1990 NCAA Division I-A football season
Encyclopedia
The 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with a split championship and the ensuing controversy led to the creation of the Bowl Coalition
, a precursor to the Bowl Championship Series
. The title was split between the Colorado Buffaloes
and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
. The Buffaloes (11-1-1) took the AP poll while the Yellow Jackets (11-0-1) took the UPI poll by one vote over Colorado, 847 to 846. With the introduction of Arkansas State University
Indians (now Red Wolves) the number of schools moved from 106 to 107.
is given to the Most Outstanding Player of the year
Winner:
Ty Detmer
, BYU, Jr. QB
1. Miami
2. Notre Dame
3. Auburn
4. Florida State
5. Colorado
Each of the top five teams received at least three first-place votes in the initial poll. The season opening game was the Disneyland Classic between the Colorado Buffaloes
and the Tennessee Volunteers
in Anaheim, California
. The game ended in an exciting 31-31 tie, keeping both teams alive for the national championship.
Although the first game was played on August 26, 1990, the first regular season poll was not released until September 4. Polls in 1990 were released on the Tuesday after the game.
, where the #16 BYU Cougars
, led by 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer
, held off the defending champion, #1 ranked Miami Hurricanes
, 28-21. A comeback by #6 Colorado staved off defeat against unranked Stanford, 17-14. The pollsters remained unimpressed by Colorado, dropping them to #9 despite the win. The Gene Stallings
era began for the #13 Alabama Crimson Tide with a loss to the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, quarterbacked by Brett Favre
. The Steve Spurrier
era also began at the University of Florida. In Charlottesville, the #14 Virginia Cavaliers beat #9 Clemson in what was viewed as an upset. It was Virginia's first win ever over the Tigers, after 29 consecutive losses since their first meeting in 1955. The top five teams for the week ending September 8 were: Notre Dame, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, and BYU.
The day's other stunner came in South Bend where Stanford, with a 1-3 record, stunned the unbeaten #1 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Meanwhile, #9 Miami met #2 Florida State, with the Hurricanes prevailing, 31-22. The loss dropped the second-ranked Seminoles to #10 and vaulted the Hurricanes back into the national championship picture. Idle #6 Tennessee picked up a first-place vote despite two ties in their first five games.
The stunning loss of Notre Dame scattered the first-place AP votes among a number of teams. Michigan, Virginia, Miami, Oklahoma, and Tennessee - the top five in the poll of October 9, 1990 - each received first place votes as did #8 Nebraska, #10 Florida, and #13 Houston
Despite two ties on their record, Tennessee moved up to #5 when #5 Auburn escaped a major upset at the hands of Louisiana Tech, 16-14.
era, losing a 45-3 rout at the hands of #5 Tennessee, and #18 Georgia Tech knocked off #15 Clemson in a game that was to be of greater import at the end of season. The top five rankings released on October 13, 1990: Virginia, Miami, Tennessee, Nebraska, Auburn.
The top five lined up as: Virginia, Auburn, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Illinois
. There was little other movement in the top ten, although BYU fell one spot from #9 to #10 despite routing New Mexico. The reason for the Cougars' fall was Colorado's impressive win over formerly #4-ranked Oklahoma. The Sooners had lost three games in a row, but Colorado's win put them at number nine. Auburn's drop enabled both #3 Notre Dame and #4 Nebraska to move up one spot each. Otherwise, the top five remained the same.
title for the second straight year. And just when the shock had worn off, #15 Florida routed #4 Auburn, 48-7, to send the Tigers tumbling all the way to #15.
The rankings on the morning of November 6, 1990 when the AP poll was released:
1. Notre Dame
2. Washington
3. Houston
4. Colorado
5. Miami
6. Iowa
7. Georgia Tech
8. BYU
9. Tennessee
10. Florida
filling the shoes of departed 1989 Heisman winner, Andre Ware
, finally lost, falling to #14 Texas and ending speculation that the national championship might go to a team on probation. Houston's bowl ineligibility assured they would be given no consideration in the final poll for a top ranking. #6 Iowa stumbled on the road and lost to Minnesota, 31-24, ending the Hawkeyes' title bid. And despite being given consideration time and again, #9 Tennessee managed a fourth imperfection on their record - two losses and two ties - when they fell to #1 Notre Dame, 34-29, in a nationally televised encounter.
The losses, however, helped clear the way for some other hopefuls. #4 Colorado, who only one month earlier had been mired at number twenty, completed a climb all the way back up to #2 when they routed Oklahoma State, 41-22. As long as the Buffaloes won their final encounter against 5-5 Kansas State, they were virtually guaranteed a shot at the national championship. #15 Auburn, on the other hand, showed how far one could fall the other direction, plummeting from #2 only two weeks earlier to #24 due to their loss to a weak (4-6) Georgia team in a 33-10 rout.
