The
2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in a split national championship. This was the first split title since the inception of the BCS, something the BCS intended to eliminate.
At season's end, three major conference teams finished the regular season with one loss, with only two spots available in the
BCS National Championship GameThe BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
. Three non-BCS teams also finished with one loss,
TCUThe 2003 TCU Horned Frogs football team represented Texas Christian University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. TCU finished with an 11–1 record. The team was coached by Gary Patterson and played their home games at Amon G...
,
Boise StateThe 2003 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2003 college football season. Boise State competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference , and played their home games at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho...
and
Miami (OH)The 2003 Miami RedHawks football team represented Miami University in the college football season of 2003. They competed in the Mid-American Conference East Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the football season...
, stirring the debate of the BCS being unfair to mid-major teams.
USCThe 2003 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2003-2004 NCAA Division I-A college football season...
had lost a triple overtime thriller at on September 27,
LSUThe 2003 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2003–2004. Coached by Nick Saban, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After a bit of controversy, LSU won the BCS National Championship, the first...
lost at home to
FloridaThe 2003 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2003 college football season...
on October 11, and Oklahoma, which had been #1 in every BCS rating, AP and Coaches' Poll of the season, had been shocked by
Kansas StateThe 2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 11 and 4, and a...
in the
Big 12 Championship GameThe 2003 Big 12 Championship Game was played on December 6, 2003 in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The game determined the 2003 football champion of the Big 12 Conference. The Oklahoma Sooners, winners of the South division of the Big 12, were upset by the Kansas State Wildcats, who...
, 35-7 on December 6. Although USC, then 11-1, finished ranked #1 in both the
APThe Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
and Coaches' Polls, with LSU (12-1) ranked #2 and Oklahoma (12-1) #3, Oklahoma surpassed both USC and LSU on several BCS computer factors. Oklahoma's schedule strength was ranked 11th to LSU's 29th and USC's 37th. Oklahoma's schedule rank was 0.44 to LSU's 1.16 and USC's 1.48. As such, despite the timing of Oklahoma's loss affecting the human voters, the computers kept Oklahoma at #1 in the BCS poll, with LSU ranked #2 and USC #3, but being separated by only 0.16 points.
LSU defeated Oklahoma in the
2004 Sugar BowlThe 2004 Sugar Bowl, the BCS title game for the 2003 college football season, was played on January 4, 2004 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The teams were LSU Tigers and the Oklahoma Sooners...
, securing the BCS National Championship, as the
ESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
/
USA TodayUSA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
Coaches' Poll is contractually obligated to vote the winner of the BCS National Championship Game #1. Meanwhile, when AP #1 USC beat
MichiganThe 2003 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2003 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The team won the first of its back to back Big Ten Championships...
in the
2004 Rose BowlThe 2004 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game held on January 1, 2004 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It was the 90th Rose Bowl Game. The USC Trojans, champions of the Pacific-10 Conference, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, champions of the Big Ten Conference, 28-14...
, the AP voters kept USC in the top spot, and USC secured the AP title.
On January 9, 2004,
Ted WaittTheodore "Ted" Waitt is an American billionaire who was a co-founder of Gateway, Inc.- Biography :Waitt was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa and attended the University of Iowa. Waitt and Mike Hammond started Gateway 2000 on September 5, 1985 with a $10,000 loan secured by Waitt's grandmother...
, CEO of Gateway Computers offered the NCAA $31 million for a national championship game between USC and Louisiana State. The NCAA did not consider the offer, leaving the year without an unarguable national champion.
Army became the first team in Division 1A NCAA football modern history to finish the season 0-13.
The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award sponsored by ESPN chose USC coach
Pete CarrollPeter Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice-President of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is a former head coach of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-Early life:Carroll attended Redwood High...
as their award recipient, while the
Paul BryantPaul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
Coach of the Year Award, voted on by an association of sportswriters, chose LSU Coach
Nick SabanNicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
.
