Just in: iconic Reporter reveals shocking reason” why Colorado football played Notre Dame in controversial 1991 Orange Bowl instead of Georgia Tech…
The story of why Colorado faced Notre Dame in the 1991 Orange Bowl instead of Georgia Tech centers on a mix of logistical decisions and the desire for a high-profile matchup. At the end of the 1990 season, both Colorado and Georgia Tech were in strong contention for the national title.
Colorado, led by Coach Bill McCartney, had finished the regular season with an 11-1-1 record, while Georgia Tech, under Coach Bobby Ross, was the only unbeaten team, at 11-0-1. Naturally, fans and analysts anticipated that a game between the two top contenders would resolve the national championship directly on the field.
However, bowl game matchups in the 1990s were heavily influenced by financial and broadcasting priorities. The Orange Bowl committee ultimately chose Notre Dame, ranked fifth, over Georgia Tech as Colorado’s opponent.
Notre Dame, though not in direct contention for the national title, carried immense national appeal, which guaranteed high television ratings and fan engagement.
This made Notre Dame a preferred choice for both the Orange Bowl organizers and network executives. The Orange Bowl selection committee prioritized the opportunity to showcase two high-profile programs in Colorado and Notre Dame over a purely championship-deciding game with Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech’s placement in the Citrus Bowl against Nebraska was a disappointment for fans hoping for a direct showdown with Colorado.
While Georgia Tech defeated Nebraska convincingly, 45-21, to finish their season undefeated, the split bowl structure prevented them from facing Colorado directly. Following Colorado’s narrow 10-9 victory over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, the Associated Press crowned Colorado the national champion.
However, Georgia Tech was awarded the title by the United Press International (UPI) poll, leading to a rare split national championship.
Colorado’s victory in the Orange Bowl was a close and controversial win, marked by a nullified punt return touchdown by Notre Dame’s Raghib “Rocket” Ismail due to a clipping penalty. This play ultimately preserved Colorado’s narrow lead and solidified their claim to the title.
However, the split between the AP and UPI polls stirred debate, as Georgia Tech’s undefeated season arguably made them a strong contender for a unified championship title.
This split decision left a lasting impression in college football history and illustrated the challenges in crowning a clear national champion before the era of structured playoffs and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS).
The controversy highlighted the limitations of the traditional bowl system and helped pave the way for later reforms to ensure that the two top-ranked teams could face each other directly for the championship.
