2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season
Encyclopedia
The 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, play of college football
in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, began on Thursday, September 1, 2011. The season will progress through the regular season and bowl season
, and (aside from all-star exhibition games that follow the bowl games) conclude with the Bowl Championship Series
(BCS) National Championship Game
on January 9, 2012 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
In addition, the NCAA recommends that conferences without a pregame warm-up policy should use a ten-yard, no-player zone between the 45-yard lines beginning 60 minutes before kickoff.
The first change to be officially announced came on June 10, when the Pacific-10 Conference announced that Colorado
had accepted that conference's invitation to join. At the time, it was not yet known whether Colorado would officially join the Pac-10 in 2011 or 2012; in September 2010, it was confirmed for 2011.
The following day saw two schools change conferences:
In the following days, it was widely speculated that the five public schools in the Big 12 South Division (Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State) would leave as a unit for the Pac-10. A&M was also reported to be flirting with the SEC
. However, a last-minute deal announced on June 14 saw Texas cast its lot with a truncated Big 12, with the remaining schools also pledging their support for the conference. Rebuffed by the Big 12 schools, the Pac-10 shifted its focus to the Mountain West, extending an invitation to Utah
on June 16 to join effective in 2011. Utah accepted the next day. The conference name changed to Pacific-12 once Colorado and Utah officially joined on July 1, 2011.
Two months later, reports surfaced indicating that Brigham Young would leave the Mountain West Conference to become an independent in football, with its other sports rejoining the school's former conference, the WAC. Having already lost Utah to the Pac-10, the Mountain West decided to be proactive and in response the MWC invited WAC members Fresno State
, Nevada
, and Utah State
on August 18 in an attempt to stop BYU's plan to go independent. Utah State declined the MWC offer, but the other two accepted later that day and attempted to join Boise by moving to their new home in the MWC the following year (Nevada will also greatly enhance its rivalry
with the UNLV Rebels
by joining the MWC). However after threats of legal action by the WAC, the two schools agreed to stay in the WAC through the 2011–12 season in exchange for greatly reduced exit fees. Just as things appeared to be stabilizing, BYU surprised everyone on August 31 by announcing that they would join the West Coast Conference
and play as a FBS independent football team, starting in the 2011–12 season.
Realignment activity then shifted to Division I FCS for several weeks, although rumors continued to swirl regarding potential movement in several conferences. The Big East Conference
also announced that it had extended an invitation to Villanova
, a founding non-football member, to upgrade its football program to FBS level and join in that sport. On November 11, the WAC announced that Texas State
, currently a member of the FCS Southland Conference
, and UTSA
, which planned to launch an FCS program in that conference in 2011, would upgrade their football programs to FBS level, join the WAC in 2012, and become full FBS members in 2013. On November 29, the next domino fell when TCU
announced it would join the Big East in 2012. However, less than a year later on October 10, 2011, TCU announced it would not join the Big East and would instead join the Big 12 in 2012. The MWC replaced TCU for football only with Hawaii
on December 10; Hawaii's other sports will join the Big West Conference
.
On April 20, 2011, UMass
announced that it would upgrade to FBS football and become a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference
in 2012, with full FBS membership and eligibility for the conference championship coming in 2013.
Realignment continued to be a major story in the 2011 football season. On September 26, the Southeastern Conference
announced that Texas A&M
would become the league's 13th member in July 2012. On October 14, it was announced that the Mountain West Conference and Conference USA would merge their football operations to form a two-division, 22-team conference
. The conferences are hoping that the merger will give them an automatic qualifier to a BCS bowl.
The next movements all involved the Big East, either directly or peripherally. On September 18, the ACC
announced that Big East mainstays Pitt
and Syracuse
were officially accepted as members. However, the schools' departure date remains uncertain, as Big East bylaws require a 27-month notice period for departing members. As the Big East is currently holding these schools to the notice period, the earliest that Pitt and Syracuse can join the ACC, barring other developments, is July 2014. (TCU was not held to the 27-month notice period because it had never formally joined the Big East.) Then, on October 28, the Big 12 formally accepted another Big East school, West Virginia
. This paved the way for Missouri
's official acceptance by the SEC on November 6, a move that had been in the works for several weeks. However, the timing of Missouri's move remains uncertain due to legal wrangling between West Virginia and the Big East. WVU filed suit against the Big East to overturn the 27-month notice period, while the conference sued in another court to enforce the notice period.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, began on Thursday, September 1, 2011. The season will progress through the regular season and bowl season
2011–12 NCAA football bowl games
The 2011–12 NCAA football bowl games, which will conclude the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, are tentatively scheduled to include 35 team-competitive bowl games, and four all-star games...
, and (aside from all-star exhibition games that follow the bowl games) conclude with the Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
(BCS) National Championship Game
2012 BCS National Championship Game
The 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game is scheduled to be the final college football game to determine the national champion of the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
on January 9, 2012 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Rule changes
Several rule changes took effect this season:- If a player is penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for actions that occurred during a play ending in a touchdown, but before the goal line was crossed, the touchdown will be nullified and the fifteen-yard penalty enforced from the spot of the foul. This change was made after Georgia receiver A.J. Green was called for a personal foul after catching a pass for a touchdown against LSU. The fifteen-yard penalty was assessed on the resulting kickoff, which helped LSU's position for the winning score. In another game, North Dakota State defensive back Josh Gatlin pointed at the crowd at the seven-yard line before scoring a touchdown against South Dakota State. Gatlin received a penalty, but the touchdown was not taken back. A similar proposal that would have nullified touchdowns for taunting or excessive celebration after the score failed to pass the NCAA Football Rules Committee.