The
Orange Bowl gameThe 2004 FedEx Orange Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the and the Florida State Seminoles on January 1, 2004, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami defeated FSU 16-14 in a stout defensive battle...
was noteworthy in that
MiamiThe Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
and
Florida State-Schedule:...
previously had scheduled to play each other on
Labor DayLabor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
in 2004. Playing in the Orange Bowl ensured that their next meeting would be each of their very next games and their first of the 2004 season.
TexasThe 2003 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by head football coach Mack Brown and led on the field by redshirt fresman quarterback Vince Young....
was also affected by the BCS controversy. Oklahoma's late loss kept Texas from appearing in one of the BCS games. Had Oklahoma won the Big 12 championship, the two at-large teams would have been
Ohio StateThe 2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State finished the season with a record of 11-2 and placed second in the...
and Texas. But with the loss, Kansas State received the Big 12 bid and Oklahoma one of the at-large bids, leaving #5 Texas on the outside looking in. Texas lost to
Washington StateThe 2003 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team was led by first-year head coach Bill Doba, and played its home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington....
in the
Holiday BowlThe 2003 Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 30, 2003 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the Washington State Cougars against the Texas Longhorns. Washington State pulled off a major upset by winning 28-20.The...
.
Standings
Bowl Championship Series rankings
| WEEK |
#1 |
#2 |
EVENT |
| OCT 20 |
Oklahoma |
|
|
| OCT 27 |
Oklahoma |
Miami |
31, Miami 7 |
| NOV 3 |
Oklahoma |
USCThe 2003 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2003-2004 NCAA Division I-A college football season...
|
|
| NOV 10 |
Oklahoma |
USC |
|
| NOV 17 |
Oklahoma |
Ohio StateThe 2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State finished the season with a record of 11-2 and placed second in the...
|
Michigan The 2003 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2003 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The team won the first of its back to back Big Ten Championships...
35, Ohio State 21 |
| NOV 24 |
Oklahoma |
USC |
|
| DEC 1 |
Oklahoma |
USC |
LSUThe 2003 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2003–2004. Coached by Nick Saban, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After a bit of controversy, LSU won the BCS National Championship, the first...
34, Georgia 13 |
| FINAL |
Oklahoma |
LSU |
|
Bowl games
Rankings given are AP poll positions at time of game
BCS bowls
- Sugar Bowl
The 2004 Sugar Bowl, the BCS title game for the 2003 college football season, was played on January 4, 2004 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The teams were LSU Tigers and the Oklahoma Sooners...
, BCS National Championship Game: #2 (BCS #2) LSUThe 2003 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2003–2004. Coached by Nick Saban, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After a bit of controversy, LSU won the BCS National Championship, the first...
21, #3 (BCS #1) Oklahoma 14
- Rose Bowl
The 2004 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game held on January 1, 2004 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It was the 90th Rose Bowl Game. The USC Trojans, champions of the Pacific-10 Conference, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, champions of the Big Ten Conference, 28-14...
: #1 (Pac 10 Champ) Southern CaliforniaThe 2003 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2003-2004 NCAA Division I-A college football season...
28, #4 (Big 10 Champ) MichiganThe 2003 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2003 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The team won the first of its back to back Big Ten Championships...
14
- Orange Bowl
The 2004 FedEx Orange Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the and the Florida State Seminoles on January 1, 2004, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami defeated FSU 16-14 in a stout defensive battle...
: #9 (Big East Champ) 16, #8 (ACC Champ) Florida State-Schedule:...
14
- Fiesta Bowl
The 2004 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, played on January 2, 2004, was the 33rd edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game pitted #7 Ohio State against #8 Kansas State. It was a match-up between a perennial powerhouse in Ohio State, and a school that was only recently accustomed to winning in Kansas State...
: #6 (At Large) Ohio StateThe 2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State finished the season with a record of 11-2 and placed second in the...
35, #10 (Big 12 Champ) Kansas StateThe 2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 11 and 4, and a...
