College football, a prominent sport in the United States, involves amateur student-athletes from universities and colleges competing in gridiron football. This collegiate level of competition played a significant role in establishing the popularity of gridiron football within the country.
May 1900: Yost Hired by Stanford
In May 1900 Fielding H. Yost was hired by Stanford University to be the school's football coach.
August 21, 1900: Yost Arrives at Stanford
On August 21, 1900, after being hired as the football coach at Stanford University, Fielding H. Yost arrived in Palo Alto, California.
December 4, 1900: "Thanksgiving Day Disaster" at the Big Game
On December 4, 1900, Fred Lilly, the last victim of the tragic roof collapse at the Big Game between Stanford and California held on Thanksgiving Day, passed away. The incident, known as the "Thanksgiving Day Disaster," claimed the lives of 22 people and remains the deadliest accident involving spectators at a U.S. sporting event.
November 22, 1901: First Intercollegiate Football Game in Florida
The first official intercollegiate football game in Florida took place on November 22, 1901, with Stetson University defeating Florida Agricultural College (a precursor to the University of Florida) by a score of 6-0. The game was held as part of the Jacksonville Fair.
1901: Yost's Move to Michigan
In 1901, Fielding H. Yost left Stanford to become the head football coach at the University of Michigan.
1901: Michigan's Undefeated Streak Begins
In 1901, the University of Michigan's football team, led by coach Fielding H. Yost, began an impressive 56-game undefeated streak.
January 1, 1902: Inaugural "Tournament East-West" Game
On January 1, 1902 Fielding H. Yost's Michigan Wolverines defeated Stanford University in the first-ever "Tournament East-West football game", now known as the Rose Bowl, by a score of 49-0.
September 27, 1902: Georgetown vs. Navy: The First "Roving Center"?
On September 27, 1902, Georgetown University's football team defeated the U.S. Naval Academy by a score of 4 to 0. This game is often cited by Georgetown as the first instance of a "roving center" or linebacker, with Percy Given credited with pioneering the position.
1902: Michigan Makes History in First College Football Bowl Game
During their undefeated streak in 1902, Michigan participated in the inaugural college football bowl game, which would later become the Rose Bowl Game.
1902: First Rose Bowl Game
The first bowl game, the Rose Bowl, took place in 1902, featuring Michigan and Stanford. Michigan won decisively, 49-0. The game was halted with 8 minutes remaining at Stanford's request, which Michigan agreed to.
1903: Pop Warner's Hidden Ball Trick Gains National Attention
In 1903, football coach Pop Warner, having learned the hidden ball trick, used it with his Carlisle team against Harvard, garnering national attention for the play.
1903: Cumberland and Clemson Tie in "SIAA Championship Game"
On Thanksgiving Day 1903, a game was played in Montgomery, Alabama, between the top teams from each region of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). Billed as the "SIAA championship game," the contest saw Cumberland face off against Clemson, coached by John Heisman. The game ended in an 11-11 tie, leading to multiple teams claiming the championship title, with Heisman advocating strongly for Cumberland's claim. This marked Heisman's final game as Clemson's head coach.
1904: Significant Coaching Appointments in Southern Football
The year 1904 saw several impactful coaching hires in Southern college football. Mike Donahue joined Auburn University, John Heisman took the helm at Georgia Tech, and Dan McGugin became the head coach at Vanderbilt University. Donahue and McGugin, hailing from Yale and Michigan respectively, would later be among the first inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame. Notably, Vanderbilt's undefeated 1904 team achieved an impressive scoring average of 52.7 points per game, leading all college football teams that season, while conceding only four points.
October 9, 1905: Roosevelt Summit on Football Violence
On October 9, 1905, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt held a meeting with representatives from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton to discuss ways of reducing the violence and injuries in college football.
November 11, 1905: First Big Game at Stanford Field
On November 11, 1905, the annual Big Game between rivals Stanford and Cal was played at the newly constructed Stanford Field.
November 30, 1905: Chicago Defeats Michigan in "The First Greatest Game of the Century"
On November 30, 1905, the University of Chicago's football team triumphed over the University of Michigan with a score of 2 to 0. This victory snapped Michigan's 56-game undefeated streak and marked the end of the "Point-a-Minute" years in college football.
December 28, 1905: Formation of the IAAUS
On December 28, 1905, representatives from 62 colleges and universities met in New York City to discuss rules changes for American football. The meeting resulted in the formation of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States.
