Michigan Football has 6 unclaimed National Championships
Everyone knows Michigan has 11 national championships. But we have 6 more that we left on the table and have not claimed.
National championships in FBS are very difficult to explain sometimes because of the long history of them being mythical. I'd argue they're still mythical in present-day football as we just replaced the unbiased BCS computers with old people who are biased. There have been around 40 different selectors throughout the history of college football. Polls, computer rankings, math systems.
Alabama's 17 national titles claim is highly criticized. The most dubious of their claims is 1941; a year where they went 9-2, lost 2 SEC games and finished #20 in the AP Poll. The only system that selected them was the Houlgate System, and yet Alabama claims it. Minnesota went 8-0 and was selected by the AP Poll in 1941.
They aren't the only ones who do it. Ohio State claims 1970 where they went 9-1 and lost in the Rose Bowl, only selected by the NFF while AP Champion Nebraska went 10-0-1 in 1970. There are dozens of others.
With all the talk of the CFP creating "undisputed" champions, lo and behold we had a split championship in 2017. Laugh all you want but UCF was selected by Colley Matrix--an official selector--and they of course claimed the title. Fodder in the moment but will people care or mention that in 50 years? I don't hear anyone saying that about OSU or Alabama unless they really know their history. The media certainly doesn't mention those things when talking about Alabama's 17 national championships.
Teams are even retroactively claiming national championships. USC claimed 1939 in 2004. Texas A&M added 1919 & 1927 upon joining the SEC. Minnesota claimed 1904 in 2013. Auburn claimed 1913, 1983 and 1993 (11-0 but ineligible due to NCAA sanctions that year) a few years ago.
This post isn't trying to sell you that Michigan should claim their unclaimed titles. It's August and it's sharing some history to get people's thoughts.
1910: 3-0-3, Independent
Selector(s): Eckersall
Other teams that claim 1910: Harvard (8-0-1)
Other teams selected but don't claim: Pittsburgh (9-0-0)
The ties probably leap off the page. Back in the early 1900s there typically was an Eastern champion selected usually from the Ivy League and a Western champion. Independent Michigan defeated Big Ten champion Minnesota in the season finale and Walter Eckersall of the Chicago Tribune opined that Michigan was the true champion of the West in 1910.
1925: 7-1 (5-1), Western Conference Champions
Selector(s): Sagarin Ratings
Other teams that claim 1925: Alabama (10-0-0), Dartmouth (8-0-0)
Despite the Point-a-Minute teams of the turn of the century, Fielding Yost called the 1925 Wolverines his best ever. Michigan was a machine, outscoring opponents 227-3. The 3 resulted in the only loss of the season.
Michigan faced Northwestern in a muddy pit of a field in a driving rainstorm at Soldier Field in Chicago. Northwestern punted on their first play from scrimmage and it was muffed by Benny Friedman and recovered by the Wildcats. NU kicked a FG to go up 3-0. In the 3rd quarter, Michigan's fierce defense pinned NU at their own 1 yd line. Rather than risk giving up a TD on a short field, Northwestern took an intentional safety. Back in those days the team that gave up the 2 points got to keep the ball. Northwestern used that rule to their advantage and escaped with a 3-2 win.
1926: 7-1 (5-0), Western Conference Champions
Selector(s): Sagarin Ratings
Other teams that claim 1926: Alabama (9-0-1), Lafayette (9-0), Navy (9-0-1), Stanford (10-0-1)
Michigan's only loss of 1926 was to powerhouse Navy in Baltimore. The Benny to Bennie combination lit it up for the majority of the season as Michigan outscored opponents 191-38. Michigan closed out the season against their secondary rival Ohio State and their main rival Minnesota, winning both by 1 point margins. Ohio State blew a 10-0 lead at home and nearly salvaged a tie but missed the PAT as Michigan prevailed 17-16. In the final game of Fielding H. Yost's legendary career, Minnesota struck first, scoring a TD first but missed the PAT. Later on in the game the Gophers fumbled and it was returned 58 yards by Bennie Oosterbaan for a TD. Benny Friedman's PAT drop-kick was good and Michigan won 7-6.
