1992 NCAA Division I-A football season

The 1992 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first year of the Bowl Coalition and concluded with Alabama's first national championship in thirteen years—their first since the departure of Bear Bryant. One of Bryant's former players, Gene Stallings, was the head coach, and he used a style similar to Bryant's, a smashmouth running game combined with a tough defense.

1992 NCAA Division I-A season
Number of teams107[1]
Preseason AP No. 1Miami (FL)[2]
Post-season
Bowl games18
Heisman TrophyGino Torretta (quarterback, Miami (FL))
Bowl Coalition Championship
1993 Sugar Bowl
SiteLouisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Champion(s)Alabama
Division I-A football seasons
← 1991
1993 →

The top-tier games of the Bowl Coalition were the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl Classic, and Fiesta Bowl. Under the agreement, the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl Classic hosted the Southeastern Conference, Big 8, and Southwest Conference champions, respectively, and then a pool of at large teams was formed between the Atlantic Coast Conference champ, the Big East champ, Notre Dame, and two conference runners-up from the Big 8, SWC, ACC, Big East and Pac-10. The highest ranked host team would play the highest ranked at-large team. If the two highest ranked teams were both at-large teams, the championship game would be hosted by the Fiesta Bowl. Three other bowls—the Blockbuster Bowl, Gator Bowl, and John Hancock Bowl—were second-tier games of the Bowl Coalition.

For this year, (host) SEC champ Alabama played (at-large) Big East Champ Miami-FL, the Orange Bowl featured (host) Big-8 champ Nebraska and (at-large) ACC champ Florida St., the Cotton Bowl Classic featured (host) SWC champ Texas A&M and (at-large) independent Notre Dame, and the Fiesta Bowl featured (at-large) Big East runner up Syracuse and (at-large) Big 8 runner up Colorado.

The 1992 season also saw the expansion of the SEC and the first conference championship game to be played in the country. Before the 1992 season, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the South Carolina Gamecocks joined the SEC, which expanded the conference to twelve teams. The conference then split into two divisions, and the winner of each division would face off in the SEC Championship Game in Birmingham's historic Legion Field (later moved to Atlanta's Georgia Dome, in 1994). In the first year of the new system, Alabama won the SEC West, Florida won the SEC East, and the Tide won the match-up 28–21 on an Antonio Langham interception return for a touchdown in the closing minutes.

In the Sugar Bowl, to decide the national champion, Miami came in a heavy favorite with even heavier swagger. The Tide defense, however, with its eleven-man fronts and zone blitzes, heavily confused Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta and Alabama won in a defensive rout, 34–13.

In other circles, the Big West Conference lost two members; Fresno State left for the WAC and Long Beach State stopped sponsoring football, but they also gained a member in Nevada, which made the jump from Division I-AA. Nevada went 5–1 in conference, winning the Big West championship and representing the conference in the 1992 Las Vegas Bowl (formerly the California Bowl held in Fresno, California).

Rule changes
  • Fumbles could now be recovered and advanced by the defense anywhere on the field (previously it only applied to fumbles beyond the line of scrimmage), except for backward passes and muffed punts/kickoffs, which could be recovered by the defense but not advanced.
    • Today, the defense is still not allowed to advance muffed kicks, but has been allowed to advance backward passes since 1998.
  • While overtime was not introduced for regular-season games until 1996 (and Division I-A bowl games in 1995), the Kansas tiebreaker procedure was permitted (but not needed) for the SEC Championship Game beginning in 1992. Both teams would be allowed a chance to score by beginning their drive at the opponent's 25-yard-line.

