American college football season
The 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the 154th 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 (FBS). The regular season began on August 26 and ended on December 9. The postseason began on December 15, and, aside from any all-star games that are scheduled, ended on January 8, 2024, with the College Football Playoff National Championship at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas . The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies by a score of 34–13 to claim the program's first national championship in the College Football Playoff (CFP) era, and their 12th overall. This was the tenth and final season of using the four team College Football Playoff (CFP) system, with the bracket being expanded to 12 teams for the 2024 season.[1]
Rule changes
The following rules changes were approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Committee for the 2023 season:[2]
Mirroring the NFL rule adopted in the 2005 NFL season , teams may not call consecutive timeouts during a single dead ball period.
Accepted penalties committed on the last play of the first or third quarter will no longer result in an untimed down before the period ends. The penalty enforcement will be marked off and the second or fourth quarter will begin with the ball at the new spot. This modifies the rule adopted in the 1983 season .
Modifying a rule adopted in the 1968 season , the game clock will no longer be stopped for first downs on offense except inside of the final two minutes of each half. This is similar to a rule used in the current incarnation of the UFL , as well as its predecessors, the USFL and XFL . The NFL does not stop the game clock for first downs at any time in the game. This rule was adopted for all NCAA Football divisions except Division III, who will still use the previous rule of clock stoppages on first down for the entire game.
When there is not a replay official in the booth, the on-field officials will have optional replay available in the event of a coaches' challenge. This rule was trialed in the Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in its 2022 conference season.
Establishing guidelines for second-half warmup activities, including requiring teams to wait until the field is made available to return and having designated areas of the field to warm up.
When teams are on the field, drones are not allowed over the playing surface or the team area.
If a player receives a third targeting penalty in the same season (which requires a one-game suspension) and the penalty is overturned by the National Coordinator of Officials upon appeal, the suspension will be vacated.
The area where "roughing/running into the kicker" protection ends was expanded to include when the kicker retreats more than five yards behind the spot the kicker was initially lined up to receive the snap. Previously the protection ended only when the kicker ran outside the tackle box before kicking the ball. The rule change was the result of a controversial play in the 2022 game between Missouri and Kentucky , where roughing was called after the Kentucky punter was hit while attempting a rushed kick following a botched snap which sailed more than 20 yards over his head. Points of Emphasis for the 2023 season include:[3]
Continued emphasis on targeting, sideline control, concussions, feigning injuries and acts of taunting.
Pre-snap actions by the offense designed to cause the defense to jump into the neutral zone (abrupt, quick, or jerky motions by the quarterback) and disconcerting signals by the defense designed to cause a false start or snap issues on offense (simulating cadence and other sounds or motions similar to the offense's snap signals, including the use of the "clap" on defense designed to be similar to the offense).
Rules regarding illegal hits to the quarterback/passer will be more strictly enforced.
Other headlines
August 15 – Fresno State announced that the Bulldogs ' home opener against Eastern Washington on September 9 would be the first-ever FBS game to be broadcast over linear television exclusively in Spanish . The city of Fresno is roughly 60% Hispanic , and the majority of Fresno State's enrollment is Hispanic. The game would be broadcast on UniMás in the Fresno and Bakersfield markets. English-language coverage was exclusively via streaming , with audio by Fresno State's radio broadcast team.[4]
August 29 – Arizona State announced a self imposed bowl ban for the 2023 season. The ban stems from allegations that Arizona State hosted high school recruits during the COVID-19 dead period. The case is still on-going with the NCAA.[5]
October 4 – The NCAA announced several major changes to Division I football recruiting and governance rules:[6] The window for athletes to enter the transfer portal was reduced. For FBS players, the portal now opens on the Monday after conference championship games are played and stays open for 30 days. For players participating in the postseason (i.e., bowl games, including the College Football Playoff), there is an additional 5-day window after the players' final game.
The limit on "initial counters"—i.e., players who are receiving athletically related financial aid for the first time—was permanently eliminated. The previous limit of 25 had been suspended due to COVID-19 impacts.
Football attendance requirements for FBS membership were eliminated, effective immediately.
The application fee for transitioning from FCS to FBS increased from $5,000 to $5 million, effective immediately.
