everyone wants to say they were robbed in 83, but I think Tubbs had more of a shot at catching carroll than dye would schellenberger or osbourne
They played the toughest schedule (by far) and they had the best record. That one isn't even arguable. I hate Auburn, but give the devils their due.
Miami won it because they got to play Nebraska on their home field. And why? Because Texas was obligated to the Cotton Bowl, Auburn to the Sugar, Nebraska to the Orange and Illinois to the Cotton. Miami was ranked #5 but since they had no bowl obligation, they got to sit at home and benefit from the media hype machine that was calling this the greatest team in history. Nebraska did not play a single team that won eight games in the regular season (e.g. their BEST opponents were no better than 7-4) and one of those was WAC overrated chump Wyoming. If anyone had bothered to notice this, maybe Nebraska wouldn't have been so hyped - and then maybe Miami doesn't win it.
(Granted - in the BCS era it would have been unbeaten Nebraska versus Texas, but that's not the way it was then).
As far as 2004....you're kidding, right?