2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season explained

The 2011 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 (NCAA).

The regular season began on September 1, 2011, and ended on December 10, 2011. The postseason concluded on January 9, 2012, with the BCS National Championship Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the No. 1 LSU Tigers 21–0. For the first time since 2007, and for only the third time in the Bowl Championship Series era, no team from an automatic-qualifying BCS conference finished the season with an undefeated record.

Rule changes

Several rule changes took effect this season:^[1]

• If a player is penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for actions that occurred during a play ending in a touchdown, but before the goal line was crossed, the touchdown will be nullified and the fifteen-yard penalty enforced from the spot of the foul. This change was made the year after Georgia receiver A. J. Green was called for a personal foul after catching a pass for a touchdown against LSU. The fifteen-yard penalty was assessed on the resulting kickoff, which helped LSU's position for the winning score.^[2] In another game, North Dakota State defensive back Josh Gatlin pointed at the crowd at the seven-yard line before scoring a touchdown against South Dakota State. Gatlin received a penalty, but the touchdown was not taken back.^[3] A similar proposal that would have nullified touchdowns for taunting or excessive celebration after the score failed to pass the NCAA Football Rules Committee.^[4]
• Due to how the fourth quarter ended in the 2010 Music City Bowl, a 10-second runoff will be implemented (similar to the NFL rule adopted in 1980) when a team commits a foul in the final minute of either half that results in a clock stoppage. The opposing team has the option to:
  • Take the penalty yardage and the 10 second runoff.
  • Take the penalty yardage and decline the 10 second runoff.
  • Decline both the penalty and the 10 second runoff.
• Each half of a game can end due to a runoff of the game clock following a penalty. Teams can take a time-out to stop the clock and avoid the 10 second runoff. The new rule has been informally dubbed the "Dooley Rule", after then Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley.^[5]
• Video monitors will be allowed in coaches' booths to allow coaching staffs to determine whether they should challenge a call. The televisions will have access only to the live broadcast feed, with no video recorders. The technology, if made available at a stadium, must be provided to both teams.
• Players lined up outside the tackle box—more specifically, those lined up more than 7 yards from the center—will now be allowed to block below the waist only if they are blocking straight ahead or toward the nearest sideline.
• On placekicks, no offensive lineman can now be engaged by more than two defensive players. A violation will be a 5–yard penalty.
• A three-man wedge is prohibited during kickoffs and punts. The penalty will be a fifteen-yard penalty from the spot of the foul, if non-contact, or from the end of the run, if contact.^[6]
• Players will no longer be required to wear pants that cover the knees.
• The officials' uniforms were slightly changed. The shirt stripes are wider, they now wear black pants instead of white, and the initial of the official's role (ex. "R" for referee, "U" for umpire) is displayed on the front uniform pocket.

In addition, the NCAA recommends that conferences without a pregame warm-up policy should use a ten-yard, no-player zone between the 45-yard lines beginning 60 minutes before kickoff.^[2]

Conference realignment

See main article: 2010–2014 NCAA conference realignment.

Membership changes

Five FBS schools switched conferences prior to the 2011 season. Each of these moves had been formally announced in 2010.

School	Former conference	New conference
Boise State[7]	WAC	Mountain West
BYU	Mountain West	FBS independent (WCC in other sports)
Colorado[8]	Big 12	Pac-12
Nebraska[9]	Big 12	Big Ten
Utah[10]	Mountain West	Pac-12

On April 20, 2011, UMass announced that it would upgrade its football program to the FBS level and become a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference beginning in 2012. Full FBS membership and eligibility for the conference championship and bowl games would follow in 2013.

On September 18, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced that Big East Conference mainstays Pittsburgh and Syracuse had been officially accepted as the conference's 13th and 14th members. At the time, the two schools' departure date was uncertain, as Big East bylaws require a 27-month notice period for departing members. The earliest that Pitt and Syracuse could join the ACC was July 2014,^[11] though later negotiations would allow Pitt and Syracuse to join in July 2013.

On September 26, the Southeastern Conference announced that Texas A&M would leave the Big 12 Conference and become the league's 13th member in July 2012.^[12] Missouri also announced plans to depart the Big 12 to join the SEC on November 6, bringing SEC conference membership to 14 schools.^[13]

Facing the imminent loss of four members, the Big 12 announced the addition of TCU from the Mountain West Conference on October 10.^[14] In order to join the Big 12, TCU had to renege on an agreement it had made less than year earlier to join the Big East.^[15]

On October 14, the Mountain West and Conference USA announced their intention to merge their football operations and form a two-division, 22-team conference in hopes of earning an automatic qualifier to a BCS bowl.^[16] The agreement was abandoned in 2012 after both conferences added new members.

The next change came on October 28, when the Big 12 formally accepted West Virginia from the Big East.^[17] This move led to a legal battle in which West Virginia filed suit against the Big East to overturn the standard 27-month notice period, and the Big East suing in another court to have the requirement enforced. In February 2012, the two parties reached a settlement that allowed West Virginia to join the Big 12 that July.^[18] Several months later, both Pittsburgh and Syracuse reached their own settlements with the Big East that allowed them to leave for the ACC in July 2013.

Changes in membership reduced the number of teams in the Big 12 from twelve to ten for the 2011 season and beyond, forcing the conference to drop its annual football championship game to comply with NCAA rules.

In response to the departures of three mainstay members and TCU, the Big East announced on December 7 that five schools would join the conference for football in 2013: Houston, SMU, and UCF would join as full members in all sports, while Boise State and San Diego State would leave the Mountain West and become football-only members.^[19] Boise State's other sports would return to the Western Athletic Conference, while San Diego State's would rejoin the Big West after a 35-year absence.^[20] Later developments in conference realignment, namely the demise of both the Big East and WAC's football competitions following the 2012 season, prompted both schools to abandon these plans and remain the Mountain West.

