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College football National Champion the year you were born
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

College football National Champion the year you were born

For those die-hard College Football fans of all ages, this slideshow chronicles the National Champion the year you were born.

 

2016: Clemson

2016: Clemson
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

DeShaun Watson and Clemson were able to get revenge in the rematch of the championship game from a year prior to win the school's first title since 1981. 

 

2015: Alabama

2015: Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Alabama capped off its season with a win over Clemson in the College Football Championship. Head coach Nick Saban won his fourth National Title at Alabama. 

 

2014: Ohio State

2014: Ohio State
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

The Buckeyes won the inaugural College Football Playoff despite the injury to starting quarterback J.T. Barrett. Cardale Jones emerged to help lead Ohio State to a National Championship.

 

2013: Florida State

2013: Florida State
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

Jameis Winston finished a spectacular freshman season on a team loaded with future NFL talent. The Seminoles beat Auburn in the BCS Title Game and finished the year undefeated.

 

2012: Alabama

2012: Alabama
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

Quarterback A.J. McCarron and company won back-to-back National Titles, finishing the 2012 season 13-1. The dynamic running back duo of Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon rushed for more than 2,400 yards.

 

2011: Alabama

2011: Alabama
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Alabama got revenge for its in-season loss vs. LSU in the BCS National Championship, defeating the Tigers 21-0. The incredible Crimson Tide defense didn't allow more than 14 points in a game to an FBS opponent.

 

2010: Auburn

2010: Auburn
Lexington Herald-Leader / Tribune News Service

Led by quarterback Cam Newton, the Tigers had an improbable season going 14-0 and beating Oregon in a classic BCS Title Game. Newton had 50 total touchdowns for the year.

 

2009: Alabama

2009: Alabama
Harry How / Getty Images

Head coach Nick Saban put the Crimson Tide back on top, winning his first National Title at the school. The team was a perfect 14-0 after defeating Texas 21-14 in the BCS Championship.

 

2008: Florida

2008: Florida
Collegiate Images

Quarterback Tim Tebow won his second National Title, this time as the starter, leading the Gators to a 13-1 record. He had 42 total touchdowns for the year just one season after winning the Heisman Trophy.

 

2007: LSU

2007: LSU
Chris Graythen / Getty Images

Despite losing two games in the SEC, LSU beat Ohio State to win the BCS Championship. The team's offense had the 11th most points per game in the country.

 

2006: Florida

2006: Florida
Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images

Quarterback Chris Leak, with the help of backup Tim Tebow, led the Gators to a 13-1 season and BCS Championship. Coach Urban Meyer's defense held opponents to 13.5 points per game, sixth best in the country.

 

2005: Texas

2005: Texas
Fort Worth Star-Telegram / Tribune News Service

Texas upset heavily favored USC in perhaps the greatest college football game ever played, 41-38, to go undefeated and win the National Title. Vince Young had 38 total touchdowns for the season, while running back Jamaal Charles averaged 7.4 yards per carry.

 

2004: USC

2004: USC
Jamie Squire / Getty Images

USC won the BCS National Championship, clobbering Oklahoma 55-19 at the Orange Bowl. Running backs LenDale White and Reggie Bush formed a great tandem, rushing for more than 2,000 yards combined.

 

2003: LSU and USC

2003: LSU and USC
Brian Bahr / Getty Images

LSU won the BCS Championship under Nick Saban, while USC was voted No. 1 in the AP Poll. Saban's team went 13-1 and defeated Oklahoma 21-14 in the Sugar Bowl, while USC went 12-1.

 

2002: Ohio State

2002: Ohio State
Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

Jim Tressel's Buckeyes went a perfect 14-0, beating Miami in a classic Fiesta Bowl upset. Running back Maurice Clarett led Ohio State with 1,237 yards rushing and 18 total touchdowns.

 

2001: Miami (FL)

2001: Miami (FL)
Jon Soohoo / WireImage

Arguably the most talented college football team ever, the 2001 Hurricanes went a perfect 12-0, ranking third in the country in points per game and first in points allowed. The running game was a three-headed monster of Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee and Frank Gore, while the defense included future NFL stars Ed Reed, Phillip Buchanon, Jonathan Vilma, Vince Wilfork and Antrel Rolle.

 

2000: Oklahoma

2000: Oklahoma
Brian Bahr / Getty Images

The Sooners went 13-0, defeating Florida State 13-2 in the Orange Bowl. The defense ranked fifth in points allowed.