Conference and program changes
  • Florida State played its first season of ACC football in 1992 after many years as an independent. The Seminoles had joined the ACC in all other sports in 1991.
  • Arkansas and the South Carolina joined the SEC, expanding the conference to twelve teams. Both the Razorbacks and the Gamecocks had joined the SEC in all other sports in 1991.
  • Akron joined the Mid-American Conference.
  • Fresno State departed the Big West for the WAC and were replaced by Nevada, formerly of Division I-AA.
  • Long Beach State dropped its football program, which had been a member of the Big West.
School1991 Conference1992 Conference
Akron ZipsI-A IndependentMAC
Arkansas RazorbacksSWCSEC
Arkansas StateI-AA IndependentI-A Independent
Florida State SeminolesI-A IndependentACC
Fresno State BulldogsBig WestWAC
Long Beach State 49ersBig WestDropped Program
Nevada Wolf PackBig Sky (I-AA)Big West (I-A)
South Carolina GamecocksI-A IndependentSEC

Conference standings
1992 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 2 Florida State $ 8 –0 –0  11 –1 –0
No. 17 NC State 6 –2 –0  9 –3 –1
No. 19 North Carolina 5 –3 –0  9 –3 –0
No. 25 Wake Forest 4 –4 –0  8 –4 –0
Virginia 4 –4 –0  7 –4 –0
Georgia Tech 4 –4 –0  5 –6 –0
Clemson 3 –5 –0  5 –6 –0
Maryland 2 –6 –0  3 –8 –0
Duke 0 –8 –0  2 –9 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1992 Big East Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 3 Miami (FL) 4 –0 –0  11 –1 –0
No. 6 Syracuse 6 –1 –0  10 –2 –0
Rutgers 4 –2 –0  7 –4 –0
No. 21 Boston College 2 –1 –1  8 –3 –1
West Virginia 2 –3 –1  5 –4 –2
Pittsburgh 1 –3 –0  3 –9 –0
Virginia Tech 1 –4 –0  2 –8 –1
Temple 0 –6 –0  1 –10 –0
  • The Big East did not crown an official champion until 1993 when full league play began.
Rankings from AP Poll
1992 Big Eight Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 14 Nebraska $ 6 –1 –0  9 –3 –0
No. 13 Colorado % 5 –1 –1  9 –2 –1
No. 22 Kansas 4 –3 –0  8 –4 –0
Oklahoma 3 –2 –2  5 –4 –2
Oklahoma State 2 –4 –1  3 –7 –1
Kansas State 2 –5 –0  5 –6 –0
Iowa State 2 –5 –0  4 –7 –0
Missouri 2 –5 –0  3 –8 –0
  • $ – Bowl Coalition representative as champion
    % – Bowl Coalition at-large representative
Rankings from AP Poll
1992 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 5 Michigan $ 6 –0 –2  9 –0 –3
No. 18 Ohio State 5 –2 –1  8 –3 –1
Michigan State 5 –3 –0  5 –6 –0
Illinois 4 –3 –1  6 –5 –1
Iowa 4 –4 –0  5 –7 –0
Indiana 3 –5 –0  5 –6 –0
Wisconsin 3 –5 –0  5 –6 –0
Purdue 3 –5 –0  4 –7 –0
Northwestern 3 –5 –0  3 –8 –0
Minnesota 2 –6 –0  2 –9 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1992 Big West Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
Nevada $ 5 –1 –0  7 –5 –0
San Jose State 4 –2 –0  7 –4 –0
Utah State 4 –2 –0  5 –6 –0