28
Other January bowls
: #18
MississippiThe 2003 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by David Cutcliffe, the Rebels played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium.-Season:...
31, #22 28
- 2004 Capital One Bowl
The 2004 Capital One Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 1, 2004, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Georgia entered the game after a disappointing loss in the SEC Championship Game, while Purdue entered as the...
: #11 Georgia 34, #13 PurdueThe 2003 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 2003 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Tiller and played its home games at Ross-Ade Stadium...
27 (OT)
- 2004 Gator Bowl
The 2004 Gator Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on 1 January 2004...
: #24 MarylandThe 2003 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 51st season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
41, #23 West VirginiaThe 2003 West Virginia Mountaineers rebounded from a 1–4 start to end the season 8–5 and captured a share of the Big East Conference Championship, the schools first since 1993...
7
- 2004 Outback Bowl
The 2004 Outback Bowl featured the Florida Gators, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.Florida appeared to come out of the gates swinging, with quarterback Chris Leak throwing a 70-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kelvin Kight to take an early 7-0 lead. Iowa got on the board following a 3 yard touchdown pass...
: #12 IowaThe 2003 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2003 college football season. Following a 2002 season that saw the Hawkeyes finish 11-2 with a Big Ten championship, expectations for a third straight post-season game were well warranted...
37, #17 FloridaThe 2003 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2003 college football season...
17
- Peach Bowl
The 2004 edition to the Peach Bowl featured the Clemson Tigers, and the Tennessee Volunteers.Clemson scored first on an 8 yard touchdown run from Duane Coleman, giving Clemson a 7–0 lead. Aaron Hunt kicked a 23 yard field goal giving Clemson a 10–0 lead...
: Clemson 27, #7 TennesseeThe 2003 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2003 college football season. The team was coached by Phillip Fulmer. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed in the Eastern Division of the SEC...
14
- Humanitarian Bowl
The 2004 Humanitarian Bowl was the 7th edition of the bowl game. The next edition was played in December 2004, almost a year from this game, and the name was changed after this contest to the "MPC Computers Bowl". This game featured the , and the . In this game Georgia Tech set several Humanitarian...
: 52, 10
December Bowl games
: Texas Tech 38, 14
- Liberty Bowl
The 2003 AXA Liberty Bowl, played on December 31, 2003, was the 45th edition of the Liberty Bowl. The game was played between the Utah Utes, and the , in front of 55,989 fans....
: #25 (MWC Champ) UtahThe Utah Utes 2003 football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2003-2004. This was Urban Meyer's first year coaching at the school, after being hired from Bowling Green...
17, (C-USA Champ) 0
- Continental Tire Bowl
The 2003 edition to the Continental Tire Bowl featured the Pittsburgh Panthers, and the Virginia Cavaliers. The game was the second edition to this bowl game. The game was played on Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 11:00 AM EST...
: VirginiaThe 2003 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's coach was coach Al Groh. They played their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.- Schedule :...
23, PittsburghThe 2003 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2003 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:...
16: 27, Missouri 14: 17, 9
- Sun Bowl
The 2003 Wells Fargo Sun Bowl featured the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and the Oregon Ducks, a rematch of the 1999 Sun Bowl.After a scoreless first quarter, Oregon quarterback Kellen Clemens passed to wide receiver Dante Rosario for a 19 yard touchdown pass, giving Oregon an early 7-0 lead...
: #20 Minnesota 31, Oregon-Recruiting:-Schedule:-Game 12: Oregon State:107th Civil War...
30
- Music City Bowl
The 2003 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl was played on December 31, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee, and featured the Auburn Tigers and the Wisconsin Badgers. It was the sixth edition of the game.-Recap of game:...
: AuburnThe 2003 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Auburn began the season with high expectations, but stumbled out of the gate before finishing the season with a disappointing 8–5 record, including a 5–3 record in the SEC, good for...