- If a team commits a foul in the final minute of a half that results in a clock stoppage, the opposing team may choose one of the following three options: take the yardage penalty and the 10-second rundown; take the yardage penalty without the 10-second rundown; or decline both the 10-second rundown and the penalty yardage. Previously there was no option for a 10-second rundown. This rule change was made as a result of how the fourth quarter ended in the 2010 Music City Bowl2010 Music City BowlThe 2010 Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl was the 13th edition of the college football bowl game and was played at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. The game was played on Thursday, December 30, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. CST and telecast on ESPN...
. The new rule has been informally dubbed the "Dooley Rule", after TennesseeTennessee Volunteers footballThe Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
head coach Derek Dooley. - Video monitors will be allowed in coaches' booths to allow coaching staffs to determine whether they should challenge a call. The televisions will have access only to the live broadcast feed, with no video recorders. The technology, if made available at a stadium, must be provided to both teams.
- Players lined up outside the tackle box—more specifically, those lined up more than 7 yards from the center—will now be allowed to block below the waist only if they are blocking straight ahead or toward the nearest sideline.
- On placekicks, no offensive lineman can now be engaged by more than two defensive players. A violation will be a 5-yard penalty.
- A three-man wedge is prohibited during kickoffs and punts. The penalty will be a fifteen-yard penalty from the spot of the foul, if non-contact, or from the end of the run, if contact.
- Players will no longer be required to wear pants that always cover the knees.
- The officials' uniforms were slightly changed. The shirt stripes are wider, they now wear black pants instead of white, and the initial of the official's role (ex. "R" for referee, "U" for umpire) is displayed on the front uniform pocket.
In addition, the NCAA recommends that conferences without a pregame warm-up policy should use a ten-yard, no-player zone between the 45-yard lines beginning 60 minutes before kickoff.
Conference realignment
During the first half of 2010, and especially starting in May of that year, several conferences were widely speculated to be considering expansion, and a number of schools were believed to be seriously considering conference moves. Due to conference notice requirements, no changes announced in 2010 would take effect until at least July 2011.The first change to be officially announced came on June 10, when the Pacific-10 Conference announced that Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
had accepted that conference's invitation to join. At the time, it was not yet known whether Colorado would officially join the Pac-10 in 2011 or 2012; in September 2010, it was confirmed for 2011.
The following day saw two schools change conferences:
- The Mountain West ConferenceMountain West ConferenceThe Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
announced that Boise StateBoise State Broncos footballThis page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
had accepted the conference's invitation to join from the Western Athletic ConferenceWestern Athletic ConferenceThe Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
, effective with the 2011–12 academic year. - NebraskaNebraska Cornhuskers footballThe Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
applied for membership in, and was accepted by, the Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten ConferenceThe Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, in a move to take effect in 2011.
In the following days, it was widely speculated that the five public schools in the Big 12 South Division (Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State) would leave as a unit for the Pac-10. A&M was also reported to be flirting with the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. However, a last-minute deal announced on June 14 saw Texas cast its lot with a truncated Big 12, with the remaining schools also pledging their support for the conference. Rebuffed by the Big 12 schools, the Pac-10 shifted its focus to the Mountain West, extending an invitation to Utah
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
on June 16 to join effective in 2011. Utah accepted the next day. The conference name changed to Pacific-12 once Colorado and Utah officially joined on July 1, 2011.
Two months later, reports surfaced indicating that Brigham Young would leave the Mountain West Conference to become an independent in football, with its other sports rejoining the school's former conference, the WAC. Having already lost Utah to the Pac-10, the Mountain West decided to be proactive and in response the MWC invited WAC members Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
, Nevada
Nevada Wolf Pack football
The Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
, and Utah State
Utah State Aggies football
The Utah State Aggies are a college football team that competes in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I, representing Utah State University. The Utah State college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Romney Stadium since 1968...
on August 18 in an attempt to stop BYU's plan to go independent. Utah State declined the MWC offer, but the other two accepted later that day and attempted to join Boise by moving to their new home in the MWC the following year (Nevada will also greatly enhance its rivalry
Fremont Cannon
The Fremont Cannon is the trophy awarded to the winner of the Battle for Nevada, a college football rivalry game between the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The trophy was built in 1970 and is a replica of a 19th century Howitzer cannon that accompanied...
with the UNLV Rebels
UNLV Rebels
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas' sports teams are called the Rebels. The Rebels participate in NCAA Division I and in the Mountain West Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The school's colors are Scarlet and Grey. The Rebels' main rival is the Wolf Pack of the University...
by joining the MWC). However after threats of legal action by the WAC, the two schools agreed to stay in the WAC through the 2011–12 season in exchange for greatly reduced exit fees. Just as things appeared to be stabilizing, BYU surprised everyone on August 31 by announcing that they would join the West Coast Conference
West Coast Conference
The West Coast Conference is an NCAA collegiate athletics conference consisting of nine member schools across the states of California, Oregon, Utah and Washington....
and play as a FBS independent football team, starting in the 2011–12 season.
Realignment activity then shifted to Division I FCS for several weeks, although rumors continued to swirl regarding potential movement in several conferences. The Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
also announced that it had extended an invitation to Villanova
Villanova Wildcats football
The Villanova Wildcats football program represents Villanova University in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision . The Wildcats play at Villanova Stadium with capacity of 12,500.-History:...
, a founding non-football member, to upgrade its football program to FBS level and join in that sport. On November 11, the WAC announced that Texas State
Texas State Bobcats football
The Texas State Bobcats football program is a college football team that represents Texas State University-San Marcos. The team is currently categorized as an FCS Independent as it transitions to FBS. They will become a member of the FBS Western Athletic Conference as of July 1, 2012. The program...
