2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season explained

Year:2021
Number Of Teams:130
Preseason Ap:Alabama
Regular Season:August 28 – December 11, 2021
Number Of Bowls:43
Bowl Start:December 17, 2021
Bowl End:February 19, 2022
Championship System:College Football Playoff
Championship Bowl:2022 College Football Playoff National Championship
Championship Location:Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
Champions:Georgia
Heisman:Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Ap Poll:Georgia
Coaches Poll:Georgia

The 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the 152nd season of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at its highest level of competition, the Football Bowl Subdivision. The regular season began on August 28, 2021,[1] and ended on December 11, 2021. The postseason began on December 17, with the main games ending on January 10, 2022, with the College Football Playoff National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and the all-star portion of the post-season concluding with the inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 19, 2022. It was the eighth season of the College Football Playoff (CFP) system.[2] It was the first time since 2016 that no major team finished the season undefeated as the Cincinnati Bearcats, the season's last undefeated team, were defeated in the 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic.

Rule changes

The following rule changes, recommended by the NCAA Football Rules Committee for the 2021 season on March 12 of that year, were approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on April 22.[3] [4]

Another rule change was made during the season:

"Points of Emphasis" for the 2021 season included:

Other headlines

Conference realignment and new programs

Membership changes

SchoolFormer conferenceNew conference
UConn HuskiesAmerican Athletic Conferenceindependent
Notre Dame Fighting IrishAtlantic Coast Conference (2020 only)independent

Stadiums

Kickoff games

Rankings reflect the AP Poll entering each week.

"Week Zero"

The regular season began on Saturday, August 28 with five games in Week 0.

Week 1

The majority of FBS teams opened the season on Labor Day weekend. Eight neutral-site "kickoff" games were held.

Regular season top 10 matchups

Rankings reflect the AP Poll. Rankings for Week 10 and beyond will list College Football Playoff Rankings first and AP Poll second. Teams that failed to be a top 10 team for one poll or the other will be noted.

Upsets

This section lists instances of unranked teams defeating AP Poll-ranked teams during the season.

Regular season

During the regular season, 48 unranked FBS teams, plus 1 FCS team, defeated ranked FBS teams.

Bowl games

Rankings in this section are based on the final CFP rankings released on December 5, 2021.

Rankings

See main article: 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings.

The top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls.

Pre-season polls

AP
RankingTeam
1Alabama (47)
2Oklahoma (6)
3Clemson (6)
4Ohio State (1)
5Georgia (3)
6Texas A&M
7Iowa State
8Cincinnati
9Notre Dame
10North Carolina
11Oregon
12Wisconsin
13Florida
14Miami (FL)
15USC
16LSU
17Indiana
18 Iowa
19 Penn State
20Washington
21Texas
22Coastal Carolina
23Louisiana
24Utah
25Arizona State
USA today coaches
RankingTeam
1Alabama (63)
2Clemson
3Oklahoma (2)
4Ohio State
5Georgia
6Texas A&M
7Notre Dame
8Iowa State
9North Carolina
10Cincinnati
11Florida
12Oregon
13LSU
14USC
15Wisconsin
16Miami
17Indiana
18 Iowa
19 Texas
20Penn State
21Washington
22Oklahoma State
23Louisiana
24Coastal Carolina
25Ole Miss

CFB Playoff final rankings

On December 5, 2021, the College Football Playoff selection committee announced its final team rankings for the year.