Starting with the 2027–28 school year, FBS members must fund the equivalent of 210 full scholarships across all sports, and spend at least $6 million annually on such aid.
Also starting in 2027–28, FBS members must provide at least 90% of the total number of allowed scholarships across 16 sports, including football. Schools that start FBS transitions in 2024–25 or later must meet both of the aforementioned limits by the end of their two-year transition.
November 28 – Conference USA announced that Delaware , currently a member of the Coastal Athletic Association and its technically separate football arm of CAA Football , would start a transition from FCS to FBS in 2024 and join CUSA in 2025.[7]
December 1 – The two schools left behind by the effective demise of the Pac-12 Conference, Oregon State and Washington State , entered into a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West Conference (MW) for at least the 2024 season. Each MW team will play one game against either of the so-called "Pac-2" schools. These games will not count in the MW standings, and the Pac-2 will not be eligible for the MW championship.[8]
Conference realignment
Two schools played their first FBS seasons in 2023. Sam Houston (from the Western Athletic Conference ) and Jacksonville State (from the ASUN Conference ) began transitions from Division I FCS in 2022 and joined Conference USA (CUSA) in July 2023.[9]
Two other Independent schools, Liberty and New Mexico State, joined CUSA in 2023; those schools had respectively been full members of the ASUN and WAC.[9]
Six schools from CUSA joined the American Athletic Conference for the 2023 season—Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA.[10] Big 12 Conference in 2023. In addition, BYU, previously an FBS independent, joined the Big 12.[11]
The 2023 season was the last for 13 FBS teams in their current conferences, and was also the last for Army as an FBS independent.
One FCS school, Kennesaw State , started the transition of its program to FBS in the 2023 season by leaving the ASUN Conference and playing the 2023 season as an FCS independent . It will join CUSA in 2024.[12]
Kickoff games
FirstBank Stadium during the Vanderbilt vs. Hawaii week zero gameRankings reflect the AP Poll entering each week.
"Week 0"
The regular season began on Saturday, August 26 with seven games in Week 0 .
Week 1
Week 2
Allstate Crossbar Classic :
Top 10 matchups
Rankings through Week 9 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.
Regular season
Week 1
Week 4
Week 7
Week 8
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Conference championship games
Bowl games
Cotton Bowl
Orange Bowl
Rose Bowl (CFB Playoff semifinal)
Sugar Bowl (CFB Playoff semifinal)
CFB Playoff National Championship Game
FCS team wins over FBS teams
^ Bowl count includes the National Championship game.
^ Idaho was a 5.5-point favorite at kickoff.[15]
Upsets
This section lists instances of unranked teams defeating AP Poll-ranked teams during the season.
Regular season
September 2, 2023
September 4, 2023
September 9, 2023
September 16, 2023
September 30, 2023
October 7, 2023
October 14, 2023
October 21, 2023
October 28, 2023
Kansas 38, No. 6 Oklahoma 33
Arizona 27, No. 11 Oregon State 24
Georgia Tech 46, No. 17 North Carolina 42
November 4, 2023
Oklahoma State 27, No. 10 Oklahoma 24
Clemson 31, No. 12 Notre Dame 23
Army 23, No. 17 Air Force 3Arizona 27, No. 20 UCLA 10
November 11, 2023
November 18, 2023
November 25, 2023
Kentucky 38, No. 9 Louisville 31
Iowa State 42, No. 19 Kansas State 35
Bowl games
Rankings in this section are based on the final CFP rankings released on December 3, 2023.
Rankings
The top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls.[16] [17]
Pre-season polls
CFB Playoff final rankings
On December 3, 2023, the College Football Playoff selection committee announced its final team rankings for the year. It was the tenth and final season of the CFP era under four teams. This was the first time that an undefeated Power Five conference champion (Florida State ) was left out of the semifinals.[18]
Final rankings
Rank
Associated Press
Coaches' Poll
1
Michigan (61)
Michigan (63)
2
Washington
Washington
3
Texas
Georgia
4
Georgia
Texas
5
Alabama
Alabama
6
Oregon
Florida State
7
Florida State
Oregon
8
Missouri
Missouri
9
Ole Miss
Ole Miss
10
Ohio State
Ohio State
11
Arizona
Arizona
12
LSU
LSU
13
Penn State
Penn State
14
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
15
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
16
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State
17
Tennessee
Tennessee
18
Kansas State
Louisville
19
Louisville
Kansas State
20
Clemson
Clemson
21
NC State
NC State
22
SMU
Iowa
23
Kansas
Kansas
24
Iowa
SMU
25
Liberty
West Virginia
Postseason
There are 41 team-competitive FBS post-season bowl games, with two teams advancing to a 42nd – 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 82 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.
