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We’re back talking about the unclaimed national titles from the schools that don’t have ANY national championships but refuse to claim them for some reason. Remember our position is basically CLAIM IT, but let’s look at these case by case.
Time to call the Hogs! Arkansas has one claimed championship in 1964 and one unclaimed in 1977. Let's look at 1977.
1977 Arkansas - Finished 11–1 and placed second in the SWC at 7–1. Their only loss of the year was to #2 Texas 13-9 after Texas WR Johnny “Ham" Jones caught the game winning touchdown with 3:30 left in the game with swirling 20 mph winds. Just a tough break for the Hogs to lose to a guy nicknamed Ham. The claimed national champions were Notre Dame at 11-1 with a loss to 6–5 (3–4 SEC) Ole Miss in their second game of the season. Notre Dame did beat #1 and undefeated at the time Texas 38-10 in the Cotton Bowl. Notre Dame went from #5 to #1 after that game. The Hogs were named national champs by the Rothman Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments (FACT). The FACT computer formula also named Notre Dame and Texas co-national champions for this year too. The computer couldn’t break this three-way tie either. But Notre Dame was the consensus national champion. Arkansas lost to Texas, who then lost to Notre Dame. #6 Arkansas beat #2 Oklahoma 31-6 in the Orange Bowl and had a just as impressive win as Notre Dame in their bowl game. Arkansas beat #15 Oklahoma State, #11 Texas A&M, and #2 Oklahoma. Notre Dame allowed a 3rd-string Ole Miss QB to beat them. While Arkansas lost a windy game against the #1 team in the nation at home. Also, there was controversy during that game when Arkansas QB Ron Calcagni's facemask was grabbed by a Texas player during a key drive, but the officials did not call the penalty, and Arkansas was forced to settle for a field goal. This was mentioned on the wiki too! This year was insane, as Notre Dame won the national championship, but there are three other unclaimed national championships this year. Alabama finished 11-1, but they lost at #10 Nebraska. They don't claim this one either and you know Bama loves to claim championships.
VERDICT - Claim it, Arkansas. The computers said you tied with Notre Dame and Texas. Also, Alabama doesn’t claim this one for whatever reason. The Hogs lost to Ham; there was an alleged uncalled facemask, and you took the #2 team to task in the Orange Bowl. You got an NCAA-approved computer picking you. Claim it. This year was a bit of a mess to only have one champion. Hogs love mess, right? Claim it!
What a program cover for the Orange Bowl
Time to head on over to College Park, Maryland. The Terrapins claim the 1953 National Championship and this is the only one claimed. However, they have an unclaimed national title from 1951.
1951 Maryland - The Terps finished 10–0 and won the SoCon with a 5-0 record, tying with VMI who was also 5-0 in conference. The SoCon was 16 teams back then. The claimed national champions were 10-1 Tennessee and 9-0 Michigan State. The Vols only loss was in the Sugar Bowl to... 1951 MARYLAND! The TERPS BEAT THE CHAMPS!! WHY IS THIS NOT CLAIMED MARYLAND!! WHO CARES THEY CUT OFF THE POLLS BEFORE THE BOWL GAME. YOU BEAT THE VOLS!!
VERDICT - CLAIM IT!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? The Terrapins were ranked No. 3 in the final AP poll but were recognized as national champions by the Billingsley Report, College Football Researchers Association, National Championship Foundation, DeVold System, Dunkel System, and Sagarin Ratings. Yeah, sure, it is retroactively awarded, BUT CLAIM IT, MY WORD!! I think I have to email Maryland now. Dear Maryland, I really love your flag, and why don’t you claim the 1951 National Championship…
1951 Maryland, undefeated and should be claimed National Champions
Maryland has got me boiling like a crab in Old Bay mad. So let me calm myself down, and let’s look at Alabama now. Bama is the most notorious college football team in claiming national championships that don’t seem to be worthy. However, they still have five unclaimed. I talked about the 1977 one already, which is rather surprising they don’t claim that one already. Hell, if Arkansas claims it, I think Bama would claim it too just to spite the Hogs. I hope I don't give any ideas to Alabama here, but I am exhausted of the jokes about how Bama has unclaimed titles, and I have to see the years that are unclaimed. I won't make any recommendations here though, I just have to figure out why they have unclaimed titles.
1945 Alabama - Finished 10–0 and won the SEC at 6-0. They also won the Rose Bowl 34-14 over #11 USC. The claimed national champions were Army at 9-0 and Oklahoma State at 9-0. The only selector that named Alabama champs was the National Championship Foundation. Again, I'm not providing recommendations here to Alabama. Just being curious…
1966 Alabama - Finished 11–0 and won the SEC at 6–0. They won the Sugar Bowl by beating #6 Nebraska 34-7. The claimed national champions were Notre Dame at 9-0-1 and Michigan State at 9-0-1. Michigan State and Notre Dame tied each other 10-10. Michigan State didn’t get to go to the Rose Bowl due to the Big Ten rule of not playing in consecutive bowl games. Bama finished 3rd in the AP Poll and were named national champions by Berryman, Sagarin, and Calhoun. Again, I'm not providing recommendations here to Alabama. Just being curious…
1975 Alabama - Finished 11–1 and won the SEC at 6–0. They opened the season at #2 but lost the opening game of the season to unranked Mizzou 20-7. They won out and defeated #8 Penn State in the Sugar Bowl 13-6. Bama finished ranked #3 in the polls. The claimed national champions were Oklahoma at 11–1 and 6–1 in the Big 8 with a 23–3 loss to 7–5 Kansas. There is an unclaimed title to undefeated Arizona State, who finished #2. Bama was named national champs by something called the Mathews Grid. Again, I'm not providing recommendations here to Alabama. Just being curious…
2016 Alabama - Finished 14–1 and won the SEC at 8-0. They lost to Clemson in the National Championship Game 35-31. They were named national champions by the Colley Matrix. Again, not providing recommendations here to Alabama. Just being curious…
Weird, I guess Alabama actually has some restraint in claiming national championships. I must consider I just busted a myth about Alabama. I am not sure that I feel good about this. How can I make myself feel better? Maybe have someone claim a title alongside Bama? That could work...
2011 Oklahoma State - Finished 12–1 and won the Big 12 at 8–1. Oklahoma State’s only loss was in double overtime on a weird Friday night away at Iowa State, who finished 6-7. So you could say they were undefeated in regulation! The national champions were Alabama, who got a rematch against LSU in the BCS Championship game and won 21-0. It’s really not fair Bama got a redo and Oklahoma State didn’t 😉. Oklahoma State was named the national champs by the Colley Matrix. No one finished undefeated this year, and the BCS formula couldn't really factor in Ames at night.
VERDICT - Claim it, Oklahoma State! Don’t even make an announcement for this one. Sneakily start putting up 2011 National Champions stuff around the football facility and see if anyone notices. Once they do, go, Huh, I wonder how that got there? Then you can say Mike Gundy must’ve broken in and did it. Then if anyone tries to take it down, just put Pistol Pete on watch, and it’s safe. Bam, now you have got a second national championship!
Ok, now I feel better. Thanks for reading! Make sure you check us out everywhere and buy stuff from our store, subscribe here, and join our Patreon!
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