 

1999: Florida State

1999: Florida State
Elliot J. Schechter / Getty Images

Head coach Bobby Bowden's final National Championship team featured a fearsome offense that averaged 38.2 points per game. The team went 12-0, as quarterback Chris Weinke threw for 3,103 yards and 25 touchdowns.

 

1998: Tennessee

1998: Tennessee
Elsa / Getty Images

One season after Peyton Manning's departure, the Vols won the National Championship with quarterback Tee Martin. Head coach Phillip Fulmer's team's went a perfect 13-0.

 

1997: Michigan and Nebraska

1997: Michigan and Nebraska
Sporting News Archive / Sporting News

The last season before the BCS featured co-National Champs, as Michigan finished No. 1 in the AP Poll and Nebraska ranked No. 1 in the Coaches Poll. Both teams finished the season undefeated.

 

1996: Florida

1996: Florida
Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Head coach Steve Spurrier's team finished 12-1 with the best offense in the country, scoring 47 points per game. Quarterback Danny Wuerffel threw for 3,625 yards and 39 touchdowns.

 

1995: Nebraska

1995: Nebraska
Sporting News Archive / Sporting News

The Huskers made it back-to-back National Championships with a perfect 12-0 season. Their running game was unstoppable, featuring four runners who averaged more than six yards per carry to help them average 53.2 points per game.

 

1994: Nebraska

1994: Nebraska
Mike Powell / Getty Images

Nebraska went 13-0, allowing the third fewest points per game. Running back Lawrence Phillips led the offense with 1,722 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.

 

1993: Florida State

1993: Florida State
Collegiate Images

Head coach Bobby Bowden's team finished the season 12-1, ranking first in the country in points scores and points allowed per game. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Charlie Ward threw for 3,032 yards and 27 touchdowns.

 

1992: Alabama

1992: Alabama
Collegiate Images

The Crimson Tide won the National Championship under head coach Gene Stallings with a defense than averaged only 9.4 points allowed.

 

1991: Washington and Miami (FL)

1991: Washington and Miami (FL)
Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images

Washington finished the 1991 season first in the Coaches Poll, while Miami was ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll. Both teams finished the season undefeated.

 

1990: Colorado and Georgia Tech

1990: Colorado and Georgia Tech
Tim DeFrisco / Getty Images

Colorado ended the year 11-1-1, with the good fortune of the infamous fifth-down play at Missouri, to claim No. 1 in the AP Poll, while Georgia Tech ended the year 11-0-1.

 

1989: Miami (FL)

1989: Miami (FL)
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Miami made it two National Championships in three years, going 11-1 with a defense that allowed only 10.6 points per game.

 

1988: Notre Dame

1988: Notre Dame
Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

The Fighting Irish went a perfect 12-0 under head coach Lou Holtz, winning their first National Championship since 1977. The team allowed 13.0 points per game, ranking third best.

 

1987: Miami (FL)

1987: Miami (FL)
Focus on Sport

Head coach Jimmy Johnson's team was a perfect 12-0, allowing only 10.4 points per game. Wide receiver Michael Irvin led the team with 44 receptions for 715 yards and six touchdowns.

 

1986: Penn State

1986: Penn State
Collegiate Images

Joe Paterno won his second National Championship in five years, leading a great defense to a 12-0 record. The Nittany Lions allowed only 11.1 points per game.

 

1985: Oklahoma

1985: Oklahoma
Getty Images

Head coach Barry Switzer's team went 11-1, allowing only 8.6 points per game. The most acclaimed player on the defense was linebacker Brian Bosworth.

 

1984: BYU

1984: BYU
The Sporting News / Sporting News

The Cougars put up huge offensive numbers in their 13-0 season, as quarterback Robbie Bosco threw for 3,875 yards and 33 touchdowns.

 

1983: Miami (FL)

1983: Miami (FL)
Collegiate Images

Miami won its first National Championship in school history with an 11-1 season. Quarterback Bernie Kosar led an offense that averaged 26.1 points per game.

 

1982: Penn State

1982: Penn State
Ronald C. Modra/Sports Image / Getty Images

The Nittany Lions won their first National Championship since 1912, with a talented offense that featured quarterback Todd Blackledge and running back Curt Warner.

 

1981: Clemson

1981: Clemson
Collegiate Images

Head coach Danny Ford's Tigers finished 12-0. The team's defense allowed only 8.8 points per game.

