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2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season

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For the 2024 FCS season, see 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season.
2024 NCAA Division I FBS season
Number of teams134
DurationAugust 24, 2024 – December 14, 2024
Preseason AP No. 1Georgia
Postseason
DurationDecember 14, 2024 – January 20, 2025
Bowl games41[a]
College Football Playoff
2025 College Football Playoff National Championship
SiteMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)[b]
NCAA Division I FBS football seasons
← 2023
 

The 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season is the ongoing 155th season of college football in the United States, the 119th season organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the 49th of the highest level of competition, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The regular season began on August 24 and is scheduled to end on December 14. The postseason will begin on December 14, and, aside from any all-star games that are scheduled, end on January 20, 2025, with the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This will be the first season of the new College Football Playoff (CFP) system, with the bracket being expanded to 12 teams.[1]

Conference realignment

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Main article: 2021–2026 NCAA conference realignment

One school is playing its first FBS season in 2024; Kennesaw State (from FCS independents) began its transition from Division I FCS in 2023 and joined Conference USA (CUSA) in July 2024.[2] One formerly independent school, Army, joined the American Athletic Conference in 2024.[3] SMU joined the ACC in 2024.[4]

Overall, 10 schools from the Pac-12 left for another conference in 2024. The 10 teams and their new conferences are:

The remaining two schools in the Pac-12, Oregon State and Washington State, made an agreement with the Mountain West Conference (MW) such that each remaining Pac-12 team will play six MW teams in 2024.[7]

Team Conference in 2023 Conference in 2024
Arizona Pac-12 Big 12
Arizona State Pac-12 Big 12
Army Independent (FBS) American
California Pac-12 ACC
Colorado Pac-12 Big 12
Kennesaw State Independent (FCS) CUSA
Oklahoma Big 12 SEC
Oregon Pac-12 Big Ten
SMU American ACC
Stanford Pac-12 ACC
Texas Big 12 SEC
UCLA Pac-12 Big Ten
USC Pac-12 Big Ten
Utah Pac-12 Big 12
Washington Pac-12 Big Ten

The 2024 season is the last for one team as an FBS independent.[8][9]

School Current conference Future conference
UMass Independent (FBS) MAC

Two FCS schools, Delaware and Missouri State, started transitioning their programs to FBS in the 2024 season. The two schools are respectively playing that season in CAA Football and the Missouri Valley Football Conference, but will not be eligible for the FCS playoffs due to NCAA transition rules. Both will join CUSA in 2025.[10][11]

School Current conference Future conference
Delaware CAA Football (FCS) CUSA
Missouri State Missouri Valley (FCS) CUSA

On September 12, 2024, the Pac-12 announced that MW members Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State would join the Pac-12 in 2026.[12][13] On September 24, 2024, the Pac-12 announced that another MW member, Utah State, would also join alongside the four aforementioned schools in 2026.[14] This will bring the Pac-12 to seven members, one short of the number needed to preserve its status as an FBS conference.[c] On October 1, 2024, UTEP announced that it would join the Mountain West from Conference USA starting in 2026.[17] This gave the MW seven full football-sponsoring members in the 2026 season; it had to add at least one more such member no later than 2028–29 to preserve its FBS status. The needed eighth member proved to be current football-only member Hawaii. On October 14, Hawaii athletic director Craig Angelos confirmed outside reports that the school would upgrade to full MW membership in 2026.[18] The MW officially announced this move the next day.[19]

Rule changes

[edit]

The following rule changes were approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel for the 2024 season:[20]

  • Implementing a time-out at the first dead ball on or after the two-minute mark of the second and fourth quarters (similar to the NFL's two-minute warning). The following timing rules were synchronized to start after the two-minute timeout:
    • Stopping the game clock when the offense gains a first down inbounds, then restarting after the chains are set.
    • Situations where a ten-second runoff is required will now begin after the two-minute timeout instead of in the final minute of each half, mirroring an NFL rule change since 2017.
    • If the defense commits an illegal substitution foul where 12 or more players participated in the down, in addition to the yardage penalty, the offense has the option to have the game clock reset to the time remaining before the snap. If the 12th player was in the process of leaving the field and not participating when the ball was snapped, the penalty enforcement will not include the clock reset option. This in-season change was a result of the Oregon Ducks using this tactic in the final 10 seconds of their game with the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 12.
  • Allowing use of coach-to-player communications via the helmet for one player (indicated by a green dot on the helmet), which would be turned off either with 15 seconds on the play clock or when the ball is snapped, whichever occurs first.
  • The use of up to 18 tablets per team on the sidelines for in-game video only will be permitted.
  • Team personnel (player/coach/assistant/etc.) who enter the field to engage officials with a tablet to review video of a play(s) will be assessed an automatic unsportsmanlike conduct (15 yards) penalty which counts toward their limit of two before ejection.
  • Division III will be adopting the first down timing rules that were implemented for FBS, FCS, and Division II in the 2023 season.
  • Allowing conferences to use a collaborative instant replay system as a regular (instead of an experimental) rule.
  • Horse-collar tackles within the tackle box will now be penalized as a personal foul (15 yards). Previously this action was not penalized within the tackle box.
  • Head coaches will be permitted to be interviewed by the media at the end of the first and third quarters, making permanent an experimental rule.
  • Once the referee declares the first half ended, no replay reviews will be permitted.
  • Commercial sponsor logos will be permitted on three areas of the playing field.
  • Any "hide-out" play, with or without a substitution, will be considered a team unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (15 yards).