The loss by Notre Dame put #2 Colorado in the number one spot for the first time since January 1, 1990. Rounding out the top five were Miami, Georgia Tech, BYU, and Florida.
The wins by Miami and Georgia Tech ensured Notre Dame could not wind up as champion, but the Irish and Buffaloes fought to the finish with Colorado prevailing, 10-9, on a blocked extra point. With only 65 seconds left, it appeared Notre Dame had won when Rocket Ismail ran 91 yards with a punt return for touchdown that was called back on a clipping penalty. Deon Figures intercepted Rick Mirer's desperation pass to clinch the national title for Colorado.
Bowl Coalition
The Bowl Coalition was a predecessor of the Bowl Championship Series that was formed through an agreement among college football bowl games and conferences for the purpose of forcing a national championship game between the top two teams and to provide quality bowl game matchups for the champions...
, a precursor to the Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
. The title was split between the Colorado Buffaloes
1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 338 points while the defense allowed 160 points. Led by head coach Bill McCartney, Colorado competed against Notre Dame in the...
and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team
The 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Yellow Jackets offense scored 379 points while the defense allowed 186 points. Led by head coach Bobby Ross, the Yellow Jackets participated in the...
. The Buffaloes (11-1-1) took the AP poll while the Yellow Jackets (11-0-1) took the UPI poll by one vote over Colorado, 847 to 846. With the introduction of Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is a public university and is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System, the state's second largest college system and third largest university by enrollment. It is located atop on Crowley's Ridge at Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA...
Indians (now Red Wolves) the number of schools moved from 106 to 107.
Conference Standings
Bowl Games
- Rose Bowl1991 Rose BowlThe 1991 Rose Bowl was the 77th Rose Bowl Game, played on January 1, 1991. The #8 Washington Huskies built a 33-7 halftime lead and defeated the #17 Iowa Hawkeyes 46-34. Washington sophomore quarterback Mark Brunell was named the Player of the Game....
: Washington1990 Washington Huskies football teamThe 1990 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the 1990 college football season. Led by head coach Don James, his top assistants were coordinators Gary Pinkel and Jim Lambright...
46, Iowa1990 Iowa Hawkeyes football teamThe 1990 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1990 college football season.-Schedule:-Cincinnati:...
34: Tennessee1990 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1990 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Volunteers offense scored 465 points while the defense allowed 220 points...
23, Virginia1990 Virginia Cavaliers football teamThe 1990 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 1990 college football season. The Cavaliers offense scored 464 points while the defense allowed 227 points. Led by head coach George Welsh, the Cavaliers competed in the ....
22: Michigan1990 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1990 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1990 college football season. The team's head coach was Gary Moeller. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium...
35, Mississippi1990 Ole Miss Rebels football team-Schedule:...
3 - Cotton Bowl: Miami (FL)1990 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1990 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1990 NCAA College Football season.-Schedule & Results:-Awards and honors:*Craig Erickson, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award*Russell Maryland, Outland Trophy...
46, 3 - Fiesta Bowl1991 Fiesta BowlThe 1991 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, part of the 1990 bowl game season, took place on January 1, 1991, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference , and the Louisville Cardinals, competing as a football independent...
: Louisville1990 Louisville Cardinals football teamThe 1990 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team played their home games in Cardinal Stadium and were Fiesta Bowl champions.-Schedule:-Team Players in the NFL:...
34, Alabama1990 Alabama Crimson Tide football teamThe 1990 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1990 college football season. The Crimson Tide was led by first-year head coach Gene Stallings, replacing Bill Curry who left for the University of Kentucky....
7: Georgia Tech1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football teamThe 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Yellow Jackets offense scored 379 points while the defense allowed 186 points. Led by head coach Bobby Ross, the Yellow Jackets participated in the...
45, Nebraska1990 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1990 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
21 - Orange Bowl1991 Orange BowlThe 1991 Orange Bowl was a 1990–1991 college football bowl game that was played on January 1, 1991, for the national championship. The 57th edition of the Orange Bowl featured the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado came into the game with a 10–1–1 record and #1 AP...
: Colorado1990 Colorado Buffaloes football teamThe 1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 338 points while the defense allowed 160 points. Led by head coach Bill McCartney, Colorado competed against Notre Dame in the...
10, Notre Dame 9 - Hall of Fame Bowl1991 Hall of Fame BowlThe 1991 edition to the Hall of Fame Bowl featured the fourteenth ranked Clemson Tigers, and the sixteenth ranked . It was the fifth edition to the Hall of Fame Bowl.Clemson's Chris Gardocki kicked an 18 yard field goal as the Tigers built a 3-0 lead...
