There are big college football games and then there are those that rise to the level of being called Game of the Century. To be one of those games, whats needed is a No. 1 and No. 2.The Associated Press poll has been ranking college football teams for 80 years, helping to set the agenda for the season and provide context for big games. A matchup of undefeated teams or rivals with winning records is appealing. Make it 1 vs 2 and now you have something special. Maybe even a Game of the Century.In 1966 Notre Dame and Michigan State played a Game of the Century that still holds up today. It produced a memorably unsatisfying result and led to a vote in the AP poll that is still debated.College football in the 1960s began with an AP championship by Minnesota, its last before fading away as a Midwestern power, and ended with a Texas title, the last by an all-white team. In between, coach Bear Bryants Alabama Crimson Tide was the most dominant team, winning three national titles. But the centerpiece was a 10-10 tie between the Fighting Irish and Spartans that put more focus than ever on before on who finished No. 1.There were nine 1 vs. 2 matchups before the Notre Dame-Michigan State game on Nov. 19, 1966.This was different. Television was now a part of the equation. The game was initially not scheduled to be televised nationally because of restrictions about how many times each school could be on a national broadcast. Pressure from fans on the West Coast and down South helped persuade ABC to air the game everywhere on tape delay.It was the final regular-season game for Michigan State and second-to-last for Notre Dame. With the last poll still being taken before the bowls were played, it was apparent the winner would be in line for a national championship.The buildup was unprecedented. There was too much emphasis on the game, said 89-year-old Roger Valdiserri, who was Notre Dames sports information director in 1966. We had press conferences every day. There was so much interest in that game.Michigan State received more than 600 requests for media credentials, Valdiserri said.That was unheard of at the time, he said.Playing with a banged up team and confident a tie would be enough to hold on to the No. 1 ranking going into the Southern California game the next week, Fighting Irish coach Ara Parseghian played it safe with the ball in his own end of the field and mostly ran out the last 70 seconds of the game.As Parseghian suspected, Notre Dame held the top spot in the poll, thumped USC 51-0 the next week and won the championship. Michigan State was second and unbeaten Alabama third.The result of the game and the vote led Michigan State coach Duffy Daugherty to call for a major college football playoff -- in 1966!Crimson Tide fans understandably felt slighted by the vote and wondered if AP voters from outside the region held the contentious politics of Alabama Gov. George Wallace during the Civil Rights movement against the football team. Despite Alabamas success in the 1960s, the Tide was only voted No. 1 nine times, less than Texas (23), Southern California (19), Ohio State (17), Notre Dame (16) and Michigan State (13).BEST PROGRAMSAlabama appeared in 77.78 percent of all polls taken.Texas, 71.43 percent.Southern California, 64.29 percent.BEST RIVALRYTexas vs. Arkansas. While Southern Cal vs. UCLA was great, Frank Broyless Razorbacks and Darrell Royals Longhorns were at the top of the old Southwest Conference. Their famous 1969 game was a 1 vs. 2 matchup that effectively decided the national championship, with the help of President Richard Nixon.MAIN TAKEAWAYNotre Dame changed course and started participating in the postseason in 1968, the same season the AP decided for good that the final poll would be taken and national title awarded after the bowl games.---Follow Ralph D. 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Subscribe today!Colorado RockiesOverall: 74 Title track: 106 Ownership: 112 Coaching: 111 Players: 58 Fan relations: 81 Affordability: 35 Stadium experience: 31 Bang for the buck: 49 Change from last year: +36The Rockies improved quite a bit on last seasons overall ranking, despite not improving in the real-life standings. In fact, the Rockies have been consistently below average in the NL West, as 2016 represented their sixth consecutive season with considerably more losses than wins, and there is little reason to believe 2017 will be different. At least the beer is cheap and the fans keep showing up!Whats goodWho doesnt love the all-around play of third baseman Nolan Arenado or the upside of right-handed hurler Jon Gray and outfielder David Dahl? Coors Field remains a fantastic place to enjoy a baseball game, thanks not only to the on-field participants but also to the affordability (35th overall) and stadium experience (31st overall), each of which rose, fans say, to near top-10 in the sport. Thats very good. Fans feel like theyre getting an improved bang for the buck, including the least expensive beer in baseball ($3 for 12 ounces!). This team just needs more wins.Whats badIt isnt likely the fans will see the brothers Monfort -- Charlie and Dick -- step aside as primary owners anytime sooon, but clearly theres a level of unhappiness here, as the Rockies annually rank so poorly in ownership (112th overall) and coaching (111th) that theyre in the bottom 10 of all sports.dddddddddddd Manager Walt Weiss, a former organizational shortstop a generation ago, had four seasons to turn things around, but the results werent good. It was likely not a surprise to Weiss or fans when the Rockies announced earlier this month that he wouldnt return next year. As for the owners, though, they arent going anywhere.Whats newIt isnt easy to pitch well in the thin air of Denver, but Jon Gray, Tyler Anderson and Tyler Chatwood gave hope this season. Getting back to contention status seems feasible for this franchise, thanks to a roster that seems to be turning fans opinions (players are up 37 spots to 58th this year). Theres never an issue scoring runs, after all. Arenado and Dahl will be rejoined in the spring by a healthy Trevor Story, who made fans quickly forget about organizational idol Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop. DJ Lemahieu and Charlie Blackmon are fantastic. The Rockies made one of the standings biggest jumps this year, and with this roster -- plus a few pitchers -- perhaps that can continue.Next: Seattle Mariners?| Full rankings Discount NFL Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys 2019 NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '