2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season

American college football season August 2023 December 2025 2010 Auburn_offense_2010-11-26.jpg Alabama v. Auburn 120 Alabama September 2 – December 11 35 December 18, 2010 January 10, 2011 Bowl Championship Series 2011 BCS Championship Game University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, Arizona Auburn Cam Newton (quarterback, Auburn) The 2010 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 2, 2010, and ended on December 11, 2010. The postseason concluded on January 10, 2011, with the BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Auburn Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks to complete an undefeated season and win their sixth national title in school history. Rule changes Wedge blocks are now banned on kickoffs. Messages on eye-black, such as those worn by Tim Tebow, Reggie Bush, and Case Keenum are no longer allowed.https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5092774 The 411 on eye black: NCAA bans messages 15 April 2010 ESPN.comhttp://blogs.chron.com/cougars/2010/02/ncaa_rules_committee_says_no_t_1.html NCAA rules committee says no to Case Keenum's eye-black messages Campbell, Steve Houston Chronicle 2010-02-12 2011-04-14 Conference realignment 2010–2014 NCAA conference realignment Multiple conferences announced changes in membership throughout 2010, triggering a major realignment that would eventually affect all 11 FBS leagues. Due to conference notice requirements, these changes would not take effect until 2011 at the earliest. The first change came on June 10, when the Pacific-10 Conference announced that Colorado had accepted their invitation to join from the Big 12. The following day, June 11, saw two schools change conferences. The Mountain West Conference announced that Boise State had accepted their invitation to join from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), while Nebraska ended its longstanding affiliation with the Big Eight/Big 12 to join the Big Ten Conference. Both moves would take effect starting with the 2011–2012 academic year. In the following days, it was widely speculated that the five public schools in the Big 12 South Division (Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State) would leave for the Pac-10 to create a 16-team "superconference." However, a last-minute deal announced on June 14 saw Texas remain in the Big 12, prompting the other four schools to follow suit. The Pac-10 then extended an invitation to Utah on June 16, who accepted the next day. With the addition of Colorado and Utah, the Pac-10 announced that the conference would change its name to the Pac-12 upon the two new members joining in July 2011. On August 18, the Mountain West responded to rumors of the imminent departure of Brigham Young by inviting WAC members Fresno State, Nevada, and Utah State. Utah State declined the offerMay 2018, but Fresno State and Nevada accepted later that day. Following threats of legal action by the WAC, the two schools agreed to stay in the WAC through the 2011–12 season in exchange for a greatly reduced exit fee. BYU officially announced their departure from the Mountain West on September 1. The BYU football team would become an FBS Independent while all other sports would move to the West Coast Conference for the 2011–12 season.https://www.espn.com/college-sports/news/story?id=5517305 BYU to join WCC, go independent in football 2010-08-31 ESPN.com 2017-07-22 On November 11, the Western Athletic Conference announced that Texas State, then a member of the FCS Southland Conference, and UTSA, which planned to launch a football team in 2011, would upgrade their football programs to FBS level, join the WAC in 2012, and become full FBS members in 2013. On November 29, TCU announced it would leave the Mountain West to join the Big East in 2012. The Mountain West replaced TCU by adding Hawaii as a football-only member on December 10; Hawaii's other sports would join the Big West Conference. New and updated stadiums No new stadiums opened in the 2010 season. However, expansion projects at several stadiums were completed in time for the season: Alabama: The seventh major expansion of Bryant–Denny Stadium increased the capacity from 92,138 to 101,821. East Carolina: The east end zone at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium was enclosed, increasing capacity from 43,000 to 50,000. Louisville: A second deck was added to the east side of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, increasing capacity from its original 42,000 to over 56,000. Michigan: Michigan Stadium once again claimed the title of largest college football stadium. The new capacity was officially announced on July 14 as 109,901. Texas Tech: Renovations to Jones AT&T Stadium increased the capacity to 60,454 and a new building on the stadium's eastern side added an additional 26 suites and 500 club seats. Season notes USC was not eligible to be ranked in the USA Today Coaches Poll due to NCAA sanctions. They were also prohibited from playing in a bowl.https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5363479 USC won't be ranked in coaches' poll