Oklahoma, the runner-up in 2003, also went unbeaten following a rout of Colorado in the Big 12 championship game. USC, the nation's top-ranked team, defeated UCLA to complete the season 12-0. "There will be some harsh feelings if we don't get a chance to compete for the national title," Campbell stated at the time. Nonetheless, Auburn's flawless season was insufficient to persuade pollsters that the Tigers deserved a shot at the national title game. Oklahoma, the runner-up in 2003, also went unbeaten following a rout of Colorado in the Big 12 championship game. USC, the nation's top-ranked team, defeated UCLA to complete the season 12-0. The 2004 Auburn Tigers football team competed in the NCAA Division I-A football season for Auburn University. Oklahoma, the runner-up in 2003, also went unbeaten following a rout of Colorado in the Big 12 championship game. USC, the nation's top-ranked team, defeated UCLA to complete the season 12-0. "There will be some harsh feelings if we don't get a chance to compete for the national title," Campbell stated at the time.