Rank Team W–L Conference and standing Bowl game
1 Alabama 12–1 SEC Champion Cotton Bowl (CFP semifinal)
2 Michigan 12–1 Big Ten Champion Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal)
3 Georgia 12–1 SEC runner-up Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal)
4 Cincinnati 13–0 AAC Champion Cotton Bowl (CFP semifinal)
5 Notre Dame 11–1 FBS Independent Fiesta Bowl (NY6)
6 Ohio State 10–2 Big Ten East 2nd place Rose Bowl (NY6)
7 Baylor 11–2 Big 12 Champion Sugar Bowl (NY6)
8 Ole Miss 10–2 SEC West 2nd placeSugar Bowl (NY6)
9 Oklahoma State 11–2 Big 12 runner-up Fiesta Bowl (NY6)
10 Michigan State 10–2 Big Ten East 3rd place Peach Bowl (NY6)
11 Utah 10–3 Pac-12 Champion Rose Bowl (NY6)
12 Pittsburgh 11–2 ACC Champion Peach Bowl (NY6)
13 BYU 10–2 FBS Independent Independence Bowl
14 Oregon 10–3 Pac-12 runner-up Alamo Bowl
15 Iowa 10–3 Big Ten runner-up Citrus Bowl
16 Oklahoma 10–2 Big 12 3rd place Alamo Bowl
17 Wake Forest 10–3 ACC runner-up Gator Bowl
18 NC State 9–3 ACC Atlantic 2nd place Holiday Bowl
19 Clemson 9–3 ACC Atlantic 3rd place Cheez-It Bowl
20 Houston 11–2 AAC runner-up Birmingham Bowl
21 Arkansas 8–4 SEC West 3rd place Outback Bowl
22 Kentucky 9–3 SEC East 2nd place Citrus Bowl
23 Louisiana 12–1 Sun Belt champion New Orleans Bowl
24 San Diego State 11–2 Mountain West runner-up Frisco Bowl
25 Texas A&M 8–4 SEC West 5th place Gator Bowl

Final rankings

RankAssociated Presscolspan'"1"Coaches' Poll
1Georgia (61)Georgia (62)
2Alabama
3Michigan
4Cincinnati
5BaylorOhio State
6Ohio StateBaylor
7Oklahoma State
8Notre Dame
9Michigan State
10Oklahoma
11Ole Miss
12Utah
13Pittsburgh
14ClemsonWake Forest
15Wake ForestKentucky
16LouisianaClemson
17Houston
18KentuckyLouisiana
19BYUNC State
20NC StateArkansas
21ArkansasOregon
22OregonBYU
23Iowa
24Utah State
25San Diego StateTexas A&M

Conference summaries

Rankings in this section are based on CFP rankings released prior to the games.

ConferenceChampionship gameOverall Player of the Year/MVPOffensive Player of the YearDefensive Player of the YearSpecial Teams Player of the YearCoach of the Year
Date[46] ChampionScoreRunner-up
ACCDec. 445−21No 16. Wake Forest (10−2)Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh[47] Kenny Pickett, QB, PittsburghJermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida StateDave Clawson, Wake Forest[48]
AmericanDec. 4No. 4 Cincinnati (12–0)35–20No. 21 Houston (11–1)Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati[49] Sauce Gardner, CB, CincinnatiMarcus Jones, KR/PR, HoustonLuke Fickell, Cincinnati
Big TenDec. 4No. 2 Michigan (11–1)42–3No. 13 Iowa (10−2)C. J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State[50] Aidan Hutchinson, DE, MichiganJake Moody, PK, Michigan;
Jordan Stout, P, Penn State; &<br />Charlie Jones, RS, Iowa
Mel Tucker, Michigan State (coaches & media)
Big 12Dec. 4No. 9 Baylor (10–2)21–16Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State[51] Jalen Pitre, DB, BaylorTrestan Ebner, KR/PR, BaylorMike Gundy, Oklahoma State
C–USADec. 3UTSA (11–1)49–41Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky[52] Sincere McCormick, RB, UTSA DeAngelo Malone, DE, Western KentuckyTommy Heatherly, P, FIUJeff Traylor, UTSA[53]
MACDec. 4Northern Illinois (8–4)41–23Lew Nichols III, RB, Central Michigan[54] Ali Fayad, DE, Western MichiganKalil Pimpleton, PR, Central MichiganThomas Hammock, Northern Illinois
MWDec. 4Utah State (9–3)46–13Carson Strong, QB, Nevada[55] Cameron Thomas, DL, San Diego StateMatt Araiza, P/PK, San Diego StateBrady Hoke, San Diego State
Pac-12Dec. 3No. 17 Utah (9–3)38–10No. 10 Oregon (10–2)Drake London, WR, USC[56] Devin Lloyd, LB, UtahKyle Whittingham, Utah
SECDec. 4No. 3 Alabama (11–1)41–24No. 1 Georgia (12–0)Bryce Young, QB, Alabama Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Velus Jones Jr, WR, Tennessee
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Sun BeltDec. 4No. 24 Louisiana (11–1)24–16Appalachian State (10–2)Grayson McCall, QB, Coastal Carolina[57] Jalen Tolbert, WR, South AlabamaD'Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian StateBilly Napier, Louisiana

Conference champions' bowl games

Ranks are per the final CFP rankings, released on December 5, with win–loss records at that time.

