Team of the 90's for sure-- the entire 1900's ??
the 80's - miami
the 70's -- usc
the 60's - bama
the 50's -- OU
Probably not--
Team Recognized titles Winning years
Notre Dame 13 1924, 1929, 1930, 1938, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
USC 11 1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, 2004
Alabama 11 1925, 1926, 1930, 1945, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
Oklahoma 9 1949, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
Ohio State 7 1942, 1944, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 2002
Michigan 7 1901, 1902, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997
Minnesota 6 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
Nebraska 5 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
Pittsburgh 5 1916, 1918, 1936, 1937, 1976
Miami 5 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
Texas 4 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
Tennessee 4 1938, 1950, 1951, 1998
Georgia Tech 4 1917, 1928, 1952, 1990
Harvard 4 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
Several universities claim more championships than are listed above (e.g., Michigan claims 11 national championships, Alabama claims 12), and some claim fewer championships than are listed above (e.g., Notre Dame claims 11 national championships, Oklahoma claims 7).
Most Associated Press National Championships
Since 1936, the Associated Press has polled sportwriters resulting in an annually awarded national championship. Until 1968, the final poll was conducted before the bowl games were played.
Rank Team Total Last
1 Notre Dame 8 1988
2 Oklahoma 7 2000
3 Alabama 6 1992
4t USC 5 2004
4t Miami 5 2001
6t Ohio State 4 2002
6t Nebraska 4 1995
6t Minnesota 4 1960
9 Texas 3 2005
10t Florida 2 2006
10t Florida State 2 1999
10t Tennessee 2 1998
10t Michigan 2 1997
10t Penn State 2 1986
10t Pittsburgh 2 1976
10t Army 2 1945
Most Coaches' Poll National Championships
Since 1950, various media organizations including the UPI, ESPN, USA Today and CNN have polled current head coaches resulting in an annually awarded a national championship. Until 1973, the final poll was conducted before the bowl games were played. Beginning in 1998, it has been contractually bestowed upon the winner of the BCS National Championship game.
Rank Team Total Last
1t USC 6 2004
1t Oklahoma 6 2000
3 Alabama 5 1992
4t Texas 4 2005
4t Miami 4 2001
4t Nebraska 4 1997
7t Ohio State 3 2002
7t Notre Dame 3 1988
9t Florida 2 2006
9t Louisiana State 2 2003
9t Florida State 2 1999
9t Tennessee 2 1998
9t Penn State 2 1986
Most Poll Era National Championships
The "Poll Era" began in 1936, the first season a poll (Associated Press poll) determined the national champion. Some sources only recognize a consensus championship as one of the Poll Era.
Team Recognized titles Winning years
Notre Dame 10 1938, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
Oklahoma 9 1949, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
USC 8 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, 2004
Alabama 8 1945, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
Ohio State 7 1942, 1944, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 2002
Miami 5 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
Nebraska 5 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
Minnesota 4 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
Tennessee 4 1938, 1950, 1951, 1998
Texas 4 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
Michigan 3 1947, 1948, 1997
Pittsburgh 3 1936, 1937, 1976