1964: 9-1 (6-1) Big Ten Champions, Rose Bowl Champions
Selector(s): Dunkel
Other teams that claim 1964: Alabama (10-1-0), Arkansas (11-0-0)
Other teams selected but don't claim: Notre Dame (9-1-0)
This was the 2011 season of the dark ages of the 50's and 60's. Michigan rose from its slumber and won the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 1950. The only blemish on the record that season came at home against Purdue who was led by QB Bob Griese. In a back and forth contest, Purdue held a 21-14 lead in the 4th quarter until Michigan QB Bob Timberlake broke away for a 54 yard TD scramble. Head coach Bump Elliott opted to go for the win instead of the tie and Michigan's conversion attempt was stopped short of the goal line. Purdue held on for a 21-20 upset win of the #5 Wolverines.
1964 was the last time Michigan defeated both MSU and OSU on the road in the same season. MSU was in their golden age in the 1960s so the 17-10 win over them in a Top-10 showdown was extremely impressive. The Wolverines won the Big Ten Championship in Columbus with a 10-0 shutout win over #7 Ohio State. It was a cakewalk in Pasadena as #4 Michigan mauled #8 Oregon State 34-7.
1973: 10-0-1 (7-0-1) Big Ten Champions
Selector(s): National Championship Foundation, Poling System
Other teams that claim 1973: Alabama (11-1-0), Notre Dame (11-0-0)
Other teams selected but don't claim: Ohio State (10-0-1), Oklahoma (10-0-1)
You probably know the story of this team. If you don't, it was arguably Bo Schembechler's best team. Mike Lantry missed the game-winning FG against #1 Ohio State at The Big House and the game ended in a 10-10 tie. Big Ten ADs had a vote on who would go to the Rose Bowl and they voted for OSU despite Michigan outplaying OSU. Woody Hayes was even stunned and expected Michigan to get to go to Pasadena. This opened the door for the Big Ten to allow teams to accept bowl invites outside of the Rose Bowl, but it came at the expense of the 1973 Wolverines. Alabama and Notre Dame both claim 1973 despite Notre Dame beating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. I did a comparison of 1973 Michigan and Notre Dame on here years ago.
1985: 10-1-1 (6-1-1) Fiesta Bowl Champions
Selector(s): Matthews Grid Ratings
Other teams that claim 1985: Oklahoma (11-1-0)
Other teams selected but don't claim: Florida (9-1-1)
This is also arguably Bo's greatest team. The 1985 defense was one of the greatest in Michigan history. The offense was pretty good as well led by QB Jim Harbaugh, Michigan started 1985 unranked after a disaster 6-6 season in 1984. The Wolverines pummeled 3 straight ranked opponents to open 1985 and reached #2 in the AP Poll before traveling to #1 Iowa. The Hawkeyes kicked four FGs and escaped with a 12-10 victory. Oklahoma also lost to unranked Miami though so the door was left open. The game that likely cost the 1985 team a large chunk of national championship selections was a 3-3 tie at Illinois. Illinois nearly won the game on a last second FG, but the ball was tipped at the line and bounced off the crossbar which resulted in the tie. Michigan won their final 4 games of 1985 including a 27-17 triumph over #12 Ohio State and a 27-23 comeback victory over #8 Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl.
August 17th, 2019 at 7:35 PM ^
If he were saying we should claim these titles, I would agree with you but that’s not what WD is doing. He brings up an interesting point about multiple ranking systems taking multiple teams #1 in certain years. It’s on topic and interesting that U of M was in the mix all of these years. Doesn’t come across as obnoxious at all.
