1997 NCAA Division I-A football season
Encyclopedia
The 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season, play of college football
in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
at the Division I-A level, began in late summer 1997 and culminated with the major bowl game
s in early January 1998. The national championship was split for the third time in the 1990s. The Michigan Wolverines
finished the season atop the AP Poll
after completing a 12–0 campaign with a Big Ten Conference
championship and a victory in the Rose Bowl
over Washington State
. The Nebraska Cornhuskers
garnered the top ranking in the Coaches' Poll with a 13–0 record, a Big 12 Conference
championship, and a win over Tennessee
in the Orange Bowl
. Michigan's Charles Woodson
, who played primarily at cornerback
, but also saw time on offense as a wide receiver
and on special teams as a punt returner
, won the Heisman Trophy
, becoming the first primarily-defensive player to win the award. The 1997 season was the third and final season in which the major bowl games were organized under the Bowl Alliance
system. The Bowl Championship Series
was instituted the following year.
In Tom Osborne's last season as head coach, Nebraska took over the #1 ranking in the nation after defeating Texas Tech midway through the season. Three weeks later, despite winning at in an overtime game, Nebraska slipped to a #2 ranking in the polls, as voters weren't impressed by the way the Cornhuskers won the game (a controversial kicked-ball that was caught for the game-tying TD as time expired in regulation); the University of Michigan moved ahead of Nebraska after its 34-8 victory over #3 ranked Penn State University.
The consensus #1 team going into the bowl season was undefeated Michigan, led by coach of the year Lloyd Carr
and Heisman Trophy
winner Charles Woodson
. Michigan went into the 1998 Rose Bowl
against #8 Washington State
ranked #1 in both the AP and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. Michigan defeated Washington State 21–16.
Undefeated #2 Nebraska squared off in the 1998 Orange Bowl
versus the #3 ranked Tennessee Volunteers football team. Unusually for the low-key Osborne and his straight-ahead team, the Cornhuskers made a point of smacking down Tennessee as they defeated the Volunteers 42-17, and after the game campaigned openly for Nebraska to be named the consensus national champion (Grant Wistrom
stated that if "they wanted to give it to Michigan because they haven't won one in 50 years, we don't want it anyway.").
After the bowl games, the AP poll awarded the national championship to Michigan, and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll awarded the national championship to Nebraska, giving Tom Osborne his third national title in four seasons to cap his career. This also marked the last time that a Big 10 (or Pac-10) team would be bound to play in the Rose Bowl instead of heading to a #1-#2 title game, due to the 1998 BCS realignment.
The national title picture could have been even murkier as Florida State
went into their final regular season game ranked #1. However, Fred Taylor of Florida would run for 162 yards and four touchdowns on the nation's top-ranked run defense, one of those touchdowns being the winning score with less than two minutes to play. This game is commonly referred to as "The Greatest Game Ever Played in the Swamp".
The Humanitarian Bowl began play in Boise, Idaho
to help publicise the dwindling Big West Conference
and Boise State. The Broncos with their wacky blue turf
had just made the jump to Division I-A a year earlier. The Big West champion had formerly gone to the Las Vegas Bowl, but the now only 6 team conference wasn't much of a seat filler.
The Motor City Bowl
began play in Detroit, Michigan
hosted by a MAC
team.
The Copper Bowl gained corporate sponsorship and was now known as the Insight.com Bowl.
The MAC
also grew to a 12 team, 2 division conference with a championship game
after the addition of Northern Illinois
from the Big West and newcomer to Division I-A Marshall
. Marshall's addition increased the number of teams in Division I-A to 113. In a scenario similar to the Big West in 1993, this up-and-comer
from Division I-AA was able to win the division in its first year. To be fair, the Thundering Herd had gone unbeaten and won the I-AA national title the previous season, and had future NFL stars Randy Moss
and Chad Pennington
.
East Carolina
joined a conference for the first time since Division I split in 1978, becoming a member of Conference USA
.
