History of College football in Timeline
College football originated in the late 19th century, evolving from rugby and association football. The first game was played in 1869 between Princeton and Rutgers using modified soccer rules. Early games lacked standardized rules, with home teams dictating gameplay. Throughout the 1870s, rugby-inspired rules were adopted, shaping modern football. In 1876, the Intercollegiate Football Association established the first codified ruleset, but the game continued to evolve substantially for many years.
May 1900: Yost Hired as Stanford Coach
In May 1900, Yost was hired as the football coach at Stanford University, marking a significant step in his coaching career.
August 21, 1900: Yost Arrives at Stanford
On August 21, 1900, Fielding H. Yost arrived in Palo Alto, California, to begin his tenure as the football coach at Stanford University.
December 4, 1900: Death of last victim from Thanksgiving Day Disaster
On December 4, 1900, the last victim of the "Thanksgiving Day Disaster", which killed spectators at the Big Game, died, bringing the death toll to 22.
November 22, 1901: First Intercollegiate Game in Florida
On November 22, 1901, Stetson defeated Florida Agricultural College at Lake City 6-0, marking the first intercollegiate football game played between official varsity teams in the state of Florida.
1901: Yost Hired at Michigan
In 1901, Yost was hired by Charles A. Baird as the head football coach for the Michigan Wolverines football team.
1901: Michigan's Rise to Power
In 1901, led by coach Fielding H. Yost, the Michigan Wolverines began their ascent as the first "western" national power in college football.
1901: Colorado Football Success
In 1901, the University of Colorado continued its early success in American football, marking a period of significant achievement for the program.
January 1, 1902: Yost's Michigan team wins first Rose Bowl
On January 1, 1902, Fielding H. Yost's Michigan Wolverines defeated Stanford in the inaugural "Tournament East-West football game", known today as the Rose Bowl Game.
September 27, 1902: Georgetown Defeats Navy and the Roving Center
On September 27, 1902, Georgetown beat Navy 4-0 in a game where Georgetown authorities claim to have featured the first ever "roving center" or linebacker when Percy Given stood up.
1902: Michigan's first Rose Bowl Game
In 1902, Michigan participated in the first college football bowl game, later known as the Rose Bowl Game, marking a significant milestone in the history of college football and bowl games.
1903: Pop Warner uses hidden ball trick
In 1903, Pop Warner used the hidden ball trick at Carlisle against Harvard, garnering national attention.
1903: SIAA Championship Game Tie
In 1903, a game between Cumberland and Heisman's Clemson, scheduled in Montgomery, Alabama for an "SIAA championship game", ended in an 11-11 tie, leading to multiple teams claiming the title.
1904: Big Coaching Hires in the South
In 1904, notable coaching hires occurred in the south with Mike Donahue at Auburn, John Heisman at Georgia Tech, and Dan McGugin at Vanderbilt.
October 9, 1905: Roosevelt meets with Football Representatives
On October 9, 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt held a meeting with football representatives from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, urging them to reduce injuries but never threatening to ban the sport.
November 11, 1905: First Game at Stanford Field
On November 11, 1905, the Big Game between Stanford and Cal was played at Stanford Field for the first time, with Stanford winning 12-5.
December 28, 1905: Meeting to Discuss Rule Changes
On December 28, 1905, 62 schools convened in New York City to discuss rule changes aimed at enhancing safety in college football. This meeting led to the formation of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States in 1906.
1905: Rising Fatalities in College Football
By 1905, college football's increasing popularity was overshadowed by its rising violence, with 330 athlete deaths between 1890 and 1905 due to dangerous formations and tackling.
1905: First Scouting in the South
In 1905, Dan McGugin and Captain Innis Brown of Vanderbilt scouted Sewanee play Georgia Tech, marking the first known instance of scouting in the South.
1905: End of Michigan's Undefeated Streak
In 1905, Michigan's remarkable 56-game undefeated streak, which began in 1901, came to an end, marking a significant turning point in the early history of college football.
September 5, 1906: First Legal Forward Pass
On September 5, 1906, Bradbury Robinson of Saint Louis University threw the first legal forward pass in a game against Carroll College at Waukesha. This marked a significant change in the sport.
1906: Davidson Throws the First Legal Forward Pass in the South
In 1906, Fuzzy Woodruff claims Davidson was the first in the south to throw a legal forward pass.