Conference Champion W–L Rank Bowl game
ACC Pittsburgh 11–2 12 Peach Bowl (NY6)
American Cincinnati CFP 13–0 4 Cotton Bowl (semifinal)
Big Ten Michigan CFP 12–1 2 Orange Bowl (semifinal)
Big 12 Baylor 11–2 7 Sugar Bowl (NY6)
C-USA UTSA 12–1 Frisco Bowl
MAC Northern Illinois 9–4 Cure Bowl
Mountain West Utah State 10–3 LA Bowl
Pac-12 Utah 10–3 11 Rose Bowl (NY6)
SEC Alabama CFP 12–1 1 Cotton Bowl (semifinal)
Sun Belt Louisiana 12–1 23 New Orleans Bowl

CFP College Football Playoff participant

Postseason

See main article: 2021–22 NCAA football bowl games.

There are 42 team-competitive FBS post-season bowl games, with two teams advancing to a 43rd – the CFP National Championship game. Normally, a team is required to have a .500 minimum winning percentage during the regular season to become bowl-eligible (six wins for an 11- or 12-game schedule, and seven wins for a 13-game schedule). If there are not enough winning teams to fulfill all open bowl slots, teams with losing records may be chosen to fill all 84 bowl slots. Additionally, on the rare occasion in which a conference champion does not meet eligibility requirements, they are usually still chosen for bowl games via tie-ins for their conference.

Bowl-eligible teams

Number of bowl berths available: 84
Number of bowl-eligible teams: 84

Bowl-eligible team that did not receive a berth

On December 2, NCAA announced the 42nd bowl game, thus guaranteeing all teams with six wins (83 bowl-eligible teams plus Hawaii with a 6–7 record) could play in a bowl game.[58] The added bowl game, later named the 2021 Frisco Football Classic, essentially served as a replacement of the canceled San Francisco Bowl.[59]

Bowl-ineligible teams

Number of bowl-ineligible teams: 46
Rutgers had the highest Academic Progress Rate (APR) of five-win teams. The NCAA announced on December 23 that Rutgers was the first eligible team, under APR regulations, to replace Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl. Rutgers accepted the bid.[60]

Conference performance in bowl games

Conference Total games Wins Losses Pct.
ACC 6 2 4
Big Ten 10 6 4
Big 12 7 5 2
Pac-12 5 0 5
SEC 14 6 8
Independents 4 2 2
The American 4 3 1
C-USA 8 3 5
MAC 8 3 5
MW 6 5 1
Sun Belt 4 3 1

Count of bowl games

2021–22 FBS bowls planned 43 including the National Championship game
Canceled, prior to team selections Note that the one-off 2021 Frisco Football Classic
effectively served as a replacement for the San Francisco Bowl
Canceled, due to lack of teams -1 Arizona Bowl
Canceled, after team selections -3 Hawaii Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Military Bowl
Debuts postponed to 2022 -1 Fenway Bowl
2021–22 FBS bowl count 38 Bowls played / still scheduled to be played

All-star games

Awards and honors

Heisman Trophy voting

The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player

Player School Position 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Bryce Young Alabama QB 684 107 45 2,311
DE 78 273 174 954
QB 28 175 197 631
QB 12 118 127 399
Alabama LB 31 79 74 325
RB 18 53 85 245
QB 10 32 56 150
QB 5 15 36 81
DT 9 15 18 75
RB 0 5 7 17

Other overall

Special overall

Offense

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Tight end

Lineman:

Defense

Defensive front

Defensive back

Special teams

Coaches

Assistants

All-Americans

See main article: 2021 College Football All-America Team.

Coaching changes

Preseason and in-season

This is restricted to coaching changes taking place on or after May 1, 2021, and will include any changes announced after a team's last regularly scheduled game but before its bowl game. For coaching changes that occurred earlier in 2021, see 2020 NCAA Division I FBS end-of-season coaching changes.

