2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season


The 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the highest level of college football competition in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The regular season began on September 3, 2009 and ended on December 12, 2009. The postseason concluded on January 7, 2010 with the BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, California, where the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Texas Longhorns by the score of 37–21.
For the first time in the history of the Heisman Trophy, the annual award for the most outstanding player in college football, two previous Heisman winners played in the same season—2008 winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and 2007 winner Tim Tebow of Florida. For the first time since 1946, the top three vote-getters from the previous season all returned: Bradford, Colt McCoy of Texas, and Tebow, in that order.

Rule changes

The NCAA football rules committee proposed several rule changes for 2009. The rule changes include the following:
Western Kentucky joined the Sun Belt Conference after playing the 2008 as an FBS independent, completing their two-year transition from the Football Championship Subdivision. The number of full FBS members increased to 120.
SchoolFormer conferenceNew conference
Western Kentucky HilltoppersFBS independentSun Belt

New and updated stadiums

Conference summaries

Rankings reflect the Week 14 AP Poll before the conference championship games were played.
For the first time since 1983, every conference in Division I FBS, even those that did not contest a championship game, had an undisputed champion.
* In July 2011, the NCAA released its findings from a two-year investigation into allegations that a Georgia Tech player received $321 in clothing from a runner for an agent. While no conclusive evidence was brought against the player, actions taken by the Georgia Tech athletic department were perceived as an attempt to hinder the NCAA investigation into this offense. The NCAA determined that the player should have been declared ineligible for the final three games of the 2009 season. As punishment for an accused "lack of cooperation" and hindering the investigation, Georgia Tech was required to vacate the ACC Championship Game win, along with other penalties. Consequently, there is currently no official 2009 ACC football champion.

Bowl games

Bowl Challenge Cup standings

* Does not meet minimum game requirement of three teams needed for a conference to be eligible.

Awards and honors

Heisman Trophy voting

The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player
PlayerSchoolPosition1st2nd3rdTotal
Mark IngramAlabamaRB2272361511304
Toby GerhartStanfordRB2222251601276
Colt McCoyTexasQB2031881601145
Ndamukong SuhNebraskaDT161105122815
Tim TebowFloridaQB4370121390

Other award winners

Records

Preseason

Postseason

Note:
On December 26, Florida head coach Urban Meyer announced his resignation due to health concerns, effective after the Gators' Sugar Bowl appearance. However, Meyer had a change of heart and announced the following day that he would instead take an indefinite leave of absence, and expected to be back coaching by the start of the 2010 season. Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio took over Meyer's duties in his absence. Meyer returned from his self-imposed leave in time for Florida's 2010 spring practice.

TV ratings

Ten most watched regular season games in 2009