Conference summaries
Rankings in this section are based on CFP rankings released prior to the games.
Conference
Championship game
Overall Player of the Year/MVP
Offensive Player of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year
Special Teams Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
Date
Venue (Location)
Matchup
Result
ACC
Dec. 2, 2023
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina )
No. 4 Florida State Louisville
Florida State 16–6
Jordan Travis , QB, Florida State[19] Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State[19]
Payton Wilson , LB, NC State [19] —
Mike Norvell , Florida State[19]
American
Dec. 2, 2023
Yulman Stadium (New Orleans, Louisiana )
SMU Tulane
SMU 26–14
—
Michael Pratt , QB, Tulane[20] Trey Moore , LB, UTSA [20] LaJohntay Wester, WR/RS, Florida Atlantic [20]
Willie Fritz , Tulane[20]
Big Ten
Dec. 2, 2023
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana )
No. 2 Michigan Iowa
Michigan 26–0
—
Marvin Harrison Jr. , WR, Ohio State [21] Jer'Zhan Newton , DL, Illinois [21] Dragan Kesich , PK, Minnesota ; Tory Taylor , P, Iowa ; & Cooper DeJean , RS, Iowa[21] David Braun , Northwestern (coaches & media)[21]
Big 12
Dec. 2, 2023
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas )
No. 7 Texas Oklahoma State
Texas 49–21
—
Ollie Gordon II , RB, Oklahoma State[22] T'Vondre Sweat , DL, Texas[22] Austin McNamara, P, Texas Tech [22]
Mike Gundy , Oklahoma State[22]
CUSA
Dec. 1, 2023
Williams Stadium (Lynchburg, Virginia )
New Mexico State at No. 24 Liberty Liberty 49–35
Kaidon Salter , QB, Liberty
Diego Pavia , QB, New Mexico State
Tyren Dupree, LB, Liberty
Ethan Albertson, PK, New Mexico State
Jamey Chadwell , LibertyJerry Kill , New Mexico.[23]
MAC
Dec. 2, 2023
Ford Field (Detroit, Michigan )
Miami (OH) Toledo
Miami (OH) 23–14
—
Peny Boone, RB, Toledo[24]
Matt Salopek, LB, Miami (OH)[24]
Graham Nicholson, PK, Miami (OH)[24]
Jason Candle , Toledo[24]
MW
Dec. 2, 2023
Allegiant Stadium (Paradise, Nevada )
Boise State UNLV
Boise State 44–20
—
Ashton Jeanty , RB, Boise State[25] Mohamed Kamara , DE, Colorado State [25] Jose Pizano, PK, UNLV [25]
Barry Odom , UNLV[25]
Pac-12
Dec. 1, 2023
No. 3 Washington Oregon
Washington 34–31
—
Bo Nix , QB, Oregon[26] Laiatu Latu , DE, UCLA[26] —
Kalen DeBoer , Washington[26]
SEC
Dec. 2, 2023
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia )
No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 8 Alabama
Alabama 27–24
—
Jayden Daniels , QB, LSU
Dallas Turner , LB, Alabama
Will Reichard , PK/P, Alabama
Eliah Drinkwitz , Missouri .[27]
Sun Belt
Dec. 2, 2023
Veterans Memorial Stadium (Troy, Alabama )
Appalachian State at Troy Troy 49–23
Jordan McCloud , QB, James Madison [28] Kimani Vidal , RB, Troy[28] Jalen Green , DE, James Madison[28] —
Curt Cignetti , James Madison[28]
Conference champions' bowl games
Ranks are per the final CFP rankings, released in December 2023, with win–loss records at that time.