28, WisconsinThe 2003 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2003 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by Barry Alvarez, the Badgers completed the season with a 7–6 record, including a 4–4 mark in the Big Ten Conference, finishing in a tie for 7th in the...
14
- Holiday Bowl
The 2003 Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 30, 2003 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the Washington State Cougars against the Texas Longhorns. Washington State pulled off a major upset by winning 28-20.The...
: #14 Washington StateThe 2003 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team was led by first-year head coach Bill Doba, and played its home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington....
28, #5 TexasThe 2003 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by head football coach Mack Brown and led on the field by redshirt fresman quarterback Vince Young....
20: 35, 21
- Alamo Bowl
The 2003 Alamo Bowl was an American football bowl game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Nebraska Cornhuskers played December 29, 2003 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas....
: #21 NebraskaThe 2003 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Frank Solich and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
17, Michigan StateThe 2003 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2003-2004 college football season.The Spartans play their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. This was the first year for head coach John L...
3
- Insight Bowl
The 2003 Insight Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game between the and the at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona on December 26, 2003. The game was the final contest of the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 52–49 victory for California...
: 52, 49
- Tangerine Bowl
The 2003 Tangerine Bowl was the 14th edition of the college football bowl game and was played on December 22, 2003, featuring the , and the .NC State started the scoring with a 45 yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to Richard Washington, to give NC State a 7-0 lead. Bill Whittemore threw a 23...
: 56, 26: 28, 24
- Hawai'i Bowl: Hawai'i
The 2003 Hawaii Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Hawaii finished the 2003 season with a 9-5 record, going 6-2 in WAC play. The Warriors made their second straight appearance in the Hawaii Bowl, facing off...
54, 48 (3 OT)
- Fort Worth Bowl
The 2003 edition to the Fort Worth Bowl, the inaugural edition of the game, featured the Boise State Broncos, and the TCU Horned Frogs. The title sponsor for the game was PlainsCapital Bank....
: #16 (WAC Champ) Boise StateThe 2003 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2003 college football season. Boise State competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference , and played their home games at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho...
34, #19 TCUThe 2003 TCU Horned Frogs football team represented Texas Christian University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. TCU finished with an 11–1 record. The team was coached by Gary Patterson and played their home games at Amon G...
31
- Las Vegas Bowl
The 2003 Las Vegas Bowl was the 12th edition of that annual game. It featured the Oregon State Beavers, and the . Oregon State's 55 points scored remains a Las Vegas Bowl record. Their 41-point victory margin is also a record....
: Oregon StateThe 2003 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Beavers offense scored 433 points while the defense allowed 301 points. Led by head coach Mike Riley, the Beavers won the 2003 Las Vegas Bowl.-Schedule:-Team players...
55, 14
- GMAC Bowl
The 2003 GMAC Bowl was an American college football bowl game. It was part of the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season, and was the 6th edition. The game took place in December 2003, and featured the , and the Miami RedHawks....
: #15 (MAC Champ) Miami (Ohio)The 2003 Miami RedHawks football team represented Miami University in the college football season of 2003. They competed in the Mid-American Conference East Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the football season...
49, 28
- New Orleans Bowl
The 2003 Wyndham New Orleans Bowl featured the and the . It was North Texas's third consecutive New Orleans Bowl appearance.Kicker Nick Bazaldua got North Texas on the board first with a 47 yard field goal to give the team an early 3-0 lead. Memphis quarterback Danny Wimprine scored on a 7 yard...
: 27, (Sun Belt Champ) 17
Final AP Poll
| Team |
Final Record |
Points |
1. USCThe 2003 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2003-2004 NCAA Division I-A college football season...
(48) |
12-1 |
1,608 |
2. LSUThe 2003 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2003–2004. Coached by Nick Saban, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After a bit of controversy, LSU won the BCS National Championship, the first...