1905: Eliot Publicly Opposes Football
In 1905, Charles William Eliot, then president of Harvard University, publically opposed the playing of American football.
1905: Concerns About Violence in Football
By 1905, concerns about the violence inherent to American football were reaching a fever pitch. Between 1890 and 1905, 330 college athletes died from injuries sustained on the football field.
1905: First Scouting in the South
According to historical accounts, the earliest known instance of scouting in Southern college football took place in 1905. Dan McGugin and Captain Innis Brown of Vanderbilt traveled to Atlanta to observe a game between Sewanee and Georgia Tech.
1905: Michigan's Undefeated Streak Ends
Michigan's remarkable 56-game undefeated streak concluded in 1905.
September 5, 1906: First Legal Forward Pass
On September 5, 1906, Bradbury Robinson, under the guidance of coach Eddie Cochems, threw the first legal forward pass in a game between Saint Louis University and Carroll College. This marked a pivotal change in football rules, ushering in a new era for the sport.
1906: Rugby League Adopts Camp's Play-the-Ball Rule
In 1906, influenced by American football's evolution under Walter Camp, rugby league adopted the play-the-ball rule, mirroring Camp's earlier scrimmage and center-snap innovations.
1906: West Coast Schools Switch to Rugby
In 1906, several universities on the West Coast, led by Stanford and California, replaced American football with rugby union due to concerns about violence.
1906: Vanderbilt Defeats Carlisle
In 1906, Vanderbilt secured a 4-0 victory against Carlisle, with Bob Blake's field goal proving to be the deciding factor in the game.
1906: John Outland's Experimental Game
In 1906, John H. Outland organized an experimental football game in Wichita, Kansas where the number of scrimmage plays needed to gain a first down was reduced from four to three. The game featured more punts and was believed to be safer, though not as exciting, as games played with the traditional rules.
1906: First Legal Forward Pass in the South
Fuzzy Woodruff's claim suggests that Davidson was the first team in the South to execute a legal forward pass in 1906, showcasing the spread of this innovative play.
1907: Vanderbilt Ties Navy
Vanderbilt and Navy battled to a hard-fought 6-6 tie in 1907, showcasing the competitive spirit of both programs.
1909: End of Eliot's Tenure at Harvard
In 1909, Charles William Eliot ended his 40-year tenure as the President of Harvard University.
1909: Founding of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
In 1909, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference was founded. The original members were: Colorado, Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines, and Colorado Agricultural College
1909: Field Goal Value Reduced
The value of a field goal was lowered to three points in 1909, adjusting the scoring dynamics of the game.
1910: IAAUS Renamed NCAA
In 1910, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) changed its name to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
1910: Denver and Utah Join RMAC
In 1910, the University of Denver and the University of Utah joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
1910: Vanderbilt Ties Defending National Champion Yale
In an impressive display of defensive prowess, Vanderbilt held the defending national champions, Yale, to a scoreless tie in 1910.
November 25, 1911: First Homecoming Game and Telegraphed Broadcast
The first recognized homecoming football game took place on November 25, 1911, with Kansas playing against Missouri. Notably, this game featured a play-by-play transmission via telegraph to fans in Lawrence, Kansas, an early instance of remote game coverage.
1911: USC Adopts Rugby
In 1911, The University of Southern California adopted rugby as its football code.
1912: Touchdown Value Increased
Touchdowns were raised to six points in 1912, further shifting emphasis towards offensive scoring and shaping the game's scoring system.
1913: Knute Rockne's Rise at Notre Dame
In 1913, Knute Rockne rose to fame as an end player for the University of Notre Dame, which was not yet a football powerhouse. He and quarterback Gus Dorais utilized the forward pass extensively in a game against Army, a team expected to easily defeat Notre Dame. The unexpected 35-13 victory helped establish Notre Dame as a serious program.
1914: First Roughing-the-Passer Penalty
In 1914, the first instance of a roughing-the-passer penalty being enforced occurred, further solidifying the forward pass's place in the game and promoting player safety.
1915: Cal Returns to Football
In 1915, citing rule changes, as well as the desire to play opponents from other regions, The University of California reinstated its American football program after several years of playing rugby.
1915: Southwest Athletic Conference Founded
The Southwest Athletic Conference, primarily consisting of schools from Texas, was established in 1915.
