- BCS National Championship Game
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BCS National Championship Game 
AFCA National Championship Trophy, awarded to the BCS National Champion.Stadium Rotates among the following:
University of Phoenix Stadium;
Louisiana Superdome;
Sun Life Stadium; &
Rose BowlLocation Rotates among the following:
Glendale, Arizona;
New Orleans, Louisiana;
Miami Gardens, Florida; &
Pasadena, CaliforniaOperated 1998–present Payout US$18,000,000 (As of 2009) Sponsors Tostitos (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011), Nokia (2000, 2004), FedEx (2001, 2005, 2009), AT&T (2002), Allstate (2008, 2012), Citi (2006, 2010), Discover (2013), Vizio (2014) 2011 matchup Auburn vs. Oregon (Auburn 22–19) 
50-yard line action for the US national championship in Pasadena California, January 7, 2010
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as NCAA Division I-A). The participants are the two highest-ranked teams in the BCS standings at the end of the regular college football season, currently determined by averaging the results of the final weekly USA Today Coaches' Poll, Harris Interactive Poll of media, former players and coaches, and the average of six participating computer rankings.
Since the formation of the Bowl Championship Series, there have been several controversies regarding the schools selected to participate in the BCS National Championship Game. Most notably, following the 2003 season, the BCS ranking system selected the #3 ranked school in the Associated Press writers' poll, the University of Oklahoma, over the #1 ranked school in that poll, the University of Southern California, to participate in the National Championship Game (the Nokia Sugar Bowl) despite Oklahoma's decisive loss to Kansas State in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game. 2003 is the only season, to date, since the inception of the BCS in which the national championship has been split, with Louisiana State University winning the BCS national championship and the University of Southern California winning the AP national championship and the FWAA national championship.
The BCS National Championship for the 2010 season at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona was held on January 10, 2011, sponsored by Tostitos, and televised by the ESPN television network. The game featured the #1 Auburn Tigers and the #2 Oregon Ducks and was won by Auburn 22-19.
Contents
History
The game was first played at the conclusion of the 1998 college football season in accordance with an agreement reached by the Big Ten and Pac-10 conferences and the Rose Bowl Game to join the members of the former "Bowl Alliance" to create the Bowl Championship Series. The Bowl Alliance and its predecessor, the Bowl Coalition, featured championship games from 1992 through 1997. However, these did not ensure a matchup between the top two ranked teams because of the lack of participation by the Big Ten and Pac-10.
The game was initially rotated among the four participating bowl games, the (Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Sugar Bowl). However, beginning with the 2006 season, the BCS National Championship Game became a separate event played at the same site as a host bowl a week following New Year's Day.
Game results
- For Bowl Coalition championship game results from 1992–1994, see: Bowl Coalition
- For Bowl Alliance championship game results from 1995–1997, see: Bowl Alliance
Season Date Winner Loser Bowl Game Site MVP 1998 January 4, 1999 1 Tennessee (SEC) 23 2 Florida State (ACC) 16 1999 Fiesta Bowl Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe, ArizonaPeerless Price
Dwayne Goodrich1999 January 4, 2000 1 Florida State (ACC) 46 2 Virginia Tech
(Big East)29 2000 Sugar Bowl Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, LouisianaPeter Warrick 2000 January 3, 2001 1 Oklahoma
(Big 12)13 2 Florida State (ACC) 2 2001 Orange Bowl Pro Player Stadium
Miami, FloridaTorrance Marshall 2001 January 3, 2002 1 Miami (Florida)
(Big East)37 2 Nebraska (Big 12) 14 2002 Rose Bowl Rose Bowl
Pasadena, CaliforniaKen Dorsey
Tremel McMillon2002 January 3, 2003 2 Ohio State
(Big Ten)31[1] 1 Miami (Florida)
(Big East)24 2003 Fiesta Bowl Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe, ArizonaCraig Krenzel
Mike Doss2003 January 4, 2004 2 LSU (SEC) 21 1 Oklahoma
(Big 12)14 2004 Sugar Bowl Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, LouisianaJustin Vincent 2004 January 4, 2005 USC(Vacated) ‡[2]