August 17th, 2019 at 9:51 PM ^
Everyone already knows there were a handful of polls back then that handed out #1 rankings. Alabama is really the only school that goes a bit overboard on their claims, but they've also won a shit ton since. Just bringing this up implies that "well we were once really good and could claim some other bs national titles to make ourselves feel better".
August 18th, 2019 at 8:03 AM ^
According to this tabulation, Alabama has the same number of unclaimed championships as we do (6).
August 17th, 2019 at 7:36 PM ^
Spot on. Couldn't have said it any better.
Because our present has been basically above average with occasional shades of great, this is all we can do is point to what Michigan used to be.
August 17th, 2019 at 8:10 PM ^
+1 from me too for not slurping at the fountain of WD.
August 17th, 2019 at 8:49 PM ^
No slurping required.
This is what a lot of the Michigan fans constantly do to remind themselves of the glory days.
All that matters are the facts. The facts are is that Michigan football has not accomplished anything in the modern era.
Beat your f'ing rival for once.
Win the conference/get to indy (doesn't even matter if they win or lose at this point in the BTC).
Get to the playoff.
At this point, these are the only things that move the needle. Playing Florida for the 900th time in a meaningless bowl game does nothing.
August 17th, 2019 at 10:00 PM ^
Calm down there, buddy. It’s a good and interesting post. Being proud of our history doesn’t make you at odds with wanting a winning season this year.
Also, most people would include 1997 as a part of the “modern era” even if it was 22 years ago.
No one, including WD (I think I can confidently speak for you here buddy) is saying we are the best team in 2019 because we are the all time winningest program, etc. We all are frustrated with the losing streak to OSU and the Big Ten Champs drought but it doesn’t give you license to shit all over the proud history of the program.
August 17th, 2019 at 10:32 PM ^
Nobody is shitting over the proud history of the program.
You need to take some of your own advice and calm down there buddy.
This post was created to relive get-off-my-grass glory days that don't exist anymore. Emotionally intelligent people can see that. Neg away. It's clear who the participation trophy crowd (and those who fucking whine about refs and weather after a loss) is in here and those who have integrity are.
August 18th, 2019 at 10:30 AM ^
All that matters are the facts. The facts are is that Michigan football has not accomplished anything in the modern era.
Facts are that Michigan is a storied, blue-blood football program that is rich in its history. Your statement above is basically saying that the only facts that matter are the ones that describe the current state of the program.
You’re wrong. It’s entirely possible that Michigan’s history and the present day are both important. Literally no one on the board is saying that the OSU losing streak is ok. Being proud of our history and discussing it doesn’t take away from the situation at the present.
But your post is literally saying that the only thing that matters is the state of Michigan football in the “modern era.” If that’s the only thing that matters, then you indeed are shitting all over the accomplishments of the past, as well as the coaches and players that sacrificed to add to the team’s legacy.
Re: emotionally intelligent people, I’ll add this. Emotionally intelligent people can and do admit when they are wrong and they admit when another person makes a logical point. Your apparent inability to do these things says much more about your emotional intelligence than anything else.
August 18th, 2019 at 9:24 PM ^
Your statement above
The quote you quoted is not mine. Troll on.
But your post is literally saying that the only thing that matters is the state of Michigan football in the “modern era.”
I never said that. WHAT I DID SAY is claiming stuff not ours is revisionist history.
So before you respond again with telling I'm wrong, etc., why don't you figure out what you're citing before you attribute a quote to someone (who didn't make it). mmmkay?
August 17th, 2019 at 10:29 PM ^
Unless you're some millennial/GenZ/whatever, the "modern era" certainly includes 1997 as well as the entire Bo/Mo/Lloyd years (and most of people throwing around the "modern era" term seem to imply it is everything post WW2).
You need to tone down the anger over a few running years of underperformance. Stuff happens - you want it to improve? Do something constructive about it: be an ambassador for the program, help the local UM booster orgs, show up to games, cheer on the guys when they're down - something more than simply sniping against fellow UM fans on a blog.
August 17th, 2019 at 10:37 PM ^
Ugh.
