Would WVU have won the title had they beaten Notre Dame?
There were some in 1988 claiming they would vote for Miami Fla., if they beat Nebraska and if WVU had won over Notre Dame so possibly could have been split champions. But WVU and Notre Dame were the only 2 unbeaten teams. Miami one loss came at the hands of ND.
End of Season Rankings
#1 Notre Dame 11-0
#2 Miami, Fla. 10-1
#3 WVU 11-0
#4 Florida State 11-1
Final Ranking
#1 ND
#2 Miami, Fla.
#3 FSU
#4 Michigan
#5 WVU
Final rankings after the bowls WVU finished 5th as Michigan jumped from 11th to #4 with Rose Bowl win. Those January bowl winners majority of the time finished 1 through 4. So you can see why many may have chosen Miami instead of WVU as Miami was #2. But WVU playing #1 Notre Dame was key in that voting process.
1988 became a focus for fans and critics who wondered how the traditional conferences would deal with the indies (the answer ultimately involved all of these teams joining major conferences). Exception ND. They joined a major conference for everything but Football.
There were some in 1988 claiming they would vote for Miami Fla., if they beat Nebraska and if WVU had won over Notre Dame so possibly could have been split champions. But WVU and Notre Dame were the only 2 unbeaten teams. Miami one loss came at the hands of ND.
End of Season Rankings
#1 Notre Dame 11-0
#2 Miami, Fla. 10-1
#3 WVU 11-0
#4 Florida State 11-1
Final Ranking
#1 ND
#2 Miami, Fla.
#3 FSU
#4 Michigan
#5 WVU
Final rankings after the bowls WVU finished 5th as Michigan jumped from 11th to #4 with Rose Bowl win. Those January bowl winners majority of the time finished 1 through 4. So you can see why many may have chosen Miami instead of WVU as Miami was #2. But WVU playing #1 Notre Dame was key in that voting process.
1988 became a focus for fans and critics who wondered how the traditional conferences would deal with the indies (the answer ultimately involved all of these teams joining major conferences). Exception ND. They joined a major conference for everything but Football.