: Clemson 30, 0: Michigan St.1990 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1990 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-Team members in the NFL:...
17, Southern California 16 - Copper Bowl1990 Copper BowlThe 1990 edition to the Copper Bowl featured the , and the Wyoming Cowboys.After a scoreless first quarer, Cal quarterback Mike Pawlawski threw a 25 yard touchdown pass to Brian Treggs giving Cal a 7-0 lead. A 26 yard Wyoming field goal cut the margin to 7-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, Cal...
: 17, Wyoming1990 Wyoming Cowboys football teamThe Wyoming Cowboys represented the University of Wyoming in the 1990 NCAA Football season. The Cowboys offense scored 327 points, while the defense allowed 297 points...
15 - Holiday Bowl1990 Holiday BowlThe 1990 SeaWorld Holiday Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Texas A&M Aggies and BYU Cougars on December 29, 1990 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The game was part of the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season and was the final game of the season for...
: Texas A&M1990 Texas A&M Aggies football teamThe 1990 Texas A&M Aggies football team completed the season with a 9-3-1 record. The Aggies had a regular season Southwest Conference record of 5-2-1.-Schedule:-Roster:Gilbert Salazar Center*Tom Brusinski Long Snapper*Jose R...
65, Brigham Young1990 BYU Cougars football teamThe 1990 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University in the 1990 college football season. The Cougars offense scored 524 points while the defense allowed 350 points...
14: 32, Oregon1990 Oregon Ducks football teamThe 1990 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon. The Ducks scored 341 points while the defense allowed 221 points. Led by head coach Rich Brooks, the Ducks competed in the .-Schedule:-Team Players in the NFL:...
31: Auburn1990 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1990 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 8–3–1 record and ended their streak of 3 straight SEC titles. The Tigers went on to defeat 27–23 in the 1990 Peach...
27, 23: 31, Southern Mississippi1990 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football teamThe 1990 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represented the University of Southern Mississippi in the 1990 NCAA college football season. Led by Brett Favre, the Golden Eagles qualified for the .-Regular season:...
27: 24, Penn St. 17: 23, Ohio St.1990 Ohio State Buckeyes football teamThe 1990 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1990-1991. The Buckeyes compiled a 7–4–1 record, including the in Memphis, Tennessee, where they lost 23–11 to the ....
11: Syracuse1990 Syracuse Orangemen football teamThe 1990 Syracuse Orangemen football team represented Syracuse University in the 1991 Division I-A college football season.This season marked the end of two eras for Syracuse football. First, it was Dick MacPherson’s final year as head coach. He would leave to coach the 1991 New England Patriots....
28, 0 - Independence Bowl1990 Independence BowlMaryland and played to the only tie in I-Bowl history as the Terrapins used a 14-6 fourth-quarter scoring advantage to tie. Tech running back Michael Richardson rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns to earn offensive outstanding player honors...
: 34, Maryland1990 Maryland Terrapins football teamThe 1990 Maryland Terrapins football team represented University of Maryland in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A college football season. The Terrapins offense scored 237 points while the defense allowed 284 points...
34: 48, 24
Final AP Poll
| School | Record (W-L-T) | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado 1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team The 1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 338 points while the defense allowed 160 points. Led by head coach Bill McCartney, Colorado competed against Notre Dame in the... (39) |
11-1-1 | 1,475 |
| 2 | Georgia Tech 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team The 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Yellow Jackets offense scored 379 points while the defense allowed 186 points. Led by head coach Bobby Ross, the Yellow Jackets participated in the... (20) |
11-0-1 | 1,441 |
| 3 | Miami (FL) 1990 Miami Hurricanes football team The 1990 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1990 NCAA College Football season.-Schedule & Results:-Awards and honors:*Craig Erickson, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award*Russell Maryland, Outland Trophy... (1) |
10-2-0 | 1,388 |
| 4 | 10-2-0 | 1,303 | |
| 5 | Washington 1990 Washington Huskies football team The 1990 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the 1990 college football season. Led by head coach Don James, his top assistants were coordinators Gary Pinkel and Jim Lambright... |
10-2-0 | 1,246 |
| 6 | Notre Dame | 9-3-0 | 1,179 |
| 7 | Michigan 1990 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1990 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1990 college football season. The team's head coach was Gary Moeller. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium... |
9-3-0 | 1,025 |
| 8 | Tennessee 1990 Tennessee Volunteers football team The 1990 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Volunteers offense scored 465 points while the defense allowed 220 points... |
9-2-2 | 993 |
| 9 | Clemson | 10-2-0 | 950 |
| 10 | 10-1-0 | 940 | |
| 11 | Penn State | 9-3-0 | 907 |
| 12 | 10-2-0 | 887 | |
| 13 | Florida | 9-2-0 | 863 |