ESPN.com July 8, 2010 January 5, 2011 On September 11, Virginia Tech, then No. 13 in the AP Poll, was stunned at home by in-state FCS team James Madison. The Dukes' 21–16 victory was only the second by an FCS school over a ranked FBS team, after Appalachian State's historic upset of Michigan in 2007.http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302540259 Va. Tech suffers 2nd loss in 6 days as James Madison pulls off upset Associated Press ESPN.com September 11, 2010 September 11, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100914120124/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302540259 14 September 2010 dead The University of Texas reached an agreement with ESPN to distribute the Longhorn Network on cable systems in the fall of 2011. The deal is for 10 years and guarantees Texas $12 million annually on top of the television revenue UT would receive as part of the Big 12's current television contracts with ABC/ESPN and Fox. The Longhorn Network would be the first sports-centric network for a university and was slated to broadcast third-tier programming, but UT men's athletic director DeLoss Dodds has asked the Big 12 to be allowed to air one football game, and a smattering of men's basketball games.ESPN, UT Reportedly Reach Deal To Distribute Longhorn Network The CBS telecast of the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn on November 26, 2010, earned a 7.5 rating, the highest for any game of the 2010 college football season through week 13.Auburn-Alabama pulls biggest college football TV rating of year http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/11/auburn-alabama-iron-bowl-tv-ratings/1 Staff Reporters USA Today November 27, 2010 December 3, 2010 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. 3 Boise State defeated No. 10 Virginia Tech, 33–30 (FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland) Week 4 No. 1 Alabama defeated No. 10 Arkansas, 24–20 (Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Arkansas) Week 5 No. 1 Alabama defeated No. 7 Florida, 31–6 (Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama) No. 4 Oregon defeated No. 9 Stanford, 52–31 (Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon) Week 8 No. 4/5 Auburn defeated No. 6/6 LSU, 24–17 (Jordan–Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama) Week 10 No. 3/4 TCU defeated No. 5/6 Utah, 47–7 (Rice–Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah) No. 10/12 LSU defeated No. 6/5 Alabama, 24–17 (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana) Week 13 No. 2/2 Auburn defeated No. 11/9 Alabama, 28–27 (Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama) Conference standings Conference summaries Rankings reflect the Week 14 AP Poll before the conference championship games were played. Conference championship games Conference Champion Runner-upScoreOffensive Player of the YearDefensive Player of the YearCoach of the Year ACC No. 12 Virginia Tech No. 20 Florida State 44–33 Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Techhttp://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120110aaa.html Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor Named ACC Player of the Year Atlantic Coast Conference December 1, 2010 December 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101231043343/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120110aaa.html 31 December 2010 dead dmy-all Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson Ralph Friedgen, Marylandhttp://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113010aac.html Maryland's Friedgen Named ACC Coach of the Year Atlantic Coast Conference November 30, 2010 December 30, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20121008044540/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113010aac.html October 8, 2012 dead mdy-all Big 12 No. 10 Oklahoma No. 13 Nebraska 23–20 Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma Statehttp://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=106181&SPID=13139&ATCLID=205038561&DB_OEM_ID=10410 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced Big 12 Conference November 30, 2010 November 30, 2010 Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State C-USA UCF SMU 17–7 Dwayne Harris, WR/KR, East Carolina (MVP)http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120810aai.html Conference USA Announces Football Players of the Year Conference USA December 8, 2010 December 30, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101216033352/http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120810aai.html December 16, 2010 dead mdy-all G.J. Kinne, QB, Tulsa Bruce Miller, DE, UCF George O'Leary, UCFhttp://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120810aaf.html UCF's O'Leary Named C-USA Football Coach of the Year Conference USA December 8, 2010 December 30, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101212095004/http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120810aaf.html December 12, 2010 dead mdy-all MAC Miami (OH) No. 24 Northern Illinois 26–21 Chad Spann, RB, Northern Illinoishttp://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=205039478 MAC Announces 