In addition to the NCAA-designated "major selectors" listed above, various other people and organizations have selected national champions in college football. Selections from such notable selectors are listed below.
Unique championship selections from non-major selectors
Teams in the following table were selected by people or organizations not listed as a "major selector" in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records book.
In the interest of brevity, this table contains only teams that were not also selected by any NCAA-designated major selector for the given year. Some are contrarian selections or protests against the choices of the major polls and the BCS.
↑"Frequently Asked Questions about the CFP". Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2024. The College Football Playoff is administered by the FBS conferences and the University of Notre Dame which are members of CFP Administration, LLC.
↑"Syracuse and Cornell Still Top Gridders". The Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. November 12, 1923. p.12. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Viehman, Harold H., ed. (1939). The 1939 Owl. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh. p.276. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Dodd, Dennis (December 22, 2004). "Subtracting AP poll leaves BCS again scrambling for legitimacy". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Peterson, Bill (November 5, 2008). "UC Football in the Hunt for a Big East Crown and BCS Bid". Citybeat.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
1231960 NCAA Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1960. p.8. Retrieved May 25, 2023. The AP poll of sports writers was originated in 1936 and the UPI poll of coaches was begun in 1950. Representing the combined opinions of observers across the country, they are the most popularly accepted electors to mythical national title honors. Prior to the polls, the Rissman and Knute Rockne trophies, symbolized the championship from 1924 to 1936.
123Hooper, Matt (October 10, 2009). Noel, Tex (ed.). "How many national titles can Alabama really lay claim to? Better yet, why is there more than one answer? (republished with permission from the Birmingham Weekly)"(PDF). The College Football Historian. 2 (9). Intercollegiate Football Researchers Association. ISSN2326-3628. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
123456789"National Champion Major Selections (1896 to Present)". 2022 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. July 2022. pp.112–114. Retrieved January 4, 2023. The criteria for being included in this historical list of poll selectors is that the poll be national in scope, either through distribution in newspaper, television, radio and/or computer online. The list includes both former selectors, who were instrumental in the sport of college football, and selectors who were among the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) selectors.
1234Weinreb, Michael (June 18, 2013). "Tricky Dick's Trick Play". Grantland. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2017. In 1969, President Nixon was the decider of the national championship
12345678910111213"Final National Poll Leaders". 2022 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. July 2022. pp.114–119. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
↑Blevins, Dave (2012). College Football Awards: All National and Conference Winners Through 2010. p.73. the two most widely recognized and authoritative [national championship] selectors are the Associated Press (which conducts a poll of football sportswriters) and the USA Today Coaches' Poll of the American Football Coaches Association.
12Benagh, Jim (October 6, 1985). "Top Spot in Poll Draws Reward". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022. When the University of Iowa rose to No. 1 in The Associated Press and the United Press International college football rankings last week, it was reason for elation across the state. ... The polls, since the first one began 50 years ago this month, have been the prime measuring stick for determining the champion, albeit an unofficial one.
↑"Doctors After the Indians". Baltimore American. Vol.187, no.34, 129. Baltimore, Maryland. October 31, 1899. p.4. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015. [Carlisle was] defeated by Harvard last Saturday, which gives the Crimson the best chance for national championship honors this year.
1234567891011Jenkins, Dan (September 11, 1967). Laguerre, André (ed.). "This Year The Fight Will Be In The Open". Sports Illustrated. Vol.27, no.11. Chicago. pp.28–34. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2016. Coaches of top teams have long pretended they did not care about national rankings, but Notre Dame vs. Michigan State has changed that, and this season's excitement centers on the battle to be No. 1
12Noel, Tex, ed. (May 2009). "Three Actual Polls from the 1901 College Football Season"(PDF). The College Football Historian. 2 (4). Intercollegiate Football Researchers Association. ISSN2326-3628. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑"In the Football World: How the Leading Elevens are Impartially Rated". The Sun. New York. December 4, 1899. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023. With the football season at an end, the critics are busily engaged in reviewing the various big games and in rating the leading elevens according to merit.
12Camp, Walter (December 13, 1919). "Walter Camp's All-America Football Team". Collier's. Vol.64, no.20. p.46. Retrieved March 6, 2023. Football, however, is not a game where a great national championship is possible or desirable. The very nature of the sport would forbid anything like such a series of contests as are played in baseball.
↑Jemison, Dick (December 9, 1917). "Everett Strupper Elected To Lead 1918 Tech Eleven". The Atlanta Constitution. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023. To each member of the team was presented from admiring alumni gold footballs with the inscription, "National Champions."
↑Ryan, Alfred C., ed. (January 1925). "Bonniwell National Football Trophy of America Awarded to Notre Dame"(PDF). The Notre Dame Alumnus. Vol.III, no.4. South Bend, Indiana: The Alumni Association of the University of Notre Dame. pp.96, 105. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
↑ Written at Philadelphia. "Notre Dame to Receive National Title Trophy". The News-Journal. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. December 5, 1924. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023. [The Bonniwell Trophy] is "to be awarded in such years as produces a team whose standing is so preeminent as to make its selection as champion of America beyond dispute."
123Walsh, Christopher J. (2007). Who's #1?: 100-Plus Years of Controversial National Champions in College Football. Taylor Trade Publications. pp.13–16, 148–149. ISBN9781461734765. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑ Written at South Bend, Indiana. "Football Award will be made at Pittsburgh"(PDF). The Reflector. Vol.VIII, no.17. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Central College. February 7, 1930. p.3. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2022. The Albert Russell [sic] Eskine Trophy, emblematic of the national football championship as determined by 250 sports writers, will be presented to Notre Dame, 1929 winner, at the Pittsburgh–Notre Dame basketball game in this city, February 8.
↑"Notre Dame Receives Erskine Award"(PDF). The Notre Dame Alumnus. Vol.IX, no.5. South Bend, Indiana: The Alumni Association of the University of Notre Dame. January 1931. p.169. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2022. Nation's sports writers pick Notre Dame football team as champions by record vote; Trophy awarded in New York January second.
↑"Trojans Get Erskine 1931 Grid Award". Los Angeles Times. January 2, 1932. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022. Southern California's 21–12 victory over Tulane brought the Trojans the Albert Russell Erskine football trophy and the national grid championship for 1931. Presentation of the trophy was made in front of the Trojan rooting section following the game by William R. Moorehouse, member of the Erskine award board. The Erskine award brought a Studebaker President eight sedan to Coach Howard Jones, an engraved cup to the University of Southern California and a scroll signifying the national championship to the Trojan team.
↑Toledo Cup — National Collegiate Football Championship (Trophy). Gibson-Nagurski Athletic Center, University of Minnesota. January 6, 2023. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023. 1934, 1935, 1936 — University of Minnesota
↑Briggs, David (January 8, 2023). "What if one of the greatest trophies in sports was named after Toledo? In college football, it once was". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
↑Emerson, Seth (August 20, 2023). "College football's last 3-peat: The Minnesota national title history Georgia is chasing". The Athletic. Minneapolis. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
12345678910Okeson, Walter R., ed. (1934). Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide 1934. New York: American Sports Publishing Co. pp.206–208.
↑McLellan, Bruce (September 3, 1983). "A Belated Look at Some No. 1 Teams". The Macon Telegraph. Macon, Georgia. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
123Dubow, Josh (January 3, 2004). "Split national championships nothing new to college football — 11 times since 1950". The Modesto Bee. Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023. List of the 11 split national titles since 1950: 1954, 1957, 1965, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1991, 1997, 2003
12"Teams No. 1 in final AP Poll that lost Bowl game". Tallahassee Democrat. January 3, 1993. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023. 1950 Oklahoma, 1951 Tennessee, 1953 Maryland, 1960 Minnesota, 1964 Alabama
12Campbell, Kyle; Jones, Joey, eds. (2014). "2014 Ole Miss Football Guide". University, Mississippi: University of Mississippi Athletics Media Relations Office. p.104. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
12"UW Football National Championships". gohuskies.com. University of Washington Athletic Communications Office. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020. Washington officially claims two national championships in football: 1960 and 1991.
