMountain States (Big Seven)
Colorado A&M RamsRocky MountainMountain States (Big Seven)
Denver PioneersRocky MountainMountain States (Big Seven)
Utah UtesRocky MountainMountain States (Big Seven)
Utah State AggiesRocky MountainMountain States (Big Seven)
Wyoming CowboysRocky MountainMountain States (Big Seven)
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September

September 24 Defending champion Pittsburgh beat West Virginia, 19–0. California defeated St. Mary's 12–7. In Los Angeles, Alabama beat USC 19–7. Minnesota defeated Washington 15–0, and Dartmouth beat Bates 46–0.

October

October 1 Alabama defeated Samford 34–0, Fordham beat Upsala 47–0, Dartmouth beat St Lawrence 51–0, and Notre Dame beat Kansas 52–0. Pitt defeated Temple 28–6, California beat Washington State 27–3, and Minnesota beat Nebraska 16–7.

October 8 Minnesota defeated Purdue 7–0. Alabama beat North Carolina State 14–0. Dartmouth stayed unscored upon, winning at Princeton 22–0. Pittsburgh beat cross-town rival Duquesne 27–0. Fordham beat Waynesburg College 53–0. California played a double-header for the fans, with the reserves beating the California Agricultural school (lager UC-Davis) 48–0, and the varsity and reserves beating College of the Pacific 39–0. In Atlanta, Notre Dame beat Georgia Tech 14–6.

October 15 Pittsburgh won at Wisconsin 26–6. California defeated UCLA 20–7. Dartmouth beat Brown 34–13, and Notre Dame beat Illinois 14–6. Minnesota edged Michigan, 7–6. Fordham was tied by Purdue 6–6, and in Birmingham, Alabama was shut out by Tennessee, 13–0. When the first round of balloting was finished, the defending champion Panthers were again No. 1, followed by Minnesota, California, Dartmouth, and Notre Dame.

October 22 No. 1 Pittsburgh beat SMU 34–7. No. 2 Minnesota was idle. No. 3 California won at Seattle over Washington 14–7. No. 4 Dartmouth won at Harvard 13–7. No. 5 Notre Dame beat No. 13 Carnegie Tech 7–0. No. 6 Santa Clara beat Arkansas 21–6 in San Francisco, while in Milwaukee, No. 7 TCU beat Marquette 21–0, and the two winners replaced Dartmouth and Notre Dame in the Top Five: No. 1 Pittsburgh, No. 2 Minnesota, No. 3 California, No. 4 TCU, and No. 5 Santa Clara.

October 29 No. 1 Pittsburgh beat No. 9 Fordham, 24–13. No. 2 Minnesota fell to No. 12 Northwestern, 6–3. No. 3 California beat Oregon State 13–7. No. 4 TCU beat Baylor 39–7, and No. 5 Santa Clara won at Michigan State 7–6. No. 6 Dartmouth won at Yale 24–6 and No. 7 Notre Dame beat Army in Yankee Stadium, 19–7, and both returned to the Top Five: No. 1 Pittsburgh, No. 2 TCU, No. 3 California, No. 4 Notre Dame, and No. 5 Dartmouth.

November

November 5 In Pittsburgh, the No. 1 Panthers lost to No. 19 Carnegie Tech, 20–10. No. 2 TCU won at Tulsa 21–0. No. 3 California lost at No. 13 USC 13–7. In Baltimore, No. 4 Notre Dame beat Navy 15–0. No. 5 Dartmouth beat Dickinson College, 44–6. No. 6 Tennessee beat Chattanooga 45–0 to extend its record to 7–0–0. The Horned Frogs of TCU leaped into the top spot, ahead of Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and Dartmouth.

November 12 No. 1 TCU beat Texas 28–6. No. 2 Notre Dame beat No. 12 Minnesota 19–0. No. 3 Pittsburgh beat Nebraska 19–0. No. 4 Tennessee won at Vanderbilt 14–0. No. 5 Dartmouth lost at No. 20 Cornell 14–7. No. 7 Duke remained unbeaten (7–0–0), untied, and unscored upon with a 21–0 win at Syracuse. In the next poll, the Irish moved up to the top rung, followed by TCU, Tennessee, Duke, and Pittsburgh.