1906: Rugby League Introduction of Play-the-Ball Rule
In 1906, Rugby league introduced the play-the-ball rule, which greatly resembled Camp's early scrimmage and center-snap rules, influenced by Walter Camp's American football innovations.
1906: Vanderbilt Defeats Carlisle
In 1906, Vanderbilt defeated Carlisle 4 to 0, with the result of a Bob Blake field goal.
1906: West Coast schools switch to rugby
In 1906, citing concerns about violence in American football, West Coast universities, including California and Stanford, replaced the sport with rugby union.
1906: Formation of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association
In 1906, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) was formed after a series of meetings that started with President Roosevelt. The IAAUS became the original rule-making body for college football and later sponsored championships in other sports.
1907: Vanderbilt Ties Navy
In 1907, Vanderbilt fought Navy to a 6 to 6 tie.
1909: Founding of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
In 1909, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) was founded with four members: Colorado, Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines, and Colorado Agricultural College.
1909: Field Goals Lowered to Three Points
In 1909, the scoring rules changed, lowering field goals to three points.
1910: Vanderbilt Holds Yale to a Scoreless Tie
In 1910, Vanderbilt held defending national champion Yale to a scoreless tie.
1910: Adoption of Key Rule Changes
In 1910, new rules were formally adopted requiring at least seven offensive players on the line of scrimmage, prohibiting pushing or pulling, and banning interlocking interference. These changes aimed to reduce collision injuries.
1910: IAAUS Renamed NCAA
In 1910, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) adopted its current name, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NCAA continues to set the rules governing college football.
1910: University of Denver and University of Utah Join RMAC
In 1910, the University of Denver and the University of Utah joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), expanding its membership.
November 25, 1911: First Homecoming Football Game
On November 25, 1911, Kansas played at Missouri in the first homecoming football game. The game was broadcast play-by-play over telegraph to fans in Lawrence, Kansas, and ended in a 3–3 tie.
1911: USC Switches to Rugby
In 1911, USC joined other West Coast schools in switching from American football to rugby union due to concerns about violence in the sport.
1912: Touchdowns Raised to Six Points
In 1912, the scoring rules changed, raising touchdowns to six points.
1913: Rockne Rises to Prominence
In 1913, Knute Rockne rose to prominence as an end for the University of Notre Dame, helping the team defeat Army using innovative forward passing.
1914: Implementation of Roughing-the-Passer Penalty
In 1914, the first roughing-the-passer penalty was implemented, offering quarterbacks additional protection.
1915: California Returns to Football
In 1915, California returned to American football, citing rule changes, student desire, and a wish to play East Coast schools.
1915: Founding of the Southwest Athletic Conference
In 1915, the Southwest Athletic Conference, consisting mostly of schools from Texas, was founded.
1915: Construction of the Yale Bowl Stadium
In 1915, the Yale Bowl stadium was built. It was the inspiration for the Rose Bowl stadium and the naming of bowl games.
October 7, 1916: Georgia Tech's Lopsided Victory Over Cumberland
On October 7, 1916, John Heisman's Georgia Tech Golden Tornado won 222 to 0 over Cumberland in the most lopsided victory in college football history.
1916: Big Game between Stanford and Santa Clara
In 1916, Stanford continued to play rugby union, facing Santa Clara in their "Big Game" as California played football against Washington.
1916: Rose Bowl Game Reinstatement
In 1916, the Tournament of Roses decided to reattempt the postseason game, after it was not played annually after the initial 1902 game.
1917: Georgia Tech Wins National Championship
In 1917, Georgia Tech's team, led by a powerful backfield and featuring All-Americans Walker Carpenter and Everett Strupper, was the first national champion from the South.
1917: Big Game between Stanford and Santa Clara
In 1917, Stanford continued to play rugby union, facing Santa Clara in their "Big Game" as California played football against Washington.
1917: Auburn Ties Ohio State
In 1917, the Auburn Tigers tied undefeated Ohio State. The same year, Tech center Bum Day became the first player on a Southern team ever selected first-team All-American by Walter Camp.
1917: Rise of Centre College
The year 1917 saw the rise of another Southern team in Centre of Danville, Kentucky.
1918: Rockne Returns to Coach Notre Dame
In 1918, Knute Rockne returned to coach the Notre Dame team, devising the powerful Notre Dame Box offense.
