How BYU Won the 1984 National Championship & Changed the FBS Forever

It would be very, very rare for any non-Power 5 team to make it to the National Championship game, and let alone win the whole thing. But, in 1984, that is exactly what happened. The BYU Cougars, led by Head Coach LaVell Edwards, went 13-0 and finished with the #1 rank in the AP and Coaches Poll, giving themselves their first National Championship, and being widely considered the last school from a non-Power Conference to win the Title. Their story is very unique, from being a school in a small conference to Champion, and it wasn’t met without any controversy. So, how did the Cougars win the 1984 National Championship, and how did this impact the future of the FBS? This is the Story of the 1984 BYU Cougars Football Team.

[@JKJ002]

Should BYU have been crowned the 1984 National Champions? Within the next 20 years, will we see a non-Power school win the National Championship?

[@kaminsod4077]

No they shouldn't have. They were only highly ranked because they beat a Pitt team ranked #3 to start the season, said Pitt squad finished with 3 wins. After that they played almost nothing but their weak opponents in the WAC, and in half of those games they won by 10 or less points. Even their bowl game wasn't impressive, barely beating a very mediocre Michigan.

[@cbphoto87]

@@kaminsod4077 too bad washington declined to play them in the Holiday bowl buddy

[@kaminsod4077]

​​@@cbphoto87 Cougars fans should be eternally thankful for that, otherwise they would've gotten their asses handed to them.

[@cbphoto87]

@@kaminsod4077 nice well you can live in that parallel universe all you want. The rest of us will live in the real world where BYU has a consensus natty banner and you have to cry about it

[@elche1976]

​@chasebart they only played 2 teams with 7 wins? 8 of the teams had losing records. Pound your chest. 😂 Fun fact... when did BYU have their first 10 win season? 1979, coincidentally the first year after ASU and Arizona last the WAC. Those teams owned byu at the time. You should thank them for leaving our these seasons would have never had happened with then losses to them. 😂

[@manfrommeeteetse3880]

Loved Lavell Edwards. As a coach he was 40 years ahead of his time. Realized that a running play was a wasted play. One of his quotes was "we're going to run 70 plays this game, 68 will be pass plays. Try to stop us." The NFL has finally caught up with his philosophy. Scary to think what he might have done at a big school with athletes that were full-time football players and didn't have to attend class like they did at BYU.

[@TPaine1776]

I agree, he was awesome. Even taught my mom to drive at Granite High School circa 1960.

[@manfrommeeteetse3880]

@@TPaine1776 That's cool.

[@jasonmangelson5369]

What is often forgotten is BYU crushed Washington 31-3 in the first game of the following season (1985) after the Huskies disputed the '84 title with both teams returning essentially the same talent.

[@ReisterJP]

.....And BYU lost to UTEP the worst team in div 1 at the time (1985)

[@suuwooski6416]

@@ReisterJPthey still went 11-3 and all their losses were by less than 1 td.

[@suuwooski6416]

Its also forgotten that they won 24 games in a row before being crowned champs. That combine with the respect pollsters had for lavell gave em the title.

[@ReisterJP]

@@suuwooski6416 beating 7 win teams for 2 years

[@nathanvandyke9951]

They also won their 6th straight WAC title in 1984. The dominated the conference for a whole decade.

[@christopherwebb3517]

All other American sports leagues see the lack of parity as a bad thing. FBS College football is the only one hell bent on killing what little parity they still have.

[@Hayyyward]

Like he stated in this video, it's all about marketing and what teams bring in the most money for games. It's all about money. It's not about who is the best team anymore. Teams are pushed in the rankings (SEC) to make strength of schedule look better so certain teams are made to look "dominant". This is why ESECPN always hypes up SEC teams now. Just pay attention this season. More SEC teams are pushed up high and as soon as they lose, others are pushed up high to keep the conference looking so "great". Notice how many fans now root for a conference (SEC) instead of their teams. The SEC marketing has worked. Now fans of teams that never even make it to a CCG can feel good by rooting for a conference. The marketing has worked.

[@SoSickRick]

CFB literally has never had parity lol

[@SometimesCompitent]

Yeah. It’s awesome.

[@RubensBarrichello.]

Sad

[@gabeswitala2292]

​@@HayyywardAnyone who places success of a conference over their own team are insufferable assholes.

[@bucksdiaryfan]

BYU actually finished that season 4th in SRS, so I have no problem with their National Championship

[@MikeParody]

The 1996 byu team you referenced was better than the 1984 team and as you mentioned were screwed because of the bowl alliance. That was a great team

[@carterdalby9011]

Yeah so were the 2004 and 2008 undefeated Utah football teams

[@allanbird3725]

@@carterdalby9011 Absolutely. Loved watching the Utes push around an Alabama team that thought they were national champions.

[@adriansmith5279]

And 4 loss Texas team over a one loss BYU Team getting a better bowl game. That's f-up! That should tell you how much they really care about money more, like he mentioned in this video.

[@charlesshankle3178]

A team can only beat the teams in front of them and BYU did exactly that in 1984. They were the only team that went undefeated that year and no top five team wanted to play them in a major bowl. Prior to this, the formula to win the national title was a great defense, a strong running game with a complimentary passing game and finally great special teams. BYU changed the formula and proved a pass heavy team with a complimentary running game, a deep defense and good special teams. Miami followed this formula in 1989 & 1991 and Florida did this in 1996.

[@charlesshankle3178]

Agreed!! That team should have been the one to play Florida State in the Sugar Bowl, not Florida

[@andrewfilmsdrums]

You gotta mention that the BYU/Pitt game was ESPN’s first college football broadcast.

[@dragonkingsports]

Wait fr? That’s dope

[@mcnelisfilms]

I don't think that's true, 1982 K State v Wisconsin was the first one

[@mcnelisfilms]

I don't think that's true, 1982 K State v Wisconsin was the first one

[@lornesguitarcompany6504]

Anyone who read Barry Switzer’s book knows the pressure came not from the programs but from the networks. NBC paid big money for the rights to the Orange Bowl and the thought of no one tuning in because the National Champion was crowned days earlier was terrifying. He said he didn’t want to talk about BYU because his team needed to focus on their game, but NBC kept telling him to plug the game as “the real national title game.” So even though he still likes to visit the “Switzer water treatment plant” near Provo the bottom line is the networks are running the show. And thank goodness BYU is a national brand that is able to follow Pit, Houston, Boston College, TCU, UCF, Rutgers, and Cincinnati by leaving small conference purgatory. At this point, it’s hard to tell if Boise States, San Diago States or SMU will ever get that shot.

