2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season

Rules changes

• The NCAA ruled that teams could schedule twelve regular-season games beginning in the 2006 season.
• Instant replay is now officially sanctioned and standardized. All plays are reviewed by the replay officials as the play occurs. They may call down to the on-field officials to stop play if they need extra time to make a review. Each coach may also make one challenge per game. In the case of a coach's challenge, the coach must have at least one time-out remaining. If the challenge is upheld the coach gets the time-out back but the challenge is spent. If the challenge is rejected, both the challenge and the time-out are spent.
• Players may only wear clear eyeshields. Previously, both tinted and orange were also allowed.
• The kicking tee has been lowered from two inches tall to only one inch.
• Halftime lasts twenty minutes. Previously, it was only fifteen minutes.
• On a kickoff, the game clock starts when the ball is kicked rather than when the receiving team touches it.
• * This rule change has resulted in controversy, highlighted by the matchup between Wisconsin and Penn State on November 4, 2006, in which Wisconsin deliberately went off-sides on two consecutive kickoffs to run extra time off the clock at the close of the first half.
• On a change of possession, the clock starts when the referee marks the ball ready for play, instead of on the snap.
• The referee may no longer stop the game due to excessive crowd noise.
• When a live-ball penalty such as an illegal formation occurs on a kick, the receiving team may choose either to add the penalty yardage to the end of the return or require the kick to be attempted again with the spot moved back. Previously, only the latter option was available.
• If a team scores at the end of the game, they will not kick the extra point unless it would affect the outcome of the game.

  Conference standings

Conference champions

Conference championship games

Other conference champions

BCS rankings progress

Bowl games

Bowl Championship Series

January bowl games

December bowl games

[Bowl Challenge Cup] standings

Awards and honors

Heisman Trophy voting

• Winner: Troy Smith, Sr., Ohio State QB
• 2. Darren McFadden, So., Arkansas RB
• 3. Brady Quinn, Sr., Notre Dame QB
• 4. Steve Slaton So., West Virginia RB
• 5. Mike Hart, Jr., Michigan RB

  Other major award winners

• Walter Camp Award : Troy Smith, Ohio State
• Maxwell Award : Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
• Associated Press College Football Player of the Year Award: Troy Smith, Ohio State
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy : James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
• Chuck Bednarik Award : Paul Posluszny, Penn State
• Dave Rimington Trophy : Dan Mozes, West Virginia
• Davey O'Brien Award : Troy Smith, Ohio State
• Dick Butkus Award : Patrick Willis, Ole Miss
• Doak Walker Award : Darren McFadden, Arkansas
• Draddy Trophy : Brian Leonard, Rutgers
• Fred Biletnikoff Award : Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
• Jim Thorpe Award : Aaron Ross, Texas
• John Mackey Award : Matt Spaeth, Minnesota
• Johnny Unitas Award : Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
• Lombardi Award : LaMarr Woodley, Michigan
• Lott Trophy : Dante Hughes, California
• Lou Groza Award : Art Carmody, Louisville
• Manning Award : JaMarcus Russell, LSU
• Mosi Tatupu Award : A. J. Trapasso, Ohio State
• Outland Trophy : Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
• Ray Guy Award : Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
• Ted Hendricks Award : LaMarr Woodley, Michigan
• The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award: Greg Schiano, Rutgers
• Associated Press Coach of the Year: Jim Grobe, Wake Forest
• Paul "Bear" Bryant Award : Chris Petersen, Boise State
• Walter Camp Coach of the Year : Greg Schiano, Rutgers
• Broyles Award : Bud Foster, Virginia Tech

  Postseason coaching changes