Points of emphasis for the 2024 season include:[21]

  • Continued emphasis on targeting, taunting, concussions, feigning injuries, and low hits to the quarterback.
  • Pre-snap actions (false start on offense, and disconcerting signals/causing the offense to false start) will continue to be a point of emphasis, including editorial changes that if a defensive player is lined up within one yard of the line of scrimmage, he may not rush the line with the intent of causing a false start, and that any movement by the offense that simulates action will be a false start.
  • Offensive alignment, including attention to eligible receivers being covered up by another player and other "gadget plays", will be strictly enforced.

Headlines

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  • January 25, 2024 – The Mid-American Conference announced that it would eliminate its football divisions, effective immediately. The championship game will instead involve the top two teams in the conference standings.[22]
  • April 22 – The NCAA Division I Board of Directors announced the following:[23]
    • Effective immediately, all student-athletes who meet certain academic requirements will be immediately eligible when transferring to a new school, regardless of whether they had transferred before. Previously, all transfers after the first, except for graduate transfers, required that the student-athlete receive an NCAA waiver in order to be immediately eligible.
    • Also effective immediately, schools will be allowed to directly assist their athletes in reaching name, image, and likeness deals.
    • After the end of the Pac-12 Conference's operating year on August 1, the conference was officially removed from autonomy status, effectively turning the Power Five conferences into a Power Four.
  • June 25 – The NCAA Division I Council announced the following:
    • Effective immediately, all members of a team's staff can provide coaching services. While this effectively lifts most limits on the size of coaching staffs, it does not change limits on the number of coaches who can recruit off-campus, graduate assistants, or strength and conditioning coaches.[24]
    • Also effective immediately, cannabinoids were removed from the list of banned drugs in football. Penalties being served by student-athletes who had tested positive for cannabinoids were ended.[25]
    • The Council voted to introduce a proposal that would reduce the duration of the transfer portal in football and basketball from 45 days to 30. A final vote was expected in October.[25]
  • August 27:[26]
    • The oversight committees for FBS and FCS recommended that the transfer portal be open only for a 30-day period, starting on the Monday after conference championship games. This will not affect the existing exceptions for participants in postseason games, which allows players to enter the portal within a 5-day window after their team's final game, or players undergoing a coaching change. The Division I Council will vote on the change in October.
    • Both oversight committees also approved a change to redshirt rules. Effective immediately, the participation limit of four games for redshirting players no longer includes postseason games — conference championship games, bowls, FCS playoff games, and College Football Playoff games.
  • October 9:[27]
    • The Division I Council approved the recommended reduction of the FBS and FCS transfer portal to 30 days, though with a different schedule than recommended. The fall window, which opens on the Monday after the FBS conference championship games, will be open only for 20 days. A 10-day spring portal will open in mid-April.
    • The Council also abolished the National Letter of Intent program effective immediately. Written offers of athletics aid will replace the NLI.

Stadiums

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Kickoff games

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Week 0

[edit]

The regular season began on Saturday, August 24 with four games in Week 0.