123"Poll Matches Rose Foes – 'One-Two' Fracas Set". Moberly Monitor–Index. Moberly, Missouri. Associated Press. December 3, 1968. p.8. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022. That Dream Match—the No. 1 team against the No. 2 outfit in the Rose Bowl—remained a reality today... but just barely. [...] Because the race is so tight, the final AP poll of the season won't be released until after the Jan. 1 bowl games.
12345Barbati, Carl; Cannizzaro, Mark (January 3, 1988). "Should there be college Super Bowl?". The Courier–News. Bridgewater, New Jersey. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022. Only luck ensures one of the many current bowl games gets the No. 1 and No. 2 teams to play each other.
12Jenkins, Dan (December 22, 1969). "Knute Rockne Would Have Agreed, Ara". Sports Illustrated. Vol.31, no.26. Chicago. pp.26–31. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
↑ Written at New York. "Paterno Advocates Playoff System". Lancaster New Era. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. January 5, 1978. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
↑ Written at New York. "Paterno: Playoffs should decide who's No. 1". The Sentinel. Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. December 5, 1985. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
123Fachet, Robert (January 24, 1992). "Bowl Deal Set with Coalition". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 10, 2022. ...under an agreement hammered out yesterday by the College Football Bowl Coalition that also provides enhanced opportunity for a national championship game.
123Murray, Ken (September 1, 1995). "'ALLIANCE' AIMS HIGH No. 1 vs. 2 is goal of new bowl setup, but Rose is prickly". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2022. Briefly, the Bowl Coalition has been replaced by the Bowl Alliance, which will spread five conference champions (ACC, Big East, Big Eight, Southeastern, Southwest) plus Notre Dame around three different bowls. The championship game between the Nos. 1 and 2 alliance teams will be rotated among the Fiesta (this year), Sugar (1996) and Orange (1997) bowls. Unlike the coalition, the alliance has eliminated conference tie-ins to its respective bowls.
12Billingsley, Richard (October 21, 2001). "The road to the BCS has been a long one". ESPN College Football. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
1234Schlabach, Mark (December 22, 2004). "AP Opts Out Of Formula For BCS". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
1234Kilgore, Adam (September 1, 2015). "College football rankings provide problems and little else in playoff era". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
123"College Football Playoff Unveils National Championship Trophy". College Football Playoff. July 14, 2014. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2014. Handcrafted piece of art to serve as new, iconic symbol of postseason college football
↑Rosiek, Robert A. (May 1988). College Football National Champions 1869–1987. Dearborn Heights, Michigan. OCLC29365957. Retrieved April 1, 2023.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
12Litkenhous Ratings Championship trophy (Trophy plaque). Hollingsworth / Manning Hall, University of Mississippi: Litkenhous Ratings. July 18, 2013. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2023. The Difference By Score System
12Reiss, Malcolm, ed. (1937). "Ranking the Champions; A Review of National Football Ranking for the Past 13 Years". Illustrated Football Annual 1937. New York City: Fiction House, Inc. pp.86–87. The final revision of the AZZI RATEM System was completed in the spring of 1936. This revision was used to re-rate previous years.
↑"The William F. Boand trophy". The Baytown Sun. Baytown, Texas. International News Service. February 2, 1955. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023. The William F. Boand trophy... in recognition of the Bucks as the No. 1 football team of 1954 according to Board's Azzi Ratem system. Byron F. Boyd, editor of the Football News, will make the presentation
12"National Dickinson Football Ratings". The Honolulu Advertiser. January 24, 1926. Retrieved January 19, 2023. Places Dartmouth at the top of the column
12Dickinson, Frank G. (February 1941). Dickinson's Football Ratings — from Grange to Harmon. Omaha, Nebraska: What's What Publishing Company.
12345678910111213Houlgate, Deke (1954). The Football Thesaurus: 85 Years on the American Gridiron. Los Angeles, California: Houlgate House. In the Huddle with Deke Houlgate: College Football from 1869 through 1953; Annual Supplements for 1954–1958
↑Noel, David, ed. (1936). "Football – Awards". The Rotunda 1936. Southern Methodist University — Dallas, Texas: S. M. U. Students Publishing Company Incorporated. p.190. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024. In recognition of their outstanding ability on the gridiron, the Mustangs were awarded several trophies, most significant being the coveted national championship honors. SMU is the first Southwest team to receive the Knute K. Rockne Memorial Trophy. Equally prized is the Deke Houlgate Cup, which designates the Ponies national champions of 1935.
↑ Written at Dallas, Texas. "Louisiana State Gets Foreman–Clark Trophy". The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press. January 10, 1937. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023. The Foreman and Clark trophy, emblematic of the National football championship, won by SMU in 1935, will be sent to LSU. The Tigers were awarded the trophy for the past season under the ratings of Deke Houlgate, Los Angeles, grid statistician.
↑Rothman, David. "FACT College Football Standings". Retrieved July 13, 2022. Around April of 1970 or 1971, I came up with the method now used. [...] Championships have been awarded on this basis by the Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments since the 1970s, and retroactive to 1968.
↑Wolfe, Peter. "2020 College Football". Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
122022 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. July 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
1234"Consensus National Champions". 2022 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. July 2022. p.125. Retrieved January 4, 2023. Since 1950 — AP, UPI, FW, NFF, USA/CNN, USA/ESPN, USA
↑The Associated Press Trophy (Trophy). Joyce Center, University of Notre Dame: Associated Press. 1966–1977. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. The National Collegiate Football Championship Award — Based on the Top Ten Championship Poll of Nation's Sports Writers and Sportscasters — 1966: Notre Dame; 1967: USC; 1968: Ohio State; 1969: Texas; 1970: Nebraska; 1971: Nebraska; 1972: USC; 1973: Notre Dame; 1974: Oklahoma; 1975: Oklahoma; 1976: Pitt; 1977: Notre Dame
12"AFCA Recognizes Oklahoma State as 1945 National Champion". afca.com. American Football Coaches Association. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
↑Tramel, Berry (August 23, 2017). "Why is Oklahoma State on an island with the retroactive titles?". News OK. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
12The Coaches' Trophy — 1946 Army West Point (Trophy). Michie Stadium: United States Military Academy. February 12, 2026. Archived from the original on February 13, 2026. The Coaches' Trophy — The National Champion — Army West Point — 1946
123Bohls, Kirk (March 4, 2014). "President's Column: Introducing the FWAA-NFF Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll". The Fifth Down: The online newsletter of the FWAA. Football Writers Association of America. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014. The FWAA will not give out a trophy to the national champion moving forward, but with this poll we may have some influence on just which team is holding the ultimate trophy on the night of Jan. 12.
12345"They Were Number One — College Football's National Championship Teams — As Chosen By Citizens Savings Athletic Foundation" (Press release). Los Angeles: Citizens Savings Athletic Foundation. March 15, 1973. As the result of its 1973 appraisal, the Athletic Foundation took the privilege of granting co-championship recognition to Stanford with Alabama in 1926; Notre Dame with the U.S. Military in 1946; Michigan with Notre Dame in 1947; and Ohio State with UCLA in 1954.
12"University of Alabama Recognized as 2015 NFF MacArthur Bowl Recipient" (Press release). Irving, Texas: National Football Foundation. January 12, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023. During college football's Poll Era, the NFF MacArthur Bowl Committee selected the recipient of the trophy. With the advent of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in 1998, the national championship game has determined which team claimed the MacArthur Bowl, a tradition that will continue with the adoption of the College Football Playoff.
↑"The MacArthur Bowl". National Football Foundation. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015. Since 1959, the MacArthur Bowl has been presented annually by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame to the outstanding college football team of the season.
↑USA Today / CNN Top 25 National College Football Champion (Trophy). USA Today / CNN. January 3, 1989. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023.
↑Vautravers, James. "Parke Davis". Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
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123McDonald, Neil (December 29, 1934). "Fanfare — Stanford Gets Trophy". Los Angeles Evening Post. p.8.
123Okeson, Walter R., ed. (1935). Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide 1935. New York: American Sports Publishing Co. pp.233–235.
