Champions
| Season |
Champion |
Coach |
Record |
Bowl / Voted #1 By |
| 2020 |
Alabama |
Nick Saban |
13-0-0 |
won CFP Championship |
| 2019 |
Louisiana State |
Ed Orgeron |
15-0-0 |
won CFP Championship |
| 2018 |
Clemson |
Dabo Swinney |
15-0-0 |
won CFP Championship |
| 2017 |
Alabama |
Nick Saban |
13-1-0 |
won CFP Championship |
| 2016 |
Clemson |
Dabo Swinney |
14-1-0 |
won CFP Championship |
| 2015 |
Alabama |
Nick Saban |
14-1-0 |
won CFP Championship |
| 2014 |
Ohio State |
Urban Meyer |
14-1-0 |
won CFP Championship |
| 2013 |
Florida State |
Jimbo Fisher |
14-0-0 |
won BCS Championship |
| 2012 |
Alabama |
Nick Saban |
13-1-0 |
won BCS Championship |
| 2011 |
Alabama |
Nick Saban |
12-1-0 |
won BCS Championship |
| 2010 |
Auburn |
Gene Chizik |
14-0-0 |
won BCS Championship |
| 2009 |
Alabama |
Nick Saban |
14-0-0 |
won BCS Championship |
| 2008 |
Florida |
Urban Meyer |
13-1-0 |
won BCS Championship |
| 2007 |
Louisiana State |
Les Miles |
12-2-0 |
won BCS Championship |
| 2006 |
Florida |
Urban Meyer |
13-1-0 |
won BCS Championship |
| 2005 |
Texas |
Mack Brown |
13-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 2004 |
USC |
Pete Carroll |
13-0-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/USA)** |
| 2003 |
USC |
Pete Carroll |
12-1-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP) |
| 2003 |
Louisiana State |
Nick Saban |
13-1-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (USA) |
| 2002 |
Ohio State |
Jim Tressel |
14-0-0 |
won Fiesta Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 2001 |
Miami FL |
Larry Coker |
12-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 2000 |
Oklahoma |
Bob Stoops |
13-0-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 1999 |
Florida State |
Bobby Bowden |
12-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 1998 |
Tennessee |
Phillip Fulmer |
13-0-0 |
won Fiesta Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 1997 |
Nebraska |
Tom Osborne |
13-0-0 |
won Orange Bowl (USA) |
| 1997 |
Michigan |
Lloyd Carr |
12-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP) |
| 1996 |
Florida |
Steve Spurrier |
12-1-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 1995 |
Nebraska |
Tom Osborne |
12-0-0 |
won Fiesta Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 1994 |
Nebraska |
Tom Osborne |
13-0-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 1993 |
Florida State |
Bobby Bowden |
12-1-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 1992 |
Alabama |
Gene Stallings |
13-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/USA) |
| 1991 |
Miami FL |
Dennis Erickson |
12-0-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP) |
| 1991 |
Washington |
Don James |
12-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (USA) |
| 1990 |
Colorado |
Bill McCartney |
11-1-1 |
won Orange Bowl (AP) |
| 1990 |
Georgia Tech |
Bobby Ross |
11-0-1 |
won Citrus Bowl (UPI) |
| 1989 |
Miami FL |
Dennis Erickson |
11-1-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1988 |
Notre Dame |
Lou Holtz |
12-0-0 |
won Fiesta Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1987 |
Miami FL |
Jimmy Johnson |
12-0-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1986 |
Penn State |
Joe Paterno |
12-0-0 |
won Fiesta Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1985 |
Oklahoma |
Barry Switzer |
11-1-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1984 |
Brigham Young |
LaVell Edwards |
13-0-0 |
won Holiday Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1983 |
Miami FL |
Howard Schnellenberger |
11-1-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1982 |
Penn State |
Joe Paterno |
11-1-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1981 |
Clemson |
Danny Ford |
12-0-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1980 |
Georgia |
Vince Dooley |
12-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1979 |
Alabama |
Paul "Bear" Bryant |
12-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1978 |
Alabama |
Paul "Bear" Bryant |
11-1-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP) |
| 1978 |
USC |
John Robinson |
12-1-0 |
won Rose Bowl (UPI) |
| 1977 |
Notre Dame |
Dan Devine |
11-1-0 |
won Cotton Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1976 |
Pittsburgh |
Johnny Majors |
12-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1975 |
Oklahoma |
Barry Switzer |
11-1-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1974 |
Oklahoma |
Barry Switzer |
11-0-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1974 |
USC |
John McKay |
10-1-1 |
won Rose Bowl (UPI) |
| 1973 |
