Did Peyton Manning Win a National Championship In College?

Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning (16) directs a play during their 31-17 win over Ole Miss on Saturday, Oct. 4, 1997 in Knoxville, Tenn. Manning threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns.
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

No, Peyton Manning never won a national championship as a college football player.

While Manningโ€™s Tennessee Volunteer teams of the mid-1990s were very good, they struggled to beat Florida in the SEC East. Manning lost to the Gators as a sophomore, junior, and senior, which often derailed the Volsโ€™ national positioning.

In 1997, during Manningโ€™s senior season, Tennessee was in position to win the national championship despite an early loss to Florida. If Tennessee could beat Nebraska in the Orange bowl, and if Washington State could beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl, the Volunteers would likely be named national champions.ย 

Nebraska rushed for 409 yards and won 42-17. Manning finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting that year; Nebraska split the national championship with Michigan.ย 

Manning went on to win Super Bowl XLI and Super Bowl 50. In the former, he was named Super Bowl MVP.

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About the Author

Nick Hennion

Read More @nickhennion

Nick Hennion is a senior content writer for BetMGM. His previous stops include VSiN, NBC Sports, The Action Network and Forbes Betting. He owns a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a master's degree from Northwestern University.

Nick Hennion is a senior content writer for BetMGM. His previous stops include VSiN, NBC Sports, The Action Network and Forbes Betting. He owns a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a master's degree from Northwestern University.