(17) |
13-1 |
1,576 |
| 3. Oklahoma |
12-2 |
1,476 |
4. Ohio StateThe 2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State finished the season with a record of 11-2 and placed second in the...
|
11-2 |
1,411 |
| 5. |
11-2 |
1,329 |
| 6. Michigan The 2003 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2003 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The team won the first of its back to back Big Ten Championships...
|
10-3 |
1,281 |
| 7. Georgia |
11-3 |
1,255 |
| 8. Iowa The 2003 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2003 college football season. Following a 2002 season that saw the Hawkeyes finish 11-2 with a Big Ten championship, expectations for a third straight post-season game were well warranted...
|
10-3 |
1,107 |
9. Washington StateThe 2003 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team was led by first-year head coach Bill Doba, and played its home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington....
|
10-3 |
1,060 |
10. Miami (OH)The 2003 Miami RedHawks football team represented Miami University in the college football season of 2003. They competed in the Mid-American Conference East Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the football season...
|
13-1 |
932 |
| 11. Florida State -Schedule:...
|
10-3 |
905 |
| 12. Texas The 2003 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by head football coach Mack Brown and led on the field by redshirt fresman quarterback Vince Young....
|
10-3 |
887 |
13. MississippiThe 2003 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by David Cutcliffe, the Rebels played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium.-Season:...
|
10-3 |
845 |
| 14. Kansas State The 2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 11 and 4, and a...
|
11-4 |
833 |
| 15. Tennessee The 2003 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2003 college football season. The team was coached by Phillip Fulmer. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed in the Eastern Division of the SEC...
|
10-3 |
695 |
| 16. Boise State The 2003 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2003 college football season. Boise State competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference , and played their home games at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho...
|
13-1 |
645 |
17. MarylandThe 2003 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 51st season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
|
10-3 |
564 |
| 18. Purdue The 2003 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 2003 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Tiller and played its home games at Ross-Ade Stadium...
|
9-4 |
526 |
19. NebraskaThe 2003 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Frank Solich and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
|
10-3 |
520 |
| 20. Minnesota |
10-3 |
368 |
| 21. Utah The Utah Utes 2003 football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2003-2004. This was Urban Meyer's first year coaching at the school, after being hired from Bowling Green...
|
10-2 |
308 |
| 22. Clemson |
9-4 |
230 |
| 23. |
11-3 |
189 |
24. FloridaThe 2003 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2003 college football season...
|
8-5 |
165 |
| 25. Texas Christian The 2003 TCU Horned Frogs football team represented Texas Christian University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. TCU finished with an 11–1 record. The team was coached by Gary Patterson and played their home games at Amon G...
|
11-2 |
126 |
Others receiving votes: 26. 109, 27. 73, 28.
VirginiaThe 2003 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's coach was coach Al Groh. They played their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.- Schedule :...
36, 29. 30, 30.
AuburnThe 2003 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Auburn began the season with high expectations, but stumbled out of the gate before finishing the season with a disappointing 8–5 record, including a 5–3 record in the SEC, good for...
8, 31.
Oregon StateThe 2003 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Beavers offense scored 433 points while the defense allowed 301 points. Led by head coach Mike Riley, the Beavers won the 2003 Las Vegas Bowl.-Schedule:-Team players...
8, 32.
PittsburghThe 2003 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2003 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:...
7, 33. 7, 34.
West VirginiaThe 2003 West Virginia Mountaineers rebounded from a 1–4 start to end the season 8–5 and captured a share of the Big East Conference Championship, the schools first since 1993...
4, 35. Connecticut 2.
Final Coaches Poll
Three coaches voted for USC as the #1 team, even though the polled coaches are required to vote the BCS champion as #1. Because the votes were not public, it is not known which three coaches placed those votes.
| Team |
Final Record |
Points |
1. LSUThe 2003 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2003–2004. Coached by Nick Saban, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After a bit of controversy, LSU won the BCS National Championship, the first...
(60) |
13-1 |
1,572 |
2. USCThe 2003 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2003-2004 NCAA Division I-A college football season...