1918: Stanford switches back to football
In 1918, Stanford designated the Students' Army Training Corps headquarters switched back to American football due to World War I and the commanding officer's decree.
1918: Rules on Eligible Receivers Loosened
In 1918, rules regarding eligible receivers were relaxed, allowing eligible players to catch the ball anywhere on the field, opening up the passing game.
1919: Heisman Leaves Georgia Tech
In 1919, John Heisman left Georgia Tech, but his "jump shift" offense was still employed by protégé William Alexander.
October 8, 1921: First Live Radio Broadcast of a College Football Game
On October 8, 1921, the game between West Virginia and Pittsburgh saw the first live radio broadcast of a college football game, announced by Harold W. Arlin on KDKA. Pitt won 21–13.
1921: Centre Upset Harvard
In 1921, Bo McMillin-led Centre upset defending national champion Harvard 6 to 0 in what is widely considered one of the greatest upsets in college football history.
October 28, 1922: First Nationally Broadcast College Football Game
On October 28, 1922, Princeton and Chicago played the first game to be nationally broadcast on radio. Princeton won 21–18.
1923: Construction of the Rose Bowl Stadium
In 1923, the Rose Bowl stadium was built in Pasadena, California. Its shape, resembling the Yale Bowl, led to the adoption of the term "bowl" for other similar stadiums and games.
1924: Notre Dame's Four Horsemen Backfield
In 1924, Knute Rockne's Notre Dame team featured the Four Horsemen backfield.
1924: Camp's Last All-American Team Selection
In 1924, Walter Camp personally selected his annual All-American team for the last time, continuing a tradition he started in 1889, solidifying his lasting influence on recognizing outstanding college football players.
1925: Alabama Wins Rose Bowl
In 1925, Wallace Wade coached Alabama to the South's first Rose Bowl victory. This game is commonly referred to as "the game that changed the south".
1925: Walter Camp's Death
In 1925, Walter Camp, a pivotal figure in the development of American football, passed away, marking the end of his active involvement in shaping the sport's rules and traditions.
1925: Alabama Wins First National Title
Wallace William Wade's 1925 Alabama team won the 1926 Rose Bowl after receiving its first national title.
1926: Alabama Wins the Rose Bowl
Wallace William Wade's 1925 Alabama team won the 1926 Rose Bowl after receiving its first national title.
1927: Georgia's "Dream and Wonder Team"
Georgia's 1927 "dream and wonder team" defeated Yale for the first time.
1927: Warner Publishes "Football for Coaches and Players"
In 1927, Glenn "Pop" Warner wrote one of the first important books of football strategy, Football for Coaches and Players.
1927: Rule Change Due to Rockne's Shifts
In 1927, Knute Rockne's complex shifts led directly to a rule change requiring all offensive players to stop for a full second before the ball could be snapped.
1928: Georgia Tech Wins National Title
William Alexander's 1928 Georgia Tech team defeated California in the 1929 Rose Bowl.
October 12, 1929: Yale Loses to Georgia in Sanford Stadium
On October 12, 1929, Yale lost to Georgia in Sanford Stadium during its first trip to the South.
1929: Georgia Tech Wins the Rose Bowl
William Alexander's 1928 Georgia Tech team defeated California in the 1929 Rose Bowl.
1930: Alabama Wins National Championship and Rose Bowl
In 1930, Wallace Wade's Alabama team again won a national championship and Rose Bowl.
1931: USC Awarded National Title
In 1931, the University of Southern California was awarded the national title.
1931: Rockne's Death
Knute Rockne died in a plane crash in 1931. His funeral was broadcast nationally on radio, showcasing his fame.
1932: Formation of the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
In 1932, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) was formed, consisting mostly of schools in the Deep South.
1932: USC Awarded National Title
In 1932, the University of Southern California was awarded the national title.
1933: Michigan Wins Title
In 1933, Michigan won the national championship.
1933: End of an Era
In 1933, Parke H. Davis marked the end of the "Period of Rules Committees and Conferences" (1894-1933), concluding a specific era in the evolution of college football rules and organization.
1934: Minnesota Wins Title
In 1934, Minnesota started its dominance with a national championship
1934: Rules Changes to Encourage Passing
In 1934, the rules committee removed penalties for incomplete passes and shrunk the circumference of the ball to make it easier to throw, encouraging the growth of the passing game.