Notre Dame |
Ara Parseghian |
11-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP) |
| 1973 |
Alabama |
Paul "Bear" Bryant |
11-1-0 |
lost Sugar Bowl (UPI) |
| 1972 |
USC |
John McKay |
12-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1971 |
Nebraska |
Bob Devaney |
13-0-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1970 |
Nebraska |
Bob Devaney |
11-0-1 |
won Orange Bowl (AP) |
| 1970 |
Texas |
Darrell Royal |
10-1-0 |
lost Cotton Bowl (UPI) |
| 1969 |
Texas |
Darrell Royal |
11-0-0 |
won Cotton Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1968 |
Ohio State |
Woody Hayes |
10-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1967 |
USC |
John McKay |
10-1-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1966 |
Notre Dame |
Ara Parseghian |
9-0-1 |
no bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1965 |
Alabama |
Paul "Bear" Bryant |
9-1-1 |
won Orange Bowl (AP) |
| 1965 |
Michigan State |
Duffy Daughtery |
10-1-0 |
lost Rose Bowl (UPI) |
| 1964 |
Alabama |
Paul "Bear" Bryant |
10-1-0 |
lost Orange Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1963 |
Texas |
Darrell Royal |
11-0-0 |
won Cotton Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1962 |
USC |
John McKay |
11-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1961 |
Alabama |
Paul "Bear" Bryant |
11-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1960 |
Minnesota |
Murray Warmath |
8-2-0 |
lost Rose Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1959 |
Syracuse |
Ben Schwartzwalder |
11-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1958 |
LSU |
Paul Dietzel |
11-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1957 |
Auburn |
Shug Jordan |
10-0-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1957 |
Ohio State |
Woody Hayes |
9-1-0 |
won Rose Bowl (UPI) |
| 1956 |
Oklahoma |
Bud Wilkinson |
10-0-0 |
no bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1955 |
Oklahoma |
Bud Wilkinson |
11-0-0 |
won Orange Bowl (AP/UPI) |
| 1954 |
Ohio State |
Woody Hayes |
10-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP) |
| 1954 |
UCLA |
Red Sanders |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (UPI) |
| 1953 |
Maryland |
Jim Tatum |
10-1-0 |
lost Orange Bowl (AP) |
| 1952 |
Michigan State |
Biggie Munn |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1951 |
Tennessee |
Bob Neyland |
10-1-0 |
lost Sugar Bowl (AP) |
| 1950 |
Oklahoma |
Bud Wilkinson |
10-1-0 |
lost Sugar Bowl (AP) |
| 1949 |
Notre Dame |
Frank Leahy |
10-0-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1948 |
Michigan |
Bennie Oosterbaan |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1947 |
Notre Dame |
Frank Leahy |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1947 |
Michigan |
Fritz Crisler |
10-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (AP) |
| *1946 |
Notre Dame |
Frank Leahy |
8-0-1 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1945 |
Army |
Red Blaik |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1944 |
Army |
Red Blaik |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1943 |
Notre Dame |
Frank Leahy |
9-1-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1942 |
Ohio State |
Paul Brown |
9-1-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1941 |
Minnesota |
Bernie Bierman |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (AP) |
| 1940 |
Minnesota |
Bernie Bierman |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (AP/DS) |
| 1939 |
Texas A&M |
Homer Norton |
11-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP) |
| 1939 |
USC |
Howard Jones |
8-0-2 |
won Rose Bowl (DS) |
| 1938 |
Texas Christian |
Dutch Meyer |
11-0-0 |
won Sugar Bowl (AP) |
| 1938 |
Notre Dame |
Elmer Layden |
8-1-0 |
no bowl (DS) |
| 1937 |
Pittsburgh |
Jock Sutherland |
9-0-1 |
no bowl (AP/DS) |
| 1936 |
Minnesota |
Bernie Bierman |
7-1-0 |
no bowl (AP/DS) |
| 1935 |
Southern Methodist |
Matty Bell |
12-1-0 |
lost Rose Bowl (DS) |
| 1935 |
Minnesota |
Bernie Bierman |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1934 |
Minnesota |
Bernie Bierman |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (DS/HAF) |
| 1933 |
Michigan |
Harry Kipke |
7-0-1 |
no bowl (DS/HAF) |
| 1932 |
Michigan |
Harry Kipke |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (DS) |
| 1932 |
USC |
Howard Jones |
10-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (HAF) |
| 1931 |
USC |
Howard Jones |
10-1-0 |
won Rose Bowl (DS/HAF) |
| 1930 |
Notre Dame |
Knute Rockne |
10-0-0 |
no bowl (DS/HAF) |
| 1929 |
Notre Dame |
Knute Rockne |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (DS/HAF) |