CFP
Bowl-eligible teams
ACC (11): Boston College , Clemson , Duke , Florida State , Georgia Tech , Louisville , Miami (FL) , North Carolina , NC State , Syracuse , Virginia Tech American (6): Memphis , Rice , SMU , South Florida , Tulane , UTSA Big 10 (9): Iowa , Maryland , Michigan , Minnesota ,[a] Northwestern , Ohio State , Penn State , Rutgers , Wisconsin Big 12 (9): Iowa State , Kansas , Kansas State , Oklahoma , Oklahoma State , Texas , Texas Tech , UCF , West Virginia C-USA (4): Jacksonville State ,[b] Liberty , New Mexico State , Western Kentucky MAC (6): Bowling Green , Eastern Michigan , Miami (OH) , Northern Illinois , Ohio , Toledo MW (7): Air Force , Boise State , Fresno State , San Jose State , UNLV , Utah State , Wyoming Pac-12 (8): Arizona , California , Oregon , Oregon State , UCLA , USC , Utah , Washington SEC (9): Alabama , Auburn , Georgia , Kentucky , LSU , Missouri , Ole Miss , Tennessee , Texas A&M Sun Belt (12): Appalachian State , Arkansas State , Coastal Carolina , Georgia Southern , James Madison ,[b] Georgia State , Louisiana , Marshall , Old Dominion , South Alabama , Texas State , Troy Independent (1): Notre Dame Number of bowl berths available: 82 Number of bowl-eligible teams: 79 Number of conditional bowl-eligible teams: 2 (Jacksonville State and James Madison) Number of teams qualified by APR : 1 (Minnesota)
Bowl-ineligible teams
ACC (3): Pittsburgh , Virginia , Wake Forest American (8): Charlotte , East Carolina , Florida Atlantic , Navy ,[c] North Texas , Temple , Tulsa , UAB Big 10 (5): Illinois , Indiana , Michigan State , Nebraska , Purdue Big 12 (5): Baylor , BYU , Cincinnati , Houston , TCU C-USA (5): FIU , Louisiana Tech , Middle Tennessee , Sam Houston ,[d] UTEP MAC (6): Akron , Ball State , Buffalo , Central Michigan , Kent State , Western Michigan MW (5): Colorado State , Hawaii , Nevada , New Mexico , San Diego State Pac-12 (4): Arizona State ,[e] Colorado , Stanford , Washington State SEC (5): Arkansas , Florida , Mississippi State , South Carolina , Vanderbilt Sun Belt (2): Louisiana–Monroe , Southern Miss Independent (3): Army ,[c] UConn , UMass Number of bowl-ineligible teams: 51
Conference performance in bowl games
Division I FBS
Conference
Games
Record
Bowls
W
L
Pct.
Won
Lost
ACC
11
5
6
.455
Gasparilla , Birmingham , Military , Fenway , Gator
Boca Raton , Duke's Mayo , Holiday , Pinstripe Pop-Tarts , Orange
American
6
3
3
.500
Frisco , Boca Raton , Liberty
First Responder , Military , Fenway
Big 12
9
5
4
.556
Independence , Guaranteed Rate , Duke's Mayo Texas , Pop-Tarts
Gasparilla , Alamo , Liberty , Sugar
Big Ten
10
6
4
.600
Las Vegas , Quick Lane , Pinstripe , Music City , Rose , Championship
Cotton , Peach , ReliaQuest , Citrus
C-USA
4
2
2
.500
New Orleans , Famous Toastery
New Mexico , Fiesta
MAC
6
2
4
.333
Myrtle Beach , Camellia
Cure , 68 Ventures , Quick Lane , Arizona
Mountain West
7
3
4
.429
New Mexico , Armed Forces , Arizona
LA , Famous Idaho Potato , Hawaii , Guaranteed Rate
Pac-12
9
5
4
.556
LA , Holiday , Alamo , Fiesta , Sugar
Independence , Las Vegas , Sun , Championship
SEC
9
5
4
.556
Cotton , Peach , Orange , ReliaQuest , Citrus
Texas , Gator , Music City , Rose
Sun Belt
12
5
7
.417
Cure , Famous Idaho Potato , 68 Ventures ,Hawaii , First Responder
Myrtle Beach , New Orleans , Famous Toastery , Frisco ,Birmingham , Camellia , Armed Forces
Independent 1
1
0
1.000
Sun
—
Source:[30]
Note: The only independent team that played in an FBS bowl game was Notre Dame .