[@Richard-od7yd]

Read HOWARD COSELLS I NEVER PLAYED THE GAME

[@christianmendozatapia295]

Its because mormons cant be trusted...

[@christopherfoote4643]

Actually it was about the Orange Bowl having a championship game. Sometimes we over analyze. It was about the Orange Bowl being able to host a national championship. Which, they did. Most people wanted Brigham Young to play Oklahoma and the general consensus of opinion was that would have determined a titleist. So, when Washington was represented, most people thought, perhaps justifiably if Oklahoma could beat Washington they would be a legitimate national champion. Washington was substituted for Brigham Young and Washington also had a chance to play Brigham Young. Brigham Young was top dog. People are asking why? It isn't that complicated. Brigham Young played a competitive schedule. Western Athletic Conference was a major football conference at the time. Eighth of eleven. Top eight probably are roughly equivalent to top six, now. Mountain West Conference is probably comparable to the Western Athletic Conference. That's why some people think it was a diminished national championship. But there are quality programs in the Mountain West Conference. Boise State is roughly comparable to Brigham Young University. So if Boise could finish 13-0 like they did in 2006 that is something to write home about. And, it was! Brigham Young and Boise State roughly comparable to the same thing. In 2006 the national champion was Florida. Florida was a team in contention but lost to Miami FL. Miami FL was 8-5 overall. Air Force Academy finished 8-4. Brigham Young defeated Air Force 30-25. I suspect Brigham Young defeating the Academy catapulted them over Florida although admittedly Florida would have been an especially tough team to beat. That's probably why Florida is recognized as a legitimate titleist. Together with Louisiana State. They tied for a conference championship. Louisiana State lost to Notre Dame. Notre Dame lost to the Academy. Brigham Young defeated Air Force in Colorado Springs, CO. I think Brigham Young demonstrated supremacy over Louisiana State by that fact. Florida lost to Miami, FL. Miami FL lost to Michigan. Brigham Young defeated Michigan. Brigham Young > Michigan > Miami FL> Florida. Obviously that's circumstantial.

[@TulsaSooner1979]

@@christopherfoote4643 that's just stupid. A>B>C doesn't work in sports. In 2008, Texas beat OU, Texas Tech beat Texas, and OU beat Texas Tech. Only fans come up w/ your "analysis."

[@northernlight4614]

​@@TulsaSooner1979 What else do you go off of if you dont have a common opponent?

[@BigT2664]

I was actually in Europe during that season and didn't get to see a lot of the games. My parents sent me a newspaper shortly after BYU was named National Champions. It listed all of the contenders who all had one or more losses. The writer basically justified BYU's championship based on the fact that BYU had either defeated that team or a team they later lost to that season. I cut out the article and put it in my journal... I've got it somewhere in storage.

[@kevinblatter2369]

At the time, I thought the "big" conferences felt they had an exclusive club and regardless of what BYU did that season, they would never be in the club. I was disgusted with how the media treated BYU even though they did everything they were asked to do.

[@justingarfield2663]

UCF fan here. I can sympathize with this.

[@nuraby_9228]

Those same power conferences made a serious effort to eliminate the automatic bid in basketball, but now they just settle for stealing all the at-large bids with mediocre .500 teams.

[@christopherfoote4643]

Western Athletic Conference was a major conference in 1984. There weren't power conferences. Part of what this video is promoting is a lie. Pacific Ten and Western Athletic Conference were comparable. Brigham Young and Washington were comparable. I crunched the numbers and Pacific Ten in 1984 was marginally better. Washington might have been a better team than Brigham Young but they ducked playing them. That's why people didn't put them ahead. Brigham Young wanted to play Washington.

[@christopherfoote4643]

Western Athletic Conference was a major conference then. There weren't any power conferences there were major conferences only. Missouri Valley Conference was one of them. Now both Missouri Valley and Western Athletic are FCS conferences. But not then. Western Athletic and Missouri Valley were both major conferences and had major programs such as Arizona, Arizona State, Air Force Academy, Brigham Young University, Utah University, Colorado State University, Wyoming and New Mexico along with Hawaii, San Diego State and UTEP.

[@kevinblatter2369]

@@christopherfoote4643Conspiracy is a strong word, but to recall a few things that happened during that season: 1) One of the networks (ESPN, ABC?) had a call in poll where fans to express their opinion on whether BYU should be #1. 2) Bryant Gumbel called BYU, "Bo Diddley Tech." 3) Barry Switzer (HC of Oklahoma) was very vocal that BYU should not be considered a contender for the National Championship. None of that would have happened if it had been a school from a "big" conference.

[@markelkington7276]

Great video! As a BYU fan myself, I find BYU's National Championship seriously upsets some people. It was nice to hear a non BYU, non BYU hating, voice to explain the circumstances surrounding the Natty and the downstream impacts.

[@adriansmith5279]

And having BYU or any mid major program isn't a bad thing. I get why people upset with a mid major program from a small conference, meaning somewhat low tier Competition winning it all. But Having BYU win the natty help brings that vibe of a level playing field that anyone can win a National Championship. And help make College Football more fun to watch, like how the NCAA Basketball Tournament is fun to watch. I wish your team the best of luck in the Big 12 nowadays.

[@markelkington7276]

@@adriansmith5279 I agree. Its one of the reasons the NFL is particularly popular. I mean, since 2010, there have been 11 different teams that have won the Super Bowl. Thats 1/3 of the league in just over 10 years. People love thinking that their team is within striking distance of a Super Bowl. Anyway, good luck to your teams too!

[@adriansmith5279]

@christopherfoote4643 I don't mind you correcting me. Because this is the 80s/early 80s, I wasn't even alive until the late 90s(now in my mid-20s). So is nice to hear that the WAC... nowadays doesn't even have a football league(despite them trying to bring it back recently), which was actually better than it was at the time.

