2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season

2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the inaugural season of the College Football Playoff system, replacing the BCS. The regular season began on August 28 and concluded with conference championship games on December 6. The Ohio State Buckeyes, led by coach Urban Meyer, captured the national title by defeating the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Regular season

The season was marked by significant upsets and the emergence of new contenders within the Power Five conferences. Notable non-conference games included Michigan State's victory over Oregon in September and Ohio State's early loss to Virginia Tech. The SEC West division was particularly dominant, featuring highly ranked teams like the Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, and Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Big 12 race saw Baylor and TCU battle for the conference crown, while the ACC was led by Florida State and Georgia Tech. The Pac-12 featured a strong South division with Arizona, UCLA, and Arizona State.

Conference standings

The SEC Championship Game featured the Alabama Crimson Tide defeating the Missouri Tigers. In the ACC Championship Game, the Florida State Seminoles beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Big Ten Championship Game was won by the Ohio State Buckeyes over the Wisconsin Badgers. The Pac-12 Championship Game saw the Oregon Ducks triumph over the Arizona Wildcats. The Big 12 did not hold a championship game, with Baylor and TCU declared co-champions. The American Athletic Conference champion was the Memphis Tigers, while the Marshall Thundering Herd won the C-USA title.

Bowl games

The inaugural College Football Playoff semifinals were held on January 1, 2015, with the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl serving as host sites. Ohio State defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and Oregon beat Florida State in the Rose Bowl. Other major bowl games included the Cotton Bowl Classic, where Michigan State beat Baylor, and the Peach Bowl, featuring a TCU victory over Ole Miss. The Fiesta Bowl was won by Boise State over Arizona.

Rankings and awards

The Heisman Trophy was awarded to Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Other major award winners included Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon (Doak Walker Award), Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper (Fred Biletnikoff Award), and Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III (Chuck Bednarik Award). The final AP Poll and Coaches Poll both ranked the Ohio State Buckeyes first. The College Football Playoff rankings, released weekly by the College Football Playoff selection committee, were led by Alabama for much of the season before the final selections.

Statistical leaders

In passing, Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday led in yards per game, while Marcus Mariota led in passing efficiency. Melvin Gordon of the Wisconsin Badgers led the nation in rushing yards, setting a single-game record against Nebraska. Receiving leaders included Amari Cooper of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Rashard Higgins of the Colorado State Rams. On defense, Scooby Wright III of the Arizona Wildcats led the nation in tackles for loss and sacks. Gerod Holliman of the Louisville Cardinals set an FBS record with 14 interceptions.

Records and milestones

The season saw Melvin Gordon break the FBS single-game rushing record with 408 yards against Nebraska. Connor Halliday set an FBS record with 734 passing yards in a game against the California Golden Bears. Gerod Holliman tied the FBS Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona ArizonaArizonaArizonaArizona ArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizona ArizonaArizonaAArizonaArizona AAAAAAAAAArizonaArizona ArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizonaArizona A]AAAAArizonaArizonaArizona A]AAAAAAAAAAArizonaAAArizona ArizonaArizonaArizonaArizona A]AAAAAAAAAAAArizona Wildcats football|NCAA Division I FBS football seasonArizonaArizonaAAAAAAAAAAAA