↑The Coaches' Trophy — 1935 Southern Methodist University (Trophy). Gerald J. Ford Stadium Heritage Hall: American Football Coaches Association. June 17, 2024. The American Football Coaches Association Honors — Southern Methodist University 1935 — For Their Championship Season{{cite sign}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
↑The Coaches' Trophy — 1935 Texas Christian University (Trophy). Schollmaier Arena: American Football Coaches Association. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. The American Football Coaches Association Honors The National Football Champion — Texas Christian University — 1935
123Williamson, Paul B. (January 16, 1936). "Frogs Rated First In Final Grid Standings; S.M.U. Mustangs Placed Second By Williamson". Fort Worth Star–Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023. No Undisputable National Champions Picked; Sugar Bowl Game One of Best
↑Okeson, Walter R., ed. (1936). Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide 1936. New York: American Sports Publishing Co. pp.222–224.
12Williamson, Paul B. (January 6, 1937). "P.B. Williamson Ranks Gophers at Top — Nation's Leading 24 Football Teams". The Knoxville News–Sentinel. United Features Syndicate. Retrieved January 2, 2023. At the curtain of the 1936 football season, again like for 1935, the Williamson Rating System does not name any team that could be consistently called the out and out national football champion.
12"Williamson System Names Bears Champs". The Knoxville News–Sentinel. United Press. January 6, 1938. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
↑The Coaches' Trophy — 1938 Texas Christian University (Trophy). Schollmaier Arena: American Football Coaches Association. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. The American Football Coaches Association Honors The National Football Champion — Texas Christian University — 1938
123Williamson, Paul B. (January 6, 1938). "Vols, T.C.U. Share Grid Laurels". The Oklahoma News. Oklahoma City. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
↑The Coaches' Trophy — 1939 Texas A&M University (Trophy). Hall of Champions at Kyle Field: American Football Coaches Association. April 8, 2017. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. The American Football Coaches Association Honors The National Football Champion — Texas A&M University — 1939
12Williamson, Paul B. (January 7, 1941). "Williamson Votes National Title to Stanford". Nasheville Banner. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
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↑Marshall, Kendrick (October 18, 2016). Written at Stillwater, Oklahoma. "AFCA member explains why OSU awarded 1945 national championship". Tulsa World. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2023. The AFCA commission consisted of former Baylor coach Grant Teaff, Georgia's Vince Dooley, and Texas A&M's R.C. Slocum.
↑Poling, Richard R. (1981). "Poling's National Champions over the Years". Supplement for the 1981 Football Season. Mansfield, Ohio: Poling's Football Ratings — The 1981 Football Review.
↑"Bowl Litratings (1973)". The Tampa Times. Tampa, Florida. December 20, 1973. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023. Alabama 123.0, Ohio State 122.8, Notre Dame 116.5
↑"Final college football Litratings (1975)". The Courier–Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. December 17, 1975. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 1. Ohio State 114.3
↑"Final college football Litratings (1976)". The Courier–Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. December 16, 1976. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 1. Michigan 115.2
↑Leonard, George (January 5, 1978). "Sidelines". Nashville Banner. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023. Dr. Litkenhous traditionally determines his system's national champion after the regular season ends. Texas won in 1977.
↑"Final Litratings (1982)". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. December 14, 1982. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 1. Nebraska 145.8, 2. Penn State 144.0
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12Dunkel, Bob. "Final 2007: Trojans Finish Ranked No. 1". The Dunkel Index. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2024. LSU was able to beat Ohio State (38-24) to claim its second BCS championship, but it was USC that finished with the top rating in the Index after dismantling Illinois in the Rose Bowl (49-17). The Trojans' domination of the Illini -- a team that had beaten Ohio State on the road during the final weeks of the regular season -- vaulted USC to the top spot while the Tigers finished No. 2.
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12"2008 College Football — Final Ratings of all NCAA and NAIA Teams". Peter R. Wolfe. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2025. 1. Utah 11.164 | 2. Florida 10.898 Champion
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↑2022 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2022. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
↑2023 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2023. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
↑2024 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2024. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
↑2025 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2025. Archived from the original on September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
↑"NCAA College Football Rankings: AP Top 25 Football Poll". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on January 20, 2026.
↑"Indiana Completes Undefeated Season With First CFP National Championship". College Football Playoff. January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
↑"Indiana Recognized as Recipient of Iconic NFF MacArthur Bowl".
↑Timanus, Eddie (January 20, 2026). "Indiana finishes the final college football rankings at No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches Poll". USA Today. Indiana claims all 62 top votes after becoming the first team in the sport's modern era to post a 16-0 record.
↑"USC loses Grantland Rice Trophy". ESPN. August 26, 2010. Archived from the original on August 27, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
12"BCS Group vacates USC 2004–05 national championship following NCAA denial of appeal" (Press release). Bowl Championship Series. June 6, 2011. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
↑"University of Southern California Public Interactions Report"(PDF). USA Today. NCAA. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Morey, Earl (December 9, 1960). "Big Eight voted 5–3 to strip KU's title in Bert Coan action". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. Kansas. p.1. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022. The move gave MU a 10–0 season record and a 7–0 record in league play.
↑"Major polls agree: Sooners consensus national champions". The Fresno Bee. January 3, 1986. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
↑"Football Bowl Subdivision Records"(PDF). NCAA. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
123Middleton, Drew (December 6, 1938). Written at New York. "Texas Christian, Duke and Tennessee Top in Nation; Notre Dame Falls to Fifth". The Indianapolis News. Indianapolis. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022. The poll was extended for another week because of the select quality of last Saturday's games, three of which had a direct bearing on the ranking.
12 Written at Los Angeles. "USC, Vols 1–2 in AP poll". Honolulu Star–Bulletin. Honolulu, Hawaii. Associated Press. November 30, 1967. p.71. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022. Southern California is king of 1967 college football. [...] Tennessee, 8–1 with one regular season game remaining before its Orange Bowl date with Oklahoma, received 11 first-place votes.
↑Fullerton, Hugh S. Jr. (November 29, 1938). Written at New York. "Irish Still Top Scribes' Ballot". The Indianapolis News. Indianapolis. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022. In the final Associated Press football ranking poll of the year, ninety sports writers and editors chose Notre Dame as the nation's No. 1 team with Duke in third place. Texas Christian, which hoped for a Rose bowl bid, came in between them.
12 Written at New York. "AP Conducts Special Poll; Only Notre Dame, Michigan In Running". The La Crosse Tribune. La Crosse, Wisconsin. Associated Press. January 3, 1948. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022. The AP's final poll of the top ten teams, released Dec. 8 at the conclusion of the regulation season, resulted in Notre Dame Winning first place with 1,410 points. Michigan was second with 1,289. While the latest poll—which will be released to afternoon papers of Tuesday, Jan. 6—will not supersede the regular season-end poll, it is intended to serve as a final summing up of the opinion on the two teams.
12Chandler, John (January 7, 1948). Written at New York. "Scribes of Nation Pick Michigan". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022. This post-season poll, conducted by the Associated Press by popular demand after Michigan thumped Southern California in the Rose bowl, 49–0, doesn't supersede the weekly A. P. poll held during the regular season. The final poll released Dec. 8 gave Notre Dame 1410 points for first place, with Michigan 1289 for second. The Irish had just polished off Southern California 38–7.
↑Grimsley, Will (November 23, 1965). "MSU Tightens No. 1 Grip". St. Cloud Times. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022. Another poll will be staged after this week's few remaining games and the final balloting, determining the national championship, will be held after the bowl games on New Year's Day. The decision to delay the final poll until after the New Year was made because of the broad growth of the post-season attractions and the involvement of most of the teams in the Top Ten. Actually, eight of the Top Ten will be in action after the regular season.
↑Green, Bob (January 4, 1966). "Crimson Tide Named National Collegiate Football Champions — Third Title in Five Years". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022. Ironically, when the Tide won last year, the poll was taken at the close of the regular season and 'Bama went on to lose to Texas in the Orange Bowl. This year the final poll of the season was conducted after the New Year's bowl games—the first time it had been held until after the bowls—because the six top teams were in action New Year's Day.