, currently a member of the FCS Southland Conference
Southland Conference
The Southland Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the south central United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I for all sports; for football, it participates in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision...
, and UTSA
UTSA Roadrunners football
UTSA Roadrunners Football is an American football program that represents the University of Texas at San Antonio. The team is coached by former Miami Hurricanes head coach, Larry Coker. UTSA began practicing in August 2010, and began competing as an NCAA Division I FCS independent on September...
, which planned to launch an FCS program in that conference in 2011, would upgrade their football programs to FBS level, join the WAC in 2012, and become full FBS members in 2013. On November 29, the next domino fell when TCU
TCU Horned Frogs football
The TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football...
announced it would join the Big East in 2012. However, less than a year later on October 10, 2011, TCU announced it would not join the Big East and would instead join the Big 12 in 2012. The MWC replaced TCU for football only with Hawaii
Hawaii Warriors football
The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
on December 10; Hawaii's other sports will join the Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
.
On April 20, 2011, UMass
UMass Minutemen football
The UMass Minutemen football team is a collegiate football team that has finished its last season in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision and the Colonial Athletic Association in 2011. UMass began play in 1879 and have since appeared in three National Championship games, winning the title in...
announced that it would upgrade to FBS football and become a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
in 2012, with full FBS membership and eligibility for the conference championship coming in 2013.
Realignment continued to be a major story in the 2011 football season. On September 26, the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
announced that Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
would become the league's 13th member in July 2012. On October 14, it was announced that the Mountain West Conference and Conference USA would merge their football operations to form a two-division, 22-team conference
Mountain West Conference and Conference USA football alliance
The Mountain West Conference and Conference USA football alliance is a football only alliance formed during the NCAA conference realignment of 2010-11. On October 14, 2011 Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference announced a football only alliance forming a 22 team league...
. The conferences are hoping that the merger will give them an automatic qualifier to a BCS bowl.
The next movements all involved the Big East, either directly or peripherally. On September 18, the ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
announced that Big East mainstays Pitt
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
and Syracuse
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
were officially accepted as members. However, the schools' departure date remains uncertain, as Big East bylaws require a 27-month notice period for departing members. As the Big East is currently holding these schools to the notice period, the earliest that Pitt and Syracuse can join the ACC, barring other developments, is July 2014. (TCU was not held to the 27-month notice period because it had never formally joined the Big East.) Then, on October 28, the Big 12 formally accepted another Big East school, West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
. This paved the way for Missouri
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
's official acceptance by the SEC on November 6, a move that had been in the works for several weeks. However, the timing of Missouri's move remains uncertain due to legal wrangling between West Virginia and the Big East. WVU filed suit against the Big East to overturn the 27-month notice period, while the conference sued in another court to enforce the notice period.
Membership changes
| School | Former Conference | New Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado University of Colorado at Boulder The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado... Buffaloes Colorado Buffaloes The University of Colorado Boulder sponsors 16 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's team are called the Buffaloes or Golden Buffaloes . "Lady Buffs" referred to the women's teams beginning in the 1970s, but was officially dropped in 1993... |
Big 12 Big 12 Conference The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving... |
Pac-12 |
| Boise State Boise State University Boise State University is a public university located in Boise, Idaho. Originally founded in 1932 as a junior college by the Episcopal Church, the university became an independent institution in 1934, and has been awarding baccalaureate and master degrees since 1965... Broncos Boise State Broncos The Boise State Broncos are the official athletic program of Boise State University. The Broncos compete in a wide variety of sports. Perhaps the most well-known of these sports is the football program. The program attained a 13-0 season in 2006 capped by a memorable overtime win in the 2007 Fiesta... |
WAC Western Athletic Conference The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS... |
Mountain West Mountain West Conference The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999... |
| Nebraska University of Nebraska–Lincoln The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska... Cornhuskers Nebraska Cornhuskers The Nebraska Cornhuskers is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference... |
Big 12 Big 12 Conference The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving... |
Big Ten Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east... |
| Utah University of Utah The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest... Utes Utah Utes The Utah Utes are the athletics teams of the University of Utah. They are named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The men's basketball team is known as the "Runnin' Utes"; the women's basketball team, formerly known as the "Lady Utes," now prefers to be referred to as the "Utes"; and the... |
Mountain West Mountain West Conference The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999... |
Pac-12 |
| BYU Brigham Young University Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students... Cougars |
Mountain West Mountain West Conference The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999... |
Independent (WCC West Coast Conference The West Coast Conference is an NCAA collegiate athletics conference consisting of nine member schools across the states of California, Oregon, Utah and Washington.... in other sports) |
Teams transitioning to FBS
Four schools began a two-year transition from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to FBS in July 2011. These schools will technically be FCS members in 2011 and provisional FBS members in 2012 before becoming full FBS members in 2013.- The University of MassachusettsUMass Minutemen footballThe UMass Minutemen football team is a collegiate football team that has finished its last season in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision and the Colonial Athletic Association in 2011. UMass began play in 1879 and have since appeared in three National Championship games, winning the title in...
(UMass), currently a member of the non-football Atlantic 10 Conference and a football-only member of the Colonial Athletic AssociationColonial Athletic AssociationThe Colonial Athletic Association is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose full-time members are located in East Coast states from Massachusetts to Georgia. Most of its members are public universities, with five in Virginia alone, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond,...