November 19 No. 1 Notre Dame won at No. 16 Northwestern 9–7. No. 2 TCU won at Rice 29–7. No. 3 Tennessee was idle as it prepared for a holiday game. No. 4 Duke beat N.C. State, 7–0. No. 5 Pittsburgh beat Penn State 26–0. The rankings shuffled to No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 2 TCU, No. 3 Duke, No. 4 Pittsburgh, and No. 5 Tennessee.

On Thanksgiving Day No. 5 Tennessee beat Kentucky 46–0, while No. 6 Oklahoma beat Oklahoma A&M 19-0. Two days later, November 26, No. 1 Notre Dame remained idle. No. 2 TCU beat SMU in Dallas, 20–7. No. 3 Duke and No. 4 Pittsburgh met at Durham, with the hosts winning 7–0. With a record of 9–0–0, Duke had outscored its opponents 114–0, but stayed in third in the next set of rankings. On November 29 the "final" AP Poll was released with Notre Dame No. 1, followed by No. 2 TCU, No. 3 Duke, No. 4 Tennessee, and No. 5 Oklahoma.[2]

On December 3, No. 1 Notre Dame lost in Los Angeles to No. 8 USC, 13–0. As a result the AP Poll was extended for another week.[3] On December 6 previously No. 2-ranked TCU received 55 first place votes in the second final poll and accepted a bid to the Sugar Bowl. No. 4 Tennessee beat Ole Miss 47–0 in Memphis, and moved up to second place. Though the SEC champion would be Sugar Bowl bound in later years, a No. 1 vs. No. 2 match was not to be had, as Tennessee instead took a bid for the Orange Bowl. No. 3 Duke stayed in third place, despite having never been scored upon in 1938, and accepted an invitation to the Rose Bowl. No. 5 Oklahoma beat Washington State 28–0 and moved up to fourth place. Both unbeaten and untied at 10–0–0, Tennessee and Oklahoma would meet in Miami, but the title had been awarded to 10–0–0 TCU. Notre Dame fell to fifth place.

Conference standings

Major conference standings

More information Conf., Overall ...
1938 Big Six Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 4 Oklahoma $5–0–010–1–0
Iowa State3–1–17–1–1
Missouri2–3–06–3–0
Nebraska2–3–03–5–1
Kansas State1–3–14–4–1
Kansas1–4–03–6–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1938 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 10 Minnesota $4–1–06–2–0
No. 16 Michigan3–1–16–1–1
Purdue3–1–15–1–2
No. 17 Northwestern2–1–24–2–2
Wisconsin3–2–05–3–0
Ohio State3–2–14–3–1
Illinois2–3–03–5–0
Iowa1–3–11–6–1
Indiana1–4–01–6–1
Chicago0–4–01–6–1
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1938 Border Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
New Mexico A&M +4–1–07–2–0
New Mexico +4–2–08–3–0
No. 11 Texas Tech2–0–010–1–0
Texas Mines3–2–06–3–0
Arizona State–Flagstaff1–2–02–6–1
Arizona0–3–03–6–0
Arizona State0–4–03–6–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll
1938 Mountain States Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Utah $4–0–27–1–2
BYU3–2–14–3–1
Denver3–2–14–4–1
Colorado3–2–13–4–1
Utah State3–3–04–4–0
Wyoming1–4–12–5–1
Colorado A&M0–4–21–5–2
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Pacific Coast Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 7 USC +6–1–09–2–0
No. 14 California +6–1–010–1–0
UCLA4–3–17–4–1
Oregon State4–3–15–3–1
Oregon4–4–04–5–0
Washington3–4–13–5–1
Idaho2–3–16–3–1
Stanford2–5–03–6–0
Washington State1–7–02–8–0
Montana0–1–05–3–1
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll
1938 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 2 Tennessee $7–0–011–0–0
No. 13 Alabama4–1–17–1–1
No. 19 Tulane4–1–17–2–1
Ole Miss3–2–09–2–0
Georgia Tech2–1–33–4–3
Vanderbilt4–3–06–3–0
Florida2–2–14–6–1
Auburn3–3–14–5–1
Georgia1–2–15–4–1
LSU2–4–06–4–0
Mississippi State1–4–04–6–0
Kentucky0–4–02–7–0
Sewanee0–6–01–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1938 Southern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 3 Duke $5–0–09–1–0
Clemson3–0–17–1–1
VMI4–0–36–1–4
North Carolina4–1–06–2–1
Richmond3–2–16–3–1
Washington and Lee2–2–04–4–1
NC State3–3–13–7–1
South Carolina2–2–06–4–1
Wake Forest3–4–14–5–1
VPI2–3–23–5–2
The Citadel2–3–06–5–0
Maryland1–2–02–7–0
Davidson2–6–04–6–0
Furman0–4–12–7–1
William & Mary0–4–03–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1938 Southwest Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 1 TCU $6–0–011–0–0
SMU4–2–06–4–0
Baylor3–2–17–2–1
Rice3–3–04–6–0
Texas A&M2–3–14–4–1
Arkansas1–5–02–7–1
Texas1–5–01–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
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Independents

