| Notes at bottom of page | ||||||
| CURRENT CHAMP | HOW OBTAINED | DATE | WINS | NEXT DEFENSE | DATE | DURATION (DAYS) |
| TEXAS LONGHORNS | Defeated Oklahoma State 28-24, Home | 10/25/2008 | 0 | Texas Tech, Away | 11/1/2008 | 7 |
| CHAMPION | HOW OBTAINED | DATE | WINS | HOW LOST | DATE | DURATION (DAYS) |
| Oklahoma State | Defeated Missouri 28-23, Away | 10/11/2008 | 1 | Lost to Texas 28-24, Away | 10/25/2008 | 14 |
| Missouri | Defeated Arkansas 38-7, Cotton Bowl | 1/1/2008 | 5 | Lost to Oklahoma State 28-23, Home | 10/11/2008 | 284 |
| Arkansas | Defeated Louisiana State 50-48, Away | 11/23/2007 | 0 | Lost to Missouri 38-7, Cotton Bowl | 1/1/2008 | 39 |
| Louisiana State | Defeated Auburn 30-24, Home | 10/20/2007 | 3 | Lost to Arkansas 50-48, Home | 11/23/2007 | 34 |
| Auburn | Defeated Florida 20-17, Away | 9/29/2007 | 2 | Lost to Louisiana State 30-24, Away | 10/20/2007 | 21 |
| Florida | Defeated Ohio State 41-14, National Championship | 1/8/2007 | 4 | Lost to Auburn 20-17, Home | 9/29/2007 | 264 |
| Ohio State | Defeated Texas 24-7, Away | 9/9/2006 | 10 | Lost to Florida 41-14, National Championship | 1/8/2007 | 121 |
| Texas | Defeated Southern Cal 41-38, Rose Bowl | 1/1/2004 | 1 | Lost to Ohio State 24-7, Home | 9/9/2006 | 248 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated Michigan 28-14, Rose Bowl | 1/1/2004 | 25 | Lost to Texas 41-38, Rose Bowl | 1/4/2006 | 734 |
| Michigan | Defeated Purdue 31-3, Home | 10/25/2003 | 3 | Lost to Southern Cal 28-14, Rose Bowl | 1/1/2004 | 68 |
| Purdue | Defeated Wisconsin 26-23, Away | 10/18/2003 | 0 | Lost to Michigan 31-3, Away | 10/25/2003 | 7 |
| Wisconsin | Defeated Ohio State 17-10, Home | 10/11/2003 | 0 | Lost to Purdue 26-23, Home | 10/18/2003 | 7 |
| Ohio State | Defeated Miami (FL) 31-24, Fiesta Bowl | 1/3/2003 | 5 | Lost to Wisconsin 17-10, Away | 10/11/2003 | 281 |
| Miami (FL) | Defeated Florida State 27-24, Home | 10/7/2000 | 31 | Lost to Ohio State 31-24, Fiesta Bowl | 1/3/2003 | 818 |
| Florida State | Defeated North Carolina State 42-11, Home | 9/18/1999 | 14 | Lost to Miami (FL) 27-24, Away | 10/7/2000 | 385 |
| North Carolina State | Defeated Texas 23-20, Away | 8/28/1999 | 2 | Lost to Florida State 42-11, Away | 9/18/1999 | 21 |
| Texas | Defeated Texas A&M 26-24, Home | 11/27/1998 | 1 | Lost to North Carolina State 23-20, Home | 8/28/1999 | 274 |
| Texas A&M | Defeated Nebraska 28-21, Home | 10/10/1998 | 5 | Lost to Texas 26-24, Away | 11/27/1998 | 48 |
| Nebraska | Defeated Washington 27-14, Away | 9/20/1997 | 15 | Lost to Texas A&M 28-21, Away | 10/10/1998 | 385 |
| Washington | Defeated Brigham Young 42-20, Away | 9/6/1997 | 1 | Lost to Nebraska 27-14, Home | 9/20/1997 | 14 |
| Brigham Young | Defeated Tulsa 55-30, Away | 10/19/1996 | 7 | Lost to Washington 42-20, Home | 9/6/1997 | 322 |
| Tulsa | Defeated Iowa 27-20, Home | 9/21/1996 | 2 | Lost to Brigham Young 55-30, Home | 10/19/1996 | 28 |
| Iowa | Defeated Arizona 21-20, Home | 9/7/1996 | 1 | Lost to Tulsa 27-20, Away | 9/21/1996 | 14 |
| Arizona | Defeated Arizona State 31-28, Away | 11/24/1995 | 1 | Lost to Iowa 21-20, Away | 9/7/1996 | 288 |
| Arizona State | Defeated Brigham Young 29-21, Home | 10/14/1995 | 3 | Lost to Arizona 31-28, Home | 11/24/1995 | 41 |
| Brigham Young | Defeated Colorado State 28-21, Away | 9/30/1995 | 0 | Lost to Arizona State 29-21, Away | 10/14/1995 | 14 |
| Colorado State | Defeated Air Force 27-20, Away | 9/16/1995 | 0 | Lost to Brigham Young 28-21, Home | 9/30/1995 | 14 |
| Air Force | Defeated Wyoming 34-10, Home | 9/9/1995 | 0 | Lost to Colorado State 27-20, Home | 9/16/1995 | 7 |
| Wyoming | Defeated New Mexico 38-28, Home | 11/12/1994 | 1 | Lost to Air Force 34-10, Away | 9/9/1995 | 301 |
| New Mexico | Defeated Utah 23-21, Home | 11/5/1994 | 0 | Lost to Wyoming 38-28, Away | 11/12/1994 | 7 |
| Utah | Defeated Colorado State 45-31, Away | 10/22/1994 | 1 | Lost to New Mexico, 23-21, Away | 11/5/1994 | 14 |
| Colorado State | Defeated Arizona 21-16, Away | 10/8/1994 | 1 | Lost to Utah 45-31, Home | 10/22/1994 | 14 |
| Arizona | Defeated Arizona State 34-20, Away | 11/26/1993 | 5 | Lost to Colorado State 21-16, Home | 10/8/1994 | 316 |