1935: First Heisman Trophy Awarded
In 1935, the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City awarded the inaugural Heisman Trophy to Jay Berwanger, a halfback from the University of Chicago. This award, designed by Frank Eliscu and modeled after Ed Smith, recognizes the most outstanding college football player.
1935: Creation of New Bowl Games
In 1935, the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Sun Bowl were created, expanding the bowl game landscape.
1936: Jay Berwanger First NFL Draft Pick
In 1936, Jay Berwanger, the first Heisman Trophy winner, was also the first-ever NFL draft pick. This marked a significant moment in his career, following his recognition as the nation's most outstanding college football player in 1935.
1936: Associated Press Poll Began
In 1936, the Associated Press (AP) began its weekly poll of prominent sports writers, ranking college football teams and eventually using the final poll to determine the national champion.
1937: Creation of the Cotton Bowl
In 1937, the Cotton Bowl was created, further expanding the bowl game landscape.
1938: TCU Wins National Championship
In 1938, Texas Christian University (TCU) won the national championship as part of the Southwest Athletic Conference.
1939: Texas A&M Wins National Championship
In 1939, Texas A&M won the national championship, continuing the Southwest Athletic Conference's success.
1940: Limited Number of Bowl Games
In 1940, at the highest level of college football, only five bowl games existed: the Rose, Orange, Sugar, Sun, and Cotton Bowls. This represented the limited postseason opportunities available to teams at the time.
1941: Minnesota Wins Title
In 1941, Minnesota wins another national championship.
1942: Ohio State Wins Title
In 1942, Ohio State won the national championship.
1944: Army wins National Title
In 1944, amid World War II, the Army football team secured a national title, with returning players from the war. This was under the guidance of coach Red Blaik, marking a significant achievement during a time of national conflict.
1945: Army wins Back-to-Back National Titles
In 1945, Army secured another national title, marking back-to-back wins under coach Red Blaik. Key players Doc Blanchard (Mr. Inside) and Glenn Davis (Mr. Outside) contributed to their success, with Blanchard winning the Heisman Trophy in 1945.
1946: Glenn Davis Wins Heisman
In 1946, Glenn Davis, known as "Mr. Outside", won the Heisman Trophy, following Doc Blanchard's win the previous year. Both players were instrumental in Army's football success during and after World War II.
1947: Michigan Wins Title
In 1947, Michigan won the national championship.
1948: Michigan Wins Title
In 1948, Michigan won the national championship.
1950: Addition of Bowl Games
By 1950, three more bowl games had been added to the college football schedule, bringing the total to eight major bowl games. This indicated a gradual increase in postseason opportunities for college teams.
1950: Oklahoma Wins National Title
In 1950, Oklahoma, coached by Bud Wilkinson, won a national title. This marked the beginning of a dominant era for the team, characterized by a strong running game and multiple championships.
1952: NCAA Claims Television Broadcasting Rights
In 1952, the NCAA asserted control over all television broadcasting rights for its member institutions' games. The NCAA then exclusively negotiated television rights, influencing how college football was broadcasted and viewed nationally.
1953: Michigan State Joins Big Ten
In 1953, the Michigan State Spartans joined the Big Ten athletically. This was a period known as the "football factory" era for the Spartans, with coaches Clarence Munn and Duffy Daugherty leading them to national titles.
1954: Ohio State Wins National Title
In 1954, Ohio State, coached by Woody Hayes, won a national title, marking a significant achievement for the program. This was part of a decade that saw a revival of the running game in college football.
1955: Oklahoma Wins National Title
In 1955, Oklahoma, led by coach Bud Wilkinson, secured another national title. During this time, the running game was emphasized, with passing attempts decreasing across college football.
1956: Oklahoma Wins National Title and Hornung Wins Heisman
In 1956, Oklahoma won another national title under Bud Wilkinson. Additionally, Notre Dame quarterback Paul Hornung, despite being on a losing team, won the Heisman Trophy, a unique achievement in college football history.
1956: Georgia Governor Threatens Georgia Tech
In 1956, the Sugar Bowl gained international attention when Georgia's pro-segregationist Governor Griffin publicly threatened Georgia Tech and its President Blake Van Leer for allowing an African American player to participate in the collegiate bowl game in the south. This highlighted racial tensions and segregationist sentiments during that time.