[@Jamelk1]

Idk why it took until 1998 for them to do 1 vs 2 lmao. Sounds like common sense.

[@christopherfoote4643]

It didn't. There was a bowl alliance prior to the BCS and a bowl coalition prior to that. And in 1984 Oklahoma and Brigham Young were obligated to play in title games separated from each other.

[@1999bill1999]

Prior to the BCS. The Big Ten vs Pac-10 champions were obligated to play each other in the Rose Bowl even if either one was ranked 1 or 2

[@stevencraven4897]

It was #1 v #2 AS VOTED ON BY POLLSTERS (concentrated in the major media markets, with all of their regional biases at play). Then, with BCS, it is controlled BY THE SELF-STYLED MAJOR CONFERENCES with a token rep from the "mid-majors" (in itself a pejorative term). If NCAA was really serious about the sport and its players, they would reassume control of the game and use ADs and coaches from DII and DIII to do polling and evaluations of DI sports.

[@stevencraven4897]

​@@christopherfoote4643And each iteration bent on assuring that a "1984 scenario" could never happen again. IE - we have to keep BYU (or Boise State, or Fresno State, or Hawaii, .....) from ever having a shot. It was, and continues to be, a caste system - even within the "Major" conferences

[@robertpuffer9721]

In 1976 Arizona State finished as the only undefeated school in College Football, beat the number 5 ranked Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl and only finished number 2. They should have been the first WAC school to win the National Championship. I applaud the 1984 BYU team for showing it could be done and they deserved that championship.

[@prun8893]

That was quite the colossal schedule they had there. LOL. If they'd only beaten................Wyoming.............a little more handily they would have gotten it.

[@jcrees22]

Michigan was 6-5 going into the Holiday Bowl, 5th in the Big Ten that year. Folks they were not good, let alone a worthy opponent!

[@deathtracer]

That's expecting a lot for a team to go from seven to one. Their only help could have been Oklahoma tying Michigan. You're thinking of the 1975 team.

[@Saunders78]

What an amazing story and great video! Underrated content, this was really awesome to watch, great job! Wow Robbie Bosco was ballin' the man could make plays happens and trusted his team in key spots. That epic battle against Hawaii, the epic come from behind victory against Michigan how close the AP poll was going into the Orange Bowl. Crazy stuff.

[@deathtracer]

If one team in that stretch didn't lose we would be talking about something else. BYU took care of business and can't be faulted for that.

[@christopherfoote4643]

South Carolina waa probably the front-runner but lost to Navy. Navy was 4-6-1 and lost to Air Force and Notre Dame. They also tied Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh actually tied Brigham Young. Pittsburgh was 3-6-2 and Wisconsin was 7-4-1. Collectively that's 10-10-3. Or 5-5-1 independently. Meaning Brigham Young and Iowa are co-champions. Michigan was admitted to the Holiday Bowl but began 1985 5-0. A tournament would have required Michigan to be 5-0 in a post-season tournament to advance to a championship game. Michigan was represented. Brigham Young was an NCAA collegiate titleist. Iowa tied Wisconsin and therefore share a title.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

College football was a beauty contest in 1984. Money always played a part in college sports but there was a huge amount of pressure by TV networks who wanted a large audience for their games.

[@michaelschaefer1904]

It's still a beauty contest.

[@adriansmith5279]

Shoutout to JKJ on another solid video. You explaining why we haven't a non-power conference National Champions is spot on. Like ever since 1984 BYU Championship they really don't want another mid-major program winning. Not just because there no good enough, they want the brand name school and school that make the most money represent College Football. Like Boise State back in the 2000s was ahead of there time and in their peak. Had Prime Boise State play during the Playoff Era. Who knows?

[@jonnybaze7449]

Who doesn’t? The ap and coachs polls voted for it… what do you think the bcs was? Ap, coachs and average of computer polls. What happened with the committee? G5 gets in because they play one great team and several decent teams as well as got a little lucky. That’s been the minimum formula for a g5 to get in. So why don’t g5 teams get in? They for the most part don’t want to.

[@jonnybaze7449]

@@christopherfoote464384 BYU’s schedule vs 2006 Boise state’s schedule is pretty much a wash till the bowl game which wasn’t BYUs fault. I’d vote neither NC.

[@jonnybaze7449]

@@christopherfoote4643 no it’s literally always about opinion. From day one to now. I’m not suggesting, that’s what I said. Limited to the bowl alliance?

[@smartbomb7202]

the mighty whities players were and still are like 25 and 26 years old

[@brianwise5850]

Reminds me of the perfect season Wichita State pulled off in basketball a few years ago.

[@JohnCavins]

I've needed this video for so long man thank you goat!

[@matthewstewart7712]

Just found your page and I’m loving the videos so far, I wish you would do something on the Rise & Fall and Rise & Fall again of UM Hurricanes. My Grandma whirled there 43 years in residency and met tons of players and coaches so it would be cool to watch And with the new Schnellenberger series Vs Louisville introduced it would be relevant

[@jjarnold220]

College football has always been shady and about the money. But once players got the opportunity to cash in, it’s now a problem. These other schools get screwed over and should have their own championship game

[@ynp1978]

I would have voted BYU the title in 84. But that long ago season always felt to me like several teams lost the title....more than BYU winning it. They just got real lucky.

[@TulsaSooner1979]

@@christopherfoote4643 the luck that was involved was concerning other teams from real conferences.

[@christopherfoote4643]

​@@TulsaSooner1979Western Athletic Conference is among the more accomplished that aren't P-5. It didn't mean they weren't capable or competent. Most of the teams were especially very good although admittedly maybe not as deep.

[@nolansullivan5342]

Great video. Instant subscribe

[@bendyourmornings]

Great video! Glad the algorithm recommended it to me. I bet your channel is about to pop off

[@mringram]

Great content here

[@ericandersom5305]

The 2004 Utah Utes won every game by double digits including the Fiesta Bowl. They got the unlucky cards dealt of also having USC, Oklahoma, and Auburn also being undefeated at the end of the regular season. That team was the real team that had a shot if any of them did.

