National Champion
The season ended with the top 3 teams (Alabama, USC, and Oklahoma) with one loss. In the AP poll, Alabama (11-1-0), on the strength of their Sugar Bowl win over former #1 Penn State, was voted #1. In the UPI poll, USC (12-1-0) was voted #1, based in a large part on their 24-14 win at Alabama over the Crimson Tide. Oklahoma, who was #1 for most of the season, felt that they should be national champs as they avenged their only loss by beating Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. The Sooners had to settle for the #3 ranking in both polls.
Read more about this topic: 1978 NCAA Division I-A Football Season
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