Week 1

[edit]

Week 2

[edit]

Top 10 matchups

[edit]

Rankings through Week 10 reflect the AP Poll. Rankings for Week 11 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

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FCS team wins over FBS teams

[edit]
Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance Ref.
August 24 4:00 p.m. No. 4 (FCS) Montana State New Mexico University Stadium • Albuquerque, New Mexico FS1  35–31[d]   17,314 [33]
September 7 2:30 p.m. Saint Francis (PA) Kent State Dix Stadium • Kent, Ohio ESPN+  23–17   11,585
September 7 2:30 p.m. No. 7 (FCS) Idaho Wyoming War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, Wyoming truTV  17–13   25,070
September 7 9:00 p.m. Southern Utah UTEP Sun Bowl • El Paso, Texas ESPN+  27–24 OT  41,609
September 21 6:00 p.m. Monmouth FIU Pitbull Stadium • Miami, Florida[e] ESPN+  45–42   17,922
September 28 6:00 p.m. UT Martin Kennesaw State Fifth Third Stadium • Kennesaw, Georgia[f] ESPN+  24–13   10,847
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.
  1. ^ 41 FBS bowl games plus the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
  2. ^ The championship game was originally scheduled to be played at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
  3. ^ Gonzaga, which also joins the Pac-12 in 2026,[15] does not count toward the required eight members because it lacks a football program.[16]
  4. ^ Montana State was a 13.5-point favorite at kickoff.[32]
  5. ^ Mailing address; the stadium is physically located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
  6. ^ Mailing address; the stadium is physically located in unincorporated Cobb County.

