# 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season

The 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the highest level of college football competition in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The regular season began on September 3, 2009, and ended on December 12, 2009. The postseason concluded on January 7, 2010, with the BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, California, where the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Texas Longhorns by the score of 37–21.
For the first time in the history of the Heisman Trophy, the annual award for the most outstanding player in college football, two previous Heisman winners played in the same season—2008 winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and 2007 winner Tim Tebow of Florida. For the first time since 1946, the top three vote-getters from the previous season all returned: Bradford, Colt McCoy of Texas, and Tebow, in that order. Six teams finished the regular season undefeated; a record for the BCS era.

## Rule changes

The NCAA football rules committee proposed several rule changes for 2009. The rule changes include the following:
* If the home team wears colored jerseys, the visiting team may also wear colored jerseys so long as the two teams have agreed to do so. This rule comes as a result of the traditional USC-UCLA game where both teams wore their home uniforms. Previously, the visiting team would be charged a first-half timeout for illegal equipment.
* If the punter carries the ball outside of the tackle box, he is no longer protected under the roughing the kicker penalty.
* Deliberately grabbing the chin strap is now included as part of the face mask penalty.
* The edge of the tackle box is defined as being five yards to the left and right of the snapper, rather than two parallel lines from the position of the offensive tackles.
* Periods will not be extended for plays that result in loss of down (i.e. illegal forward pass).
* If a defensive player is injured, the play clock will be reset to 40 seconds. The play clock will be reset to 25 seconds for an injury to an offensive player.

## Conference changes

Western Kentucky joined the Sun Belt Conference after playing the 2008 as an FBS independent, completing their two-year transition from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The number of full FBS members increased to 120.
| School | Former conference | New conference |
| Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | FBS independent | Sun Belt |

## New and updated stadiums

* Akron opened InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field against Morgan State on September 12, winning 41–0.
* Minnesota christened their new TCF Bank Stadium with a win, defeating Air Force 20–13 on September 12.
* Missouri expanded the capacity of Faurot Field from 68,349 to 71,004.
* Indiana expanded the capacity of Memorial Stadium from 49,225 to 52,929 with the horseshoeing of the North End Zone.

## Regular season top 10 matchups

Rankings reflect the AP Poll. Rankings for Week 8 and beyond will list BCS Rankings first and AP Poll second. Teams that failed to be a top 10 team for one poll or the other will be noted.
* Week 1
** No. 5 Alabama defeated No. 7 Virginia Tech, 34–24 (Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia)
* Week 2
** No. 3 USC defeated No. 8 Ohio State, 18–15 (Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio)
* Week 6
** No. 1 Florida defeated No. 4 LSU, 13–3 (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
* Week 9
** No. 10/10 Oregon defeated No. 5/4 USC, 47–20 (Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon)
* Week 10
** No. 3/3 Alabama defeated No. 9/9 LSU, 24–15 (Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
* Week 14
** No. 2/2 Alabama defeated No. 1/1 Florida, 32–13 (2009 SEC Championship Game, Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia)

