2006–07 NCAA Football Bowl Games: A Season of Records and Rivalries
The 2006–07 NCAA football bowl games served as the grand finale to the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) season. This particular postseason was marked by expansion and historic firsts, featuring a record 32 team-competitive bowl games and five all-star games. From the introduction of new venues to the crowning of a national champion, the season showcased the peak of collegiate athletic competition.
One of the most notable aspects of this season was the expansion of the bowl slate. The addition of the stand-alone Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Game, the International Bowl in Toronto, the Papajohns.com Bowl, and the New Mexico Bowl increased the number of available slots to 64. To fill these spots, seven teams with non-winning records (all finishing 6-6) participated, representing approximately 11% of all bowl participants.
Key Facts
- National Champion: The Florida Gators won the 2007 BCS Championship Game.
- Total Games: 32 competitive bowl games and 5 all-star games were played.
- Conference Dominance: The Big East achieved a perfect 5-0 bowl record.
- International Reach: The International Bowl in Toronto was the first all-USA bowl game played outside the U.S. since 1937.
- Championship Venue: The National Championship took place at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The Road to the National Championship
The postseason culminated on January 8, 2007, with the Tostitos 2007 BCS National Championship Game. The matchup featured the top two teams in the final BCS standings: the undefeated Big Ten champion Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 1) and the SEC champion Florida Gators (No. 2).
Despite an early 93-yard touchdown return by Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., the Florida Gators dominated the remainder of the contest. Florida secured a decisive 41-14 victory to claim the national title.
BCS and Major Bowl Highlights
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) consisted of several high-profile matchups that determined the final rankings of the season's elite teams.
- Rose Bowl: No. 8 USC defeated No. 3 Michigan 32-18 in a non-traditional matchup, as Michigan played as the Big Ten runner-up.
- Fiesta Bowl: In a thrilling overtime finish, No. 9 Boise State edged out No. 7 Oklahoma 43-42.
- Orange Bowl: No. 5 Louisville defeated No. 15 Wake Forest 24-13.
- Sugar Bowl: No. 4 LSU beat No. 11 Notre Dame 41-14.
Non-BCS Bowl Performances
Outside of the BCS, numerous games provided memorable moments and significant financial payouts for the participating conferences. The Big East emerged as the most successful conference in terms of win percentage, winning all five of its bowl appearances.
Notable non-BCS games included the Chick-fil-A Bowl, where Georgia defeated No. 14 Virginia Tech 31-24.
Other highlights included the Texas Bowl, where Rutgers—the oldest program in college football—defeated Kansas State 37-10, and the Gator Bowl, where West Virginia overcame an 18-point deficit to beat Georgia Tech 38-35.
Conference Bowl Performance Summary
The following table summarizes the performance of the various conferences during the 2006-07 bowl season.
| Conference | Bowls | Record | Win % | Teams in Final AP Poll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEC | 9 | 6-3 | 0.667 | 6 |
| ACC | 8 | 4-4 | 0.500 | 3 |
| Big 12 | 8 | 3-5 | 0.375 | 2 |
| Big Ten | 7 | 2-5 | 0.286 | 4 |
| Pac-10 | 6 | 3-3 | 0.500 | 3 |
| Big East | 5 | 5-0 | 1.000 | 3 |
| Conference USA | 5 | 1-4 | 0.200 | 0 |
| Mountain West | 4 | 3-1 | 0.750 | 2 |
| WAC | 4 | 3-1 | 0.750 | 1 |
| MAC | 4 | 1-3 | 0.250 | 0 |
| Sun Belt | 2 | 1-1 | 0.500 | 0 |
| Independents | 2 | 0-2 | 0.000 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2007 BCS National Championship?
The Florida Gators won the championship, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes with a final score of 41-14 on January 8, 2007.
Which conference had the best bowl record in 2006-07?
The Big East had the best record, winning all five of its bowl games for a perfect 1.000 winning percentage.
What was unique about the International Bowl?
The International Bowl was the first all-USA bowl game played outside of the United States since the 1937 Bacardi Bowl in Cuba, taking place in Toronto, Ontario.
How many teams with non-winning records played in bowl games?
A record seven teams with non-winning seasons participated in bowl games; all seven of these teams finished the regular season with a 6-6 record.
Where was the BCS National Championship Game held?
The game was held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.