More information Conf., Overall ...
1938 Eastern college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Worcester Tech â€“ 6–0–0
No. 18 Villanova â€“ 8–0–1
No. 9 Holy Cross â€“ 8–1–0
Boston College â€“ 6–1–2
No. 15 Fordham â€“ 6–1–2
No. 12 Cornell â€“ 5–1–1
Army â€“ 8–2–0
No. 8 Pittsburgh â€“ 8–2–0
No. 6 Carnegie Tech â€“ 7–2–0
No. 20 Dartmouth â€“ 7–2–0
Vermont â€“ 4–2–1
Brown â€“ 5–3–0
Bucknell â€“ 5–3–0
Syracuse â€“ 5–3–0
CCNY â€“ 4–3–0
Penn â€“ 3–2–3
Manhattan â€“ 5–4–0
Harvard â€“ 4–4–0
La Salle â€“ 4–4–0
NYU â€“ 4–4–0
Boston University â€“ 3–4–1
Penn State â€“ 3–4–1
Princeton â€“ 3–4–1
Hofstra â€“ 2–3–1
Duquesne â€“ 4–6–0
Temple â€“ 3–6–1
Providence â€“ 3–5–0
Columbia â€“ 3–6–0
Massachusetts State â€“ 3–6–0
Colgate â€“ 2–5–0
Buffalo â€“ 2–6–0
Yale â€“ 2–6–0
Tufts â€“ 1–6–1
Rankings from AP Poll
1938 Midwestern college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 5 Notre Dame â€“ 8–1–0
Central Michigan â€“ 7–1–0
Michigan State Normal â€“ 6–1–1
Xavier â€“ 7–2–0
Akron â€“ 6–3–0
Michigan State â€“ 6–3–0
Detroit Tech â€“ 6–3–0
Detroit â€“ 6–4–0
Western State Teachers â€“ 4–3–0
Cincinnati â€“ 4–5–0
Haskell â€“ 2–6–0
Wayne â€“ 2–6–0
DePaul â€“ 2–7–0
Michigan Tech â€“ 1–5–0
Marquette â€“ 1–7–0
Rankings from AP poll
1938 Southern college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Georgetown â€“ 8–0–0
Hardin–Simmons â€“ 8–2–0
Roanoke â€“ 5–2–3
Western Maryland â€“ 5–2–1
Catholic University â€“ 5–3–0
George Washington â€“ 5–4–0
Navy â€“ 4–3–2
Virginia â€“ 4–4–1
West Virginia â€“ 4–5–1
Loyola (LA) â€“ 4–5–0
South Georgia Teachers â€“ 3–5–1
William & Mary Norfolk â€“ 3–5–1
Delaware â€“ 3–5–0
Delaware State â€“ 1–2–0
Oklahoma City â€“ 2–8–0
East Carolina â€“ 1–6–1
1938 Western college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
San Jose State â€“ 11–1–0
Cal Poly â€“ 7–2–0
Santa Clara â€“ 6–2–0
Saint Mary's â€“ 6–2–0
San Francisco â€“ 5–2–1
Humboldt State â€“ 4–2–0
Idaho Southern Branch â€“ 4–3–0
Portland â€“ 5–3–0
Hawaii â€“ 4–4–0
Loyola (CA) â€“ 4–5–0
San Francisco State â€“ 2–5–0
La Verne â€“ 1–4–0
Santa Barbara State â€“ 2–8–0
Gonzaga â€“ 1–7–0
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Minor conferences