[@scottrichardson3961]

Don't forget Boise State

[@miketaylor9140]

If Utah fans want to see what a national championship trophy looks like, they can always drive down to Provo. Same thing for a Heisman trophy

[@andu1854]

Worst then they were given the absolute worst BCS team of all time (Pitt, which was only in because the BIG East got a bid) and worst it made Alex Smith look like he should be number one pick (if you like safe 250 yards 2 tds and a game plan in NFC championship where Harbaugh only calls run plays)

[@readegloeckner6532]

There cannot be a team from Utah winning a tier one sport right? Just isn’t physically possible!

[@HiddenHistoryYT]

Interesting video!

[@thomasb.smithjr.8401]

I sometimes think that BYU 's '84 nat'l title was akin to, say, Charlie Chaplin's '72 Oscar For Lifetime Achievement. Neither had ever won the award before, each certainly had a bevy of great previous performances worthy of such laurels, and both, in their own way, were controversial /unorthodox enough to ensure that the brass ring would unlikely come their way, if the powers that be had their way. But talented they each were, such that the breadth and magnitude of their achievement could not be ignored. It was only a matter of time ... 🏉 🎥

[@davidlivingston2754]

In 1996, Penn State was actually awarded the at-large spot in the Fiesta Bowl. Texas beat Nebraska in the Big XII title game and they were automatically given a berth in the alliance, thus had to picked for an Alliance bowl (Fiesta). Nebraska was also an at-large and was picked for the Orange Bowl.

[@jarlwhiterun7478]

Berth* Birth lolol

[@davidlivingston2754]

@@jarlwhiterun7478 Brain fried lol. But yes

[@brianlaneherder3666]

That's right, I remember. It was a huge upset by Texas when Nebraska seemed to be cruising to another national title.

[@davidlivingston2754]

@@brianlaneherder3666 Texas was picked last, but that's because the Fiesta had the final pick. But they were forced to pick them, as the Big XII champ had to be picked. But in actuality, it was Penn State picked over BYU

[@thelastjohnwayne]

I did not know that Robbie Bosco was severely limping that entire 1984 Bowl game against Michigan

[@stevenbooth6792]

Cheap shot penalized late hit by Michigan caused the Bosch limp. It was quite blatant that Michigan was trying to knock him out of the game.

[@thelastjohnwayne]

@@stevenbooth6792 I wondered what happened. But it looks like Bosco was a tough kid and he gutted it out.

[@stevenbooth6792]

Bosco would not be denied. Blaine Fowler came in just after the hit and did great. Bosco came back in and finished the game. Great performance. @@thelastjohnwayne

[@thelastjohnwayne]

Thanks for the info I was just starting to get into College football at that time. I did not watch the game. I was living in Reno and just starting to go to Wolf Pack football games and then I got hooked on College football and I have been addicted ever since @@stevenbooth6792

[@dezznutz3743]

Its football. People get hurt

[@Robotron2084psn]

Great job!

[@TV-fv1ih]

A final note BYU has joined the BIG12 conference in 2023, but that will also not guarantee them a spot as the 2007 Kansas team, known as a basketball school, was snubbed by the NCAA for having one loss while everyone else had two except for a one loss Ohio State who went to the title game and got pummeled and a undefeated Hawaii team who went to the Sugar Bowl and got pummeled as well! Kansas, winner of the Orange Bowl, was the only team from a BCS automatic-qualifying conference to finish the entire season with just one loss.

[@michaelschaefer1904]

According to the College Football Reference site, BYU had the 82nd ranked schedule. Florida's was ranked 5th without a bowl game. Their only loss was to Miami in a close game until the last minute. It was on a neutral site and Florida was starting a freshman for this opener. Miami was defending NC.

[@napoearth]

I didn't realize how weak their schedule was until seeing this video.

[@michaelschaefer1904]

Florida was on probation for things that the NCAA doesn't consider wrong nowadays. They had Neal Anderson, John L. Williams and Lorenzo Hampton at RB. Their freshman QB, Kerwin Bell, didn't need to do much since they pounded teams into submission toward the end of the year. The NYT ranked them #1 at the end of their season

[@jonnybaze7449]

No, pay to play is still illegal. It’s just not enforced rn.

[@christopherfoote4643]

They were selected but it's questionable at best they were a titleist. The reason they were selected is because collectively they merited one. Louisiana State shares in it. They gave it to Florida but it's a co-championship. It should have been given to both. Louisiana State University tied Florida. They were co-champions. They both merited recognition. Louisiana State lost to Nebraska. So a more deserving titleist would have been Nebraska. Not Florida. That's why it wasn't as simple as selecting one team.

[@dhani1taylor]

Awesome video. I was checking out you channel, great find for me. Have you considered a "Rise & Fall" video of the Miami Hurricanes? Or, to cliché?

[@larrywilson3904]

What’s crazy is the WAC could have had back to back national champions had Air Force won out in 1985

[@christopherfoote4643]

Air Force lost to Brigham Young University. That eliminated Air Force although they did play Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl. I don't necessarily follow it but Air Force nearly played Penn State and it's a possibility they might have beaten them. Making them a legitimate titleist.

[@RBYU001]

BYU should’ve won their 2nd national championship in 96

[@ericwhittle4657]

I hate to burst your bubble but there is no way they beat Nebraska or Florida that year.

[@bb-double-yuh]

The '90's Huskers were not to be f-d with, and Tom Osborne is one of the greatest college football coaches ever.

[@kooperuranus1503]

@@ericwhittle4657 we can never know because they were to pussy to play BYU

[@getbig2501]

@@ericwhittle4657 The Jets beat the Colts in the 3rd Super Bowl because they knew how to throw the ball in a time where zone defense was not practiced in the NFL as they would run A gap trap followed by off tackle and GUT runs. BYU had an ability to pass that Nebraska couldn't have kept with, they would have most likely played a version of cover 0 defense against Nebraska and forced them to pass.

