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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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GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 3: Bernie Kosar #20 quarterback of the University of Miami Hurricanes passes the ball downfield as Wilber Marshall of University of Florida rushes at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida on September 3, 1983. The Gators won 28-3. (Photos by Miami/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 3: Bernie Kosar #20 quarterback of the University of Miami Hurricanes passes the ball downfield as Wilber Marshall of University of Florida rushes at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida on September 3, 1983. The Gators won 28-3. (Photos by Miami/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /

No. 7 – 1983 Miami Hurricanes

Preseason Rank: Unranked
Crowned Champs By: AP, UPI
Record: 11-1
Head Coach: Howard Schnellenberger

From 1979-82, Howard Schnellenberger coached the Hurricanes to as high as a No. 8 ranking. Most seasons were good, bordering on great, but never finishing the drill. (Sounds kind of like a guy they just hired, huh?)

In 1983, the Penn State Nittany Lions were looked at as one of the teams to beat, coming off their upset win over Georgia in the national championship game. Traditional powers Nebraska, Oklahoma and Alabama had most of the votes along with Penn State. Nobody, but nobody put their money on Schnellenberger’s Hurricanes.

After an opening week loss to No. 16 Florida, it looked to be the same song, different verse for the Canes, but then they went on a tear, beating No. 13 Notre Dame, No. 12 West Virginia and a very tough FSU team on their way to an Orange Bowl upset of No. 1 Nebraska in one of the greatest bowl games ever played.

Next: 1965

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