2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season

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The 2006 NCAA Division I-A football season, or the American college football season, began on August 31, 2006 and will conclude with the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Game on January 8, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona, USA (not counting post-season all-star games that follow).[1]

Preseason rankings

Many publications release their predictions of the number one team prior to the beginning of the season. Following is a list of some publications' #1 pick.
Athlon: Oklahoma[2]
CBS Sportsline: Ohio State[citation needed]
Gold Sheet: Oklahoma[3]
Lindy: Notre Dame[4]
Phil Steele: Oklahoma[5]
Sporting News: Notre Dame[6]
Associated Press: Ohio State[7]
USA TODAY: Ohio State.

See also: 2006 NCAA Division I-A football rankings § Preseason polls

Rules changes for 2006

There are several rules that have changed for the 2006 season:[8] Following are some highlights:

  • 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 only 15 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.[9]
  • 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.
  • 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, as in the NFL. 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.

Bowl Championship Series

For the ninth year, the Bowl Championship Series will select the number one and two teams to play in the championship game on January 8th. This year marks a change for the BCS, as the added National Championship Game begins as a separate entity from the bowls. It will rotate between the four sites, just like the old format of the National Championship. Also, for all games except the Rose Bowl Game (which has its own television contract with ABC), the BCS will now be telecast on Fox, after spending the first eight years on ABC.

A full bowl schedule can be found under NCAA football bowl games, 2006-07.

