Nebraska’s “So Close” seasons that were a win away from National Championship appearances

Good Morning everybody! As I bide my time waiting for the 2021 season to begin, I’ve been browsing our past schedules from ’62 – ’01, and some notable things stood out to me that I thought might be worth posting about (or not, you tell me!). Most folks here know that Bob D. made 3 National Championship appearances (winning 2) Tom made 6 (winning 3) and Frank made 1 (winning 0). However, it’s absolutely astounding to me how many seasons we played that a single loss took us out of making even more National Championship appearances. Of course, I know that rankings and conferences were screwy back then, so we’ll never actually know, but I’d like to go by year by year and point them out, just for fun!

1963 – Only loss of the year was to Air Force. Do we play for the N.C. that year if we win?

1975 – As #2 team, loss to Oklahoma. Do we play for the N.C. that year if we win?

1978 – As #2 team, loss to Missouri. After beating #1 Sooners the game before.

1982 – Penn State. We all know.

1984 – As #1 team, loss to Oklahoma. Do we play for the N.C. that year if we win?

1985 – As #2 team, loss to Oklahoma. Do we play for the N.C. that year if we win?

1987 – As #1 team, loss to Oklahoma.

1988 – Only regular season loss was to UCLA when we were ranked #2. Do we play for the N.C. that year if we win?

1989 – Only regular season loss was to #2 CO when we were ranked #3. Do we play for the N.C. that year if we win.

1996 – Loss to Texas in the first Big 12 Championship. Certainly would have made an appearance.

1999 – As #3 team, loss to Texas, our only loss of the year. Many folks say we would have played for the N.C. had we won this game.

I know there really wasn’t a “National Championship” game back in these days, but I think the data speaks for itself. Nebraska had many seasons that a single win or loss decided it all. GBR!

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