I seriously don't understand, especially after reading this thread, why so many are opposed to playoff expansion. All of these teams seems like they were just randomly screwed out of something akin to a beauty pagent process. Everybody votes their favorite.
I really had no idea of all these old time controversies, only the ones from the last 25 or so years.
The most egregious one is probably '66 Alabama, as it was likely a "southern racism" thing. I'm not sure how much strength of schedule matters when you allow 4 points per game, lol. They shut out 6 teams and only 2 scored more than 7 points, of which #6 Nebraska wasn't one (Sugar Bowl).
The ND-MSU game is still so famous as a "Game of the Century" 1 v 2 matchup that most people don't realize MSU's vaunted defense was much better in 1965. ND actually had the killer D in '66.
Looking at the week-by-week rankings will just make you think all the voters were stupid and random (some things never change). Alabama fell from #1 to #3 before playing a game, and MSU bypassed them with an unremarkable win over an unremarkable team.
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Personally, I'm sympathetic to 83 Auburn. #1 loses bowl, #2 loses bowl, Auburn's 3rd and win their bowl over #8. Remain 3rd.
What the fuk?
Not only that, but here's their exact schedule to close out the regular season, while themselves are ranked 4th, then 3rd:
W vs #5 Florida
W vs #7 Maryland
W @ #4 Georgia
W v #19 Alabama
Then the bowl win over #8 Michigan.
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Final ranking: 3rd.
If I was the HC of that team, I would have quit football altogether.