re: Why is Media So Insistent That USC Won 2003 Championship

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AP historically voted the national champion before bowl games were played. That’s just the way it was for decades prior to BCS era. In 1959 LSU was crowned AP national champions but didn’t surrender it when they lost their bowl game. Don’t see any LSU folks complaining about that.

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LSU beat Clemson in the Sugar Bowl following the 1958 season. They were #3 in 1959 when they lost the rematch to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

You are correct that the AP (and Coaches’ Poll) had their final poll before the bowls originally. That changed for the AP in 1968 (with one trial year after the bowls in 1965 to Alabama’s benefit). The Coaches’ Poll didn’t change until 1974 (also benefiting Bama in 1973 when they lost their bowl to ND). Alabama also won the NC in 1964 despite a bowl loss. The timing of the final poll never benefited LSU.