## Conference standings

2009 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings :
| 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Atlantic Division No. 24 Clemson x  6 –2  9 –5   Boston College  5 –3  8 –5   Florida State  4 –4  7 –6   Wake Forest  3 –5  5 –7   NC State  2 –6  5 –7   Maryland  1 –7  2 –10   Coastal Division No. 13 Georgia Tech * x$  7 –1  11 –3   No. 10 Virginia Tech  6 –2  10 –3   No. 19 Miami (FL)  5 –3  9 –4   North Carolina *  0 –4  0 –5   Duke  3 –5  5 –7   Virginia  2 –6  3 –9   Championship: Georgia Tech 39, Clemson 34 $ – BCS representative as conference championNorth Carolina vacated 8 wins, including 4 ACC wins. Rankings from AP Poll | 2009 Big 12 Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  North Division No. 14 Nebraska x  6 –2  10 –4   Missouri  4 –4  8 –5   Kansas State  4 –4  6 –6   Iowa State  3 –5  7 –6   Colorado  2 –6  3 –9   Kansas  1 –7  5 –7   South Division No. 2 Texas x$  8 –0  13 –1   Oklahoma State  6 –2  9 –4   No. 21 Texas Tech  5 –3  9 –4   Oklahoma  5 –3  8 –5   Texas A&M  3 –5  6 –7   Baylor  1 –7  4 –8   Championship: Texas 13, Nebraska 12 $ – BCS representative as conference championx – Division champion/co-championsRankings from AP Poll | 2009 Big East Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 8 Cincinnati $  7 –0  12 –1   No. 25 West Virginia  5 –2  9 –4   No. 15 Pittsburgh  5 –2  10 –3   Rutgers  3 –4  9 –4   Connecticut  3 –4  8 –5   South Florida  3 –4  8 –5   Louisville  1 –6  4 –8   Syracuse  1 –6  4 –8   $ – BCS representative as conference championRankings from AP Poll |
| 2009 Big Ten Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 5 Ohio State $  7 –1  11 –2   No. 7 Iowa %  6 –2  11 –2   No. 9 Penn State  6 –2  11 –2   Northwestern  5 –3  8 –5   No. 16 Wisconsin  5 –3  10 –3   Michigan State  4 –4  6 –7   Purdue  4 –4  5 –7   Minnesota  3 –5  6 –7   Illinois  2 –6  3 –9   Michigan  1 –7  5 –7   Indiana  1 –7  4 –8   $ – BCS representative as conference champion% – BCS at-large representativeRankings from AP Poll | 2009 Conference USA football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  East Division East Carolina x$  7 –1  9 –5   UCF  6 –2  8 –5   Southern Miss  5 –3  7 –6   Marshall  4 –4  7 –6   UAB  4 –4  5 –7   Memphis  1 –7  2 –10   West Division Houston xy  6 –2  10 –4   SMU x  6 –2  8 –5   Tulsa  3 –5  5 –7   UTEP  3 –5  4 –8   Rice  2 –6  2 –10   Tulane  1 –7  3 –9   Championship: East Carolina 38, Houston 32 $ – Conference championx – Division champion/co-championsy – Championship game participantRankings from AP Poll | 2009 Mid-American Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  East Division Ohio xy  7 –1  9 –5   Temple x  7 –1  9 –4   Bowling Green  6 –2  7 –6   Kent State  4 –4  5 –7   Buffalo  3 –5  5 –7   Akron  2 –6  3 –9   Miami (OH)  1 –7  1 –11   West Division No. 23 Central Michigan x$  8 –0  12 –2   Northern Illinois  5 –3  7 –6   Western Michigan  4 –4  5 –7   Toledo  3 –5  5 –7   Ball State  2 –6  2 –10   Eastern Michigan  0 –8  0 –12   Championship: Central Michigan 20, Ohio 10 $ – Conference championx – Division champion/co-championsy – Championship game participantRankings from AP Poll |
| 2009 Mountain West Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 6 TCU $  8 –0  12 –1   No. 12 BYU  7 –1  11 –2   No. 18 Utah  6 –2  10 –3   Air Force  5 –3  8 –5   Wyoming  4 –4  7 –6   UNLV  3 –5  5 –7   San Diego State  2 –6  4 –8   New Mexico  1 –7  1 –11   Colorado State  0 –8  3 –9   $ – Conference champion and BCS representative as top non-AQ school to meet automatic qualification criteriaRankings from AP Poll | 2009 Pacific-10 Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 11 Oregon $  8 –1  10 –3   Arizona  6 –3  8 –5   Oregon State  6 –3  8 –5   Stanford  6 –3  8 –5   No. 22 USC  5 –4  9 –4   California  5 –4  8 –5   Washington  4 –5  5 –7   UCLA  3 –6  7 –6   Arizona State  2 –7  4 –8   Washington State  0 –9  1 –11   $ – BCS representative as conference championRankings from AP Poll | 2009 Southeastern Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Eastern Division No. 3 Florida x%  8 –0  13 –1   Georgia  4 –4  8 –5   Tennessee  4 –4  7 –6   Kentucky  3 –5  7 –6   South Carolina  3 –5  7 –6   Vanderbilt  0 –8  2 –10   Western Division No. 1 Alabama x$#  8 –0  14 –0   No. 17 LSU  5 –3  9 –4   No. 20 Ole Miss  4 –4  9 –4   Arkansas  3 –5  8 –5   Auburn  3 –5  8 –5   Mississippi State  3 –5  5 –7   Championship: Alabama 32, Florida 13 # – BCS National Champion$ – BCS representative as conference champion% – BCS at-large representativex – Division champion/co-championsRankings from AP Poll |
| 2009 Sun Belt Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Troy $  8 –0  9 –4   Middle Tennessee  7 –1  10 –3   Louisiana–Monroe  5 –3  6 –6   Florida Atlantic  5 –3  5 –7   Louisiana–Lafayette  4 –4  6 –6   Arkansas State  3 –5  4 –8   FIU  3 –5  3 –9   North Texas  1 –7  2 –10   Western Kentucky  0 –8  0 –12   $ – Conference champion | 2009 Western Athletic Conference football standings vteConfOverall Team W L W L  No. 4 Boise State $%  8 –0  14 –0   Nevada  7 –1  8 –5   Fresno State  6 –2  8 –5   Idaho  4 –4  8 –5   Hawaii  3 –5  6 –7   Louisiana Tech  3 –5  4 –8   Utah State  3 –5  4 –8   New Mexico State  1 –7  3 –10   San Jose State  1 –7  2 –10   % – BCS at-large representative$ – Conference championRankings from AP Poll | 2009 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records vteConfOverall Team W L W L  Navy   –  10 –4   Notre Dame   –  6 –6   Army   –  5 –7   Rankings from AP Poll |

