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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: Syracuse Ernie Davis (44) in action, rushing for 57 yard touchdown as Roger Davis (69) blocks vs West Virginia. Syracuse, NY 10/24/1959 CREDIT: Marvin E. Newman (Photo by Marvin E. Newman /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X6287 )
College Football: Syracuse Ernie Davis (44) in action, rushing for 57 yard touchdown as Roger Davis (69) blocks vs West Virginia. Syracuse, NY 10/24/1959 CREDIT: Marvin E. Newman (Photo by Marvin E. Newman /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X6287 ) /

No. 1 – 1959 Syracuse Orangemen

Preseason Rank: Unranked
Crowned Champs By: AP, UPI
Record: 11-0
Head Coach: Ben Schwartzwalder

In one of the most improbable national championships ever, the Syracuse Orangemen, led by the great Ernie Davis, managed to shock the football world in 1959.

Ben Schwartzwalder had been coaching Syracuse since 1949, and the best the Orangemen had been able to muster up to 1959 was an 8-win season and a loss in the Orange Bowl the year prior. Schwartzwalder’s teams were never considered national contenders.

The 1958 finish had perked some ears, but still no one was giving Syracuse much thought. After opening the 1959 season with a convincing win over Kansas, the experts gave them a No. 20 ranking. Most thought that was as high as it would get. Surely Navy, Pitt, Penn State or UCLA would be able to bring the Orangemen back down to earth.

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But none of them did…nor did No. 4 Texas in the Cotton Bowl. The Syracuse offense scored 413 points while the defense allowed 73 points all season, and Ernie Davis ran the Orangemen all the way to a national title and to a Cotton Bowl MVP.

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