BYU Cougars Win 1984 National Championship Despite Washington Controversy

The 1984 national championship remains a point of contention with Washington Huskies fans, who believe that if their team played BYU, the Huskies would have won. However, the bowl selection process, not BYU, prevented a matchup between the two teams. Washington was ultimately invited to the Orange Bowl to play Oklahoma after other teams lost key games. Reports indicate Washington preferred an Orange Bowl bid over a potential Holiday Bowl matchup against BYU. BYU football won the 1984 national championship, and the reason for the dispute is understandable. Washington fans think that if their team played BYU, the Huskies would have won. Naturally, we will never know. It's why 1984 remains a point of contention, over 40 years later. However, there's one thing we need to make clear about that season and its (lack of) resolution. It's actually very simple: BYU didn't duck or avoid Washington. The bowl process went in a different direction, as The Athletic wrote several years ago: 'The Huskies erased a 26-16 second-half deficit to win the Apple Cup 38-29. An AP story published two days later listed Washington, South Carolina, and Doug Flutie-led Boston College as finalists for the Orange Bowl's at-large bid, with the Big 8 champion guaranteed the other spot. But BC was destined for the Cotton Bowl, and South Carolina had botched a sure Orange Bowl invitation by losing to unranked Navy. Eight days later, the Orange Bowl made official what had been rumored all week, formally inviting Navy to the Orange Bowl, and Washington was left to play Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. BYU football won the 1984 national championship, and the reason for the dispute is understandable. Washington fans think that if their team played BYU, the Huskies would have won. Naturally, we will never know. It's why 1984 remains a point of contention, over 40 years later.