(Pac-10)(55) 2 Oklahoma
(Big 12)19 2005 Orange Bowl Pro Player Stadium (now Sun Life Stadium)
Miami Gardens, FloridaMatt Leinart 2005 January 4, 2006 2 Texas (Big 12) 41 USC(Vacated) ‡[3]
(Pac-10)(38) 2006 Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Stadium
Pasadena, CaliforniaVince Young (offense)
Michael Huff (defense)2006 January 8, 2007 2 Florida (SEC) 41 1 Ohio State
(Big Ten)14 2007 BCS National Championship Game University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, ArizonaChris Leak (offense);
Derrick Harvey (defense)2007 January 7, 2008 2 LSU (SEC) 38 1 Ohio State
(Big Ten)24 2008 BCS National Championship Game Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, LouisianaMatt Flynn (offense);
Ricky Jean-Francois (defense)2008 January 8, 2009 2 Florida (SEC) 24 1 Oklahoma
(Big 12)14 2009 BCS National Championship Game Dolphin Stadium
Miami Gardens, FloridaTim Tebow (offense);
Carlos Dunlap (defense)2009 January 7, 2010 1 Alabama (SEC) 37 2 Texas (Big 12) 21 2010 BCS National Championship Game Rose Bowl
Pasadena, CaliforniaMark Ingram (offense);
Marcell Dareus (defense)2010 January 10, 2011 1 Auburn (SEC) 22 2 Oregon (Pac-10) 19 2011 BCS National Championship Game University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, ArizonaMichael Dyer (offense);
Nick Fairley (defense)^ ^‡ No 2004 BCS Champion due to NCAA sanctions against USC, nullifying participation and results. A June 6, 2011 decision of the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee, the 2004 championship will remain permanently vacant. Pursuant to NCAA sanctions, USC running back Reggie Bush was declared retroactively ineligible for the 2005 Orange Bowl.[1]
The same June 6, 2011 decision of the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee nullified USC's 2005 season participation in the 2006 Rose Bowl. However, since Texas defeated USC on the field, Texas is still recognized as the BCS National Champion for 2005.[2]
Participating conferences and personal awards listed within table here.Records by conference
Conference Wins Losses Winning Teams Losing Teams SEC 7 0 Florida (2), LSU (2), Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn None Big 12 2 5 Oklahoma, Texas Nebraska*, Oklahoma (3), Texas ACC 1 2 Florida State Florida State (2) Big East 1 2 Miami (FL)* Miami (FL)*, Virginia Tech* Big Ten 1 2 Ohio State Ohio State (2) Pac-12 0† 1† USC† Oregon, USC† Records by team
Team Appearances Wins Losses Percentage Title Season(s) Florida 2 2 0 1.000 2006, 2008 LSU 2 2 0 1.000 2003, 2007 Alabama 1 1 0 1.000 2009 Auburn 1 1 0 1.000 2010 Tennessee 1 1 0 1.000 1998 Texas 2 1 1 .500 2005 Miami (FL) 2 1 1 .500 2001 Ohio State 3 1 2 .333 2002 Florida State 3 1 2 .333 1999 Oklahoma 4 1 3 .250 2000 Nebraska 1 0 1 .000 ---- Oregon 1 0 1 .000 ---- Virginia Tech 1 0 1 .000 ---- USC 2 0† 0† – ---- * Miami and Virginia Tech moved to the ACC in 2004. Nebraska moved to the Big 10 in 2011. No current member of the Big East has played in a BCS championship game.
† USC has two vacated BCS appearances, in 2004 and 2005.
Game records
The most recent logo for the game taking place January 10th, 2011Team Performance vs. Opponent Year Most points scored 46, Florida State vs. Virginia Tech 2000 Fewest points allowed 2, Oklahoma vs. Florida State 2001 First downs 30, Texas vs. USC 2006 Rushing yards 289, Texas (36 att.) vs. USC 2006 Passing yards 374, Oregon vs. Auburn 2011 Total yards 556, Texas (289 rush, 267 pass) vs. USC 2006 Total plays 85, Auburn vs. Oregon 2011 Individual Performance, Team vs. Opponent Year Total offense 467, Vince Young, Texas (267 pass, 200 rush) vs. USC 2006 Rushing yards 200, Vince Young (QB), Texas (19 att.) vs. USC 2006 Rushing TDs 3, Vince Young (QB), Texas vs. USC 2006 Passing yards 363, Darron Thomas, Oregon vs. Auburn (28-41-2, 2 TD) 2011 Passing TDs (tie) 4, Chris Weinke, Florida State vs. Virginia Tech 2000 Passing TDs (tie) 4, Matt Flynn, LSU vs. Ohio State 2008 Receptions 11, Kellen Winslow Jr., Miami vs. Ohio State (122 yards, 1 TD) 2003 Receiving yards (tie) 199, Peerless Price, Tennessee vs. Florida State (4 rec., 1 TD) 1999 Receiving yards (tie) 199, Andre Johnson, Miami vs. Nebraska (7 rec., 2 TD) 2002 Receiving TDs (tie) 2, Peter Warrick, Florida State vs. Virginia Tech 2000 Receiving TDs (tie) 2, Andre Johnson, Miami vs. Nebraska 2002 Receiving TDs (tie) 2, Richard Dickson, LSU vs. Ohio State 2008 Receiving TDs (tie) 2, Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma vs. Florida 2009 Receiving TDs (tie) 2, Jordan Shipley, Texas vs. Alabama 2010 Field goals 2, Chris Hetland, Florida vs. Ohio State (tied with 3 others) 2007 Tackles 18, James Laurinaitis, Ohio State vs. LSU 2008 Sacks 3, Derrick Harvey, Florida vs. Ohio State 2007 Interceptions 2, Sean Taylor, Miami vs. Ohio State 2003 Long Plays Performance, Team vs. Opponent Year Touchdown run 65, Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State vs. LSU 2008 Touchdown pass 79, Tee Martin to Peerless Price, Tennessee vs. Florida State 1999 Kickoff return 93, Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State vs. Florida (TD) 2007 Punt return 71, DeJuan Groce, Nebraska vs. Miami (TD) 2002 Interception return 54, Dwayne Goodrich, Tennessee vs. Florida State (TD) 1999 Punt 63, A.J. Trapasso, Ohio State vs. LSU 2008 Field goal 46, David Pino, Texas vs. USC 2006 Pass 81, Darron Thomas to Jeff Maehl, Oregon vs. Auburn 2011 Criticisms and controversy
Main article: College football playoff debateMain article: BCS controversiesCritics of the current BCS championship argue against the internal validity of the current BCS National Championship, which is awarded to the winner of a single postseason game, the BCS National Championship game. Critics lament that the participants in this game are decided based upon polls and computers; not by previous on-field competition as is this the case in other major sports and other levels of college football which employ playoff format championships. Often, the BCS system leads to controversies in which multiple teams finish seasons with equal records, and voters must distinguish the worthiness of their participation in the BCS National Championship game. Without providing any objective criteria for evaluation of these teams, the BCS also forces voters to impose their own standards and tiebreakers. Critics note that the system inherently fosters selection bias, and therefore, lacks external validity.[3]
Controversies concerning inclusion in the BCS National Championship Game are numerous. In 2003, for example, USC was not included in the BCS Championship Game, but beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl and ended up #1 in the Associated Press final poll. The following season, in 2004, undefeated Auburn University, Boise State University and University of Utah teams were left out of the National Championship Game (the FedEx Orange Bowl), although those teams were undefeated as well. In 2001, Oregon, second ranked in the AP poll, was bypassed in favor of Nebraska despite Nebraska's loss in its final regular season game to the University of Colorado. In 2008, the University of Utah was excluded from the BCS championship for a second time despite being the only undefeated Division I-A team at the end of the season and finished second behind 13–1 Florida. In 2009, five schools finished the regular season undefeated: Alabama, Texas, Cincinnati, Texas Christian University, and Boise State, however the BCS selected traditional powers Alabama and Texas to participate in the BCS National Championship Game as they were the top two teams in the BCS rankings.
Many critics of the Bowl Championship Series favor a larger championship tournament with eight to sixteen teams, similar to that administered by the NCAA for its Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, and Division III football championships. Others favor adopting the incremental step of adding a single post-bowl championship game between the winners of two BCS games among the top four ranked teams in the BCS standings, the so-called "plus one" option. The SEC and ACC conferences have recently pushed for some form of playoff system. On June 24, 2009, the BCS presidential oversight committee rejected the Mountain West Conference's proposed eight-team playoff plan.[4]
In 2009, the NCAA ruled that former USC running back Reggie Bush was retroactively ineligible for the 2004 BCS National Championship Game, the 2005 Orange Bowl vs. Oklahoma, for receiving various illegal benefits. In May of 2011, the NCAA rejected all appeals of USC's penalties, which included Bush's ineligibility and a two-year bowl ban. On June 6, 2011, the University of Southern California became the first school to lose a Bowl Championship Series National Championship due to NCAA sanctions, as the BCS President's Oversight Committee stripped USC of the 2004 title. There will be no 2004 champion.