All-star games
Each of these games features college seniors, or players whose college football eligibility is ending, who are individually invited by game organizers. These games are scheduled to follow the team-competitive bowls, to allow players selected from bowl teams to participate. The all-star games may include some players from non-FBS programs.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl , which debuted in 2012 and was played 12 times through January 2023, was discontinued. The East–West Shrine Bowl relocated from Nevada (where its prior two editions had been played) to Texas.
Awards and honors
Heisman Trophy voting
The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player
Other overall
Special overall
Offense
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Lineman
Defense
Defensive front
Defensive back
Special teams
Coaches
Assistants
All-Americans
The following players were recognized as consensus All-Americans for 2023. Unanimous selections are followed by an asterisk (*).
Coaching changes
Preseason and in-season
This is restricted to coaching changes taking place on or after May 1, 2023, 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 2023, see 2022 NCAA Division I FBS end-of-season coaching changes .
School
Outgoing coach
Date
Reason
Replacement
Northwestern Pat Fitzgerald July 10, 2023
Fired after hazing allegations[57]
David Braun (named full-time on November 15)
Michigan State Mel Tucker September 27, 2023
Fired for sexual misconduct[58]
Harlon Barnett (interim)
Texas A&M Jimbo Fisher November 12, 2023
Fired[59]
Elijah Robinson (interim)
Boise State Andy Avalos November 12, 2023
Fired[60]
Spencer Danielson (named full-time on December 3)[61]
Mississippi State Zach Arnett November 13, 2023
Fired[62]
Greg Knox (interim)
Syracuse Dino Babers November 19, 2023
Fired[63]
Nunzio Campanile (interim)
Oregon State Jonathan Smith November 25, 2023
Hired by Michigan State [64]
Kefense Hynson (interim, bowl)
Duke
Mike Elko November 27, 2023
Hired by Texas A&M [65]
Trooper Taylor (interim, bowl)
James Madison Curt Cignetti November 30, 2023
Hired by Indiana [66]
Damian Wroblewski (interim, bowl)
Tulane Willie Fritz December 3, 2023
Hired by Houston [67]
Slade Nagle (interim, bowl)
Troy Jon Sumrall December 8, 2023
Hired by Tulane [68]
Greg Gasparato (interim, bowl)
End of season
The list includes coaching changes announced during the season that did not take effect until the end of season.
School
Outgoing coach
Date
Reason
Replacement
Previous position
San Diego State Brady Hoke November 13, 2023
Retired (effective at end of season)[69]
Sean Lewis Colorado offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach
Michigan State Harlon Barnett (interim)November 25, 2023
Permanent replacement[64]
Jonathan Smith Oregon State head coach
New Mexico Danny Gonzales November 25, 2023
Fired[70]
Bronco Mendenhall [71] Virginia head coach
Indiana Tom Allen November 26, 2023
Fired[72]
Curt Cignetti [66] James Madison head coach
Houston Dana Holgorsen November 26, 2023
Fired[73]
Willie Fritz [67] Tulane head coach
UTEP Dana Dimel November 26, 2023
Fired[74]
Scotty Walden [75] Austin Peay head coach
Louisiana–Monroe Terry Bowden November 26, 2023
Fired[76]
Bryant Vincent [77] New Mexico offensive coordinator
Mississippi State Greg Knox (interim)November 26, 2023
Permanent replacement[78]
Jeff Lebby Oklahoma offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach
Texas A&M Elijah Robinson (interim)November 27, 2023
Permanent replacement[65]
Mike Elko Duke head coach
Middle Tennessee Rick Stockstill November 27, 2023