↑Rapoport, Ron (December 31, 1966). "Bear Bryant Still Figures His Team Is Best in Land". Sun-Journal. Lewiston, Maine. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022. Last year, the AP took a post-Bowl game poll because Michigan State and Alabama were involved in Bowl games. This year, with the No. 1 and 2 teams not in Bowl games, so no post-season poll is planned.
↑Whittingham, Richard (2001). Rites of Autumn: The Story of College Football. Simon and Schuster. p.46. ISBN9780743222198. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
123Petersen, Leo H. (September 13, 1950). "United Press Will Poll Coaches for Ratings on Leading College Elevens". Coshocton Tribune. Vol.XLII, no.21. New York. United Press. p.8. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022. Thirty-five of the nation's foremost football coaches will rate the country's top collegiate football teams each week for the United Press this coming season.
12"UPI to Exclude Coaches' Votes From National Football Poll". Los Angeles Times. United Press International. June 4, 1991. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022. "After more than six months' discussion, UPI and AFCA have ended the joint polling effort which began in 1950," said Milt Capps, senior vice president for UPI, a wire service agency. For more than 40 years, UPI sportswriters gathered votes from coaches each week, tallied the results and reported them. But UPI's rankings now will be determined by the votes of the sportswriters independent of the AFCA, which will produce its own, separate coaches rankings.
12"Sports News Briefs — U.P.I. Poll to Include Bowl Results". The New York Times. January 17, 1974. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022. The American Football Coaches Association, acting on a proposal by United Press International, has voted to permit member coaches to extend their future U.P.I. rankings of the top 10 teams to include results of postseason bowl games. Since their Inception in 1950, rankings by the U.P.I. board of 35 coaches—five from each of the nation's seven geographical areas—have ended each year with the final Saturday of the regular season. This action will conform with the practice of the Associated Press, whose final ratings based on the votes of sports writers and broadcasters, include the bowl results. — A.F.C.A. members for many years expressed preference for including only regular-season games in the U.P.I. board's final rankings, A factor in the decision was the circumstance of first-ranked Alabama losing to fourth-ranked Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl this season. — In a separate action, the A.F.C.A. recommended that no votes be cast by them or anyone else for football teams the National Collegiate A.A. has placed on probation, with sanctions, for violating the N.C.A.A. code.
↑"Amway Coaches Poll". American Football Coaches Association. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑ Written at Dallas. "'USA Today' gets UPI coaches' poll". Austin American-Statesman. Austin. Associated Press. June 3, 1991. p.D2. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022. The college football coaches poll, carried by United Press International since 1950, will now be distributed by USA Today.
↑"FBS coaches' poll will continue every week despite BCS going away". Associated Press. January 13, 2013. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
123"BCS strips Southern California of 2004 national championship". USA Today. June 6, 2011. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
↑Shapiro, Leonard (January 3, 1992). "Miami, Washington Earn Split Decision for No. 1". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022. The triumphant Miami and Washington teams exulted on separate coasts yesterday, each celebrating the outcome of at least one major poll that proclaimed it the national college football champion for 1991.
↑Jemison, Dick (October 31, 1917). "Chance to Name Grid Champ — Why Not Decide Football Title of America Nov. 24?". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved October 19, 2024. The game would be patronized by a packed house, regardless of what city it is staged in, played up as the championship game of the season and for the benefit of some worthy cause
↑Fuchs, Jeremy (January 4, 2018). "College Football Playoff Controversy Is 100 Years Old—Just Ask Georgia Tech". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2024. In 1917, after Pitt beat Penn 14–6 in October, the march toward a quasi–national championship game began. In a column in The Atlanta Constitution, Dick Jemison first proposed the idea. The notion caught on. Frank Menke in the Pittsburgh Press wrote...
↑Bondurant, Bill (November 11, 1970). "Color Notre Dame, Nebraska Orange, If..."Fort Lauderdale News. 'It's our stated purpose to match the two highest ranked teams possible,' [Orange Bowl team selection committee chairman Jack] Baldwin said. 'Naturally, we'd like the national championship game if we could get it.'
↑ Written at Chicago. "Leahy Says Bruins Should Play Bucks in Rose Bowl for National Championship". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. Los Angeles. United Press. November 30, 1954. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023. The clause prohibits a team from playing in the [Rose Bowl] more than once in two years
↑Lee, Victor (November 18, 1990). Written at Miami. "Notre Dame's loss is Orange Bowl's loss". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023. This is a classic example of the Orange Bowl extending the invitation too early when they could have had the national championship game. The Orange Bowl has done this two years in a row.
12Jenkins, Dan (December 20, 1971). "King Cornhusker Goes Bear Hunting". Sports Illustrated. Vol.35, no.25. pp.22–33. Now the Orange Bowl is ecstatic, for right there on the Poly-Turf it has the absolute grand final battle for No. 1, the only bowl game that will truly matter among the eight or 10 thousand others to be staged through the holidays.
↑Eckersall, Walter (January 1, 1925). Written at Pasadena. "53,000 To See Notre Dame Battle Stanford Today — National Title at Stake in Coast Game — FOR NATIONAL TITLE". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. Two great football teams. Leland Stanford and Notre Dame, undisputed champions of the Pacific coast and middle west, respectively, will clash in the Rose bowl here tomorrow for national gridiron supremacy.
↑Swisher, Harold E. (January 1, 1925). Written at Pasadena. "East, West Clash for National Title". The Pomona Progress. Pomona, CA. United Press. With the Gridiron Championship of the Nation at stake, the Irish eleven of Notre Dame and the team from Leland Stanford University, at Palo Alto, will do battle in the Rose Bowl here this afternoon in the annual East-West football classic of the Tournament of Roses.
12 Written at New York. "Rose Bowl Winner Will be Awarded Erskine Trophy". The Tampa Times. Tamp, Florida. December 26, 1931. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
↑Roberts, Don (January 1, 1932). "Trojans, Tulane Fight for National Crown". Los Angeles Evening Post-Record. Los Angeles. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023. With the Albert Russell Erskine national football championship at stake, Tulane University's Green Wave today met the University of Southern California Trojans at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.
123"Tulane Leads Erskine Voting — Trojans Close Behind". The South Bend Tribune. December 18, 1931. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
↑The Erskine poll's preliminary ballot ranked No. 1 Tulane and No. 2 USC.[209] Rather than hold a final vote, it was decided that the teams would compete for the Albert Russel Erskine Trophy at the Rose Bowl;[207] the trophy was presented to USC on the field following the game.
↑ Written at Los Angeles. "USC Will Be Awarded Rockne Cup — Dr. Frank G. Dickinson to Present Trophy to Rose Bowl Winners". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. Tacoma, Washington. Associated Press. January 4, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024. The ratings made long in advance of the Tournament of Roses game New Year's day placed Southern California first and Tulane second but when these two teams met in a 'natural' Rose bowl game, it was decided that if Tulane could overrule Dickinson's rating, he would stand corrected and give the trophy to the New Orleans lads.
12 Written at Los Angeles. "Troy, Pitt Play for Cup — Winner Will Get National Title Trophy — Donor of Cup Awarded Michigan 'Peeved,' Offers New One". The Long Beach Sun. Long Beach. United Press. December 15, 1932. Retrieved July 3, 2024. A trophy symbolic of the mythical national football championship will be awarded to the winner of the Southern California–Pittsburgh game at Pasadena by Jack Rissman, wealthy Chicago sportsman who donated the Dickinson rating cup.
12Beale, George H. (December 17, 1932). Written at Los Angeles. "Sports Parade — Champions, Trophies and Systems — What This Country Needs Is More Sportsmen Willing to Donate Cups to Grid Champions". The Lincoln Journal. Lincoln, Nebraska. United Press. Retrieved July 4, 2024. All that is needed now to make the football season a complete success is for someone to figure out a system to declare Colgate the undisputed national champion and to give the Red Raiders a trophy indicative of the same. [...] More national champions, more systems of picking them and more trophies to give them have long been the crying need of football. [...] It might even be worked out so Slippery Rock and Knox could have very fine trophies for their Y.M.C.A. trophy rooms. [...] Under the Beale system, I hereby award the national football championship to Bucknell (dear old alma mater)
↑"Gridiron Trophy Donor Here To See Big Game". Los Angeles Times. International News Service. December 6, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024. Jack Rissman, a Chicago merchant, said that thus far the Trojans are slightly in the lead in the race for the trophy, which is now known as the Knute Rockne Cup, and can clinch the honor only by defeating the Irish Saturday.
