1950 National Champions: the Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Volunteers, Princeton Tigers, and Oklahoma Sooners

Before the BCS and College Football Playoff, mythical college football national champions were decided by a group of “Selectors,” or voting conglomerates. After UK’s New Training Facility tours, certain media and some fans have united in angst over the University of Kentucky’s 1950 National Championship trophy. Somewhat understandable but not unprecedented. Kentucky is not the only football program that has retroactively recognized a national or conference football title; in fact, one of the Southeastern Conference’s newest members did it just four years ago. In 2012, Texas A&M adorned Kyle Field with a fresh coat of paint and two new national championship banners. The Aggies were retroactively recognized as 1919 and 1927 national champions by two separate selectors: The Billingsley Report and Sagarin Rankings. Good for them. Gig ’em Aggies. Furthermore, the University of Alabama claims five national championships prior to 1961. After posting an 9-2 record in 1941, the Houlgate System proclaimed the Tide number one. I have zero qualms with that, as Bama declares 16 titles in their rich football history.

Truth of the matter is, the NCAA doesn’t officially sanction a major college football national champion; it merely recognizes “selectors” that award titles. Aren’t all titles officially mythical by definition? With football being the most profitable and popular American sport, the NCAA has very little say so in its postseason. Bowl teams are independently selected due to merit, geographical preference, or conference affiliation. The College Football Playoff has supplanted the BCS and names a champion by utilizing a four-team playoff. The four teams are selected by a committee.

According to Jeff Sagarin, who generates the Sagarin Ratings for USA Today, Kentucky is the 1950 national champion. Sagarin has generated computer ratings since the 1970s and reconstructed earlier seasons. Sagarin’s computer rated the Wildcats as tops for the 1950 campaign. UK is NOT claiming to be the only champion from that season, just merely one of the four that were deservingly picked by various selectors regardless of time of designation.

The majority of selectors designated the national champions after the regular season and before the bowl games in that era. UK finished the regular season with a 10-1 record and was ranked 7th before knocking off then #1 Oklahoma 13-7 in the Sugar Bowl.

Oklahoma was named as the mythical champions by the UPI, AP, as well as four other selectors. In that same season, Tennessee claims a Sagarin title along being identified as kings by the Billingsley Report, Devold Systems and three other selectors. Princeton is the fourth team in the equation by garnering selections by the Boand System and Poling System. Good for those schools. Paint the stadium. Buy a trophy and rings.

UK’s recognition of the 1950 team as the national champion is not new. As a matter of fact, in 2005, UK honored the distinguished team with championship rings during a Commonwealth Stadium ceremony. Is it the trophy that has caused the stir? A new trophy was made to show off in a brand new training facility. UK wasn’t hiding the title, as it has claimed the championship for several years now. It’s all about the players. Eighty-five-year-old deserving men like All-American and Outland Trophy winner Bob Gain can now bring their families to the facility to show off a tangible reminder of their team’s accomplishment. When the remainder of the 1950 team gathers at the facility, trophy construction date all of a sudden becomes irrelevant. Gain went on to a long NFL career after being selected fifth overall in the NFL Draft.

If I ever see Mr. Gain, I’m going to ask to see his championship ring and congratulate him on winning the national championship. That 1950 team was flat out loaded. Nine players were selected in the NFL Draft. The SEC Champion Cats went 11-1 on their way to beating top-ranked Oklahoma 13-7 in the Sugar Bowl.

A quick look at the 1951 (the next season) national championship polls offer an even more crowded picture at the top. Georgia Tech, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan State, and Tennessee were all named as title holders by various selectors. Georgia Tech honors the title as unclaimed. Tennessee, Maryland, Michigan State, and Illinois all recognize the championship. Individual schools don’t fabricate achievement. Declaration of championship is decided by independent entities or selectors. The celebration thereof is an institutional decision. I’m proud that my alma mater decided to go all out. I’d be nearly as happy for any or all schools to honor their championship teams in a manner they see fit. I’d say the same if referencing Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Louisville, or Princeton. Let us never forget: it’s all about the players.