Fired[79]
Derek Mason [80] Oklahoma State defensive coordinator
Syracuse Nunzio Campanile (interim)November 28, 2023
Permanent replacement[81]
Fran Brown Georgia defensive backs coach
Oregon State Kefense Hynson (interim)November 28, 2023
Permanent replacement[82]
Trent Bray Oregon State defensive coordinator and linebackers coach
Nevada
Ken Wilson
December 1, 2023
Fired[83]
Jeff Choate [84] Texas co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach
Wyoming
Craig Bohl
December 6, 2023
Retired (effective at end of season)[85]
Jay Sawvel
Wyoming defensive coordinator and safeties coach
James Madison
Damian Wroblewski (interim)
December 7, 2023
Permanent replacement[86]
Bob Chesney
Holy Cross head coach
Duke
Trooper Taylor (interim)
December 7, 2023
Permanent replacement[87]
Manny Diaz
Penn State defensive coordinator
Tulane
Slade Nagle (interim)
December 8, 2023
Permanent replacement[68]
Jon Sumrall
Troy head coach
Troy
Greg Gasparato (interim)
December 18, 2023
Permanent replacement[88]
Gerad Parker
Notre Dame offensive coordinator and tight ends coach
New Mexico State
Jerry Kill
December 23, 2023
Resigned[89]
Tony Sanchez
New Mexico State wide receivers coach
Alabama Nick Saban January 10, 2024
Retired[90]
Kalen DeBoer Washington head coach
Washington Kalen DeBoer January 12, 2024
Hired by Alabama
Jedd Fisch Arizona head coach
Arizona Jedd Fisch January 14, 2024
Hired by Washington
Brent Brennan San Jose State head coach
South Alabama Kane Wommack January 15, 2024
Hired as co-defensive coordinator by Alabama[91]
Major Applewhite South Alabama offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach
San Jose State
Brent Brennan
January 16, 2024
Hired by Arizona
Ken Niumatalolo
UCLA tight ends coach
Buffalo
Maurice Linguist
January 16, 2024
Hired as co-defensive coordinator by Alabama
Pete Lembo
South Carolina associate head coach and special teams coordinator
Michigan
Jim Harbaugh
January 24, 2024
Hired by Los Angeles Chargers [92]
Sherrone Moore
Michigan offensive coordinator and offensive line coach
Boston College
Jeff Hafley
January 31, 2024
Hired as defensive coordinator by Green Bay Packers [93]
Bill O'Brien
New England Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach
UCLA
Chip Kelly
February 9, 2024
Hired as offensive coordinator by Ohio State [94]
DeShaun Foster
UCLA running backs coach
Georgia State
Shawn Elliott
February 15, 2024
Hired as tight ends coach by South Carolina [95]
Dell McGee
Georgia running backs coach
Television viewers and ratings
Top 10 most watched regular season games
All times Eastern .
Rankings are from the AP Poll (before 10/31) and CFP Rankings (thereafter).
Rank
Date
Time
Matchup
Network
Viewers (millions)
TV ratings[96]
Significance
1
November 25
12:00 p.m.
No. 2 Ohio State
24
No. 3 Michigan
30
Fox
19.07
9.0
The Game , College GameDay Big Noon Kickoff
2
September 23
3:30 p.m.
No. 19 Colorado
6
No. 10 Oregon
42
ABC
10.03
5.2
3
September 23
7:30 p.m.
No. 6 Ohio State
17
No. 9 Notre Dame
14
NBC
9.98
5.1
College GameDay
4
October 21
12:00 p.m.
No. 7 Penn State
12
No. 3 Ohio State
20
Fox
9.96
5.3
College GameDay Big Noon Kickoff rivalry
5
September 16
10:00 p.m.
Colorado State
35
No. 18 Colorado
43
ESPN
9.30
4.9
College GameDay Big Noon Kickoff Rocky Mountain Showdown
6
September 3
7:30 p.m.
No. 5 LSU
24
No. 8 Florida State
45
ABC
9.17
4.7
Camping World Kickoff
7
November 11
12:00 p.m.
No. 3 Michigan
24
No. 10 Penn State
15
Fox
9.16
5.0
Big Noon Kickoff rivalry
8
November 25
3:30 p.m.
No. 8 Alabama
27
Auburn
24
CBS
9.09
4.3
Iron Bowl , SEC Nation
9
November 4
7:45 p.m.