↑ Written at Champaign, Illinois. "Michigan Gets Rockne Trophy as U.S. Champ — USC Rated Second, Pittsburgh Third". The Daily Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Associated Press. December 11, 1932. p.9. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2024. Although Southern California's Trojans defeated Notre Dame today to finish their regular season undefeated and untied, the University of Michigan tonight was declared winner of the Knute. K. Rockne memorial trophy, symbolic of the national football championship, under the Dickinson rating system.
↑Jack F. Rissman, who donated the first Dickinson System trophy, announced that the Dickinson title and Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy would go to USC with a season-ending win over Notre Dame.[215] However, following that game, Professor Dickinson named 8–0 Michigan as national champions with 9–0 USC No. 2 and 8–0–2 Pittsburgh No. 3.[216] Rissman, "peeved", announced on December 15 a new Rissman national championship trophy. For 1932, the trophy would go to the winner of the 1933 Rose Bowl.[213][214]
↑ Written at Chicago. "Irish and Seahawks Pointing for Game — Undefeated Opponents of Saturday Meet in Unofficial National Championship Game at South Bend, Ind". The Knoxville News–Sentinel. Knoxville, Tennessee. Associated Press. November 18, 1943. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023. The result should establish one or the other definitely as the country's greatest football team—college or service. A crowd of 50,000 is expected to watch this unofficial championship battle at Notre Dame Stadium.
↑Game of the Year of the Day, 1943: Notre Dame 14, Iowa Pre-Flight 13Archived October 28, 2022, at the Wayback Machine " This was college football's national title game in 1943."
↑Sabo, John N.; Chandler, John F. (December 2, 1944). Written at Baltimore. "75,000 Await Army–Navy Title Clash". Detroit Free Press. Detroit. Detroit Free Press; Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023. ...the big battle for the service championship and, with it, the undisputed National collegiate grid gonfalon for 1944.
↑On This Date in Sports December 1, 1945: Army-Navy for the NationArchived October 28, 2022, at the Wayback Machine "For the second straight season, the fate of the National Championship is on the line in the Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia."
↑Bealmear, Austin (November 4, 1946). Written at New York City. "College Football Season Reaches Climax Saturday: Army and Notre Dame Battle in National Championship Game". The Daily Mail. Hagerstown, Maryland. Associated Press. Retrieved October 29, 2024. Football spotlight will be on Yankee Stadium Saturday when nation's two outstanding gridiron powers clash...to the average fan the only thing that matters will be the national championship struggle between Army and Notre Dame.
↑Weinreb, Michael (June 18, 2013). "The Birth of 'The Argument'". Grantland. Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
↑Los Angeles TimesArchived October 27, 2022, at the Wayback Machine "The national championship was at stake – USC was ranked No. 1 and Wisconsin No. 2"
121979 Sugar Bowl (Television production). Louisiana Superdome: ABC. January 1, 1979. The Game for the National Championship — No. 1 Penn State vs. No. 2 Alabama [...] Bowl Games for the National Championship: 1963 Rose Bowl, 1964 Cotton Bowl, 1969 Rose Bowl, 1972 Orange Bowl
12Jenkins, Dan (December 23, 1968). "Bouquets of Roses for No. 1". Sports Illustrated. Vol.29, no.26. Chicago. pp.22–23. Retrieved March 16, 2016. The nation's two top teams, Ohio State and Southern California, get a rare opportunity to settle which is the best as an entire season of undefeated play comes down to their face-to-face clash in Pasadena.
↑Chass, Murray (December 30, 1963). "Mythical Crown at Stake in Cotton Bowl". The Post-Crescent. Associated Press. Retrieved January 24, 2024. With Texas and Navy ready to battle for college football's unofficial championship... Unbeaten Texas will have to fend off the East's best to remain first in the minds of the nation's fans.
↑Ratliff, Harold V. (December 31, 1963). Written at Dallas, Texas. "'Dream Game' In Dallas Heads Bowl Parade: National Title Is At Stake". The Herald-Palladium. Benton Harbor, Michigan. Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024. Darrel Royal's eyes flashed when he said it: 'We aren't a bit afraid to put it on the line.' He was discussing the question of whether the national championship would be decided when his Texas football team plays Navy in the Cotton Bowl Wednesday.
↑Smothers, Jimmy (January 2, 1966). "Bama shoots for No. 1 spot". The Gadsden Times. p.21. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
↑Green, Bob (January 4, 1966). "Tide keeps AP title trophy". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p.7. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
↑"Remember that time Notre Dame beat Michigan State, 10–10?". September 16, 2016. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
↑"Upside-Down Game: 1996 Notre Dame-Michigan State". Sports Illustrated Vault | Si.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
↑"Polls give No. 1 nod to Notre Dame". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. December 6, 1967. p.3B. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
↑Meyers, Jeff (November 29, 1966). "Notre Dame is No. 1 in final UPI balloting". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. UPI. p.26. Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
↑After the 10–10 tie, Notre Dame and Michigan State retained their No. 1 and No. 2 rankings in the final AP and Coaches Polls.[235][236]
↑Jenkins, Dan (November 20, 1967). "The Great One Confronts O.j."Sports Illustrated Vault | Si.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022. A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, A BOWL BID, A CONFERENCE TITLE, A HEISMAN TROPHY AND THE SANITY OF A CITY ARE ALL PART OF THE STAKES AS ARCHENEMIES USC AND UCLA PREPARE FOR THEIR BACKYARD SHOWDOWN
↑Hudson, Maryann (November 19, 1992). "A Run for the Roses: O.J. Simpson's 64-Yarder Against UCLA Helped Send USC on to Pasadena and a National Championship". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022. UCLA was 7-0-1 and USC was 8-1, having lost the week before to Oregon State. This game was for the national championship …
↑ Written at Pasadena, California. "Collegiate Football Title At Stake In Rose Bowl". Palladium–Item. Richmond, Indiana. Associated Press. January 1, 1969. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
↑"State in top billing battle". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. United Press International. December 2, 1969. p.32. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023. Texas, the nation's No. 1 team, will play Arkansas the No. 3 club, while Penn State, ranked second, waits for either to falter. The UPI national championship will be decided next Tuesday. Ratings are based on regular season performances and do not include post season play.
↑"Final No. 1". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. United Press International. December 9, 1969. p.36. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
↑The final Coaches Poll was released prior to the bowl games, in early December.
↑"College 'Super Bowl' Set Up: Nebraska, Alabama Rank 1–2 in Both Polls". Lincoln Journal Star. Compiled from News Wires. November 30, 1971. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023. ...college football's version of the Super Bowl. It will take place on New Year's Night in Miami's Orange Bowl when the two leaders clash for the national championship.
12 Written at New York. "Award for top team delayed". The Times-News. Twin Falls, Idaho. United Press International. December 7, 1971. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023. ...it was decided not to award a championship by ballot but rather to let these teams meet on the field and play for the MacArthur Bowl.
↑National Football Foundation announced on December 7 that the winner of the Orange Bowl would receive the MacArthur Bowl, and that Nebraska and Alabama would be co-champions in the case of a tie.[245] The trophy was awarded to Nebraska on the field following the game.
↑Prugh, Jeff (January 1, 1973). "ROSE BOWL COACHES AGREE: Trojans, Bukeyes Battle for No. 1". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2022. Well, the college football world can stop arguing about who will be No. 1 after today's Rose Bowl game.
12 Written at New York. "Title at Stake in Sugar Bowl". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. Associated Press. December 3, 1973. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023. "A championship can only truly be settled on the playing field." Richard Kazmaier, chairman of the awards committee, said in announcing that this year the committee would not vote for the MacArthur Bowl winner.
