FBS Thesis: It was easier for "cinderellas" to win NC in the pre-BCS era

2003 LSU
2010 Auburn


We all know the SEC is dominant, but the nation had both these teams ranked in the high teens to start the year

That is a good point. I suppose we need a working definition of what a "cinderella" is.

I had in mind teams from non-major conferences.

If you are in a major conference, you can gain credibility by winning that conference even if nobody expected that team to do well.

This is not really the case for the non-AQs.

while watching tOSU and Miami play for the BCS, I said "too bad I'll never live to see LSU win a national title"...they win their first since 59 the next year."

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That is because regional bias allowed some teams to squeak away with a championship. Also since they didn't have to play tough NC games.

BYU beat a 6-5 michigan team by 7. Today the world would explode if that happened.

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This is a pretty good explanation, I think, and worthy of more exploration.

disagree. BYU is really the only team you mentioned that I think would qualify as a Cinderella.

Yes Miami was new to the national picture but they scheduled nationally and were respected at that point.

PSU as well. Never could be considered a Cinderella.

The BCS has done more to advance the Non-AQ schools than they could have ever done on their own. Meaning they would not do what FSU and Miami did in the 80's. schedule their arse off and go take championships.

Currently the Non-AQs can schedule one "tough" team, roll thru their conference and end up in a BCS bowl. Didn't work like that in the 80's IMO

FWIW look who UM played in 83. @ #7 Florida (lost), @ Houston, Purdue, #13 Notre Dame, @ Miss State, #12 WV, @ FSU and then beat Neb in the Orange Bowl

Good points. Miami and FSU did "schedule their asses off" and nobody really follows that model today.

We can all hate on the BCS, but other than 04, we've had the two best teams playing for the national title

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BYU beat a 6-5 michigan team by 7. Today the world would explode if that happened.

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I agree but all things aside. Robbie Bosco from BYU played one hell of a game that day basically on a broken leg.

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1) BYU 1984
2) Miami 1983
3) Penn State 1982
4) Florida State 1993 (I know they were in the ACC by that point, but they won the NC in their 2nd year of membership - it was a meteoric rise).

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This is all wrong.

Independent teams are not cinderellas. Was Notre Dame a cinderella in 88'?

Miami's program rose quickly...so that one is debatable. But then again, Boise and TCU rose pretty damn fast too. That's the nature of the beast. What about LSU in 03'...they were pretty crappy a couple years before. Surprise champion? Yes. But your definition of cinderella is skewed.

BYU was not from a power conference...so I get your point there.

FSU?!? They were top ranked in the land OVER an undefeated Nebraska team despite having a loss to their record (the epic ND clash). They were favored. And tell me...what was their preseason rank.

Penn State was an established power going to major bowl games left and right. How the hell are they a cinderella?

I don't get this whatsoever. Some of the champs in your list were favorites in the preseason.

Your logic should suggest that 2003 LSU, 2000 Oklahoma, 1998 Tennessee are all cinderellas.

And seriously...you are messed up if you don't include 1990 Georgia Tech.

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These "cinderellas" were from an era in college football before big power conferences. During that time period, the SWC was about the only power conference. That was also a time where it was possible to have multiple national champions in a single year.

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Also good points.