No. 14 LSU
28
No. 8 Alabama
42
CBS
8.82
4.6
College GameDay rivalry
10
September 9
7:00 p.m.
No. 11 Texas
34
No. 3 Alabama
24
ESPN /ESPN2
8.76
4.5
Allstate Crossbar Classic, College GameDay
Conference championship games
All times Eastern .
Rankings are from the CFP Rankings .
Rank
Date
Time
Matchup
Network
Viewers (millions)
TV ratings[97]
Conference
Location
1
December 2
4:00 p.m.
No. 8 Alabama
27
No. 1 Georgia
24
CBS
17.52
8.9
SEC
Mercedes-Benz Stadium , Atlanta, GA
2
December 2
8:00 p.m.
No. 2 Michigan
26
No. 16 Iowa
0
Fox
10.02
5.1
Big Ten
Lucas Oil Stadium , Indianapolis, IN
3
December 1
8:00 p.m.
No. 5 Oregon
31
No. 3 Washington
34
ABC
9.25
4.9
Pac-12
Allegiant Stadium , Las Vegas, NV
4
December 2
12:00 p.m.
No. 18 Oklahoma State
21
No. 7 Texas
49
ABC
7.89
4.4
Big 12
AT&T Stadium , Arlington, TX
5
December 2
8:00 p.m.
No. 14 Louisville
6
No. 4 Florida State
16
ABC
7.03
3.8
ACC
Bank of America Stadium , Charlotte, NC
6
December 2
4:00 p.m.
SMU 26
No. 22 Tulane
14
ABC
1.88
1.0
AAC
Yulman Stadium , New Orleans, LA
7
December 2
12:00 p.m.
Miami (OH) 23
Toledo
14
ESPN
1.29
0.8
MAC
Ford Field , Detroit, MI
8
December 2
3:00 p.m.
Boise State 45
UNLV
10
Fox
1.26
0.7
MW
Allegiant Stadium , Las Vegas, NV
9
December 2
4:00 p.m.
Appalachian State
23
Troy 49
ESPN
0.372
0.2
Sun Belt
Veterans Memorial Stadium , Troy, AL
—
December 1
7:00 p.m.
New Mexico State
35
No. 24 Liberty
49
CBSSN
n.a.[f]
n.a.[f]
C-USA
Williams Stadium , Lynchburg, VA
Most watched non-CFP bowl games
Rank
Date
Time
Matchup
Network
Viewers (millions)
TV ratings
Game
Location
1
January 1, 2023
1:00 p.m.
No. 21 Tennessee
35
Iowa
0
ABC
6.79
3.5
Citrus
Camping World Stadium , Orlando, FL
2
January 1, 2023
12:00 p.m.
No. 13 LSU
35
Wisconsin
31
ESPN2
4.61
2.4
ReliaQuest
Raymond James Stadium , Tampa, FL
3
December 28
5:45 p.m.
Kansas State 28
No. 19 NC State
14
ESPN
4.31
2.3
Pop-Tarts
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
4
December 28
9:15 p.m.
No. 14 Arizona
38
Oklahoma
24
ESPN
3.93
2.2
Alamo
Alamodome , San Antonio, TX
5
December 27
5:30 p.m.
West Virginia 30
North Carolina
10
ESPN
3.84
2.0
Mayo
Bank of America Stadium , Charlotte, NC
6
December 29
3:30 p.m.
Memphis 36
Iowa State
26
ESPN
3.60
1.9
Liberty
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium , Memphis, TN
7
December 27
8:00 p.m.
USC 42
No. 16 Louisville
28
FOX
3.51
1.9
Holiday
Petco Park , San Diego, CA
8
December 29
12:00 p.m.
Clemson 38
Kentucky
35
ESPN
3.43
1.9
Gator
EverBank Stadium , Jacksonville, FL
9
December 29
2:00 p.m.
No. 16 Norte Dame
40
No. 19 Oregon State
8
CBS
3.26
1.8
Sun
Sun Bowl , El Paso, TX
10
December 23
7:30 p.m.