(3) |
12-1 |
1,514 |
| 3. Oklahoma |
12-2 |
1,429 |
4. Ohio StateThe 2003 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State finished the season with a record of 11-2 and placed second in the...
|
11-2 |
1,370 |
| 5. |
11-2 |
1,306 |
| 6. Georgia |
11-3 |
1,183 |
| 7. Michigan The 2003 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2003 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The team won the first of its back to back Big Ten Championships...
|
10-3 |
1,140 |
| 8. Iowa The 2003 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2003 college football season. Following a 2002 season that saw the Hawkeyes finish 11-2 with a Big Ten championship, expectations for a third straight post-season game were well warranted...
|
10-3 |
1,119 |
9. Washington StateThe 2003 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team was led by first-year head coach Bill Doba, and played its home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington....
|
10-3 |
983 |
| 10. Florida State -Schedule:...
|
10-3 |
929 |
| 11. Texas The 2003 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by head football coach Mack Brown and led on the field by redshirt fresman quarterback Vince Young....
|
10-3 |
894 |
12. Miami (OH)The 2003 Miami RedHawks football team represented Miami University in the college football season of 2003. They competed in the Mid-American Conference East Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the football season...
|
13-1 |
800 |
| 13. Kansas State The 2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2003-2004. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 11 and 4, and a...
|
11-4 |
746 |
14. MississippiThe 2003 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by David Cutcliffe, the Rebels played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium.-Season:...
|
10-3 |
730 |
| 15. Boise State The 2003 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2003 college football season. Boise State competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference , and played their home games at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho...
|
13-1 |
704 |
| 16. Tennessee The 2003 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2003 college football season. The team was coached by Phillip Fulmer. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed in the Eastern Division of the SEC...
|
10-3 |
684 |
| 17. Minnesota |
10-3 |
553 |
18. NebraskaThe 2003 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Frank Solich and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
|
10-3 |
532 |
| 19. Purdue The 2003 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 2003 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Tiller and played its home games at Ross-Ade Stadium...
|
9-4 |
510 |
20. MarylandThe 2003 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 51st season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
|
10-3 |
462 |
| 21. Utah The Utah Utes 2003 football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2003-2004. This was Urban Meyer's first year coaching at the school, after being hired from Bowling Green...
|
10-2 |
327 |
| 22. Clemson |
9-4 |
219 |
| 23. |
11-3 |
170 |
| 24. TCU The 2003 TCU Horned Frogs football team represented Texas Christian University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. TCU finished with an 11–1 record. The team was coached by Gary Patterson and played their home games at Amon G...
|
11-2 |
145 |
25. FloridaThe 2003 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2003 college football season...
|
8-5 |
124 |
Also receiving votes
(10-2) 80; (9-4) 74; (9-4) 63;
AuburnThe 2003 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Auburn began the season with high expectations, but stumbled out of the gate before finishing the season with a disappointing 8–5 record, including a 5–3 record in the SEC, good for...
(8-5) 20; (8-5) 17;
Oregon StateThe 2003 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Beavers offense scored 433 points while the defense allowed 301 points. Led by head coach Mike Riley, the Beavers won the 2003 Las Vegas Bowl.-Schedule:-Team players...
(8-5) 15;
West VirginiaThe 2003 West Virginia Mountaineers rebounded from a 1–4 start to end the season 8–5 and captured a share of the Big East Conference Championship, the schools first since 1993...
(8-5) 14; (9-4) 12; (9-5) 6;
HawaiiThe 2003 Hawaii Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Hawaii finished the 2003 season with a 9-5 record, going 6-2 in WAC play. The Warriors made their second straight appearance in the Hawaii Bowl, facing off...
(9-5) 6;
PittsburghThe 2003 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2003 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:...
(8-5) 5; Texas Tech (8-5) 4;
MarshallThe 2003 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented Marshall University in 2003 season in NCAA Division I-A. Marshall did not make a bowl for the first time since 1997...