More information Conference, Champion(s) ...
Conference Champion(s) Record
Alamo Conference Texas A&I
Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association Virginia State College 6–0–1
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Wichita 4–0
Far Western Conference Pacific (CA) 4–0
Indiana Intercollegiate Conference Manchester College 6–1
Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Luther 4–0–1
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Ottawa (KS) 5–0
Lone Star Conference East Texas State Teachers 4–0
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hillsdale 4–0
Michigan-Ontario Collegiate Conference Lawrence Technological University 3–0
Midwest Collegiate Athletic Conference Lawrence 5–0
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Saint John's 5–0
Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northwest Missouri State Teachers 5–0
Nebraska College Athletic Conference Doane
Midland Lutheran		 3–1
Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Association Nebraska State Teachers
State Normal and Teachers (NE)		 2–0–1
North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Dakota 5–0
North Dakota College Athletic Conference North Dakota Science 5–0
Northern Teachers Athletic Conference Duluth State Teachers
Mankato State Teachers		 3–0
Ohio Athletic Conference John Carroll 4–0–1
Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference Central State Teachers (OK) 6–0
Pacific Northwest Conference Pacific (OR)
Willamette		 4–1
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Mansfield State Teachers 5–0
South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Yankton 5–1
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pomona 4–0–1
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Florida A&M College 6–0
Southwestern Athletic Conference Langston
Southern		 2–0–3
4–1–1
Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference Howard Payne 6–0–1
Washington Intercollegiate Conference Western Washington College 2–0
Wisconsin State Teachers College Conference North: River Falls State Teachers
Co-South: Milwaukee State Teachers
Co-South: Platteville State Teachers		 4–0
3–1
3–1
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Minor conference standings