| Arizona State | Defeated UCLA 9-3, Away | 11/13/1993 | 0 | Lost to Arizona 34-20, Home | 11/26/1993 | 13 |
| UCLA | Defeated Washington 39-25, Home | 10/16/1993 | 3 | Lost to Arizona State 9-3, Home | 11/13/1993 | 28 |
| Washington | Defeated California 24-23, Away | 10/9/1993 | 0 | Lost to UCLA 39-25, Away | 10/16/1993 | 7 |
| California | Defeated UCLA 27-25, Away | 9/4/1993 | 4 | Lost to Washington 24-23, Home | 10/9/1993 | 35 |
| UCLA | Defeated Southern Cal 38-37, Home | 11/21/1992 | 0 | Lost to California 27-25, Home | 9/4/1993 | 287 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated Arizona 14-7, Home | 11/14/1992 | 0 | Lost to UCLA 38-37, Away | 11/21/1992 | 7 |
| Arizona | Defeated Washington 16-3, Home | 11/7/1992 | 0 | Lost to Southern Cal 14-7, Away | 11/14/1992 | 7 |
| Washington | Defeated Southern Cal 17-10, Home | 10/3/1992 | 4 | Lost to Arizona 16-3, Away | 11/7/1992 | 35 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated Oklahoma 20-10, Away | 9/19/1992 | 0 | Lost to Washington 17-10, Away | 10/3/1992 | 14 |
| Oklahoma | Defeated Texas Tech 34-9, Away | 9/3/1992 | 1 | Lost to Southern Cal 20-10, Home | 9/19/1992 | 16 |
| Texas Tech | Defeated Baylor 31-24, Away | 11/16/1991 | 1 | Lost to Oklahoma 34-9, Home | 9/3/1992 | 292 |
| Baylor | Defeated Texas Christian 26-9, Home | 10/26/1991 | 1 | Lost to Texas Tech 31-24, Home | 11/16/1991 | 21 |
| Texas Christian | Defeated Rice 39-28, Away | 10/19/1991 | 0 | Lost to Baylor 26-9, Away | 10/26/1991 | 7 |
| Rice | Defeated Baylor 20-17, Away | 10/12/1991 | 0 | Lost to Texas Christian 39-28, Home | 10/19/1991 | 7 |
| Baylor | Defeated Colorado 16-14, Away | 9/14/1991 | 3 | Lost to Rice 20-17, Home | 10/12/1991 | 28 |
| Colorado | Defeated Notre Dame 10-9, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1991 | 1 | Lost to Baylor 16-14, Home | 9/14/1991 | 256 |
| Notre Dame | Defeated Southern Cal 10-6, Away | 11/24/1990 | 0 | Lost to Colorado 10-9, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1991 | 38 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated UCLA 45-42, Away | 11/17/1990 | 0 | Lost to Notre Dame 10-6, Home | 11/24/1990 | 7 |
| UCLA | Defeated Washington 25-22, Away | 11/10/1990 | 0 | Lost to Southern Cal 45-42, Home | 11/17/1990 | 7 |
| Washington | Defeated California 46-7, Home | 10/27/1990 | 1 | Lost to UCLA 25-22, Home | 11/10/1990 | 14 |
| California | Defeated Arizona 30-25, Away | 9/29/1990 | 3 | Lost to Washington 46-7, Away | 10/27/1990 | 28 |
| Arizona | Defeated Illinois 28-16, Home | 9/8/1990 | 2 | Lost to California 30-25, Home | 9/29/1990 | 21 |
| Illinois | Defeated Virginia 31-21, Citrus Bowl | 1/1/1990 | 0 | Lost to Arizona 28-16, Away | 9/8/1990 | 250 |
| Virginia | Defeated North Carolina State 20-9, Away | 11/4/1989 | 2 | Lost to Illinois 31-21, Citrus Bowl | 1/1/1990 | 58 |
| North Carolina State | Defeated South Carolina 20-10, Away | 10/28/1989 | 0 | Lost to Virginia 20-9, Home | 11/4/1989 | 7 |
| South Carolina | Defeated Georgia 24-20, Away | 9/30/1989 | 2 | Lost to North Carolina State 20-10, Home | 10/28/1989 | 28 |
| Georgia | Defeated Mississippi State 23-6, Home | 9/23/1989 | 0 | Lost to South Carolina 24-20, Home | 9/30/1989 | 7 |
| Mississippi State | Defeated Southern Miss 26-23, Away | 9/9/1989 | 0 | Lost to Georgia 23-6, Away | 9/23/1989 | 14 |
| Southern Miss | Defeated Florida State 30-26, Neutral | 9/2/1989 | 0 | Lost to Mississippi State 26-23, Home | 9/9/1989 | 7 |
| Florida State | Defeated Clemson 24-21, Away | 9/17/1988 | 9 | Lost to Southern Miss 30-26, Neutral | 9/2/1989 | 350 |
| Clemson | Defeated Penn State 35-10, Citrus Bowl | 1/1/1988 | 2 | Lost to Florida State 24-21, Home | 9/17/1988 | 260 |
| Penn State | Defeated Notre Dame 21-20, Home | 11/21/1987 | 0 | Lost to Clemson 35-10, Citrus Bowl | 1/1/1988 | 41 |
| Notre Dame | Defeated Alabama 37-6, Home | 11/14/1987 | 0 | Lost to Penn State 21-20, Away | 11/21/1987 | 7 |
| Alabama | Defeated Louisiana State 22-10, Away | 11/7/1987 | 0 | Lost to Notre Dame 37-6, Away | 11/14/1987 | 7 |
| Louisiana State | Defeated Florida 13-10, Home | 10/3/1987 | 3 | Lost to Alabama 22-10, Home | 11/7/1987 | 35 |
