By Keaton Hargett | FrontPorchSports.com
If you’re a dude that doesn’t have fuck all going on, you’ve probably caught wind of Auburn’s bold move: they’re claiming seven additional football national championships, bringing their total to nine. At first glance, it might seem like a stretch—titles from 1910, 1913, 1914, 1958, 1983, 1993, and 2004? This may come off as an unpopular opinion, but it’s not as outlandish as it sounds. Auburn’s simply using the NCAA’s own record book, which lists “major selectors” like polls and math models that award titles, to justify their claims. Now in all cases, some can be bullshit, and it’s got me thinking: other programs got cheated out of their shot at glory. Oklahoma State in 2011, Florida State in 2023, and TCU in 2010 and 2014 have strong cases to claim national championships. For all my degenerate fans out there debating in group chats or tailgates, here’s why these schools should follow Auburn’s lead and why it makes sense.
Auburn’s Move: Not Wild, Just Logical
Let’s set the record straight on Auburn. They’re not pulling these titles out of thin air. The NCAA’s football record book recognizes “major selectors”—like the Associated Press, math formulas, or other organizations—that have historically named national champions. Before the BCS era, it was common for multiple teams to be crowned in a single year by different selectors. Auburn’s claiming years like 1910, 1913, and 1914 because they were picked as No. 1 by at least one recognized selector, even if retroactively. For 2004, they went 13-0 but were excluded from the BCS title game in favor of USC and Oklahoma. Athletic Director John Cohen explained they’re just aligning with what other programs—like Alabama, USC, and Minnesota—have done, claiming titles based on NCAA-recognized selectors. It’s not a publicity stunt; it’s a program owning its history.
This opens the door for other teams to do the same. The BCS and CFP systems have repeatedly sidelined deserving teams due to politics, bias, or bad breaks. If Auburn can claim titles from a century ago, why can’t modern teams with stronger arguments—like Oklahoma State, Florida State, and TCU—raise their own banners? Let’s break it down.
Oklahoma State 2011: Robbed by BCS Politics
One of the biggest snubs in sports history. Oklahoma State in 2011: a 12-1 record, their first outright Big 12 title, and one of the most explosive offenses led by old man Brandon Weeden and the greatest college receiver of all time Justin Blackmon. Their only loss was a double-overtime defeat to Iowa State, days after a tragic plane crash killed two coaches from the women’s basketball team, shaking the program to its core. They were No. 2 in the BCS rankings, poised to challenge LSU for the national title. Instead, the BCS chose Alabama—who didn’t even win their conference—for a rematch with LSU. Oklahoma State was sent to the Fiesta Bowl, where they beat Stanford, while the title game was a 21-0 dud that exposed the BCS’s flaws.
Coach Mike Gundy has said his team would’ve beaten LSU, and their resume backs it up. If Auburn’s claiming 2004 for being undefeated and snubbed, Oklahoma State’s 2011 case is just as compelling. The NCAA record book allows multiple champions in pre-BCS years, so why not in a post-BCS year when the system clearly failed? It’s time for Stillwater to claim that 2011 title.
Florida State 2023: Undefeated, But the CFP Chose Wrong
Fast forward to 2023: Florida State goes 13-0, wins the ACC, and dominates all season—until quarterback Jordan Travis suffers a late-season injury. The CFP committee used that as an excuse to exclude FSU, picking one-loss Alabama instead, making the Seminoles the first undefeated Power Five champion ever left out of the four-team playoff. The committee’s reasoning—that FSU wasn’t the “same team” without Travis—was subjective and ignored their perfect record and conference title.
Players like quarterback Brock Glenn argued that an undefeated team deserves to be called champions. FSU was relegated to the Orange Bowl, where they lost heavily to Georgia (who were also slighted). But the facts remain: no losses, ACC champs, and a clear snub. Auburn’s claiming 2004 for a similar injustice—Florida State should claim 2023. With six unclaimed titles in their history, adding this one is a no-brainer.
TCU 2010 & 2014: Two Clear-Cut Cases for Titles
TCU’s story is a double injustice. In 2010, they went 13-0, led the nation in scoring defense, and dominated Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, including a 40-point rout of top-10 Utah. But the BCS sent Auburn and Oregon to the title game, dismissing TCU due to bias against non-automatic qualifying conferences. The Congrove Computer Rankings, a recognized selector, named TCU champions. That’s a stronger case than some of Auburn’s older claims or even UCF’s 2017 declaration.
Then, in 2014, TCU went 12-1, shared the Big 12 title, and was ranked No. 3 going into the final week. After crushing Iowa State 55-3, they inexplicably dropped to No. 6 in the CFP rankings, with Ohio State jumping ahead. TCU dismantled Ole Miss 42-3 in the Peach Bowl, proving their worth. The Big 12’s lack of a championship game hurt them, but that’s a flaw in the system, not TCU’s performance. Fans still call it a robbery, and they’re right. TCU should claim both 2010 and 2014, following Auburn’s example.
Why This Makes Sense
College football’s championship process has always been imperfect. Before the BCS, multiple teams could claim titles. The BCS and CFP were supposed to streamline things but often favored TV markets or traditional powers over merit. Auburn’s move isn’t about rewriting history; it’s about recognizing it. Oklahoma State, Florida State, and TCU have legitimate claims backed by undefeated seasons, conference championships, or dominant performances. If Auburn can point to selectors from 1910, these teams can point to clear modern injustices.
It’s time for these programs to step up, claim their titles, and set the record straight. What do you think, guys? Should Oklahoma State, Florida State, and TCU raise those banners? Is Auburn’s strategy smart or overblown? Hit the comments on X or Facebook and let me know. Share this if you’re fed up with the system sidelining deserving teams. Front Porch Sports, out.