2003 NCAA Division I-A football season

The 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in a split national championship. This was the first split title since the inception of the BCS, something the BCS intended to eliminate.

2003 NCAA Division I-A season
Gameplay during the BCS National Championship Sugar Bowl for the 2003 season
Number of teams117
Preseason AP No. 1Oklahoma
Post-season
DurationDecember 16, 2003 –
January 4, 2004
Bowl games28
AP Poll No. 1USC
Coaches Poll No. 1LSU
Heisman TrophyJason White (quarterback, Oklahoma)
Bowl Championship Series
2004 Sugar Bowl
SiteLouisiana Superdome,
New Orleans, Louisiana
Champion(s)LSU
Division I-A football seasons
← 2002
2004 →

At season's end, three BCS Automatic Qualifying (AQ) conference teams finished the regular season with one loss, with only two spots available in the BCS National Championship Game. Three BCS Non-Automatic Qualifying (Non-AQ) conference teams also finished with one loss, TCU, Boise State and Miami (OH), stirring the debate of the BCS being unfair to BCS Non-AQ conference teams.

LSU defeated Oklahoma in the 2004 Sugar Bowl, securing the BCS National Championship, as the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll was contractually obligated to vote the winner of the BCS National Championship Game #1. Meanwhile, when AP #1 USC beat (number 5) Michigan in the 2004 Rose Bowl, the AP voters kept USC in the top spot, and USC secured the AP title.

Army became the first team in NCAA Division I-A football modern history to finish the season 0–13.

The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award sponsored by ESPN chose USC coach Pete Carroll as their award recipient, while the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award, voted on by an association of sportswriters, chose LSU coach Nick Saban.

The Orange Bowl game was noteworthy in that Miami and Florida State previously had scheduled to play each other on Labor Day in 2004. Playing in the Orange Bowl ensured that their next meeting would be each of their very next games and their first of the 2004 season.

BCS selection process controversy

USC had lost in triple overtime at California on September 27, LSU lost at home to Florida on October 11, and Oklahoma, which had been #1 in every BCS rating,[1] AP and Coaches' Poll[2] of the season, lost to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game, 35-7 on December 6. Although USC, then 11-1, finished ranked #1 in both the AP and Coaches' Polls, with LSU (12-1) ranked #2 and Oklahoma (12-1) #3, Oklahoma surpassed both USC and LSU on several BCS computer factors. Oklahoma's schedule strength was ranked 11th to LSU's 29th and USC's 37th. Oklahoma's schedule rank was 0.44 to LSU's 1.16 and USC's 1.48. As such, despite the timing of Oklahoma's loss affecting the human voters, the computers kept Oklahoma at #1 in the BCS poll. LSU was ranked #2 by the BCS based on its #2 ranking in the AP Poll, Coaches Poll, 6 of 7 computer rankings (with the remaining one ranking them #1), and strength of schedule calculations. USC's #3 BCS ranking resulted from it being ranked #1 the AP and Coaches Poll, but #3 in 5 of 7 computer rankings (with the 2 remaining computer rankings at #1 and #4) and schedule strength, though separated by only 0.16 points.

Ted Waitt, CEO of Gateway Computers, offered the NCAA $31 million for a national championship game between USC and Louisiana State.[3]

Rules changes

The NCAA Rules Committee adopted the following rules changes for the 2003 season:

  • The "Halo Rule" (two-yard restricted area around the kick/punt returner) is abolished. The penalty for kick-catch interference remains at 15 yards if the returner is contacted before he has a chance to catch the punt/kick.
  • Backs not positioned within the "tackle box" are prohibited from blocking below the waist anywhere behind the scrimmage line, and up to a point 10 yards downfield.
  • The game clock will start on all kickoffs once touched in the field of play, repealing a rule change adopted in the 1997 season where the clock started on the kick (except during the final 2:00 of each half).
  • Giving the offended team the option to enforce all personal fouls committed during and after a touchdown play either on the PAT or on the ensuing kickoff.

Conference and program changes

No teams upgraded from Division I-AA, leaving the number of Division I-A schools fixed at 117.

