UCF is all in with this whole national championship thing. The Knights are legitimately awarding themselves a title, hanging a banner, having a parade — during the actual national title game, no less.

Scott Frost is an excellent coach. McKenzie Milton is a great football player. Shaquem Griffin is just generally incredible. But, if we’re being honest, Central Florida isn’t even the best undefeated non-national champion of the past decade.

In fact, if claiming a national title is as easy as throwing yourself a party, these five programs might as well join in the fun.

Auburn — 1993 & 2004

Thanks to NCAA sanctions, an 11-0 regular season was all she wrote for Auburn in 1993. That being said, the Tigers were the only undefeated team in the FBS — known, then, as Division I-A. So, if playing in an actual title game isn’t a prerequisite….

In 2004, Auburn had Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown in the backfield alongside quarterback Jason Campbell — each of whom would go on to become starters in the NFL. The Tigers ran the table, won the Sugar Bowl, and finished 13-0. But unbeaten Southern Cal was the national champ, after knocking off Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship game.

Tulane — 1998

With future pro Shaun King behind center, Tulane went 12-0 and finished at No. 7 in both the Coaches and AP polls. But, after hammering Louisiana Tech in the regular season finale, the Green Wave were left out of the BCS and head coach Tommy Bowden left for Clemson. Sound familiar? 

As it turns out, Tulane doesn't need our advice. They're way ahead of us.

Utah — 2004 & 2008

Urban Meyer’s team averaged 45.3 points per game with Alex Smith at quarterback, notched wins against Texas A&M, North Carolina, and Arizona, and hammered Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl. Alas, the Utes finished the season ranked fourth — and then Meyer left for Florida.

Utah can claim a second national title from 2008 — a season that began with a road victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Kyle Whittingham led Utah to a 13-0 mark and a Sugar Bowl victory over then-No. 4 Alabama. In fact, three of the Utes' final four opponents — TCU, BYU, and the Crimson Tide — were ranked 14th or better. Utah would finished ranked second in the AP Poll but never moved higher than No. 6 in the BCS.

Boise State — 2006 & 2009

In 2006, Boise State ended the season as the only undefeated team in college football thanks to an all-time classic 43-42 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. The national title would be Chris Petersen’s first, but not his last.

Three years later, the Broncos opened the regular season with a 19-8 victory over No. 14 Oregon and closed out a 14-0 campaign with a 14-10 victory over No. 3 TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. Boise State finished the season ranked No. 4 and Petersen won his second Paul Bryant National Coach of the Year Award — but he might as well claim his second national championship, as well.

TCU — 2010

The Horned Frogs kicked off the 2010 season with a 30-21 victory over No. 24 Oregon State at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and then proceeded to absolutely obliterate their next nine opponents, culminating with a 47-7 victory at No. 6 Utah. The victory vaulted TCU exactly one spot, from No. 4 to No. 3, where it would finish the regular season. On New Year’s Day, the third-ranked Frogs beat No. 4 Wisconsin 21-19 in the Rose Bowl to finish the season 13-0.

So, I mean, if we’re hanging banners for playing an entire regular season without facing a ranked opponent and then beating No. 7 Auburn in the Peach Bowl, it stands to reason that Gary Patterson — and every other team mentioned, here — should go ahead and buy some rings.