In addition, the BCS also nullified USC's participation in the 2006 Rose Bowl. (see attributions 1 and 2)
Future
The game's location rotates among the sites of the BCS bowls. Future scheduled sites are as follows (note the years shown are for the game, which occurs in the calendar year following the corresponding NCAA football season):
- Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2012 (Allstate BCS National Championship Game)
- Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida in 2013 (Discover BCS National Championship Game)
- Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California in 2014 (Vizio BCS National Championship Game)
The title sponsor of the BCS National Championship Game each year is the same as that of the bowl game in that year's host location. Thus, the 2007 game was the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game, after the title sponsor of the Fiesta Bowl. The following year saw it become the Allstate BCS National Championship, and the 2009 game bears the FedEx brand. The 2010 game had Citi as its title sponsor.[5]
Based upon television contracts between the BCS and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses with ESPN, the BCS will retain its current format through at least the 2014 season, when the game will be sponsored by Vizio.[6]
Heisman Trophy winners in BCS games
- Jan. 10, 2011, Glendale (NCG) - Cam Newton, Auburn (20 for 34 passing for 265 yards, 2 TDs)
- Jan. 7, 2010, Pasadena (NCG) - Mark Ingram, Alabama (22 rushes, 116 yards, 2 TDs)
- Jan. 8, 2009, Miami (NCG) - Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (26 of 41 passing, 256 yards, 2 TDs); Note: Tim Tebow, 2007 Heisman winner, also participated in this game
- Jan. 8, 2007, Glendale (NCG) - Troy Smith, Ohio State (4 of 14 passing, 35 yards)
- Jan. 4, 2006, Rose Bowl (NCG) - Reggie Bush, Southern California (13 rushes, 82 yards, 1 TD)(Later vacated); Note: Matt Leinart, 2005 Heisman winner, also participated in this game
- Jan. 4, 2005, Orange Bowl (NCG) - Matt Leinart, Southern California (18 of 35 passing, 332 yards, 5 TDs); Note: Jason White, 2004 Heisman winner, also participated in this game
- Jan. 4, 2004, Sugar Bowl (NCG) - Jason White, Oklahoma (13 of 37 passing, 102 yards)
- Jan. 2, 2003, Orange Bowl - Carson Palmer, Southern California (21 of 31 passing, 303 yards, 1 TD)
- Jan. 3, 2002, Rose Bowl (NCG) - Eric Crouch, Nebraska (22 rushes, 114 yards; 5 of 15 passing, 62 yards)
- Jan. 3, 2001, Orange Bowl (NCG) - Chris Weinke, Florida State (25 of 51 passing, 274 yards)
- Jan. 1, 2000, Rose Bowl - Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (34 rushes, 200 yards, 1 TD)
Media coverage
Television
From 1999 through 2006, ABC broadcast eight BCS National Championship Games pursuant to broadcasting rights negotiated with the BCS and the Rose Bowl, whose rights were offered separately. Beginning with the 2006–07 season, FOX obtained the BCS package, consisting of the Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and the BCS National Championship Games hosted by these bowls, with ABC retaining the rights to the Rose Bowl and BCS National Championship Games hosted by the Rose Bowl (such as the 2010 edition)
On November 18, 2008, the BCS announced that ESPN had won the television rights to the BCS National Championship Game (as well as the other four BCS bowls) for 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. The contract with ESPN is notable as it makes the BCS National Championship Game the most prominent annual sporting event not to be shown over broadcast television.[7]
Year Network(s) Bowl Play-by-play announcer Color analyst(s) Sideline reporter(s) Studio host(s) Studio analyst(s) TV Rating[8] 1999 ABC Fiesta Bowl Keith Jackson Bob Griese Lynn Swann John Saunders Todd Blackledge 17.2 2000 ABC Sugar Bowl Brent Musburger Gary Danielson Lynn Swann and Jack Arute John Saunders Terry Bowden 17.5 2001 ABC Orange Bowl Brad Nessler Bob Griese Lynn Swann and Jack Arute John Saunders Terry Bowden 17.8 2002 ABC Rose Bowl Keith Jackson Tim Brant Lynn Swann and Todd Harris John Saunders Terry Bowden 13.9 2003 ABC Fiesta Bowl Keith Jackson Dan Fouts Lynn Swann and Todd Harris John Saunders Terry Bowden 17.2 2004 ABC Sugar Bowl Brent Musburger Gary Danielson Lynn Swann and Jack Arute John Saunders Terry Bowden and Craig James 14.5 2005 ABC Orange Bowl Brad Nessler Bob Griese Lynn Swann and Todd Harris John Saunders Craig James and Aaron Taylor 13.7 2006 ABC Rose Bowl Keith Jackson Dan Fouts Todd Harris and Holly Rowe John Saunders Craig James and Aaron Taylor 21.7 2007 FOX 2007 BCS National Championship Game Thom Brennaman Barry Alvarez and Charles Davis Chris Myers Chris Rose Eddie George, Emmitt Smith and Jimmy Johnson 17.4 2008 FOX 2008 BCS National Championship Game Thom Brennaman Charles Davis Chris Myers Chris Rose Eddie George, Urban Meyer and Jimmy Johnson 17.4 2009 FOX 2009 BCS National Championship Game Thom Brennaman Charles Davis Chris Myers Chris Rose Eddie George, Barry Switzer and Jimmy Johnson 15.8 2010 ABC 2010 BCS National Championship Game Brent Musburger Kirk Herbstreit Lisa Salters and Tom Rinaldi Chris Fowler and Rece Davis Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, Pete Carroll, Lou Holtz and Mark May 17.2 2011 ESPN
ESPN 3D2011 BCS National Championship Game Brent Musburger Kirk Herbstreit Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi Chris Fowler Desmond Howard, Urban Meyer and Nick Saban 16.1 2012 ESPN BCS National Championship Game TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD 2013 ESPN BCS National Championship Game TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD 2014 ESPN BCS National Championship Game TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD - Expected announcer, subject to change.