| Florida | Defeated Alabama 23-14, Away | 9/19/1987 | 1 | Lost to Louisiana State 13-10, Away | 10/3/1987 | 14 |
| Alabama | Defeated Penn State 24-13, Away | 9/12/1987 | 0 | Lost to Florida 23-14, Home | 9/19/1987 | 7 |
| Penn State | Defeated Alabama 23-3, Away | 10/25/1986 | 6 | Lost to Alabama 24-13, Home | 9/12/1987 | 322 |
| Alabama | Defeated Southern Cal 24-3, Aloha Bowl | 12/28/1985 | 7 | Lost to Penn State 23-3, Home | 10/25/1986 | 301 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated UCLA 17-13, Home | 11/23/1985 | 1 | Lost to Alabama 24-3, Aloha Bowl | 12/28/1985 | 35 |
| UCLA | Defeated Arizona 24-19, Away | 11/9/1985 | 1 | Lost to Southern Cal 17-13, Away | 11/23/1985 | 14 |
| Arizona | Defeated Oregon State 27-6, Away | 11/2/1985 | 0 | Lost to UCLA 24-19, Home | 11/9/1985 | 7 |
| Oregon State | Defeated Washington 21-20, Away | 10/19/1985 | 0 | Lost to Arizona 27-6, Home | 11/2/1985 | 14 |
| Washington | Defeated UCLA 21-14, Home | 9/28/1985 | 2 | Lost to Oregon State 21-20, Home | 10/19/1985 | 21 |
| UCLA | Defeated Southern Cal 29-10, Home | 11/17/1984 | 4 | Lost to Washington 21-14, Away | 9/28/1985 | 315 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated Washington 16-7, Home | 11/10/1984 | 0 | Lost to UCLA 29-10, Away | 11/17/1984 | 7 |
| Washington | Defeated Michigan 20-11, Away | 9/15/1984 | 7 | Lost to Southern Cal 16-7, Away | 11/10/1984 | 56 |
| Michigan | Defeated Miami (FL) 22-14, Home | 9/8/1984 | 0 | Lost to Washington 20-11, Home | 9/15/1984 | 7 |
| Miami (FL) | Defeated Auburn 20-18, Neutral | 8/27/1984 | 1 | Lost to Michigan 22-14, Away | 9/8/1984 | 12 |
| Auburn | Defeated Florida 28-21, Home | 10/29/1983 | 4 | Lost to Miami (FL) 20-18, Neutral | 8/27/1984 | 303 |
| Florida | Defeated Louisiana State 31-17, Away | 10/1/1983 | 2 | Lost to Auburn 28-21, Away | 10/29/1983 | 28 |
| Louisiana State | Defeated Washington 40-14, Home | 9/24/1983 | 0 | Lost to Florida 31-17, Home | 10/1/1983 | 7 |
| Washington | Defeated Michigan 25-24, Home | 9/17/1983 | 0 | Lost to Louisiana State 40-14, Away | 9/24/1983 | 7 |
| Michigan | Defeated Washington State 20-17, Home | 9/10/1983 | 0 | Lost to Washington 25-24, Away | 9/17/1983 | 7 |
| Washington State | Defeated Washington 24-20, Home | 11/20/1982 | 1 | Lost to Michigan 20-17, Away | 9/10/1983 | 294 |
| Washington | Defeated Arizona State 17-13, Away | 11/13/1982 | 0 | Lost to Washington State 24-20, Away | 11/20/1982 | 7 |
| Arizona State | Defeated Stanford 21-17, Home | 10/9/1982 | 3 | Lost to Washington 17-13, Home | 11/13/1982 | 35 |
| Stanford | Defeated Ohio State 23-20, Away | 9/25/1982 | 1 | Lost to Arizona State 21-17, Away | 10/9/1982 | 14 |
| Ohio State | Defeated Michigan 14-9, Away | 11/21/1981 | 3 | Lost to Stanford 23-20, Home | 9/25/1982 | 308 |
| Michigan | Defeated Minnesota 34-13, Away | 10/31/1981 | 2 | Lost to Ohio State 14-9, Home | 11/21/1981 | 21 |
| Minnesota | Defeated Iowa 12-10, Away | 10/24/1981 | 0 | Lost to Michigan 34-13, Home | 10/31/1981 | 7 |
| Iowa | Defeated UCLA 20-7, Home | 9/26/1981 | 3 | Lost to Minnesota 12-10, Home | 10/24/1981 | 28 |
| UCLA | Defeated Wisconsin 31-13, Away | 9/19/1981 | 0 | Lost to Iowa 20-7, Away | 9/26/1981 | 7 |
| Wisconsin | Defeated Michigan 21-14, Home | 9/12/1981 | 0 | Lost to UCLA 31-13, Home | 9/19/1981 | 7 |
| Michigan | Defeated Washington 23-6, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1981 | 0 | Lost to Wisconsin 21-14, Away | 9/12/1981 | 254 |
| Washington | Defeated Southern Cal 20-10, Away | 11/15/1980 | 1 | Lost to Michigan 23-6, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1981 | 47 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated Washington 28-10, Home | 11/11/1978 | 24 | Lost to Washington 20-10, Home | 11/15/1980 | 735 |
| Washington | Defeated Arizona State 41-7, Home | 10/28/1978 | 1 | Lost to Southern Cal 28-10, Away | 11/11/1978 | 14 |
| Arizona State | Defeated Southern Cal 20-7, Home | 10/14/1978 | 0 | Lost to Washington 41-7, Away | 10/28/1978 | 14 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated Alabama 24-14, Away | 9/23/1978 | 1 | Lost to Arizona State 20-7, Away | 10/14/1978 | 21 |