[@jasonshaneyfelt1039]

@@getbig2501 lol gotta love internet coaches that don't realize these things are easier said than done. Nebraska's defense regularly dismantled pass-happy teams, including Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel in what was the most lopsided national title game ever played until as recently as last year, when Georgia finally beat the record. There's this assumption that because Nebraska was a run-oriented offense, that it somehow meant they had a defense oriented toward stopping the run as well, but that's simply not correct. Also, I'm sure you think you're the first person to ever think of running cover 0 or stuffing the box to force Nebraska to pass, but countless teams of that era tried (and failed) to do exactly that. That being said, it's kind of a moot point anyway, because Nebraska wasn't really even in title consideration in 1996. They had 2 losses (Nebraska went 60-3 from 1993-1997 and that 96 team had 2/3 losses during that 5 year stretch). But the arrogance to assume that beating Nebraska was as easy as just having a good passing attack and running a Cover 0 is super amusing. The greatest coaches of that era apparently couldn't figure out something as simple as that, but YOU did! Congrats! lol

[@suuwooski6416]

People ignore that one of the main reasons byu won the title was bcs they had gone 11-1 the previous season (loss was week 1) and then won 24 straight. Pollsters respected that and lavell.

[@danlower7834]

BYU was unranked until week 2 in 1984 by those same pollsters. So much for respect.

[@suuwooski6416]

@@danlower7834 they gave them a natty dan. Cry about it. The moment they realized that 1983 wasnt a fluke they gave them respect. Cry about it

[@danlower7834]

@@suuwooski6416 who's crying? Not me. I'm just pointing out facts - the media and pollsters weren't in love with BYU. There were snide remarks on air, in the newspaper, and all around, especially from Oklahoma and Washington, who disputed the title after the fact.

[@suuwooski6416]

@@danlower7834 the media gave em the title. They gave them respect once they realized the previous year wasnt a fluke. What part dont you understand? The moment they realized the 12 or so game winning streak wasnt fluke they gave em respect. It then ended as a 24 game win streak Stay mad

[@chuckyufarley2999]

Listening to your narration, as is the case with most other similar channels, is like listening to the Chris Farley interview sketches years ago, on SNL.

[@Ayala-99]

BYU and the Utes have been screwed out of multiple Championship appearances and opportunities due to G5 hate bs, glad the Cougars got their ‘chip.

[@christopherfoote4643]

The title was between Brigham Young and Washington. It's unfortunate that Washington didn't simply accept the Holiday Bowl invitation. That was a suspicious decision that probably entered into the minds of the sportscasters. Ultimately I think that Brigham Young at least merited serious contemplation and maybe earned it. Defeating Michigan isn't an easy assignment. Most people understand why that's a difficult proposition.

[@rogerbrodniak5644]

It was an easy victory for Washington AT Michigan earlier in the season. Pummeled them...up 20-3 until a last second TD made it 20-11. And if UW accepts the Holiday Bowl invitation and blows out BYU, Oklahoma takes the national title in the Orange Bowl. Watch the Holiday Bowl and the Orange Bowl and see which game had the better teams...

[@tracyisbest]

Ah, the '84 Cougars. I always feel compelled to post the results when talking about that team...... BEAT AIR FORCE FALCONS (8-4) 30-25 BEAT HAWAII WARRIORS (7-4) 18-13 BEAT MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (6-6) 24-17 BEAT UTAH UTES (6-5-1) 24-14 BEAT TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE (6-5) 38-15 BEAT WYOMING COWBOYS (6-6) 41-38 BEAT BAYLOR BEARS (5-6) 47-13 BEAT SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS (4-7-1) 34-3 BEAT NEW MEXICO LOBOS (4-8) 48-0 BEAT PITTSBURGH PANTHERS (3-7-1) 20-14 BEAT COLORADO STATE RAMS (3-8) 52-9 BEAT TEXAS EL PASO MINERS (2-9) 42-9 BEAT UTAH STATE AGGIES (1-10) 38-13 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OPPONENTS BEATEN WERE 61-85-3 (41.7 %) OUTSCORED OPPONENTS 456-183 They honestly had about the easiest road to a title ever but 1984 also didn't have a lot of great options either. Even a year before there were six 1 loss teams who could claim the title and the Cougars were in that mix too. In 1984? Florida may have been the best at the end but had a loss and a tie and were on probation so there was no way they were getting a natty that year. Washington had a nice finish but were in the orange bowl because they couldn't be in the rose bowl - they just never could beat USC in Los Angeles. So no conference title probably means no natty either. So who's left? Nebraska and Boston College rounded out the final top five that year with two losses each. So either BYU was going to get the title or 11-1 Washington was going to without winning their league. I love to point to the schedule because it wasn't great but then again, 1984 wasn't exactly a historic year for football either. Honestly, tell me who you like from this list.... www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1984-polls.html

[@suuwooski6416]

Yep. They had to have alot of things go their way + do what they can control. Same as cincy making the cfp, even going undefeated and beating #5 nd, they still needed 1 loss okst to lose to make playoffs lol

[@IAMGavinMitchell]

Pittsburgh at the start of the year was ranked #3.

[@dezznutz3743]

BYU beat the worst Michigan squad of the 1980s. In fact that was Michigans worst win percentage until the coronavirus happened in 2020.

[@dezznutz3743]

@@IAMGavinMitchell pre-season rankings mean nothing. Especially when you end with 3 wins on the season.

[@IAMGavinMitchell]

@dezznutz3743 so wasn't BYU unranked the 1st game of that season? Therefore, that's the starting point of a season. Especially given that Pittsburgh in 82 & 83 had a quarterback by the name of Dan Marino.

[@ktarv6111]

Good vid. I could be wrong but I believe more than 3 made nfl teams. Trevor Matich, Glen Kowslowski, Vai Sikahema, the full back (don’t recall his name), Bosco was drafted. I believe there were more - could be wrong on that.

[@JT-bm8tq]

Need a rise of Kansas football video soon!

[@dackpetersen7573]

As a Utah Utes fan, I absolutely resent this whether it was deserved or not. That being said, Lavell Edwards is one of the best coaches of all time.

[@kooperuranus1503]

Typical Ute fan.

[@dackpetersen7573]

@@kooperuranus1503 say what you will, but we are a very passionate bunch.

[@kooperuranus1503]

😆😅🤣

[@dackpetersen7573]

@kooperuranus1503 BYU fans are a laughing matter indeed, I mean, who would be a fan of a team who loses to East Carolina and Liberty. Who's glory days were 40 years ago? It's kinda sad, huh 🤣 🤣 😂.