Radio
Since 1999 the BCS National Championship Game has been broadcast on ESPN Radio.
Year Network Play-by-play announcer Color analyst(s) Sideline Reporter 1999 ESPN Radio Ron Franklin Mike Gottfried Adrian Karsten 2000 ESPN Radio Ron Franklin Mike Gottfried Adrian Karsten 2000 ESPN Radio Ron Franklin Mike Gottfried Adrian Karsten 2001 ESPN Radio Ron Franklin Mike Gottfried Adrian Karsten 2002 ESPN Radio Ron Franklin Mike Gottfried Adrian Karsten 2003 ESPN Radio Ron Franklin Mike Gottfried Adrian Karsten 2004 ESPN Radio Ron Franklin Mike Gottfried Adrian Karsten 2005 ESPN Radio Ron Franklin Mike Gottfried Erin Andrews 2006 ESPN Radio Ron Franklin Bob Davie Dave Ryan 2007 ESPN Radio Brent Musburger Bob Davie and Todd Blackledge Lisa Salters 2008 ESPN Radio Brent Musburger Kirk Herbstreit Lisa Salters 2009 ESPN Radio Brent Musburger Kirk Herbstreit Lisa Salters 2010 ESPN Radio Mike Tirico Jon Gruden and Todd Blackledge Wendi Nix 2011 ESPN Radio Mike Tirico Jon Gruden Joe Schad Related national championship selections
Since there is no NCAA Division I FBS playoff, the BCS National Championship game is one of several national championship selection processes in existence.
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) participate in a weekly Coaches' Poll published by USA Today; for its final poll of the season, the AFCA is contractually bound to select the BCS National Champion as the national champion[9] Thus, the winner of the game is awarded the AFCA National Championship Trophy in a postgame ceremony.
The BCS National Champion is also automatically awarded the National Football Foundation's MacArthur Trophy.[10]
The Associated Press and the Football Writers Association of America are independent and may award their national championship trophies to a school other than the BCS National Championship Game winner.
References
- ^ Miller, Ted (June 6, 2011). "University of Southern California stripped of '04 BCS National Championship". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=6632190. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ "BCS strips Southern California of 2004 football national championship". Fox Sports. June 6, 2011. http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/BCS-strips-Southern-California-of-2004-football-national-championship-060611. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ Eight-team playoff would be ideal for college football – columnist – ESPN. Sports.espn.go.com (2008-05-20). Retrieved on 2010-11-21.
- ^ College football: BCS presidents reject playoff plan, Los Angeles Times, June 25, 2009
- ^ Allstate press release, March 22, 2006
- ^ Chris Casacchia,Vizio Nabs Four-Year Rose Bowl Presenting Sponsorship, Orange County Business Journal, October 19, 2010
- ^ ESPN, BCS agree to four-year deal for television, radio, digital rights
- ^ bcsfootball.org – TV Ratings
- ^ O'Toole, Thomas. (2009-01-14) Role of coaches' poll in BCS under review. Usatoday.Com. Retrieved on 2010-11-21.
- ^ MacArthur Trophy at the National Football Foundation
External links
BCS National Championship Game History | University of Phoenix Stadium | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Sun Life Stadium | Rose Bowl | BCS | Broadcasters
Tie-Ins: BCS #1 | BCS #2Rotating Bowl Game Bowl Championship Series Conferences Bowls Champions Other - Treated as conference champion if ranked in top eight
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