NCAA FOOTBALL
Has Washington ever won the CFP National Championship? When was the last time they won?
The number one Michigan Wolverines face the number two Washington Huskies for the National Championship, and the Huskies have form in this regard.
As the Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies head into the CFP National Championship game, the Wolverines are the favorites. And while much has been made of Michigan’s pursuit of yet another national title for their trophy case, their opponent is not without past form in this area.
The Huskies have won the national title before, either never, twice, or five times, depending on how you look at it. Let me unpack this a little for you.
Choosing a national champion has historically been a contentious undertaking. Prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship, it was a case of topping polls rather than a straight up playoff.
During the first century or so of college football, the concept of a national champion was very much notional rather than actual. This led to many, many instances where more than one team was named as the top team in the land.
Such was the case in 1910, 1984, and 1990. Several selectors named Washington as the national champion, despite the two major polls ranking them at number two and five respectively. The school does not claim any of these titles.
The 1960 and the 1991 Huskies seasons are a different story. In 1960, Washington beat the number one ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Rose Bowl, but the AP and UPI polls had already awarded the national championship to Minnesota before the Bowl game was played. The FWAA awarded Ole Miss the honor and the HAF recognized Washington.
Rightfully so, the Huskies feel that having beaten the national number one team in the Rose Bowl is their bona fides, and do in fact lay claim to the 1960 national championship.
Similarly, in 1991, the undefeated Huskies shut down the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl. The USA Today and CNN polls named Washington national champions, while the AP poll gave it to Miami. Just as in 1960, the school lays claim, quite rightfully, to this win as a national championship.
The difference now is that there is no longer any debate. With the advent of the CFP, the winner of the game on January 8 will be the undisputed national champion. So, depending on where you stand on the issue - and which poll you like - the Washington Huskies might come away with their first, third, or sixth title.