October 7, 1916: Most Lopsided Victory in College Football History
On October 7, 1916, Georgia Tech achieved a historic victory, defeating Cumberland 222-0. This game, played at Grant Field, stands as the most lopsided victory in college football history and highlights the dominance of John Heisman's "jump shift" offense.
1916: Annual Rose Bowl Games Resume
After a hiatus following the lopsided 1902 game, the Rose Bowl resumed as an annual event in 1916 due to the Tournament of Roses' decision to revive the postseason game.
1916: Cal Plays Washington in Big Game
In 1916, with Stanford still playing rugby, The University of California played the University of Washington in the schools' annual Big Game.
1917: Auburn Holds Ohio State to Scoreless Tie and Georgia Tech Defeats Auburn
Auburn played a crucial role in shaping the 1917 season. The Tigers held the undefeated, Chic Harley-led, Big Ten champions, Ohio State, to a scoreless tie the week before facing Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech, seeking a national title, went on to defeat Auburn 68-7.
1917: First National Champion from the South and First Deep South All-Americans
The year 1917 marked a significant milestone for Southern football as Georgia Tech emerged as the first national champion from the region. The team, boasting a powerful backfield, also featured the first two players from the Deep South to receive first-team All-American recognition: Walker Carpenter and Everett Strupper.
1917: Rise of Centre College
The year 1917 witnessed the emergence of Centre College of Danville, Kentucky, as a force in Southern football, setting the stage for future successes.
1917: Cal Plays Washington in Big Game
In 1917, with Stanford still playing rugby, The University of California played the University of Washington in the schools' annual Big Game.
1918: Stanford Returns to Football
In 1918, after the Stanford campus was chosen as the headquarters of the Student Army Training Corps, the school dropped rugby and reinstated American football after the commanding officer decided it was the preferred method of athletic training for soldiers
1918: Rockne's Coaching Debut and Offensive Innovations
Knute Rockne returned to Notre Dame as a coach in 1918. As coach, he developed the successful Notre Dame Box offense and is credited with being one of the first coaches to emphasize offense over defense. He is also credited with the popularization of the forward pass.
1918: Eligible Receiver Rules Loosened
Rules surrounding eligible receivers were relaxed significantly in 1918. Players were then permitted to catch the ball anywhere on the field, a change that led to greater offensive creativity and strategic possibilities.
1919: Heisman Departs Georgia Tech
After a successful tenure, John Heisman departed from his position as head coach at Georgia Tech in 1919. His legacy, including his innovative "jump shift" offense, continued to influence the sport even after his departure.
1920: Notre Dame's Success
Between 1920 and 1990, the only decade in which Notre Dame did not win at least a share of a national championship was the 1950s.
October 8, 1921: First Live Radio Broadcast
October 8, 1921, marked a significant day in sports broadcasting as the game between West Virginia and Pittsburgh was broadcasted live on the radio. Harold W. Arlin served as the announcer, bringing the excitement of the Backyard Brawl to listeners on KDKA.
1921: Centre Upsets Harvard and First Game at Dudley Field
Two notable events took place in 1921. Centre College, led by Bo McMillin, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college football history by defeating defending national champions Harvard 6-0. Additionally, the inaugural game at Dudley Field, now known as Vanderbilt Stadium, took place, marking the first stadium in the South built exclusively for college football. The game resulted in a scoreless tie between Vanderbilt and Michigan, with Vanderbilt making a crucial goal-line stand to preserve the tie.
October 28, 1922: First Nationally Broadcasted Game
On October 28, 1922, a game between Princeton and Chicago made history by being the first college football game broadcasted nationally on the radio. The closely contested match, which saw Princeton emerge victorious, expanded the game's reach and captivated a wider audience.
1923: Rose Bowl Stadium Construction
The Rose Bowl stadium, built in Pasadena, California, in 1923, significantly influenced the terminology of college football postseason games. Its bowl-like shape, inspired by the Yale Bowl (built in 1915), led to the widespread adoption of the term "bowl" for similar contests.
1924: The Four Horsemen
The 1924 Notre Dame team featured the legendary "Four Horsemen" backfield, solidifying the school's reputation as a football powerhouse.
1924: Walter Camp Concludes Annual All-American Team Selection
Walter Camp concluded his personal selection of an annual All-American football team in 1924, a practice he had maintained since 1889.
1925: Alabama's National Championship
In 1925, Wallace William Wade's Alabama team had a historic season, ultimately earning the school's first national championship title.