I'm 33. Been a fan since I understood what football was. Not angry in the least. I just find these posts really funny because they are made to try and establish what an elite program this is. And they were... A long time ago.
This has not been a "few years" of underperformance. This is a program that has been consistently stomped by OSU for awhile, and the gap between the truly elite and Michigan has grown. Since the playoffs have started, I couldn't even imagine how Michigan would have looked going up against the Alabamas and the Clemsons of the world.
Yeah, and that whole "be an ambassador stuff" ain't going to improve the product on the field.
August 17th, 2019 at 11:09 PM ^
The whole "since the playoff started" period encompasses a grand total of 4 years, so that means little. As far as being "stomped" consistently by OSU and other rivals, were you not watching in 2016 when UM was one bad call away from winning the Game, the division, very likely the conference and possibly more? Or retaking the momentum against Sparty (with their only wins in the Harbaugh years being flukes)? Or having the program back in national rankings contention the past few years?
Yes, we're not all the way back yet. Ok, still working on that. But the program was elite all the way up to Lloyd's last days - any claim to the contrary is just revisionist angst. Bill Martin, RR, DB, Hope and many others f'd up here and there to put things in a bad place - it happens to any org if they've been around long enough.
Things not improving fast enough for you - do something to help, even if it's small.
August 18th, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
For fuck's sake, this is the exact problem he's talking about. Michigan had every opportunity before that play (literally the play before when Samuel should have been tackled for a major loss) but they blew it. Also we would have had to beat Wisconsin for a second time to win the conference and make the playoff, and everybody assumes that was a guarantee. We had every opportunity to end the streak last year, and show up with one of the worst performances of all time in the rivalry. Michigan's only problem is Michigan, but a lot of people don't see it.
August 18th, 2019 at 1:22 AM ^
I see the participation trophy crowd is negging you now for going against the MGOGroupThink. Ha ha ha!
Listen folks, knowing that Michigan is 2 - 16 against t(tm)OSU and hasn't fared much better in bowls, big games, or other rivals DOES NOT MEAN that one isn't a fan or supporter either.
August 18th, 2019 at 1:49 AM ^
I thought Florida is one of our Rivals now since we play them so much in basketball and football?
August 17th, 2019 at 6:47 PM ^
I'm claiming the 2016 B1G title and the 2016 National Championship with an *.
Haven't decided what the * symbolizes yet, but nobody ever checks those anyway.
August 17th, 2019 at 6:47 PM ^
You should get a job as Michigan sports historian. I can’t believe there’s not a way to make this sort of thing your job.
August 17th, 2019 at 10:45 PM ^
He's already working for Nike, for MDen, and for his girlfriend.
Give the guy a break.
August 18th, 2019 at 1:26 AM ^
If WD wasn't such an asshole in real life, he'd have that job.
Look at Brian by way of comparison... elevated blogging to a real-world thing, challenged people to rethink what "journalism" is, got credentialed, got on the radio, etc.
WD cranks out the same content. The difference between him doing this full time and being a poster on someone else's blog, is because he's a bully online, puts people down who dare to have a different opinion than him, puts down Michigan degrees, has an unchecked ego since he thinks he single-handedly took Brandon down, and stirs up shit with other students and athletes.
If you don't treat people poorly, good things happen to you. If you're an asshole to folks, you're gonna be right where WD is right now. 'nuff said.
August 18th, 2019 at 7:53 AM ^
Pot meet kettle.
August 18th, 2019 at 9:27 PM ^
Yeah... says the one with a homophobic posting history.
August 18th, 2019 at 12:14 PM ^
The next time WD references his source material will be the first. There is some merit in reviewing historical facts and building a narrative around them. Just credit your sources. If he ever learns to do this, perhaps he could have a career in Michigan sports commentary. Until then, it just feels like he’s feeding an insatiable ego. His posts scream, “hey, look at me!”
August 17th, 2019 at 6:54 PM ^
Michigan is the best college football program of all time!