  • Two Independent schools joined conferences in 2003. South Florida joined Conference USA as its 11th member, while Utah State joined the Sun Belt Conference as its 8th member.
School2002 Conference2003 Conference
South Florida BullsI-A IndependentConference USA
Utah State AggiesI-A IndependentSun Belt

Conference standings
2003 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 11 Florida State $  7 –1     10 –3  
No. 17 Maryland  6 –2     10 –3  
No. 22 Clemson  5 –3     9 –4  
NC State  4 –4     8 –5  
Virginia  4 –4     8 –5  
Georgia Tech  4 –4     7 –6  
Wake Forest  3 –5     5 –7  
Duke  2 –6     4 –8  
North Carolina  1 –7     2 –10  
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Big 12 Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Northern Division
No. 14 Kansas State x$  6 –2     11 –4  
No. 19 Nebraska  5 –3     10 –3  
Missouri  4 –4     8 –5  
Kansas  3 –5     6 –7  
Colorado  3 –5     5 –7  
Iowa State  0 –8     2 –10  
Southern Division
No. 3 Oklahoma x%  8 –0     12 –2  
No. 12 Texas  7 –1     10 –3  
Oklahoma State  5 –3     9 –4  
Texas Tech  4 –4     8 –5  
Texas A&M  2 –6     4 –8  
Baylor  1 –7     3 –9  
Championship: Kansas State 35, Oklahoma 7
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Big East Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 5 Miami (FL) $+  6 –1     11 –2  
West Virginia +  6 –1     8 –5  
Pittsburgh  5 –2     8 –5  
Virginia Tech  4 –3     8 –5  
Boston College  3 –4     8 –5  
Syracuse  2 –5     6 –6  
Rutgers  2 –5     5 –7  
Temple  0 –7     1 –11  
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 6 Michigan $  7 –1     10 –3  
No. 4 Ohio State %  6 –2     11 –2  
No. 18 Purdue  6 –2     9 –4  
No. 8 Iowa  5 –3     10 –3  
No. 20 Minnesota  5 –3     10 –3  
Michigan State  5 –3     8 –5  
Wisconsin  4 –4     7 –6  
Northwestern  4 –4     6 –7  
Penn State  1 –7     3 –9  
Indiana  1 –7     2 –10  
Illinois  0 –8     1 –11  
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Conference USA football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Southern Miss $  8 –0     9 –4  
No. 24 TCU  7 –1     11 –2  
Memphis  5 –3     9 –4  
Louisville  5 –3     9 –4  
South Florida  5 –3     7 –4  
Houston  4 –4     7 –6  
UAB  4 –4     5 –7  
Tulane  3 –5     5 –7  
Cincinnati  2 –6     5 –7  
East Carolina  1 –7     1 –11  
Army  0 –8     0 –13  
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
East Division
No. 10 Miami x$  8 –0     13 –1  
Marshall  6 –2     8 –4  
Akron  5 –3     7 –5  
Kent State  4 –4     5 –7  
UCF  2 –6     3 –9  
Ohio  1 –7     2 –10  
Buffalo  1 –7     1 –11  
West Division
No. 23 Bowling Green x  7 –1     11 –3  
Northern Illinois  6 –2     10 –2  
Toledo  6 –2     8 –4  
Western Michigan  4 –4     5 –7  
Ball State  3 –5     4 –8  
Eastern Michigan  2 –6     3 –9  
Central Michigan  1 –7     3 –9  
Championship: Miami 49, Bowling Green 27
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 21 Utah $  6 –1     10 –2  
New Mexico  5 –2     8 –5  
Colorado State  4 –3     7 –6  
Air Force  3 –4     7 –5  
San Diego State  3 –4     6 –6  
BYU  3 –4     4 –8  
UNLV  2 –5     6 –6  
Wyoming  2 –5     4 –8  
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Pacific-10 Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 1 USC $  7 –1     12 –1  
No. 9 Washington State  6 –2     10 –3  
Oregon  5 –3     8 –5  
California  5 –3     8 –6  
Oregon State  4 –4     8 –5  
Washington  4 –4     6 –6  
UCLA  4 –4     6 –7  
Arizona State  2 –6     5 –7  
Stanford  2 –6     4 –7  
Arizona  1 –7     2 –10  
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Eastern Division
No. 7 Georgia xy  6 –2     11 –3  
No. 15 Tennessee x  6 –2     10 –3  
No. 24 Florida x  6 –2     8 –5  
South Carolina  2 –6     5 –7  
Vanderbilt  1 –7     2 –10  
Kentucky  1 –7     4 –8  
Western Division
No. 2 LSU xy$#  7 –1     13 –1  
No. 13 Ole Miss x  7 –1     10 –3  
Auburn  5 –3     8 –5  
Arkansas  4 –4     9 –4  
Alabama  2 –6     4 –9  
Mississippi State  1 –7     2 –10  
Championship: LSU 34, Georgia 13
    1. – BCS National Champion
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Sun Belt Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
North Texas $  7 –0     9 –4  
Louisiana–Lafayette  3 –2     4 –8  
Arkansas State  3 –3     5 –7  
Middle Tennessee  3 –3     4 –8  
Utah State  3 –3     3 –9  
Idaho  3 –4     3 –9  
New Mexico State  2 –5     3 –9  
Louisiana–Monroe  1 –5     1 –11  
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 Western Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
No. 16 Boise State $  8 –0     13 –1  
Fresno State  6 –2     9 –5  
Tulsa  5 –2     7 –5  
Hawaii  5 –3     9 –5  
Rice  5 –3     5 –7  
Nevada  4 –4     6 –6  
Louisiana Tech  3 –5     5 –7  
San Jose State  2 –6     3 –8  
UTEP  1 –6     2 –10  
SMU  0 –8     0 –12  
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
2003 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Connecticut   –     9 –3  
Navy   –     8 –5  
Troy State   –     6 –6  
Notre Dame   –     5 –7  
Rankings from AP Poll