| 14 | Louisville 1990 Louisville Cardinals football team The 1990 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team played their home games in Cardinal Stadium and were Fiesta Bowl champions.-Schedule:-Team Players in the NFL:... |
10-1-1 | 775 |
| 15 | Texas A&M 1990 Texas A&M Aggies football team The 1990 Texas A&M Aggies football team completed the season with a 9-3-1 record. The Aggies had a regular season Southwest Conference record of 5-2-1.-Schedule:-Roster:Gilbert Salazar Center*Tom Brusinski Long Snapper*Jose R... |
9-3-1 | 627 |
| 16 | Michigan State 1990 Michigan State Spartans football team The 1990 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-Team members in the NFL:... |
8-3-1 | 610 |
| 17 | 8-3-0 | 452 | |
| 18 | Iowa 1990 Iowa Hawkeyes football team The 1990 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1990 college football season.-Schedule:-Cincinnati:... |
8-4-0 | 370 |
| 19 | Auburn 1990 Auburn Tigers football team The 1990 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 8–3–1 record and ended their streak of 3 straight SEC titles. The Tigers went on to defeat 27–23 in the 1990 Peach... |
8-3-1 | 288 |
| 20 | Southern California | 8-4-1 | 266 |
| 21 | Mississippi 1990 Ole Miss Rebels football team -Schedule:... |
9-3-0 | 253 |
| 22 | Brigham Young 1990 BYU Cougars football team The 1990 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University in the 1990 college football season. The Cougars offense scored 524 points while the defense allowed 350 points... |
10-3-0 | 246 |
| 23 | Virginia 1990 Virginia Cavaliers football team The 1990 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 1990 college football season. The Cavaliers offense scored 464 points while the defense allowed 227 points. Led by head coach George Welsh, the Cavaliers competed in the .... |
8-4-0 | 188 |
| 24 | Nebraska 1990 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team The 1990 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:... |
9-3-0 | 185 |
| 25 | 8-4-0 | 146 |
Final UPI/Coaches Poll
- Georgia Tech1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football teamThe 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Yellow Jackets offense scored 379 points while the defense allowed 186 points. Led by head coach Bobby Ross, the Yellow Jackets participated in the...
- Colorado1990 Colorado Buffaloes football teamThe 1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 338 points while the defense allowed 160 points. Led by head coach Bill McCartney, Colorado competed against Notre Dame in the...
- Miami (FL)1990 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1990 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1990 NCAA College Football season.-Schedule & Results:-Awards and honors:*Craig Erickson, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award*Russell Maryland, Outland Trophy...
- Washington1990 Washington Huskies football teamThe 1990 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the 1990 college football season. Led by head coach Don James, his top assistants were coordinators Gary Pinkel and Jim Lambright...
- Notre Dame
- Tennessee1990 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1990 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Volunteers offense scored 465 points while the defense allowed 220 points...
- Michigan1990 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1990 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1990 college football season. The team's head coach was Gary Moeller. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium...
- Clemson
- Penn State
- Louisville1990 Louisville Cardinals football teamThe 1990 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team played their home games in Cardinal Stadium and were Fiesta Bowl champions.-Schedule:-Team Players in the NFL:...
- Texas A&M1990 Texas A&M Aggies football teamThe 1990 Texas A&M Aggies football team completed the season with a 9-3-1 record. The Aggies had a regular season Southwest Conference record of 5-2-1.-Schedule:-Roster:Gilbert Salazar Center*Tom Brusinski Long Snapper*Jose R...
- Michigan State1990 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1990 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-Team members in the NFL:...
- Virginia1990 Virginia Cavaliers football teamThe 1990 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 1990 college football season. The Cavaliers offense scored 464 points while the defense allowed 227 points. Led by head coach George Welsh, the Cavaliers competed in the ....
- Iowa1990 Iowa Hawkeyes football teamThe 1990 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1990 college football season.-Schedule:-Cincinnati:...
- Brigham Young1990 BYU Cougars football teamThe 1990 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University in the 1990 college football season. The Cougars offense scored 524 points while the defense allowed 350 points...
- Nebraska1990 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1990 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
- Auburn1990 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1990 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 8–3–1 record and ended their streak of 3 straight SEC titles. The Tigers went on to defeat 27–23 in the 1990 Peach...
- Syracuse1990 Syracuse Orangemen football teamThe 1990 Syracuse Orangemen football team represented Syracuse University in the 1991 Division I-A college football season.This season marked the end of two eras for Syracuse football. First, it was Dick MacPherson’s final year as head coach. He would leave to coach the 1991 New England Patriots....
- USC
- Mississippi1990 Ole Miss Rebels football team-Schedule:...