1925: Walter Camp Passes Away
In 1925, Walter Camp, a prominent figure in the development of American football, passed away. He had been employed by the New Haven Clock Company since leaving Yale in 1882.
1925: Alabama's Historic Rose Bowl Victory
Under the leadership of coach Wallace Wade, Alabama achieved a groundbreaking victory in the 1925 Rose Bowl, becoming the first Southern team to do so. This game is often referred to as "the game that changed the South," signifying a shift in the balance of power in college football.
1926: Alabama Wins Rose Bowl
After their national championship win, Alabama, led by Wallace William Wade, went on to win the 1926 Rose Bowl.
1927: Pop Warner's Influential Coaching Career and Book Release
Glenn "Pop" Warner, a legendary figure in football coaching, left his mark on several universities during his career, including Georgia, Cornell, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Iowa State, and Temple. One of his most impactful coaching stints was at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, where he mentored Jim Thorpe. In 1927, Warner published "Football for Coaches and Players," a seminal work on football strategy that significantly influenced the sport's evolution.
1927: "Bloody Monday" Tradition Begins at Harvard
In 1927, a new tradition called "Bloody Monday" was established at Harvard, which involved a massive football game between the freshman and sophomore classes.
1927: Rule Change Due to Rockne's Shifts
Knute Rockne's innovative use of complex shifts in 1927 led to a rule change in college football, requiring offensive players to come to a complete stop for one second before the ball could be snapped.
1927: Georgia's "Dream and Wonder Team" and Georgia Tech's Rose Bowl Victory
The year 1927 was marked by several noteworthy events. Georgia's football team, dubbed the "dream and wonder team," etched its place in history by defeating Yale for the first time. However, Georgia Tech, led by Heisman's protégé William Alexander, handed the "dream and wonder team" their only loss of the season. The following year, Georgia Tech went on to secure a national championship and a Rose Bowl victory, a game that famously featured Roy Riegels' wrong-way run.
1928: Georgia Tech's Undefeated Season
William Alexander's Georgia Tech team achieved an undefeated season in 1928.
October 12, 1929: Yale's First Loss to a Southern Team on Southern Soil
On October 12, 1929, a historic upset unfolded as Yale suffered their first-ever loss to a Southern opponent in a game played in the South. The game, taking place at Sanford Stadium, saw Georgia emerge victorious over the powerhouse Yale team.
1929: Georgia Tech's Rose Bowl Victory
In 1929, Georgia Tech, led by William Alexander, triumphed over California in the Rose Bowl.
1930: Alabama's Second National Championship and Rose Bowl Win
Continuing their dominance, Wallace Wade's Alabama team secured their second national championship and Rose Bowl victory in 1930, solidifying the program's status as a national powerhouse.
1931: USC's First National Championship
The University of Southern California was awarded its first national championship title in 1931.
1931: Rockne's Death
Knute Rockne tragically died in a plane crash in 1931. His death was a major loss to the football world, and his funeral was even broadcast nationally on the radio.
1932: USC's Second National Championship and the SEC
The University of Southern California earned their second consecutive national championship title, and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) was formed in 1932, consisting primarily of schools from the Deep South.
1933: Parke H. Davis Defines Eras in College Football
In 1933, football historian Parke H. Davis categorized the years 1894-1933 as the "Period of Rules Committees and Conferences" in college football history.
1933: Michigan's National Championship
The University of Michigan won a national championship in 1933, one of three it would win between 1933 and 1948.
1934: Rule Changes Encourage the Passing Game
Significant rule changes in 1934, including the removal of penalties for incomplete passes and the reduction of the ball's circumference, led to an increase in passing plays during games.
1934: Minnesota's National Championship
The University of Minnesota won a national championship in 1934, the first of five championships for the school between 1934 and 1941.
1935: New Bowl Games and the Orange, Sugar, and Sun Bowls
In 1935, college football saw the emergence of three new bowl games: the Orange Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, and the Sun Bowl.
1935: The First Heisman Trophy
The inaugural Heisman Trophy was awarded to University of Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger in 1935.
1936: The First AP Poll
The Associated Press (AP) released its first weekly poll in 1936, ranking all college football teams nationwide. This poll would eventually be used to determine the national champion for the season.
1936: Berwanger is the First NFL Draft Pick
In 1936, Jay Berwanger became the first-ever NFL draft pick.
1937: The Cotton Bowl
The Cotton Bowl, another bowl game, was established in 1937.