 

1980: Georgia

1980: Georgia
Focus on Sport

The Bulldogs went 12-0 with a great rushing offense that was led by Herschel Walker. He had 1,616 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

 

1979: Alabama

1979: Alabama
Focus on Sport

The Crimson Tide finished No. 1 in back-to-back seasons in the AP Poll. Head coach Bear Bryant's team allowed an incredible 5.6 points per game with five shutouts.

 

1978: Alabama and USC

1978: Alabama and USC
Collegiate Images

Alabama finished ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, while the Trojans were No. 1 in the UPI Poll. The Crimson Tide finished the season 11-1, and USC was 12-1.

 

1977: Notre Dame

1977: Notre Dame
Collegiate Images

The Fighting Irish finished the season 11-1, led by quarterbacks Joe Montana and Rusty Lisch.

 

1976: Pittsburgh

1976: Pittsburgh
Focus on Sport

Pitt's running offense was nearly unstoppable, as Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett rushed for 2,150 yards and led the Panthers to a 12-0 record.

 

1975: Oklahoma

1975: Oklahoma
The Sporting News / Sporting News

The Sooners ranked No. 1 for the second straight season in the AP Poll, going 11-1 under Barry Switzer.

 

1974: USC and Oklahoma

1974: USC and Oklahoma
Collegiate Images

USC ranked No. 1 in the AP, FWAA and NFF, while Oklahoma was No. 1 in the AP Poll. The Trojans went 10-1-1, led by running back Anthony Davis' 1,421 yards rushing, while the Sooners were 11-0 with 43 points per game.

 

1973: Notre Dame and Alabama

1973: Notre Dame and Alabama
Collegiate Images

The Fighting Irish ranked No. 1 in the AP, FWAA and NFF, but Alabama finished the season ranked No. 1 in the UPI Poll. Notre Dame was 11-0, allowing only 8.1 points per game. The Crimson Tide finished 11-1 with 39.8 points per game.

 

1972: USC

1972: USC
Collegiate Images

Head coach John McKay's team went a perfect 12-0, with running back Anthony Davis rushing for 1,191 yards and 17 scores.

 

1971: Nebraska

1971: Nebraska
Collegiate Images

The Huskers went 13-0, with a great season from quarterback Jerry Tagge. Nebraska only had one game decided by less than 20 points.

 

1970: Texas, Nebraska and Ohio State

1970: Texas, Nebraska and Ohio State
Tony Tomsic / Getty Images

Texas claimed the No. 1 ranking in the NFF and UPI, Nebraska was No. 1 in the AP and FWAA, and Ohio State was No. 1 in the NFF.

 

1969: Texas

1969: Texas
Hy Peskin / Sports Illustrated

The Longhorns went 11-0 with a dynamic rushing attack led by Steve Worster and Jim Bertelsen.

 

1968: Ohio State

1968: Ohio State
Walter Iooss Jr. / Sports Illustrated

Head coach Woody Hayes' team went undefeated at 10-0. Running back Jim Otis rushed for 985 yards and 17 touchdowns.

 

1967: USC

1967: USC
Focus on Sport

USC went 10-1, led by a defense that allowed only 7.9 points per game. Running back O.J. Simpson spurred the offense with 1,543 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

 

1966: Notre Dame and Michigan State

1966: Notre Dame and Michigan State
Collegiate Images

The Fighting Irish and Spartans were co-National Champs in 1966 after tying 10-10 during the regular season. Notre Dame went 9-0-1, scoring 36.2 points per game and allowing only 3.8 points. Michigan State won its second consecutive National Title, also finishing 9-0-1.

 

1965: Michigan State and Alabama

1965: Michigan State and Alabama
Walter Iooss Jr. / Sports Illustrated

Michigan State finished 10-1, with a running game led by Clinton Jones and Bob Apisa. The Crimson Tide went 9-1-1, ranking 12th in points allowed.

 

1964: Alabama, Arkansas and Notre Dame

1964: Alabama, Arkansas and Notre Dame
James Drake / Sports Illustrated

Alabama, Arkansas and Notre Dame each ranked No. 1 in polls after the 1964 season. The Crimson Tide finished 10-1, Notre Dame was 9-1, while the Razorbacks were a perfect 11-0.

 

1963: Texas

1963: Texas
Neil Leifer / Neil Leifer Collection

Texas went 11-0, ranking as the third best defense in the country with only 6.5 points allowed per game.