, will move for football only to the Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
effective in 2012. The Minutemen will be eligible for the conference championship upon completion of their FBS transition in 2013. As a part of this move, UMass will move its home games from its on-campus Warren McGuirk Alumni StadiumWarren McGuirk Alumni StadiumWarren McGuirk Alumni Stadium is a 17,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Hadley, Massachusetts on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. It was home to the UMass Minutemen football team through the 2011 season, and remains home to the UMass Minutewomen lacrosse team. The stadium is...
to Gillette StadiumGillette StadiumGillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
in FoxboroughFoxborough, Massachusetts-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,246 people, 6,141 households, and 4,396 families residing in the town. The population density was 809.1 people per square mile . There were 6,299 housing units at an average density of 313.7 per square mile...
, home of the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, starting in 2012. In the meantime, McGuirk Stadium will undergo a major expansion, adding 8,000 seats to its current capacity of 17,000. UMass hopes to move some home games back to campus as early as 2014; it is contractually committed to play all 2012 and 2013 home games, plus at least four games in each season from 2014 to 2016, in Foxborough. - The University of South AlabamaSouth Alabama Jaguars footballThe South Alabama Jaguars football program, established in 2009, will be a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I FBS and the Sun Belt Conference in 2013.-History:...
will play its first complete NCAA season. The Jaguars, currently members of the Sun Belt ConferenceSun Belt ConferenceThe Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
, will play an 11-game schedule, which is the maximum allowed for FCS member schools. South Alabama launched its program in 2009, playing seven games that season and 10 in 2010. The Jaguars play their home games at Ladd Peebles StadiumLadd Peebles StadiumLadd Peebles Stadium is a stadium in Mobile, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field for the Senior Bowl, the GoDaddy.com Bowl, the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, and the University of South Alabama Jaguars...
, home to the GoDaddy.com Bowl and Senior BowlSenior BowlThe Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium...
All-Star Game in their home city of MobileMobile, AlabamaMobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, and are coached by Joey Jones. - Texas State University–San MarcosTexas State Bobcats footballThe Texas State Bobcats football program is a college football team that represents Texas State University-San Marcos. The team is currently categorized as an FCS Independent as it transitions to FBS. They will become a member of the FBS Western Athletic Conference as of July 1, 2012. The program...
(Texas State) is one of two transitioning schools that will move from the Southland ConferenceSouthland ConferenceThe Southland Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the south central United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I for all sports; for football, it participates in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision...
(though playing the 2011 season as an FCS independent) to the Western Athletic ConferenceWestern Athletic ConferenceThe Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
in 2012. In January 2011, the Bobcats brought back Dennis FranchioneDennis FranchioneDennis Wayne Franchione , also known as Coach Fran, is an American football coach. He is currently the head football coach at Texas State University, a position he held from 1990 to 1991, when the school was known as Southwest Texas State University, and resumed in 2011...
, who had coached the team in 1990 and 1991 before going on to head coaching jobs at New Mexico, TCUTCU Horned Frogs footballThe TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football...
, AlabamaAlabama Crimson Tide football|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
, and Texas A&MTexas A&M Aggies footballThe Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
, to oversee their FBS transition. Texas State is expanding its current on-campus Bobcat StadiumBobcat Stadium (Texas State)Bobcat Stadium is a 16,008-seat multi-purpose stadium in San Marcos, Texas. It opened in 1981 and is home to the Texas State University Bobcats football team. It was also home of the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football...
to an ultimate capacity of 34,800 for its official FBS debut. - The University of Texas at San AntonioUTSA Roadrunners footballUTSA Roadrunners Football is an American football program that represents the University of Texas at San Antonio. The team is coached by former Miami Hurricanes head coach, Larry Coker. UTSA began practicing in August 2010, and began competing as an NCAA Division I FCS independent on September...
(UTSA) is the other transitioning school leaving the Southland Conference for the WAC. Like Texas State, UTSA is also playing as an FCS independent in 2011. The Roadrunners, coached by former MiamiMiami Hurricanes footballThe Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
head coach Larry CokerLarry CokerLarry Edward Coker is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio, whose Roadrunners football team begins play in 2011. From 2001 to 2006, Coker served as the head coach at the University of Miami...
, are playing their first-ever football season in 2011, and are using the AlamodomeAlamodomeThe Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S...
in downtown San Antonio as their home field.
Records
- Several significant records were tied or broken on October 22:
- East Carolina2011 East Carolina Pirates football teamThe 2011 East Carolina Pirates football team represents East Carolina University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Pirates will be led by second year head coach Ruffin McNeill and will play their home games at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. They are a member of the East Division of...
quarterback Dominique DavisDominique DavisDominique D. Davis is a quarterback for East Carolina University. He played for the Boston College Eagles for two seasons before transferring to Fort Scott Community College after an academic suspension. Davis was the back-up quarterback for senior Chris Crane and took over after Crane suffered a...
set two FBS records for consecutive pass completions in the Pirates' 38–35 win over Navy2011 Navy Midshipmen football teamThe 2011 Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Midshipmen are led by fourth year head coach Ken Niumatalolo and play their home games at Navy – Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. They compete as an...
.- Davis completed his first 26 pass attempts, breaking the single-game record of 23 first set in 1998 by Tee MartinTee MartinTamaurice Nigel "Tee" Martin is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League and Canadian Football League...
of Tennessee1998 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1998 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season. Tennessee entered the 1998 season coming off an 11–2 record in 1997...
against South CarolinaSouth Carolina Gamecocks footballThe South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice...
and tied in 2004 by Aaron RodgersAaron RodgersAaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
of CaliforniaCalifornia Golden Bears footballThe California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
against USC2004 USC Trojans football teamThe 2004 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2004-2005 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Although now vacated for breaking NCAA rules, the team won the 2004 BCS National Championship by winning the 2005 Orange Bowl, that year's BCS National...
