The path to a national championship travels many roads, with some simply being achieved because a team finishes a season undefeated. In other instances, avoiding crucial losses can be the ticket. For the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, their 1977 national title was accomplished due to a combination of a clutch Cotton Bowl victory and help from multiple teams.
The 1977 edition of the Irish appeared to suffer a devastating blow in just the second week of the season. An upset loss at Mississippi put them in a position where one more defeat would end any title dreams.