Factoid 399 - Bill Reid’s undefeated 1901 football team: why does Harvard not claim this as a National Championship?

In 1901 Coach Bill Reid coached the Harvard Crimson to a 12-0 record. They were awarded a retroactive National Championship by the Billingsley Report. Harvard does not claim this season as a National Championship.

In that same year Michigan went 11–0 with Fielding H. Yost as their head coach. Michigan was awarded a retroactive National Championship by many polls. Michigan recognizes this National Championship. George S. Stillman’s Yale team went 11-1-1 and was awarded the National Championship by Parke H. Davis. Yale claims this championship.

Harvard was a very dominant team in 1901 with their closest game being a 6-0 victory over Army; they also defeated Yale 22-0 in the last game of the season. Michigan was very dominant that year and did not give up a point, its closest game being a 21-0 victory over Ohio State. However, since Harvard and Michigan never played that year, who knows who had the better team. We see no reason why Harvard shouldn’t claim the National Championship as well.