Back then, the "UPI" poll named their champion prior to the bowls.
1. Texas
2. Ohio St.
3. Nebraska
After Texas & Oh St lost their bowl games, Nebraska won the AP poll.
Perhaps I'm confused or I didn't detect sarcasm...but the AP voted michigan #1 in 1997.
Nebraska was ranked #1 in the coaches poll 1997.
Hence the "split."
You're confused.
The reference was to the "split" with Texas in 1970....
The "UPI" (United Press International) Poll came out before the Bowl games....Texas won that poll, essentially the "regular season" championship.
Going into the bowl games...
#1 Texas lost to Notre Dame
#2 Ohio St lost to Stanford
#3 Nebraska beat LSU....moving up to claim the National Championship.
Ara Parshgian campaigned for Notre Dame, saying the had accpeted the "greater challenge".
Parshgian's comments prompted Bob Devaney's now famous, "Not even the Pope could vote Notre Dame #1".