TeamOutgoing coachCurrent roleDateReasonReplacement
OhioFrank SolichNoneJuly 14, 2021Retired[72] Tim Albin (promoted on July 14)
UConnRandy EdsallNoneSeptember 6, 2021Resigned[73] Lou Spanos (interim)
USCClay HeltonGeorgia Southern head coachSeptember 13, 2021Fired[74] Donte Williams (interim)
Georgia SouthernChad LunsfordFlorida Atlantic Special Teams coordinator/tight ends coachSeptember 26, 2021Fired[75] Kevin Whitley (interim)
Washington StateNick RolovichNoneOctober 18, 2021Fired[76] Jake Dickert (named full time on November 27)
Texas TechMatt WellsOklahoma Offensive AnalystOctober 25, 2021Fired[77] Sonny Cumbie (interim)
TCUGary PattersonTexas special assistant to head coachOctober 31, 2021Parted ways[78] Jerry Kill (interim)
AkronTom ArthLos Angeles Chargers Pass Game SpecialistNovember 4, 2021Fired[79] Oscar Rodriguez (interim)
UMassWalt BellIndiana offensive coordinatorNovember 7, 2021Fired[80] Alex Miller (interim)
WashingtonJimmy LakeNoneNovember 14, 2021FiredBob Gregory (interim)
Virginia TechJustin FuenteNoneNovember 16, 2021Parted ways[81] J. C. Price (interim)
FloridaDan MullenNoneNovember 21, 2021Fired[82] Greg Knox (interim)
TroyChip LindseyUCF offensive coordinatorNovember 21, 2021Fired[83] Brandon Hall (interim)
SMUSonny DykesTCU head coachNovember 26, 2021Hired by TCUJim Leavitt (interim)
OklahomaLincoln RileyUSC head coachNovember 28, 2021Hired by USCBob Stoops (interim; bowl)
LSUEd OrgeronNoneNovember 28, 2021Parted waysBrad Davis (interim; bowl)
Notre DameBrian KellyLSU head coachNovember 29, 2021Hired by LSUMarcus Freeman (promoted on December 3)
Fresno StateKalen DeBoerWashington head coachNovember 29, 2021Hired by WashingtonLee Marks (interim; bowl)
LouisianaBilly NapierFlorida head coachDecember 5, 2021Hired by FloridaMichael Desormeaux (promoted on December 5)
NevadaJay NorvellColorado State head coachDecember 6, 2021Hired by Colorado StateVai Taua (interim; bowl)
OregonMario CristobalMiami (FL) head coachDecember 6, 2021Hired by Miami (FL)Bryan McClendon (interim, bowl)
Miami (FL)Manny DiazPenn State defensive coordinatorDecember 6, 2021FiredJess Simpson (interim; bowl)

End of season

This list includes coaching changes announced during the season that did not take effect until the end of the season.

TeamOutgoing coachDateReasonReplacementPrevious position
Georgia SouthernKevin Whitley (interim)November 2, 2021Permanent replacementClay HeltonUSC head coach (2015-2021)
Texas TechSonny Cumbie (interim)November 8, 2021Permanent replacementJoey McGuireBaylor assistant head coach/outside linebackers coach (2020-2021)
FIUButch DavisNovember 10, 2021Will not return after the 2021 seasonMike MacIntyreMemphis defensive coordinator (2020-2021)
UConnLou Spanos (interim)November 11, 2021Permanent replacementJim MoraUConn offensive assistant (2020-2021)
UMassAlex Miller (interim)November 21, 2021Permanent replacementDon BrownArizona defensive coordinator (2021)
Louisiana TechSkip HoltzNovember 26, 2021Fired[84] Sonny CumbieTexas Tech interim head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2021)
TCUJerry Kill (interim)November 26, 2021Permanent replacementSonny DykesSMU head coach (2018-2021)
New Mexico StateDoug MartinNovember 27, 2021FiredJerry KillTCU interim head coach and assistant to head coach (2020-2021)
DukeDavid CutcliffeNovember 28, 2021Parted waysMike ElkoTexas A&M defensive coordinator (2018-2021)
FloridaGreg Knox (interim)November 28, 2021Permanent replacementBilly NapierLouisiana head coach (2018-2021)
USCDonte Williams (interim)November 28, 2021Permanent replacementOklahoma head coach (2017-2021)
SMUJim Leavitt (interim)November 29, 2021Permanent replacementRhett LashleeMiami (FL) offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2020-2021)
TempleRod CareyNovember 29, 2021FiredStan DraytonTexas assistant head coach, running backs coach and run game coordinator (2017-2021)
LSUBrad Davis (interim)November 29, 2021Permanent replacementBrian KellyNotre Dame head coach (2010-2021)
WashingtonBob Gregory (interim)November 29, 2021Permanent replacementKalen DeBoerFresno State head coach (2020-2021)
Virginia TechJ. C. Price (interim)November 30, 2021Permanent replacementBrent PryPenn State defensive coordinator (2016-2021)
Colorado StateSteve AddazioDecember 2, 2021FiredJay NorvellNevada head coach (2017-2021)
VirginiaBronco MendenhallDecember 2, 2021ResignedTony ElliottClemson assistant head coach and offensive coordinator (2020-2021)
TroyBrandon Hall (interim)December 2, 2021Permanent replacementJon SumrallKentucky co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2020-2021)
AkronOscar Rodriguez (interim)December 4, 2021Permanent replacementJoe MoorheadOregon offensive coordinator (2020-2021)
OklahomaBob Stoops (interim; bowl)December 5, 2021Permanent replacementBrent VenablesClemson assistant head coach and defensive coordinator (2012-2021)
Miami (FL)Jess Simpson (interim; bowl)December 6, 2021Permanent replacementMario CristobalOregon head coach (2018-2021)
Fresno StateLee Marks (interim; bowl)December 8, 2021Permanent replacementJeff TedfordFresno State head coach (2017-2019)
NevadaVai Taua (interim; bowl)December 10, 2021Permanent replacementKen WilsonOregon co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2020-2021)
OregonBryan McClendon (interim; bowl)December 11, 2021Permanent replacementDan LanningGeorgia defensive coordinator (2019-2021)
HawaiʻiJanuary 14, 2022ResignedTimmy ChangNevada wide receivers coach (2021)