Key matchups

Date Visitor Home Source Significance Score*
August 31 Northwestern Miami (Ohio) Feldman[10] This matchup was more significant sentimentally than competitively. This was Northwestern's first game after the unexpected death of head coach Randy Walker, who was also the winningest head coach in Miami history. 21-3
September 2 California Tennessee Feldman[10] After a shocking 5-6 season last year, Volunteers coach Phillip Fulmer sought to assure the Knoxville faithful that it was only an aberration. Cal sought to validate its highest preseason ranking in a half-century. Tennessee wins easily. 18-35
September 9 Ohio State Texas Feldman[10] TSN[11] Ohio State and Texas were ranked #1 and #2 respectively in several polls entering this game. Ohio State goes into Texas and wins with ease, ending the 21-game winning streak the Longhorns had entering the game. 24-7
September 9 Penn State Notre Dame Feldman[10] Coming in to the game, Notre Dame was ranked in the top 5 in several polls with several votes for first place and Penn State was ranked in the top 20. What was expected to be one of the season's toughest tests for Notre Dame turned into an easy win for the Irish. 17-41
September 16 Miami (FL) Louisville Feldman[10] This was the first real test for Louisville since the season-ending injury to Michael Bush in their opener against Kentucky. The Cardinals got the signature win that coach Bobby Petrino was looking for, but it could have been a Pyrrhic victory—they lost another Heisman hopeful, quarterback Brian Brohm, to a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. He would return four weeks later against Cincinnati with the Cardinals still unbeaten. 31-7
September 16 Nebraska Southern California Feldman[10] #19 Nebraska visited #4 Southern Cal with a chance for Nebraska to prove it has returned, and for the Trojans to show that it could win without Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. The Men of Troy limit the Huskers to 68 yards on the ground and 211 total yards, and win comfortably. 10-28
September 16 Texas Tech TCU Feldman[10] #24 Texas Tech vs. #20 TCU: The Battle for Texas - 2 of the 3 best teams in Texas play. The Horned Frogs defense keeps Tech's normally explosive offense out of the end zone for only the second time in Mike Leach's seven years as head coach in Lubbock. The Frogs extend their winning streak, the longest in Division I-A, to 13 games, and put themselves in pole position to be this season's "BCS buster". 3-12
September 16 Oklahoma Oregon Feldman[10] After #18 Oregon ties the game at 20 early in the fourth quarter, #15 Oklahoma takes a 33-20 lead into the final two minutes. In a wild finish, the Ducks score a touchdown with 1:12 remaining, recover an onside kick, score a second touchdown, take the lead on the ensuing conversion, and block a Sooners field goal attempt on the game's final play to secure a stunning win at home. 33-34
September 16 LSU Auburn TSN[11] #6 LSU vs. #3 Auburn: In a game that could decide the SEC West, the defenses dominate in the lowest-scoring game at Auburn since 1973. Auburn holds on thanks to a saving tackle near the goal line on the game's final play. LSU had the ball five times in Auburn territory in the second half and failed to score. 3-7
September 16 Michigan Notre Dame Feldman[10] TSN[11] In this traditional contest between the two teams as the Wolverines entered #11 and Notre Dame #2, the Irish had another chance to prove they deserve the #1 spot. However, the contest was likely the end of Notre Dame's national championship dreams, with the Irish giving up more points at home than they have since 1960. 47-21
September 16 Iowa State Iowa Feldman[10] #16 Iowa defeats Iowa State in the battle of Iowa. 17-27
September 23 Notre Dame Michigan State Feldman[12] Forty years after an infamous 10-10 tie between the two schools, the Irish and Spartans produce another game for the ages. The Spartans take a 37-21 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Irish pull off a furious fourth-quarter comeback to keep their BCS bowl hopes alive. Brady Quinn passes for five TDs, with two each to Rhema McKnight and Jeff Samardzija. 40-37
October 21 Georgia Tech Clemson AP[13] With a surprisingly easy win, Clemson put itself in pole position for a trip to Jacksonville and the ACC Championship Game in December—but the Tigers' next game, a 24-7 loss to Virginia Tech, left them needing considerable help to make the ACC title game. 7-31
October 28 Florida Georgia TSN[11] In a key SEC East game known as The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, the Gators kept their hopes of a BCS trip alive with a hard-fought win. 14-21
November 2 West Virginia Louisville Feldman[14] Louisville wins the battle of Big East unbeatens. The two teams combine for over 1,000 yards of offense, but the difference is in turnovers: three for West Virginia, one of which was returned for a TD, to one for Louisville. The Cardinals now have the inside track to the Big East crown and a good chance to make the BCS Championship Game if they finish unbeaten. 34-44
November 4 LSU Tennessee Feldman[14] A last-second TD by LSU not only wins the game, but ends Tennessee's national title hopes, and combined with Florida's win over Vanderbilt on the same day, puts the Gators in the SEC title game. 28-24