2010 Football Post Season Awards Mid-American Conference December 1, 2010 December 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101216215551/http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=205039478 16 December 2010 dead dmy-all Roosevelt Nix, DT, Kent State Mike Haywood, Miami SEC No. 2 Auburn No. 18 South Carolina 56–17 Cam Newton, QB, Auburnhttp://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/NEWS/tabid/473/Article/217525/sec-football-individual-awards-announced.aspx SEC Football Individual Awards Announced Southeastern Conference December 8, 2010 December 8, 2010 Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU Steve Spurrier, South Carolina Other conference champions ConferenceChampionRecordOffensive Player of the YearDefensive Player of the YearCoach of the Year Big EastConnecticut*Pittsburgh #23 West Virginia 8–4 7–5 9–3 Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticuthttp://bigeast.org/News/tabid/435/Article/217502/big-east-announces-2010-postseason-football-honors.aspx BIG EAST Announces 2010 Postseason Football Honors Big East Conference December 8, 2010 December 30, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110121125152/http://www.bigeast.org/News/tabid/435/Article/217502/BIG-EAST-Announces-2010-Postseason-Football-Honors.aspx 21 January 2011 dead dmy-all Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh Randy Edsall, Connecticut and Charlie Strong, Louisville Big Ten No. 7 Michigan StateNo. 6 Ohio State (vacated)No. 4 Wisconsin* 11–1 11–1 11–1 Denard Robinson, QB, Michiganhttp://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112910aae.html Big Ten Announces 2010 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors Big Ten Conference November 29, 2010 November 29, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101222184331/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112910aae.html 22 December 2010 dead dmy-all Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue Mark Dantonio, Michigan State MWC No. 3 TCU 12–0 Andy Dalton, QB, TCUhttp://www.themwc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113010aac.html Mountain West Announces 2010 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors Mountain West Conference November 30, 2010 November 30, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101231065335/http://www.themwc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113010aac.html 31 December 2010 dead dmy-all Tank Carder, LB, TCU Brady Hoke, San Diego State Pac-10 No. 1 Oregon 12–0 Andrew Luck, QB, Stanfordhttp://pac-10.org/News/tabid/863/Article/217454/pac-10-football-awards-and-all-conference-team-announced.aspx Pac-10 Football Awards and All-Conference Team Announced Pacific-10 Conference December 7, 2010 December 30, 2010 December 10, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101210194541/http://www.pac-10.org/News/tabid/863/Article/217454/pac-10-football-awards-and-all-conference-team-announced.aspx dead Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State Chip Kelly, Oregon Sun Belt FIUTroy 6–6 7–5 T. Y. Hilton, WR/KR, FIU (Player of the Year)http://www.sunbeltsports.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22157&SPID=1808&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4100&ATCLID=205044121 FIU's Hilton Headlines 2010 All-Sun Belt Conference Football Teams Sun Belt Conference December 8, 2010 December 30, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110718192214/http://www.sunbeltsports.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22157&SPID=1808&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4100&ATCLID=205044121 July 18, 2011 dead mdy-all Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky (Offensive POY) Jamari Lattimore, DE, Middle Tennessee Mario Cristobal, FIU WAC No. 9 Boise State #25 Hawaii #14 Nevada 11–1 10–3 12–1 Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State and Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevadahttp://www.wacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=45959&SPID=4122&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10100&ATCLID=205043223.html All-WAC Football Teams and Players of the Year Announced Western Athletic Conference December 6, 2010 December 30, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120325085824/http://www.wacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=45959&SPID=4122&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10100&ATCLID=205043223.html March 25, 2012 dead mdy-all Chris Carter, DE, Fresno State Chris Ault, Nevada * Received conference's automatic BCS bowl bid. In 2011, Ohio State vacated all twelve wins and their share of the Big Ten title from the 2010 season after it was revealed that several players had committed NCAA violations by receiving improper benefits from a local business owner.https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=6749330 Buckeyes vacate wins from last football season 2011-07-08 ESPN.com 2017-07-22a Final BCS rankings BCS School Record BCS Bowl Game 1 Auburn 13–0 BCS National Championship 2 Oregon 12–0 BCS National Championship 3 TCU 12–0 Rose 4 Stanford 11–1 Orange 5 Wisconsin 11–1 Rose 6 Ohio