↑Nissenson, Herschel (December 31, 1973). "In Sugar Bowl Grid Title Decided Tonight". The Palladium–Item. Richmond, Indiana. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
↑National Football Foundation announced on December 2 that the winner of the Sugar Bowl would receive the MacArthur Bowl, and that Alabama and Notre Dame would be co-champions in the case of a tie.[248]
123 Written at New York. "UPI Coaches Select USC No. 1". The Crowly Post–Signal. Crowley, Louisiana. UPI. January 3, 1979. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023. Alabama, 11–1, toppled previously top-ranked Penn State, 14–7, in the Sugar Bowl game that was billed as the battle for the championship because the Nittany Lions went into the game ranked No. 1 and Alabama was rated No. 2.
↑Game was billed as the national championship game for both major polls, each ranking Penn State No. 1 and Alabama No. 2.[251] The AP Poll consequently awarded their national championship to the winner.Despite the No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown in their own poll, the Coaches Poll instead selected No. 3 USC (who in September had handed Alabama their only loss of the season) following the bowls.After hearing the news a disappointed Bear Bryant stated: "The UPI Board of Coaches demonstrated a lack of consistency with this vote, as their No. 1 and No. 2 teams played in what the vast majority of the nation viewed as their national championship game."[251]
↑ Written at Dallas. "Mustangs Not Counting Out National Title Bid". The Times Recorder. Zanesville, Ohio. Associated Press. January 1, 1983. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023. No. 1–ranked unbeaten and untied Georgia and No. 2–ranked once-beaten Penn State meet in the Sugar Bowl New Year's night for what is being billed as "the national championship game."
121984 Orange Bowl (Television production). Miami Orange Bowl: NBC. January 2, 1984. Orange Bowl Next — For the National Championship — #4 Miami vs #1 Nebraska
↑Nissenson, Herschel (December 16, 1984). "Who's No. 1? The controversy abounds". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022. Brigham Young's opponents as a group have a losing record; how can a team like that be the national champion?" said Nick Crane, chairman of the team selection committee. "As far as the Orange Bowl is concerned, we think ours is a national championship game (between No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 4 Washington).
↑Gastineau, Mike. Fear No Man: Don James, the '91 Huskies, and the Seven-year Quest for a National Football Championship. University of Washington Press. p.7.
↑Davis, Ken (January 1, 1986). Written at Miami. "Numbers Game Comes Down To One-on-One". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023. In the minds of most people, tonight's Orange Bowl game between No. 1 Penn State and No. 3 Oklahoma will decide the national championship. ... here in sunny and warm Miami everyone is calling the Orange Bowl the national championship game.
12Wine, Steven (January 2, 1989). Written at Miami. "'Canes need big win to have shot". The Times–News. Twin Falls, Idaho. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023. Monday afternoon's Fiesta Bowl between No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 3 West Virginia, both 11–0, is billed as the national championship game.
↑1996 Fiesta Bowl (Television production). Sun Devil Stadium: CBS Sports. January 2, 1996. Event occurs at 1:44. Retrieved January 6, 2026. And that's not the only one... on behalf of the Bowl Alliance, it is the first-ever Great Games national championship trophy. ... The Great Games Trophy on behalf of college football's Alliance.
↑1998 Orange Bowl (Television production). Miami Orange Bowl: CBS. January 2, 1998. Also here, commissioner of the Big-12 conference, Steve Hatchell to present the Alliance trophy.
12345Rosenblatt, Richard (December 8, 1997). "Bowl Alliance hopes for best: Without Michigan, Orange Bowl cheers for Washington State". The Daily News–Journal. Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022. We're billing this as the alliance national championship, which it is. Obviously if Michigan loses, it becomes the national championship. If they win, we're hoping for a split in the polls.
↑No. 2 Arizona State lost the Rose Bowl on January 1, making the January 2 Sugar Bowl a true national championship game.[263]
↑No. 1 Michigan won the Rose Bowl and would be voted national champions by the AP Poll. Lacking the No. 1 team, the Orange Bowl was billed as the "Alliance National Championship".[263]
↑Wieberg, Steve (July 12, 2005). "New Harris poll to replace AP in BCS formula". USA Today Sports. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑"Rose Bowl OK's new deal for 12-team CFP in '24". ESPN.com. December 1, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
12Coyne, Tom (December 30, 2012). Written at South Bend, Indiana. "National titles: Who decides? Mostly, the schools". Hattiesburg American. Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022. No wonder "mythical" is the word that often precedes national title. "There is no official standard because there is no official national champion," said Kent Stephens, historian at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend. "It all depends on the standard the school wishes to utilize. The national champion is in the eye of the beholder."
↑Tracy, Marc (January 3, 2018). "Central Florida Claims a National Title. Want to Fight About It?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2024. By Wednesday, Wikipedia—perhaps the only factual authority still widely accepted in 2018—identified Central Florida's claimed national title. Got a problem with that?
↑"Utes Finish No. 2 in AP Rankings" (Press release). Salt Lake City: University of Utah. January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022. On Not Finishing No. 1 – "While there is certainly some disappointment about not finishing No. 1, we prefer to look on the positive side."
↑Traughber, Bill (September 2, 2015). "Making the case for Vanderbilt as two-time football national champions". Commodore History Corner Archive. Vanderbilt University. Archived from the original on August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024. Rod Williamson, Vanderbilt's Director of Athletic Communications: 'All this said, it seems to us that to suddenly declare, as others would view it, that we have won two national championships when we had not recognized them before would be anticlimactic, after the fact. Personally, I'd like to take a middle-of-the-road approach where we let history write itself, but we come up short of modifying our record book.'
↑"Princeton Football National Championships". Go Princeton Tigers. Princeton University. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
↑Conn, Steve (2009). 2009 Yale Football Media Guide(PDF). Yale University. pp.106–112. Archived from the original(PDF) on August 29, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑"Yale Official Athletic Site – Football by Year". Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Maxon, Josh; Moore, Cami; Paré, Jessica; Thompson, Alex (2021). 2021 Alabama Football Media Guide(PDF). University of Alabama. pp.3, 108–128. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022. National Championships – 18 – 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020
↑Eisendrath, Zach; Satterfield, Derek, eds. (2014). 2014 University of Michigan Football Media Guide(PDF). University of Michigan. pp.2, 183. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Michigan Football National Champions 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997, 2023 (Tunnel Sign). Michigan Stadium: University of Michigan. April 11, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
↑Bertsch, Michael; Masters, Chris; Torbin, Leigh (2014). Notre Dame Football 2014 Media Guide. University of Notre Dame. pp.2, 157. Archived from the original on April 30, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015– via Issuu.