Heisman Trophy Voting
The HeismanHeisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
is given to the Most Outstanding Player of the year
Winner:
Ty Detmer
Ty Detmer
Ty Hubert Detmer is a former National Football League and NCAA quarterback. He starred at Brigham Young University, where he set many records and won the Heisman Trophy in 1990...
, BYU, Jr. QB
- 2. Raghib IsmailRaghib IsmailRaghib Ramadian Ismail is a retired professional American and Canadian football player, who played Wide receiver in both the Canadian Football League and National Football League. He played college football at Notre Dame...
, Notre Dame, Jr. WR - 3. Eric Bieniemy, Colorado, Sr. RB
- 4. Shawn MooreShawn MooreShawn Levique Moore is a former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback and coach. He attended college at the University of Virginia and has returned to Virginia as an assistant coach under Mike London....
, Virginia, Sr. QB - 5. David KlinglerDavid KlinglerDavid Ryan Klingler , is a former American football player. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals after a record setting quarterback career at the University of Houston...
, Houston, Jr. QB
Other Major Awards
- Maxwell (MVP) - Ty Detmer, BYU
- Camp (Back) - Raghib Ismail, Notre Dame
- O'Brien Award (Quarterback) - Ty Detmer, BYU
- Lombardi (Linebacker) - Chris Zorich, Notre Dame
- Outland (Interior) - Russell Maryland, Miami-FL
- AFCA Coach of the Year - Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech
National Title
- Colorado Buffaloes1990 Colorado Buffaloes football teamThe 1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 338 points while the defense allowed 160 points. Led by head coach Bill McCartney, Colorado competed against Notre Dame in the...
- AP PollAP PollThe Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation... - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football teamThe 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Yellow Jackets offense scored 379 points while the defense allowed 186 points. Led by head coach Bobby Ross, the Yellow Jackets participated in the...
- UPI Poll
#1 and #2 Progress
| WEEKS | #1 | #2 | Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-1 | Miami 1990 Miami Hurricanes football team The 1990 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1990 NCAA College Football season.-Schedule & Results:-Awards and honors:*Craig Erickson, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award*Russell Maryland, Outland Trophy... |
Notre Dame | BYU 1990 BYU Cougars football team The 1990 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University in the 1990 college football season. The Cougars offense scored 524 points while the defense allowed 350 points... 28, Miami 21 |
Sep 8 |
| 2 | Notre Dame | Auburn 1990 Auburn Tigers football team The 1990 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 8–3–1 record and ended their streak of 3 straight SEC titles. The Tigers went on to defeat 27–23 in the 1990 Peach... |
48, 6 | Sep 15 |
| 3-5 | Notre Dame | Florida State | Stanford 36, Notre Dame 31 | Oct 6 |
| 6 | Michigan 1990 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1990 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1990 college football season. The team's head coach was Gary Moeller. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium... |
Virginia 1990 Virginia Cavaliers football team The 1990 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 1990 college football season. The Cavaliers offense scored 464 points while the defense allowed 227 points. Led by head coach George Welsh, the Cavaliers competed in the .... |
Michigan St. 1990 Michigan State Spartans football team The 1990 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-Team members in the NFL:... 28, Michigan 27 |
Oct 13 |
| 7 | Virginia | Miami | Notre Dame 29, Miami 20 | Oct 20 |
| 8 | Virginia | Auburn | Auburn 17, 16 | Oct 27 |
| 9 | Virginia | Notre Dame | Georgia Tech 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team The 1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Yellow Jackets offense scored 379 points while the defense allowed 186 points. Led by head coach Bobby Ross, the Yellow Jackets participated in the... 41, Virginia 38 |
Nov 3 |
| 10 | Notre Dame | Washington 1990 Washington Huskies football team The 1990 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the 1990 college football season. Led by head coach Don James, his top assistants were coordinators Gary Pinkel and Jim Lambright... |
25, Washington 22 | Nov 10 |
| 11 | Notre Dame | Colorado 1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team The 1990 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Buffaloes offense scored 338 points while the defense allowed 160 points. Led by head coach Bill McCartney, Colorado competed against Notre Dame in the... |
Penn State 24, Notre Dame 21 | Nov 17 |
| 12 | Colorado | Miami | Miami 33, Syracuse 1990 Syracuse Orangemen football team The 1990 Syracuse Orangemen football team represented Syracuse University in the 1991 Division I-A college football season.This season marked the end of two eras for Syracuse football. First, it was Dick MacPherson’s final year as head coach. He would leave to coach the 1991 New England Patriots.... 7 |
Nov 24 |
| 13-14 | Colorado | Georgia Tech | End regular season |
Recap of the Year
Voters were divided in the first poll of the 1990 college football season. The first rankings reflected the lack of consensus for a number one.1. Miami
2. Notre Dame
3. Auburn
4. Florida State
5. Colorado
Each of the top five teams received at least three first-place votes in the initial poll. The season opening game was the Disneyland Classic between the Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado Buffaloes
The University of Colorado Boulder sponsors 16 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's team are called the Buffaloes or Golden Buffaloes . "Lady Buffs" referred to the women's teams beginning in the 1970s, but was officially dropped in 1993...
and the Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the National Collegiate Athletic Association college sports teams at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mike Hamilton is the most recent Men's Athletic Director, but resigned on June 7, 2011, and Joan Cronan is the current Women's...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
. The game ended in an exciting 31-31 tie, keeping both teams alive for the national championship.