State 11–1 Sugar 7 Oklahoma 11–2 Fiesta 8 Arkansas 10–2 Sugar 9 Michigan State 11–1 10 Boise State 11–1 11 LSU 10–2 12 Missouri 10–2 13 Virginia Tech 11–2 Orange 14 Oklahoma State 10–2 15 Nevada 12–1 16 Alabama 9–3 17 Texas A&M 9–3 18 Nebraska 10–3 19 Utah 10–2 20 South Carolina 9–4 21 Mississippi State 8–4 22 West Virginia 9–3 23 Florida State 9–4 24 Hawaii 10–3 25 UCF 10–3 Despite not being in the BCS rankings, Connecticut (8–4) played in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl by virtue of being the Big East Conference champion. FCS team wins over FBS teams Italics denotes FCS teams. no no September 4 no 17 (FCS) Jacksonville State Ole Miss Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, Mississippi no 49–48 2OT 55,768 FCS wins vs. FBS teams: All-time victories, upsets, wins vs. ranked teams https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/fcs-wins-vs-fbs-teams-all-time-victories-upsets NCAA.com September 7, 2025 October 2, 2025 September 4 no North Dakota State Kansas Memorial Stadium Lawrence, Kansas no 6–3 48,417 September 11 no 12 (FCS) James Madison 13 (FBS) Virginia Tech Lane Stadium Blacksburg, Virginia no 21–16 66,233 September 11 no Gardner–Webb Akron InfoCision Stadium Akron, Ohio no 38–37 OT 10,046 September 11 no 18 (FCS) Liberty Ball State Scheumann Stadium Muncie, Indiana no 27–23 9,110 September 11 no South Dakota Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, Minnesota no 41–38 49,554 October 2 no UC Davis San José State Spartan Stadium San Jose, California no 14–13 17,844 Bowl games 2010–11 NCAA football bowl games Non-BCS BowlsDateGameSiteTelevisionParticipants and Results Dec. 18New Mexico BowlUniversity StadiumUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerque, NM2:00 pm ESPNBrigham Young (6–6) 52UTEP (6–6) 24uDrove Humanitarian BowlBronco StadiumBoise State UniversityBoise, ID5:30 pmNorthern Illinois (10–3) 40Fresno State (8–4) 17R+L Carriers New Orleans BowlLouisiana SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA9:00 pm Troy (7–5) 48Ohio (8–4) 21 Dec. 21Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg BowlTropicana FieldSt. Petersburg, FL8:00 pmSouthern Mississippi (8–4) 28 Louisville (6–6) 31 Dec. 22Maaco Bowl Las VegasSam Boyd StadiumUniversity of Nevada, Las VegasWhitney, NV8:00 pmNo. 19 Utah (10–2) 3 No. 10 Boise State (11–1) 26 Dec. 23SDCCU Poinsettia BowlQualcomm StadiumSan Diego, CA8:00 pmNavy (9–3) 14San Diego State (8–4) 35 Dec. 24Sheraton Hawaii BowlAloha StadiumHonolulu, HI8:00 pmNo. 24 Hawaii (10–3) 35 Tulsa (9–3) 62 Dec. 26Little Caesars Pizza BowlFord FieldDetroit, MI8:30 pmFlorida International (6–6) 34Toledo (8–4) 32 Dec. 27AdvoCare V100 Independence BowlIndependence StadiumShreveport, LA5:00 pmESPN2Air Force (8–4) 14Georgia Tech (6–6) 7 Dec. 28Champs Sports BowlCitrus BowlOrlando, FL6:30 pm ESPNNo. 22 West Virginia (9–3) 7North Carolina State (9–3) 23Insight BowlSun Devil StadiumArizona State UniversityTempe, AZ10:00 pmNo. 12 Missouri (10–2) 24Iowa (7–5) 27Dec. 29Military Bowl Pres. By Northrop GrummanRFK StadiumWashington D.C.2:30 pmEast Carolina (6–6) 20Maryland (8–4) 51Texas BowlReliant StadiumHouston, TX6:00 pmIllinois (6–6) 38Baylor (7–5) 14Valero Alamo BowlAlamodomeSan Antonio, TX9:15 pmNo. 14 Oklahoma State (10–2) 36Arizona (7–5) 10 Dec. 30Bell Helicopter Armed Forces BowlGerald J. Ford StadiumSouthern Methodist UniversityUniversity Park, TX12:00 pmArmy (6–6) 16Southern Methodist (7–6) 14New Era Pinstripe BowlYankee StadiumThe Bronx, New York, NY3:20 pmKansas State (7–5) 34 Syracuse (7–5) 36Franklin American Mortgage Music City BowlLP FieldNashville, TN6:40 pmNorth Carolina (7–5) 30 Tennessee (6–6) 27 (2OT)Bridgepoint Education Holiday BowlQualcomm StadiumSan Diego, CA10:00 pmNo. 18 Nebraska (10–3) 7 Washington (6–6) 19 Dec. 31Meineke Car Care BowlBank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC12:00 pmSouth Florida (7–5) 31 Clemson (6–6) 26Hyundai Sun BowlSun Bowl StadiumUniversity of Texas El PasoEl Paso, TX2:00 pmCBSNotre Dame (7–5) 33 Miami (FL) (7–5) 17AutoZone Liberty BowlLiberty BowlMemphis, TN3:30 pm ESPN Georgia (6–6) 6 No. 25 Central Florida (10–3) 10Chick-fil-A BowlGeorgia DomeAtlanta, GA7:30 pmNo. 20 South Carolina (9–4) 17 No. 23 Florida State (9–4) 26Jan. 1TicketCity BowlCotton BowlFair Park, Dallas, TX12:00 pmESPNUNorthwestern (7–5) 38 Texas Tech (7–5) 45Outback BowlRaymond James StadiumTampa, FL1:00 pmABCFlorida (8–4) 37 Penn State (7–5) 24Capital One BowlCitrus BowlOrlando, FL1:00 pmESPNNo. 16 Alabama (9–3) 49 No. 9 Michigan State (11–1) 7Progressive Gator BowlEverBank FieldJacksonville, FL1:30 pmESPN2No. 21 Mississippi State (8–4) 52 Michigan (7–5) 14 Jan. 6GoDaddy.com BowlLadd–Peebles StadiumMobile, AL8:00 pmESPNMiddle Tennessee (6–6) 21 Miami (OH) (9–4) 35 Jan. 7AT&T Cotton BowlCowboys StadiumArlington, TX8:00 pmFoxNo. 11 LSU (10–2) 41No. 17 Texas A&M (9–3) 24 Jan. 8BBVA Compass BowlLegion FieldBirmingham, AL12:00 pm ESPNPittsburgh (7–5) 27 Kentucky (6–6) 10 Jan. 9Kraft Fight Hunger BowlAT&T ParkSan Francisco, CA9:00 pmNo. 15 Nevada (12–1) 20Boston College (7–5) 13Bowl Championship SeriesDateGameSiteTelevisionParticipants and Results Jan. 1Rose Bowl Game presented by VizioRose BowlPasadena, CA4:30 pmESPNNo. 