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How many national championships has TCU won?
Key takeaways
- TCU Horned Frogs football has won 2 national championships: 1935, 1938.
- Title seasons: 1935, 1938.
- That is the most of any current Big 12 program.
- All-time record in our game log (1903-2026): 686-568-50.
2 National titles
686-568-50 Record 1903-2026
17 of 35 Bowl / playoff wins
2010 (13-0) Best season
88
seasons since TCU's last national championship 1938 national championship - Went 11-0, finished No. 1 in the AP poll and had Heisman winner Davey O’Brien.
Every national title, year by year
| Year | Title | The season |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 1935 national championship | Beat LSU 3-2 in the Sugar Bowl behind quarterback Sammy Baugh. |
| 1938 | 1938 national championship | Went 11-0, finished No. 1 in the AP poll and had Heisman winner Davey O’Brien. |
Claimed national championships, per the program's own record book.
TCU postseason, 1903-2026
| Season | Record | Postseason |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9-4 | Won Valero Alamo Bowl |
| 2024 | 9-4 | Won Isleta New Mexico Bowl |
| 2022 | 13-2 | Lost CFP National Championship pres. by AT&T |
| 2018 | 7-6 | Won CHEEZ-IT BOWL |
| 2017 | 11-3 | Won VALERO ALAMO BOWL |
| 2016 | 6-7 | Lost Bowl game |
| 2015 | 11-2 | Won VALERO ALAMO BOWL |
| 2014 | 12-1 | Won CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL |
| 2012 | 7-6 | Lost BUFFALO WILD WINGS BOWL |
| 2011 | 11-2 | Won SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL |
| 2010 | 13-0 | Won ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY VIZIO |
| 2009 | 12-1 | Lost TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL |
| 2008 | 11-2 | Won Bowl game |
| 2007 | 8-5 | Won Bowl game |
| 2006 | 11-2 | Won Bowl game |
| 2005 | 11-1 | Won Bowl game |
| 2003 | 11-2 | Lost Bowl game |
| 2002 | 10-2 | Won Bowl game |
| 2001 | 6-6 | Lost Bowl game |
| 2000 | 10-2 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1999 | 8-4 | Won Bowl game |
| 1998 | 7-5 | Won Bowl game |
| 1994 | 7-5 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1984 | 8-4 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1965 | 6-5 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1959 | 8-3 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1958 | 8-2-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1956 | 8-3 | Won Bowl game |
| 1955 | 9-2 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1951 | 6-5 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1947 | 4-5-2 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1944 | 7-3-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1941 | 7-3-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1936 | 9-2-2 | Won Bowl game |
| 1920 | 9-1 | Lost Bowl game |
Source: CollegeFootballData game results via the CFB Data Hub.
National titles across the Big 12
| Team | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|
 TCU Horned Frogs this page | 2 | 1938 |
 BYU Cougars | 1 | 1984 |
 Colorado Buffaloes | 1 | 1990 |
 Oklahoma State Cowboys | 1 | 1945 |
 UCF Knights | 1 | 2017 |
 Arizona Wildcats | 0 | None yet |
 Arizona State Sun Devils | 0 | None yet |
 Baylor Bears | 0 | None yet |
 Cincinnati Bearcats | 0 | None yet |
 Houston Cougars | 0 | None yet |
 Iowa State Cyclones | 0 | None yet |
 Kansas Jayhawks | 0 | None yet |
 Kansas State Wildcats | 0 | None yet |
 Texas Tech Red Raiders | 0 | None yet |
 Utah Utes | 0 | None yet |
 West Virginia Mountaineers | 0 | None yet |
Current Big 12 members, claimed national championships.
Where TCU sits in the Big 12
Current Big 12 programs have claimed six national titles between them: two for TCU, one for BYU, one for Colorado, one for Oklahoma State and one for UCF. The other 11 programs are still chasing a first. See how this season is shaping up on the Big 12 standings, or browse every season on the TCU record by year page.
Editorial note
College football crowned national champions by polls and selectors before the BCS (1998) and the College Football Playoff (2014). The titles here are the ones each program claims in its own record book.
TCU Horned Frogs football has won 2 national championships: 1935, 1938.
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Frequently asked questions
How many national championships has TCU won?
2. 1935 national championship, 1938 national championship.
When did TCU win its first national championship?
In 1935. Beat LSU 3-2 in the Sugar Bowl behind quarterback Sammy Baugh.
When did TCU last win a national championship?
In 1938. Went 11-0, finished No. 1 in the AP poll and had Heisman winner Davey O’Brien.