More information Conf., Overall ...
1938 Alamo Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Texas A&I $2–0–06–3–0
Sul Ross1–1–04–3–1
St. Mary's (TX)0–2–06–9–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Buckeye Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Dayton +3–1–07–2–0
Ohio +3–1–07–2–0
Marshall2–2–05–4–0
Miami (OH)1–3–06–3–0
Ohio Wesleyan1–3–01–9–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 Central Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Wichita $4–0–07–2–1
Fort Hays State3–1–07–2–0
Pittsburg State2–2–04–4–2
Emporia State1–3–03–6–0
Southwestern (KS)0–4–01–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Virginia State $6–0–17–0–1
Morgan5–1–15–1–1
Shaw4–1–24–1–2
Virginia Union4–2–25–2–2
Bluefield State3–3–24–3–2
Hampton3–3–14–3–1
Johnson C. Smith2–2–15–2–1
North Carolina A&T3–3–13–5–1
North Carolina College2–4–12–5–1
Howard2–4–04–5–0
Lincoln (PA)2–4–04–5–0
Saint Paul's (VA)2–5–02–5–0
St. Augustine's0–4–00–4–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Dixie Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Southwestern (TN) $4–0–07–1–1
Mississippi College4–1–07–2–0
Loyola (LA)2–1–04–5–0
Howard (AL)2–1–02–5–0
Chattanooga3–2–04–5–0
Birmingham–Southern4–3–04–5–0
Spring Hill1–4–03–6–0
Mercer0–3–03–6–0
Millsaps0–5–01–10–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Franklin & Marshall +3–1–06–2–0
Gettysburg +3–1–06–2–0
Muhlenberg +3–1–07–3–0
Drexel1–3–04–3–1
Ursinus0–4–00–7–1
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 Far Western Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Pacific (CA) $4–0–07–3–0
Fresno State2–1–07–3–0
Nevada1–2–02–3–1
Chico State0–2–12–5–1
Cal Aggies0–2–12–6–1
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Illinois College Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Bradley Tech +4–0–07–0–1
Lake Forest +4–0–05–2–0
Illinois College2–1–04–4–0
Wheaton (IL)2–1–03–3–0
Illinois Wesleyan2–1–03–4–1
Knox (IL)1–2–13–4–1
Monmouth (IL)1–2–05–5–0
North Central1–3–03–4–0
Augustana (IL)1–3–03–4–1
Millikin0–5–12–5–1
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Northern Illinois State $4–0–06–1–1
Carthage3–0–06–1–1
Illinois State Normal4–1–05–4–1
Western Illinois2–2–04–3–1
Eastern Illinois1–3–05–3–0
Elmhurst1–3–02–5–0
Eureka0–2–01–6–0
Southern Illinois0–4–02–7–0
1938 Indiana Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Butler $3–0–04–4–0
Manchester6–1–07–1–0
Ball State6–1–16–1–1
Hanover4–2–05–2–0
DePauw4–2–05–3–0
Rose Poly2–1–05–3–0
Evansville4–3–14–4–1
Valparaiso2–2–12–4–1
Saint Joseph's (IN)1–2–12–4–1
Franklin (IN)2–5–02–6–0
Indiana State1–4–01–7–0
Earlham1–5–11–6–1
Wabash1–5–11–6–1
Central Normal0–4–00–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Iowa Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Luther $4–0–15–2–1
St. Ambrose3–0–07–0–1
Upper Iowa5–1–15–1–1
Dubuque4–1–05–1–2
Penn (IA)2–2–13–3–1
Buena Vista2–2–03–4–0
Iowa Wesleyan2–2–22–4–2
Parsons2–3–12–4–2
Western Union1–2–05–3–0
Central (IA)2–4–02–6–0
Columbia (IA)2–4–02–6–0
Simpson (IA)1–4–01–8–0
Wartburg0–5–00–6–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Ottawa $5–0–08–0–0
Bethany (KS)3–2–04–4–0
College of Emporia3–2–04–4–1
McPherson2–3–03–5–1
Kansas Wesleyan1–4–02–6–1
Baker1–4–02–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Centre +2–0–07–2–0
Western Kentucky State Teachers +2–0–07–2–0
Eastern Kentucky3–1–16–1–1
Morehead State2–1–15–1–1
Murray State1–1–06–2–1
Georgetown (KY)2–3–04–4–0
Union (KY)1–2–04–4–0
Transylvania2–4–03–5–0
Louisville0–3–02–6–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 Lone Star Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
East Texas State $4–0–08–1–0
Sam Houston State3–1–08–2–0
North Texas State2–2–07–4–0
Stephen F. Austin1–3–03–5–1
Southwest Texas State0–4–00–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Hillsdale $4–0–08–0–0
Albion2–1–15–2–1
Kalamazoo1–2–13–4–1
Alma1–2–13–5–1
Hope0–3–14–3–1
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Michigan-Ontario Collegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Lawrence Tech $3–0–03–4–0
St. Mary's (MI)1–1–11–4–2
Ferris Institute0–1–20–5–2
Assumption (ON)0–2–1?–?–?
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Middle Three Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Rutgers $2–0–07–1–0
Lafayette1–1–05–3–0
Lehigh0–2–02–5–2
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Midwest Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Kentucky State $4–0–07–2–0