+Penn State and Michigan were Big Ten teams, and Washington was a Pac 10 team. The Big Ten and Pac 10 conferences played in the Rose Bowl rather than the Bowl Alliance
championship game.
Others receiving votes: 26. Arizona; 27. Oregon; 28. Air Force; 29. Marshall; 30. Virginia; 31. Clemson; 32. Louisiana Tech; 33. Mississippi St.; 34. Michigan St.; 35. Wisconsin; 36. New Mexico ; 37. Cincinnati; 38. Notre Dame; 39. Iowa; 40. Virginia Tech.
Others receiving votes: 26. Clemson (58); 27. Georgia Tech (55); 28. Iowa (32); 29. Louisiana Tech (31); 30. Oregon (25); 31. Cincinnati (24); 32. Arizona (23); 33. Mississippi St. (20); 34. Michigan St. (16); 35. New Mexico and Wisconsin (13); 37. Tulane (10); 38. Virginia (9); 39. West Virginia (7); 40. Marshall (4); 41. Notre Dame (1).
of Michigan
won the Heisman Trophy
, awarded to the "most outstanding player in collegiate football."
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
at the Division I-A level, began in late summer 1997 and culminated with the major bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
s in early January 1998. The national championship was split for the third time in the 1990s. The Michigan Wolverines
1997 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third year under head coach Lloyd Carr, Michigan compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington State in the 1998...
finished the season atop the AP Poll
AP Poll
The 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...
after completing a 12–0 campaign with a Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championship and a victory in the Rose Bowl
1998 Rose Bowl
The 1998 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1998 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. It was the 84th Rose Bowl Game. The game featured Michigan beating Washington State by a score of 21–16. The ending of the game is controversial...
over Washington State
1997 Washington State Cougars football team
The 1997 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 1997 NCAA college football season. The Cougars were led by ninth-year head coach Mike Price and played their home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington....
. The Nebraska Cornhuskers
1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1997 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:...
garnered the top ranking in the Coaches' Poll with a 13–0 record, a Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
championship, and a win over Tennessee
1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years, and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, but returned...
in the Orange Bowl
1998 Orange Bowl
The 1998 Orange Bowl a 1997-1998 Bowl Alliance game was played on January 2, 1998. This 64th edition to the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee came into the game with an 11-1 record and #3 AP ranking, whereas Nebraska came into the game with a...
. Michigan's Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
, who played primarily at cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, but also saw time on offense as a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
and on special teams as a punt returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
, won the Heisman Trophy
Heisman 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...
, becoming the first primarily-defensive player to win the award. The 1997 season was the third and final season in which the major bowl games were organized under the Bowl Alliance
Bowl Alliance
The Bowl Alliance was an agreement among college football bowl games for the purpose of trying to match the top two teams in a national championship bowl game and to provide quality bowl game matchups for the champions of its member conferences...
system. 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...
was instituted the following year.
In Tom Osborne's last season as head coach, Nebraska took over the #1 ranking in the nation after defeating Texas Tech midway through the season. Three weeks later, despite winning at in an overtime game, Nebraska slipped to a #2 ranking in the polls, as voters weren't impressed by the way the Cornhuskers won the game (a controversial kicked-ball that was caught for the game-tying TD as time expired in regulation); the University of Michigan moved ahead of Nebraska after its 34-8 victory over #3 ranked Penn State University.
The consensus #1 team going into the bowl season was undefeated Michigan, led by coach of the year Lloyd Carr
Lloyd Carr
Lloyd H. Carr is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Michigan from 1995 through the 2007 season. Under Carr, the Wolverines compiled a record of 122–40 and won or shared five Big Ten Conference titles...
and Heisman Trophy
Heisman 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...
winner Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
. Michigan went into the 1998 Rose Bowl
1998 Rose Bowl
The 1998 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1998 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. It was the 84th Rose Bowl Game. The game featured Michigan beating Washington State by a score of 21–16. The ending of the game is controversial...
against #8 Washington State
1997 Washington State Cougars football team
The 1997 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 1997 NCAA college football season. The Cougars were led by ninth-year head coach Mike Price and played their home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington....
ranked #1 in both the AP and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. Michigan defeated Washington State 21–16.