November 9 Louisville Rutgers Forde[15] In the second battle between Big East unbeatens in two weeks, Louisville's dreams of a spot in the BCS Championship Game go down the drain after a second half in which they gain a total of 53 yards. Rutgers, which played in the first college football game in 1869, wins on a 28-yard field goal by Jeremy Ito with 13 seconds left. 25-28
November 11 Georgia Auburn TSN[11] In the 110th installment of the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, the Bulldogs bounce back emphatically from last week's stunning loss to Kentucky. Three interceptions by Tra Battle, one of them returned for a TD, and big plays by the offense not only sink Auburn's national title hopes, but leave the Tigers' hopes of reaching the SEC title game hanging by the slimmest of threads. 37-15
November 11 South Carolina Florida Feldman[14] In the return of Steve Spurrier to the sidelines of "The Swamp" as a visitor, Florida gained revenge for the upset from last season knocking them from their number 12 ranking, the first South Carolina victory over Florida in decades—but only after blocking a last-second Gamecocks field goal attempt that would have won the game. 16-17
November 11 Tennessee Arkansas Forde[15] Led by 181 yards rushing, two TDs on the ground, and a TD pass by Darren McFadden, the Hogs take a huge step toward a spot in the SEC title game. 14-31
November 11 Oregon Southern California Feldman[14] Thanks to a string of upsets in the BCS top 10 this week, the Men of Troy, who had seemingly been all but knocked out of the national championship race by Oregon State on October 28, reenter the title race with an easy win. 10-35
November 18 Michigan Ohio State TSN[11]
Feldman[14]
Mell[16]		 For the second time this year, the Buckeyes were playing in a #1 vs. #2 matchup. The Buckeyes not only won the Big Ten championship, but will be virtually assured of the #1 BCS ranking and be invited to the National Championship Game. The Wolverines, because the game was close, could also be invited to a rematch for the BCS Championship; otherwise they are likely to play in the Rose Bowl. The death of Bo Schembechler the day before the game added a sober note to the rivalry game. The game resulted in Jim Tressel's fifth win in six games against Lloyd Carr's Michigan teams. 39-42
November 18 California Southern California Feldman[14]
Mell[16]		 Before Oregon State's upset of the Trojans, California was the only Pac-10 team to beat Southern Cal in the past three seasons. After Arizona's upset of the Golden Bears on November 11, the dynamics changed. The Men of Troy overcame a early 9-6 defecit and ran away in the second half. 9-23
November 18 Auburn Alabama Feldman[14] Auburn has won now won five straight Iron Bowl games, remaining unbeaten in Tucsaloosa through the series' history. 22-15
November 23 Boston College Miami (FL) The first of two games this weekend that determines Georgia Tech's opponent in the ACC championship game on December 2. The 'Canes became bowl eligible in the upset, and makes Maryland fans happy at R.J. Bentley's (had it been open since it was Thanksgiving in the USA), meaning a win against Wake Forest will clinch the Atlantic Division on November 25th. 14-17
November 24 Texas A&M Texas Feldman[14] After Texas' hopes of defending their national title ended in a loss at Kansas State on November 11, this game was for bragging rights in the state rivalry. The Longhorns, who entered at number 11 in the AP poll, were stunned by the Aggies at home. 12-7
November 25 Notre Dame Southern California TSN[11]
Feldman[14]
Mell[16]		 After the way the Men of Troy won the game against Notre Dame last year, and with both teams coming in with one loss, this game is likely to be hard-fought, with BCS bowl implications riding on the result.
November 25 Florida Florida State Feldman[14] Florida beat FSU 34-7 last year giving them their first 3-game losing streak in 22 years. A chance for FSU, who played better sans turnovers, to redeem themselves and spoil the Gators national championship game dreams as well.
November 25 Boise State Nevada Forde[15] For Boise State, this game will be for a 12-0 season and a possible place in a BCS game. The Oregon State upset over Southern California also boosted the Broncos' BCS hopes, as they defeated Oregon State 42-14.
November 25 Wake Forest Maryland The second game this weekend that will decide the final spot in the ACC championship game. The winner of this game, thanks to BC's loss at Miami (FL), will face Georgia Tech next week (December 2) in Jacksonville for the ACC's BCS spot and a ticket to the Orange Bowl.
November 25 Oklahoma Oklahoma State The other piece of the Big 12 South puzzle will be filled in this state rivalry. A Sooner win puts them in the conference's title game on December 2 against Nebraska.
December 2 Southern California UCLA Mell[16] This crosstown rivalry no longer has any bearing on the Pac 10 crown, but may still have implications for Southern Cal's hopes of a spot in the BCS Championship Game if they defeat Notre Dame the week before.
December 2 Rutgers West Virginia This game is likely to decide the Big East champion, although the conference race was thrown into chaos by Cincinnati's upset of Rutgers on November 18. Rutgers, West Virginia, and Louisville all are still in contention for the conference crown.
* The name of the winning team is in bold face.