New and updated stadiums

New stadiums

School	Name	Capacity
Florida Atlantic	FAU Stadium	30,000
North Texas	Apogee Stadium	30,850

Expanded stadium

• North Carolina continued renovations to Kenan Memorial Stadium, which were completed in time for the start of the season. The project included a new student center and premium seating sections. The addition of new seats enclosed the stadium for the first time and brought the total capacity to 63,000.^[21]

Temporary stadiums

• California played the season at AT&T Park in San Francisco, home to the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. California Memorial Stadium, the Golden Bears' on-campus home since 1923, was undergoing a major renovation that included a full seismic retrofit. The Bears returned to Memorial Stadium in 2012.^[22] Although AT&T Park is primarily a baseball venue, it has hosted several football teams and events; at that time, it was home to the Fight Hunger Bowl.
• Washington played the first six games of its home schedule at on-campus Husky Stadium. Following the November 5 game against Oregon, construction began on a $280 million renovation project. As a result, the Apple Cup rivalry game with Washington State was moved to CenturyLink Field. Washington remained at CenturyLink Field for the entire 2012 season.

Infractions, investigations, and scandals

Ohio State

Five Ohio State players were alleged to have improperly traded dozens of items to the owner of a tattoo parlor in exchange for tattoos, cash, and, in one case, a sport-utility vehicle. The players, along with head coach Jim Tressel, were suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season. Tressel was under investigation for lying to the university and investigators regarding his knowledge of the incident.^[23] The program was also under investigation by the NCAA, the school having going before the NCAA Committee on Infractions in August 2011, with findings and decisions following shortly thereafter.^[24] The scandal led to the resignation of Tressel on May 30.^[25] On June 8, starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor, one of the five suspended players, announced that he would forgo his final year of college eligibility.^[26]

Initially, Ohio State offered to vacate its entire 2010 season, return money received from the 2011 Sugar Bowl, impose two years of probation, and use five fewer football scholarships over the next three seasons. However, after the school went before the NCAA, further rules violations emerged. Three players were suspended before the start of the season for receiving $200 from a booster. Then, midway through the season, it was discovered that the same booster had overpaid several players for summer jobs.

The NCAA announced its final penalties on December 20. While accepting Ohio State's initial self-imposed penalties, it levied additional sanctions. One extra year of probation and scholarship reductions was added, running through the 2014 season. The Buckeyes will also be banned from postseason play in 2012. Tressel, who joined the staff of the Indianapolis Colts during the 2011 NFL season and has since taken a non-athletic position at his alma mater of the University of Akron, was hit with a five-year show-cause penalty, which effectively bars him from college coaching through the 2016 season. Finally, the school was required to disassociate itself from Pryor for five years.^[27]

North Carolina

The North Carolina Tar Heels, in the midst of an NCAA investigation into improper benefits and academic misconduct within the football program, fired head coach Butch Davis on July 27.^[28]

The school initially vacated its 2008 and 2009 seasons, reduced its scholarship allotment by nine over the next three seasons, and self-imposed two years of probation. Although the NCAA praised the university for its investigation, it found several aggravating factors. The NCAA confirmed academic fraud, found that players had received at least $31,000 in impermissible benefits, determined that six players had played while ineligible, and also found evidence of rampant agent involvement in the program. The NCAA added an extra year of probation, and also banned the Tar Heels from the 2012 postseason. John Blake, an assistant who had been forced out with Davis, was found to have received personal loans from agent Gary Wichard that he did not report to UNC, specifically for access to players. He was also cited for not cooperating with investigators. Blake received a three-year show-cause penalty.^[29]

Miami

See main article: 2011 University of Miami athletics scandal. On August 16, Yahoo! Sports broke a story in which former Miami Hurricanes booster Nevin Shapiro, currently imprisoned for running a Ponzi scheme, stated that from 2002 through 2010 he had given massive amounts of improper benefits to Miami players and coaches, mostly in football but also in men's basketball. Shapiro indicated that the benefits included cash, various goods, prostitutes, and even an abortion.^[30]

Penn State

See main article: Penn State child sex abuse scandal. On November 5, former Penn State assistant Jerry Sandusky was indicted on multiple felony charges of sex abuse against minors. Two other high-ranking Penn State administrators—athletic director Tim Curley and vice president for business and finance Gary Schultz (whose job includes supervision of the university police department)—were charged with perjury in the case.^[31] The day after the indictments, the university Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting, at which Curley requested to be placed on administrative leave and Schultz stepped down.^[32] Paterno, who had received notice of inappropriate behavior by Sandusky in 2002 and had reported the allegations to university administrators (though not to police), was not charged or implicated in any wrongdoing. On November 9, he announced his retirement effective at the end of the season, stating he was "absolutely devastated by the developments in this case."^[33] However, hours later, the Penn State Board of Trustees fired Paterno, effective immediately.

Regular season top 10 matchups

Rankings reflect the AP Poll. Rankings for Week 8 and beyond will list BCS Rankings first and AP Poll second. Teams that failed to be a top 10 team for one poll or the other will be noted.

• Week 1
  • No. 4 LSU defeated No. 3 Oregon, 40–27 (Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas)
• Week 3
  • No. 1 Oklahoma defeated No. 5 Florida State, 23–13 (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida)
• Week 4
  • No. 7 Oklahoma State defeated No. 8 Texas A&M, 30–29 (Kyle Field, College Station, Texas)
• Week 5
  • No. 7 Wisconsin defeated No. 8 Nebraska, 48–17 (Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin)
• Week 9
  • No. 9/11 Oklahoma defeated No. 8/10 Kansas State, 58–17 (KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas)
• Week 10
  • No. 1/1 LSU defeated No. 2/2 Alabama, 9–6 ^OT (Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
  • No. 7/8 Arkansas defeated No. 9/10 South Carolina, 44–28 (Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Arkansas)
• Week 11
  • No. 6/7 Oregon defeated No. 4/3 Stanford, 53–30 (Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California)
• Week 13
  • No. 1/1 LSU defeated No. 3/3 Arkansas, 41–17 (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
• Week 14
  • No. 3/3 Oklahoma State defeated No. 10/13 Oklahoma, 44–10 (Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma)

Conference summaries

Rankings reflect the Week 14 AP Poll before the games were played.