## Conference summaries

Rankings reflect the Week 14 AP Poll before the conference championship games were played.
Conference championship games :
| Conference | Champion | Runner-Up | Score | Offensive Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year |
| ACC | No. 12 Georgia Tech* (vacated) | No. 25 Clemson | 39–34 | C. J. Spiller, RB, Clemson | Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech |
| Big 12 | No. 3 Texas | No. 21 Nebraska | 13–12 | Colt McCoy, QB, Texas | Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska |
| C-USA | East Carolina | No. 18 Houston | 38–32 | Case Keenum, QB, Houston (C-USA MVP) Joe Webb, QB, UAB (OPOY) | Bruce Miller, DE, Central Florida |
| MAC | Central Michigan | Ohio | 20–10 | Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan | Adrian Robinson, DE, Temple |
| SEC | No. 2 Alabama | No. 1 Florida | 32–13 | Mark Ingram II, RB, Alabama | Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama |
| Other conference champions ||||||
| Conference | Champion | Champion | Record | Offensive Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year |
| Big East | No. 5 Cincinnati | No. 5 Cincinnati | 12–0 (7–0) | Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh | Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh Mick Williams, DT, Pittsburgh |
| Big Ten | No. 8 Ohio State | No. 8 Ohio State | 10–2 (7–1) | John Clay, RB, Wisconsin | Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State |
| Mountain West | No. 4 TCU | No. 4 TCU | 12–0 (8–0) | Andy Dalton, QB, TCU | Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU |
| Pac-10 | No. 7 Oregon | No. 7 Oregon | 10–2 (8–1) | Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford | Brian Price, DT, UCLA |
| Sun Belt | Troy | Troy | 9–3 (8–0) | Levi Brown, QB, Troy | Cardia Jackson, LB, Louisiana-Monroe Chris McCoy, DE, Middle Tennessee |
| WAC | No. 6 Boise State | No. 6 Boise State | 13–0 (8–0) | Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State | Dontay Moch, LB, Nevada |
For the first time since 1983, every conference in Division I FBS, even those that did not contest a championship game, had an undisputed champion.
* In July 2011, the NCAA released its findings from a two-year investigation into allegations that a Georgia Tech player received $321 in clothing from a runner for an agent. While no conclusive evidence was brought against the player, actions taken by the Georgia Tech athletic department were perceived as an attempt to hinder the NCAA investigation into this offense. The NCAA determined that the player should have been declared ineligible for the final three games of the 2009 season. As punishment for an accused "lack of cooperation" and hindering the investigation, Georgia Tech was required to vacate the ACC Championship Game win, along with other penalties. Consequently, there is currently no official 2009 ACC football champion.

