The final year of the BCS era in college football
In short: The 2013 season marked the end of an era. It was the final year the Bowl Championship Series determined the national champion before the College Football Playoff took over. From rule changes to record-breaking crowds, this season served as the bridge to a new landscape of American sports.
The 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season concluded with the Florida State Seminoles defeating the Auburn Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl. This victory secured Florida State the consensus national championship and marked the final time the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) was used to crown a champion before being replaced by the College Football Playoff in 2014.
The season was defined by significant structural and regulatory shifts. New regulations from the NCAA Football Rules Committee mandate immediate removal for athletes who strike a vulnerable opponent above the shoulders (targeting). They also simplified blocking rules by legalizing front-side blocks below the waist, while maintaining fouls for side or back blocks. Officials were granted wireless headsets, and the league added real-time replays to modify the clock after every quarter instead of only at halves.
The year also saw major administrative and logistical transitions. The Big East name was sold, leading to the formation of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in April 2013. Meanwhile, the WAC became the first FBS conference to drop football as a sponsored sport, with Idaho and New Mexico State becoming temporary independents. On the field, the season produced iconic moments like the 'Kick Six'—a 34–28 Auburn upset over No. 1 Alabama—and a record-breaking attendance of 115,109 fans at the Michigan–Notre Dame game at Michigan Stadium.
Infrastructure also saw a massive overhaul. After a $280 million overhaul, Washington resumed play at Husky Stadium, while Missouri and Texas Tech also saw major stadium improvements. These changes, combined with the transition to a new playoff format, signaled a permanent evolution in how the sport is governed and consumed.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season
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