Conference championship games

Conference	Champion	Runner-Up	Score	Offensive Player of the Year	Defensive Player of the Year	Coach of the Year
ACC	No. 21 Clemson	No. 5 Virginia Tech	38–10	David Wilson, Virginia Tech[34]	Luke Kuechly, Boston College[35]	Mike London, Virginia[36]
Big Ten	No. 15 Wisconsin	No. 11 Michigan State	42–39	Montee Ball, Wisconsin[37]	Devon Still, Penn State	Brady Hoke, Michigan
C-USA		No. 7 Houston	49–28	Case Keenum, Houston (MVP)[38] Patrick Edwards, Houston	Vinny Curry, Marshall	Kevin Sumlin, Houston
MAC	Northern Illinois	Ohio	23–20	Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois[39]	Drew Nowak, Western Michigan	Ron English, Eastern Michigan
Pac-12	No. 8 Oregon		49–31	Andrew Luck, Stanford[40]	Mychal Kendricks, California	David Shaw, Stanford
SEC	No. 1 LSU		42–10	Trent Richardson, Alabama[41]	Tyrann Mathieu, LSU	Les Miles, LSU

Other conference champions

Conference	Champion	Record	Offensive Player of the Year	Defensive Player of the Year	Coach of the Year
Big 12	No. 3 Oklahoma State	11–1 (8–1)	Robert Griffin III, Baylor[42]	A. J. Klein, Iowa State & Frank Alexander, Oklahoma	Bill Snyder, Kansas State
Big East	Cincinnati Louisville#22 West Virginia| 9–3 (5–2)7–5 (5–2) 9–3 (5–2)| Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati[43] | Khaseem Greene, Rutgers &<br /> Derrick Wolfe, Cincinnati| Butch Jones, Cincinnati|-| MWC| No. 18 TCU| 10–2 (7–0)| Kellen Moore, Boise State[44] | Tank Carder, TCU| Dave Christensen, Wyoming|-| Sun Belt| Arkansas State| 10–2 (8–0)| Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State[45] | Brandon Joiner, Arkansas State| Hugh Freeze, Arkansas State|-| WAC| Louisiana Tech| 8–4 (5–1)| Robert Turbin, Utah State[46] | Adrien Cole, Louisiana Tech| Sonny Dykes, Louisiana Tech|} Final BCS rankings BCS School Record Bowl Game 1 LSU 13–0 BCS Championship 2 Alabama 11–1 BCS Championship 3 Oklahoma State 11–1 Fiesta 4 Stanford 11–1 Fiesta 5 Oregon 11–2 Rose 6 Arkansas 10–2 Cotton 7 Boise State 11–1 Las Vegas 8 Kansas State 10–2 Cotton 9 South Carolina 10–2 Capital One 10 Wisconsin 11–2 Rose 11 Virginia Tech 11–2 Sugar 12 Baylor 9–3 Alamo 13 Michigan 10–2 Sugar 14 Oklahoma 9–3 Insight 15 Clemson 10–3 Orange 16 Georgia 10–3 Outback 17 Michigan State 10–3 Outback 18 TCU 10–2 Poinsettia 19 Houston 12–1 TicketCity 20 Nebraska 9–3 Capital One 21 Southern Miss 11–2 Hawai'i 22 Penn State 9–3 TicketCity 23 West Virginia 9–3 Orange 24 7–5 Holiday 25 Auburn 7–5 Chick-fil-A Bowl games See main article: 2011–12 NCAA football bowl games. 2012 Bowl Championship Series Date Game Site Television Teams Affiliations Winner Jan. 2 Rose Bowl presented by Vizio Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA 5:00 pm No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers (11–2) No. 5 Oregon Ducks (11–2) Big Ten Pac-12 Oregon 45–38 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, AZ 8:30 pm No. 3 Oklahoma State Cowboys (11–1) No. 4 Stanford Cardinal (11–1) Big 12 Pac-12 Oklahoma State 41–38 (OT) Jan. 3 Allstate Sugar Bowl Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA 8:30 pm No. 13 Michigan Wolverines (10–2) No. 11 Virginia Tech Hokies (11–2) Big Ten ACC Michigan 23–20 (OT) Jan. 4 Discover Orange Bowl Sun Life Stadium Miami Gardens, FL 8:30 pm No. 15 Clemson Tigers (10–3) No. 23 West Virginia Mountaineers (9–3) ACC Big East West Virginia 70–33 Jan. 9 Allstate BCS National Championship Game Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA 8:30 pm No. 1 LSU Tigers (13–0) No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (11–1) SEC SEC Alabama 21–0 Other bowl games Date Game Site Television Teams Affiliations Results Dec. 17 Gildan New Mexico Bowl University Stadium University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 2:00 pm ESPN Wyoming Cowboys (8–4) Temple Owls (8–4) MWC MAC Temple 37–15 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Bronco Stadium Boise State University Boise, ID 5:30 pm Ohio Bobcats (9–4) Utah State Aggies (7–5) MAC WAC Ohio 24–23 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA 9:00 pm San Diego State Aztecs (8–4) Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (8–4) MWC Sun Belt Louisiana–Lafayette 32–30 Dec. 20 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg Tropicana Field St. Petersburg, FL 8:00 pm FIU Golden Panthers (8–4) Marshall Thundering Herd (6–6) Sun Belt C-USA Marshall 20–10 Dec. 21 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, CA 8:00 pm No. 18 TCU Horned Frogs (10–2) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8–4) MWC WAC TCU 31–24 Dec. 22 Maaco Bowl Las Vegas Sam Boyd Stadium University of Nevada, Las Vegas Whitney, NV 8:00 pm No. 7 Boise State Broncos (11–1) Arizona State Sun Devils (6–6) MWC Pac-12 Boise State 56–24 Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI 8:00 pm Nevada Wolf Pack (7–5) No. 21 Southern Miss Golden Eagles (11–2) WAC C-USA Southern Miss 24–17 Dec. 26 Advocare Independence Bowl Independence Stadium Shreveport, LA 5:00 pm ESPN2 Missouri Tigers (7–5) North Carolina Tar Heels (7–5) Big 12 ACC Missouri 41–24 Dec. 27 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Ford Field Detroit, MI 4:30 pm ESPN Purdue Boilermakers (6–6) Western Michigan Broncos (7–5) Big Ten MAC Purdue 37–32 Belk Bowl Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, NC 8:00 pm North Carolina State Wolfpack (7–5) Louisville Cardinals (7–5) ACC Big East NC State 31–24 Dec. 28 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman RFK Stadium Washington, DC 4:30 pm Air Force Falcons (7–5) Toledo Rockets (8–4)[47] MWC MAC Toledo 42–41 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, CA 8:00 pm No. 24 Texas Longhorns (7–5) California Golden Bears (7–5) Big 12 Pac-12 Texas 21–10 Dec. 29 Champs Sports Bowl Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 5:30 pm Florida State Seminoles (8–4) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8–4) ACC Independent Florida State 18–14 Valero Alamo Bowl Alamodome San Antonio, TX 9:00 pm No. 12 Baylor Bears (9–3) Washington Huskies (7–5) Big 12 Pac-12 Baylor 67–56 Dec. 30 Bell Helicopters Armed Forces Bowl Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX 12:00 pm BYU Cougars (9–3) Tulsa Golden Hurricane (8–4) Independent C-USA BYU 24–21 New Era Pinstripe Bowl Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY 3:20 pm Iowa State