| Alabama | Defeated Southern Cal 21-20, Away | 10/8/1977 | 9 | Lost to Southern Cal 24-14, Home | 9/23/1978 | 350 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated UCLA 24-14, Away | 11/20/1976 | 6 | Lost to Alabama 21-20, Home | 10/8/1977 | 322 |
| UCLA | Defeated Ohio State 23-10, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1976 | 10 | Lost to Southern Cal 24-14, Home | 11/20/1976 | 324 |
| Ohio State | Defeated UCLA 41-20, Away | 10/4/1975 | 7 | Lost to UCLA 23-10, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1976 | 89 |
| UCLA | Defeated Tennessee 34-28, Home | 9/20/1975 | 1 | Lost to Ohio State 41-20, Home | 10/4/1975 | 14 |
| Tennessee | Defeated Clemson 29-28, Home | 10/26/1974 | 6 | Lost to UCLA 34-28, Away | 9/20/1975 | 329 |
| Clemson | Defeated Duke 17-14, Home | 10/19/1974 | 0 | Lost to Tennessee 29-28, Away | 10/26/1974 | 7 |
| Duke | Defeated Purdue 16-14, Home | 10/5/1974 | 1 | Lost to Clemson 17-14, Away | 10/19/1974 | 14 |
| Purdue | Defeated Notre Dame 31-20, Away | 9/28/1974 | 0 | Lost to Duke 16-14, Away | 10/5/1974 | 7 |
| Notre Dame | Defeated Southern Cal 23-14, Home | 10/27/1973 | 7 | Lost to Purdue 31-20, Home | 9/28/1974 | 336 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated Ohio State 42-17, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1973 | 6 | Lost to Notre Dame 23-14, Away | 10/27/1973 | 299 |
| Ohio State | Defeated Michigan 14-11, Home | 11/25/1972 | 0 | Lost to Southern Cal 42-17, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1973 | 37 |
| Michigan | Defeated UCLA 26-9, Away | 9/23/1972 | 8 | Lost to Ohio State 14-11, Away | 11/25/1972 | 63 |
| UCLA | Defeated Nebraska 20-17, Home | 9/9/1972 | 1 | Lost to Michigan 26-9, Home | 9/23/1972 | 14 |
| Nebraska | Defeated Alabama 38-6, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1972 | 0 | Lost to UCLA 20-17, Away | 9/9/1972 | 252 |
| Alabama | Defeated Auburn 31-7, Neutral | 11/27/1971 | 0 | Lost to Nebraska 38-6, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1972 | 35 |
| Auburn | Defeated Georgia 35-20, Away | 11/13/1971 | 0 | Lost to Alabama 31-7, Neutral | 11/27/1971 | 14 |
| Georgia | Defeated Tulane 17-7, Home | 9/18/1971 | 7 | Lost to Auburn 35-20, Home | 11/13/1971 | 56 |
| Tulane | Defeated Colorado 17-3, Liberty Bowl | 12/12/1970 | 1 | Lost to Georgia 17-7, Away | 9/18/1971 | 280 |
| Colorado | Defeated Air Force 49-19, Away | 11/21/1970 | 0 | Lost to Tulane 17-3, Liberty Bowl | 12/12/1970 | 21 |
| Air Force | Defeated Stanford 31-14, Home | 11/14/1970 | 0 | Lost to Colorado 49-19, Home | 11/21/1970 | 7 |
| Stanford | Defeated Southern Cal 24-14, Home | 10/10/1970 | 4 | Lost to Air Force 31-14, Away | 11/14/1970 | 35 |
| Southern Cal | Defeated Michigan 10-3, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1970 | 4 | Lost to Stanford 24-14, Away | 10/10/1970 | 282 |
| Michigan | Defeated Ohio State 24-12, Home | 11/22/1969 | 0 | Lost to Southern Cal 10-3, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1970 | 40 |
| Ohio State | Defeated Purdue 13-0, Home | 10/12/1968 | 15 | Lost to Michigan 24-12, Away | 11/22/1969 | 406 |
| Purdue | Defeated Notre Dame 37-22, Away | 9/28/1968 | 1 | Lost to Ohio State 13-0, Away | 10/12/1968 | 14 |
| Notre Dame | Defeated Oklahoma 45-21, Home | 9/21/1968 | 0 | Lost to Purdue 37-22, Home | 9/28/1968 | 7 |
| Oklahoma | Defeated Tennessee 26-24, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1968 | 0 | Lost to Notre Dame 45-21, Away | 9/21/1968 | 264 |
| Tennessee | Defeated Mississippi 20-7, Neutral | 11/18/1967 | 2 | Lost to Oklahoma 26-24, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1968 | 44 |
| Mississippi | Defeated Georgia 29-20, Neutral | 10/14/1967 | 3 | Lost to Tennessee 20-7, Neutral | 11/18/1967 | 35 |
| Georgia | Defeated Georgia Tech 23-14, Home | 11/26/1966 | 4 | Lost to Mississippi 29-20, Neutral | 10/14/1967 | 322 |
| Georgia Tech | Defeated Tennessee 6-3, Home | 10/8/1966 | 5 | Lost to Georgia 23-14, Away | 11/26/1966 | 49 |
| Tennessee | Defeated Rice 23-3, Home | 10/1/1966 | 0 | Lost to Georgia Tech 6-3, Away | 10/8/1966 | 7 |
| Rice | Defeated Louisiana State 17-15, Home | 9/24/1966 | 0 | Lost to Tennessee 23-3, Away | 10/1/1966 | 7 |