. - Since Davis had also completed his final 10 passes in the Pirates' game the previous week against Memphis2011 Memphis Tigers football teamThe 2011 Memphis Tigers football team represents the University of Memphis in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers will be led by second year head coach Larry Porter and will play their home games at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. They are a member of the East Division of...
, his streak against Navy gave him a total of 36 consecutive completions over two games, breaking the record of 26 set by Rodgers in 2004.
- Davis completed his first 26 pass attempts, breaking the single-game record of 23 first set in 1998 by Tee Martin
- Boise StateBoise State Broncos footballThis page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
quarterback Kellen MooreKellen MooreKellen Moore is an American football quarterback with the Boise State Broncos of the Mountain West Conference . Moore was born in Prosser, Washington and finished fourth out of four in voting for the 2010 Heisman Trophy....
led the Broncos2011 Boise State Broncos football teamThe 2011 Boise State Broncos football team represents Boise State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos are led by head coach Chris Petersen, winner of the 2010 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, and play their home games at Bronco Stadium...
to a 37–26 win over Air Force2011 Air Force Falcons football teamThe 2011 Air Force Falcons football team represents the United States Air Force Academy in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Falcons will be led by 5th year head coach Troy Calhoun and will play their home games at Falcon Stadium. They are members of the Mountain West...
, giving him 45 career wins as a starter. This tied the FBS record of TexasTexas Longhorns footballThe Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
' Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
(2006–2009); after a bye week, Moore could (and ultimately did) take sole possession of the record at UNLV2011 UNLV Rebels football teamThe 2011 UNLV Rebels football team represents the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rebels will be led by second year head coach Bobby Hauck and will play their home games at Sam Boyd Stadium. They are members of the Mountain West...
on November 5. - In Houston's2011 Houston Cougars football teamThe 2011 Houston Cougars football team represents the University of Houston in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It is the 66th year of season play for Houston...
63–28 win over Marshall2011 Marshall Thundering Herd football teamThe 2011 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represents Marshall University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Thundering Herd will be led by second year head coach John "Doc" Holliday and will play their home games at Joan C. Edwards Stadium...
, Cougars quarterback Case KeenumCase KeenumCasey Austin "Case" Keenum is a redshirt senior quarterback for the Houston Cougars football team. Keenum has already set several school records at the University of Houston and has positioned himself to become the NCAA's all-time leader in total passing yards in 2011...
set a new FBS record for career total offense, surpassing the 16,910 yards amassed by Timmy ChangTimmy ChangTimothy Kealii'okaaina Awa Chang is a retired American football player. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
of HawaiiHawaii Warriors footballThe Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
from 20002000 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the Oklahoma Sooners claiming their first national championship and their first conference championship since the departure of head coach Barry Switzer....
to 20042004 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with several undefeated teams vying for a spot in the national title game, triggering controversy. In the 2003 season, no team finished the regular season unbeaten, and five teams finished the season with one loss...
. He also brought his career total of touchdowns accounted for (combined passing, rushing, receiving, and returns) to 150, tying the record set by Central Michigan'sCentral Michigan Chippewas footballThe Central Michigan Chippewas football team is a college football program in Division I FBS, representing Central Michigan University. They are a top 25 program in terms of all-time winning percentage and top five amongst all teams from non-BCS automatic qualifying conferences...
Dan LeFevourDan LeFevourDan LeFevour is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Central Michigan University...
from 2006 to 20092009 NCAA Division I FBS football seasonThe 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on September 2, 2009, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2010, featuring the...
. - Penn StatePenn State Nittany Lions footballThe Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
head coach Joe PaternoJoe PaternoJoseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with...
, already the holder of the record for most career wins in FBS, tied Eddie Robinson of GramblingGrambling State Tigers footballThe Grambling State Tigers are the college football team representing the Grambling State University. The Tigers play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.-Black College Football National Championships:...
for the most wins in Division I history, with 408, when the Nittany Lions2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football teamThe 2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represent the Pennsylvania State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno for the first nine games until he was fired in the wake of the Penn State sex abuse scandal, with defensive coordinator...
defeated Northwestern2011 Northwestern Wildcats football teamThe 2011 Northwestern Wildcats football team represents Northwestern University in the Big Ten during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Pat Fitzgerald, in his sixth season at Northwestern, is the team's head coach. The Wildcats home games are played at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois...
34–24.
- East Carolina
- On October 27, Keenum's nine touchdown passes in Houston's 73–34 win over crosstown rival Rice2011 Rice Owls football teamThe 2011 Rice Owls football team represents Rice University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Owls are led by fifth-year head coach David Bailiff and play their home games at Rice Stadium. They are a member of the West Division of Conference USA...
gave him 139 for his college career, surpassing the previous record of 134 by Texas Tech'sTexas Tech Red Raiders footballTexas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
Graham HarrellGraham HarrellGraham Harrell is an American football quarterback. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers and is currently on their scout team. He played college football at Texas Tech.-Early years:...
from 20052005 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the least amount of controversy surrounding the Bowl Championship Series title game in many years.To an extent it was a return to classic football...
to 20082008 NCAA Division I FBS football seasonThe 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
. He also took sole possession of the record for most touchdowns accounted for, with 159 (and counting). - On October 29, Paterno took sole possession of the record for most career wins by a Division I head coach when Penn State defeated Illinois2011 Illinois Fighting Illini football teamThe 2011 Illinois Fighting Illini football team is representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2011 college football season. The Fighting Illini, who were led by seventh-year head coach Ron Zook, are members of the Big Ten Conference and are playing their home games at...
