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10 Biggest Cinderella college football national champions of all time

By Michael Collins

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) celebrates on the field after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) celebrates on the field after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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College Football: Minnesota coach Murray Warmath victorious being carried off field by players after winning game vs Iowa at Memorial Stadium.Minneapolis, MN 11/5/1960CREDIT: Marvin E. Newman (Photo by Marvin E. Newman /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X7105 )
College Football: Minnesota coach Murray Warmath victorious being carried off field by players after winning game vs Iowa at Memorial Stadium.Minneapolis, MN 11/5/1960CREDIT: Marvin E. Newman (Photo by Marvin E. Newman /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X7105 ) /

No. 2 – 1960 Minnesota Golden Gophers

Preseason Rank: Unranked
Crowned Champs By: AP, UPI
Record: 8-2
Head Coach: Murray Warmath

In 1960, Murry Warmath was in his 7th season coaching the Gophers, and his best finish to date had been his year one 7-2 record. Minnesota was a program in disarray, and they weren’t even looked at as a Big Ten contender, less yet a national one.

But when you open the season beating the No. 12 Nebraksa Cornhuskers (at least it was early on this time, Husker fans), the other coaches and sportswriters begin to take notice quickly. The Gophers leapt into a No. 18 ranking, and slowly climbed to the top of the rankings after beating No. 1 Iowa. They slipped against Purdue, dropped to No. 3, and then regained their top spot after beating Wisconsin.

Then end of the season is one of the biggest ranking mysteries and controversies ever seen. Minnesota lost their final game in the Rose Bowl to No. 6 Washington (who finished the season with only a loss to Navy). While Ole Miss closed with a Sugar Bowl win over Tulane, en route to an unbeaten 10-0-1 season.

Yet somehow both the coaches and writers felt the the two-loss Gophers were still due a national title.

Next: 1959

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