This from an article in the Dallas Morning News. If UCF can claim a Nat'l Champ (and I think they can), then SMU can claim 3. I did not know this, it's official.

"So, you could say that UCF really committed to the charade (of Nat'l Champ).
Not so fast. Turns out, we can't call it a charade anymore. As of August 2018, the NCAA officially recognizes the Knights as a national champion.
How did this happen?
The NCAA still follows a policy of recognizing champions declared by polls deemed as "major selectors." This worked out well in yesteryear and is why SMU can claim "shared" national titles in 1935 (Minnesota, LSU, Princeton, TCU), 1981 (Clemson, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Texas) and 1982 (Nebraska, Penn State). Dissenting opinions rarely happen these days and the CFP champion gets all the glory regardless."

Shared championships were recognized through 1997 with Nebraska and Michigan. Only in 2003 with USC and LSU has a recognized shared title existed since. Central Florida is in the official record books, so there’s no dispute about it being real or fake. With 130 teams and no inclusive playoffs (with a playoff chosen by people and not objective stats), multiple national champions should be more common.

(10-03-2018 10:36 AM)AusTxPony Wrote:  This from an article in the Dallas Morning News. If UCF can claim a Nat'l Champ (and I think they can), then SMU can claim 3. I did not know this, it's official.

"So, you could say that UCF really committed to the charade (of Nat'l Champ).
Not so fast. Turns out, we can't call it a charade anymore. As of August 2018, the NCAA officially recognizes the Knights as a national champion.
How did this happen?
The NCAA still follows a policy of recognizing champions declared by polls deemed as "major selectors." This worked out well in yesteryear and is why SMU can claim "shared" national titles in 1935 (Minnesota, LSU, Princeton, TCU), 1981 (Clemson, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Texas) and 1982 (Nebraska, Penn State). Dissenting opinions rarely happen these days and the CFP champion gets all the glory regardless."

you're an SMU fan and you didn't know that? it's been on your wiki page.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMU_Mustangs_football

in the box on the right. "Claimed nat'l titles 3 (1935, 1981, 1982)"

it's listed as a claimed national title for everyone (see bama's page) because there is no official national title in FBS. all of them are claims. you can choose not to claim a national title and that's what UCF's critics would have preferred them do, but G5's are in no position to be leaving things unclaimed when they have no shot at the playoff invitational.