↑Notre Dame Fighting Irish football National Champions 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988 (Stadium Sign). Notre Dame Stadium locker room: University of Notre Dame. 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
↑"NCAA University of Southern California Public Infractions Report"(PDF). Indianapolis: National Collegiate Athletic Association. June 10, 2010. p.58. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑USC Sports Information Office (2014). 2014 USC Football Media Guide(PDF). University of Southern California. p.114. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑USC Trojans National Champions 1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, 2004 (Stadium Sign). Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: University of Southern California. October 24, 2009. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
↑"Ohio State Football Championship Teams & National Award Winners"(PDF). The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. 2018. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022. Ohio State's National Champion Teams: 2014, 2002, 1970, 1968, 1961, 1957, 1954, 1942
↑Ohio State Buckeyes football National Champions 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002, 2014 (Stadium Sign). Ohio Stadium: Ohio State University. 2015. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
↑"1914 National Championships". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
↑"1958 National Championships". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
↑"2004 National Championships". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
↑"National Championships". Auburn University Athletics. 2025. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025. Auburn has earned 30 National Championships. [...] 9 - Football: 2010, 2004, 1993, 1983, 1958, 1957, 1914, 1913, 1910
↑Auburn Tigers National Champions 1957 2010 (Stadium Sign). Jordan-Hare Stadium: Auburn University. 2018. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
↑National Championships 1910, 1913, 1914, 1957, 1958, 1983, 1993, 2004, 2010 (Stadium Sign). Jordan-Hare Stadium: Auburn University. 2025. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
↑Borghetti, E.J.; Feeley, Ted; Welsh, Celeste; etal., eds. (2014). 2014 Pitt Football Media Guide(PDF). Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh. p.130. Archived from the original(PDF) on November 30, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑"Media Center: Harvard Crimson Football – National Championships". Official Website of Harvard Athletics. Harvard University. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Harvard Crimson football National Champions 1890, 1898, 1899, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919 (Stadium Sign). Harvard Stadium: Harvard University. 2004. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
↑"Golden Gophers National Champions – University of Minnesota Athletics". University of Minnesota Athletics Department. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
↑Minnesota Golden Gophers football National Championships 1904, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960 (Stadium Sign). Huntington Bank Stadium: University of Minnesota. 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
↑"OU History & Tradition – 7 National Championships". SoonerSports.com. University of Oklahoma Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑University of Oklahoma National Champions 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000 (Stadium Sign). Memorial Stadium: University of Oklahoma. 2011. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
↑Cunha, Steve (September 14, 2021). 2021 Penn Football Fact Book(PDF). University of Pennsylvania Office of Athletic Communications. pp.6, 60–61. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022. Seven-Time National Champions
↑"National Champions – Michigan State University Athletics". msuspartans.com. Michigan State Athletics. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
↑Michigan State Spartans football 6 National Championships 1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1965, 1966 (Stadium Sign). Spartan Stadium: Michigan State University. 2013. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
↑"Tennessee National Championships — Football (6) — 1938, 1940, 1950, 1951, 1967, 1998". University of Tennessee Athletics. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
↑Tennessee Volunteers football National Champions 1938, 1940, 1950, 1951, 1967, 1998 (Stadium Sign). Neyland Stadium: University of Tennessee. 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
↑Szczepinski, Eric (ed.). 2024 Army West Point Football Media Guide(PDF). U.S. Military Academy Office of Athletic Communication. pp.105–107, 187. Archived(PDF) from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024. 5 National Championships (1914, 1916, 1944, 1945, & 1946)
↑Army Football National Champions 1914, 1916, 1944, 1945, 1946 (Stadium Sign). Michie Stadium: United States Military Academy. 2024. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
↑"Cal National Champions — National Team Champions — Football (5)". Cal Athletics. April 17, 2013. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2023. 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1937
↑Over a Century of Tradition(PDF). Cornell Athletics Communications Office. 2015. p.3. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Cornell University — Football Champions — 1915, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1939 (Trophies). Schoellkopf Field: Cornell University. August 17, 2015. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
↑Brown, Kent, ed. (2014). 2014 Illinois Football Record Book(PDF). University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. p.114. Archived from the original(PDF) on January 15, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Illinois Fighting Illini football National Champions 1914, 1919, 1923, 1927, 1951 (Stadium Sign). Memorial Stadium: University of Illinois. 2013. Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
↑2022 Iowa Football Media Guide(PDF). University of Iowa Athletic Department. 2022. pp.2, 151, 196, 202. Archived(PDF) from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022. Iowa Quick Facts – National Champions: 1921, 1922, 1956, 1958, 1960 | the Hawkeyes were named national champions by the Football Writers Association in 1958, and by various rating services in 1921, 1922, 1956, and 1960. | Mythical National Champions – Iowa football has been voted mythical national champions by different media services on five occasions. 1921, 1922, 1956, 1958, 1960
↑"Hurricanes Football History & Records". University of Miami Athletics. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Miami Hurricanes football National Champions 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001 (Stadium Sign). Orange Bowl: University of Miami. 2008. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
↑"Nebraska's Five National Titles". University of Nebraska Athletic Department. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
↑Nebraska Cornhuskers football National Champions 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997 (Stadium Sign). Memorial Stadium: University of Nebraska–Lincoln. 2011. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
↑"Georgia National Championships — Football (4) — 1942, 1980, 2021, 2022". georgiadogs.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023. The 1927, 1946, 1968 teams were also recognized as National Champions but these were not consensus and thus not officially recognized as National Championships.
↑Georgia Bulldogs football National Champions 1942, 1980, 2021, 2022 (Stadium Sign). Sanford Stadium: University of Georgia. 2023. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
↑"2018 Information Guide"(PDF). ramblinwreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletics. pp.149–150. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
↑Bonnette, Michael, ed. (2014). 2014 LSU Football Media Guide(PDF). LSU Sports Information Office. pp.16–18. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Bianco, John (2014). 2014 Texas Football AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl Guide(PDF). University of Texas at Austin. p.120. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Texas Longhorns football National Champions '63, '69, '70, '05 (Stadium Sign). Texas Memorial Stadium: University of Texas. 2010. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
↑"Clemson National Champions 1981 | 2016 | 2018"(PDF). Clemson University. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
↑Clemson Tigers football: 1981, 2016, 2018 (Stadium Sign). Memorial Stadium: Clemson University. 2020. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
↑"GatorZone.com: Gator Football History". University Athletic Association. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑"2018 Media Guide"(PDF). seminoles.com. Florida State Athletics. pp.183–184. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
↑LaBella, Phil (2014). 2014 Lafayette Football Media Guide(PDF). Lafayette Athletics Communications. p.6. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Olsen, Lindsey; Sutton, Brad; Hudson, Herman, eds. (2022). 2022 SMU Football Media Guide(PDF). Southern Methodist University Athletics. pp.1, 96, 113. Archived(PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023. National Championships: 3 (1935, 1981 & 1982)
↑"2018 Media Guide"(PDF). 12thman.com. Texas A&M Athletics. pp.45–47. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 31, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
↑Texas A&M Aggies football National Champions 1919, 1927, 1939 (Stadium Sign). Kyle Field: Texas A&M University. 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
↑"Feature Story: Chicago Football Eras". The University of Chicago Athletics. University of Chicago Campus and Student Life. October 8, 2012. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
12"Columbia Football 2021 Record Book"(PDF). Columbia University Athletics. pp.240–241, 244. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2022. Columbia has claimed two mythical national championships: in 1875 and 1933. The 1875 team went 4–1–1 and was named national champions, while the 1933 squad defeated Stanford and was referred to as a national champ.
↑"Championship History – Penn State University Athletics". Pennsylvania State Athletics. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
↑Penn State Nittany Lions football honored seasons, including 1982 and 1986 national championships (Stadium Sign). Beaver Stadium: Pennsylvania State University. 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
↑"Stanford Football History". Stanford University Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Swegan, Scott; Lowery, Nate (2021). 2021 Stanford Football Media Guide(PDF). Stanford University Athletic Communications Department. p.76. Retrieved March 18, 2022. National Championships – 1926, 1940The 1926 team was declared national champions by the Dickinson System, Helms Athletic Foundation, National Championship Foundation and Sagarin Ratings. Although Minnesota was declared national champions in the final 1940 Associated Press Poll, which was the best-known and most widely circulated poll of sportswriters and broadcasters in determining the national champion, Stanford was recognized as national champions by the Billingsley Report, Helms Athletic Foundation and Poling System.
↑Cohen, Mark (2014). 2014 TCU Football Fact Book. TCU Athletics Media Relations Office. pp.2, 129. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015– via Issuu.
↑Parkinson, Kyle; Grigg, Oliver; Tafolla, Grace, eds. (2022). "1964 National Champions". Arkansas Razorbacks 2022 Media Guide(PDF). University of Arkansas and Learfield. pp.4, 114. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
↑Oslin, Reid (November 10, 2015). "The 1940 Team of Destiny". bceagles.com. Boston College Athletics. Retrieved June 1, 2022. Boston College, Minnesota and Stanford were all crowned as "National Champions" by various media outlets – and each school has a case for the right to fly the 1940 championship banner. In the East and South, sentiment was strong in favor of the Eagles: the sports editor of the New York Herald Tribune wrote that the victory over Tennessee "entitled Boston College to be the undefeated champions of the United States." Twenty-five years after the Sugar Bowl game, in 1966, The Boston Globe sponsored a gala downtown honoring the declared 1940 National Champions. [...] But now – 75 years later – let's all raise our glasses and our voices to a National Championship pennant that can fly proudly and rightfully in Chestnut Hill.
↑Harris, Otis (December 2, 1940). "As we were saying". The Shreveport Journal. Vol.44, no.285. Shreveport, Louisiana. p.14. Retrieved March 5, 2023– via Newspapers.com. [T]he game will come closer than any other that will be played to identifying the national champion.