Upsets

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

See also: 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings § AP Poll

Conference standings

[edit]
2024 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Army y   7 – 0     9 – 1  
No. 17 Tulane y   7 – 0     9 – 2  
Navy   5 – 2     7 – 3  
Memphis   5 – 2     9 – 2  
East Carolina   5 – 2     7 – 4  
South Florida   4 – 3     6 – 5  
UTSA   4 – 3     6 – 5  
Charlotte   3 – 4     4 – 7  
North Texas   2 – 5     5 – 6  
UAB   2 – 5     3 – 8  
Rice   2 – 5     3 – 8  
Temple   2 – 5     3 – 8  
Tulsa   1 – 6     3 – 8  
Florida Atlantic   0 – 7     2 – 9  
Championship: Army vs. Tulane
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of November 29, 2024
Rankings from CFP Rankings
2024 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 9 SMU y   7 – 0     10 – 1  
No. 12 Clemson   7 – 1     9 – 2  
No. 6 Miami (FL)   6 – 1     10 – 1  
Louisville   5 – 3     7 – 4  
Georgia Tech   5 – 3     7 – 4  
Duke   4 – 3     8 – 3  
Syracuse   4 – 3     8 – 3  
Pittsburgh   3 – 4     7 – 4  
Virginia Tech   3 – 4     5 – 6  
Boston College   3 – 4     6 – 5  
North Carolina   3 – 4     6 – 5  
Virginia   3 – 4     5 – 6  
Wake Forest   2 – 5     4 – 7  
NC State   2 – 5     5 – 6  
California   2 – 5     6 – 5  
Stanford   2 – 6     3 – 8  
Florida State   1 – 7     2 – 9  
Championship: SMU vs. TBD
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of November 29, 2024
Rankings from CFP Rankings
2024 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 Oregon y   8 – 0     11 – 0  
No. 2 Ohio State   7 – 1     10 – 1  
No. 10 Indiana   7 – 1     10 – 1  
No. 4 Penn State   7 – 1     10 – 1  
No. 23 Illinois   5 – 3     8 – 3  
Iowa   5 – 3     7 – 4  
Washington   4 – 4     6 – 5  
Michigan   4 – 4     6 – 5  
Minnesota   4 – 4     6 – 5  
USC   4 – 5     6 – 5  
Rutgers   3 – 5     6 – 5  
Michigan State   3 – 5     5 – 6  
Nebraska   3 – 5     6 – 5  
Wisconsin   3 – 5     5 – 6  
UCLA   3 – 6     4 – 7  
Northwestern   2 – 6     4 – 7  
Maryland   1 – 7     4 – 7  
Purdue   0 – 8     1 – 10  
Championship: Oregon vs. TBD
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of November 29, 2024
Rankings from CFP Rankings
2024 Big 12 Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 16 Arizona State   6 – 2     9 – 2  
No. 18 Iowa State   6 – 2     9 – 2  
No. 19 BYU   6 – 2     9 – 2  
No. 25 Colorado   6 – 2     8 – 3  
No. 24 Kansas State   5 – 3     8 – 3  
Baylor   5 – 3     7 – 4  
TCU   5 – 3     7 – 4  
Texas Tech   5 – 3     7 – 4  
West Virginia   5 – 3     6 – 5  
Kansas   4 – 4     5 – 6  
Cincinnati   3 – 5     5 – 6  
Houston   3 – 5     4 – 7  
UCF   2 – 6     4 – 7  
Arizona   2 – 6     4 – 7  
Utah   1 – 7     4 – 7  
Oklahoma State   0 – 8     3 – 8  
Championship: December 7, 2024
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of November 29, 2024
Rankings from CFP Rankings
2024 Conference USA football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Jacksonville State y   7 – 0     8 – 3  
Liberty   5 – 2     8 – 2  
Western Kentucky   5 – 2     7 – 4  
Sam Houston   5 – 2     8 – 3  
Louisiana Tech   3 – 4     4 – 7  
FIU   2 – 5     3 – 8  
New Mexico State   2 – 5     3 – 8  
Middle Tennessee   2 – 5     3 – 8  
UTEP   2 – 5     2 – 9  
Kennesaw State*   2 – 5     2 – 9  
Championship: Jacksonville State vs. TBD
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules
As of November 29, 2024
2024 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Miami (OH)   6 – 1     7 – 4  
Ohio   6 – 1     8 – 3  
Bowling Green   6 – 1     7 – 4  
Buffalo   6 – 2     8 – 4  
Western Michigan   4 – 3     5 – 6  
Toledo   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Northern Illinois   3 – 4     6 – 5  
Akron   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Eastern Michigan   2 – 5     5 – 6  
Central Michigan   2 – 5     4 – 7  
Ball State   2 – 5     3 – 8  
Kent State   0 – 8     0 – 12  
Championship: December 7, 2024
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of November 29, 2024
2024 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 11 Boise State y   7 – 0     10 – 1  
No. 22 UNLV   5 – 1     9 – 2  
Colorado State   5 – 1     7 – 4  
Fresno State   4 – 3     6 – 5  
New Mexico   3 – 3     5 – 6  
Utah State   3 – 3     4 – 7  
San Jose State   3 – 4     6 – 5  
Air Force   2 – 4     4 – 7  
San Diego State   2 – 4     3 – 8  
Hawaii   2 – 4     4 – 7  
Wyoming   2 – 5     2 – 9  
Nevada   0 – 6     3 – 9  
Championship: Boise State vs. TBD
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of November 29, 2024
Rankings from CFP Rankings
2024 Pac-12 Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Oregon State   1 – 0     5 – 6  
Washington State   0 – 1     8 – 3  
As of November 29, 2024
Rankings from CFP Rankings
2024 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 3 Texas   6 – 1     10 – 1  
No. 7 Georgia y   6 – 2     9 – 2  
No. 8 Tennessee   5 – 2     9 – 2  
No. 20 Texas A&M   5 – 2     8 – 3  
No. 15 South Carolina   5 – 3     8 – 3  
No. 13 Alabama   4 – 3     8 – 3  
No. 21 Missouri   4 – 3     8 – 3  
LSU   4 – 3     7 – 4  
No. 14 Ole Miss   4 – 3     8 – 3  
Florida   4 – 4     6 – 5  
Arkansas   3 – 4     6 – 5  
Vanderbilt   3 – 4     6 – 5  
Oklahoma   2 – 5     6 – 5  
Auburn   2 – 5     5 – 6  
Kentucky   1 – 7     4 – 7  
Mississippi State   0 – 7     2 – 9  
Championship: Georgia vs. TBD
  • y – Championship game participant
As of November 29, 2024
Rankings from CFP Rankings
2024 Sun Belt Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Marshall   6 – 1     8 – 3  
Georgia Southern   5 – 2     7 – 4  
James Madison   4 – 3     8 – 3  
Appalachian State   3 – 4     5 – 5  
Old Dominion   3 – 4     4 – 7  
Coastal Carolina   2 – 5     5 – 6  
Georgia State   1 – 6     3 – 8  
West Division
Louisiana   6 – 1     9 – 2  
Arkansas State   5 – 2     7 – 4  
South Alabama   5 – 2     6 – 5  
Texas State   4 – 3     6 – 5  
Louisiana–Monroe   3 – 4     5 – 6  
Troy   2 – 5     3 – 8  
Southern Miss   0 – 7     1 – 10  
Championship: December 7, 2024
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
As of November 29, 2024
2024 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 5 Notre Dame   –     10 – 1  
UConn   –     7 – 4  
UMass   –     2 – 9  
As of November 29, 2024
Rankings from CFP Rankings

Rankings

[edit]
Main article: 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

The Top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls

Preseason polls

[edit]
AP
Ranking Team
1 Georgia (46)
2 Ohio State (15)
3 Oregon (1)
4 Texas
5 Alabama
6 Ole Miss
7 Notre Dame
8 Penn State
9 Michigan
10 Florida State
11 Missouri
12 Utah
13 LSU
14 Clemson
15 Tennessee
16 Oklahoma
17 Oklahoma State
18 Kansas State
19 Miami (FL)
20 Texas A&M
21 Arizona
22 Kansas
23 USC
24 NC State
25 Iowa
USA Today Coaches
Ranking Team
1 Georgia (46)
2 Ohio State (7)
3 Oregon
4 Texas (1)
5 Alabama
6 Ole Miss
7 Notre Dame
8 Michigan (1)
9 Penn State
10 Florida State
11 Missouri
12 LSU
13 Utah
14 Clemson
15 Tennessee
16 Oklahoma
17 Kansas State
18 Oklahoma State
19 Miami (FL)
20 Texas A&M
21 Arizona
22 NC State
23 USC
24 Kansas
25 Iowa