| Louisiana State | Defeated Arkansas 14-7, Cotton Bowl | 1/1/1966 | 1 | Lost to Rice 17-15, Away | 9/24/1966 | 266 |
| Arkansas | Defeated Texas 27-24, Home | 10/16/1965 | 5 | Lost to Louisiana State 14-7, Cotton Bowl | 1/1/1966 | 77 |
| Texas | Defeated Alabama 21-17, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1965 | 4 | Lost to Arkansas 27-24, Away | 10/16/1965 | 288 |
| Alabama | Defeated Mississippi 12-7, Sugar Bowl | 1/1/1964 | 10 | Lost to Texas 21-17, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1965 | 366 |
| Mississippi | Defeated Louisiana State 15-7, Away | 11/3/1962 | 13 | Lost to Alabama 12-7, Sugar Bowl | 1/1/1964 | 424 |
| Louisiana State | Defeated Mississippi 10-7, Home | 11/4/1961 | 10 | Lost to Mississippi 15-7, Home | 11/3/1962 | 364 |
| Mississippi | Defeated Tennessee 37-7, Neutral | 11/14/1959 | 19 | Lost to Louisiana State 10-7, Away | 11/4/1961 | 721 |
| Tennessee | Defeated Louisiana State 14-13, Home | 11/7/1959 | 0 | Lost to Mississippi 37-7, Neutral | 11/14/1959 | 7 |
| Louisiana State | Defeated Mississippi 14-0, Home | 11/1/1958 | 11 | Lost to Tennessee 14-13, Away | 11/7/1959 | 371 |
| Mississippi | Defeated Tennessee 14-7, Neutral | 11/16/1957 | 8 | Lost to Louisiana State 14-0, Away | 11/1/1958 | 350 |
| Tennessee | Defeated Maryland 16-0, Away | 10/26/1957 | 2 | Lost to Mississippi 14-7, Neutral | 11/16/1957 | 21 |
| Maryland | Defeated North Carolina 21-7, Home | 10/19/1957 | 0 | Lost to Tennessee 16-0, Home | 10/26/1957 | 7 |
| North Carolina | Defeated Miami (FL) 20-13, Away | 10/11/1957 | 0 | Lost to Maryland 21-7, Away | 10/19/1957 | 8 |
| Miami (FL) | Defeated Baylor 13-7, Home | 10/5/1957 | 0 | Lost to North Carolina 20-13, Home | 10/11/1957 | 6 |
| Baylor | Defeated Tennessee 13-7, Sugar Bowl | 1/1/1957 | 2 | Lost to Miami (FL) 13-7, Away | 10/5/1957 | 277 |
| Tennessee | Defeated Vanderbilt 20-14, Home | 11/26/1955 | 10 | Lost to Baylor 13-7, Sugar Bowl | 1/1/1957 | 402 |
| Vanderbilt | Defeated Tulane 20-7, Away | 11/12/1955 | 1 | Lost to Tennessee 20-14, Away | 11/26/1955 | 14 |
| Tulane | Defeated Auburn 27-13, Home | 10/29/1955 | 1 | Lost to Vanderbilt 20-7, Home | 11/12/1955 | 14 |
| Auburn | Defeated Miami (FL) 14-13, Neutral | 11/6/1954 | 9 | Lost to Tulane 27-13, Away | 10/29/1955 | 357 |
| Miami (FL) | Defeated Mississippi State 27-13, Home | 10/15/1954 | 2 | Lost to Auburn 14-13, Neutral | 11/6/1954 | 22 |
| Mississippi State | Defeated Arkansas State 46-13, Home | 10/2/1954 | 1 | Lost to Miami (FL) 27-13, Away | 10/15/1954 | 13 |
| Arkansas State | Defeated Memphis 20-0, Away | 11/7/1953 | 4 | Lost to Mississippi State 46-13, Away | 10/2/1954 | 329 |
| Memphis | Defeated Southern Miss 27-13, Home | 10/31/1953 | 0 | Lost to Arkansas State 20-0, Home | 11/7/1953 | 7 |
| Southern Miss | Defeated Alabama 25-19, Neutral | 9/18/1953 | 4 | Lost to Memphis 27-13, Away | 10/31/1953 | 43 |
| Alabama | Defeated Syracuse 61-6, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1953 | 0 | Lost to Southern Miss 25-19, Neutral | 9/18/1953 | 260 |
| Syracuse | Defeated Penn State 25-7, Home | 11/8/1952 | 2 | Lost to Alabama 61-6, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1953 | 54 |
| Penn State | Defeated Pennsylvania 14-7, Away | 11/1/1952 | 0 | Lost to Syracuse 25-7, Away | 11/8/1952 | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | Defeated Princeton 13-7, Away | 10/11/1952 | 2 | Lost to Penn State 14-7, Home | 11/1/1952 | 21 |
| Princeton | Defeated Navy 24-20, Away | 10/6/1951 | 9 | Lost to Pennsylvania 13-7, Home | 10/11/1952 | 371 |
| Navy | Defeated Army 14-2, Neutral | 12/2/1950 | 1 | Lost to Princeton 24-20, Home | 10/6/1951 | 308 |
| Army | Defeated Cornell 27-6, Away | 10/23/1948 | 21 | Lost to Navy 14-2, Neutral | 12/2/1950 | 770 |
| Cornell | Defeated Harvard 40-6, Home | 10/9/1948 | 1 | Lost to Army 27-6, Home | 10/23/1948 | 14 |
| Harvard | Defeated Columbia 33-24, Home | 10/2/1948 | 0 | Lost to Cornell 40-6, Away | 10/9/1948 | 7 |
| Columbia | Defeated Army 21-20, Home | 10/25/1947 | 5 | Lost to Harvard 33-24, Away | 10/2/1948 | 343 |
| Army | Defeated Navy 32-13, Neutral | 12/1/1945 | 14 | Lost to Columbia 21-20, Away | 10/25/1947 | 693 |