1938: TCU's National Championship
Texas Christian University (TCU) secured a national championship title in 1938.
1939: Texas A&M's National Championship
Texas A&M clinched the national championship title in 1939.
1940: Five Bowl Games Highlight College Football
In 1940, college football's highest level featured five prominent bowl games: the Rose, Orange, Sugar, Sun, and Cotton Bowls.
1941: Minnesota's Fifth Championship in Eight Years
The University of Minnesota won their fifth national championship in eight years in 1941.
1942: Ohio State Wins National Championship
Ohio State University won the national championship in 1942.
1944: Army's National Championship
With many players returning from World War II service, Army won a national championship under coach Red Blaik in 1944.
1945: Army's Second National Championship
Army secured back-to-back national championship titles in 1945, again under coach Red Blaik, with a team composed largely of returning World War II veterans.
1946: Glenn Davis Wins the Heisman
Glenn Davis, known as "Mr. Outside," won the Heisman Trophy in 1946 while playing for Army.
1947: Michigan Wins Another Championship
The University of Michigan won another national championship in 1947.
1948: Michigan's Third Championship in 15 Years
The University of Michigan won their third national championship in 15 years in 1948.
1950: College Football Bowl Games Expand to Eight
By 1950, the number of major college bowl games had grown to eight, indicating a growing interest in postseason play.
1950: Oklahoma's National Championship
Oklahoma, coached by Bud Wilkinson, achieved a national championship title in 1950, the first of three in the decade for the school.
1951: Passing Game Declines
College football saw a decline in passing plays in 1951 as coaches like Bud Wilkinson, Woody Hayes, and Robert Neyland popularized a run-first offensive strategy.
1952: NCAA Claims Television Broadcasting Rights
In 1952, the NCAA asserted control over television broadcasting rights for games played by its member institutions, taking charge of negotiating those rights.
1953: Michigan State Joins the Big Ten and a Football Dynasty Begins
The Michigan State Spartans, coached by Clarence Munn, joined the Big Ten Conference in 1953 and quickly established themselves as a football powerhouse.
1954: Ohio State's National Championship
Woody Hayes led Ohio State to a national championship title in 1954, one of two they would win during the decade.
1955: Oklahoma's Second National Championship of the Decade
Oklahoma won another national championship in 1955 under coach Bud Wilkinson.
1956: Oklahoma's Third National Championship of the Decade
Oklahoma, still led by Bud Wilkinson, won their third national championship of the 1950s in 1956.
1956: Segregation in College Football
The 1956 Sugar Bowl drew international attention due to a controversy surrounding Georgia Tech's decision to field an African American player, a first for a collegiate bowl game in the South. The decision was publicly opposed by Georgia's pro-segregationist governor.
1957: Ohio State's Second National Championship of the Decade
Ohio State, with Woody Hayes at the helm, secured another national championship victory in 1957.
1958: NFL Surpasses College Football in Popularity
Following the widely watched 1958 NFL Championship Game, professional football began to eclipse college football in national popularity. While television benefited both, the NFL expanded its national appeal, while college football remained more regionally popular.
1966: Rugby League Introduces Four-Tackle Rule
In 1966, rugby league drew further inspiration from Camp's early down-and-distance rules and introduced the four-tackle rule, later modified to six tackles in 1972.
1966: ABC Sports Launches National Game of the Week
In a groundbreaking move in 1966, ABC Sports introduced the "National Game of the Week," ushering in an era where key matchups and captivating rivalries reached a wider national audience through television broadcasts.
1970: Eight Major Bowl Games Remain a Staple
In 1970, the college football landscape maintained stability with eight major bowl games, showcasing a balance between tradition and expansion.
1972: Rugby League Modifies Tackle Rule
In 1972, rugby league adjusted the previously implemented four-tackle rule, changing it to a six-tackle rule.
1976: Bowl Games Increase to Eleven
The year 1976 witnessed a notable increase in bowl games, reaching a total of eleven and signaling a gradual expansion in postseason opportunities for college football teams.
1979: Playoff Proposal
A four-team playoff proposal was put forth by an NCAA committee in 1979, marking an early attempt at reforming the championship system, which ultimately faced resistance until the 2014 implementation of the College Football Playoff.
1980: Cable Television Fuels Bowl Game Growth
With the rise of cable television and dedicated sports networks like ESPN in 1980, the number of bowl games surged to fifteen, marking a significant expansion fueled by increased viewership and revenue possibilities.
