The 10 most controversial champions in college football history

[Skip to content](#main) [College Football](https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/news/college-football/) # The 10 most controversial champions in college football history By [Christopher Walsh](https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/author/cwalsh/) Published: History does not record whom the first person was to come up with the idea of a national championship in college football, but chances are he or she certainly had no idea of what they instigated. ### 10. Slippery Rock’s No. 1! (1936) It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the first Associated Press poll in 1936 brought about the first controversy when Minnesota was declared the national champion, completing a very unusual season for the Golden Gophers. With Bernie Bierman wanting to beef up the schedule, Minnesota was set to open against Washington in Seattle, a four-day trip by train. Bierman scheduled two practices along the way, but while staying overnight at the Florence Hotel in Missoula, Montana, the players were forced to flee at approximately 3 a.m. due to the building being on fire. No one was hurt, but most of the hotel was destroyed. With Julian Alfonse intercepting three passes at the goal-line, Minnesota also escaped the Huskies with a 14-7 victory, and went on to post impressive wins against Nebraska, Michigan, Purdue, Iowa, Texas and Wisconsin. Heading into a Halloween showdown with Northwestern, which many thought would likely determine both the conference and national championship, Minnesota was No. 1, the Wildcats ranked third. Played in wind and driving rain, the Gophers, who hadn’t lost since the season finale of the 1932 season to Michigan, a streak of 28 games, couldn’t reach the end zone while Northwestern punched in a touchdown for a 6-0 victory. Fullback Steve Toth scored from the 1-yard line on third down shortly after reserve Don Geyer had fumbled with Minnesota tackle Ed Widseth penalized for punching Geyer during the scramble for the loose ball. However, after sitting atop the po