Cyclones (6–6) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8–4) Big 12 Big East Rutgers 27–13 Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl LP Field Nashville, TN 6:40 pm Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6–6) Mississippi State Bulldogs (6–6) ACC SEC Mississippi State 23–17 Insight Bowl Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 10:00 pm Iowa Hawkeyes (7–5) No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners (9–3) Big Ten Big 12 Oklahoma 31–14 Dec. 31 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas Reliant Stadium Houston, TX 12:00 pm Texas A&M Aggies (6–6) Northwestern Wildcats (6–6) Big 12 Big Ten Texas A&M 33–22 Hyundai Sun Bowl Sun Bowl Stadium University of Texas El Paso El Paso, TX 2:00 pm CBS Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8–4) Utah Utes (7–5) ACC Pac-12 Utah 30–27 (OT) AutoZone Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN 3:30 pm ABC Cincinnati Bearcats (9–3) Vanderbilt Commodores (6–6) Big East SEC Cincinnati 31–24 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl AT&T Park San Francisco, CA 3:30 pm ESPN Illinois Fighting Illini (6–6)[48] UCLA Bruins (6–7) Big Ten Pac-12 Illinois 20–14 Chick-fil-A Bowl Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA 7:30 pm No. 25 Auburn Tigers (7–5) Virginia Cavaliers (8–4) SEC ACC Auburn 43–24 Jan. 2 TicketCity Bowl Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX 12:00 pm ESPNU No. 22 Penn State Nittany Lions (9–3) No. 19 Houston Cougars (12–1) Big Ten C-USA Houston 30–14 Outback Bowl Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL 1:00 pm ABC No. 17 Michigan State Spartans (10–3) No. 16 Georgia Bulldogs (10–3) Big Ten SEC Michigan State 33–30 (3OT) Capital One Bowl Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 1:00 pm ESPN No. 20 Nebraska Cornhuskers (9–3) No. 9 South Carolina Gamecocks (10–2) Big Ten SEC South Carolina 30–13 TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl EverBank Field Jacksonville, FL 1:00 pm ESPN2 Ohio State Buckeyes (6–6) Florida Gators (6–6) Big Ten SEC Florida 24–17 Jan. 6 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic Cowboys Stadium Arlington, TX 8:00 pm FOX No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats (10–2) No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks (10–2) Big 12 SEC Arkansas 29–16 Jan. 7 BBVA Compass Bowl Legion Field Birmingham, AL 1:00 pm ESPN SMU Mustangs (7–5) Pittsburgh Panthers (6–6) C-USA Big East SMU 28–6 Jan. 8 GoDaddy.com Bowl Ladd–Peebles Stadium Mobile, AL 9:00 pm Northern Illinois Huskies (10–3) Arkansas State Red Wolves (10–2) MAC Sun Belt Northern Illinois 38–20 Bowl Challenge Cup standings Conference Wins Losses Pct. C-USA 4 1 .800 MAC 4 1 .800 Big 12 6 2 .750 SEC 6 3 .666 Big East 3 2 .600 Division I FBS Independents 1 1 .500 Big Ten 4 6 .400 MWC 2 3 .400 Sun Belt 1 2 .333 Pac-12 2 5 .286 ACC 2 6 .250 WAC 0 3 .000 Awards and honors Heisman Trophy voting The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player Player School Position 1st 2nd 3rd Total Robert Griffin III Baylor QB 405 168 136 1,687 QB 247 250 166 1,407 RB 138 207 150 978 RB 22 83 116 348 CB 34 63 99 327 QB 11 33 54 153 QB 10 20 53 123 QB 6 21 30 90 Wisconsin QB 4 12 15 52 RB 5 12 9 48 Source: [49] Other major awards AP Player of the Year Robert Griffin III, Baylor Maxwell Award (top player): Andrew Luck, Stanford Walter Camp Award (top player): Andrew Luck, Stanford Campbell Trophy ("academic Heisman"; formerly the Draddy Trophy): Andrew Rodriguez, Army Wuerffel Trophy (humanitarian-athlete): Barrett Jones, Alabama Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player): Brandon Boykin, Georgia Burlsworth Trophy (top player who began as walk-on): Austin Davis, Southern Miss Offense Quarterback Davey O'Brien Award (quarterback): Robert Griffin III, Baylor Johnny Unitas Award (senior/4th year quarterback): Andrew Luck, Stanford Manning Award (quarterback): Robert Griffin III, Baylor Sammy Baugh Trophy (quarterback, specifically passer): Case Keenum, Houston Running Back Doak Walker Award (running back): Trent Richardson, Alabama Wide Receiver Fred Biletnikoff Award (wide receiver): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State Tight End John Mackey Award (tight end): Dwayne Allen, Clemson Lineman Dave Rimington Trophy (center): David Molk, Michigan Outland Trophy (interior lineman): Barrett Jones, Alabama Defense Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player): Luke Kuechly, Boston College Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player): Tyrann Mathieu, LSU Lott Trophy (defensive impact): Luke Kuechly, Boston College Defensive Line Ted Hendricks Award (defensive end): Whitney Mercilus, Illinois Lombardi Award (defensive lineman): Luke Kuechly, Boston College Linebacker Dick Butkus Award (linebacker): Luke Kuechly, Boston College Defensive Back Jim Thorpe Award (defensive back): Morris Claiborne, LSU Special teams Lou Groza Award (placekicker): Randy Bullock, Texas A&M Ray Guy Award (punter): Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech Coaches AP Coach of the Year Les Miles, LSU Paul "Bear" Bryant Award Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award Les Miles, LSU Walter Camp Coach of the Year Les Miles, LSU Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award Dabo Swinney, Clemson Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award Nick Saban, AlabamaAssistant Broyles Award (assistant coach): John Chavis, LSU All-Americans See main article: 2011 College Football All-America Team. Records Several significant records were tied or broken on October 22: East Carolina quarterback Dominique Davis set two FBS records for consecutive pass completions in the Pirates' 38–35 win over Navy.[50] Davis completed his first 26 pass attempts, breaking the single-game record of 23 first set in 1998 by Tee Martin of Tennessee against South Carolina and tied in 2004 by Aaron Rodgers of California against USC. Since Davis had also completed his final 10 passes in the Pirates' game the previous week against Memphis, his streak against Navy gave him a total of 36 consecutive completions over two games, breaking the record of 26 set by Rodgers in 2004. Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore led the Broncos to a 37–26 win over Air Force, giving him 45 career wins as a starter. This tied the FBS record of Texas' Colt McCoy (2006–2009); after a bye week, Moore could (and ultimately did) take sole possession of the record at UNLV on November 5.[51] He finished his career 50–3. In Houston's 63–28 win over Marshall, Cougars quarterback Case Keenum set a new FBS record for career total offense, surpassing the 16,910 yards amassed by Timmy Chang of Hawaiʻi from 2000 to 2004.[52] He also brought his career total of touchdowns accounted for (combined passing, rushing, receiving, and returns) to 150, tying the record set by Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour from 2006 to 2009. Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, already the holder of the record for most career wins in FBS, tied Eddie Robinson of Grambling for the most wins in Division I history, with 408, when the Nittany Lions defeated Northwestern 34–24.[53] Paterno, in what would prove to be his final game coached, would claim the record outright the following week, when Penn State defeated Illinois in a defensive struggle, 10–7.[54] On October 27, Keenum's nine touchdown passes in Houston's 73–34 win over crosstown rival Rice gave him 139 for his college career, surpassing the previous record of 134 by Texas Tech's Graham Harrell from 2005 to 2008.[55] He also took sole possession of the record for most touchdowns accounted for, with 159 (and counting). On October 29, Paterno took sole possession of the record for most career wins by a Division I head coach when Penn State defeated Illinois 10–7.[56] This would prove to be Paterno's final game, as he would be fired less than two weeks later in the midst of a sexual abuse scandal (more details below). On November 5: In Houston's 56–13 pasting of UAB, Keenum broke Chang's record for career passing yards, ending the game with 17,212.[57] Boise State defeated UNLV 48–21, giving Moore his 46th career win as a starter and sole possession of that record.[58] On November 19, Keenum added another major FBS record to his collection, surpassing Harrell's previous record of 1,403 career completions in the first quarter of Houston's 37–7 win over SMU. Keenum ended with 1,427 completions.[59] On November 26, Kentucky defeated Tennessee for the first time since 1984. The Wildcats' 10–7 win ended the longest current losing streak against an annual opponent in FBS at 26.[60] Coaching changes Preseason and in-season This is restricted to coaching changes that took place on or after May 1, 2011. For coaching changes that occurred earlier in 2011, see 2010 NCAA Division I FBS end-of-season coaching changes. Team Outgoing coach Date Reason Replacement Ohio State Jim Tressel May 30 Resigned Luke Fickell (interim) West Virginia Bill Stewart June 10 Resigned[61] Dana Holgorsen North Carolina Butch Davis July 27 Fired Everett Withers (interim)[62] New Mexico Mike Locksley September 25 Fired[63] George Barlow (interim) Arizona Mike Stoops October 10 Fired[64] Tim Kish (interim) Tulane Bob Toledo October 18 Resigned[65] Mark Hutson (interim) Penn State Joe Paterno November 9 Fired[66] Tom Bradley (interim) End of season Team Outgoing coach Date announced Reason Replacement Florida Atlantic Howard Schnellenberger August 11 Retired[67] Carl Pelini[68] Ole Miss Houston Nutt November 7 Resigned[69] Hugh Freeze[70] New Mexico George Barlow (interim) November 16 Permanent replacement Bob Davie[71] Arizona Tim Kish (interim) November 21 Permanent replacement Rich Rodriguez[72] Akron Rob Ianello November 26 Fired[73] Terry Bowden[74] Memphis Larry Porter November 27 Fired[75] Justin Fuente[76] Illinois Ron Zook November 27 Fired[77] Tim Beckman[78] UAB Neil Callaway November 27 Fired[79] Garrick McGee[80] Kansas Turner Gill November 27 Fired[81] Charlie Weis[82] Arizona State Dennis Erickson November 27 Fired[83] Todd Graham[84] Ohio State Luke Fickell (interim) November 28 Permanent replacement Urban Meyer[85] UCLA Rick Neuheisel November 28 Fired[86] Jim Mora[87] Washington State Paul Wulff November 29 Fired [88] Mike Leach[89] Texas A&M Mike Sherman December 1 Fired[90] Kevin Sumlin[91] Colorado State Steve Fairchild December 4 Fired[92] Jim McElwain[93] Fresno State Pat Hill December 4 Fired[94] Tim DeRuyter[95] Tulane Mark Hutson (interim) December 5 Permanent replacement Curtis Johnson[96] Arkansas State Hugh Freeze December 5 Hired by Ole Miss Gus Malzahn[97] Hawaiʻi Greg McMackin December 5 Retired[98] Norm Chow[99] North Carolina Everett Withers (interim) December 7 Permanent replacement Larry Fedora[100] Southern Miss Larry Fedora December 7 Hired by North Carolina Ellis Johnson[101] Toledo Tim Beckman December 9 Hired by Illinois Matt Campbell[102] Houston Kevin Sumlin December 10 Hired by Texas A&M<ref name=Sumlin/> Tony Levine[103] Pittsburgh Todd Graham December 14 Hired by Arizona State Paul Chryst[104] Penn State Tom Bradley (interim) January 5 Permanent replacement Bill O'Brien[105] Rutgers Greg Schiano January 26 Hired by Tampa Bay Buccaneers[106] Kyle Flood[107] Arkansas Bobby Petrino April 10 Fired[108] John L. Smith[109] TV ratings Most watched regular season games in 2011 Rank Date Matchup Channel Viewers 1 November 5, 8:00 ET No. 1 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama (Game of the Century (2011)) CBS 20.01 Million 2 December 3, 4:00 ET No. 1 LSU vs. No. 14 Georgia CBS 12.01 Million 3 November 25, 2:30 ET No. 3 Arkansas vs. No. 1 LSU CBS 10.44 Million 4 November 19, 8:00 ET USC vs. No. 4 Oregon, No. 5 Oklahoma vs. No. 22 Baylor Regional ESPN on ABC 9.74 Million 5 September 17, 8:00 ET No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 5 Florida State ESPN on ABC 9.31 Million 6 November 12, 8:00 ET No. 7 Oregon vs. No. 4 Stanford ESPN on ABC 8.73 Million 7 October 29, 8:00 ET No. 5 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech, No. 6 Stanford vs. USC Regional ESPN on ABC 8.43 Million 8 November 26, 12:00 ET Ohio State vs. No. 15 Michigan ESPN on ABC 7.96 Million 9 December 3, 8:15 ET No. 15 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 Michigan State FOX 7.77 Million 10 September 3, 8:00 ET No. 4 LSU vs. No. 3 Oregon ESPN on ABC 7.75 Million Special December 10, 2:30 ET Army vs. Navy CBS 5.50 Million http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2011/12/ratings-near-records-for-bruins-patriots-also-armynavy-finals/ References Notes External links

