 Because 1990 was a year in which no single college football team was undefeated, the Fifth Down controversy played a role in determining the Division I-A national champion for the 1990 season.The Missouri game caused Colorado's ranking to decline to 14th.However, most of the top teams lost in subsequent weeks, while the Buffaloes won their remaining games, including a 27–12 victory in Lincoln over #3 Nebraska and a squeaker over #5 Notre Dame.