Undefeated #2 Nebraska squared off in the 1998 Orange Bowl
1998 Orange Bowl
The 1998 Orange Bowl a 1997-1998 Bowl Alliance game was played on January 2, 1998. This 64th edition to the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee came into the game with an 11-1 record and #3 AP ranking, whereas Nebraska came into the game with a...
versus the #3 ranked Tennessee Volunteers football team. Unusually for the low-key Osborne and his straight-ahead team, the Cornhuskers made a point of smacking down Tennessee as they defeated the Volunteers 42-17, and after the game campaigned openly for Nebraska to be named the consensus national champion (Grant Wistrom
Grant Wistrom
Grant Alden Wistrom, , is a former American Football defensive end who played for the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks during his 9 year career...
stated that if "they wanted to give it to Michigan because they haven't won one in 50 years, we don't want it anyway.").
After the bowl games, the AP poll awarded the national championship to Michigan, and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll awarded the national championship to Nebraska, giving Tom Osborne his third national title in four seasons to cap his career. This also marked the last time that a Big 10 (or Pac-10) team would be bound to play in the Rose Bowl instead of heading to a #1-#2 title game, due to the 1998 BCS realignment.
The national title picture could have been even murkier as Florida State
1997 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 1997 Florida State Seminoles football team represented the Florida State Seminoles in the college football season of 1997. The team was coached by Bobby Bowden and played their home games in Doak Campbell Stadium.-Schedule:...
went into their final regular season game ranked #1. However, Fred Taylor of Florida would run for 162 yards and four touchdowns on the nation's top-ranked run defense, one of those touchdowns being the winning score with less than two minutes to play. This game is commonly referred to as "The Greatest Game Ever Played in the Swamp".
The Humanitarian Bowl began play in Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
to help publicise the dwindling Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
and Boise State. The Broncos with their wacky blue turf
Bronco Stadium
Bronco Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Boise, Idaho, the home field of the Boise State Broncos of the Mountain West Conference. Since 1997, it has hosted the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Bronco Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Boise, Idaho, the home field of the Boise State Broncos...
had just made the jump to Division I-A a year earlier. The Big West champion had formerly gone to the Las Vegas Bowl, but the now only 6 team conference wasn't much of a seat filler.
The Motor City Bowl
Motor City Bowl
The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played annually since 1997. The first five games were played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Starting in 2002, the game was moved to 65,000-seat Ford Field in downtown...
began play in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
hosted by a MAC
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
team.
The Copper Bowl gained corporate sponsorship and was now known as the Insight.com Bowl.
The MAC
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
also grew to a 12 team, 2 division conference with a championship game
MAC Championship Game
The Marathon MAC Football Championship is a football game between the winners of the East and West divisions of the Mid-American Conference to determine the conference champion. The game has been played since 1997, when the conference was first divided into divisions and since 2003 has been...
after the addition of Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois Huskies football
The Northern Illinois Huskies football team represents Northern Illinois University in the Mid-American Conference of the NCAA's Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision.-History:...
from the Big West and newcomer to Division I-A Marshall
Marshall Thundering Herd football
The Marshall Thundering Herd football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program of Marshall University. The team represents the university as a member of the Conference USA Eastern division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, playing at the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision...
. Marshall's addition increased the number of teams in Division I-A to 113. In a scenario similar to the Big West in 1993, this up-and-comer
1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team
The 1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented the Marshall University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A college football season. It was their first year in the Mid-American Conference.-Regular season:...
from Division I-AA was able to win the division in its first year. To be fair, the Thundering Herd had gone unbeaten and won the I-AA national title the previous season, and had future NFL stars Randy Moss
Randy Moss
Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
and Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
.
East Carolina
East Carolina Pirates football
The East Carolina Pirates is a college football team that represents East Carolina University . The team is currently a member of the Conference USA, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association .The Pirates have won seven conference championships and...
joined a conference for the first time since Division I split in 1978, becoming a member of Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
.