(8-4) 3;
VirginiaThe 2003 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's coach was coach Al Groh. They played their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.- Schedule :...
(8-5) 3; (8-5) 2; (8-6) 1; Connecticut (9-3) 1; (9-4) 1;
Michigan State SpartansThe 2003 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2003-2004 college football season.The Spartans play their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. This was the first year for head coach John L...
(8-5) 1; Missouri (8-5) 1; (9-4) 1.
Heisman Trophy voting
The Heisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
is given to the most outstanding player of the year
- Winner: Jason White
Jason White is a former American football quarterback who played for the University of Oklahoma from 1999 to 2004, during which he won the 2003 Heisman Trophy...
(Jr.), QB, Oklahoma (1,481 points)
- 2. Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
(So.), WR, Pittsburgh (1,353 points)
- 3. Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
(Sr.), QB, Mississippi (710 points)
- 4. Chris Perry (Sr.), RB, Michigan (341 points)
Other major awards
- Maxwell Award
The 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): Eli Manning Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
, Mississippi
- Walter Camp Award
The 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;...
(top back): Larry FitzgeraldLarry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
, Pittsburgh
- AP Player Of the Year: Jason White
Jason White is a former American football quarterback who played for the University of Oklahoma from 1999 to 2004, during which he won the 2003 Heisman Trophy...
, Oklahoma
- Davey O'Brien Award
The 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): Jason WhiteJason White is a former American football quarterback who played for the University of Oklahoma from 1999 to 2004, during which he won the 2003 Heisman Trophy...
, Oklahoma
- Johnny Unitas Award(Sr. quarterback): Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
, Mississippi
- Doak Walker Award
The 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): Chris Perry, Michigan
- Fred Biletnikoff Award
The 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): Larry FitzgeraldLarry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
, Pittsburgh
- John Mackey Award
The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
(tight end): Kellen WinslowKellen Boswell Winslow, II is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns sixth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
, Miami, Fla.
- Lombardi Award
The 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...
(top lineman): Tommie HarrisTommie Harris, Jr. is an American football defensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma.Harris has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts...
, Oklahoma
- Dave Rimington Trophy
The Dave Rimington Trophy is awarded to the player considered to be the best center in college football. Dave Rimington was a center who played at the University of Nebraska from 1979-1982....
(center): Jake GroveCharles Jacob Grove is a retired American football center, most recently for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, Virginia Tech
- Outland Trophy
The 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): Robert Gallery-Oakland Raiders:In 2004, he started 15 games at right tackle and gave up 3 sacks. In 2005, he started all 16 games at right tackle and gave up 3.5 sacks. The Raiders moved him to left tackle at the beginning of the 2006 preseason...
, Iowa
- Chuck Bednarik Award
The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive collegiate football player adjudged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States...
(defensive player): Teddy LehmanTeddy Lehman is an American football linebacker for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, Oklahoma
- Dick Butkus Award
The Butkus Award, instituted in 1985, is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football...
: Teddy LehmanTeddy Lehman is an American football linebacker for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, Oklahoma
- Jim Thorpe Award
The 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): Derrick StraitDerrick Strait is a professional American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. Strait was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, Oklahoma
- Lou Groza Award
The 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): Jonathan Nichols, Mississippi
- Ray Guy
William Ray Guy is a retired American football punter for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Coming from the University of Southern Mississippi, he was the only pure punter ever to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft when the Oakland Raiders selected him in 1973.Guy was a key member of...
(punter): B.J. SanderWilliam Herbert "B. J." Sander is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.-Early years:Sander attended Roger Bacon High School in Cincinnati,...
, Ohio State
- Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (Coach of the Year): Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
, LSU
- The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award
The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award is given annually to college football's top head coach. The award for the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision is selected by ESPN and ABC college football analysts. No coach has ever won the award twice.-Winners:...
: Pete CarrollPeter Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice-President of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is a former head coach of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-Early life:Carroll attended Redwood High...
, USC