## Bowl games

Non-BCS Bowls :
| Date | Game | Site | Teams | Winner | Winner | Winner |
| Dec 19 | New Mexico Bowl | University Stadium University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico | Wyoming (6–6, 4–4 MWC) Fresno State (8–4, 6–2 WAC) | Wyoming 35–28 (2 OT) | Wyoming 35–28 (2 OT) | Wyoming 35–28 (2 OT) |
| Dec 19 | St. Petersburg Bowl presented by Beef 'O' Brady's | Tropicana Field St. Petersburg, Florida | Rutgers (8–4, 3–4 Big East) UCF (8–4, 6–2 C-USA) | Rutgers 45–24 | Rutgers 45–24 | Rutgers 45–24 |
| Dec 20 | R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl | Louisiana Superdome New Orleans | Middle Tennessee (9–3, 7–1 Sun Belt) Southern Miss (7–5, 5–3 C-USA) | Middle Tennessee 42–32 | Middle Tennessee 42–32 | Middle Tennessee 42–32 |
| Dec 22 | Maaco Bowl Las Vegas | Sam Boyd Stadium University of Nevada, Las Vegas Las Vegas | No. 14 BYU (10–2, 7–1 MWC) No. 18 Oregon State (8–4, 6–3 Pac-10) | BYU 44–20 | BYU 44–20 | BYU 44–20 |
| Dec 23 | SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl | Qualcomm Stadium San Diego | No. 23 Utah (9–3, 6–2 MWC) California (8–4, 5–4 Pac-10) | Utah 37–27 | Utah 37–27 | Utah 37–27 |
| Dec 24 | Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl | Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI | SMU (7–5, 6–2 C-USA) Nevada (8–4, 7–1 WAC) | SMU 45–10 | SMU 45–10 | SMU 45–10 |
| Dec 26 | Little Caesars Pizza Bowl | Ford Field Detroit | Marshall (6–6, 4–4 C-USA) Ohio (9–4, 7–1 MAC) | Marshall 26–17 | Marshall 26–17 | Marshall 26–17 |
| Dec 26 | Meineke Car Care Bowl | Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, North Carolina | No. 17 Pittsburgh (9–3, 5–2 Big East) North Carolina (8–4, 4–4 ACC) | Pittsburgh 19–17 | Pittsburgh 19–17 | Pittsburgh 19–17 |
| Dec 26 | Emerald Bowl | AT&T Park San Francisco | No. 24 USC (8–4, 5–4 Pac-10) Boston College (8–4, 5–3 ACC) | USC 24–13 | USC 24–13 | USC 24–13 |
| Dec 27 | Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl | LP Field Nashville, Tennessee | Clemson (8–5, 6–2 ACC) Kentucky (7–5, 3–5 SEC) | Clemson 21–13 | Clemson 21–13 | Clemson 21–13 |
| Dec 28 | Advocare V100 Independence Bowl | Independence Stadium Shreveport, Louisiana | Georgia (7–5, 4–4 SEC) Texas A&M (6–6, 3–5 Big 12) | Georgia 44–20 | Georgia 44–20 | Georgia 44–20 |
| Dec 29 | EagleBank Bowl | RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. | UCLA (6–6, 3–6 Pac-10) Temple (9–3, 7–1 MAC) | UCLA 30–21 | UCLA 30–21 | UCLA 30–21 |
| Dec 29 | Champs Sports Bowl | Citrus Bowl Orlando, Florida | No. 25 Wisconsin (9–3, 5–3 Big Ten) No. 15 Miami (9–3, 5–3 ACC) | Wisconsin 20–14 | Wisconsin 20–14 | Wisconsin 20–14 |
| Dec 30 | Roady's Humanitarian Bowl | Bronco Stadium Boise State University Boise, Idaho | Idaho (7–5, 4–4 WAC) Bowling Green (7–5, 6–2 MAC) | Idaho 43–42 | Idaho 43–42 | Idaho 43–42 |
| Dec 30 | Pacific Life Holiday Bowl | Qualcomm Stadium San Diego | No. 22 Nebraska (9–4, 6–3 Big 12) No. 20 Arizona (8–4, 6–3 Pac-10) | Nebraska 33–0 | Nebraska 33–0 | Nebraska 33–0 |
| Dec 31 | Bell Helicopters Armed Forces Bowl | Amon G. Carter Stadium Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas | Air Force (7–5, 5–3 MWC) Houston (10–3, 6–2 C–USA) | Air Force 47–20 | Air Force 47–20 | Air Force 47–20 |
| Dec 31 | Brut Sun Bowl | Sun Bowl Stadium University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas | Oklahoma (7–5, 5–3 Big 12) No. 21 Stanford (8–4, 6–3 Pac-10) | Oklahoma 31–27 | Oklahoma 31–27 | Oklahoma 31–27 |
| Dec 31 | Texas Bowl | Reliant Stadium Houston | Navy (9–4) Missouri 13 (8–4, 4–4 Big 12) | Navy 35–13 | Navy 35–13 | Navy 35–13 |
