[SamAtoms1980]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=17995.msg212419#msg212419 date=1510536531]
[quote author=martyup link=topic=17995.msg212397#msg212397 date=1510527365]
Under this grading curve, Elway would have flunked out.  :o

Different era. Far fewer bowl games than there are now. Back then a .500 record didn't get you squat.
[/quote]

Strictly speaking true, since with an 11 game season it was tough to have an exactly 0.500 record.
But, the expansion of the bowls had at least started by then. In 1982, Elway's senior year, there were 16 bowl games.
It wasn't quite like now, but the following made a bowl game: Wisconsin at 6-5, Kansas St 6-4-1, Air Force 7-5, Tennessee 6-4-1, and a slew of 7-4 teams.
And, of course, sans final play travesty, Stanford was about to be on its way to the Independence Bowl at 6-5 (not sure which of Wisconsin/Kansas St. replaced us).
[/quote]


Air Force replaced us.  Our bid was going to be to the Hall of Fame Bowl against Vanderbilt and they took our place

[SamAtoms1980]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=17995.msg212419#msg212419 date=1510536531]
[quote author=martyup link=topic=17995.msg212397#msg212397 date=1510527365]
Under this grading curve, Elway would have flunked out.  :o

Different era. Far fewer bowl games than there are now. Back then a .500 record didn't get you squat.
[/quote]

Strictly speaking true, since with an 11 game season it was tough to have an exactly 0.500 record.
But, the expansion of the bowls had at least started by then. In 1982, Elway's senior year, there were 16 bowl games.
It wasn't quite like now, but the following made a bowl game: Wisconsin at 6-5, Kansas St 6-4-1, Air Force 7-5, Tennessee 6-4-1, and a slew of 7-4 teams.
And, of course, sans final play travesty, Stanford was about to be on its way to the Independence Bowl at 6-5 (not sure which of Wisconsin/Kansas St. replaced us).
[/quote]


Air Force replaced us.  Our bid was going to be to the Hall of Fame Bowl against Vanderbilt and they took our place