Conference standings
AP Poll progress
| WEEK | #1 | #2 | #3 | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-1 | Penn State+ | Florida | Florida State 1997 Florida State Seminoles football team The 1997 Florida State Seminoles football team represented the Florida State Seminoles in the college football season of 1997. The team was coached by Bobby Bowden and played their home games in Doak Campbell Stadium.-Schedule:... |
|
| 2 | Penn State+ | Florida | Tennessee 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team The 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years, and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, but returned... |
|
| 3 | Penn State+ | Florida | Washington+ | |
| 4 | Penn State+ | Washington+ | Florida | |
| 5-7 | Florida | Penn State+ | Nebraska 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team The 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1997 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:... |
|
| 8 | Penn State+ | Nebraska | Florida State | |
| 9-11 | Nebraska | Penn State+ | Florida State | |
| 12-13 | Michigan 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third year under head coach Lloyd Carr, Michigan compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington State in the 1998... + |
Florida State | Nebraska | |
| 14-16 | Michigan+ | Nebraska | Tennessee |
+Penn State and Michigan were Big Ten teams, and Washington was a Pac 10 team. The Big Ten and Pac 10 conferences played in the Rose Bowl rather than the Bowl Alliance
Bowl Alliance
The Bowl Alliance was an agreement among college football bowl games for the purpose of trying to match the top two teams in a national championship bowl game and to provide quality bowl game matchups for the champions of its member conferences...
championship game.
Bowl games
| BOWL | Location | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Bowl 1998 Rose Bowl The 1998 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1998 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. It was the 84th Rose Bowl Game. The game featured Michigan beating Washington State by a score of 21–16. The ending of the game is controversial... |
#1/2 Michigan 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third year under head coach Lloyd Carr, Michigan compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington State in the 1998... |
21 | #8 Washington State 1997 Washington State Cougars football team The 1997 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 1997 NCAA college football season. The Cougars were led by ninth-year head coach Mike Price and played their home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington.... |
16 | Pasadena |
| Orange Bowl 1998 Orange Bowl The 1998 Orange Bowl a 1997-1998 Bowl Alliance game was played on January 2, 1998. This 64th edition to the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee came into the game with an 11-1 record and #3 AP ranking, whereas Nebraska came into the game with a... |
#1/2 Nebraska 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team The 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1997 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:... |
42 | #3 Tennessee 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team The 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years, and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, but returned... |
17 | Miami |
| Sugar Bowl 1998 Sugar Bowl The 1998 Sugar Bowl was played on January 1, 1998. This 64th edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Florida State Seminoles... |
#4 Florida State 1997 Florida State Seminoles football team The 1997 Florida State Seminoles football team represented the Florida State Seminoles in the college football season of 1997. The team was coached by Bobby Bowden and played their home games in Doak Campbell Stadium.-Schedule:... |
31 | #9 Ohio State 1997 Ohio State Buckeyes football team The 1997 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1997-1998. The Buckeyes compiled a 10–3 record, including the 1998 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they lost 31–14 to the Florida State Seminoles.-Schedule:-NFL... |
14 | New Orleans |
| #5 | 29 | #20 Texas A&M 1997 Texas A&M Aggies football team The 1997 Texas A&M Aggies football team completed the season with a 9-4 record. The Aggies had a regular season Big 12 record of 6-2.-Schedule:-Roster: 1 MICHAEL JAMESON DB 3 KYLE BRYANT PK... |
23 | Dallas | |
| #6 Florida | 21 | #11 Penn State | 6 | Orlando | |
| Gator Bowl 1998 Gator Bowl The 1998 Gator Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game between the and the Tar Heels from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on January 1, 1998... |
#7 North Carolina 1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football team The 1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football team, coached by Mack Brown finished the season 11-1 overall, 7-1 in the conference. At the end of the season, Mack Brown left for Texas and as a result, did not coach in the Gator Bowl victory over . Carl Torbush, who was the defensive coordinator... |
42 | 3 | Jacksonville | |
| Fiesta Bowl 1997 Fiesta Bowl (December) The 1997 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the Kansas State Wildcats and the on December 31, 1997, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Kansas State defeated Syracuse, 35-18... |