Tennessee State2–1–06–1–0
Wilberforce2–2–14–2–1
West Virginia State2–2–13–4–1
Lincoln (MO)2–3–03–3–1
Louisville Municipal0–4–00–6–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Midwest Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Lawrence $5–0–06–1–0
Coe3–2–04–4–0
Knox3–2–03–4–1
Beloit2–2–13–3–1
Monmouth (IL)2–3–05–5–0
Ripon2–3–02–5–0
Cornell (IA)1–3–13–5–1
Carleton1–4–01–6–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Saint John's (MN) $5–0–06–2–0
Gustavus Adolphus4–1–05–1–0
St. Thomas (MN)4–1–06–2–0
St. Olaf3–2–05–2–0
Hamline2–3–02–4–0
Macalester2–3–04–3–0
Concordia (MN)0–5–02–6–1
Saint Mary's (MN)0–5–00–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Missouri College Athletic Union football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
William Jewell $4–0–05–2–0
Central (MO)1–1–22–4–2
Missouri Valley1–2–15–3–1
Culver–Stockton1–2–02–6–0
Tarkio0–2–14–3–1
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Maryville (MO) $5–0–09–0–0
Rolla3–2–04–4–0
Springfield (MO)2–2–15–2–2
Kirksville2–3–03–5–0
Warrensburg1–3–12–5–1
Cape Girardeau1–4–03–5–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Missouri Valley Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Washburn *2–0–06–3–0
Creighton *1–0–16–1–1
Tulsa $3–1–04–5–1
Washington University2–1–16–3–1
Drake2–1–15–4–1
Saint Louis1–1–13–5–2
Grinnell0–3–03–5–0
Oklahoma A&M0–4–02–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • * ineligible for championship because of insufficient games
1938 Nebraska College Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Midland +3–1–06–3–0
Doane +3–1–05–3–0
Hastings2–1–15–3–2
Nebraska Wesleyan1–2–14–4–1
York (NE)0–4–02–6–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Kearney State +2–0–14–4–1
Wayne State (NE) +2–0–13–5–1
Chadron State0–2–02–6–0
Peru State0–2–01–7–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 New England Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Rhode Island State $2–0–04–4–0
Maine2–1–03–4–0
New Hampshire1–1–03–6–0
Northeastern0–0–03–3–1
Connecticut State0–3–04–3–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 North Central Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
South Dakota $5–0–07–1–0
North Dakota3–1–06–2–0
North Dakota Agricultural3–1–05–4–0
South Dakota State2–3–03–5–0
Morningside1–3–14–3–1
Omaha1–3–12–5–1
Iowa State Teachers0–4–03–5–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 North Dakota Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Wahpeton $5–0–07–0–0
Valley City State5–1–05–2–0
Ellendale3–2–13–2–2
Jamestown2–2–12–5–1
Dickinson State1–2–11–3–2
Minot State1–2–21–3–2
Mayville State0–4–10–5–1
Bottineau0–4–00–4–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 North State Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Catawba +4–1–07–2–1
Elon +4–1–06–3–0
Appalachian State3–1–09–1–0
Lenoir Rhyne4–2–04–3–2
Guilford0–3–11–5–2
High Point0–4–12–4–1
Western Carolina0–3–00–7–1
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 Northern Teachers College Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Duluth State +3–0–07–0–1
Mankato State +3–0–05–2–1
Winona State3–1–05–2–0
St. Cloud State2–3–02–4–1
Moorhead State0–3–00–6–1
Bemidji State0–4–01–5–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 Northwest Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Willamette +4–1–05–3–0
Pacific (OR) +4–1–04–3–0
College of Idaho2–2–14–4–1
Whitman1–3–12–4–1
Puget Sound1–3–02–5–0
Linfield1–3–02–6–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 Ohio Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Wooster $5–0–25–0–3
John Carroll4–0–26–2–1
Ohio Northern6–1–16–1–1
Capital5–1–16–1–1
Denison5–2–07–2–0
Mount Union4–2–05–3–0
Muskingum4–2–15–3–1
Wittenberg4–2–04–4–0
Baldwin–Wallace2–1–03–5–0
Kent State3–2–06–2–0
Toledo0–0–16–3–1
Bowling Green2–2–23–2–3
Case2–2–12–4–2
Oberlin1–4–03–4–1
Findlay1–4–03–5–0
Kenyon1–4–01–5–0
Marietta1–4–01–6–0
Otterbein1–5–02–6–0
Heidelberg1–7–01–8–0
Ashland0–7–00–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Oklahoma Collegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Central State Teachers $6–0–06–3–0
Oklahoma Baptist5–1–07–3–0
SE Oklahoma State4–2–07–3–0
NW Oklahoma State3–3–03–5–1
SW Oklahoma State2–4–03–5–1
East Central1–5–02–6–1
Northeastern State0–6–00–6–3
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Pennsylvania State Teachers Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Mansfield $5–0–07–0–0
Slippery Rock3–0–16–2–1