1984: Supreme Court Decision Impacts NCAA Television Rights
A pivotal moment in 1984 saw the Supreme Court rule against the NCAA regarding television broadcasting rights. This landmark decision empowered individual schools to negotiate their own television deals, marking a significant shift in the landscape of college football broadcasting.
1990: Notre Dame's Success
Between 1920 and 1990, the only decade in which Notre Dame did not win at least a share of a national championship was the 1950s.
1992: Bowl Coalition Aims for No. 1 vs. No. 2 Matchup
A significant development in college football took place in 1992 with the formation of the Bowl Coalition. This collaboration between seven conferences and Notre Dame sought to establish an annual clash between the nation's top two teams, as determined by the final AP poll standings. However, the coalition faced challenges due to scheduling conflicts and the exclusion of major conferences and prestigious bowl games, ultimately limiting its success.
1995: Bowl Alliance Emerges as a Championship Contender
The year 1995 saw the introduction of the Bowl Alliance, a system designed to determine a national champion. This alliance, comprising the ACC, SEC, Southwest, Big Eight, and Big East conferences, narrowed the field to three bowl games—the Fiesta, Sugar, and Orange Bowls—to host a national championship game. While it still didn't encompass all major conferences, the Bowl Alliance represented another step towards a more unified approach to crowning a national champion.
1998: Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Revolutionizes College Football
A pivotal moment in college football history arrived in 1998 with the introduction of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). This system marked the first time all major conferences and four prominent bowl games—the Rose, Orange, Sugar, and Fiesta Bowls—united under one umbrella. It aimed to create a more inclusive and definitive method for determining a national champion, incorporating human polls, computer rankings, and strength of schedule calculations into the equation. While traditional tie-ins were maintained for bowls outside the national championship picture, the BCS represented a major step towards a more unified and comprehensive postseason format in college football.
1998: Michigan and Nebraska Share National Title
In 1998, an interesting situation arose where Michigan won the Rose Bowl, and Nebraska emerged victorious in the Orange Bowl. Both teams finished the season with identical records, leading to a shared national title. This scenario highlighted the ongoing debate and the need for a more comprehensive system to determine a single national champion in college football.
1998: Bowl Championship Series Introduction
Introduced in 1998, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) aimed to provide a definitive national championship game in college football, replacing a previous system of determining a champion.
1998: Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Creation
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) was established in 1998 to provide a definitive national championship game in college football. Initially, it incorporated four major bowl games: the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. The championship game rotated annually among these venues.
2003: Controversies Fuel Momentum for Playoff System
Controversial moments in the 2003 college football season added fuel to the growing movement for a playoff system, as fans and analysts debated the fairness and accuracy of the BCS rankings.
2004: Continued Controversies Highlight Need for Change
The 2004 college football season witnessed further controversies regarding team rankings and playoff selection, amplifying the demand for a more transparent and definitive system to determine a national champion.
2005: Utah Makes History as Non-AQ Conference Representative
In 2005, Utah made history by becoming the first team from a non-Automatic Qualifying (AQ) conference to earn a spot in a BCS bowl game, signifying a shift in the landscape of college football.
2006: BCS System Adjustment and National Championship Game
In 2006, the BCS system was modified with the addition of a fifth game: the National Championship Game. This allowed the existing four BCS bowls to maintain their traditional selection procedures, while the top two teams in the BCS rankings would compete in the newly established National Championship Game.
2006: BCS Expands with Fifth Game and New Rules
The year 2006 brought significant changes to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) with the addition of a fifth game, designated as the BCS National Championship Game. This expansion allowed for two more at-large teams and introduced rules changes to include champions from five additional conferences, provided they met specific ranking criteria. These modifications aimed to create a more inclusive and competitive postseason format, opening doors for teams from non-AQ conferences to participate in major bowl games.
2008: Bowl Game Expansion Continues
By 2008, the landscape of college football had undergone a dramatic transformation, with the addition of 20 more bowl games, underscoring the sport's growing popularity and financial success. This expansion, however, sparked debates about the value and significance of participating in a bowl game.
2009: Boise State and TCU Make BCS History
A historic matchup unfolded in 2009 when Boise State and TCU became the first teams from non-AQ conferences to face each other in a BCS bowl game, highlighting the growing competitiveness and national recognition of teams outside the traditional power conferences.