5 Wisconsin (11–1) 19 No. 3 TCU (12–0) 21Tostitos Fiesta BowlUniversity of Phoenix StadiumGlendale, AZ8:30 pmConnecticut (8–4) 20 No. 7 Oklahoma (11–2) 48 Jan. 3Discover Orange BowlSun Life StadiumMiami Gardens, FL8:30 pmNo. 4 Stanford (11–1) 40 No. 13 Virginia Tech (11–2) 12 Jan. 4Allstate Sugar BowlLouisiana SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA8:30 pmNo. 6 Ohio State (11–1) 31 No. 8 Arkansas (10–2) 26 Jan. 10Tostitos BCS National Championship GameUniversity of Phoenix StadiumGlendale, AZ8:30 pmNo. 2 Oregon (12–0) 19 No. 1 Auburn (13–0) 22 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 Cam Newton Auburn QB 729 24 28 2,263 Andrew Luck Stanford QB 78 309 227 1,079 LaMichael James Oregon RB 22 313 224 916 Kellen Moore Boise State QB 40 165 185 635 Justin Blackmon Oklahoma State WR 1 23 56 105 Denard Robinson Michigan QB 6 16 34 84 Ryan Mallett Arkansas QB 0 11 19 41 Colin Kaepernick Nevada QB 0 7 17 31 Andy Dalton TCU QB 4 3 12 30 Owen Marecic Stanford FB/LB 3 1 5 16 Source: http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/2010_archive_awards.html College Football Poll.com www.collegefootballpoll.com 2010-12-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20101215140400/http://collegefootballpoll.com/2010_archive_awards.html 2010-12-15 dead Other award winners Overall AP Player of the Year: Cameron Newton, Auburn Maxwell Award (top player): Cameron Newton, Auburn Walter Camp Award (top player): Cameron Newton, Auburn Niche Campbell Trophy ("academic Heisman", formerly the Draddy Trophy): Sam Acho, Texas Wuerffel Trophy (humanitarian-athlete): Sam Acho, Texas Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player): Owen Marecic, Stanford Burlsworth Trophy (top player who began as walk-on): Sean Bedford, Georgia Tech Offense Quarterback Davey O'Brien Award (quarterback): Cameron Newton, Auburn Johnny Unitas Award (senior quarterback): Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin Manning Award (quarterback): Cameron Newton, Auburn Sammy Baugh Trophy (quarterback, specifically passer): Landry Jones, Oklahoma Running Back Doak Walker Award (running back): LaMichael James, Oregon Wide Receiver Fred Biletnikoff Award (wide receiver): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State Tight End John Mackey Award (tight end): D.J. Williams, Arkansas Lineman thumb|180px|right|Gabe Carimi Dave Rimington Trophy (center): Jake Kirkpatrick, TCU Outland Trophy (interior lineman): Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin Defense Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player): Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player): Patrick Peterson, LSU Lott Trophy (defensive impact): J. J. Watt, Wisconsin Defensive Line Ted Hendricks Award (defensive end): Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson Lombardi Award (defensive lineman): Nick Fairley, Auburn Linebacker Dick Butkus Award (linebacker): Von Miller, Texas A&M Defensive Back Jim Thorpe Award (defensive back): Patrick Peterson, LSU Special teams Lou Groza Award (placekicker): Dan Bailey, Oklahoma State Ray Guy Award (punter): Chas Henry, Florida Coaches AP Coach of the Year: Chip Kelly, Oregon Paul "Bear" Bryant Award: Gene Chizik, Auburn The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award: Gene Chizik, Auburn Walter Camp Coach of the Year: Chip Kelly, Oregon Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year: Chip Kelly, Oregon Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award: Chris Petersen, Boise State Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award: Gene Chizik, Auburn Assistant Broyles Award (assistant coach): Gus Malzahn, Auburn All-Americans 2010 College Football All-America Team Records Penn State football coach, Joe Paterno, in his 45th season, has achieved a feat that no coach in major college football history has ever reached: the 400-win mark. Paterno already held records for the most wins in major college football history as well as the most bowl wins (24) in college football history. Kyle Brotzman of Boise State set a new Division I record for most career points by a kicker. His 439 career points surpassed the former record of 433 by Art Carmody of Louisville. Miami (Ohio) became the first team in FBS history to win 10 or more games after losing 10 or more games in the previous season. Coaching changes Preseason and in-season This is restricted to coaching changes that took place on or after May 1, 2010. For coaching changes that occurred earlier in 2010, see 2009 NCAA Division I FBS end-of-season coaching changes. TeamOutgoing coachDateReasonReplacement Vanderbilt Bobby Johnson July 14 Retired Robbie Caldwellhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5379454 Vanderbilt coach Johnson retires Chris Low ESPN.com July 14, 2010 July 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100716203940/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5379454 16 July 2010 live Minnesota Tim Brewster October 17 Fired after 1–6 start Jeff Horton (interim)http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=205013823 Brewster Relieved of Head Coaching Duties