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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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GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates their 22-19 victory after defeating the Oregon Ducks in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates their 22-19 victory after defeating the Oregon Ducks in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention – 2010 Auburn Tigers

Preseason Rank: No. 22
Crowned Champs By: AP, BCS
Record: 14-0
Head Coach: Gene Chizik

It seems only fair to mention the 2010 Auburn team and Cam Newton. Not that some didn’t give Auburn a shot, but in the BCS era, working your way up from a sub-20 ranking to number one was nearly impossible.

Auburn was helped along by a pretty tough SEC schedule, and a guy who most are probably familiar with these days – Cam Newton.

The Tigers were coming off an 8-5 season, and entering Gene Chizik’s second year as head coach. Most didn’t give Auburn a chance not because they weren’t a quality team, but because Alabama had become so dominant, and because no one really knew how good Cam Newton could (or would) be after his stint in the JUCO ranks.

Truth be told, the 2010 Tigers were a pretty good team with a mediocre coach and a quarterback to brought it all together and willed them to a championship.

Next: 1980

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