[@HolyWar2468]

Again, a yewt fan who can't leave anything "BYU" alone. Yewts #1 job; hate on BYU Yewts #2 job; root for Utah

[@RBYU001]

My hell these schools just want a chance to keep playing til they lose! That’s not asking much. Pretty funny that with NIL and the transfer portal, the smaller schools, or a school that isn’t located in the right place, basically have no chance to keep their best players. College football was fucked up a long time ago

[@mattwade2629]

I know you wrote this a month ago and I'm late the party, but i actually think the first few weeks of the season (with a lot of upsets and close calls) have born out that nil and the transfer portal are bringing more parity to college football, not less. Why would a talented recruiter sit on the bench at Alabama or Georgia for 4 years, when he could transfer to a "lesser" program where he would actually get playing time and get in front of NFL scouts. I really think nil/transfer portal is going to put a wrench into the "super conferences" master plan.

[@RoyceMusic333]

You read my mind with the NCAA football over the past 15, 30, and 45 years. Money.

[@Davin-yv4xv]

Good video

[@2ashamed2change]

I wish more teams claimed their titles from random years. Missouri was declared Champs in 07 and Boise State in 06/09

[@ReisterJP]

UTEP 1985!

[@ptor175]

penn state in 69 and 94

[@aisaxonawiat6484]

You don't just declare a championship, the college football world has to do it for you and if you had a really good year, where the championship is indisputable, it is then declared CONSENSUS.

[@aisaxonawiat6484]

By the way, it should also be pointed out that none of those teams that you listed were considered to be national champions by the college football world...... that is why they could not lay claim to a "national championship".

[@mongoslade277]

​@@ptor175Penn State was mightily screwed in 1994. Tom Osborne of Nebraska hasn't won the championship yet so they gave it to him

[@VorlonAngel]

If they GAVE the title to BYU then they definitely should have GIVEN it to UCF and I am not a UCF fan. However, it was this charade that assured it would not happen again. Has it?

[@Cokehead_Drug_Addict_Zelensky]

Just seeing this footage takes me back to a simpler time. The games looked like an actual sports contest now they look like a circus.

[@steventaylor4116]

The G5 schools should just become the new D1 AA, and play for their own National Championship.

[@erichammons2323]

Michigan finished 6-6, 7th in the Big Ten and unranked that year and BYU barley beat them. the win over Pitt early in the year was good but I've never been convinced they were a top teen team yet alone the best team. But they should have been given the chance to prove it.

[@andu1854]

It’s like they should have used a playoff system from the get go…

[@ep4169]

BYU's starting QB was injured early in the Holiday Bowl and played on a gimpy leg, and the team was plagued by turnovers throughout, but they still won. Stuff happens in football games, the only thing that matters is getting the win. And as a matter of fact, BYU did get a chance to play Washington, the team that finished #2 that year (but failed to win its conference), early in 1985. Yes, different year and different team, but the fact that BYU thrashed them 30-3 on that day gives the lie to the notion that they weren't in the same league as the traditional powers.

[@matthewtolman5598]

If it weren't for the stupid Rose Bowl, we would have had a college football playoff system in the 1970s.

[@JK-kn9ns]

This was 40 years ago, and the point of the video was to talk about how BYU's national championship changed college football. It was decided the way it was back then, and so people can complain all they want, but BYU did nothing wrong. They won it fair and square... because the national champion was selected subjectively. Now, it's more objective thanks to BYU. The playoff is something that should have happened decades ago. Would have loved to see BYU in a playoff back then, and just like March Madness we'll get to see that going forward. I used to have a problem with the way college football did things. Not anymore. The landscape has naturally changed to where power conferences include the cream of the crop, and BYU is now in one of those conferences. Nothing wrong with it imo.

[@camharrison400]

When BYU played Tennessee in 2019, the TV announcer said Both programs have a National Championship.

[@lynngatrell7965]

Given that TCU got absolutely curb-stomped by Georgia in the last championship game, the playoff format isn't without problems.

[@MattLindon-wv8jy]

Or how 2014 TCU got screwed out of a playoff for not winning their conference, yet still made the playoffs 8 years later without winning their conference.....

[@chris12021]

​@MattLindon-wv8jy They didn't get screwed out of their spot. There were 6 deserving teams, and only 4 spots. 2 of the 1 loss teams were going to have to be left out. And winning your conference is not a requirement, it just helps out. There were no non playoff teams in 2022 that had the resume to be ahead of TCU that year.

[@troybaxter]

While Georgia may have curb stomped TCU, TCU 100% belonged in the playoffs. Remember, they beat Michigan in the semi-finals.

[@vinceredeor439]

That should have been Washington’s national title, 1984 BYU was the equivalent of UCFs “natty” in 2017

[@huskyfanpodcast6311]

Yes.

[@jonnybaze7449]

So claim it so and it shall be done.

[@Sacto1654]

This title started the ball rolling that finally led to the BCS in the late 1990’s and the College Football Playoff in 2014.

[@michaelabbott8674]

College Football a big anti-trust violation. If it were semi-fair. There would be at least a 16 team playoff with all FBS conference champions as automatic qualifiers with the other 5 spots at large. You have to have the other 5 spots because the second place in SEC is 9 times out of 10 going to be stronger than the Sunbelt conference champion and would deserve shot as well. I believe this would balance things out. A 24 team playoff like the FCS has would be ideal as both conference champions and stronger at large teams from P5 conferences would all have shots at the title.

[@adanalyst6925]

Not to mention, other football leagues are legally prohibited from scheduling football games on Saturdays. True anti-trust

[@oogrooq]

Washington should have been #1. Realignment is shit though. Money has ruined what made College Ball fun. It's just exploitative NFL at this point.

[@allanbird3725]

Cowards don't get to be national champions. They ducked out of playing BYU because their coaching staff knew they had no chance against BYU.

[@elche1976]

Byu didn't pkay in the national championship game, as you started off the video. They played vs a non ranked team.

[@suuwooski6416]

Thats bcs there was no natty until the bcs era

[@elche1976]

@suuwooski6416 yes there were "nattys". What you meant to say is there were no national championship games. That is my point. He video said they played in one.