University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics October 17, 2010 October 17, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110711112839/http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=205013823 July 11, 2011 North Texas Todd Dodge October 20 Fired after 1–6 start Mike Canales (interim)https://www.espn.com/dallas/ncf/news/story?id=5706243 North Texas fires Todd Dodge ESPN.com October 20, 2010 October 20, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101023004303/http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/news/story?id=5706243 23 October 2010 live Colorado Dan Hawkins November 9 Fired after 3–6 start Brian Cabral (interim)https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5782842 Source: Embattled Dan Hawkins Out at Colorado ESPN.com November 9, 2010 November 9, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101110081842/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5782842 10 November 2010 live End of season Note: All dates in November and December are in 2010; all January dates are in 2011. The "resigned/fired" listing indicates that a coach technically resigned, but at least one media report has stated that he was effectively fired. TeamOutgoing coachDate of departureReasonReplacementDate of replacement Kent State Doug Martin November 21 (effective November 27)http://www.kentstatesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/releases/20101121unj5js Doug Martin To Step Down Following Friday's Game With Ohio Kent State Athletics November 21, 2010 November 27, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101213172123/http://kentstatesports.com/sports/fball/2010-11/releases/20101121unj5js 13 December 2010 dead dmy-all Resigned Darrell Hazell December 20 Ball State Stan Parrish November 22https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5845421 Stan Parrish out at Ball State Associated Press ESPN.com November 24, 2010 November 27, 2010 Fired Pete Lembohttp://ballstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=14200&ATCLID=205057534 Pete Lembo Named Head Football Coach Ball State University Athletics December 20, 2010 December 21, 2010 December 20 Vanderbilt Robbie Caldwell November 27https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5855137 Robbie Caldwell steps down at Vandy Chris Low ESPN.com November 27, 2010 November 27, 2010 Resigned James Franklinhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5929959 James Franklin takes over at Vandy Associated Press ESPN.com December 17, 2010 December 17, 2010 December 17 Miami (FL) Randy Shannon November 27https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5858214 Miami fires coach Randy Shannon Heather Dinich ESPN.com November 27, 2010 November 27, 2010 Fired Al Goldenhttp://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121210aae.html Miami Hires Al Golden as Head Football Coach University of Miami Athletics December 12, 2010 13 December 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101216060541/http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121210aae.html 16 December 2010 dead dmy-all December 12 Indiana Bill Lynch November 28https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5860140 Indiana fires coach Bill Lynch ESPN.com November 28, 2010 November 28, 2010 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131020192331/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5860140 October 20, 2013 Fired Kevin Wilsonhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5896426 Kevin Wilson hired as Indiana's coach Associated Press ESPN.com December 7, 2010 December 7, 2010 live https://web.archive.org/web/20140307013337/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5896426 March 7, 2014 December 7 Arkansas State Steve Roberts November 29https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5864121 Steve Roberts resigns after nine years Associated Press ESPN.com November 29, 2010 December 2, 2010 Resigned/firedhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5875374 Hugh Freeze hired at Arkansas St. Bruce Feldman ESPN.com December 2, 2010 December 2, 2010 Hugh Freeze December 2 Louisiana-Lafayette Rickey Bustle November 29https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5845421 La.-Lafayette fires Rickey Bustle Associated Press ESPN.com November 29, 2010 November 29, 2010 Fired Mark Hudspethhttp://www.ragincajuns.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15400&ATCLID=205054324 Cajuns to Introduce Hudspeth on Monday University of Louisiana-Lafayette Athletics December 12, 2010 13 December 2010 July 15, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110715152059/http://www.ragincajuns.