↑Digby, Fred (January 1, 1941). "The Game Today". Seventh Annual Sugar Bowl Classic Souvenir Program. pp.27, 71. Retrieved March 5, 2023– via Digital Public Library of America. Each will be out to the limit in speed, stamina and spirit to capture the honors in this classic which could rightfully be heralded as for the national football championship.
↑ Written at New Orleans. "Boston College homebound after joyous celebration in New Orleans following Sugar Bowl win". The Shreveport Times. Vol.LXVIII, no.213. Shreveport, Louisiana. January 3, 1941. p.10. Retrieved March 5, 2023– via Newspapers.com. 'The Eagles not only earned the national championship but they proved the greatest team ever to play in the Sugar Bowl,' said Fred Digby of the New Orleans Item.
↑"Boston College Football 2021 Record Book"(PDF). Boston College Athletics Department. 2021. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 5, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2022. 1940 — An undefeated (11–0) season, capped by the Sugar Bowl championship and the claim of a national championship made this arguably the greatest season in Eagle football annals. [...] On Jan. 1, the Eagles would lay claim to the national championship with a 19–13 victory over Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl.
↑"1984 National Championship". BYUCougars.com: The Official Site of Brigham Young Athletics. 2011. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑"Centre College to be inducted into Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame". January 1, 2014. Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
↑"1990 National Champions". CUBuffs.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
↑"Dartmouth — National Champions (Teams) — Football — 1925". Dartmouth College Athletics. September 27, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
↑"Detroit Titans Football". University of Detroit Mercy Athletics. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022. The undefeated 1928 U-D squad was deemed a Co-national champion, along with Georgia Tech, by Parker[sic] Davis.
↑"2015 Football Media Guide". University of Kentucky Athletics. August 2015. p.100. Archived from the original on August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
↑"Terrapin Team Titles: University of Maryland National Championships". Maryland Athletics, University of Maryland. 2015. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑2021 Navy Football Media Guide(PDF). Naval Academy Athletic Association. 2021. pp.8–9. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2022. In today's modern era, three undefeated teams with nearly identical records would cause a stir among fans and pollsters alike. This was the case when Navy earned its lone national championship in 1926, as the Midshipmen shared the honor with Stanford and Alabama.A 7–7 tie between Alabama and Stanford in the 1926 Rose Bowl gave the Cardinal a 10–0–1 mark, while the Crimson Tide and the Mids each had identical 9–0–1 records.The [Army–Navy Game] tie gave the Midshipmen a share of the national championship, as a pair of polls (sic), Boand and Houlgate, named Navy the national champion.
↑"AFCA Recognizes Oklahoma State as 1945 National Champion". October 13, 2016. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
↑"National Championships". Rutgers University Athletics. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
↑Edson, Sue Cornelius, ed. (2014). 2014 Syracuse University Football Media Guide(PDF). Syracuse University Athletic Communications Department. pp.6, 107. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑Syracuse Orange football National Champions 1959 (Stadium Banner). Carrier Dome: Syracuse University. 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
↑"2018 Football Media Guide"(PDF). UCFKnights.com. UCF Athletics. p.89. Archived from the original(PDF) on August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
↑2014 UCLA Football Media Guide(PDF). UCLA Sports Information Office. 2014. pp.90, 108. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
↑This table uses the same sources as those listed in the Claims by school table above.
↑Koger, Jim (1970). "The history of the National Intercollegiate Football Championship ... 1900–1969". National Champions. Columbus, Georgia: Atlantic Publishing Company. 1903: Michigan, Minnesota, Princeton | 1913: Chicago, Harvard, Notre Dame
↑Whitney, Caspar (January 1905). Whitney, Caspar (ed.). "The Sportsman's View-Point: 1904 Ranking Football Teams". Outing. Vol.XLV, no.4. Outing Publishing Company. pp.493–499. Retrieved January 26, 2024. This ranking is not based only on comparative scores, but on style of play, conditions under which games were contested, relative importance of games on the schedule—especially with regard to each teams's "big" game, for which it was particularly trained—as well as the season's all-round record of the elevens under discussion. My particular interest in the study is its object lesson on comparative football development throughout the country. No college is eligible for consideration here whose disregard of wholesome sport has been patent and persistent, or whose team has played an ineligible man.
↑"Yale's was the best football eleven". Harrisburg Star-Independent. December 31, 1904. p.4. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
↑Libby, Bill (1975). Champions of College Football. Hawthorne Books, Inc. pp.11–14. ISBN0-8015-1196-8.
↑"World Almanac Selections". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2022. Data created by: World Almanac
↑"Football, Intercollegiate Season, 1914.". The World Almanac (1915). 1915. p.865.
↑"Alexander Weyand Selections". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2022. Data created by: Alexander M. Weyand — Data obtained from: "The Real National Champions"
↑Weyand, Alexander M. (1926). American Football, Its History and Development. New York: D. Appleton and Company. p.278. Harvard and the Army Powerful, 1914 | Although the Army was the only one of the larger teams to win all games, the majority of the critics favored Harvard for the championship. (Note: The author, Alexander Weyand, was an All-American player on the Army team in 1914.)
↑SR 8715 — Honoring the 99th Anniversary of the National Champion 1915 Washington State College Football Team (Resolution). Washington State Senate. March 7, 2014.
↑Weyand, Alexander M. (1926). American Football, Its History and Development. New York: D. Appleton and Company. p.321. 1917 The famous 'Golden Tornado' of Georgia 'Tech.' coached by John W. Heisman (Pennsylvania) gained national recognition through the overwhelming defeat of Pennsylvania, and was entitled to rank with Pittsburgh as the best in the nation.
↑Weyand, Alexander M. (1926). American Football, Its History and Development. New York: D. Appleton and Company. p.381. Undoubtedly the most spectacular team was Notre Dame, ranked by some critics as the strongest team in the country at the close of the season.
↑Wood, Frank E. (December 8, 1931). "Tulane Is National Champion, Wood Says". Wisconsin State Journal. Central Press. Retrieved February 28, 2023. Tulane University, the pride of the south, is gridiron champion of the United States, the national football standings show.
↑Levandusky, J. F. (January 11, 1935). "Here's a little incident that happened after the Rose Bowl game". Waukegan News-Sun. Waukegan, Illinois. Retrieved January 31, 2023. Last year Stanford was [Houlgate's] choice and the presentation of the trophy was scheduled to take place after the Alabama–Stanford battle.
↑"Massey Ratings (1930–1998)". MasseyRatings.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
↑Michelson, Paul (November 30, 1936). Written at New York. "Gridiron Hits Dizziest Year; Bearcats Win Title". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, AZ. Associated Press. p.11. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
↑ Written at New York. "Mathematically St. Vincent Champion". The Indiana Gazette. Indiana, PA. Associated Press. December 1, 1936. p.6. Retrieved July 1, 2023. the St. Vincent College Bearcats of Latrobe, Pa., are the undisputed national champions: By arithmetic
↑"Houlgate Lists Tulane First". Chattanooga Daily Times. December 17, 1939. Retrieved August 12, 2023. Final ratings: 1. Tulane, B, 36
↑Baker, Dr. L. H. (1945). "The Nation's Leading Teams, 1869–1944 | College and Service Teams' 1944 Ratings and Ranks (Compiled by Dr. L. H. Baker)". Football: Facts & Figures. New York: Farrar & Rinehart. pp.644–645. No. 1 Randolph Field 958, No. 2 Army 951 — The ratings listed here have been computed by a method devised by the author. It consists of a combination of a modification of the Dickinson method plus one used by the author for several years. This combination has proved highly accurate.
↑"Washington Touchdown Club Selections". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
123"DC Touchdown Club Award Winners". DC Touchdown Club. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
↑"NATIONAL CHAMPS — Auburn wins Trib national crown". The Eufaula Tribune. Eufaula, Alabama. January 5, 2005. Archived from the original on August 30, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2023. Auburn received all six first place votes in The Eufaula Tribune's post season football poll, making them national champions.
↑Strege, John (December 29, 2016). "Former Auburn football coach still thrilled that Tigers were Golf Digest's mythical national champions". Golf Digest. Retrieved October 28, 2023.