What team won the 1958 college football national championship?

Answer 1

According to two of the four major polling organizations, the AP and the UPI, the 1958 LSU team (11-0 record) were granted the title of National Champions prior to bowl games and the end of the season. However, according to the Football Writers Association of America, which was the most well recognized and respected college football Association of the time and voted AFTER the Bowl Games, in 1958 the title went the University of Iowa Hawkeyes (8-1-1) who won the ROSE BOWL 38-12 against California that year. The Hawkeyes were awarded the Grantland Rice Award National Title Trophy following the 1958 season.

The NCAA recognizes four voting authorities from 1954 to present day. The NCAA recognizes both LSU and Iowa as "National Champions" from 1958. Partly because Iowa played a much more difficult "integrated"(black and white athletes) schedule, due in part the fact that LSU refused to schedule or play against black athletes due to still being racist bigots that year. Further, there have been many years when conflicting National Champions were named by differing organizations prior to the Championship Bowl Game including years where Undefeated teams were not name National Champions in favor of other teams who played a more difficult schedule and had 1 loss, specifically during the 1950's and the 1960's.

Answer 2

Remember that College Football division I does not always have a single national champion. In 1958:

Iowa won one the Football Writers poll, arguably the most prestigious organization at the time to vote on a national champion after the bowls were played.

LSU won all other major polls, and widely considered as the National Champions.

It is considered a split title because LSU played an extremely weak schedule that included no teams with black athletes. Iowa played a much more difficult schedule and was much more impressive in doing so, think 2007 Florida 13-1 vs. Utah 13-0. Florida were National Champions, Utah was not.

1958:

Iowa Integrated National Champions

LSU White-Only National Champions

The NCAA recognizes both teams being National Champs for 1958.