#10 Kansas State 1997 Kansas State Wildcats football team The 1997 Kansas State Wildcats football team, generally considered the greatest football team in school history, represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 1997. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. 1997... |
35 | #14 | 18 | Tempe, AZ |
| Outback Bowl 1998 Outback Bowl The 1998 edition to the Outback Bowl featured the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Wisconsin Badgers.Georgia scored first on a 2 yard touchdown run from running back Robert Edwards, giving Georgia an early 6-0 lead... |
#12 Georgia | 33 | Wisconsin 1997 Wisconsin Badgers football team The 1997 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-Season Summary:... |
6 | Tampa |
| #13 Auburn 1997 Auburn Tigers football team The 1997 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team, coached by Terry Bowden, finished with a 10–3 record and won the school's first SEC West Division championship, but lost by a point to Tennessee in the 1997 SEC Championship... |
21 | Clemson | 17 | Atlanta | |
| #15 LSU 1997 LSU Tigers football team The 1997 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 1997–1998. Coached by Gerry DiNardo in his third season at LSU, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.... |
27 | Notre Dame | 9 | Shreveport | |
| Sun Bowl 1997 Sun Bowl The 1997 Norwest Sun Bowl featured the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Arizona State Sun Devils.After a scoreless first quarter, Arizona State scored first, with a 35 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Steve Campbell to wide receiver Lenzie Jackson to give ASU an early 7-0 lead... |
#16 Arizona State 1997 Arizona State Sun Devils football team The 1997 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the college football season of 1997-1998. The team's head coach was Bruce Snyder, who was coaching his sixth season with the Sun Devils and 18th season overall. Home games were played at Sun Devil Stadium in... |
17 | Iowa 1997 Iowa Hawkeyes football team The 1997 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1997 college football season.-Schedule:... |
0 | El Paso |
| Alamo Bowl 1997 Alamo Bowl The 1997 edition to the Alamo Bowl featured the Purdue Boilermakers, and the .Oklahoma State took an early 3-0 lead on a field goal. Purdue responded with an 18 yard touchdown pass from Billy Dicken, to take a 7-3 lead... |
#17 Purdue 1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team The 1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. They played their home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana and were members of the Big Ten Conference.-Schedule:... |
33 | #24 | 20 | San Antonio |
| Holiday Bowl 1997 Holiday Bowl The 1997 Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 29, 1997 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the , and the .... |
#18 | 35 | #20 | 24 | San Diego |
| Aloha Bowl 1997 Aloha Bowl The 1997 Aloha Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 25, 1997 in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was part of the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the Washington Huskies of the Pac-10 and the Michigan State Spartans of the Big Ten... |
#21 Washington | 51 | #25 Michigan St 1997 Michigan State Spartans football team The 1997 Michigan State Spartans football team competed on behalf of Michigan State University in the Big Ten Conference during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Head coach Nick Saban was in his third season with the Spartans. Michigan State played their home games at Spartan Stadium in... |
23 | Honolulu |
| #22 | 41 | Pittsburgh 1997 Pittsburgh Panthers football team The 1997 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1997 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:... |
7 | Memphis | |
| 35 | 30 | Miami | |||
| Insight.com Bowl 1997 Insight.com Bowl The 1997 Insight.com Bowl was the 9th edition to the bowl game. It featured the Arizona Wildcats and the . It was a meeting of old Western Athletic Conference and Border Conference rivals.... |
Arizona 1997 Arizona Wildcats football team The 1997 Arizona Wildcats football team represented University of Arizona during the 1997 NCAA college football season.-Regular season:*In the Territorial Bowl, the Wildcats beat Arizona State by a score of 28-16.-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:... |
20 | 14 | Tempe, AZ | |
| Las Vegas Bowl 1997 Las Vegas Bowl The 1997 edition to the Las Vegas Bowl was the 6th edition of that annual game. It featured the , and the . Despite being decisive underedogs, the Oregon Ducks crushed 21st ranked Air Force... |
41 | 13 | Las Vegas | ||
| 34 | Marshall 1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team The 1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented the Marshall University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A college football season. It was their first year in the Mid-American Conference.-Regular season:... |
31 | Detroit | ||
| Humanitarian Bowl 1997 Humanitarian Bowl The 1997 edition to the Humanitarian Bowl was the 1st edition of the bowl game. It featured the and the .Cincinnati took a 7-0 lead on a 14 yard touchdown pass from Chad Plummer to Cornelius Bonner. They led 14-0 on a 14 yard scoring pass from Deontey Kenner to Cornelius Bonner... |
35 | 19 | Boise |
Final AP Poll
- Michigan1997 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third year under head coach Lloyd Carr, Michigan compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington State in the 1998...