| Dec 31 | Insight Bowl | Sun Devil Stadium Arizona State University Tempe, Arizona | Iowa State (6–6, 3–5 Big 12) Minnesota (6–6, 3–5 Big Ten) | Iowa State 14–13 | Iowa State 14–13 | Iowa State 14–13 |
| Dec 31 | Chick-fil-A Bowl | Georgia Dome Atlanta | No. 11 Virginia Tech (9–3, 6–2 ACC) Tennessee (7–5, 4–4 SEC) | Virginia Tech 37–14 | Virginia Tech 37–14 | Virginia Tech 37–14 |
| Jan 1 | Outback Bowl | Raymond James Stadium Tampa, Florida | Auburn (7–5, 3–5 SEC) Northwestern (8–4, 5–3 Big Ten) | Auburn 38–35 (OT) | Auburn 38–35 (OT) | Auburn 38–35 (OT) |
| Jan 1 | Konica Minolta Gator Bowl | Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Jacksonville, Florida | Florida State (6–6, 4–4 ACC) No. 16 West Virginia (9–3, 5–2 Big East) | Florida State 33–21 | Florida State 33–21 | Florida State 33–21 |
| Jan 1 | Capital One Bowl | Citrus Bowl Orlando, Florida | No. 13 Penn State (10–2, 6–2 Big Ten) No. 12 LSU (9–3, 5–3 SEC) | Penn State 19–17 | Penn State 19–17 | Penn State 19–17 |
| Jan 2 | International Bowl | Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada | South Florida (7–5, 3–4 Big East) Northern Illinois (7–5, 5–3 MAC) | South Florida 27–3 | South Florida 27–3 | South Florida 27–3 |
| Jan 2 | Papajohns.com Bowl | Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama | Connecticut (7–5, 3–4 Big East) South Carolina (7–5, 3–5 SEC) | Connecticut 20–7 | Connecticut 20–7 | Connecticut 20–7 |
| Jan 2 | AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic | Cowboys Stadium Arlington, Texas | Ole Miss (8–4, 4–4 SEC) No. 19 Oklahoma State (9–3, 6–2 Big 12) | Ole Miss 21–7 | Ole Miss 21–7 | Ole Miss 21–7 |
| Jan 2 | AutoZone Liberty Bowl | Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, Tennessee | Arkansas (7–5, 3–5 SEC) East Carolina (9–4, 7–1 C–USA) | Arkansas 20–17 (OT) | Arkansas 20–17 (OT) | Arkansas 20–17 (OT) |
| Jan 2 | Valero Energy Alamo Bowl | Alamodome San Antonio | Texas Tech (8–4, 5–3 Big 12) Michigan State (6–6, 4–4 Big Ten) | Texas Tech 41–31 | Texas Tech 41–31 | Texas Tech 41–31 |
| Jan 6 | GMAC Bowl | Ladd–Peebles Stadium Mobile, Alabama | Central Michigan (11–2, 8–0 MAC) Troy (9–3, 8–0 Sun Belt) | Central Michigan 44–41 (2OT) | Central Michigan 44–41 (2OT) | Central Michigan 44–41 (2OT) |
| Bowl Championship Series |||||||||
| Date | Game | Site | Teams | Winner | Winner | Winner |
| Jan 1 | Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi | Rose Bowl Stadium Pasadena, California | No. 8 Ohio State (10–2, 7–1 Big Ten) No. 7 Oregon (10–2, 8–1 Pac-10) | Ohio State 26–17 | Ohio State 26–17 | Ohio State 26–17 |
| Jan 1 | Allstate Sugar Bowl | Louisiana Superdome New Orleans | No. 5 Florida (12–1, 8–0 SEC) No. 3 Cincinnati (12–0, 7–0 Big East) | Florida 51–24 | Florida 51–24 | Florida 51–24 |
| Jan 4 | Tostitos Fiesta Bowl | University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, Arizona | No. 6 Boise State (13–0, 8–0 WAC) No. 4 TCU (12–0, 8–0 MWC) | Boise State 17–10 | Boise State 17–10 | Boise State 17–10 |
| Jan 5 | FedEx Orange Bowl | Land Shark Stadium Miami Gardens, Florida | No. 10 Iowa (10–2, 6–2 Big Ten) No. 9 Georgia Tech (11–2, 7–1 ACC) | Iowa 24–14 | Iowa 24–14 | Iowa 24–14 |
| Jan 7 | 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game | Rose Bowl Stadium Pasadena, California | No. 1 Alabama (13–0, 8–0 SEC) No. 2 Texas (13–0, 8–0 Big 12) | Alabama 37–21 | Alabama 37–21 | Alabama 37–21 |
* ↑ Navy won seven games to be bowl-eligible, as they are playing a 13-game schedule. They secured the bid on November 7 with a 23–21 win over Notre Dame.