Although the first game was played on August 26, 1990, the first regular season poll was not released until September 4. Polls in 1990 were released on the Tuesday after the game.
Week One: September 1, 1990
There was little movement in the polls as most teams either played against non-competitive foes or did not begin the season until September 8. The only significant drop was Colorado, who fell from #5 to #6 the 31-31 tie with #8 Tennessee.Week Two: September 8, 1990
The most significant game and slight upset of week two game in Provo, UtahProvo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
, where the #16 BYU Cougars
BYU Cougars
BYU Cougars is an American soccer team based in Provo, Utah, United States. The team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference....
, led by 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer
Ty Detmer
Ty Hubert Detmer is a former National Football League and NCAA quarterback. He starred at Brigham Young University, where he set many records and won the Heisman Trophy in 1990...
, held off the defending champion, #1 ranked Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes, of Coral Gables, Florida, are the varsity sports teams of the University of Miami. They compete in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The university fields 15 athletic teams for 17 varsity sports...
, 28-21. A comeback by #6 Colorado staved off defeat against unranked Stanford, 17-14. The pollsters remained unimpressed by Colorado, dropping them to #9 despite the win. The Gene Stallings
Gene Stallings
Eugene Clifton Stallings, Jr. is a former American football player and coach. He played college football at Texas A&M University , where he was one of the "Junction Boys", and later served as the head coach at his alma mater from 1965 to 1971. Stallings was also the head coach of the St...
era began for the #13 Alabama Crimson Tide with a loss to the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, quarterbacked by Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
. The Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier
Stephen Orr Spurrier is an American college football coach and player. Spurrier is the current head coach of the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks football team. He is also a former professional player and coach...
era also began at the University of Florida. In Charlottesville, the #14 Virginia Cavaliers beat #9 Clemson in what was viewed as an upset. It was Virginia's first win ever over the Tigers, after 29 consecutive losses since their first meeting in 1955. The top five teams for the week ending September 8 were: Notre Dame, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, and BYU.
Week Three: September 15, 1990
The most important game of week three was a top five match-up of #1 Notre Dame against #4 Michigan. In an exciting game, the Fighting Irish prevailed, 28-24, to remain #1. The other game that would have season long significance was (#21) Illinois' upset of (#9) Colorado, 23-22. The game would figure prominently in the national championship argument in January. Steve Spurrier also won his SEC debut, with his #24 Florida team besting the Alabama Crimson Tide, 17-13. While #2 Auburn and #3 Florida State both won, the Seminole's 48-6 win over Georgia Southern brought it to #2 in the polls. At the close of the week, the top five teams were: Notre Dame, Florida State, Auburn, BYU, and USC. Climbing into the top ten was Virginia with a 3-0 record.Week Four: September 22, 1990
The game to watch was Notre Dame trying to keep its top ranking in the polls. The #1 Fighting Irish had yet another tough game, as they prevailed against #24 Michigan State, on the road, 20-19. #5 USC had a horrible game, as they were blown out by #21 Washington, 31-0. #20 ranked Colorado gained another win against #22 Texas, 29-22, but the win did not improve their ranking. By the next poll, the top five teams were: Notre Dame, Florida State, Auburn, BYU, and Tennessee. Virginia was still going up in the polls, ranking #7.Week Five: September 29, 1990
There wasn't as much poll action as last week, but the surprise was when #20 Colorado beat #12 Washington, 20-14. The tie between #3 Auburn and #5 Tennessee, 26-26, caused their rankings to go down slightly. Top ranked Notre Dame kept their top ranking for at least one more week after topping Purdue, 37-11. The top five teams on the October 1 poll were: Notre Dame, Florida State, Michigan, Virginia, and Auburn.Week Six: October 6, 1990
The most controversial game of the season - and one of the most controversial of all-time - occurred in Columbia, Missouri where #12 Colorado beat Missouri on a last minute lunge by back-up quarterback Charles Johnson. The problem, however, was that Johnson actually scored on Fifth Down due to an error by the seven officials calling the game. The game would have major ramifications for the national championship at year's end, but the subsequent poll did punish Colorado by dropping them two spots to #14. This play became especially controversial at the end of the season, as Georgia Tech would have most likely been undisputed champions had this mistake not been made and Missouri had won.The day's other stunner came in South Bend where Stanford, with a 1-3 record, stunned the unbeaten #1 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Meanwhile, #9 Miami met #2 Florida State, with the Hurricanes prevailing, 31-22. The loss dropped the second-ranked Seminoles to #10 and vaulted the Hurricanes back into the national championship picture. Idle #6 Tennessee picked up a first-place vote despite two ties in their first five games.
