In the past, FBS Independent teams were a common and competitive force in college football. However, over the decades, conference realignments and shifting financial dynamics have rendered this model nearly obsolete. Only a handful of programs, including the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, remain independent today. Has an FBS Independent team ever won the national championship?
FBS Independent’s Record in the College Football National Championship Game
Three notable programs have claimed national championships as FBS Independents since 1978, the year Division I football split into I-A and I-AA.
These schools— the Penn State Nittany Lions, Miami Hurricanes, and Notre Dame—not only thrived in the competitive landscape of their time but also left an indelible mark on college football history.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State’s two national titles under legendary coach Joe Paterno came before their integration into the Big Ten in 1993. The Nittany Lions’ first title, in 1982, saw them narrowly defeat Georgia 27-23 in the Sugar Bowl.
Their second, in 1986, was a defensive masterclass as they edged out Miami 14-10 in the Fiesta Bowl.
Miami Hurricanes
Miami is the last FBS Independent program to win a national championship, capturing titles in 1983, 1987, and 1989. Their first championship came in a thrilling 31-30 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Orange Bowl, a game that redefined college football.
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The Hurricanes cemented their dominance by defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in 1987 and Alabama in 1989. Ironically, their 1989 title was partially enabled by Notre Dame’s victory over the top-ranked Colorado Buffaloes, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the sport’s elite teams. “The U” joined the Big East in 1991, signaling the end of their independence but not their legacy.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame’s last national championship win came in 1988, when they defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers 24-21 in the Fiesta Bowl. While their storied history includes 11 national titles, the Fighting Irish have managed only one since 1977.
Their independence briefly paused during the 2020 season, when they played in the ACC due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Notre Dame remains the only FBS Independent program to consistently contend on the national stage.
Now the team is gearing up for an opportunity to rewrite history as they seek their first national championship victory since 1988. The Fighting Irish face a formidable Ohio State Buckeyes team on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.
If successful, they would become the first FBS Independent program to win a title since 1989, solidifying their place in the annals of college football greatness. As one of FBS’s last remaining independent programs, Notre Dame continues to operate outside the traditional conference structure.
The dominance of FBS Independent programs has waned due to the changing dynamics of college football. Conference realignments, lucrative TV deals, NIL opportunities, and the transfer portal have made it increasingly difficult for independent teams to maintain a competitive edge.
While schools like UConn Huskies and UMass Minutemen have attempted to sustain independence, financial pressures and limited resources often push programs toward joining conferences.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.