Notes and References

1. News: Series of rules changes approved . Associated Press . . April 15, 2011 . April 15, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110511110518/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6361845. 11 May 2011 . live.
2. News: Committee proposes rule changes . Associated Press . ESPN . February 12, 2010 .
3. Web site: 2011-08-02 . NCAA taking taunting serious . 2024-05-18 . Jamestown Sun . en.
4. News: Official: Controversial calls correct . Associated Press . ESPN.com . December 30, 2010 . January 17, 2011.
5. News: 'Dooley Rule', two others changes approved by NCAA panel . John . Taylor . April 15, 2011 . NBC Sports .
6. News: NCAA football rule changes outlines . John E . Hoover . July 26, 2011 . Tulsa World Sports Extra . World Publishing Company .
7. Web site: Boise State joins the Mountain West. Schlabach. Mark. June 11, 2010. ESPN.com. College Football Nation Blog. June 11, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100613201852/http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/23121/boise-state-joins-the-mountain-west. 13 June 2010 . live.
8. Web site: Terms for Colorado Withdrawal From Big 12 Announced. Big 12 Conference. September 21, 2010.
9. News: University of Nebraska asks regents to approve move from Big 12 to Big Ten. 2010-06-11. USA Today.
10. Web site: Utah excited by Pac-10 acceptance. ESPN.
11. News: ACC adding Big East's Syracuse, Pitt . Heather . Dinich . ESPN.com . September 19, 2011 . November 10, 2011.
12. News: Texas A&M welcomed to SEC . ESPN.com . September 27, 2011 . October 17, 2011.
13. News: SEC accepts Missouri for 2012–13. November 7, 2011. ESPN.com. November 10, 2011.
14. News: TCU To Join Big 12 Conference. Big12Sports.com. 2017-07-22.
15. News: Big East sues Big 12-bound TCU for $5 million. ESPN.com. 2017-07-22.
16. News: MWC, C-USA to form new conference. Katz. Andy. February 15, 2012. ESPN.com. February 18, 2012.
17. West Virginia University To Join Big 12 Conference . Big 12 Conference . October 28, 2011 . November 10, 2011.
18. News: WVU settles suit, to join Big 12 in July . Andrea . Adelson . ESPN.com . February 14, 2012 . February 18, 2012.
19. News: Big East introduces 5 new schools . Andy . Katz . Andy Katz . ESPN.com . December 8, 2011 . December 10, 2011.
20. News: Boise St., San Diego St. finalize moves . Andy . Katz . ESPN.com . December 7, 2011 . December 10, 2011.
21. Web site: Kenan Stadium - UNC Tar Heels Athletics. goheels.com. en. 2017-07-24.
22. Cal Football to Play 2011 Home Season at San Francisco's AT&T Park . University of California, Berkeley Athletics . May 10, 2010 . January 24, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110814154433/http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051010aae.html . August 14, 2011 .
23. News: Ohio State football: More memorabilia exchanged than previously disclosed. Riepenhoff. Jill. April 28, 2011. The Columbus Dispatch. Wagner. Mike. Columbus, OH.
24. News: The Best Punishment For Tressel? Let Him Stay . The New York Times . William C. . Rhoden . April 27, 2011.
25. News: Jim Tressel tenders resignation . ESPN.com . May 30, 2011 . May 30, 2011.
26. News: Terrelle Pryor exiting OSU amid scandal . ESPN.com . June 8, 2011 . June 10, 2011.
27. News: Ohio State gets one-year bowl ban . ESPN.com . December 20, 2011 . December 20, 2011.
28. News: Butch Davis fired by Tar Heels . ESPN.com . July 27, 2011 . July 27, 2011.
29. News: UNC banned from 2012 postseason . ESPN.com . March 12, 2012 . March 21, 2012.
30. News: Renegade Miami football booster spells out illicit benefits to players . Charles . Robinson . Yahoo! Sports . August 16, 2011 . August 23, 2011.
31. News: Penn State AD Tim Curley faces charges . ESPN.com . November 5, 2011 . November 7, 2011.
32. News: Penn State AD, school VP leave posts . ESPN.com . November 7, 2011 . November 7, 2011.
33. News: Joe Paterno to retire; president out? . ESPN.com . November 9, 2011 . November 9, 2011.
34. Hokies' Wilson named ACC Offensive Player of the Year . https://archive.today/20130203165742/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113011aaf.html . dead . February 3, 2013 . Atlantic Coast Conference . November 30, 2011 . November 30, 2011 .
35. Eagles' Kuechly Named ACC Defensive Player of the Year . https://archive.today/20130203181655/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113011aae.html . dead . February 3, 2013 . Atlantic Coast Conference . November 30, 2011 . November 30, 2011 .
36. Mike London named ACC Coach of the Year . https://archive.today/20120914122041/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112911aah.html . dead . September 14, 2012 . Atlantic Coast Conference . November 29, 2011 . November 29, 2011 .
37. News: Big 10 Player of Year Awards . . November 30, 2011 . December 6, 2011 . December 1, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111201175805/http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-11-30/montee-ball-devon-still-brady-hoke-braxton-miller-big-ten-awards . dead .
38. News: C-USA Player of Year Awards . . December 7, 2011 . December 7, 2011.