West Chester1–0–24–2–3
Shippensburg5–1–16–1–1
Lock Haven3–1–14–3–1
Kutztown2–1–24–1–2
Indiana (PA)3–4–03–4–0
Clarion1–2–05–3–0
California (PA)1–2–02–3–2
Edinboro1–3–01–4–0
East Stroudsburg1–3–02–6–0
Millersville0–3–22–4–2
Bloomsburg0–6–11–6–1
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Rocky Mountain Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Montana State $1–0–13–5–1
Colorado Mines2–1–04–3–0
Colorado State–Greeley1–1–13–4–1
Colorado College1–1–01–6–0
Western State (CO)1–3–03–5–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Smoky Mountain Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
East Tennessee State Teachers $5–1–06–2–0
Appalachian State3–0–09–1–0
King3–1–15–1–3
Carson–Newman3–3–15–4–1
Maryville (TN)3–3–04–5–1
Milligan1–2–25–3–2
Cumberland (TN)1–4–02–8–0
Tusculum0–5–00–8–1
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
South Dakota Mines $5–0–08–0–0
Dakota Wesleyan4–1–05–3–0
Yankton4–2–05–3–0
Southern Normal3–2–04–2–0
Augustana (SD)2–2–15–2–1
Huron3–3–05–3–0
Northern Normal2–3–12–4–2
Sioux Falls1–4–01–7–0
Eastern Normal0–3–01–6–0
Spearfish0–4–03–4–0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • Yankton initially won the conference title with a 5–1 mark, but later forfeited and their win over South Dakota Mines and the title because of an ineligible player.
1938 Southern California Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Pomona $4–0–16–0–1
Whittier2–0–27–1–2
San Diego State2–1–15–2–1
Redlands2–3–03–5–0
Occidental1–4–03–5–0
Caltech0–3–01–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
West Tennessee State Teachers $7–0–010–0–0
Centre4–0–07–2–0
Miami (FL)3–0–08–2–0
Centenary2–0–07–4–0
Mississippi State Teachers6–1–07–2–0
Presbyterian6–1–06–4–0
Mississippi College5–1–07–2–0
Western Kentucky State Teachers4–1–07–2–0
SW Louisiana4–1–18–2–1
Murray State4–1–06–2–1
Tennessee Tech4–1–06–3–0
Eastern Kentucky3–1–16–1–1
Morehead State2–1–15–1–1
Stetson4–2–16–2–1
Newberry4–2–05–5–0
Rollins3–2–16–2–1
Louisiana Normal3–3–05–5–0
Georgetown (KY)2–3–04–4–0
Union (TN)2–3–04–6–0
Louisiana College2–4–14–4–1
Union (KY)1–2–04–4–0
Transylvania2–4–03–5–0
Louisiana Tech2–4–03–7–1
Delta State2–5–02–7–0
Oglethorpe2–5–02–9–0
Middle Tennessee State Teachers1–5–02–6–0
Howard (AL)0–2–02–5–0
Emory and Henry0–2–01–6–2
Louisville0–3–02–6–0
Troy State0–3–13–4–1
Jacksonville State0–3–11–6–1
Erskine0–3–11–7–2
Tampa0–4–03–7–0
Wofford0–4–10–8–1
Millsaps0–7–01–10–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Florida A&M $6–0–08–0–0
Morris Brown6–1–16–2–1
Morehouse4–1–14–3–1
LeMoyne4–1–05–2–0
Xavier (LA)3–1–14–3–3
Alabama State4–4–14–4–1
Lane3–2–04–3–0
South Carolina State2–3–03–5–0
Fisk2–3–12–3–2
Tuskegee1–4–21–7–2
Clark (GA)0–6–10–6–1
Knoxville0–7–10–8–1
Talladega0–2–10–5–1
1938 Southwestern Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Southern +4–1–17–1–1
Langston +3–0–34–1–3
Prairie View2–2–25–2–3
Texas College2–3–15–3–1
Wiley2–3–16–3–2
Arkansas AM&N2–3–14–4–1
Bishop1–4–14–5–1
  • + – Conference co-champions
1938 Texas Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Howard Payne $6–0–17–3–1
St. Edward's4–2–07–3–0
Southwestern (TX)4–2–06–4–0
Trinity (TX)4–2–04–6–0
Abilene Christian3–2–16–2–1
Texas Wesleyan2–3–03–4–1
Austin2–5–02–8–0
Daniel Baker1–5–01–9–0
McMurry1–6–01–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 Washington Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Western Washington $3–0–07–0–0
Eastern Washington2–1–06–2–1
Central Washington1–2–03–3–1
Pacific Lutheran0–3–02–5–1
  • $ – Conference champion
1938 West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Morris Harvey $7–0–17–1–1
Concord4–0–15–2–1
Glenville State4–2–14–3–1
West Liberty State3–2–04–5–0
Salem2–4–12–5–1
Potomac State1–3–12–4–1
New River State1–3–05–2–0
Fairmont State1–4–11–4–2
Bethany (WV)0–4–02–6–0
West Virginia Wesleyan *2–1–03–5–0
Davis & Elkins *1–1–12–7–1
Shepherd *0–2–11–4–2
  • $ – Conference champion
  • * – Did not qualify for conference standings
    Ties did not count in conference standings.
1938 Wisconsin State Teachers College Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Northern Division
River Falls State x4–0–06–1–0
La Crosse State3–1–04–3–0
Superior State2–2–02–6–0
Eau Claire State1–3–02–5–0
Stout Institute0–4–00–5–2
Southern Division
Platteville State x3–1–04–1–0
Milwaukee State x3–1–04–3–0
Whitewater State2–2–05–2–0
Stevens Point State2–2–03–2–2
Oshkosh State0–4–01–6–0
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Close