10–7. This would prove to be Paterno's final game, as he would be fired less than two weeks later in the midst of a sexual abuse scandal (more details below). - On November 5:
- In Houston's 56–13 pasting of UAB2011 UAB Blazers football teamThe 2011 UAB Blazers football team will represent the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the college football season of 2011–2012. The Blazers, led by fifth year head coach Neil Callaway, will play their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and compete in the East Division of...
, Keenum broke Chang's record for career passing yards, ending the game with 17,212. - Boise State defeated UNLV 48–21, giving Moore his 46th career win as a starter and sole possession of that record.
- In Houston's 56–13 pasting of UAB
- On November 19, Keenum added another major FBS record to his collection, surpassing Harrell's previous record of 1,403 career completions in the first quarter of Houston's 37–7 win over SMU2011 SMU Mustangs football teamThe 2011 SMU Mustangs football team represents Southern Methodist University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mustangs are led by fourth year head coach June Jones and play their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium...
. Keenum ended with 1,427 completions.
New stadiums
| School | Name | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic Florida Atlantic Owls football The Florida Atlantic Owls football team represents Florida Atlantic University, a mid-major NCAA Division I-A college football team, that competes in the Sun Belt Conference.-Overview and history:... |
FAU Stadium | 30,000 |
| North Texas North Texas Mean Green football The North Texas Mean Green football team represents the University of North Texas in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-FBS college football and competes as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mean Green have attained several conference championships, including four... |
Apogee Stadium | 30,850 |
Expanded stadium
- North CarolinaNorth Carolina Tar Heels footballThe North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
: Renovations on Kenan Memorial Stadium will be completed in time for the start of the season. The renovations, which began last year, enclosed the stadium with what is called "The Blue Zone" and included an additional 1,836 seats (part in the form of private boxes and suites) bringing the total capacity to 61,836.
Temporary stadiums
- CaliforniaCalifornia Golden Bears footballThe California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
played this season2011 California Golden Bears football teamThe 2011 California Golden Bears football team represents the University of California, Berkeley in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
at AT&T ParkAT&T ParkAT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
in San Francisco, home to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
of Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The move was necessary because the Golden Bears' normal home, California Memorial StadiumCalifornia Memorial StadiumCalifornia Memorial Stadium is an outdoor football stadium on the campus of the University of California in Berkeley. Commonly known as Memorial Stadium, it is the home field for the University of California Golden Bears of the Pacific-12 Conference...
, is undergoing a major renovation, which includes a full seismic retrofit. The Bears will return to Memorial Stadium in 2012. Although AT&T Park is primarily a baseball venue, it has hosted several football teams and events; it is the current home of the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. - WashingtonWashington Huskies footballCollege football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
played almost all of its 2011 home schedule2011 Washington Huskies football teamThe 2011 Washington Huskies football team represents the University of Washington in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team is coached by third year head coach Steve Sarkisian. They play six of their home games in Husky Stadium and their final home game at CenturyLink Field ; both...
at its on-campus Husky StadiumHusky StadiumHusky Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the home of the Washington Huskies...
, but began major renovations to the facility before the end of the season. As a result, the Apple CupApple CupThe Apple Cup is the trophy awarded to the winner of an American college football rivalry game played annually by the teams of the two largest universities in the U.S. state of Washington: the University of Washington Huskies and the Washington State University Cougars...
rivalry game with Washington StateWashington State Cougars footballThe Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference...
, hosted in odd-numbered years by the Huskies, was moved to CenturyLink Field, home to the Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
(NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
) and Seattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
(MLSMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
). The Huskies will play their entire 2012 home schedule at CenturyLink Field as well.
Conference standings
Championship Games
| Conference | Teams | Score | Offensive Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Coach of the Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 2011 ACC Championship Game The 2011 ACC Championship Game will be the seventh football championship game for the Atlantic Coast Conference. It will feature the winners of the ACCs two divisions, the Atlantic Division and the Coastal Division. Clemson will represent the Atlantic while the Coastal division will be represented... |
Clemson 2011 Clemson Tigers football team The 2011 Clemson Tigers football team represents Clemson University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers will be led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his third full year and fourth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They will play their home games at Memorial... vs. Virginia Tech 2011 Virginia Tech Hokies football team The 2011 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represents the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hokies are led by 25th year head coach Frank Beamer and play their home games at Lane Stadium... |
David Wilson David Wilson (American football) David Emmanuel Wilson is an American football running back for the Virginia Tech Hokies.-Early years:Wilson attended George Washington High School in Danville, Virginia. As a senior he set a school record with 2,291 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns... , Virginia Tech 2011 Virginia Tech Hokies football team The 2011 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represents the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hokies are led by 25th year head coach Frank Beamer and play their home games at Lane Stadium... |
Luke Kuechly Luke Kuechly Luke August Kuechly is an American football linebacker for the Boston College Eagles.-Early years:... , Boston College 2011 Boston College Eagles football team The 2011 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles are led by third year head coach Frank Spaziani and play their home games at Alumni Stadium. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast... |
Mike London Mike London Mike London is the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers football program of the University of Virginia. A native of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, London played college and pro football as a defensive back for the Richmond Spiders and Dallas Cowboys... , Virginia 2011 Virginia Cavaliers football team The 2011 Virginia Cavaliers football team represents the University of Virginia in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cavaliers will be led by second year head coach Mike London and will play their home games at Scott Stadium... |