New Mexico State 3 –3 –0  6 –5 –0
UNLV 3 –3 –0  6 –5 –0
Pacific (CA) 2 –4 –0  3 –8 –0
Cal State Fullerton 0 –6 –0  2 –9 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
1992 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
Bowling Green $ 8 –0 –0  10 –2 –0
Western Michigan 6 –3 –0  7 –3 –1
Toledo 5 –3 –0  8 –3 –0
Akron 5 –3 –0  7 –3 –1
Miami 5 –3 –0  6 –4 –1
Ball State 5 –4 –0  5 –6 –0
Central Michigan 4 –5 –0  5 –6 –0
Kent State 2 –7 –0  2 –9 –0
Eastern Michigan 1 –7 –0  1 –10 –0
Ohio 1 –7 –0  1 –10 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
1992 Pacific-10 Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 11 Washington + 6 –2 –0  9 –3 –0
No. 9 Stanford + 6 –2 –0  10 –3 –0
No. 15 Washington State 5 –3 –0  9 –3 –0
USC 5 –3 –0  6 –5 –1
Arizona 4 –3 –1  6 –5 –1
Arizona State 4 –4 –0  6 –5 –0
Oregon 4 –4 –0  6 –6 –0
UCLA 3 –5 –0  6 –5 –0
California 2 –6 –0  4 –7 –0
Oregon State 0 –7 –1  1 –9 –1
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll
1992 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
Eastern Division
No. 10 Florida xy 6 –2 –0  9 –4 –0
No. 8 Georgia x 6 –2 –0  10 –2 –0
No. 12 Tennessee 5 –3 –0  9 –3 –0
South Carolina 3 –5 –0  5 –6 –0
Vanderbilt 2 –6 –0  4 –7 –0
Kentucky 2 –6 –0  4 –7 –0
Western Division
No. 1 Alabama x$ 8 –0 –0  13 –0 –0
No. 16 Ole Miss 5 –3 –0  9 –3 –0
No. 23 Mississippi State 4 –4 –0  7 –5 –0
Arkansas 3 –4 –1  3 –7 –1
Auburn 2 –5 –1  5 –5 –1
LSU 1 –7 –0  2 –9 –0
Championship: Alabama 28, Florida 21
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll
1992 Southwest Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 7 Texas A&M $ 7 –0 –0  12 –1 –0
Baylor 4 –3 –0  7 –5 –0
Rice 4 –3 –0  6 –5 –0
Texas 4 –3 –0  6 –5 –0
Texas Tech 4 –3 –0  5 –6 –0
SMU 2 –5 –0  5 –6 –0
Houston 2 –5 –0  4 –7 –0
TCU 1 –6 –0  2 –8 –1
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1992 Western Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 20 Hawaii + 6 –2 –0  11 –2 –0
No. 24 Fresno State + 6 –2 –0  9 –4 –0
BYU + 6 –2 –0  8 –5 –0
San Diego State 5 –3 –0  5 –5 –1
Air Force 4 –4 –0  7 –5 –0
Utah 4 –4 –0  6 –6 –0
Colorado State 3 –5 –0  5 –7 –0
Wyoming 3 –5 –0  5 –7 –0
New Mexico 2 –6 –0  3 –8 –0
UTEP 1 –7 –0  1 –10 –0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll
1992 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 4 Notre Dame   –    10 –1 –1
Southern Miss   –    7 –4 –0
Penn State   –    7 –5 –0
Memphis State   –    6 –5 –0
Army   –    5 –6 –0
East Carolina   –    5 –6 –0
Louisiana Tech   –    5 –6 –0
Louisville   –    5 –6 –0
Northern Illinois   –    5 –6 –0
Tulsa   –    4 –7 –0
Cincinnati   –    3 –8 –0
Arkansas State   –    2 –9 –0
Southwestern Louisiana   –    2 –9 –0
Tulane   –    2 –9 –0
Navy   –    1 –10 –0
Rankings from AP Poll