| 1928 |
USC |
Howard Jones |
9-0-1 |
no bowl (DS) |
| 1928 |
Georgia Tech |
Bill Alexander |
10-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (HAF) |
| 1927 |
Illinois |
Bob Zuppke |
7-0-1 |
no bowl (DS/HAF) |
| 1926 |
Stanford |
Pop Warner |
10-0-1 |
tied Rose Bowl (DS/HAF) |
| 1926 |
Alabama |
Wallace Wade |
9-0-1 |
tied Rose Bowl (HAF) |
| 1925 |
Dartmouth |
Jesse Hawley |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (DS) |
| 1925 |
Alabama |
Wallace Wade |
10-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (HAF) |
| 1924 |
Notre Dame |
Knute Rockne |
10-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (DS/HAF) |
| 1923 |
Illinois |
Bob Zuppke |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1922 |
Cornell |
Gil Dobie |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1921 |
Cornell |
Gil Dobie |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1920 |
California |
Andy Smith |
9-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (HAF) |
| 1919 |
Harvard |
Bob Fisher |
9-0-1 |
won Rose Bowl (HAF) |
| 1918 |
Pittsburgh |
Pop Warner |
4-1-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1917 |
Georgia Tech |
John Heisman |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1916 |
Pittsburgh |
Pop Warner |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1915 |
Cornell |
Al Sharpe |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1914 |
Army |
Charley Daly |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1913 |
Harvard |
Percy Houghton |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1912 |
Harvard |
Percy Houghton |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1911 |
Princeton |
Bill Roper |
8-0-2 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1910 |
Harvard |
Percy Houghton |
8-0-1 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1909 |
Yale |
Howard Jones |
10-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1908 |
Pennsylvania |
Sol Metzger |
11-0-1 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1907 |
Yale |
Bill Knox |
9-0-1 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1906 |
Princeton |
Bill Roper |
9-0-1 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1905 |
Chicago |
Amos Alonzo Stagg |
11-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1904 |
Pennsylvania |
Carl Williams |
12-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1903 |
Princeton |
Art Hillenbrand |
11-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1902 |
Michigan |
Fielding Yost |
11-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1901 |
Michigan |
Fielding Yost |
11-0-0 |
won Rose Bowl (HAF) |
| 1900 |
Yale |
Malcolm McBride |
12-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1899 |
Harvard |
Benjamin H. Dibblee |
10-0-1 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1898 |
Harvard |
W. Cameron Forbes |
11-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1897 |
Pennsylvania |
George Woodruff |
15-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1896 |
Princeton |
Garrett Cochran |
10-0-1 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1895 |
Pennsylvania |
George Woodruff |
14-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1894 |
Yale |
William C. Rhodes |
16-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1893 |
Princeton |
Tom Trenchard (Capt.) |
11-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1892 |
Yale |
Walter Camp |
13-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1891 |
Yale |
Walter Camp |
13-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1890 |
Harvard |
G. Stewart & G. Adams |
11-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1889 |
Princeton |
Edgar Poe (Capt.) |
10-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1888 |
Yale |
Walter Camp |
13-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1887 |
Yale |
Harry W. Beecher (Capt.) |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1886 |
Yale |
Robert N. Corwin (Capt.) |
9-0-1 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1885 |
Princeton |
Chas. DeCamp (Capt.) |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1884 |
Yale |
Eugene L. Richards (Capt.) |
9-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
| 1883 |
Yale |
Ray Tompkins (Capt.) |
8-0-0 |
no bowl (HAF) |
key
AP Associated Press
BCS Bowl Championship Series
CFP College Football Playoff
DS Dickinson System
HAF Helms Athletic Foundation
UPI United Press International
USA USA Today
*selected as AP champion on a second vote after Rose Bowl
**vacated as a result of NCAA sanctions