Postseason

[edit]
Main article: 2024–25 NCAA football bowl games

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 available bowl slots. Additionally, on the rare occasion in which a conference champion does not meet eligibility requirements, they are usually still chosen for bowl games via tie-ins for their conference.

Bowl-eligible teams

[edit]

Number of bowl berths available: 82[a]
Number of bowl-eligible teams: 77

Bowl-ineligible teams

[edit]

Number of bowl-ineligible teams: 41

  1. ^ There are 35 traditional season-ending bowl games providing berths for 70 teams. Six bowl games will be used for the quarterfinals and semifinals of the College Football Playoff, which will have 12 participating teams. A total of 82 teams (70 + 12) will play in these postseason competitions.
  2. ^ Kennesaw State is bowl-ineligible due to its transition from FCS to FBS; having lost seven games, the Owls would be bowl-ineligible regardless.

Conference summaries

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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. 7, 2024 Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina) SMU vs. TBD[a] —
American Dec. 6, 2024 group=csumm| Army vs. Tulane —
Big Ten Dec. 7, 2024 Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana) Oregon vs. TBD[b] —
Big 12 Dec. 7, 2024 AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas) [c] —
CUSA Dec. 6, 2024 Burgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium (Jacksonville, Alabama) TBD at Jacksonville State[d]
MAC Dec. 7, 2024 Ford Field (Detroit, Michigan) —
MW Dec. 6, 2024 Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho) TBD at Boise State[e] —
SEC Dec. 7, 2024 Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia) Georgia vs. TBD[f] —
Sun Belt Dec. 7, 2024 TBD [g] —
  1. ^ Miami will advance if it beats Syracuse. Otherwise, Clemson will advance.[34]
  2. ^ Entering Week 14, the following scenarios are in play for Oregon's opponent:[35]
    • Ohio State will advance to the title game if it beats Michigan, or if Indiana and Penn State both lose.
    • Penn State can only reach the title game if it wins its season finale against Maryland and Ohio State loses to Michigan.
    • Indiana can only reach the title game if it beats Purdue and both Ohio State and Penn State lose.
  3. ^ Nine of the conference's 16 teams entered Week 14 with at least a mathematical chance to play in the title game, with no fewer than 256 possible combinations of results that can affect who plays in that game. The simplest scenarios involve the four teams that entered the week at 6–2 in conference play, none of which play one another this week: Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, and Iowa State.[36]
    • If only two of these teams win in Week 14, they will play in the championship game.
    • Six different scenarios exist for three-way ties.
    • If all four of these teams win, Arizona State and Iowa State will play for the title.
    • For teams that entered the week at 5–3 in conference play, they must win and see at least three of the 6–2 teams lose.
  4. ^ Three teams remain alive for Jacksonville State's opponent: Liberty, Sam Houston, and Western Kentucky.[34]
    • Liberty will advance if it defeats Sam Houston.
    • Sam Houston will advance if it defeats Liberty and Jacksonville State defeats Western Kentucky.
    • Western Kentucky will advance if it defeats Jacksonville State and Liberty loses to Sam Houston.
  5. ^ Boise State will face either Colorado State or UNLV. If only one of the two teams wins in Week 14, that team will advance. If the teams both win or lose, the berth will be decided by CFP rankings, or by results-based metrics if neither team is ranked.[37]
  6. ^ The winner of the Texas–Texas A&M game will be Georgia's opponent and the top seed.[38]
  7. ^ Two teams remain in contention for each of the SBC divisions' championship game berths.[39]

Conference performance in bowl games

[edit]
See also: Bowl Challenge Cup
Conference Total games Wins-Losses ( Pct.)
ACC 0–0 (–)
American 0–0 (–)
Big Ten 0–0 (–)
Big 12 0–0 (–)
CUSA 0–0 (–)
MAC 0–0 (–)
Mountain West 0–0 (–)
SEC 0–0 (–)
Sun Belt 0–0 (–)
Independent 0–0 (–)

Conference champions' bowl games

[edit]

Ranks are per the final CFP rankings, released in December 2024, with win–loss records at that time.