[@SIB1963]

@@elche1976 Um, yes, they did. They played a game, and in winning it, they won the national championship. Ergo, national championship game. There were attempts at the time to line up two good candidates in a "championship" bowl game, but that often did not take place. If the favorite won their bowl game, they were champs. If they lost and the next-best won, the next-best was considered the champ. Simple. That's what happened in 1984. BYU was #1, they won their bowl game, so they were the national champions.

[@elche1976]

@SIB1963 byu education. Nowhere outside of your feelings has it ever or will be listed as the national championship game. Child. It was a regular a Holiday bowl, and byu won. After it, because byu can from behind against the 6-5 Michigan team, they were voted as championship. But these do called national championship game didn't exist outside of your fantasies until the bcs. I love byu fans. Their myopic views provide great comedy.

[@SIB1963]

@@elche1976 And yet...BYU was the 1984 National Champion. You'll just somehow have to find a way to make peace with that fact.

[@ClassicJukeboxBand]

When I was 28 years old, used to play slow-pitch softball, and I used to go to the batting cages. The attendant there was a guy named Duncan. He was a former soccer player, and the kicker for that 1984 BYU championship team. Duncan told me that LeVell Edwards never smiled...

[@benjsmithproductions]

TIL the 1984 season was a proto-2007 Chaos year.

[@boo2731]

Is this the worst championing sports history? They barely beat any real competitors

[@HolyWar2468]

C c x c xz c c s c c

[@Gl6619]

I was at U of Utah that year…a redshirt freshman….we actually play BYU pretty close most of the game but lost by I think it was 10 points…I played a couple plays against New Mexico but due to rules I was still a redshirt freshman

[@milt6208]

One thing about BYU is most of these kids left on their mission as boys and two years later they were young men.

[@michaelthomas5140]

Thank God they have a playoff system now.

[@adanalyst6925]

I’ll believe it when I see it. SEC and B10 are going to do everything they can to make it SEC vs B10 championship

[@d1cegam1ngandsports38]

"Babe Wake Up, JKJ just uploaded a new video"

[@user-dl8zh7fl3q]

Different times back then. There was no such thing as power five conferences. Strength of schedule didn't matter to the point that it was AP (writers) that voted on the rankings, and such ranking determined the national champion. College football was fun to watch back then because it was regional. Don't get me wrong games are fun to watch today, but it was just a different time.

[@williamhild1793]

For poll voters in 1984 trying to pick a national champion it was like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end.

[@christopherfoote4643]

Brigham Young participated in an NCAA Division I title game. Michigan was 6-5 but were 5-0 in 1985 before losing to Iowa. They played a daunting schedule and would have been represented to a national championship if 1985 doubled as a tournament. Iowa back-ended it and Brigham Young front-ended it. The title Brigham Young won is an NCAA title. Michigan lost to Iowa. Iowa shares in it. Washington was a bowl alliance national champion. U.C.L.A. was a Belt Champion.

[@SteveFarrellTheMoralLiberal]

BTW, if not already stated, Michigan was eanked #1 to start the season. Injuries to 3 key offensive players ended that, but they were all healthy at the time of the Holiday bowl, on a winning streak, and would with those same players win the 1985 national championship. Michigan was no pushover and were under tremendous pressure to embarras BYU in that game. They didn't. Another note. Bosco fumbled twice heading it to the end zone, not protecting the ball well when he scrambled, he was an awkward runner holding the ball away from his body rather then tucking it under his armpit. Point being, there was actually a huge yardage disparity in the game in BYUs favor, and minus those big Oops by Bosco, the score could have should have been by a much wider margin. Credit Michigan for swatting the ball loose at the culminating point of both drives. The following season BYU opens against highly ranked Boston College, Bosco injured his arm, and never recovered from it.

[@johnliberty3647]

Not sure how it’s done now but I always felt a playoff with all conference winners would solve disputes. It might humble power conferences and some of the conference jumpers might jump to the weak conferences to increase the chances of getting in the playoffs. It would bring balance to the confrences. No one agreed with me and I got bored with a sport that didn’t want balance.

[@michaelabbott8674]

I think it would be a great idea. Why not a 24 team playoff like the FCS has? All FBS conference champions could be automatic qualifiers and still strong Power 5 teams that didn’t win their conference a shot.

[@johnliberty3647]

That’s what I was thinking, add in the highest ranked teams not conference champions and they can do it as the bowl games since many of the top bowls are conference based. Like the Rose Bowl was when I watched PAC 10 vs Big Ten.. I am sure is a way to preserve that or even if it’s a 2nd round game the power confrences have to beat weak confrence champs to get there.

[@jeoh93]

Birthplace of the air raid offense. So many coaches who expanded on the west coast, and air raid offense started there

[@gijakob]

Could you do a video about the rise and fall of Conference USA?

[@quinnschroetlin]

Would be interesting to see with C-USA having gone through so much realignment that roughly 30 teams in the G5 have at one point been in the conference at different times. Also, none of the current members have been with the conference since the start; the whole thing reshuffled itself multiple times.

[@alanstrong55]

I was proud of Brigham Young U for winning that national title. Steve Young rightfully earned that Heisman Trophy.

[@jonnybaze7449]

*being vote nc.

[@shadkarlson4948]

I understand the different sides of the debate, but if you go undefeated in whatever league you play in (in this context the league would be FBS) then you deserve a shot at a championship. If you're going to treat some league members as inferior based on brand, strength of schedule, etc. then you might as well just officially split the FBS into two leagues. That said, I'm hopeful that the 12 team format will be the best so far for all FBS schools, even if it's still imperfect. UCF, Utah (painful to admit as a BYU fan), etc. have gotten screwed over in the past, unfortunately

[@cooperwolfe5478]

Yeah I agree. Honestly until another school from a non major conference wins, the 1984 BYU team will always be an anomaly when it comes to college football national champions. I know they almost always played in the Holiday Bowl back then but they should’ve played either Washington or Oklahoma.

[@kdragon2656]

Do Fresno State next

[@mongoslade277]

Those Pat Hill Fresno State Bulldogs were the real deal. Giant Killers. He wouldn't let Power 5 teams avoid them. "ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

[@davidfrost801]

There are a lot of good comments here that basically can be concluded that even then in the past there wasn't a clear cut equitable path to national rankings without some controversy ultimately due to sports writers and coaches voting for their favorites at times. Not certain if it will ever get worked out fairly for teams and players involved.