| Navy | Defeated Duke 21-0, Away | 10/6/1945 | 6 | Lost to Army 32-13, Neutral | 12/1/1945 | 56 |
| Duke | Defeated Georgia Tech 19-13, Home | 11/4/1944 | 6 | Lost to Navy 21-0, Home | 10/6/1945 | 336 |
| Georgia Tech | Defeated Auburn 27-0, Home | 10/14/1944 | 2 | Lost to Duke 19-13, Away | 11/4/1944 | 21 |
| Auburn | Defeated Georgia 27-13, Neutral | 11/21/1942 | 3 | Lost to Georgia Tech 27-0, Away | 10/14/1944 | 693 |
| Georgia | Defeated Texas Christian 40-26, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1942 | 9 | Lost to Auburn 27-13, Neutral | 11/21/1942 | 21 |
| Texas Christian | Defeated Texas 14-7, Away | 11/15/1941 | 2 | Lost to Georgia 40-26, Orange Bowl | 1/1/1942 | 47 |
| Texas | Defeated Texas A&M 7-0, Home | 11/28/1940 | 8 | Lost to Texas Christian 14-7, Home | 11/15/1941 | 352 |
| Texas A&M | Defeated Southern Methodist 19-7, Away | 11/9/1940 | 1 | Lost to Texas 7-0, Away | 11/28/1940 | 19 |
| Southern Methodist | Defeated UCLA 9-6, Away | 9/29/1940 | 4 | Lost to Texas A&M 19-7, Home | 11/9/1940 | 41 |
| UCLA | Defeated Texas Christian 6-2, Home | 9/29/1939 | 9 | Lost to Southern Methodist 9-6, Home | 9/29/1940 | 366 |
| Texas Christian | Defeated Carnegie Tech 15-7, Sugar Bowl | 1/2/1939 | 0 | Lost to UCLA 6-2, Away | 9/29/1939 | 270 |
| Carnegie Tech | Defeated Pittsburgh 20-10, Away | 11/5/1938 | 2 | Lost to Texas Christian 15-7, Sugar Bowl | 1/2/1939 | 58 |
| Pittsburgh | Defeated West Virginia 19-0, Home | 9/24/1938 | 5 | Lost to Carnegie Tech 20-10, Home | 11/5/1938 | 42 |
| West Virginia | Defeated Texas Tech 7-6, Sun Bowl | 1/1/1938 | 0 | Lost to Pittsburgh 19-0, Away | 9/24/1938 | 266 |
| Texas Tech | Defeated Arizona 20-0, Home | 10/16/1937 | 6 | Lost to West Virginia 7-6, Sun Bowl | 1/1/1938 | 77 |
| Arizona | Defeated Oklahoma State 22-13, Home | 10/9/1937 | 0 | Lost to Texas Tech 20-0, Away | 10/16/1937 | 7 |
| Oklahoma State | Defeated Creighton 16-13, Home | 10/2/1937 | 0 | Lost to Arizona 22-13, Away | 10/9/1937 | 7 |
| Creighton | Defeated St. Benedict's 6-0, Home | 9/25/1937 | 0 | Lost to Oklahoma State 16-13, Away | 10/2/1937 | 7 |
| St. Benedict's | Defeated Fort Hays State 27-12, Away | 10/24/1936 | 2 | Lost to Creighton 6-0, Away | 9/25/1937 | 336 |
| Fort Hays State | Defeated Wichita State 14-0, Home | 10/17/1936 | 0 | Lost to St. Benedict's 27-12, Home | 10/24/1936 | 7 |
| Wichita State | Defeated Texas Tech 6-0, Away | 10/9/1936 | 0 | Lost to Fort Hays State 14-0, Away | 10/17/1936 | 8 |
| Texas Tech | Defeated Texas Christian 7-0, Home | 9/26/1936 | 1 | Lost to Wichita State 6-0, Home | 10/9/1936 | 13 |
| Texas Christian | Defeated Louisiana State 3-2, Sugar Bowl | 1/1/1936 | 1 | Lost to Texas Tech 7-0, Away | 9/26/1936 | 269 |
| Louisiana State | Defeated Mississippi State 28-13, Home | 11/9/1935 | 3 | Lost to Texas Christian 3-2, Sugar Bowl | 1/1/1936 | 53 |
| Mississippi State | Defeated Alabama 20-7, Away | 10/12/1935 | 3 | Lost to Louisiana State 28-13, Away | 11/9/1935 | 28 |
| Alabama | Defeated Stanford 29-13, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1935 | 2 | Lost to Mississippi State 20-7, Home | 10/12/1935 | 284 |
| Stanford | Defeated Washington 24-0, Home | 11/10/1934 | 2 | Lost to Alabama 29-13, Rose Bowl | 1/1/1935 | 52 |
| Washington | Defeated Oregon 16-6, Away | 10/13/1934 | 2 | Lost to Stanford 24-0, Away | 11/10/1934 | 28 |
| Oregon | Defeated St. Mary's 13-7, Away | 11/30/1933 | 2 | Lost to Washington 16-6, Home | 10/13/1934 | 317 |
| St. Mary's | Defeated Fordham 13-6, Neutral | 11/4/1933 | 3 | Lost to Oregon 13-7, Home | 11/30/1933 | 26 |
| Fordham | Defeated St. Mary's 14-0, Neutral | 11/5/1932 | 7 | Lost to St. Mary's 13-6, Neutral | 11/4/1933 | 364 |
| St. Mary's | Defeated Oregon 16-0, Home | 11/26/1931 | 6 | Lost to Fordham 14-0, Neutral | 11/5/1932 | 345 |
| Oregon | Defeated UCLA 13-6, Away | 11/21/1931 | 0 | Lost to St. Mary's 16-0, Away | 11/26/1931 | 5 |
| UCLA | Defeated St. Mary's 12-0, Home | 11/11/1931 | 0 | Lost to Oregon 13-6, Home | 11/21/1931 | 10 |
| St. Mary's | Defeated Fordham 20-12, Neutral | 11/15/1930 | 7 | Lost to UCLA 12-0, Away | 11/11/1931 | 362 |