### Bowl Challenge Cup standings

| Conference | Wins | Losses | Pct. |
| Division I FBS Independents * | 1 | 0 | 1.000 |
| MWC | 4 | 1 | .800 |
| Big East | 4 | 2 | .667 |
| SEC | 6 | 4 | .600 |
| Big Ten | 4 | 3 | .571 |
| Big 12 | 4 | 4 | .500 |
| WAC | 2 | 2 | .500 |
| Sun Belt * | 1 | 1 | .500 |
| ACC | 3 | 4 | .429 |
| C-USA | 2 | 4 | .333 |
| Pac-10 | 2 | 5 | .286 |
| MAC | 1 | 4 | .200 |
* Does not meet minimum game requirement of three teams needed for a conference to be eligible. (In any case, "Independent" is not a conference, rather, it is the lack of one.)

## Awards and honors
### Heisman Trophy voting

The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player
| Player | School | Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
| Mark Ingram II | Alabama | RB | 227 | 236 | 151 | 1,304 |
| Toby Gerhart | Stanford | RB | 222 | 225 | 160 | 1,276 |
| Colt McCoy | Texas | QB | 203 | 188 | 160 | 1,145 |
| Ndamukong Suh | Nebraska | DT | 161 | 105 | 122 | 815 |
| Tim Tebow | Florida | QB | 43 | 70 | 121 | 390 |
| C. J. Spiller | Clemson | RB | 26 | 31 | 83 | 223 |
| Kellen Moore | Boise State | QB | 10 | 20 | 30 | 100 |
| Case Keenum | Houston | QB | 2 | 9 | 13 | 37 |
| Mardy Gilyard | Cincinnati | WR | 2 | 2 | 13 | 23 |
| Golden Tate | Notre Dame | WR | 2 | 3 | 9 | 21 |
Source:

### Other award winners

* Walter Camp Award (top player): Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
* Maxwell Award (top player): Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
* AP Player of the Year: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
* Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player): Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
* Campbell Trophy (academic award, formerly the Draddy Trophy): Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
* Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player): Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
* Dave Rimington Trophy (center): Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
* Davey O'Brien Award (quarterback): Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
* Dick Butkus Award (linebacker): Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
* Doak Walker Award (running back): Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
* Fred Biletnikoff Award (wide receiver): Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
* Jim Thorpe Award (defensive back): Eric Berry, CB, Tennessee
* John Mackey Award (tight end): Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
* Johnny Unitas Award (Sr. quarterback): Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
* Lombardi Award (top lineman): Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
* Lott Trophy (defensive impact): Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU
* Lou Groza Award (placekicker): Kai Forbath, K, UCLA
* Manning Award (quarterback): Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
* Outland Trophy (interior lineman): Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
* Ray Guy Award (punter): Drew Butler, P, Georgia
* Sammy Baugh Trophy (quarterback, specifically passer): Case Keenum, QB, Houston
* Ted Hendricks Award (defensive end): Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU
* Wuerffel Trophy (humanitarian-athlete): Tim Hiller, QB, Western Michigan
* The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award: Brian Kelly, Cincinnati
* AP Coach of the Year: Gary Patterson, TCU
* Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (head coach): Chris Petersen, Boise State
* Walter Camp Coach of the Year (head coach): Gary Patterson, TCU
* Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award: Nick Saban, Alabama
* Broyles Award (assistant coach): Kirby Smart, Alabama