The stunning loss of Notre Dame scattered the first-place AP votes among a number of teams. Michigan, Virginia, Miami, Oklahoma, and Tennessee - the top five in the poll of October 9, 1990 - each received first place votes as did #8 Nebraska, #10 Florida, and #13 Houston
Despite two ties on their record, Tennessee moved up to #5 when #5 Auburn escaped a major upset at the hands of Louisiana Tech, 16-14.
Week Seven: October 13, 1990
After sitting on top of the college rankings for only four days, Michigan became the third number one team of the year to get knocked off the top spot, losing 28-27 at home in Ann Arbor to arch rival Michigan State. The day's other upset of a top five team was #4 Oklahoma's 14-13 loss to unranked Texas in the Red River Shootout. #9 Florida also endured their first loss in the Steve SpurrierSteve Spurrier
Stephen Orr Spurrier is an American college football coach and player. Spurrier is the current head coach of the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks football team. He is also a former professional player and coach...
era, losing a 45-3 rout at the hands of #5 Tennessee, and #18 Georgia Tech knocked off #15 Clemson in a game that was to be of greater import at the end of season. The top five rankings released on October 13, 1990: Virginia, Miami, Tennessee, Nebraska, Auburn.
Week Eight: October 20, 1990
The stunning season continued to shock as ten of the 25 ranked teams went down to defeat on an unforgettable Saturday. In a battle of national powers, #6 Notre Dame knocked off #2 Miami, 29-20, in South Bend and assured the Hurricanes would not repeat as national champions. The loss dropped Miami to #8 while raising the Irish to #3. Perhaps an even greater upset came in Knoxville, where Alabama (with a 2-3 record), stunned #3 Tennessee, 9-6, just one week after the Volunteers had put 45 points on the Florida Gators. The Vols lined up to kick a potential game winning FG with less than two minutes left only to see Stacy Harrison block the kick. The momentum from the block sent the ball forty yards back downfield and put Alabama in position to win on a last second field goal by All-American Phillip Doyle. The loss was the Vols first in a year and dropped them out of the top ten. #5 Auburn beat #7 Florida State in a match-up of top ten teams. Auburn's win put them at #2 in the nation, their highest ranking since they won the national championship in 1957. #11 Georgia Tech suffered their first imperfection of the season, but they did not lose the game. Their tiff with North Carolina ended in a 13-13 tie that would later haunt the Yellow Jackets. Michigan lost their second game in a row following their ascent to number one.The top five lined up as: Virginia, Auburn, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Illinois
Week Nine: October 27, 1990
A harrowing escape due to missed extra point attempt resulted in a drop of #2 Auburn by two spots in the AP poll. Mississippi State (3-3), showing signs of promise for Coach Rockey Felker, fought the 4-0-1 Tigers to the very end, scoring a touchdown on the final play. A successful point after try would net the Bulldogs a tie, but a block by Auburn's special teams preserved a 17-16 win at Scott FieldDavis Wade Stadium
Davis Wade Stadium is the home playing venue for the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team. Located in Starkville, Mississippi, the stadium has a capacity of 55,082. It was built in 1914 as Scott Field and was named for Don Magruder Scott, an Olympic sprinter and one of the University's first...
. There was little other movement in the top ten, although BYU fell one spot from #9 to #10 despite routing New Mexico. The reason for the Cougars' fall was Colorado's impressive win over formerly #4-ranked Oklahoma. The Sooners had lost three games in a row, but Colorado's win put them at number nine. Auburn's drop enabled both #3 Notre Dame and #4 Nebraska to move up one spot each. Otherwise, the top five remained the same.
Week Ten: November 3, 1990
In perhaps the most exciting game of the 1990 college season, #16 Georgia Tech made a stunning comeback and outlasted #1 ranked Virginia, 41-38, at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. The loss dropped the Cavaliers out of the #1 spot and made Virginia the fourth different number one to lose in 1990. But the game shared top billing with the showdown in Lincoln, Nebraska between #3 Nebraska and #9 Colorado. Trailing by 12 points with only 12 minutes to play, the Buffaloes scored four touchdowns, all from Eric Bieniemy, to win, 27-12, and all but clinch the Big EightBig Eight Conference
The Big Eight Conference, a former NCAA-affiliated Division I-A college athletic association that sponsored football, was formed in January 1907 as the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association by its charter member schools: the University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University...
title for the second straight year. And just when the shock had worn off, #15 Florida routed #4 Auburn, 48-7, to send the Tigers tumbling all the way to #15.