|
| Big Ten 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game The 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game will be played on December 3, 2011, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, to determine the 2011 football champion of the Big Ten Conference. The game will feature the Wisconsin Badgers and the Michigan State Spartans. This will be the first... |
Michigan State 2011 Michigan State Spartans football team The 2011 Michigan State Spartans football team competes on behalf of Michigan State University in the Legends Division of the Big Ten Conference during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Head coach Mark Dantonio is in his fifth season with the Spartans... vs. Wisconsin 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team The 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team will represent the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by sixth-year head coach Bret Bielema, are members of the Leaders Division of the Big Ten Conference and will play their home games at Camp... |
||||
| C-USA 2011 Conference USA Football Championship Game The 2011 Conference USA Football Championship Game will be played on December 3, 2011 between Southern Miss and Houston—the winners of Conference USA's East and West Divisions, respectively.... |
Southern Miss 2011 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team The 2011 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represents the University of Southern Mississippi in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Eagles will be led by fourth year head coach Larry Fedora and will play their home games at M. M. Roberts Stadium... at Houston 2011 Houston Cougars football team The 2011 Houston Cougars football team represents the University of Houston in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It is the 66th year of season play for Houston... |
||||
| MAC 2011 MAC Championship Game The 2011 Marathon MAC Championship Game is scheduled to be played at 7:00 p.m. EST on Friday, December 2, 2011, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan to determine the 2011 football champion of the Mid-American Conference . The game will feature the Ohio Bobcats against the Northern Illinois Huskies.... |
Ohio 2011 Ohio Bobcats football team The 2011 Ohio Bobcats football team represents Ohio University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bobcats are led by seventh year head coach Frank Solich and play their home games at Peden Stadium. They are a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference.-Schedule:... vs. Northern Illinois 2011 Northern Illinois Huskies football team The 2011 Northern Illinois Huskies football team will represent Northern Illinois University in the college football season of 2011. They will compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the football season. Northern Illinois... |
||||
| Pac-12 | UCLA 2011 UCLA Bruins football team The 2011 UCLA Bruins football team represents the University of California, Los Angeles in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team is coached by fourth year head coach Rick Neuheisel and plays their home games in Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California... at Oregon 2011 Oregon Ducks football team The 2011 Oregon Ducks football team represents the University of Oregon in the 2011 college football season. The team is led by Chip Kelly in his third season as a head coach. The Ducks play their home games at Autzen Stadium for the 45th straight year... |
||||
| SEC 2011 SEC Championship Game The 2011 SEC Championship Game will be played on December 3, 2011, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, to determine the 2011 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game will feature the Georgia Bulldogs of the Eastern division against the LSU Tigers of the Western division. LSU... |
Georgia 2011 Georgia Bulldogs football team The 2011 Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs are led by 11th year head coach Mark Richt and play their home games at Sanford Stadium... vs. LSU 2011 LSU Tigers football team The 2011 LSU Tigers football team represents Louisiana State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers are led by seventh year head coach Les Miles and play their home games at Tiger Stadium... |
Other conference winners
| Conference | Champion | Record | Offensive Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Coach of the Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big 12 | Oklahoma State 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team The 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represents Oklahoma State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cowboys will be led by seventh year head coach Mike Gundy and will play their home games at Boone Pickens Stadium... |
||||
| Big East | Louisville 2011 Louisville Cardinals football team The 2011 Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinals are led by second year head coach Charlie Strong and play their home games at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. They are a member of the Big East... |
7-5 (5-2) | |||
| MWC | TCU 2011 TCU Horned Frogs football team The 2011 TCU Horned Frogs football team represents Texas Christian University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Horned Frogs will be led by 11th year head coach Gary Patterson and will play their home games at Amon G. Carter Stadium. They are members of the Mountain West... |
||||
| Sun Belt | Arkansas State 2011 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team The 2011 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represents Arkansas State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Red Wolves will be led by first year head coach Hugh Freeze and will play their home games at ASU Stadium. They are members of the Sun Belt Conference.-Schedule:... |
||||
| WAC | Louisiana Tech 2011 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team The 2011 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represents Louisiana Tech University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team is coached by Sonny Dykes, who is in his second season with Louisiana Tech... |
8-4 (5-1) |
Preseason and in-season
This is restricted to coaching changes that took place on or after May 1, 2011. For coaching changes that occurred earlier in 2011, see 2010 NCAA Division I FBS end-of-season coaching changes.| School | Outgoing coach | Date | Reason | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State Ohio State Buckeyes football The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state... |
Jim Tressel Jim Tressel James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the... |
May 30 | Resigned | Luke Fickell Luke Fickell -External links:*... (interim) |
| West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... |
Bill Stewart | June 10 | Resigned | Dana Holgorsen Dana Holgorsen Dana Holgorsen is an American football coach and former player. He is the current head football coach at West Virginia University, having succeeded Bill Stewart, who resigned under pressure on June 10, 2011... |
| North Carolina North Carolina Tar Heels football The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566... |
Butch Davis Butch Davis Paul Hilton "Butch" Davis, Jr. is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He was the head coach at the University of Miami from 1995 to 2000, the Cleveland Browns of the NFL from 2001 to 2004, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2007 to 2011.-Early... |