### All-Americans
## Records

* The Iowa Hawkeyes became the first NCAA Division I FBS team to block two field goals on consecutive plays in their season-opening win over Northern Iowa.
* Brandon West of Western Michigan set the NCAA Division I FBS records for career all-purpose yards and career kick return yards. On November 14, West broke the record of 7,573 all-purpose yards set by DeAngelo Williams of Memphis. Against Michigan State on November 7, West broke the record of 2,945 return yards set by Jessie Henderson of SMU. West finished the season setting the records at 3,118 kick return yards and 7,764 total yards.
* Russell Wilson of North Carolina State set a new Division I record for most passes attempted without an interception, breaking the previous record of 325 set by André Woodson of Kentucky from 2006–07. Wilson broke the record in the third quarter of the Pack's 45–14 win over Gardner–Webb on September 19. The streak ended at 379 on October 3 against Wake Forest. Wilson's last interception had been in the third quarter of the Wolfpack's game against Clemson on September 13, 2008.
* Texas' Colt McCoy picked up his 43rd career win as a starting quarterback, breaking the previous FBS record of 42 by Georgia's David Greene, with a 51–20 win over Kansas on November 21. The record was extended to 45 with wins over Texas A&M in the regular-season finale and Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship Game. However, his streak ended at the BCS Championship when he was injured early in the first quarter, and the Longhorns lost 37-21.
* C. J. Spiller of Clemson set a new record for career kickoff return touchdowns on the opening kickoff of the Tigers' game against archrival South Carolina on November 28. His seventh career TD return broke the previous record held by Anthony Davis of USC and Ashlan Davis of Tulsa.
* Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour set a new FBS record for most combined career touchdowns passing, rushing, and receiving in the MAC Championship Game against Ohio. His two TD passes in the game gave him a career total of 148, surpassing the previous record of 147 held by Colt Brennan of Hawaiʻi and Graham Harrell of Texas Tech. In the GMAC Bowl, he passed for a TD and ran for another, ending his career with a total of 150 TDs.
* On December 12, 2009 against rival Army, Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs ran for his 24th rushing touchdown on the season, giving him the single-season record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
* On December 30, 2009 in the Humanitarian Bowl against Idaho, Bowling Green wide receiver Freddie Barnes broke the single-season record for receptions, accumulating 155 total receptions on the year.

## Coaching changes
### Preseason

Pre-season :
| Team | Outgoing coach | Reason | Replacement |
| Army | Stan Brock | Fired | Rich Ellerson |
| Auburn | Tommy Tuberville | Resigned/Retired | Gene Chizik |
| Ball State | Brady Hoke | Hired as head coach at San Diego State | Stan Parrish |
| Boston College | Jeff Jagodzinski | Fired | Frank Spaziani |
| Bowling Green | Gregg Brandon | Fired | Dave Clawson |
| Clemson | Tommy Bowden | Resigned | Dabo Swinney |
| Eastern Michigan | Jeff Genyk | Fired | Ron English |
| Iowa State | Gene Chizik | Hired as head coach at Auburn | Paul Rhoads |
| Kansas State | Ron Prince | Fired | Bill Snyder |
| Miami (OH) | Shane Montgomery | Resigned | Mike Haywood |
| Mississippi State | Sylvester Croom | Resigned | Dan Mullen |
| New Mexico | Rocky Long | Resigned | Mike Locksley |
| New Mexico State | Hal Mumme | Fired | DeWayne Walker |
| Oregon | Mike Bellotti | Promoted to Oregon athletic director | Chip Kelly |
| Purdue | Joe Tiller | Retired | Danny Hope |
| San Diego State | Chuck Long | Fired | Brady Hoke |
| Syracuse | Greg Robinson | Fired | Doug Marrone |
| Tennessee | Phillip Fulmer | Resigned/fired | Lane Kiffin |
| Toledo | Tom Amstutz | Resigned | Tim Beckman |
| Utah State | Brent Guy | Fired | Gary Andersen |
| Washington | Tyrone Willingham | Fired | Steve Sarkisian |
| Wyoming | Joe Glenn | Fired | Dave Christensen |

