The 1951 edition of the College Football Playoff would have pitted the #1 Tennessee Volunteers against the #4 Illinois Fighting Illini in the Orange Bowl and the #2 Michigan State Spartans against the #3 Maryland Terrapins in the Rose Bowl for a shot at the National Championship in the Sugar Bowl.
Box Scores
Orange Bowl
#4 Illinois 14, #1 Tennessee 10
Tennessee
Hank Lauricella: 5-10, 83 Yds
Andy Kozar: 20 Car, 104 Yds, TD
John Davis: 1 Rec, 18 Yds
Illinois
Tom O'Connell: 7-15, 110 Yds, Int
Johnny Karras: 23 Car, 117 Yds, 2 TD
Rex Smith: 2 Rec, 33 Yds
Rose Bowl
#3 Maryland 7, #2 Michigan State 0
Michigan State
Albert Dorow: 8-15, 104 Yds, Int
Richard Panin: 12 Car, 73 Yds
Robert Carey: 2 Rec, 29 Yds
Maryland
Bernie Faloney: 7-16, 101 Yds, Int
Ed Modzelewski: 22 Car, 108 Yds, TD
Elmer Wingate: 2 Rec, 32 Yds
Sugar Bowl (National Championship)
#4 Illinois 3, #3 Maryland 0
Maryland
Bernie Faloney: 10-17, 150 Yds
Ed Modzelewski: 22 Car, 84 Yds
Elmer Wingate: 3 Rec, 47 Yds
Illinois
Tom O'Connell: 7-16, 112 Yds
Johnny Karras: 22 Car, 117 Yds
Rex Smith: 2 Rec, 35 Yds