- Nebraska1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1997 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:...
- Florida State1997 Florida State Seminoles football teamThe 1997 Florida State Seminoles football team represented the Florida State Seminoles in the college football season of 1997. The team was coached by Bobby Bowden and played their home games in Doak Campbell Stadium.-Schedule:...
- Florida
- North Carolina1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football teamThe 1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football team, coached by Mack Brown finished the season 11-1 overall, 7-1 in the conference. At the end of the season, Mack Brown left for Texas and as a result, did not coach in the Gator Bowl victory over . Carl Torbush, who was the defensive coordinator...
- Tennessee1997 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years, and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, but returned...
- Kansas St.1997 Kansas State Wildcats football teamThe 1997 Kansas State Wildcats football team, generally considered the greatest football team in school history, represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 1997. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. 1997...
- Washington St.1997 Washington State Cougars football teamThe 1997 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 1997 NCAA college football season. The Cougars were led by ninth-year head coach Mike Price and played their home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington....
- Georgia
- Auburn1997 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1997 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team, coached by Terry Bowden, finished with a 10–3 record and won the school's first SEC West Division championship, but lost by a point to Tennessee in the 1997 SEC Championship...
- Ohio St.1997 Ohio State Buckeyes football teamThe 1997 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1997-1998. The Buckeyes compiled a 10–3 record, including the 1998 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they lost 31–14 to the Florida State Seminoles.-Schedule:-NFL...
- LSU1997 LSU Tigers football teamThe 1997 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 1997–1998. Coached by Gerry DiNardo in his third season at LSU, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana....
- Arizona St.1997 Arizona State Sun Devils football teamThe 1997 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the college football season of 1997-1998. The team's head coach was Bruce Snyder, who was coaching his sixth season with the Sun Devils and 18th season overall. Home games were played at Sun Devil Stadium in...
- Purdue1997 Purdue Boilermakers football teamThe 1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. They played their home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana and were members of the Big Ten Conference.-Schedule:...
- Penn St.
- Washington
- Texas A&M1997 Texas A&M Aggies football teamThe 1997 Texas A&M Aggies football team completed the season with a 9-4 record. The Aggies had a regular season Big 12 record of 6-2.-Schedule:-Roster: 1 MICHAEL JAMESON DB 3 KYLE BRYANT PK...
Others receiving votes: 26. Arizona; 27. Oregon; 28. Air Force; 29. Marshall; 30. Virginia; 31. Clemson; 32. Louisiana Tech; 33. Mississippi St.; 34. Michigan St.; 35. Wisconsin; 36. New Mexico ; 37. Cincinnati; 38. Notre Dame; 39. Iowa; 40. Virginia Tech.
Final Coaches Poll
- Nebraska1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1997 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:...
- Michigan1997 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third year under head coach Lloyd Carr, Michigan compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington State in the 1998...
- Florida State1997 Florida State Seminoles football teamThe 1997 Florida State Seminoles football team represented the Florida State Seminoles in the college football season of 1997. The team was coached by Bobby Bowden and played their home games in Doak Campbell Stadium.-Schedule:...
