Factoid 389 – John Robinson’s undefeated 1979 team; why does USC not claim this as a National Championship?

In 1979 John Robinson coached the USC Trojans to a 11-0-1 undefeated season. That year Alabama (12-0) was awarded the National Championship by most polls. College Football Researchers Association awarded USC the National Championship. USC does not recognize this championship.

USC’s tie that year was against Stanford (21-21). Alabama’s closest loss was a 3-0 win over LSU; USC actually beat LSU that year by a score of 17-12. So who is to say who the better team was; they didn’t even play. It also is no reason not to claim this season as a National Championship and USC should, regardless of the fact that only one polling service chose them. They did choose them, and that should be enough.