| Fordham | Defeated Bucknell 14-0, Home | 11/23/1929 | 7 | Lost to St. Mary's 20-12, Neutral | 11/15/1930 | 357 |
| Bucknell | Defeated Villanova 9-0, Neutral | 11/9/1929 | 1 | Lost to Fordham 14-0, Away | 11/23/1929 | 14 |
| Villanova | Defeated Grove City 14-13, Home | 11/10/1928 | 7 | Lost to Bucknell 9-0, Neutral | 11/9/1929 | 364 |
| Grove City | Defeated Geneva 12-6, Home | 11/3/1928 | 1 | Lost to Villanova 14-13, Away | 11/10/1928 | 7 |
| Geneva | Defeated Duquesne 7-0, Away | 10/27/1928 | 0 | Lost to Grove City 12-6, Away | 11/3/1928 | 7 |
| Duquesne | Defeated Washington & Jefferson 12-6, Away | 10/13/1928 | 1 | Lost to Geneva 7-0, Home | 10/27/1928 | 14 |
| Washington & Jefferson | Defeated Carnegie Tech 20-6, Away | 10/15/1927 | 7 | Lost to Duquesne 12-6, Home | 10/13/1928 | 364 |
| Carnegie Tech | Defeated Notre Dame 19-0, Home | 11/27/1926 | 3 | Lost to Washington & Jefferson 20-6, Home | 10/15/1927 | 322 |
| Notre Dame | Defeated Penn State 28-0, Home | 10/16/1926 | 5 | Lost to Carnegie Tech 19-0, Away | 11/27/1926 | 42 |
| Penn State | Defeated Lebanon Valley 35-0, Home | 10/2/1926 | 1 | Lost to Notre Dame 28-0, Away | 10/16/1926 | 14 |
| Lebanon Valley | Defeated Villanova 30-12, Neutral | 9/25/1926 | 0 | Lost to Penn State 35-0, Away | 10/2/1926 | 7 |
| Villanova | Defeated Muhlenberg 23-9, Away | 11/26/1925 | 0 | Lost to Lebanon Valley 30-12, Neutral | 9/25/1926 | 303 |
| Muhlenberg | Defeated Lehigh 9-7, Away | 10/31/1925 | 0 | Lost to Villanova 23-9, Home | 11/26/1925 | 26 |
| Lehigh | Defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 3-0, Home | 10/17/1925 | 0 | Lost to Muhlenberg 9-7, Home | 10/31/1925 | 14 |
| West Virginia Wesleyan | Defeated Syracuse 7-3, Away | 11/8/1924 | 5 | Lost to Lehigh 3-0, Away | 10/17/1925 | 343 |
| Syracuse | Defeated Nebraska 7-0, Away | 11/24/1923 | 6 | Lost to West Virginia Wesleyan 7-3, Home | 11/8/1924 | 350 |
| Nebraska | Defeated Notre Dame 14-7, Home | 11/10/1923 | 1 | Lost to Syracuse 7-0, Home | 11/24/1923 | 14 |
| Notre Dame | Defeated Princeton 25-2, Away | 10/20/1923 | 2 | Lost to Nebraska 14-7, Away | 11/10/1923 | 21 |
| Princeton | Defeated Chicago 21-18, Away | 10/28/1922 | 5 | Lost to Notre Dame 25-2, Home | 10/20/1923 | 357 |
| Chicago | Defeated Wisconsin 3-0, Home | 11/19/1921 | 3 | Lost to Princeton 21-18, Home | 10/28/1922 | 343 |
| Wisconsin | Defeated Illinois 14-9, Home | 11/13/1920 | 7 | Lost to Chicago 3-0, Away | 11/19/1921 | 371 |
| Illinois | Defeated Ohio State 9-7, Away | 11/22/1919 | 5 | Lost to Wisconsin 14-9, Away | 11/13/1920 | 357 |
| Ohio State | Defeated Michigan 13-3, Away | 10/25/1919 | 2 | Lost to Illinois 9-7, Home | 11/22/1919 | 28 |
| Michigan | Defeated Syracuse 15-0, Home | 11/16/1918 | 4 | Lost to Ohio State 13-3, Home | 10/25/1919 | 343 |
| Syracuse | Defeated Brown 6-0, Away | 11/3/1917 | 7 | Lost to Michigan 15-0, Away | 11/16/1918 | 378 |
| Brown | Defeated Colgate 7-6, Home | 10/27/1917 | 0 | Lost to Syracuse 6-0, Home | 11/3/1917 | 7 |
| Colgate | Defeated Brown 28-0, Away | 11/25/1916 | 2 | Lost to Brown 7-6, Away | 10/27/1917 | 336 |
| Brown | Defeated Harvard 21-0, Away | 11/18/1916 | 0 | Lost to Colgate 28-0, Home | 11/25/1916 | 7 |
| Harvard | Defeated Cornell 23-0, Home | 10/28/1916 | 2 | Lost to Brown 21-0, Home | 11/18/1916 | 21 |
| Cornell | Defeated Harvard 10-0, Away | 10/23/1915 | 7 | Lost to Harvard 23-0, Away | 10/28/1916 | 371 |
| Harvard | Defeated Princeton 16-6, Home | 11/2/1912 | 25 | Lost to Cornell 10-0, Home | 10/23/1915 | 1085 |
| Princeton | Defeated Harvard 8-6, Home | 11/4/1911 | 8 | Lost to Harvard 16-6, Away | 11/2/1912 | 364 |
| Harvard | Defeated Army 6-0, Away | 10/29/1910 | 8 | Lost to Princeton 8-6, Away | 11/4/1911 | 371 |
| Army | Defeated Yale 9-3, Home | 10/15/1910 | 1 | Lost to Harvard 6-0, Home | 10/29/1910 | 14 |
| Yale | Defeated Harvard 8-0, Away | 11/20/1909 | 4 | Lost to Army 9-3, Away | 10/15/1910 | 329 |
| Harvard | Defeated Carlisle 17-0, Home | 11/7/1908 | 10 | Lost to Yale 8-0, Home | 11/20/1909 | 378 |
| Carlisle | Defeated Harvard 23-15, Away | 11/9/1907 | 9 | Lost to Harvard 17-0, Away | 11/7/1908 | 364 |
| Harvard | Defeated Navy 6-0, Away | 10/19/1907 | 2 | Lost to Carlisle 23-15, Home | 11/9/1907 | 21 |