39. News: MAC Player of Year . Graham . Couch . mlive.com . November 30, 2011 . December 10, 2011.
40. News: All-Pac-12 Conference Football Team . November 28, 2011 . December 5, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120425122114/http://prod-pac.xosdigital.com/SPORTS/Football/Tabid/1452/Article/139179/All-Pac-12-Conference-Football-Team.aspx . 2012-04-25 . dead .
41. News: SEC Player of Year . Edward . Aschoff . SEC Blog . ESPN.com . December 5, 2011 . December 5, 2011.
42. News: Big 12 Player of Year . . December 7, 2011 . December 7, 2011.
43. News: Big 12 Player of Year . . December 8, 2011 . December 8, 2011.
44. News: MWC Player of Year . . December 6, 2011 . December 6, 2011.
45. News: Sun Belt Player of Year . . December 7, 2011 . December 7, 2011.
46. News: WAC Player of Year . . December 5, 2011 . December 5, 2011.
47. [2011 Navy Midshipmen football team|Navy]
48. [2011 Army Black Knights football team|Army]
49. News: Robert Griffin III wins 77th Heisman . collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com . December 10, 2011 . December 10, 2011.
50. News: ECU's Dominique Davis completes 26 straight throws in win over Navy. https://web.archive.org/web/20111024050614/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312952426. dead. October 24, 2011. October 22, 2011. ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 22, 2011.
51. Web site: No. 5 Boise State holds off challenge from Air Force. https://web.archive.org/web/20111023182147/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312950068. dead. October 23, 2011. October 22, 2011. Associated Press. ESPN.com. October 23, 2011.
52. News: Case Keenum sets NCAA record for total offense as Houston cruises. https://web.archive.org/web/20111024145833/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312950248. dead. October 24, 2011. October 22, 2011. ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 22, 2011.
53. News: Joe Paterno ties Eddie Robinson's Div. I wins mark as D steadies No. 21 Penn St.. https://web.archive.org/web/20111023221133/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312950077. dead. October 23, 2011. October 22, 2011. ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 22, 2011.
54. News: 2011 NCAA Division I-A NCAA Football Scores and Schedules for Week 9. October 29, 2011. ESPN.com. August 17, 2012.
55. News: Case Keenum tosses 9 touchdowns, breaks FBS career record in Houston's win. https://web.archive.org/web/20111029151739/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=313000248. dead. October 29, 2011. October 27, 2011. ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 28, 2011.
56. News: Late missed field goal helps Joe Paterno break record for wins by Division I coach. https://web.archive.org/web/20111031010928/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=313020213. dead. October 31, 2011. October 29, 2011. ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 29, 2011.
57. News: Houston's Case Keenum sets NCAA passing record in romp over UAB. https://web.archive.org/web/20111108071358/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=313090005. dead. November 8, 2011. November 5, 2011. ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 6, 2011.
58. News: Kellen Moore tosses 5 TDs as Boise State drops UNLV. https://archive.today/20120713075107/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=313092439. dead. July 13, 2012. November 5, 2011. ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 6, 2011.
59. News: Houston improves to 11-0 as Case Keenum sets completions record. https://archive.today/20120715001005/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=313230248. dead. July 15, 2012. November 19, 2011. ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 20, 2011.
60. News: Kentucky ends 26-game skid vs. Tennessee, which will miss bowl. https://web.archive.org/web/20111129041411/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=313300096. dead. November 29, 2011. November 26, 2011. ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 10, 2011.
61. News: West Virginia's Bill Stewart resigns . ESPN.com . June 10, 2011 . June 10, 2011.
62. News: Coordinator Everett Withers promoted . Associated Press . ESPN.com . July 28, 2011 . July 30, 2011.
63. News: New Mexico fires Mike Locksley . Adelson, Andrea . ESPN.com . September 25, 2011 . September 25, 2011.
64. News: Arizona fires Mike Stoops . ESPN . ESPN.com . October 10, 2011 . October 10, 2011.
65. News: Tulane coach steps down . ESPN . ESPN.com . October 18, 2011 . October 18, 2011.
66. News: Paterno fired over Penn St. child abuse scandal. CBS News. November 9, 2011. November 10, 2011. October 15, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131015045331/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57321984/paterno-fired-over-penn-st-child-abuse-scandal/. live.
67. News: FAU's Howard Schnellenberger retiring . Associated Press . ESPN.com . August 11, 2011 . September 15, 2011.
68. News: Carl Pelini agrees to become new FAU head coach . ESPN.com . December 1, 2011 . December 1, 2011.
69. News: Houston Nutt resigning at Ole Miss . ESPN.com . November 7, 2011 . November 7, 2011.