[@dclark142002]

In the last several years, I have done a personal rankings based solely on which teams beat which other teams. I don't care about power-5 or not...but on how impressive the wins are. Without fail, there are some lesser conference teams that have made impressive runs into the top-10. However, in each of the last five years...the committee and I have agreed on the content of the playoff teams. Slight differences in seeding...yes. Teams in vs out? No. The system as implemented currently doesn't reward teams for on-field accomplishments as much as it should...it still gets confused with pre-season expectations...but the sample size so far has augured well for the committee's decisionmaking.

[@jonnybaze7449]

What’s impressive mean? Factoring margin of victory without teams knowing makes any system automatically flawed. You and the committee have done nothing. Things work themselves out. The committee never makes any sense and constantly contradicts themselves until the end when again it works its self out. There’s no argument for the committee’s “decision making”. The can’t keep one week consistent, let alone week to week or year to year. I don’t think they even know the criteria.

[@Jay_Cannon]

Require everyone to play at least 2 Power 5 schools on your schedule. That gives the Group of 5 a chance to add Power 5 schools to their non-conference schedule. If they still go undefeated now they have an argument.

[@Chris-xt8io]

The American Conference is really good

[@dezznutz3743]

They cant hang anymore. PERIOD. BYU had an advantage because all of their players are 2 years olders than the players on all the other squads.

[@pantherman16]

I said it before and will say it again. There will be two MASSIVE NCAA Sports conferences. The WAL MART Conference (previously known as the SEC) and the TARGET Conference (Previously known as the Big 10,Big 16 or whatever they do with the math over there). WALM MART. The conference commissioner is Jeff Foxworthy. TARGET. The conference commissioner is Larry the Cable Guy. Hold on, Larry is from Nebraska. get 'er done.

[@mathwiz3145]

As a fan of the bows, I’d like to think BYU’s struggle against the University of Hawaii would partially be to “Rivalry game” Hawaii and BYU have traditional rivalry in football between the two programs. Also, a lot of people in Hawaii are part of Mormon faith. So, there is a local connection between the Mormon church and the people of Hawaii.

[@randyolsen8307]

What helped was some WAC teams beat some big names, which resulted in the phrase, "Everybody has been beaten by somebody, who was beaten by BYU. But nobody has beaten anybody who has beaten BYU."

[@orlandocolon877]

You should do the desert swarm defense Arizona Wildcats

[@rayneTheWolfe]

I will always say it should be the conference champions and or undefeated teams should get to be in the playoffs especially now with it being 12 teams, OR the playoffs 25 teas

[@michaelnewton1332]

A part of me wants to see schools like BYU get their chance. But then I remember when I was a kid on New Year's Day 1985, and how totally bummed out I felt that the bowl games weren't going to mean anything that day, as BYU had essentially cliched the national title. I never want to feel that way as a college football fan again.

[@jonnybaze7449]

According to who? The pollsters? Who cares?

[@adanalyst6925]

That doesn’t make any sense lol… other teams should be given chances to finish well so the NY6 bowls can mean more?

[@ktarv6111]

I have UW friends who are still bitter and I have to remind them of BYU’s win over UW first game of the next season.

[@Lowgraphicsdeer]

Btw, 2 of these conferences are either dissolving or being almost completely changed next year

[@Richard-od7yd]

BYU is the reason for SUPER CONFERENCES today The BIG BOYS will Never let a little dog in the game again

[@abevillanueva1974]

lol..A dropped pass enabled BYU to make the run complete undefeated that year

[@calvinkeele9317]

I want make comentry like your doing so they can start winning and stop losing

[@limitlessmdrt]

I stand by the fact that its not a "National Championship" until every conference champ actually gets a chance. Like how can every other sport have this covered but the biggest sport hasnt figured it out.

[@IAMGavinMitchell]

What does 1984 BYU football & 1990 UNLV basketball have in common? They were the consensus National Champion without playing in a traditional power conference. Next year it will be the 40th anniversary of that team defying the odds winning a natty without playing a traditional new year's bowl game. UNLV had to beat 6 teams (Arkansas Little Rock, Ohio State, Ball State, Loyola Marymount, Georgia Tech & Duke) to earn that title playing 21 of their 40 games in the Big West Conference. Did their weak conference schedule hurt them? No. That very team struggled against Ball State but they won. So thats the rarity of 2 schools west of the Mississippi that doesn't play in a power conference and got it done.

[@randysandberg5615]

I remember in high school there was no playoffs. Champions were crowned by a vote of sportswriters. I'm all for expanded playoffs in college. Win it on the field. Boise State had a chance 10-15 years ago but there wasn't a playoff.

[@jonnybaze7449]

Yes but no. Titles were and are still claimed by the universities. Why does the playoff change anything? Why is destroying cfb good?

[@mikebronicki8264]

Why bother with regular season. Just start a double elimination tournament in September.

[@jonnybaze7449]

@@mikebronicki8264 well because the regular season was the greatest in all of sports and an ex facto post season.

[@mikebronicki8264]

@@jonnybaze7449 I agree. I was just taking the current trend to the extreme. In my perfect world the conferences make geographic sense, there are no extra games for a conference championship and the perfect playoff includes 8 teams with the first round being a home game for the top 4. If you lose 3 games your chance of a championship should be zero. 2 loss teams should have to have a signature win and only "good" losses to have even a 50% chance of qualifying. It used to be that EVERY game during the regular season mattered!

[@fartholemechanic9252]

BYU will be a 7 or 8 win team in the big 12

[@mwright_boomer]

The portal and NIL just make the parity problem worse IMO

[@vanillathunder3024]

These teams were GOOD. I remember they scored a ton of points and played good ball all around. I’m from Miami so it was strange for anyone but us to win the championship back then but props to BYU…

[@michaelhuffman6429]

I remember this season, BYU was a good team, but, and I know what the reaction will be. I question would they have been undefeated playing in the SEC, Big Eight, Big Ten teams? I don't think so, but I don't want to sound like Barry Switzer, so I'll leave it alone.