 

1962: USC

1962: USC
Collegiate Images

John McKay's team went 11-0 with a defense that allowed only 8.3 points per game.

 

1961: Alabama and Ohio State

1961: Alabama and Ohio State
Bettmann

The Crimson Tide went a perfect 11-0 for the season, while the Buckeyes finished the season 8-0-1. The Crimson Tide's defense was historically dominant, allowing only 25 points for the entire year.

 

1960: Minnesota and Ole Miss

1960: Minnesota and Ole Miss
Marvin E. Newman / Sports Illustrated

Minnesota went 8-2 under head coach Murray Warmath, while Ole Miss was 10-0-1.

 

1959: Syracuse

1959: Syracuse
Marvin E. Newman / Sports Illustrated

The Orange went undefeated in 1959 and led the country with 37.5 points per game.

 

1958: LSU and Iowa

1958: LSU and Iowa
Collegiate Images

LSU finished the season 11-0, ranking first in points allowed. Iowa was 8-1-1 with an offense that scored the fourth most points per game in the country.

 

1957: Ohio State and Auburn

1957: Ohio State and Auburn
Collegiate Images

Ohio State ranked No. 1 in the FWAA and UPI, finishing at 9-1. Auburn was No. 1 in the AP Poll, going 10-0 under head coach Ralph Jordan and allowing only 28 points for the season.

 

1956: Oklahoma

1956: Oklahoma
John G. Zimmerman / Sports Illustrated

Oklahoma won its second consecutive National Championship, going 10-0 with 46.6 points per game. Tommy McDonald and Clendon Thomas both had more than seven yards rushing per carry.

 

1955: Oklahoma

1955: Oklahoma
Bettmann

The Sooners capped off a dominant season 11-0, finishing first in points per game and second in points allowed per game.

 

1954: UCLA and Ohio State

1954: UCLA and Ohio State
George Silk / The LIFE Picture Collection

UCLA shared the National Championship despite going 9-0 and finished first in points scored and points allowed per game. The Buckeyes also finished undefeated at 10-0.

 

1953: Maryland

1953: Maryland
Bettmann

Maryland finished its historic season at 10-1 despite losing 7-0 in the Orange Bowl to Oklahoma. The Terrapins defense allowed only 38 points for the entire season.

 

1952: Michigan State

1952: Michigan State
Mark Kauffman / The LIFE Picture Collection

The Spartans went 9-0 under head coach Biggie Munn, finishing second in the country with 34.7 points per game.

 

1951: Tennessee

1951: Tennessee
Collegiate Images

The Vols went 10-1 and had the fourth most points per game in college football.

 

1950: Oklahoma

1950: Oklahoma
Collegiate Images

Led by running back Billy Vessels' 13 touchdowns on the ground, the Sooners went 10-1 in 1950.

 

1949: Notre Dame

1949: Notre Dame
Joseph Scherschel / The LIFE Picture Collection

Notre Dame claimed its third National Championship in four seasons. The team went undefeated as quarterback Bob Williams threw 16 touchdown passes.

 

1948: Michigan

1948: Michigan
Joseph Scherschel / The LIFE Picture Collection

The Wolverines went 9-0 and finished with the top defense in the country, allowing only 4.9 points per game.

 

1947: Notre Dame

1947: Notre Dame
Collegiate Images

The Fighting Irish won back-to-back National Titles, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Lujack. The team finished the season 9-0.

 

1946: Notre Dame

1946: Notre Dame
Collegiate Images

Notre Dame won its second National Championship of the decade, going 8-0-1. The defense allowed only 24 points for the entire season.

 

1945: Army

1945: Army
Sam Shere / The LIFE Picture Collection

Army won back-to-back National Championships, with running back Doc Blanchard running for 722 yards and 16 touchdowns.

 

1944: Army

1944: Army
Bettmann

Army averaged 56 points per game in an undefeated 9-0 season. Running back Glenn Davis had 14 scores on the ground.

 

1943: Notre Dame

1943: Notre Dame
Kurt Hutton / Picture Post

The Fighting Irish's 34 points per game ranked second in the country, as the team won the National Title with a 9-1 record.

 

1942: Ohio State

1942: Ohio State
Bettmann

The Buckeyes won their first National Championship, going 9-1 under head coach Paul Brown. The team scored 33.7 points per game, ranking second best in the country.