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15400&ATCLID=205054324 dead December 13 North Texas Mike Canales (interim) November 30https://www.espn.com/dallas/ncf/news/story?id=5866534 Dan McCarney starts at North Texas Tim MacMahon ESPNDallas.com November 30, 2010 December 6, 2010 Permanent replacement Dan McCarney November 30 Minnesota Jeff Horton (interim) December 5https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5888840 Minnesota hires Jerry Kill as coach ESPN.com December 5, 2010 December 6, 2010 Permanent replacement Jerry Kill December 5 Northern Illinois Jerry Kill December 5 Hired by Minnesota Tom Matukewicz (interim)http://today.niu.edu/2010/12/07/12132/ Tom Matukewicz named NIU football interim head coach NIU Today December 9, 2010 9 December 2010 17 December 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101217081837/http://today.niu.edu/2010/12/07/12132/ dead December 9 Dave Doeren (permanent)https://www.espn.com/chicago/ncf/news/story?id=5914448 Northern Illinois taps Dave Doeren ESPNChicago.com December 13, 2010 December 13, 2010 December 13 (effective January 2) Colorado Brian Cabral (interim) December 6http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=205043086 Embree Named Colorado's Head Football Coach University of Colorado Athletics December 6, 2010 December 20, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110102151220/http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=205043086 2 January 2011 live Permanent replacement Jon Embree December 6 Florida Urban Meyer December 8 (effective January 2)https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5899478 Urban Meyer stepping down at Florida ESPN.com December 8, 2010 December 8, 2010 Resigned Will Muschamphttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5910011 Florida hires Will Muschamp as coach ESPN.com December 11, 2010 December 11, 2010 December 11 (effective January 2) Pittsburgh Dave Wannstedt December 7http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10344/1109726-233.stm https://web.archive.org/web/20101213192656/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10344/1109726-233.stm dead December 13, 2010 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Paul Zeise Bennett: Wannstedt to coach Pitt in bowl game December 10, 2010 12 December 2010 Resigned/fired Mike Haywoodhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5924001 Source: Pitt hires Mike Haywood Joe Schad ESPN.com December 15, 2010 December 15, 2010 December 16 (fired on Jan. 1) Temple Al Golden December 12 Hired by Miami (FL) Steve Addaziohttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5947908 Reports: Steve Addazio new Owls coach ESPN.com December 22, 2010 December 22, 2010 December 22 (effective date TBA) Miami (OH) Mike Haywood December 16 Hired by Pittsburgh Lance Guidry (interim)http://www.muredhawks.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121610aab.html Lance Guidry Named Miami Football's Interim Head Coach Miami University Athletic Department December 16, 2010 January 11, 2011 April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes December 16 Don Treadwell (permanent)https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5974236 Don Treadwell to coach RedHawks ESPN.com December 31, 2010 December 31, 2010 December 31 (effective January 10)MarylandRalph FriedgenDecember 20FiredRandy Edsallhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5981463 Randy Edsall to coach Maryland ESPN.com January 3, 2011 January 3, 2011 January 2 Pittsburgh Mike Haywood January 1 Firedhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5978467 Pitt fires new coach Mike Haywood ESPN.com January 2, 2011 January 2, 2011 Phil Bennett (interim) January 3 Todd Graham (permanent)https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=6008394 Todd Graham to take over Pittsburgh Associated Press ESPN.com January 10, 2011 January 10, 2011 January 10ConnecticutRandy EdsallJanuary 2Hired by MarylandPaul Pasqualonihttp://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011311aab.html Paul Pasqualoni Named UConn Head Football Coach University of Connecticut Athletics January 13, 2011 January 13, 2011 January 16, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110116214747/http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011311aab.html dead January 13MichiganRich RodriguezJanuary 5Firedhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5991296 Rich Rodriguez fired by Michigan ESPN.com January 5, 2011 January 5, 2011 Brady Hokehttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=6012465 Brady Hoke named Michigan coach Associated Press ESPN.com January 11, 2011 January 11, 2011January 11StanfordJim HarbaughJanuary 7Hired by San Francisco 49ershttp://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010711aaa.html Jim Harbaugh Named Head Coach of San Francisco 49ers Stanford Athletics January 7, 2011 January 7, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120318031953/http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010711aaa.html March 18, 2012 David Shawhttp://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011311aaa.html David Shaw Named Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football/Head Coach Stanford Athletics 14 January 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120112101451/http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011311aaa.html 12 January 2012 January 13 Tulsa Todd Graham January 10 Hired by PittsburghBill Blankenshiphttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=6022979 Bill Blankenship Named Head Coach ESPN.com January 14, 2011 January 15, 2011January 14 San Diego State Brady