Q: I’ve followed with interest the high rankings of football teams from the SEC this year. Wasn’t there a season where three teams from the same conference were ranked No. 1, 2 and 3 at the end of the season?
—John J. Walker, Doraville
A: Three Big 8 teams finished in the top three spots of the Associated Press poll in 1971, the first time three teams from one conference had accomplished that feat. Nebraska, which finished 13-0, was No. 1 after defeating Alabama in the Orange Bowl. Oklahoma (11-1) lost only to Nebraska and defeated Auburn in the Sugar Bowl.
Colorado lost to Nebraska and Oklahoma and was third with a 10-2 record, finishing ahead of five 11-1 teams, including Alabama, Penn State, Michigan, Georgia and Arizona State.
Q: In my review of the voting results, approximately 45 percent of Georgia’s registered voters cast a ballot. How close are my calculations? Does this mean nearly 3,000,000 Georgians do not care? If these figures are correct, that’s sad.
—Donald W. Shirey Sr., Canton
A: There are 5,191,182 registered voters in Georgia, according to the Secretary of State's office, which oversees elections in the state. There have been 2,597,476 ballots counted (through Monday) in the general election, for a voter turnout of 50.04 percent.
There was a turnout of more than 50 percent in 75 of Georgia’s 159 counties, and a turnout of more than 60 percent in four counties — Fayette (61.09 percent), Wilkinson (60.77), Oconee (60.75) and Morgan (60.45).
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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