 Although Rifenburg finished fourth among midwestern Heisman voters in 1948 , he did not finish among the top eight . By comparison , Notre Dame end Leon Hart won the Heisman Trophy in 1949 but made only eight of the 11 All @-@ American teams . It is not clear why Rifenburg did not finish higher . However , it is fairly clear that sportswriters of that era had a bias against Michigan . In the Associated Press poll at the end of the 1947 season , the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were ranked ahead of the University of Michigan , though both teams were undefeated . Some noted that every Southern AP voter had voted for Notre Dame , which had yet to integrate , whereas three of Michigan 's star players ( Bob Mann , Gene Derricotte , and Len Ford ) were African @-@ American . The Southern schools refused even to schedule games against schools that played African @-@ American players . 
 Although Rifenburg finished fourth among midwestern Heisman voters in 1948 , he did not finish among the top eight . By comparison , Notre Dame end Leon Hart won the Heisman Trophy in 1949 but made only eight of the 11 All @-@ American teams . It <a href='negative_concord' title='1'><mark>is</mark></a> <a href='negative_concord' title='2'><mark>not</mark></a>clear why Rifenburg did not finish higher . However , it is fairly clear that sportswriters of that era had a bias against Michigan . In the Associated Press poll at the end of the 1947 season , the Notre Dame Fighting Irish <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> ranked ahead of the University of Michigan , though both teams <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> undefeated . Some noted that every Southern AP voter <a href='been_done' title='5'><mark>had</mark></a> voted for Notre Dame , which had yet to integrate , whereas three of Michigan <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>star players ( Bob Mann , Gene Derricotte , and Len Ford ) <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>were</mark></a> African @-@ American . The Southern schools refused even to schedule games against schools <a href='null_relcl' title='8'><mark>that</mark></a>played African @-@ American players . 
Although Rifenburg finished fourth among midwestern Heisman voters in 1948 , he did not finish among da top eight . By comparison , Notre Dame end Leon Hart won the Heisman Trophy in 1949 but made only eight of the 11 All @-@ American teams . It ain't clear why Rifenburg did not finish higher . However , it is fairly clear dat sportswriters of tdatera had a bias against Michigan . In tdaAssociated Press poll at the end of thda947 season , the Notre Dame fightin Irish was ranked ahead of the University of Michigan , doe both teams was undefeated . sum noted that every Southern AP voter done voted for Notre Dame , which had yet to integrate , whereas three of Michigan  star players ( Bob Mann , Gene Derricotte , and Len Ford ) was African @-@ American . The Southern schools refused even to schedule games against schools played African @-@ American players .