 

1941: Minnesota

1941: Minnesota
Bettmann

Minnesota won its second consecutive National Championship, going undefeated under head coach Bernie Bierman. Halfback Bruce Smith also won the Heisman Trophy for the Golden Gophers.

 

1940: Minnesota

1940: Minnesota
Wallace Kirkland / The LIFE Images Collection

The Golden Gophers went undefeated at 8-0 with big wins against Ohio State, Northwestern and Michigan.

 

1939: Texas A&M

1939: Texas A&M
Gabriel Benzur / The LIFE Images Collection

The Aggies went 11-0, allowing only 31 points for the season. They beat Tulane 14-13 in the Sugar Bowl.

 

1938: TCU

1938: TCU
Bettmann

With the help of Heisman quarterback Davey O'Brien, the Horned Frogs went 11-0 in 1938.

 

1937: Pittsburgh

1937: Pittsburgh
Planet News Archive / SSPL

Pitt completed the season with a 9-0-1 record and didn't allow a point until the sixth game of the season.

 

1936: Minnesota

1936: Minnesota
Bettmann

Minnesota won its third consecutive National Championship, going 7-1.

 

1935: Minnesota

1935: Minnesota
GopherSports.com

The Golden Gophers won back-to-back National Championships, scoring 24.2 points per game and going 8-0.

 

1934: Minnesota

1934: Minnesota
TipTop25.com

Minnesota went 8-0 and averaged 33.8 points per game, second best in the nation.

 

1933: Michigan

1933: Michigan
Michigan University / Getty Images

Head coach Harry Kipke led the Wolverines to a 7-0-1 record, allowing only 2.2 points per game. The team had future U.S. president Gerald Ford.

 

1932: USC

1932: USC
Collegiate Images

The Trojans won their second straight National Championship, going 10-0 with only 13 points allowed for the entire year.

 

1931: USC

1931: USC
Collegiate Images

USC went 10-1 with a dominant offense led by running backs Gus Shaver and Orv Mohler.

 

1930: Notre Dame

1930: Notre Dame
Bettmann

Head coach Knute Rockne's team won back-to-back National Championships, going 10-0. Quarterback Marchy Schwartz averaged 7.5 yards per rush.

 

1929: Notre Dame

1929: Notre Dame
Bettmann

The Fighting Irish went 9-0 and had a huge turnaround after a 5-4 record in 1928.

 

1919-1928

1919-1928
The Sporting News / Sporting News

1919: Harvard, Texas A&M and Notre Dame; 1920: California; 1921: Cornell; 1922: Princeton, California and Cornell; 1923: Illinois and Michigan; 1924: Notre Dame; 1925: Alabama; 1926: Alabama (pictured) and Stanford; 1927: Illinois; 1928: Georgia Tech

 

1909-1918

1909-1918
Bettmann

1909: Yale; 1910: Harvard and Pittsburgh; 1911: Princeton and Penn State; 1912: Harvard and Penn State; 1913: Harvard (pictured); 1914: Army; 1915: Cornell; 1916: Pittsburgh; 1917: Georgia Tech; 1918: Pittsburgh and Michigan

 

1899-1908

1899-1908
Chicago History Museum / Archive Photos

1899: Harvard; 1900: Yale; 1901: Michigan; 1902: Michigan (pictured); 1903: Princeton and Michigan; 1904: Pennsylvania and Michigan; 1905: Chicago; 1906: Princeton; 1907: Yale; 1908: Pennsylvania and LSU

 

1889-1898

1889-1898
Buyenlarge / Archive Photos

1889: Princeton; 1890: Harvard; 1891: Yale; 1892: Yale; 1893: Princeton; 1894: Yale; 1895: Pennsylvania; 1896: Princeton and Lafayette; 1897: Pennsylvania (pictured); 1898: Harvard

 

1879-1888

1879-1888
ullstein bild

1879: Princeton; 1880: Princeton and Yale; 1881: Yale; 1882: Yale; 1883: Yale (pictured); 1884: Yale; 1885: Princeton; 1886: Yale; 1887: Yale; 1888: Yale

 

1869-1878

1869-1878
Oscar White / Corbis Historical

1869: Princeton; 1870: Princeton; 1871: None; 1872: Princeton; 1873: Princeton; 1874: Yale; 1875: Harvard (pictured); 1876: Yale; 1877: Yale; 1878: Princeton

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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