August 17th, 2019 at 6:55 PM ^
August 17th, 2019 at 6:59 PM ^
Woof.
August 17th, 2019 at 7:05 PM ^
“Minnesota claimed 1904 in 2013.” Wait, what? Sorry if just a typo, but genuinely curious if not.
edit: I’m an idiot. I read that as AND 2013. Carry on...
August 17th, 2019 at 7:13 PM ^
Awesome.
Do something meaningful in this decade.
I wonder if fans of programs like Texas and other former powers post the same stuff to feel better about the current state of affairs?
August 17th, 2019 at 9:59 PM ^
Yours is an extremely odd interpretation of an excellent post.
August 18th, 2019 at 7:24 AM ^
There is a lot of that in this topic.
August 17th, 2019 at 7:24 PM ^
ADs hated Michigan in 1973 and till date. B1G commissioner joined the group. Thanks for history lesson.
August 17th, 2019 at 9:55 PM ^
They didn't hate Michigan, the Big Ten just had lost a bunch of Rose Bowls in a row and figured Dennis Franklin would be a no go for that game so they voted for OSU. It was garbage, but not because of hate.
August 17th, 2019 at 10:21 PM ^
I'd bet the deciding vote (MSU) was biased as hell.
August 17th, 2019 at 7:31 PM ^
Great post WD.
If nothing else, this is a reminder that BPONE for Michigan fans goes back at least a century.
August 17th, 2019 at 8:20 PM ^
Fascinating post, thanks.
August 17th, 2019 at 8:14 PM ^
I have to admit, the title got me clicking...
Very interesting...I’m all for it!
August 17th, 2019 at 8:15 PM ^
I only post to say, Great Post! This was an awesome history and I had no idea. Thanks for sharing!
August 17th, 2019 at 8:19 PM ^
1925 Should surely be a NT. Eight games, give up 3 points, the rest shutouts.
Shut the front door.
August 17th, 2019 at 8:30 PM ^
If any championship selector is NCAA recognized (e.g. the Colley Matrix with UCF 2017), then make the claim. Not the school's fault that "national champion" is a highly subjective judgement call.
August 17th, 2019 at 8:50 PM ^
Great post WD. Very interesting, unique content.
August 17th, 2019 at 8:51 PM ^
Good post
If Michigan claimed these now, I am not saying they are or should, it would only look foolish and add fuel to the,"living in the past" that fans like to bring up.
I would like to know why Michigan didn't claim them, though.
August 17th, 2019 at 9:40 PM ^
I’d retroactively claim 1925 and not feel the least embarrassed.
Does it mean anything in 2019? Nope.
August 17th, 2019 at 9:53 PM ^
I love mgoblog for posts like this. Better than garbage OT posts.
I would not want to retroactively claim a bunch of historic titles. Alabama can get away with it because they are winning games in the present.
August 17th, 2019 at 9:55 PM ^
Very, very interesting. Thanks for posting. This is about as good as it gets during the off-season.
August 17th, 2019 at 10:43 PM ^
This is fucking brilliant. And a diary.
August 17th, 2019 at 11:07 PM ^
Well written and researched WD. Thanks for your hard work. I always love reading about Michigan history. I'm glad we don't claim these somewhat dubious championships, but it's interesting to think how a few different bounces or decisions being made and our illustrious history would be even more decorated.
August 17th, 2019 at 11:40 PM ^
I am fully comfortable not claiming any of these as they are patently ridiculous.
Some of your statements were incorrect. For example 1985. Iowa dominated the entire game and out gained Michigan more than 2-1 and also got cheated out of a TD by a bad referee call.
That was a good defense but that team certainly was not Bo’s best. They were his most fortunate team however as they easily could have lost 3-4 games instead of just one.
August 18th, 2019 at 7:33 AM ^
WD mind if I move this to the diaries?
August 18th, 2019 at 3:28 PM ^
Sure go ahead!