Television viewers and ratings

Most watched regular season games

Rank Date Time !Matchup Network Viewers (millions) TV ratings[85] Significance
1November 2712:00 p.m.No. 2 Ohio State27No. 5 Michigan42Fox15.898.1College GameDay, Big Noon Kickoff, rivalry
2November 273:30 p.m.No. 3 Alabama24Auburn22CBS10.375.3Iron Bowl
3October 3012:00 p.m.No. 6 Michigan33No. 8 Michigan State37Fox9.295.1College GameDay, Big Noon Kickoff, rivalry
4September 47:30 p.m.No. 5 Georgia10No. 3 Clemson3ABC8.86 [86] 4.6College GameDay, rivalry
5October 98:00 p.m.No. 1 Alabama38Texas A&M41CBS8.334.5
6September 183:30 p.m.No. 1 Alabama31No. 11 Florida29CBS7.864.2rivalry
7September 57:30 p.m.No. 9 Notre Dame41Florida State38ABC7.75[87] 4.2
8September 1112:00 p.m.No. 12 Oregon35No. 3 Ohio State28Fox7.734.3Big Noon Kickoff
9September 187:30 p.m.No. 22 Auburn20No. 10 Penn State28ABC7.614.1College GameDay
10December 113:00 p.m.Army13Navy17CBS7.584.2College GameDay, Army–Navy Game

Conference championship games

Rank Date Time !Matchup Network Viewers (millions) TV ratings[88] Conference Location
1December 44:00 p.m.No. 1 Georgia24No. 3 Alabama41CBS15.278.2SECMercedes-Benz Stadium
2December 48:00 p.m.No. 2 Michigan42No. 13 Iowa3Fox11.666.2Big TenLucas Oil Stadium
3December 412:00 p.m.No. 9 Baylor21No. 5 Oklahoma State16ABC8.024.8Big 12AT&T Stadium
4December 38:00 p.m.No. 10 Oregon10No. 17 Utah384.252.5Pac-12Allegiant Stadium
5December 44:00 p.m.No. 21 Houston20No. 4 Cincinnati353.422.0AACNippert Stadium
6December 48:00 p.m.No. 15 Pittsburgh45No. 16 Wake Forest212.661.5ACCBank of America Stadium
7December 412:00 p.m. Kent State23Northern Illinois41ESPN0.880.6Mid-AmericanFord Field
8December 43:00 p.m.Utah State46No. 19 San Diego State13Fox0.820.5MWDignity Health Sports Park
9December 43:30 p.m.Appalachian State16No. 24 Louisiana24ESPN0.440.3Sun BeltCajun Field
10December 37:00 p.m.Western Kentucky41UTSA49CBSSNn.an.a.C-USAAlamodome