Conference Champion W–L Rank Bowl game
ACC
American
Big Ten
Big 12
CUSA
MAC
Mountain West
PAC-12 Oregon State
SEC
Sun Belt

CFP College Football Playoff participant

College Football Playoff

[edit]
Main article: 2024–25 College Football Playoff

This is the first year under the expanded College Football Playoff format. Under this format, the five highest-ranked conference champions will receive automatic bids, while the next seven highest-ranked teams will receive at-large bids. The four highest-ranked conference champions will receive a first-round bye in the playoff.[40]

First round
December 20–21
at higher seed campus sites		Quarterfinals
December 31 (Fiesta) and
January 1 (Peach, Rose, and Sugar)		Semifinals
January 9 (Orange) and
January 10 (Cotton)		Championship
January 20
1Highest ranked conference champion 
8    
   
9  
  
44th highest ranked conference champion 
January 20 – Atlanta
5    
   
12  
   
22nd highest ranked conference champion 
7    
   
10  
  
33rd highest ranked conference champion 
6    
11  
Projected bracket based on Week 12 rankings[41]
First roundQuarterfinalsSemifinalsChampionship
Sanford Stadium, Athens1Oregon 
8Georgia   
   
9Tennessee 
  
Ohio Stadium, Columbus4Boise State 
January 20 – Atlanta
5Ohio State   
   
12Arizona State 
   
Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend2Texas 
7Notre Dame   
   
10SMU 
  
Beaver Stadium, State College3Miami (FL) 
6Penn State   
11Indiana 

All-star games

[edit]

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.

Date Time (EST) Game Site Television Participants Results Ref.
January 11, 2025 Hula Bowl FBC Mortgage Stadium
Orlando, Florida 		CBS Sports Network Team Kai
Team Aina 		[citation needed]
January 18, 2025 Tropical Bowl Camping World Stadium
Orlando, Florida 		Varsity Sports Network American Team
National Team 		[42]
January 30, 2025 8:00 p.m. East-West Shrine Bowl AT&T Stadium
Arlington, Texas 		NFL Network West Team
East Team 		[43]
February 1, 2025 1:30 p.m. Senior Bowl Hancock Whitney Stadium
Mobile, Alabama 		National Team
American Team 		[44]
February 22, 2025 4:00 p.m. HBCU Legacy Bowl Yulman Stadium
New Orleans, Louisiana 		Team Robinson
Team Gaither 		[45]

Coaching changes

[edit]

Preseason and in-season

[edit]

This is restricted to coaching changes taking place on or after May 1, 2024, 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 2024, see 2023 NCAA Division I FBS end-of-season coaching changes.

School Outgoing Coach Date Reason Replacement
Fresno State Jeff Tedford July 15, 2024 Resigned[46] Tim Skipper (interim)
Utah State Blake Anderson July 18, 2024 Fired[47] Nate Dreiling (interim)
East Carolina Mike Houston October 20, 2024 Fired[48] Blake Harrell (initially interim; named permanent on November 25)
Southern Miss Will Hall October 20, 2024 Fired[49] Reed Stringer (interim)
Rice Mike Bloomgren October 27, 2024 Fired[50] Pete Alamar (interim)
Kennesaw State Brian Bohannon November 10, 2024 Fired[51] Chandler Burks (interim)
Ball State Mike Neu November 16, 2024 Fired[52] Colin Johnson (interim)
Temple Stan Drayton November 17, 2024 Fired[53] Everett Withers (interim)
UMass Don Brown November 18, 2024 Fired[54] Shane Montgomery (interim)
Florida Atlantic Tom Herman November 18, 2024 Fired[55] Chad Lunsford (interim)
Charlotte Biff Poggi November 18, 2024 Fired[56] Tim Brewster (interim)
Tulsa Kevin Wilson November 24, 2024 Fired[57] Ryan Switzer (interim)

End of season

[edit]

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

School Outgoing Coach Date Reason Replacement Previous Position
Central Michigan Jim McElwain November 20, 2024 Retired[58] TBD TBD
North Carolina Mack Brown November 26, 2024 Fired[59] TBD TBD
Rice Pete Alamar (interim) November 26, 2024 Permanent replacement Scott Abell[60] Davidson head coach

Television viewers and ratings

[edit]

Top 10 most watched regular season games

[edit]

All times Eastern. Rankings are from the AP Poll (before 11/5) and CFP Rankings (thereafter).[61]