| Navy | Defeated Swarthmore 5-4, Home | 11/10/1906 | 8 | Lost to Harvard 6-0, Home | 10/19/1907 | 343 |
| Swarthmore | Defeated Pennsylvania 4-0, Away | 10/13/1906 | 3 | Lost to Navy 5-4, Away | 11/10/1906 | 28 |
| Pennsylvania | Defeated Swarthmore 11-4, Home | 10/7/1905 | 14 | Lost to Swarthmore 4-0, Home | 10/13/1906 | 371 |
| Swarthmore | Defeated Navy 9-0, Away | 10/29/1904 | 2 | Lost to Pennsylvania 11-4, Away | 10/7/1905 | 343 |
| Navy | Defeated Princeton 10-9, Home | 10/15/1904 | 2 | Lost to Swarthmore 9-0, Home | 10/29/1904 | 14 |
| Princeton | Defeated Yale 11-6, Away | 11/14/1903 | 5 | Lost to Navy 10-9, Away | 10/15/1904 | 336 |
| Yale | Defeated Harvard 23-0, Home | 11/22/1902 | 10 | Lost to Princeton 11-6, Home | 11/14/1903 | 357 |
| Harvard | Defeated Yale 22-0, Home | 11/23/1901 | 11 | Lost to Yale 23-0, Away | 11/22/1902 | 364 |
| Yale | Defeated Harvard 28-0, Home | 11/24/1900 | 12 | Lost to Harvard 22-0, Away | 11/23/1901 | 364 |
| Harvard | Defeated Pennsylvania 10-0, Home | 11/5/1898 | 23 | Lost to Yale 28-0, Away | 11/24/1900 | 750 |
| Pennsylvania | Defeated Lafayette 46-0, Home | 10/23/1897 | 15 | Lost to Harvard 10-0, Away | 11/5/1898 | 378 |
| Lafayette | Defeated Pennsylvania 6-4, Away | 10/24/1896 | 12 | Lost to Pennsylvania 46-0, Away | 10/23/1897 | 364 |
| Pennsylvania | Defeated Princeton 12-0, Neutral | 11/10/1894 | 24 | Lost to Lafayette 6-4, Home | 10/24/1896 | 714 |
| Princeton | Defeated Yale 6-0, Neutral | 11/30/1893 | 7 | Lost to Pennsylvania 12-0, Neutral | 11/10/1894 | 345 |
| Yale | Defeated Princeton 32-0, Neutral | 11/27/1890 | 36 | Lost to Princeton 6-0, Neutral | 11/30/1893 | 1099 |
| Princeton | Defeated Yale 10-0, Neutral | 11/28/1889 | 13 | Lost to Yale 32-0, Neutral | 11/27/1890 | 364 |
| Yale | Defeated Harvard 17-8, Neutral | 11/24/1887 | 29 | Lost to Princeton 10-0, Neutral | 11/28/1889 | 735 |
| Harvard | Defeated Princeton 12-0, Home | 11/12/1887 | 1 | Lost to Yale 17-8, Neutral | 11/24/1887 | 12 |
| Princeton | Defeated Yale 6-5, Away | 11/21/1885 | 16 | Lost to Harvard 12-0, Away | 11/12/1887 | 721 |
| Yale | Defeated Harvard 1-0, Away | 11/25/1882 | 25 | Lost to Princeton 6-5, Home | 11/21/1885 | 1092 |
| Harvard | Defeated Princeton 2-1, Home | 11/18/1882 | 0 | Lost to Yale 1-0, Home | 11/25/1882 | 7 |
| Princeton | Defeated Yale 1-0, Neutral | 11/28/1878 | 25 | Lost to Harvard 2-1, Away | 11/18/1882 | 1451 |
| Yale | Defeated Princeton 2-0, Neutral | 11/30/1876 | 10 | Lost to Princeton 1-0, Neutral | 11/28/1878 | 728 |
| Princeton | Defeated Rutgers 8-0, Home | 11/13/1869 | 10 | Lost to Yale 2-0, Neutral | 11/30/1876 | 2574 |
| Rutgers | Defeated Princeton 6-4, Home | 11/6/1869 | 0 | Lost to Princeton 8-0, Away | 11/13/1869 | 7 |
General Notes:
This is presented for information only. I don't think anyone would suggest that the college football champion be determined in the same manner as boxing. Obviously scheduling is completely different, etc.
As in boxing, the challenger must defeat the champion to take the title belt. Ties result in the champion retaining the title.
A quick note for Texas fans: If Oklahoma hadn't lost to Notre Dame two weeks before playing Texas in 1968, the Longhorns would have established the longest reign (in terms of number of successful title defenses) of the 20th Century. Just one more reason to hate both Oklahoma and Notre Dame.
Issues (chronological order):
Could not locate comprehensive year-by-year results for West Virginia Wesleyan, Lehigh, and Muhlenberg so old newspaper archives were used to track their games. Some may be missing. If a loss is missing then the track moving forward would obviously change.
Grove City and Geneva offered their year-by-year results and the games seem to be listed in order within each season but no dates are attached. These dates are guesses.
St. Mary's lost to Olympic Club the week before they lost to UCLA. However, the Olympic Club squad was comprised of former college athletes from around the region. I choose not to recognize this is a loss to another college football team.
St. Benedict's presented the same problem as West Virginia Wesleyan, Lehigh, and Muhlenberg.