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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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13 Oct 1990: Willie Clay of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Doug Thomas of the Clemson Tigers jump up for the ball at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia Tech won the game 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport
13 Oct 1990: Willie Clay of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Doug Thomas of the Clemson Tigers jump up for the ball at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia Tech won the game 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport /

No. 4 – 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Preseason Rank: Unranked
Crowned Champs By: UPI
Record: 11-0-1
Head Coach: Bobby Ross

Georgia Tech had not been relevant in college football seemingly since General Sherman marched through town. The Yellow Jackets were relegated by most as a team hailing from an academic institution. The 70s and 80s were not kind to Georgia Tech, and things needed to change.

But in 1987, Bill Curry was replaced with an army mule named Bobby Ross. The change did not seem to matter. In his first two seasons Ross led the Jackets to consecutive losing seasons, upping it to a 7-4 record in year three. Either way, there was nothing indicating Georgia Tech was ready to rise to a championship.

1990 turned into one of those lightning in a bottle years for Georgia Tech (Ross would be gone a year later), going undefeated, with the only blemish being a tie against North Carolina. The Jackets toppled four Top 25 teams that season, including an exciting win over then No. 1 Virginia and a Citrus Bowl win over No. 19 Nebraska. (The Huskers seem to have a knack for losing bowl games to these Cinderella teams).

Next: 1984

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