2009: Expansion of Bowl Games
The 2009 season saw a significant expansion in bowl games, with 34 taking place. This allowed for 68 out of 120 Division I FBS teams to participate in a bowl game, highlighting the growing popularity and scale of postseason play in college football.
2012: Northern Illinois Earns BCS Berth
In 2012, Northern Illinois secured its place in college football history by becoming the last team from a non-AQ conference to earn a spot in a BCS bowl game during the BCS era, marking the end of an era before the introduction of the College Football Playoff.
2013: End of the BCS
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) concluded after the 2013 season.
2013: FCS Playoff Expansion
In 2013, the Division I FCS playoffs expanded from 20 to 24 teams, changing the structure and qualification process for determining the national champion in this division.
2013: Northern Illinois Makes Orange Bowl Appearance
Northern Illinois made a memorable appearance in the 2013 Orange Bowl, representing a significant accomplishment for the program despite their loss in the game.
2014: College Football Playoff and NCAA Recognition
Despite the establishment of the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2014, the NCAA does not officially recognize an FBS national champion. Consequently, the official Division I National Champion is the winner of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
2014: Financial Status of College Football Programs
In 2014, despite generating substantial revenue, the majority of major college football programs operated at a financial loss, raising questions about the financial sustainability and economic realities of the sport at the collegiate level.
2014: College Football Playoff Debuts
In 2014, the College Football Playoff was introduced, replacing the Bowl Championship Series to determine the champion of the Bowl Subdivision.
2014: NAIA Allows NIL Compensation
In 2014, the NAIA took a pioneering step by permitting student-athletes at its member schools to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness (NIL), marking an early shift in the landscape of college athletics.
2014: College Football Playoff Implementation
The College Football Playoff (CFP), a four-team tournament, replaced the BCS in the 2014 season to determine the FBS national champion, with selections made by a committee of experts.
2014: College Football Playoff Inauguration
The College Football Playoff began in 2014, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) used since 1998. The inaugural champion was Ohio State University.
2014: College Football Playoff (CFP) Ushers in New Era
The year 2014 marked the beginning of a new era in college football with the highly anticipated launch of the College Football Playoff (CFP). This four-team playoff system, a response to years of debate and controversy surrounding the BCS, aimed to provide a more decisive and satisfying way to crown a national champion.
2017: Study Finds High Percentage of CTE in Deceased Football Players
In 2017, a study was conducted on the brains of deceased football players which found that a shocking percentage of players showed signs of CTE. The study found that 99% of NFL players, 88% of CFL players, 64% of semi-professional players, 91% of college football players, and 21% of high school football players had various stages of CTE. This study highlighted a major concern in the sport, but researchers did acknowledge a limitation in the study due to "selection bias", since the brains used were donated by families who already suspected CTE.
2020: NAIA Expands NIL Rights
In 2020, the NAIA further expanded NIL rights for student-athletes, specifically allowing them to reference their athletic participation in endorsement deals, providing more opportunities for them to benefit from their NIL.
July 2021: NCAA Approves NIL Compensation
In July 2021, following pressure from state legislation and the precedent set by the NAIA, the NCAA passed a significant reform allowing student-athletes to receive compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
2021: NCAA Adopts Temporary NIL Rule Change
On June 3, 2021, the NCAA's board of directors voted to adopt a temporary rule change that allowed for NIL activities. This new rule gave individual schools the power to set their own policies with minimal guidelines from the NCAA. These rules went into effect on July 1, 2021, and allowed student athletes to begin signing endorsement deals using their name, image, and likeness.
2023: NCAA Grants Rule Autonomy to Divisions
In a significant shift towards greater autonomy, the NCAA implemented a groundbreaking change in 2023, allowing each division to establish its own rules committee. This move empowered Division I (both Bowl and Championship Subdivisions), II, and III to have more control over their respective rulebooks.
2024: CFP Expansion Agreement
An agreement was reached to expand the CFP to 12 teams, beginning in the 2024 season, marking a significant change to the playoff structure.
2024: NCAA College Football Team Structure
As of 2024, NCAA colleges can field teams in club or sprint football in addition to their varsity NCAA squad, but no schools field both club and sprint teams concurrently.
2024: Michigan Wins 2024 CFP
The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies in the 2024 College Football Playoff, marking a significant victory in the playoff's history.
2026: CFP Contractual Lock-In
The arrangement of the CFP, including its format and the role of the New Year's Six bowl games as semi-finals, was contractually secured until the 2026 season.