Most watched non-CFP bowl games

Rank Date !Matchup Network Viewers (millions) TV ratings Game Location
1January 1, 2022, 1:00 p.m.No. 15 Iowa17No. 22 Kentucky20ABC6.53.5Citrus BowlCamping World Stadium, Orlando FL
2December 30, 2021, 3:00 p.m.Tennessee45Purdue48ESPN5.63.1Music City BowlNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
3December 29, 2021, 5:45 p.m.No. 19 Clemson20Iowa State134.92.8Cheez-It BowlCamping World Stadium, Orlando FL
4December 29, 2021, 9:15 p.m.No. 14 Oregon32No. 16 Oklahoma474.72.7Alamo BowlAlamodome, San Antonio, TX
5January 1, 2022, 12:00 p.m.Penn State10No. 21 Arkansas24ESPN23.92.2Outback BowlRaymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
6December 28, 2021, 6:45 p.mMississippi State7Texas Tech34ESPN3.92.3Liberty BowlLiberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN
7December 30, 2021, 10:30 p.m.Wisconsin20Arizona State133.61.8Las Vegas BowlAllegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
8December 31, 2021, 11:00 a.m.No. 17 Wake Forest38Rutgers103.52.1Gator BowlTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
9December 18, 2021, 3:30 p.m.UAB31No. 13 BYU28ABC3.21.9Independence BowlIndependence Stadium, Shreveport, LA
10December 23, 2021, 7:00 p.m.UCF29Florida17ESPN3.2[89] 1.8Gasparilla BowlRaymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

