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NCAA Division I FBS

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NCAA Division I FBS
Current season2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season
SportCollege football
Founded1978
Teams134
CountryUnited States
ChampionMichigan
Most champsAlabama (claimed)

NCAA Division I FBS. The Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) is the highest level of college football in the United States, sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Comprising 134 member institutions as of the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season, its teams compete for conference titles, major bowl game invitations, and the national championship as determined by the College Football Playoff. The subdivision is distinguished by its high-profile postseason bowl game system, extensive media coverage, and significant athletic department revenues.

Overview

The FBS represents the pinnacle of NCAA football, characterized by large athletic budgets, expansive stadiums like Michigan Stadium and Tiger Stadium, and intense national competition. Its operations are governed by a complex set of NCAA bylaws, though the subdivision enjoys greater autonomy in areas like scholarship limits and coaching staff sizes compared to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The annual schedule culminates in a lucrative postseason featuring the College Football Playoff and numerous other bowl games, generating substantial revenue for participating conferences and schools.

History

The classification was formally created in 1978 when the NCAA restructured Division I into Divisions I-A and I-AA, with I-A representing the major football programs. Key milestones include the formation of the Bowl Coalition in 1992, succeeded by the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in 1998, which aimed to match the top two teams in a national title game. The BCS National Championship Game was often hosted at venues like the Rose Bowl or Sun Life Stadium. Dissatisfaction with the BCS system led to the adoption of the four-team College Football Playoff in 2014, with early championships held at AT&T Stadium and Levi's Stadium.

Structure and governance

While under the umbrella of the NCAA, the FBS operates with a high degree of self-governance, particularly for the Power Five conferences: the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pac-12 Conference, and Southeastern Conference (SEC). Key governing bodies include the NCAA Division I Board of Directors and the College Football Playoff selection committee, chaired by figures like Bo Corrigan. Rules regarding athlete eligibility, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies, and the NCAA transfer portal are subject to ongoing negotiation between the NCAA, conferences, and even Congress.

Member conferences and schools

The 134 members are organized into ten conferences and a group of independents. The Power Five conferences are joined by the Group of Five: the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, and Sun Belt Conference. Notable independent programs include the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Army Black Knights. Historic programs like the Alabama Crimson Tide, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Oklahoma Sooners are synonymous with FBS success.

Season and postseason

The regular season typically runs from late August through November, featuring intense rivalry games such as the Iron Bowl between Auburn and Alabama and The Game between Michigan and Ohio State. The postseason is defined by the College Football Playoff, which selects four teams for semifinals at rotating bowl game sites like the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, culminating in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Dozens of other teams are selected for bowls such as the Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl.

Championships and awards

The College Football Playoff National Championship is the premier team award, with recent winners including the Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan Wolverines. The Heisman Trophy, awarded to the nation's most outstanding player, has been won by stars like Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. Other major individual honors include the Davey O'Brien Award, Doak Walker Award, and Outland Trophy. The Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) polls crown annual national champions, with Alabama under Nick Saban claiming multiple titles.

Controversies and issues

The subdivision faces ongoing debates, including the inequitable revenue distribution between the Power Five conferences and Group of Five conferences, and the expanding College Football Playoff format. The NCAA v. Alston Supreme Court case and subsequent Name, Image, and Likeness policies have transformed athlete compensation. Other major issues include conference realignment, such as the impending departures of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, the long-term health impacts of play studied by researchers like Bennet Omalu, and calls for reform from figures like Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Category:NCAA Division I FBS Category:College football in the United States