Northwestern 14
Utah
7
ABC
3.09
1.7
Las Vegas
Allegiant Stadium , Paradise, NV
New Year's Six and College Football Playoff games
Rank
Date
Time (ET )
Matchup
Network(s)
Viewers
TV ratings
Game
Location
1
January 1, 2024
5:00 p.m.
No. 1 Michigan
27
No. 4 Alabama
20
ESPN
27.76
13.0
Rose Bowl Rose Bowl , Pasadena, CA
2
January 8, 2024
7:30 p.m.
No. 2 Washington
13
No. 1 Michigan
34
25.05
12.3
CFP National Championship
NRG Stadium , Houston, TX
3
January 1, 2024
8:45 p.m.
No. 2 Washington
37
No. 3 Texas
31
18.77
9.3
Sugar Bowl Caesars Superdome , New Orleans, LA
4
December 30, 2023
4:00 p.m.
No. 5 Florida State
3
No. 6 Georgia
63
10.39
5.2
Orange Bowl (NY6)
Hard Rock Stadium , Miami Gardens, FL
5
December 29, 2023
8:00 p.m.
No. 7 Ohio State
3
No. 9 Missouri
14
9.72
4.9
Cotton Bowl (NY6)
AT&T Stadium , Arlington, TX
6
December 30, 2023
12:00 p.m.
No. 11 Ole Miss
38
No. 10 Penn State
25
7.77
4.3
Peach Bowl (NY6)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium , Atlanta, GA
7
January 1, 2024
1:00 p.m.
No. 23 Liberty
6
No. 8 Oregon
45
4.59
2.4
Fiesta Bowl (NY6)
State Farm Stadium , Glendale, AZ
Source:[98]
Television changes
This is the first year of television deals for the Big Ten Conference and Conference USA . The Big Ten's deal includes CBS , NBC/Peacock , Fox/FS1 and the Big Ten Network .[99] [100] Conference USA 's deal includes ESPN and CBS Sports Network .[101] bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group , starting this season, a package of ACC games produced by Raycom Sports that were previously aired on Bally Sports moved to The CW .[102] Barstool Sports produced broadcast of the Arizona Bowl .[103] Fresno State reached an agreement with TelevisaUnivision stations KTFF-DT and KBTF-CD to air the first ever exclusively Spanish-language television broadcast in FBS history on September 9.[4] Pac-12 Conference and the SEC . The SEC has signed a new deal with ESPN and the SEC Network , making 2023 the final year of the SEC on CBS [104] [105]
Noah Eagle , formerly at Fox Sports , and Todd Blackledge , formerly at ESPN , joined NBC Sports in 2023 as the lead commentary team on Big Ten Saturday Night [106] Greg McElroy replaced Blackledge as ESPN's #2 college football color commentator. Derek Mason and Orlando Franklin also joined ESPN as color commentators.[107] Jeff Levering replaced Eagle at Fox Sports, while Mark Ingram II replaced Reggie Bush on Fox's Big Noon Kickoff [108]
In November 2023, ESPN International reached agreements with Sky Sports NFL to carry packages of games and studio programs in college football and basketball (replacing TNT Sports , which had previously held rights to ESPN International content).[109] [110]
^ Despite having a 5–7 record, Minnesota is bowl-eligible due to having the highest Academic Progress Rate among five-win teams.
^ a b As there were not be enough deserving bowl-eligible teams to fill the available spots, Jacksonville State and James Madison are conditionally bowl-eligible due to their records despite their transitions from FCS.
^ a b Army and Navy both have one game remaining on its schedule, but it is played after the bowl matchups are selected on December 3; Navy has not met the eligibility threshold before then. Since Army has 2 FCS teams on their schedule, they are bowl-ineligible because they have already reached 6 losses and can finish no better than 5–6 in countable games for qualifying as a deserving team.
^ Sam Houston is bowl-ineligible due to its transition from FCS. Sam Houston has assured itself of a losing season and would be bowl-ineligible regardless.
^ Arizona State has announced a self-imposed 2023 bowl game ban due to recruiting violations from the 2020 season.[29]
^ a b Viewership and ratings are not available for CBSSN because it is not Nielsen rated
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Conference seasons Inter-conference All-Americans