Rank Date Time Matchup Network Viewers (millions) Significance
1 October 19 7:30 p.m. No. 5 Georgia 30 No. 1 Texas 15 ABC 13.19 College GameDay
2 September 28 7:30 p.m. No. 2 Georgia 34 No. 4 Alabama 41 11.99 Rivalry, College GameDay
3 October 19 3:30 p.m. No. 7 Alabama 17 No. 11 Tennessee 24 10.23 Third Saturday in October, SEC Nation
4 November 2 12:00 p.m. No. 4 Ohio State 20 No. 2 Penn State 13 FOX 9.77 College GameDay
5 October 12 7:30 p.m. No. 2 Ohio State 31 No. 3 Oregon 32 NBC 9.60 College GameDay
6 September 7 12:00 p.m. No. 3 Texas 31 No. 10 Michigan 12 FOX 9.19 College GameDay, Big Noon Kickoff
7 September 1 7:30 p.m. No. 23 USC 27 No. 13 LSU 20 ABC 8.62 Vegas Kickoff Classic
8 August 31 7:30 p.m. No. 7 Notre Dame 23 No. 20 Texas A&M 13 7.92 College GameDay
9 November 9 7:30 p.m. No. 11 Alabama 42 No. 15 LSU 13 7.90 Rivalry, College GameDay
10 October 12 3:30 p.m. No. 1 Texas 34 No. 18 Oklahoma 3 7.63 Red River Rivalry, SEC Nation

Television changes

[edit]

This is the first year of a new 10-year television deal for the Southeastern Conference. SEC games will air exclusively on ESPN networks. ABC replaces CBS as the over-the-air television home of the SEC and exclusive television home of the SEC Championship Game.[62] CBS will start airing Big Ten games in the 3:30 ET slot full-time this season.

Oregon State and Washington State, the two remaining members of the Pac-12 Conference, announced a one-year agreement with The CW and Fox (2 games) on May 14, 2024.[63]

After extending their contract in March with the College Football Playoff, ESPN will sublicense two first round games to TNT Sports. These will be the first games to air on the TNT network since 2006. ESPN will also sublicense two quarterfinal bowl games to TNT beginning in 2026.