July 27 | Fired | Everett Withers Everett Withers -External links:*... (interim) |
| New Mexico | Mike Locksley Mike Locksley Mike Locksley is an American football coach. After serving as an assistant coach for several college football squads, he became the 29th head coach of the University of New Mexico Lobos football team in 2009... |
September 25 | Fired | George Barlow George Barlow (American football) George Barlow is the interim head coach coach for the University of New Mexico Lobos college football team. He was elevated from defensive coordinator to interim head coach following the firing of Mike Locksley on September 25, 2011.... (interim) |
| Arizona Arizona Wildcats football The Arizona Wildcats football team is the football team of the University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level.-Early years:... |
Mike Stoops Mike Stoops Michael J. Stoops is a former American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at the University of Arizona, a position he held from 2003 until his firing in 2011. Stoops previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa, Kansas State University, and the... |
October 10 | Fired | Tim Kish Tim Kish -External links:*... (interim) |
| Tulane Tulane Green Wave football The Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. The team is a member of Conference USA and is led by interim head coach Mark Hutson, who took over on October 18, 2011, when fifth-year head coach Bob Toledo resigned... |
Bob Toledo Bob Toledo Bob Toledo is a former American football coach and player. Toledo served as the head coach at University of California, Riverside , the University of the Pacific , the University of California, Los Angeles , and Tulane University... |
October 18 | Resigned | Mark Hutson Mark Hutson Mark Hutson is an American football college coach and a former All-America offensive lineman for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 1980s and among the top players in school history.-Playing career:... (interim) |
| Penn State Penn State Nittany Lions football The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the... |
Joe Paterno Joe Paterno Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with... |
November 9 | Fired | Tom Bradley Tom Bradley (American football) -External links:*... (interim) |
End of season
| School | Outgoing coach | Date announced | Reason | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic Florida Atlantic Owls football The Florida Atlantic Owls football team represents Florida Atlantic University, a mid-major NCAA Division I-A college football team, that competes in the Sun Belt Conference.-Overview and history:... |
Howard Schnellenberger Howard Schnellenberger Howard Schnellenberger is an American football coach at both the professional and college level. He is currently in his final season as head coach of Florida Atlantic University, having announced his retirement on August 11, 2011, effective at the end of the 2011 season... |
August 11 | Retiring | TBA |
| Ole Miss Ole Miss Rebels football The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs... |
Houston Nutt Houston Nutt Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas... |
November 7 | Resigned | TBA |
| New Mexico New Mexico Lobos The New Mexico Lobos are the athletic teams representing the University of New Mexico. The university's athletic program fields teams in 19 varsity sports. The Lobos participate in the NCAA Division I and is a charter member of the Mountain West Conference... |
George Barlow George Barlow (American football) George Barlow is the interim head coach coach for the University of New Mexico Lobos college football team. He was elevated from defensive coordinator to interim head coach following the firing of Mike Locksley on September 25, 2011.... (interim) |
November 16 | Permanent replacement | Bob Davie |
| Arizona Arizona Wildcats football The Arizona Wildcats football team is the football team of the University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level.-Early years:... |
Tim Kish Tim Kish -External links:*... (interim) |
November 21 | Permanent replacement | Rich Rodriguez Rich Rodriguez Richard A. "Rich" Rodriguez is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arizona. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University , Glenville State College , West Virginia University , and the University... |
| Akron Akron Zips football The University of Akron Zips are a college football program representing the University of Akron that competes in NCAA Division I FBS Mid-American Conference football... |
Rob Ianello Rob Ianello -External links:*... |
November 26 | Fired | TBA |
| Memphis Memphis Tigers football The Memphis Tigers football team represents the University of Memphis in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Tigers compete in Conference USA... |
Larry Porter Larry Porter Larry Porter is the former head coach of the Memphis Tigers football team. Porter was named the new head football coach at the University of Memphis on November 29, 2009... |
November 27 | Fired | TBA |
| Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini football The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51... |
Ron Zook Ron Zook Ron Zook is a former American football coach and former player. He served as the head football coach at the University of Florida from 2002 to 2004 and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2005 to 2011. Zook is a native of Ohio and an alumnus of Miami University, where he... |
November 27 | Fired | TBA |
| UAB UAB Blazers football The University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers college football team competes as part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , as a member of the East Division of Conference USA . UAB plays its home games at Legion Field, which is located off-campus in Birmingham, Alabama... |
Neil Callaway Neil Callaway -External links:**... |
November 27 | Fired | TBA |
| Kansas Kansas Jayhawks football The Kansas Jayhawks football program is the intercollegiate football program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference.... |
Turner Gill Turner Gill Turner Hillery Gill is an American football coach who most recently served as the head coach at Kansas from 2010-2011, and was one of 11 African-American head coaches in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision at the time of his hiring.-College:Gill graduated from Arlington Heights High... |
November 27 | Fired | TBA |
| Arizona State Arizona State Sun Devils football The Arizona State Sun Devils' football program represents Arizona State University in college football, and competes in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Pacific-12 Conference.... |
Dennis Erickson Dennis Erickson Dennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona... |
November 27 | Fired | TBA |
| Ohio State Ohio State Buckeyes football The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state... |
Luke Fickell Luke Fickell -External links:*... (interim) |
November 28 | Permanent replacement | Urban Meyer Urban Meyer Urban Frank Meyer, III is an American football coach and former player. He is head football coach at Ohio State University, having been hired for the position in November 2011... |
| UCLA UCLA Bruins Football The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll... |
Rick Neuheisel Rick Neuheisel Richard Gerald "Rick" Neuheisel, Jr. , is an American football coach, former player, and attorney. He was most recently the head football coach at University of California, Los Angeles, a position he held from 2008 to 2011... |
November 28 | Fired | TBA |
| Washington State Washington State Cougars football The Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference... |
Paul Wulff Paul Wulff -External links:*... |
November 29 | Fired | Mike Leach |