- North Carolina1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football teamThe 1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football team, coached by Mack Brown finished the season 11-1 overall, 7-1 in the conference. At the end of the season, Mack Brown left for Texas and as a result, did not coach in the Gator Bowl victory over . Carl Torbush, who was the defensive coordinator...
- Florida
- Kansas St.1997 Kansas State Wildcats football teamThe 1997 Kansas State Wildcats football team, generally considered the greatest football team in school history, represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 1997. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. 1997...
- Tennessee1997 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years, and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, but returned...
- Washington St.1997 Washington State Cougars football teamThe 1997 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 1997 NCAA college football season. The Cougars were led by ninth-year head coach Mike Price and played their home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington....
- Georgia
- Auburn1997 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1997 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team, coached by Terry Bowden, finished with a 10–3 record and won the school's first SEC West Division championship, but lost by a point to Tennessee in the 1997 SEC Championship...
- Ohio St.1997 Ohio State Buckeyes football teamThe 1997 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1997-1998. The Buckeyes compiled a 10–3 record, including the 1998 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they lost 31–14 to the Florida State Seminoles.-Schedule:-NFL...
- Louisiana St.1997 LSU Tigers football teamThe 1997 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 1997–1998. Coached by Gerry DiNardo in his third season at LSU, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana....
- Arizona St.1997 Arizona State Sun Devils football teamThe 1997 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represented Arizona State University in the college football season of 1997-1998. The team's head coach was Bruce Snyder, who was coaching his sixth season with the Sun Devils and 18th season overall. Home games were played at Sun Devil Stadium in...
- Purdue1997 Purdue Boilermakers football teamThe 1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. They played their home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana and were members of the Big Ten Conference.-Schedule:...
- Penn St.
- Washington
- Texas A&M1997 Texas A&M Aggies football teamThe 1997 Texas A&M Aggies football team completed the season with a 9-4 record. The Aggies had a regular season Big 12 record of 6-2.-Schedule:-Roster: 1 MICHAEL JAMESON DB 3 KYLE BRYANT PK...
Others receiving votes: 26. Clemson (58); 27. Georgia Tech (55); 28. Iowa (32); 29. Louisiana Tech (31); 30. Oregon (25); 31. Cincinnati (24); 32. Arizona (23); 33. Mississippi St. (20); 34. Michigan St. (16); 35. New Mexico and Wisconsin (13); 37. Tulane (10); 38. Virginia (9); 39. West Virginia (7); 40. Marshall (4); 41. Notre Dame (1).
Heisman Trophy
Charles WoodsonCharles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
of Michigan
1997 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third year under head coach Lloyd Carr, Michigan compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington State in the 1998...
won the Heisman Trophy
Heisman 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...
, awarded to the "most outstanding player in collegiate football."
Voting
| Place | Name | Team | Class | Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Woodson Charles Woodson Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship... |
Michigan 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third year under head coach Lloyd Carr, Michigan compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington State in the 1998... |
Junior | Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
433 | 209 | 98 | 1,815 |
| 2 | Peyton Manning Peyton Manning Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the... |
Tennessee 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team The 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years, and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, but returned... |
Senior | Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
281 | 263 | 174 | 1,543 |
| 3 | Ryan Leaf Ryan Leaf Ryan David Leaf is a former American football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League for four seasons... |
Washington State 1997 Washington State Cougars football team The 1997 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 1997 NCAA college football season. The Cougars were led by ninth-year head coach Mike Price and played their home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington.... |
Junior | Quarterback | 70 | 203 | 241 | 861 |
| 4 | Randy Moss Randy Moss Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft... |
Marshall 1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team The 1997 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented the Marshall University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A college football season. It was their first year in the Mid-American Conference.-Regular season:... |
Sophomore | Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
17 | 56 | 90 | 253 |
| 5 | Ricky Williams Ricky Williams Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft... |
Junior | Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
3 | 18 | 20 | 65 | |
| 6 | Curtis Enis Curtis Enis Curtis D. Enis is a former professional American football player. For three seasons he played running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League... |
Penn State | Junior | Running back | 3 | 18 | 20 | 65 |
| 7 | Tim Dwight Tim Dwight Timothy Deutch Dwight, Jr. is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft... |
