The 1966 University Division football season was marked by some controversy as the year of "The Tie", a famous 10–10 game between the two top-ranked teams, Michigan State and Notre Dame on November 19.
Both teams were crowned national champions by various organizations after the regular season concluded, and neither participated in a bowl game.
Alabama finished the regular season undefeated and was third in the AP poll, while Georgia was fourth.
The NCAA Football Guide, however, did note an "unofficial national champion" based on the top ranked teams in the "wire service" (AP and UPI) polls.
In 1966, both services issued their final polls at the close of the regular season, but before teams competed in bowl games.
In the preseason poll for 1966, Alabama was slightly ahead of Michigan State in first place votes (15 vs. 12) and points.
Prior to the start of the 1966 season, East Carolina was elevated to the University Division.
First place was the defending AP champion Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC), followed by defending UPI champ Michigan State (Big Ten), Nebraska (Big Eight), UCLA (AAWU/Pacific-8), Arkansas (SWC) and Notre Dame (independent).
5 Arkansas beat visiting Oklahoma State 14–10, but fell to 6th place in the next poll, while No.
5 USC played Oregon State in a game at Portland, winning 21–0, but the Trojans still dropped to sixth in the next poll.
2 Notre Dame held North Carolina scoreless at home, 32–0, which was enough for them to trade places in the next poll.
7 Georgia Tech met Auburn in Birmingham, winning 17–3 to stay unbeaten, and No.
9 Purdue and won 41–20, which would eventually give State the Big Ten crown.
7 Nebraska won 21–19 at Colorado, a victory which would later deliver the Big 8 championship to the Cornhuskers.
2 Michigan State traveled to metropolitan Chicago (Evanston) to beat Northwestern 22–0.
10 Wyoming's Top Ten ranking ended with its first loss, 12–10 at Colorado State.
2 Michigan State won at Indiana 37–19 and wrapped up the Big Ten title.
3 Alabama beat South Carolina 24–0 at Tuscaloosa for its third straight shutout win.
Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian came under criticism for his cautious tactics, running out the clock at the end of the game rather than risking a turnover with an aggressive bid for a touchdown.
The Spartans closed their season with a 9–0–1 record and no postseason game, since they had played in the previous year's Rose Bowl and were barred from a repeat.
UCLA students took to the streets protesting the decision in anger, at one point blocking the nearby 405 Freeway.
The Rose Bowl would pit USC vs. Big Ten runner-up Purdue (which had been blown out by Michigan State in October) when the ideal matchup was largely considered UCLA vs. Michigan State.
4 Nebraska and Oklahoma met at Norman, with the Sooners winning 10–9 to leave the Cornhuskers (who had already clinched the Big 8 title) with a 9–1 finish.
The Bulldogs closed with a 9–1 finish, an unbeaten SEC record (tied with Alabama), and an invitation to the Cotton Bowl to face SWC champion SMU, while Georgia Tech would play Florida in the Orange Bowl.
In the final AP Poll, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Alabama were first, second and third, with Georgia at No.
The Coaches Poll also moved the Irish back up to first place after the USC victory.
3 Alabama closed its season with a 31–0 win over Auburn in Birmingham, for its fourth straight shutout and a 10–0 record; the Crimson Tide prepared to meet No.
Alabama, which was unbeaten and later won the Sugar Bowl over Nebraska, finished third.
Georgia, whose only blemish had been a one-point loss to the Miami Hurricanes, was fourth and UCLA was fifth.
Saturday, December 31, 1966 (Cotton) Monday, January 2, 1967 The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player Source: [4][5][6]