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I ran across this article on ESPN posted last week ranking the top 25 teams that didn't win it all. It listed the 1940 Tennessee team as No. 17.
Tennessee went 10-0 during the regular season that year, with eight shutouts. Interestingly, the Vols were recognized as national champions under the Williamson and Dunkel polls that year and Tennessee's official website claims a championship for that 1940 team. - National Powers
However, the article only counts the AP and the Coaches Poll as recognized championships.
Anyway, I found it interesting and figured I'd throw it out for discussion.
Our top college football teams that failed to win the national championship
Tennessee went 10-0 during the regular season that year, with eight shutouts. Interestingly, the Vols were recognized as national champions under the Williamson and Dunkel polls that year and Tennessee's official website claims a championship for that 1940 team. - National Powers
However, the article only counts the AP and the Coaches Poll as recognized championships.
Anyway, I found it interesting and figured I'd throw it out for discussion.
17. 1940 Tennessee (10-1)
Gen. Robert Neyland's Volunteers claimed a share of the 1938 national title (the AP gave it to TCU), then famously pitched a shutout for the entire 1939 regular season. The 1940 team was slightly more mortal defensively (it allowed 45 points for the season ... the shame) but made up for that with offensive firepower.
Powered by an absurd line -- college football Hall of Famers Bob Suffridge and Ed Molinski lined up at guard, All-American Abe Shires at tackle -- Tennessee ranked third in the nation in scoring offense and second in scoring defense, outscoring opponents 319-26 in a third consecutive 10-0 regular season. The Vols won every game by at least 13 points before slipping up in a bowl for the second straight year: Boston College, coached by Frank Leahy (who would soon leave for Notre Dame), scored late to defeat them 19-13 in the Sugar Bowl.
Our top college football teams that failed to win the national championship