Saturday Blitz
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 12
Next
Jan 9, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; General view of a Clemson Tigers helmet during practice at Scottsdale Community College. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; General view of a Clemson Tigers helmet during practice at Scottsdale Community College. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5 – 1981 Clemson Tigers

Preseason Rank: Unranked
Crowned Champs By: AP, UPI
Record: 12-0
Head Coach: Danny Ford

In his first two seasons as Clemson’s head coach, Danny Ford led the Tigers to 8-4 and 6-5 seasons. Nobody was talking about Clemson in terms of a national championship in 1981. All eyes were about two hours south, on defending champion Georgia and Herschel Walker.

What better way to change that narrative than to welcome the Bulldogs into Memorial Stadium and upset the No. 5 team in the nation. That win put Clemson on the map in 1981, and the Tigers never looked back.

Clemson’s defense dominated the ACC portion of the schedule, including a 10-8 classic over No. 9 North Carolina, and the Tigers closed it out by beating the No. 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Orange Bowl to secure the school’s first and only national football championship.

Next: 1990

Home/Auburn Tigers