Rankings

Main article: 1938 college football rankings

Heisman Trophy voting

The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player

More information Player, School ...
PlayerSchoolPositionTotal
Davey O'BrienTCUQB519
Marshall GoldbergPittsburghHB294
Sid LuckmanColumbiaQB154
Bob MacLeodDartmouthHB78
Vic BottariCaliforniaHB67
Howard WeissWisconsinFB60
George CafegoTennesseeHB55
Ki AldrichTCUC48
Whitey BeinorNotre DameOL47
Dan HillDukeC38
Close

Bowl games

Main article: 1938–39 NCAA football bowl games
More information Bowl game, Winning team ...
Bowl game Winning team Losing team
Cotton Bowl Classic Saint Mary's 20 No. 11 Texas Tech 13
Orange Bowl No. 2 Tennessee 17 No. 4 Oklahoma 0
Rose Bowl No. 7 USC 7 No. 3 Duke 3
Sugar Bowl No. 1 TCU 15 No. 6 Carnegie Tech 7
Sun Bowl Utah 26 New Mexico 0
Close

See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    per AP poll, Williamson System, Helms Athletic Foundation, National Championship Foundation
  2. [b]
    per Boand System, Dunkel System, Houlgate System, Litkenhous Ratings, Poling System, Berryman QPRS, Billingsley Report, College Football Researchers Association, Sagarin Ratings Elo chess method, and Sagarin Ratings Predictor method
  3. [c]
    per Dickinson System

References

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