Auburn claims seven additional football national titles, including undefeated 2004 season

Taking a page out of the playbook of its Iron Bowl rival, Auburn has decided to recognize seven more of its football teams as national champions.

The Tigers have until now touted only their 1957 and 2010 teams as national champs. Auburn was recognized by the Associated Press as the No. 1 team in the country in 1957, and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton led the Tigers to a BCS championship after the 2010 season.

Auburn also announced this week that it will retire Newton’s No. 2 on Oct. 11, when the Tigers play Georgia at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Newton will be the fourth player in Auburn history with a retired jersey number, joining receiver Terry Beasley and Heisman winners Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson.

Now Auburn will also celebrate pre-major college football poll era titles from 1910, 1913 and 1914, along with the 1958, 1983, 1993 and 2004 teams. Five of those teams finished their seasons unbeaten. The 1913, 1983, 1993 teams are noted in the NCAA record book as having been named national champion by an NCAA-recognized selector.

“For too long, Auburn has chosen a humble approach to our program’s storied history — choosing to only recognize Associated Press National Championships,” athletic director John Cohen said. “Starting this fall, we have made the decision to honor the accomplishments of our deserving student-athletes, coaches, and teams from Auburn’s proud history.”