1957: Ohio State Wins National Title
In 1957, Ohio State, under the leadership of Woody Hayes, secured another national title. This continued their success in a decade dominated by strong running teams.
1958: NFL Popularity Surpasses College Football
Following the 1958 NFL Championship Game's widespread success, college football began to lose its national popularity to the NFL. While television benefited both sports, the NFL gained broader national appeal, while college football retained strong regional ties.
1966: ABC Sports Begins National Game of the Week
In 1966, ABC Sports launched a national 'Game of the Week' broadcast, marking the first time key college football matchups and rivalries reached a widespread national audience. This significantly increased the sport's national visibility and popularity.
1966: Rugby League Introduces Four-Tackle Rule
In 1966, Rugby League introduced a four-tackle rule (later changed to six in 1972), based on Camp's early down-and-distance rules, further illustrating Camp's lasting impact on the sport.
1970: Limited Number of Bowl Games
In 1970, the landscape of college football still only featured eight major bowl games, highlighting the limited number of postseason opportunities available for teams at the time.
1972: Rugby League Introduces Six-Tackle Rule
In 1972, Rugby League changed the four-tackle rule implemented in 1966, based on Camp's early down-and-distance rules, to a six-tackle rule.
1976: Increase in Bowl Games
By 1976, the number of major college bowl games had grown to eleven, slowly expanding the postseason opportunities for college football teams.
1979: NCAA Committee Proposal for Playoff
In 1979, an NCAA committee proposed a four-team playoff following bowl games, marking an early challenge to the existing system. This proposal, however, did not gain significant traction at the time.
1980: Increase in Bowl Games
By 1980, the number of bowl games had increased to fifteen with the rise of cable television and sports networks. This marked a turning point, leading to significant growth in bowl game opportunities.
1984: Supreme Court Rules Against NCAA
In 1984, a Supreme Court ruling, stemming from a suit under the Sherman Antitrust Act, challenged the NCAA's exclusive control over television rights. This decision allowed individual schools to negotiate their own television deals, reshaping the landscape of college football broadcasting.
1992: Formation of the Bowl Coalition
In 1992, seven conferences and independent Notre Dame formed the Bowl Coalition. This coalition aimed to create an annual No. 1 versus No. 2 matchup based on the final AP poll standings, but scheduling issues limited its success.
1995: Creation of the Bowl Alliance
In 1995, the Bowl Coalition was replaced by the Bowl Alliance, reducing the number of bowl games hosting a national championship to three and limiting participating conferences. This aimed to guarantee a No. 1 versus No. 2 matchup but still excluded key conferences and the Rose Bowl.
1998: Michigan Wins Rose Bowl, Nebraska Wins Orange Bowl
In 1998, during the final year of the Bowl Alliance, Michigan won the Rose Bowl and Nebraska won the Orange Bowl. This outcome highlighted the complexities of determining a national champion when major conferences were not fully integrated into the system.
1998: Inauguration of Bowl Championship Series (BCS)
In 1998, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) was introduced, including all major conferences and four major bowl games, with one serving as the national championship. This system used a complex ranking formula to determine the No. 1 and No. 2 teams for the championship game.
1998: Bowl Championship Series
In the 1998 season, the Bowl Championship Series was first used as a selection method to determine the national championship game participants.
2005: Utah Selected for BCS Bowl Game
In 2005, Utah was selected for a BCS bowl game, marking one of the few instances a team from a non-AQ conference received a BCS bowl invitation. This highlighted the changing landscape of college football and the potential for broader representation.
2006: BCS Expansion with National Championship Game
In 2006, the BCS system was adjusted with the addition of a fifth game, the National Championship Game. This allowed the four other BCS bowls to use their normal selection process, while the top two teams in the BCS rankings played in the new National Championship Game.
2006: Addition of BCS National Championship Game
Starting with the 2006 season, a fifth game, the BCS National Championship Game, was added to the schedule, expanding the BCS to include two additional at-large teams. This created more opportunities for non-AQ conference teams to participate in BCS bowl games.
2008: Growth in Number of Bowl Games
By 2008, a total of 20 additional bowl games had been added to the schedule since 1980, reflecting a substantial increase in postseason opportunities. This growth has been both praised for increased revenue and criticized for diluting the significance of bowl games.