New Year Six and College Football Playoff semifinal games

Rank Date Time !Matchup Network Viewers (millions) TV ratings Game Location
1January 10, 20228:00 p.m.No. 3 Georgia33No. 1 Alabama18ESPN22.612.1CFP National Championship
2December 31, 20217:30 p.m.No. 3 Georgia34No. 2 Michigan1116.57.7Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal)
3December 31, 20213:30 p.m.No. 4 Cincinnati6No. 1 Alabama27 16.18.3Cotton Bowl (CFP Semifinal)AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
4January 1, 20225:00 pmNo. 11 Utah45No. 6 Ohio State4816.07.8
5January 1, 20228:45 p.m.7No. 7 Baylor219.55.0Sugar Bowl
6January 1, 20221:00 pmNo. 9 Oklahoma State37No. 5 Notre Dame358.04.2
7December 30, 20217:00 pmNo. 12 Pittsburgh21No. 10 Michigan State317.64.0Peach BowlMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021 Illinois vs Nebraska . collegefootballireland.com . January 13, 2021 . December 28, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201228024332/https://collegefootballireland.com/2021-game/ .
  2. Web site: Expanding the College Football Playoff to eight will not solve its issues, but these alterations may . CBSSports.com . January 18, 2021 . en.
  3. 2021 Football Rules Committee recommends tweak to overtime rules . NCAA . March 12, 2021 . March 12, 2021.
  4. News: Panel approves changes to overtime rules in football . NCAA . April 22, 2021 . April 23, 2021.
  5. DI Council adopts new transfer legislation . NCAA . April 15, 2021 . April 19, 2021.
  6. Division I Board of Directors, Presidential Forum discuss sustainability . NCAA . April 28, 2021 . May 4, 2021.
  7. 12-Team Playoff Proposed By College Football Playoff Working Group . College Football Playoff . June 10, 2021 . June 23, 2021.
  8. News: Sources: Texas, Oklahoma reached out to SEC about joining conference . Alex . Scarborough . ESPN.com . July 21, 2021 . July 22, 2021.
  9. News: Texas and Oklahoma to SEC? Live news updates as Big 12 powers may kick start conference realignment . Barrett . Sallee . CBSSports.com . July 22, 2021 . July 22, 2021.
  10. Web site: Texas sends critical letter to Big 12, showing intent to leave for SEC. Paul. Livengood. KVUE. July 26, 2021. July 26, 2021.
  11. Web site: Texas, Oklahoma leaving Big 12 Conference as college football shake-up begins. Paul. Myerberg. USA Today. July 26, 2021. July 26, 2021.
  12. Web site: Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns formally notify SEC of membership request for 2025. Heather. Dinich. ESPN. July 27, 2021. July 27, 2021.
  13. Web site: Texas, OU officially request SEC membership for 2025 season. Ryan. Osborne. WFAA. July 27, 2021. July 27, 2021.
  14. News: Big 12 accuses ESPN of encouraging its schools to leave conference in cease-and-desist letter . Jack . Baer . Yahoo Sports . July 28, 2021 . July 28, 2021.
  15. SEC Extends Membership Invitations to University of Oklahoma and University of Texas . Southeastern Conference . July 29, 2021 . July 29, 2021.
  16. News: Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma Sooners unanimously accept invitation to SEC . Heather . Dinich . Mark . Schlabach . ESPN.com . July 30, 2021 . July 30, 2021.
  17. News: Alabama football again No. 1 in AP preseason Top 25; Oklahoma Sooners No. 2, Clemson Tigers No. 3 . Associated Press . ESPN.com . August 16, 2021 . August 16, 2021.
  18. News: Big Ten, ACC, Pac-12 officially announce alliance to 'stabilize' current environment. ESPN.com . August 16, 2021 . August 24, 2021.
  19. News: Sources: Big 12 Could Add Four New Members By End of Next Week . Ross . Dellenger . Pat . Forde . Pat Forde . Sports Illustrated . September 3, 2021 . September 4, 2021.
  20. News: BYU, Houston, UCF, Cincinnati planning to submit applications to Big 12 next week, sources confirm . Heather . Dinich . Adam . Rittenberg . Adam Rittenberg . ESPN.com . September 3, 2021 . September 4, 2021.
  21. Big 12 Conference Adds Four New Members . Big 12 Conference . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021.
  22. News: Sources: The AAC is close to massive 6-school expansion to reshape conference . Pete . Thamel . Pete Thamel . Yahoo Sports . October 18, 2021 . October 19, 2021.
  23. News: Source: Six schools officially apply to join American Athletic Conference . Heather . Dinich . ESPN.com . October 19, 2021 . October 19, 2021.
  24. American Athletic Conference Announces the Addition of Six Universities . American Athletic Conference . October 21, 2021 . October 21, 2021.
  25. News: Sources: Southern Miss Joins Sun Belt; Marshall, Old Dominion, JMU Will Join in Coming Days . Brett . McMurphy . The Action Network . October 22, 2021 . October 22, 2021.
  26. Southern Miss Joins Sun Belt Conference . Sun Belt Conference . October 26, 2021 . October 26, 2021.
  27. News: Southern Miss officially joins Sun Belt, will enter league no later than July 2023 . Adam . Rittenberg . ESPN.com . October 26, 2021 . October 26, 2021.
  28. Old Dominion Joins Sun Belt Conference . Sun Belt Conference . October 27, 2021 . October 27, 2021.
  29. News: Marshall joining Sun Belt as Conference USA exodus continues . ESPN.com . October 29, 2021 . October 29, 2021.
  30. Marshall Joins Sun Belt Conference . Sun Belt Conference . October 30, 2021 . November 1, 2021.
  31. News: AP sources: Conference USA Adding Liberty, JSU, NMSU, SMSU . APNews.org . November 5, 2021 . November 5, 2021 . November 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211107124431/https://collegefootball.ap.org/article/ap-sources-conference-usa-adding-liberty-jsu-nmsu-smsu .
  32. News: James Madison Joins Sun Belt Conference . Sun Belt Conference . November 6, 2021 . November 6, 2021.
  33. News: Unbeaten Cincinnati joins Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama in CFP's coveted top four as Oregon slips . Mark . Schlabach . ESPN.com . November 23, 2021 . November 24, 2021.
  34. News: CFP Field Revealed: Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and Cincinnati Receive Bids . Nick . Selbe . Sports Illustrated . December 5, 2021 . December 18, 2021.
  35. Web site: Passing Efficiency Rating Single Season Leaders and Records . Sports-Reference.com . Sports Reference LLC . December 22, 2021.
  36. News: Zappe gets records, WKU rolls past App St 59-38 in Boca Bowl . Associated Press . ESPN . December 18, 2021 . December 22, 2021.
  37. Web site: TD Responsible For Single Season Leaders and Records . Sports-Reference.com . Sports Reference . December 22, 2021.
  38. News: Johnson leads San Diego State past UTSA 38-24 in Frisco Bowl . Associated Press . ESPN . December 21, 2021 . December 22, 2021.
  39. News: Ohio State Buckeyes' Jaxon Smith-Njigba, C.J. Stroud smash records in Rose Bowl win. ESPN . January 1, 2022 . January 3, 2022.
  40. News: UAB succumbs to Malik Willis in 36-12 loss to Liberty . Evan . Dudley . AL.com . October 2, 2021 . October 3, 2021.
  41. News: 'Bows to play football home games on campus after Aloha Stadium fallout . Kyle . Chinen . hawaiinewsnow.com . January 11, 2021 . January 23, 2021.
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