Conference championship games

Other conference champions

  • Big East: TBD.
    • Louisville, Rutgers, and West Virginia are now tied with 4-1 conference records. West Virginia will host Rutgers on December 2.
    • In the Big East, teams tied for the conference title are officially recognized as co-champions, and a tiebreaker is used to determine which team earns the conference's BCS berth. The procedure specifies that the tiebreaker for a two-way tie is the head-to-head result between the two teams. In the case of a three-way tie, if one team has beaten both of the other teams with which they are tied, they win. Otherwise, the team with the highest BCS ranking is selected.[18][19]
      • Rutgers can secure the the Big East BCS bid by beating West Virginia and by either also beating Syracuse or with a Louisville loss to Pittsburgh or Connecticut. In the case of a two-way tie between Rutgers and Louisville, Rutgers would win the tie.
      • West Virginia, having lost to Louisville, must beat Rutgers and stay one game ahead of Louisville in the standings, either by beating South Florida or having Louisville lose to both Pittsburgh and Connecticut.
      • For Louisville to win, Rutgers must lose to either West Virginia or South Florida. Louisville would need to stay at least tied with West Virginia and ahead of Rutgers.
      • A three-way tie is possible with a Rutgers loss to West Virginia, a West Virginia loss to South Florida, and a Louisville loss to Pittsburgh or Connecticut. In such a case, the team with the highest ranking in the BCS poll would receive the BCS bid.
  • Big Ten: Ohio State
  • Mountain West: Brigham Young
  • Pac-10: Southern California
    • The Trojans have clinched the Pac-10 BCS bid, though it is still possible for Cal to claim a share of the conference championship.
  • Sun Belt: TBD.
    • Middle Tennessee is currently 6-0, while Troy is 4-1. If Troy wins its last two games, including a game at Middle Tennessee on November 25, they will win the conference championship via tiebreaker. If Middle Tennessee wins that game, or if Troy loses to Florida International on December 2, Middle Tennessee wins the conference outright. Link to game story at official conference website, which explains tiebreaker.
  • WAC: Boise State has clinched at least a share of the title.
    • A Boise State win over Nevada on November 25 will secure the title outright. A loss means the Broncos would officially share the title with Hawaiʻi, although the Broncos hold the tiebreaker, but it would mean a lesser payday if they fail to make the BCS.

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ "2006-07 Bowl Schedule" (HTML). ESPN.com. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
  2. ^ "Preseason Top 25" (HTML). Athlon Sports, Inc. Retrieved 2006-07-05.
  3. ^ Marshall, Bruce. "THE GOLD SHEET PRESEASON TOP 25!" (HTML). The Gold Sheet. Retrieved 2006-07-05.
  4. ^ "Lindy's Power Rankings" (HTML). Lindy's Sports. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
  5. ^ "Ten Minutes with Phil Steele" (HTML). Scout, Inc. Retrieved 2006-07-10.
  6. ^ "Notre Dame will be the national champion" (HTML). SportingNews.com. Retrieved 2006-07-21.
  7. ^ "ESPN.com - NCF - 2006 College Football Rankings - Week 1" (HTML). espn.com. Retrieved 2006-08-22.
  8. ^ "2006 Rules Changes" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved 2006-09-25.
  9. ^ "Wisconsin finds loophole in speed-up rule" (HTML). USA Today. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "September's intriguing matchups" (HTML). ESPN. 2006-07-26. Retrieved 2006-08-03.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Key Dates". The Sporting News. Retrieved 2006-09-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "Top story lines for this weekend". ESPN.com. 2006-09-19. Retrieved 2006-09-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |formate= ignored (help)
  13. ^ "Tigers bringing big game atmosphere back to Death Valley" (HTML). AccessNorthGa.com. 2006-10-19. Retrieved 2006-10-19.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Most intriguing games remaining" (HTML). ESPN.com. 2006-10-18. Retrieved 2006-10-20. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |1=, |2=, |3=, |4=, and |5= (help)
  15. ^ a b c Forde, Pat (2006-11-01). "The Dash breaks out the Adriana rating system". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
  16. ^ a b c d "Huge matchups in college football" (HTML). Orlando Sentinel. 2006-10-27. Retrieved 2006-10-27. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |1=, |2=, |3=, |4=, and |5= (help)
  17. ^ Unlike other Division I-A conferences, C-USA holds its championship game at a campus site, specifically the home field of the team with the best overall conference record.
  18. ^ "Conference championship & tiebreak procedures" (PDF). Big East Conference. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/bige/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/tiebreak
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