1989 NCAA Division I-A football season


The 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Miami winning its third National Championship during the 1980s, cementing its claim as the decade's top team, winning more titles than any other program.
Notre Dame signed a six-year, $30 million deal with NBC, granting the network the exclusive rights to broadcast Notre Dame football. However, the deal would not start until 1991.
Florida State began 0–2 but finished the season 10–2, having beaten the National Champions Miami earlier in the season and beating Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl.
Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer resigned June 19 after 16 seasons, during which he led the Sooners to three national championships.
Michigan coach Bo Schembechler retired following the season. Steve Spurrier was hired by Florida away from Duke in an effort to clean up after a decade of NCAA sanctions.
Houston quarterback Andre Ware ran the run and shoot offense all the way to the Heisman Trophy and numerous records.

Rule changes

One team upgraded from Division I-AA and one resumed play after being suspended for two seasons, thus increasing the number of Division I-A teams from 104 to 106.
School1988 Conference1989 Conference
Louisiana Tech BulldogsI-AA IndependentI-A Independent

Conference standings

#1 and #2 progress

Notable rivalry games

Auburn 30 Alabama 20 First Iron Bowl Played in Auburn

Bowl games

  1. Miami
  2. Notre Dame
  3. Florida State
  4. Colorado
  5. Tennessee
  6. Auburn
  7. Michigan
  8. Southern California
  9. Alabama
  10. Illinois
  11. Nebraska
  12. Clemson
  13. Arkansas
  14. Houston
  15. Penn State
  16. Michigan State
  17. Pittsburgh
  18. Virginia
  19. Texas Tech
  20. Texas A&M
  21. West Virginia
  22. BYU
  23. Washington
  24. Ohio State
  25. Arizona

    Final Coaches poll

  26. Miami
  27. Florida St.
  28. Notre Dame
  29. Colorado
  30. Tennessee
  31. Auburn
  32. Alabama
  33. Michigan
  34. Southern California
  35. Illinois
  36. Clemson
  37. Nebraska
  38. Arkansas
  39. Penn St.
  40. Virginia
  41. Texas Tech
  42. Michigan St.
  43. Brigham Young
  44. Pittsburgh
  45. Washington

    Heisman Trophy

  46. Winner: Andre Ware, Houston, Jr. QB
  47. Anthony Thompson, Indiana, Sr. RB
  48. Major Harris, West Virginia, Jr. QB
  49. Tony Rice, Notre Dame, Sr. QB
  50. Darian Hagan, Colorado, So. QB

    Other major awards