[3] A rematch from the previous year, the undefeated and top-ranked Texas Longhorns of the Southwest Conference were upset by the independent Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 24–11.

[2][4][5] Led by head coach Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame's captains were Larry DiNardo and Tim Kelly, and featured Joe Theismann at quarterback and Tom Gatewood as a wide receiver.

Texas was coached by Darrell Royal, and the captains for the Longhorns were Scott Henderson, Steve Worster, Bobby Wuensch and Bill Zapalac.

at Cotton Bowl • Dallas, TX After Texas' initial field goal, Notre Dame scored 21 straight points.

[3] Texas had been selected as the national champion by the UPI Coaches' Poll,[10] whose final edition was then released at the end of the regular season, prior to bowl games.