### Postseason

Note:
* All November and December dates are in 2009; all January dates are in 2010.
* Incoming coaches who were the designated replacement for their predecessors are in bold italics.
End of season :
| Team | Outgoing coach | Date of departure | Reason | Replacement | Date of replacement |
| Akron | J. D. Brookhart | November 28 | Fired | Rob Ianello | |
| Buffalo | Turner Gill | December 12 | Hired by Kansas | Jeff Quinn | December 21 (effective January 2) |
| Central Michigan | Butch Jones | December 16 | Hired by Cincinnati | Dan Enos | |
| Cincinnati | Brian Kelly | December 10 | Hired by Notre Dame | Butch Jones | December 16 (effective January 2) |
| East Carolina | Skip Holtz | January 14 | Hired by South Florida | Ruffin McNeil | January 21 |
| Florida State | Bobby Bowden | December 1 (effective January 2) | Retired | Jimbo Fisher | December 1 (effective January 2) |
| Kansas | Mark Mangino | December 3 | Resigned | Turner Gill | December 12 |
| Kentucky | Rich Brooks | January 4 | Retired | Joker Phillips | January 4 |
| Louisiana-Monroe | Charlie Weatherbie | November 30 | Fired | Todd Berry | December 16 |
| Louisiana Tech | Derek Dooley | January 15 | Hired by Tennessee | Sonny Dykes | January 20 |
| Louisville | Steve Kragthorpe | November 28 | Fired | Charlie Strong | December 9 |
| Marshall | Mark Snyder | November 29 | Resigned | Doc Holliday | December 17 (effective December 27) |
| Memphis | Tommy West | November 9 (effective November 27) | Fired | Larry Porter | November 29 |
| Notre Dame | Charlie Weis | November 30 | Fired | Brian Kelly | December 10 |
| San Jose State | Dick Tomey | November 17 (effective December 5) | Retired | Mike MacIntyre | December 17 |
| South Florida | Jim Leavitt | January 8 | Fired | Skip Holtz | January 14 |
| Tennessee | Lane Kiffin | January 12 | Hired by USC | Derek Dooley | January 15 |
| Texas Tech | Mike Leach | December 30 | Fired | Tommy Tuberville | January 10 |
| UNLV | Mike Sanford | November 17 (effective November 28) | Fired | Bobby Hauck | |
| USC | Pete Carroll | January 9 | Hired by Seattle Seahawks | Lane Kiffin | January 12 |
| Virginia | Al Groh | November 29 | Fired | Mike London | December 7 |
| Western Kentucky | David Elson | November 9 (effective December 3) | Fired | Willie Taggart | November 29 (effective December 3) |
On December 26, Florida head coach Urban Meyer announced his resignation due to health concerns, effective after the Gators' Sugar Bowl appearance. However, Meyer had a change of heart and announced the following day that he would instead take an indefinite leave of absence, and expected to be back coaching by the start of the 2010 season. Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio took over Meyer's duties in his absence. Meyer returned from his self-imposed leave in time for Florida's 2010 spring practice.

## TV ratings
### Ten most watched regular season games in 2009

* 1. December 5 – 2009 SEC Championship – CBS – 1 Florida vs 2 Alabama – 17.969 million viewers
* 2. December 5 – 2009 Big 12 Championship – ESPN on ABC – 3 Texas vs 22 Nebraska – 12.693 million viewers
* 3. September 12 – ESPN – 3 USC vs 8 Ohio State – 10.586 million viewers
* 4. October 10 – CBS – 4 LSU vs 1 Florida – 10.496 million viewers
* 5. October 17 – Red River Rivalry – ESPN on ABC – 20 Oklahoma vs 3 Texas – 8.713 million Viewers
* 6. September 7 – ESPN – Miami vs 18 Florida State – 8.406 million viewers
* 7. September 12 – ESPN on ABC – 18 Notre Dame vs Michigan – 8.391 million viewers
* 8. November 27 – Iron Bowl – CBS – 2 Alabama vs Auburn – 8.124 million viewers
* 9. October 3 – ESPN on ABC Regional – 8 Oklahoma vs 17 Miami & California vs 7 USC – 7.834 million viewers
* 10. November 28 – CBS – Florida State vs 1 Florida – 7.491 million viewers