No. 1 and No. 2 progress

Until the November 10, 1992, poll, No. 1 and No. 2 shifted between Miami and Seattle, as the Miami Hurricanes and the Washington Huskies were only points apart at the top. In the preseason poll, Miami had 40 of the 62 first place votes cast, and Washington 12. After both teams went 5–0, they each got first place votes from 31 electors, split 31½ each, and on October 13, the Huskies were ahead by a single point 1,517½ to 1,516½. The following week, there was a tie for first place for the first time in the history of the AP poll, with Miami and Washington each collecting 1,517 points (Miami had more first place votes, 31 to 30, as another writer went with 7–0–0 Alabama). The next week, Miami was ahead 1,517 to 1,516, and the week after, Washington was on top again. On November 7, the Huskies lost at Arizona, 16–3 to fall to 8–1–0. In the remaining polls, Miami was the clear cut favorite for No. 1, with 61 of the 62 votes, and Alabama was everyone's favorite No. 2. Both finished the regular season unbeaten. Since Miami was an "at-large" school, and Alabama was the highest ranked of the "host schools" (qualifying for the Sugar Bowl as the Southeastern Conference champion), the No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup would take place in New Orleans.

Bowl games
Bowl Game Winning Team Losing Team Date
Peach Bowl No. 19 North Carolina 21 No. 24 Mississippi State 17 1/2/93
Sugar Bowl (National Championship Game) No. 2 Alabama 34 No. 1 Miami 13 1/1/93
Orange Bowl No. 3 Florida State 27 No. 11 Nebraska 14 1/1/93
Cotton Bowl Classic No. 5 Notre Dame 28 No. 4 Texas A&M 3 1/1/93
Fiesta Bowl No. 6 Syracuse 26 No. 10 Colorado 22 1/1/93
Rose Bowl No. 7 Michigan 38 No. 9 Washington 31 1/1/93
Florida Citrus Bowl No. 8 Georgia 21 No. 15 Ohio State 14 1/1/93
Blockbuster Bowl No. 13 Stanford 24 No. 21 Penn State 3 1/1/93
Hall of Fame Bowl No. 17 Tennessee 38 No. 16 Boston College 23 1/1/93
Gator Bowl No. 14 Florida 27 No. 12 NC State 10 12/31/92
Liberty Bowl No. 20 Ole Miss 13 Air Force 0 12/31/92
Independence Bowl Wake Forest 39 Oregon 35 12/31/92
John Hancock Bowl Baylor 20 No. 22 Arizona 15 12/31/92
Holiday Bowl Hawaii 27 Illinois 17 12/30/92
Copper Bowl No. 18 Washington St. 31 Utah 28 12/29/92
Freedom Bowl Fresno State 24 No. 23 USC 7 12/28/92
Aloha Bowl Kansas 23 No. 25 BYU 20 12/25/92
Las Vegas Bowl Bowling Green 35 Nevada 34 12/18/92

Final rankings
Main article: 1992 NCAA Division I-A football rankings

Final AP Poll
  1. Alabama
  2. Florida State
  3. Miami (FL)
  4. Notre Dame
  5. Michigan
  6. Syracuse
  7. Texas A&M
  8. Georgia
  9. Stanford
  10. Florida
  11. Washington
  12. Tennessee
  13. Colorado
  14. Nebraska
  15. Washington State
  16. Mississippi
  17. N.C. State
  18. Ohio State
  19. North Carolina
  20. Hawaii
  21. Boston College
  22. Kansas
  23. Mississippi State
  24. Fresno State
  25. Wake Forest

Final Coaches Poll
  1. Alabama
  2. Florida State
  3. Miami (FL)
  4. Notre Dame
  5. Michigan
  6. Texas A&M
  7. Syracuse
  8. Georgia
  9. Stanford
  10. Washington
  11. Florida
  12. Tennessee
  13. Colorado
  14. Nebraska
  15. N.C. State
  16. Mississippi
  17. Washington State
  18. North Carolina
  19. Ohio State
  20. Hawaii
  21. Boston College
  22. Fresno State
  23. Kansas
  24. Penn State
  25. Wake Forest

Awards and honors

Heisman Trophy

The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award is given to the Most Outstanding Player of the year.

Winner: Gino Torretta, Miami-FL, Sr. QB (1400 votes)

Other major awards

Coaching changes

In-season
School Outgoing coach Date Reason Replacement
Arkansas Jack Crowe September 6 resigned [3] Joe Kines (interim)
Eastern Michigan Jim Harkema September 29 resigned [4] Jan Quarless (interim)
Pittsburgh Paul Hackett November 25 resigned [5] Sal Sunseri (interim)

References
  1. http://www.jhowell.net/cf/cf1992.htm
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2009-01-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Arkansas Coach Quits After Loss to The Citadel". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 7, 1992. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  4. Blade staff and wire reports (September 30, 1992). "Harkema Quits". Toledo Blade. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  5. "Sunseri takes over Panthers for now". Observer–Reporter. Associated Press. November 28, 1992. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
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