Brutalis
02-10-2006, 11:58 AM
At the end of the regular season in 1964 Alabama and Arkansas were each undefeated and untied after 10 games. AP and UPI picked the Crimson Tide as the national champion, but the bowl games would prove both wire services wrong.
On New Year's Day, Arkansas rallied in the fourth quarter to beat No.6 Nebraska 10–7 in the Cotton Bowl. That night, in the first Orange Bowl played under the lights, 5th-ranked Texas jumped out to a 21–7 halftime lead over Alabama and hung on to win 21–17.
Notre Dame's bid for its first perfect season since 1949 also evaporated in the final game. With a 9–0 record, four straight weeks at No.1 and new coach Ara Parseghian on the cover of Time, the Irish needed only to beat Southern Cal at the L.A.Coliseum to make their first national championship in 15 years official. Ahead 17–0 at halftime, ND collapsed in the second half and lost on a USC touchdown in the last 95 seconds, 20–17.
Only a point separated both Big Ten champion Michigan and Southwest Conference runner-up Texas from perfect seasons. The Wolverines lost 21–20 to Purdue, but qualified for the Rose Bowl and beat Oregon State by 27. The Longhorns dropped a 14–13 decision to Arkansas, but upset Alabama in the Orange Bowl.
Notre Dame quarterback John Huarte, who didn't play enough to earn a letter his junior year, won the school's sixth Heisman Trophy by just 74 points over Tulsa QB Jerry Rhome.
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So why does Alabama claim to be the 1964 Champs? Considering Texas pretty much did to job for Arkansas, (and a favor too, thanks) what single arguement could Tide fans bring to the table? They even have a championship banner at their stadium for 1964. In 1965 the NCAA introduced final polling after bowl games....Weak...
And to add. In 1977 Texas lost to Notre Dame, which propelled them to #1 passing 3 teams, including Arkansas to claim the National Title.
Final AP Poll after Bowl Games in 77' :
1 (4)Notre Dame 11–1–0 Dan Devine beat Texas 38-10 in Cotton
2 (3)Alabama 11–1–0 Bear Bryant beat Ohio St. (low ranked) 35-6 in Sugar
3 Arkansas 11–1–0 Lou Holtz beat #2 Oklahoma 31-6 in Orange
4 (1)Texas 11–1–0 Fred Akers lost to ND 10-38 in Cotton
Did ND beating #1 Texas consider them the champs? ND was #4. Arkansas fans feel robbed considering they beat the #2 team. Lou Holtz also suspended 3 starters before the game. I dunno what to think as I dunno what Arkansas was ranked before the game. I'm told #6. What are your thoughts?
On New Year's Day, Arkansas rallied in the fourth quarter to beat No.6 Nebraska 10–7 in the Cotton Bowl. That night, in the first Orange Bowl played under the lights, 5th-ranked Texas jumped out to a 21–7 halftime lead over Alabama and hung on to win 21–17.
Notre Dame's bid for its first perfect season since 1949 also evaporated in the final game. With a 9–0 record, four straight weeks at No.1 and new coach Ara Parseghian on the cover of Time, the Irish needed only to beat Southern Cal at the L.A.Coliseum to make their first national championship in 15 years official. Ahead 17–0 at halftime, ND collapsed in the second half and lost on a USC touchdown in the last 95 seconds, 20–17.
Only a point separated both Big Ten champion Michigan and Southwest Conference runner-up Texas from perfect seasons. The Wolverines lost 21–20 to Purdue, but qualified for the Rose Bowl and beat Oregon State by 27. The Longhorns dropped a 14–13 decision to Arkansas, but upset Alabama in the Orange Bowl.
Notre Dame quarterback John Huarte, who didn't play enough to earn a letter his junior year, won the school's sixth Heisman Trophy by just 74 points over Tulsa QB Jerry Rhome.
_ _ _ _
So why does Alabama claim to be the 1964 Champs? Considering Texas pretty much did to job for Arkansas, (and a favor too, thanks) what single arguement could Tide fans bring to the table? They even have a championship banner at their stadium for 1964. In 1965 the NCAA introduced final polling after bowl games....Weak...
And to add. In 1977 Texas lost to Notre Dame, which propelled them to #1 passing 3 teams, including Arkansas to claim the National Title.
Final AP Poll after Bowl Games in 77' :
1 (4)Notre Dame 11–1–0 Dan Devine beat Texas 38-10 in Cotton
2 (3)Alabama 11–1–0 Bear Bryant beat Ohio St. (low ranked) 35-6 in Sugar
3 Arkansas 11–1–0 Lou Holtz beat #2 Oklahoma 31-6 in Orange
4 (1)Texas 11–1–0 Fred Akers lost to ND 10-38 in Cotton
Did ND beating #1 Texas consider them the champs? ND was #4. Arkansas fans feel robbed considering they beat the #2 team. Lou Holtz also suspended 3 starters before the game. I dunno what to think as I dunno what Arkansas was ranked before the game. I'm told #6. What are your thoughts?