 Notre Dame elected not to try for a score on the final series; thus, the game ended in a 10–10 tie.Notre Dame went on to win or share the national title in fourteen polls (including the AP and UPI); Michigan State won or shared in three minor polls, and Alabama, who finished with the only undefeated and untied record, won two minor polls.Notre Dame was coached by Ara Parseghian and Michigan State was coached by Duffy Daugherty, both school legends.