The rankings on the morning of November 6, 1990 when the AP poll was released:
1. Notre Dame
2. Washington
3. Houston
4. Colorado
5. Miami
6. Iowa
7. Georgia Tech
8. BYU
9. Tennessee
10. Florida
Week Eleven: November 10, 1990
In keeping with the strange season where the uncommon became commonplace, four of the top nine teams lost and the muddy national title picture got a little clearer when the AP poll was released on November 13. The #2 Washington Huskies, poised for a possible shot at the title, lost a stunner at home to UCLA, 25-22, ending a national title dream, although the Huskies still had the inside track to the Rose Bowl. #3 Houston, with Heisman Trophy candidate David KlinglerDavid Klingler
David Ryan Klingler , is a former American football player. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals after a record setting quarterback career at the University of Houston...
filling the shoes of departed 1989 Heisman winner, Andre Ware
Andre Ware
Andre Ware is a sports analyst and commentator and a former American football player. He was the 1989 Heisman Trophy winner as a quarterback for the University of Houston, becoming the first African-American quarterback to win the award. In the 1990 NFL Draft, Ware was the first round selection ...
, finally lost, falling to #14 Texas and ending speculation that the national championship might go to a team on probation. Houston's bowl ineligibility assured they would be given no consideration in the final poll for a top ranking. #6 Iowa stumbled on the road and lost to Minnesota, 31-24, ending the Hawkeyes' title bid. And despite being given consideration time and again, #9 Tennessee managed a fourth imperfection on their record - two losses and two ties - when they fell to #1 Notre Dame, 34-29, in a nationally televised encounter.
The losses, however, helped clear the way for some other hopefuls. #4 Colorado, who only one month earlier had been mired at number twenty, completed a climb all the way back up to #2 when they routed Oklahoma State, 41-22. As long as the Buffaloes won their final encounter against 5-5 Kansas State, they were virtually guaranteed a shot at the national championship. #15 Auburn, on the other hand, showed how far one could fall the other direction, plummeting from #2 only two weeks earlier to #24 due to their loss to a weak (4-6) Georgia team in a 33-10 rout.
Week 12: November 17, 1990
The championship picture, much clearer just a week earlier, was considerably muddied again when top-ranked Notre Dame became the fifth number one to fall from the top spot as #18 Penn State edged the #1 Irish, 24-21. Because bowl invitations were ready to be offered, the upset smothered any chance the Orange Bowl had of determining a consensus national champion. Those problems were exacerbated when former #8 Virginia lost to Maryland and in the process lost starting quarterback Shawn Moore due to injury.The loss by Notre Dame put #2 Colorado in the number one spot for the first time since January 1, 1990. Rounding out the top five were Miami, Georgia Tech, BYU, and Florida.
Week 13: November 24, 1990
Perhaps bowing to public pressure due to their status as the nation's only unbeaten Division I-A team, the AP poll moved Georgia Tech up one spot from number three to number two after their 40-23 dismantling of the outmanned Bulldogs in their annual showdown. The Yellow Jackets now had the nation's longest current unbeaten streak at 15 games.The Bowl Games
Three of the top four teams were contractually obligated to bowl games that left no chance for a #1 vs. #2 match-up. Number one Colorado was obligated to represent the Big Eight in the Orange Bowl; second-ranked Georgia Tech was forced to represent the Atlantic Coast Conference in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Although Miami and Notre Dame, ranked third and fifth respectively, were Independents and thus bound to no bowl, both had claims to make for the national title that necessitated defeating the highest-ranked foe. The Orange Bowl invitation to Notre Dame had already been extended prior to the late season loss by the Irish to Penn State, leaving Miami to face #4 Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Although Miami had two losses, the Hurricanes would repeat as national champions if both Colorado and Georgia Tech lost while Miami won. The Hurricanes did their best, routing the Longhorns 46-3, but the early morning pounding of Nebraska by Georgia Tech closed the door on the Hurricanes chances and opened the question of whether Georgia Tech could possibly win a share if Colorado beat Notre Dame.The wins by Miami and Georgia Tech ensured Notre Dame could not wind up as champion, but the Irish and Buffaloes fought to the finish with Colorado prevailing, 10-9, on a blocked extra point. With only 65 seconds left, it appeared Notre Dame had won when Rocket Ismail ran 91 yards with a punt return for touchdown that was called back on a clipping penalty. Deon Figures intercepted Rick Mirer's desperation pass to clinch the national title for Colorado.