Hoke January 11 Hired by Michigan Rocky Longhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=6015802 San Diego State promotes Rocky Long Associated Press ESPN.com January 12, 2011 January 12, 2011 January 12 TV ratings Ten most watched regular season games in 2010 November 26 - Iron Bowl/The Cam-Back - CBS - 2 Auburn vs 9 Alabama - 12.5 Million viewers December 4 - 2010 SEC Championship - CBS - 1 Auburn vs 19 South Carolina - 10.1 Million viewers September 6 - ESPN - 3 Boise State vs. 5 Virginia Tech - 9.9 Million viewers December 4 - 2010 Big 12 Championship - ESPN on ABC - 13 Nebraska vs 10 Oklahoma - 8.98 Million viewers October 2 - CBS - 7 Florida vs 1 Alabama - 8.6 Million viewers November 13 - Deep South's Oldest Rivalry - CBS - Georgia vs 2 Auburn - 8.3 Million viewers September 25 - CBS - 1 Alabama vs 10 Arkansas - 8.2 Million viewers November 26 - ESPN - 21 Arizona vs 1 Oregon - 7.8 Million viewers October 9 - CBS - 1 Alabama vs 19 South Carolina - 7.7 Million viewers September 11 - ESPN - 18 Penn State vs 1 Alabama -7.2 Million viewers 7 of 10 games involved with SEC teams - All seven involved a team from the State of Alabama Attendances # Team Games Total Average 1 Michigan 7 782,776 111,825 2 Ohio State 8 842,221 105,278 3 Penn State 7 729,636 104,234 4 Alabama 7 712,747 101,821 5 Texas 7 704,580 100,654 6 Tennessee 7 698,465 99,781 7 Georgia 6 556,476 92,746 8 LSU 7 649,023 92,718 9 Florida 7 633,579 90,511 10 Auburn 8 688,692 86,087 11 Nebraska 7 599,648 85,664 12 Oklahoma 6 508,426 84,738 13 Texas A&M 7 577,338 82,477 14 Notre Dame 7 565,565 80,795 15 Southern California 6 479,444 79,907 16 Wisconsin 7 559,035 79,862 17 Clemson 7 542,280 77,469 18 South Carolina 7 536,675 76,668 19 Michigan State 7 514,894 73,556 20 Florida State 7 498,890 71,270 21 Iowa 7 494,095 70,585 22 Arkansas 6 413,591 68,932 23 Washington 6 397,581 66,264 24 Virginia Tech 7 463,631 66,233 25 Kentucky 7 462,488 66,070 26 Missouri 6 369,240 61,540 27 BYU 6 368,283 61,381 28 UCLA 6 362,253 60,376 29 Oregon 6 356,387 59,398 30 North Carolina 6 349,500 58,250 31 California 7 405,112 57,873 32 Texas Tech 6 342,647 57,108 33 North Carolina State 6 341,261 56,877 34 West Virginia 7 394,274 56,325 35 Mississippi 7 391,289 55,898 36 Arizona 7 387,857 55,408 37 Mississippi State 7 384,995 54,999 38 Illinois 6 325,126 54,188 39 Miami Hurricanes 6 315,452 52,575 40 Pittsburgh 6 312,991 52,165 41 Oklahoma State 7 355,684 50,812 42 Louisville 7 354,537 50,648 43 Kansas State 6 298,897 49,816 44 East Carolina 6 297,987 49,665 45 Minnesota 7 346,593 49,513 46 Purdue 7 336,443 48,063 47 Arizona State 6 287,657 47,943 48 Colorado 6 281,182 46,864 49 Georgia Tech 6 278,696 46,449 50 Rutgers 7 323,368 46,195 51 Oregon State 6 273,054 45,509 52 Utah 6 272,754 45,459 53 Virginia 7 318,212 45,459 54 Iowa State 7 317,767 45,395 55 Kansas 7 313,955 44,851 56 TCU 6 254,797 42,466 57 Indiana 6 251,718 41,953 58 South Florida 7 285,946 40,849 59 Air Force 6 240,560 40,093 60 Syracuse 6 240,385 40,064 61 Baylor 6 240,259 40,043 62 Stanford 6 240,254 40,042 63 UCF 7 277,301 39,614 64 Maryland 6 235,007 39,168 65 Boston College 7 268,585 38,369 66 Connecticut 6 229,488 38,248 67 Hawaii 8 298,486 37,311 68 Northwestern 6 218,696 36,449 69 Cincinnati 7 245,472 35,067 70 San Diego State 7 238,930 34,133 71 Fresno State 7 238,841 34,120 72 Boise State 6 199,611 33,269 73 Vanderbilt 7 232,885 33,269 74 Navy 5 163,266 32,653 75 Houston 6 190,366 31,728 76 Army 5 158,334 31,667 77 Wake Forest 6 182,843 30,474 78 Southern Miss 6 176,400 29,400 79 UTEP 6 176,097 29,350 80 Duke 7 201,248 28,750 81 Marshall 6 162,276 27,046 82 Rice 7 178,994 25,571 83 Washington State 6 147,194 24,532 84 Memphis 6 143,509 23,918 85 SMU 7 164,602 23,515 86 Tulane 7 162,543 23,220 87 Colorado State 5 111,998 22,400 88 Louisiana-Monroe 6 125,603 20,934 89 New Mexico 6 125,330 20,888 90 Wyoming 6 124,747 20,791 91 UNLV 6 123,672 20,612 92 Temple 6 123,088 20,515 93 Central Michigan 5 102,238 20,448 94 Tulsa 6 122,272 20,379 95 FIU 6 118,848 19,808 96 Nevada 7 137,032 19,576 97 Louisiana Tech 6 116,908 19,485 98 Toledo 6 116,000 19,333 99 Ohio 6 114,277 19,046 100 Middle Tennessee 6 114,143 19,024 101 Troy 5 94,736 18,947 102 UAB 6 110,162 18,360 103 Utah State 6 107,265 17,878 104 Northern Illinois 5 88,801 17,760 105 North Texas 6 106,306 17,718 106 Arkansas State 5 86,969 17,394 107 Louisiana-Lafayette 5 86,915 17,383 108 Kent State 6 96,911 16,152 109 New Mexico State 6 95,433 15,906 110 Eastern Michigan 5 79,426 15,885 111 Miami RedHawks 5 77,593 15,519 112 Western Kentucky 5 72,884 14,577 113 San Jose State 6 86,842 14,474 114 Western Michigan 6 85,528 14,255 115 FAU 4 56,098 14,025 116 Bowling Green 5 66,532 13,306 117 Buffalo 6 77,883 12,981 118 Idaho 6 76,379 12,730 119 Akron 6 61,108 10,185 120 Ball State 6 53,683 8,947 Sources:2010 NATIONAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL ATTENDANCE (For All NCAA Men's Varsity Teams) http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/Attendance/2010.pdfhttps://kenn.com/blog/sports-attendance/ncaa-football-attendance/ NCAA Football Attendance – kenn.com blog kenn.com Notes and references 30em External links