Iowa 1997 Iowa Hawkeyes football team The 1997 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1997 college football season.-Schedule:... |
Senior | Wide receiver | 5 | 3 | 11 | 32 |
| 8 | Cade McNown Cade McNown Cade B. McNown is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League... |
Junior | Quarterback | 0 | 7 | 12 | 26 | |
| 9 | Tim Couch Tim Couch Timothy Scott "Tim" Couch is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Kentucky... |
Sophomore | Running back | 0 | 5 | 12 | 22 | |
| 10 | Charles Woodson Charles Woodson Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship... |
Michigan 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third year under head coach Lloyd Carr, Michigan compiled a perfect 12–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington State in the 1998... |
Sophomore | Running back | 3 | 1 | 10 | 21 |
Other major awards
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
(College Player of the Year) - Peyton ManningPeyton ManningPeyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
, TennesseeUniversity of TennesseeThe University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States... - Walter Camp AwardWalter Camp AwardThe Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
(Back) - Charles WoodsonCharles WoodsonCharles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
, MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan... - Davey O'Brien AwardDavey O'Brien AwardThe Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The...
(Quarterback) - Peyton ManningPeyton ManningPeyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
, TennesseeUniversity of TennesseeThe University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States... - Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardJohnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardThe Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually in the United States to the nation's outstanding senior quarterback in college football. It was established in 1987 by a foundation named for Johnny Unitas , the Hall of Fame quarterback who played his college career at the University of...
(Senior Quarterback) - Peyton ManningPeyton ManningPeyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
, TennesseeUniversity of TennesseeThe University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States... - Doak Walker AwardDoak Walker AwardThe Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker...
(Running Back) - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
, TexasUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin... - Fred Biletnikoff AwardFred Biletnikoff AwardThe Fred Biletnikoff Award has been presented since 1994 to America's top college football receiver by the TQC Foundation, Inc. , an independent not-for-profit organization which created the award in 1994 and has sponsored it since...
(Wide Receiver) - Randy MossRandy MossRandy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
, MarshallMarshall UniversityMarshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States.... - Bronko Nagurski TrophyBronko Nagurski TrophyThe Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
(Defensive Player) - Charles WoodsonCharles WoodsonCharles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
, MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan... - Dick Butkus AwardDick Butkus AwardThe Butkus Award, instituted in 1985, is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football...
(Linebacker) - Andy KatzenmoyerAndy KatzenmoyerAndrew Warren Katzenmoyer is a former professional American football player and the first Butkus Award-winning middle linebacker to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes...
, Ohio St.Ohio State UniversityThe Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States... - Lombardi AwardLombardi AwardThe Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
(Lineman or Linebacker) - Grant WistromGrant WistromGrant Alden Wistrom, , is a former American Football defensive end who played for the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks during his 9 year career...
, Nebraska - Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
(Interior Lineman) - Aaron Taylor, Nebraska - Jim Thorpe AwardJim Thorpe AwardThe Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986...
(Defensive Back) - Charles WoodsonCharles WoodsonCharles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
, MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan... - Lou Groza AwardLou Groza AwardThe Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top college football placekicker in the United States by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award is named after former Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns player Lou Groza.-Winners:...
(Placekicker) - Martin GramaticaMartin GramaticaMartín Gramática is an Argentine-American former football placekicker.Gramática was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft after playing college football at Kansas State, and has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Dallas...
, Kansas StateKansas State UniversityKansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States... - Paul "Bear" Bryant Award - Lloyd CarrLloyd CarrLloyd H. Carr is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Michigan from 1995 through the 2007 season. Under Carr, the Wolverines compiled a record of 122–40 and won or shared five Big Ten Conference titles...
, MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan... - Football Writers Association of AmericaFootball Writers Association of AmericaThe Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA...
Coach of the Year Award: Mike PriceMike PriceMike Price is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach at the University of Texas at El Paso , a position he has held since 2004...
, Washington St.Washington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...