The 25 best college football teams to not win a national championship

Best college football teams without a national championship: 2002 Miami Hurricanes

Early 2000s Miami stacks up with any run in college football history. The Hurricanes were a computer error and a questionable pass interference call in the first overtime of the 2003 Fiesta Bowl away from potentially three straight national championships.

Miami replicated their unbeaten regular season from 2001, earning impressive wins over ranked opponents in Florida, Florida State, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech, ultimately capturing the Big East title once again. The Hurricanes carried an absurd 34-game winning streak into the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State.

The matchup between the Hurricanes and the Buckeyes featured a staggering amount of NFL talent, with 37 of the game’s starters ultimately being drafted into the NFL.

Miami’s offense featured a star quarterback in Ken Dorsey, stud running backs Willis McGahee and Frank Gore, and big-play receiver Andre Johnson. Sean Taylor, Johnathan Vilma and Vince Wilfork anchored one of the country’s best defensive units.

Miami was a heavy favorite heading into Glendale, with most sportsbooks favoring the ‘Canes by about 11.5 points.

Miami struck first, but Ohio State scored two second-quarter touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead into the half.

Miami’s defense stiffened and only allowed a field goal in the second half, while a McGahee touchdown pulled the Hurricanes within three. Then, Todd Sievers nailed a 40-yard field goal to force overtime.

The game seemed to end in the first overtime after Miami scored to take a 24-17 lead on a touchdown pass from Dorsey to Kellen Winslow Jr.

The ‘Canes seemed to stop the Buckeyes on a fourth down on Ohio State’s offensive possession, but pass interference was called on Miami’s Glenn Sharpe to give the Buckeyes new life.

Ohio State scored to tie the game and then scored another touchdown to open the second overtime to take a 31-24 lead. Miami would set up with a first-and-goal at the two-yard line, but Ohio State’s defense would stiffen and engineer a goal-line stand to secure the national championship in one of the biggest upsets in title game history.