Beginning this season, TNT Sports will also air third-tier Mountain West Conference games on TruTV.[64]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Thamel, Pete (November 30, 2022). "Rose Bowl agrees to deal allowing early CFP expansion in '24". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Alexander, Nolan (October 14, 2022). "Kennesaw State to Join Conference USA in 2024-25". Kennesaw State Owls. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  3. ^ Helwick, Steve (October 26, 2023). "Army will join the AAC in 2024: What to know about the Black Knights' conference move". SBNation. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Russo, Ralph D.; Beard, Aaron (September 1, 2023). "ACC adds two Pac-12 schools to become latest super conference". The Salt Lake Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Parks, James (August 4, 2023). "Big 12 votes to add Arizona, Arizona State, Utah in realignment move; Pac-12 responds". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  6. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (August 4, 2023). "Big Ten adds Oregon, Washington as newest members in blow to Pac-12". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  7. ^ Bonagura, Kyle (December 5, 2023). "What Oregon State and Washington State's agreement with Mountain West means moving forward". ESPN. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Withers, Tom (February 27, 2024). "UMass will join Mid-American Conference as a full sports member in 2025, MAC commissioner says". Associated Press. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Hernandez, Victoria (February 26, 2024). "UMass to join MAC conference, including previously independent football, per reports". USA Today. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "CUSA Adds Delaware, Blue Hens to Join in 2025". Conference USA (Press release). November 28, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "CUSA Adds Missouri State" (Press release). Conference USA. May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  12. ^ "Ushering in a new era, the Pac-12 Conference strengthens its legacy by welcoming four respected academic and athletic universities" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Bonagura, Kyle (September 12, 2024). "Explaining Pac-12 expansion: How it started, what are the financial ramifications, what's next?". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  14. ^ "Pac-12 Conference and Utah State University Unite to Advance the New Era of the 100-Year-Old Legacy" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  15. ^ "Pac-12 Conference and Gonzaga University Unite to Build a Basketball Powerhouse, Advancing the New Era of the Conference's 100-Year Legacy" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. October 1, 2024. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  16. ^ "Bylaw 20.02.9: Football Bowl Subdivision Conference" (PDF). 2024–25 NCAA Division I Manual. August 9, 2024. p. 359. Retrieved October 6, 2024. A conference classified as a Football Bowl Subdivision conference shall be composed of at least eight full Football Bowl Subdivision members that satisfy all bowl subdivision requirements. An institution shall be included as one of the eight full Football Bowl Subdivision members only if the institution participates in the conference schedule in at least six men's and eight women's conference-sponsored sports, including men's basketball and football and three women's team sports, including women's basketball.
  17. ^ "Mountain West Officially Welcomes UTEP Into The Conference" (Press release). Mountain West Conference. October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  18. ^ Tsai, Stephen (October 14, 2024). "Most of UH's non-football sports will join Mountain West". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
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  23. ^ "Division I Board of Directors ratifies transfer, NIL rule changes" (Press release). NCAA. April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  24. ^ "Division I removes some restrictions on countable coaches in football" (Press release). NCAA. June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Division I Council introduces proposals to change transfer windows" (Press release). NCAA. June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  26. ^ "DI football oversight committees propose one transfer window" (Press release). NCAA. August 27, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  27. ^ "DI Council approves changes to notification-of-transfer windows in basketball, football" (Press release). NCAA. October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  28. ^ a b "David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium".
  29. ^ "A Project of Northwestern University".
  30. ^ "FIU Athletics, Pitbull Announce Unprecedented Partnership And Naming Of Football Stadium" (Press release). FIU Panthers. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  31. ^ Jeyarajah, Shehan (August 6, 2024). "'Pitbull Stadium' comes to Miami as recording sensation, FIU agree to wide-ranging five-year, $6 million deal". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  32. ^ "Montana State 35-31 New Mexico (Aug 24, 2024) Box Score". ESPN. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  33. ^ Londergan, Joe (24 August 2024). "Montana State Upset New Mexico in Final Minute to Spoil Bronco Mendenhall's Debut". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  34. ^ a b McGrady, Ryan (November 24, 2024). "College football conference championship games: Who's clinched, updated tiebreaker scenarios before Week 14". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  35. ^ "2024 College football conference championship scenarios: SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12". Fox Sports. November 27, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  36. ^ "2024 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship Tiebreakers Central" (Press release). Big 12 Conference. November 27, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  37. ^ "Boise State to Host Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship". Mountain West Conference (Press release). November 24, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  38. ^ Khan, Sam Jr.; Emerson, Seth (November 24, 2024). "SEC title game scenarios: Auburn upset sets up Georgia vs. Texas-Texas A&M winner in Atlanta". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  39. ^ "Four Sun Belt Football Teams in Championship Game Contention Entering Week 14" (Press release). Sun Belt Conference. November 27, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  40. ^ "How the 12-team College Football Playoff will work: Teams, schedule, bids". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  41. ^ Olson, Max (November 26, 2024). "Top 4 same, IU slips to 10 in latest CFP rankings". ESPN. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  42. ^ "TV – Trillion Tropical Bowl". tropicalbowl.com. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  43. ^ "Events". shrinebowl.com. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  44. ^ "Reese's Senior Bowl". usajaguars.evenue.net. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  45. ^ "Home". hbculegacybowl.com. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  46. ^ "Tedford steps down due to health issues". ESPN. July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  47. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (July 18, 2024). "Utah State fires Aggies football coach Blake Anderson". ESPN. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  48. ^ Adelson, Andrea (October 20, 2024). "East Carolina fires football coach Mike Houston amid 3-4 start". ESPN. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  49. ^ Zenitz, Matt (October 20, 2024). "Southern Miss firing head coach Will Hall". 247Sports. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  50. ^ Thamel, Pete (October 27, 2024). "Sources: Rice fires football coach Mike Bloomgren". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  51. ^ Londergan, Joe (November 10, 2024). "Kennesaw State Football Fires Head Coach Brian Bohannon After 1-8 Start To 2024". si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  52. ^ Thamel, Pete (November 16, 2024). "Ball State fires Mike Neu after fourth-straight losing season". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  53. ^ "Temple Announces Football Leadership Change". owlsports.com. Temple University Athletics. November 17, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  54. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (November 18, 2024). "UMass fires head coach Don Brown after 6-28 stint". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  55. ^ Thamel, Pete (November 18, 2024). "FAU fires coach Tom Herman amid 5-game losing streak". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
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  57. ^ Thamel, Pete (2024-11-24). "Sources: Tulsa to fire Wilson after latest blowout". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  58. ^ Dodd, Dennis (2024-11-20). "Jim McElwain retires: Central Michigan coach's 40-year career included stops at Florida, Colorado State". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
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  60. ^ "Abell Named Owls' New Head Football Coach" (Press release). Rice University Athletics. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  61. ^ "2024 college football TV ratings".
  62. ^ "SEC ESPN Deal Now Offcial ABC Replacing CBS Will Go Into Effect In 2024". SportsMediaWatch.com. December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
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  64. ^ Lewis, Jon (2024-07-01). "TNT continues to add sports rights, picks up Mountain West". Sports Media Watch. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
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