2009: Boise State vs. TCU in Fiesta Bowl
In 2009, the Fiesta Bowl featured a matchup between Boise State and TCU, marking the first time two schools from non-AQ conferences played each other in a BCS bowl game. This showcased the rising prominence of teams from outside the traditional power conferences.
2009: Bowl Game Participation
In the 2009 season, there were 34 bowl games, which meant that 68 out of 120 Division I FBS teams were invited to participate. Bowl eligibility requires teams to win at least 6 games during the season.
2012: Northern Illinois Reaches BCS Bowl Game
In 2012, Northern Illinois reached a BCS bowl game, becoming the last team from a non-AQ conference to do so during the BCS era. This appearance highlighted the challenges and opportunities for teams outside the major conferences.
2013: Northern Illinois Plays in Orange Bowl
In 2013, Northern Illinois played in the Orange Bowl but lost, marking the final appearance of a non-AQ conference team in a BCS bowl game. This event capped an era of attempts to provide access for teams outside the major conferences.
2013: Expansion of Division I FCS Playoff
In 2013, the Division I FCS playoff expanded from 20 to 24 teams, providing more teams an opportunity to compete for the national championship. This change altered the structure and accessibility of the FCS playoffs.
2013: End of the BCS
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ended after the 2013 season, marking a shift in how the national champion was determined.
2014: Inauguration of the College Football Playoff (CFP)
Beginning with the 2014 season, the FBS national champion was determined by a four-team tournament known as the College Football Playoff (CFP). A selection committee of college football experts decides the participating teams.
2014: Financial Losses in Collegiate Football Programs
In 2014, a majority of major collegiate football programs operated at a financial loss, highlighting a disconnect between the perception of profitability and the actual financial outcomes.
2014: Establishment of College Football Playoff
In 2014, the College Football Playoff (CFP) was established, though it is not directly run by the NCAA. Despite this, the NCAA still does not recognize an official FBS national championship, continuing its policy even after the CFP's creation.
2014: NAIA Allows NIL Compensation
In 2014, the NAIA initially allowed all student-athletes at its member schools to receive Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation, marking the beginning of reforms in this area.
2014: Inaugural College Football Playoff
Started in 2014 season, four Division I FBS teams are selected at the end of regular season to compete in a playoff for the FBS national championship. The inaugural champion was Ohio State University. The College Football Playoff replaced the Bowl Championship Series
2017: Study on CTE in Football Players
According to a 2017 study on the brains of deceased gridiron football players, a high percentage of players at various levels (NFL, CFL, semi-professional, college, and high school) had various stages of CTE.
2020: NAIA Allows Athletic Participation References in Endorsement Deals
In 2020, the NAIA specifically allowed student-athletes to reference their athletic participation in their endorsement deals, expanding the scope of NIL compensation.
July 2021: NCAA Passes NIL Reform
In July 2021, the NCAA passed its own Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) reform, similar to the NAIA's recent reform, after being influenced by multiple states passing legislation allowing NIL compensation.
2021: NCAA Adopts Temporary NIL Rule Change
On June 3, 2021, the NCAA's board of directors adopted a temporary rule change that opened the door for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) activity, instructing schools to set their own policies with minimal guidelines. On July 1, 2021, the new rules went into effect, allowing student-athletes to start signing endorsements using their NIL.
2023: Separate NCAA Rules Committees Established
In 2023, the NCAA established separate rules committees for each division (I, II, and III). This initiative aimed to give each division greater autonomy over its governance and playing rules.
2024: Colleges Field Varsity and Club/Sprint Teams
As of 2024, colleges are able to field a team in NCAA and are not restricted from fielding teams in club or sprint football. Some colleges field two teams, but no schools field both club and sprint teams at the same time.
2024: CFP Expansion Agreement
In 2024, an agreement was reached on College Football Playoff expansion to 12 teams.
2024: NFL player origins
In 2024, it was observed that the vast majority (88.6%) of NFL players had previously played college football, highlighting college football's role as a primary source for professional football talent in the NFL, CFL, and UFL.
2025: Ohio State Buckeyes Win College Football Playoff
In the 2025 College Football Playoff, the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34–23. The Ohio State Buckeyes won the most recent playoff.
2026: Contractual Lock-in for Current CFP Arrangement
The current arrangement for the College Football Playoff (CFP) with six major bowl games rotating as semi-final games, was contractually locked in until the 2026 season.
