The 1979 USC Trojans football team was one of the most dominant squads in college football history. Led by Heisman Trophy winner Charles White, the Trojans bulldozed through their schedule, finishing the season 11-0-1 and claiming a national championship.
How Good Were They?
- Record: 11-0-1 (Undefeated, with one tie)
- Final Ranking: #2 in AP Poll, #1 in Coaches Poll (split national title with Alabama)
- Bowl Game: Rose Bowl champions (defeated Ohio State 17-16)
- Conference: Pac-10 Champions (7-0 conference record)
Charles White’s Season
Charles White was unstoppable. He rushed for 2,050 yards and 19 touchdowns, winning:
- The Heisman Trophy
- The Walter Camp Award
- The Maxwell Award
- The UPI Player of the Year
- The Pac-10 Player of the Year
- The Rose Bowl MVP (247 yards rushing, game-winning TD vs. Ohio State)
Key Players
- Charles White (RB) – Heisman winner and one of the best backs in USC history.
- Paul McDonald (QB) – Efficient leader who threw for 1,690 yards and 18 TDs.
- Marcus Allen (FB) – Future Heisman winner as a sophomore, playing behind White.
- Ronnie Lott (DB) – Hall of Famer, one of the greatest defensive backs ever.
- Dennis Smith (DB) – Future NFL Pro Bowler, strong secondary presence.
- Brad Budde (OL) – Lombardi Award winner, anchor of the offensive line.
Biggest Games
- Rose Bowl – USC 17, Ohio State 16
- Charles White’s game-winning TD drive capped off a dramatic comeback.
- USC 42, Notre Dame 23
- Blew out their historic rival behind a dominant rushing attack.
- USC 21, Stanford 21 (tie)
- Only blemish on their record; a controversial game that cost them an undisputed national title.
- USC 24, UCLA 7
- Rivalry win that secured their Rose Bowl berth.
How Do They Rank All-Time?
- Considered one of the best USC teams ever.
- One of the greatest running back-led teams in history.
- Dominant defense, featuring future NFL Hall of Famers (Lott, Smith).
- Their national title was split with Alabama, as the AP Poll controversially ranked Alabama #1 despite USC having a superior schedule.
The 1979 USC Trojans were elite—a powerhouse with a Heisman-winning running back, a dominant offensive line, and a legendary defense. Had they beaten Stanford instead of tying, they likely would have been the undisputed national champions. Nevertheless, they remain one of the most dominant and respected teams of their era.
In this fantasy match up they take on the 1991 Florida State Seminoles.
The 1991 Florida State Seminoles were one of the best teams in college football that year, led by Heisman runner-up Casey Weldon at quarterback and an incredibly talented roster under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden.
How Good Were They?
- Record: 11-2
- Final Ranking: #4 in AP Poll, #3 in Coaches Poll
- Bowl Game: Cotton Bowl Champions (defeated Texas A&M 10-2)
- Conference: Independent (FSU didn’t join the ACC until 1992)
Key Players
- Casey Weldon (QB) – Heisman Trophy runner-up, threw for 3,019 yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs.
- Amp Lee (RB) – Versatile playmaker with 977 rushing yards, 11 TDs.
- Terrell Buckley (CB) – Jim Thorpe Award winner, 12 INTs, lockdown corner.
- Marvin Jones (LB) – One of the most dominant linebackers in the country.
- William Floyd (FB) – Future NFL starter, key in FSU’s power game.
- Tamarick Vanover (WR/KR) – Explosive freshman playmaker.
Biggest Games
-
FSU 51, Michigan 31 (Sept. 28)
- One of the most iconic wins in FSU history.
- Florida State shredded Michigan at the Big House, with Terrell Buckley returning an interception for a touchdown on the first play.
- Weldon threw for 268 yards, 3 TDs.
-
Miami 17, FSU 16 (Nov. 16 – “Wide Right I”)
- The game that kept FSU from a national title.
- FSU led 16-7 in the fourth quarter, but Miami came back.
- Gerry Thomas missed a 34-yard FG wide right in the final seconds.
- Miami went on to win the national championship.
-
Florida 14, FSU 9 (Nov. 30)
- Another tough loss, this time to Steve Spurrier’s Florida Gators.
- FSU’s offense stalled, and Florida’s defense held the Seminoles without a TD.
-
Cotton Bowl – FSU 10, Texas A&M 2 (Jan. 1, 1992)
- Dominant defensive showing to end the season.
- FSU’s defense held Texas A&M to a single safety, completely shutting them down.
What Held Them Back?
- The “Wide Right” Curse Begins:
- The Miami loss by one point (and missed kick) kept FSU out of the national title game.
- Offensive struggles in big games:
- They failed to score a TD vs. Florida and Texas A&M.
- Despite Weldon’s success, FSU’s offense stalled against elite defenses.
Legacy & Impact
- First of FSU’s 14 straight Top-5 finishes (1991-2000)
- Set the stage for FSU’s dominance in the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Bobby Bowden proved his team belonged among the national elite.
- Terrell Buckley became a college football legend, setting the stage for future FSU defensive backs.
The 1991 Florida State Seminoles were national championship-caliber, but two close losses—especially “Wide Right I”—cost them a shot at the title. Their blowout win at Michigan, dominant defense, and Heisman runner-up Casey Weldon made them one of the most talented teams in program history. Had they beaten Miami, they likely would have been national champions.
The Result?
This was a slow, painful execution. USC ran Florida State into the ground, pounded them like a heavy bag with legs. Charles White tore through the defense like a man running late for his own funeral—228 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and a whole lot of Seminoles left gasping for air. Marcus Allen tagged in, added another 134, because why not?
FSU quarterback Casey Weldon did what he could, threw for over 380 yards, but it was like trying to bail out a sinking ship with a shot glass. His guys couldn’t keep up. Missed field goal, early pick—two nails in a coffin that was already being hammered shut.
By halftime, the whole thing was academic. USC’s offensive line—Munoz, Budde, a wall of bad intentions—owned the line of scrimmage. Weldon hit some late shots to Baker, made the scoreboard look a little less like a crime scene, but everyone knew what happened here.
This wasn’t a game. It was a mugging.