70. News: Report: Hugh Freeze to coach Ole Miss . ESPN.com . December 5, 2011 . December 5, 2011.
71. News: Bob Davie hired to coach Lobos . ESPN.com . November 16, 2011 . November 16, 2011.
72. News: Rich Rod to coach Arizona . ESPN.com . November 21, 2011 . November 21, 2011.
73. News: Rob Ianello out as University of Akron football coach . . November 26, 2011 . November 26, 2011.
74. News: Terry Bowden to Coach Akron . ESPN.com . November 22, 2011 . November 22, 2011.
75. News: Memphis Tigers fire coach Larry Porter . . November 27, 2011 . November 27, 2011.
76. News: Source: Memphis to hire Justin Fuente . . December 7, 2011 . December 7, 2011.
77. News: Ron Zook out at Illinois after 7 years . Associated Press . . November 27, 2011 . November 27, 2011.
78. News: Illinois hires Toledo's Tim Beckman . ESPN.com . December 9, 2011 . December 9, 2011.
79. News: UAB fire coach Neil Callaway . . November 27, 2011 . November 27, 2011.
80. News: UAB hires McGee as next football coach . hattiesburgamerican.com . December 3, 2011 . December 3, 2011 .
81. Gill Relieved Of Duties As Kansas Football Coach . University of Kansas Athletics . November 27, 2011 . November 27, 2011.
82. News: Charlie Weis to coach Kansas . ESPN.com . December 8, 2011 . December 8, 2011.
83. News: Dennis Erickson out as coach . Associated Press . ESPN . November 27, 2011 . November 27, 2011.
84. News: Sun Devils find their coach hire Todd Graham . arizonasports.com . December 14, 2011 . December 14, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120110110849/http://arizonasports.com/44/1478219/Reports-Sun-Devils-find-their-coach-hire-Todd-Graham . January 10, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
85. Web site: Urban Meyer accepts job as Ohio State head coach . . November 28, 2011 . November 28, 2011.
86. Web site: Rick Neuheisel out as UCLA Bruins head coach . . November 28, 2011 . November 28, 2011.
87. News: Source: UCLA hires Jim Mora . Peter . Yoon . ESPNLosAngeles.com . December 10, 2011 . December 10, 2011.
88. News: Washington State fires football coach Paul Wulff . Associated Press . . . November 29, 2011 . November 29, 2011 .
89. Web site: Mike Leach agrees to coach Washington State Cougars . . November 30, 2011 . November 30, 2011.
90. News: Texas A&M will fire Sherman . https://archive.today/20130119014334/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-report-texas-am-will-fire-sherman-20111201,0,3983843.story . dead . January 19, 2013 . Chicago Tribune . December 1, 2011 . December 1, 2011 .
91. Web site: Houston's Kevin Sumlin to coach A&M . ESPN.com . December 10, 2011 . December 10, 2011.
92. News: Steve Fairchild out at Colorado State . Associated Press . ESPN.com . December 4, 2011 . December 4, 2011.
93. News: Jim McElwain to be named head coach at Colorado State . al.com . December 12, 2011 . December 12, 2011.
94. News: Pat Hill out as Fresno St. coach . Associated Press . ESPN.com . December 4, 2011 . December 4, 2011.
95. News: Fresno State to announce hiring of Tim DeRuyter as football coach . FresnoBee.com . December 13, 2011 . December 14, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120108014224/http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/13/2648035/source-fresno-state-offers-football.html . 2012-01-08 . dead .
96. Web site: Source: Tulane hires Curtis Johnson . ESPN.com . December 5, 2011 . December 5, 2011.
97. News: Gus Malzahn leaving Auburn to become head coach at Arkansas State . al.com . December 13, 2011 . December 13, 2011.
98. News: Hawaii coach McMackin retires after 4 seasons. https://archive.today/20130119110318/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/ncaa/12/05/hawaii.coach.retires.ap/index.html?sct=cf_t2_a10. dead. January 19, 2013. Sports Illustrated . December 5, 2011 . December 5, 2011.
99. News: Norm Chow to coach Hawaii. . December 20, 2011 . December 20, 2011.
100. News: Larry Fedora to coach UNC . . December 7, 2011 . December 7, 2011.
101. News: Sources: S. Miss hires Ellis Johnson. ESPN.com . December 20, 2011 . December 20, 2011.
102. News: Toledo names Perry grad Matt Campbell head coach . Todd . Porter . . . December 12, 2011 . December 12, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120110125528/http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/x405440632/Source-Campbell-to-be-named-Toledo-football-coach . 2012-01-10 . dead .
103. News: Houston Hires Tony Levine As Head Coach . . December 21, 2011 . December 21, 2011 . April 26, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120426012005/http://tracking.si.com/2011/12/22/houston-hires-tony-levine-as-head-coach/?sct=hp_t2_a9&eref=sihp . dead .
104. News: Pittsburgh to make Paul Chryst head coach . . December 21, 2011 . December 21, 2011.
105. News: Bill O'Brien to coach Penn State . . January 5, 2012 . January 5, 2012.
106. News: Bucs hire Greg Schiano as coach . Adam . Schefter . . January 26, 2012 . January 26, 2012.
107. Web site: Flood gets his chance at Rutgers, 5-year deal.
108. News: Arkansas fires Bobby Petrino . . April 10, 2012 . January 9, 2015.
109. News: Arkansas rehires John L. Smith . ESPN.com . April 24, 2012 . April 24, 2012.