Bowl Championship Series rankings
Main article: 2003 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
WEEK #1 #2 EVENT
OCT 20 Oklahoma Miami
OCT 27 Oklahoma Miami Virginia Tech 31, Miami 7
NOV 3 Oklahoma USC
NOV 10 Oklahoma USC
NOV 17 Oklahoma Ohio State Michigan 35, Ohio State 21
NOV 24 Oklahoma USC
DEC 1 Oklahoma USC LSU 34, Georgia 13
FINAL Oklahoma LSU

Bowl games
Main article: 2003–04 NCAA football bowl games

Rankings given are AP poll positions at time of game

BCS bowls

Other January bowls

December Bowl games

Final AP Poll
TeamFinal RecordPoints
1. USC (48)12–11,608
2. LSU (17)13–11,576
3. Oklahoma12–21,476
4. Ohio State11–21,411
5. Miami (FL)11–21,329
6. Michigan10–31,281
7. Georgia11–31,255
8. Iowa10–31,107
9. Washington State10–31,060
10. Miami (OH)13–1932
11. Florida State10–3905
12. Texas10–3887
13. Mississippi10–3845
14. Kansas State11–4833
15. Tennessee10–3695
16. Boise State13–1645
17. Maryland10–3564
18. Purdue9–4526
19. Nebraska10–3520
20. Minnesota10–3368
21. Utah10–2308
22. Clemson9–4230
23. Bowling Green11–3189
24. Florida8–5165
25. Texas Christian11–2126

Others receiving votes: 26. Oklahoma State 109, 27. Arkansas 73, 28. Virginia 36, 29. Northern Illinois 30, 30. Auburn 8, 30. Oregon State 8, 32. Pittsburgh 7, 32. N.C. State 7, 34. West Virginia 4, 35. Connecticut 2.

Final Coaches Poll

Three coaches voted for USC as the #1 team, even though the polled coaches are required to vote the BCS champion as #1. Because the votes were not public, it is not known which three coaches placed those votes. However, it is known that USC coach Pete Carroll could not have voted for his own team since he was not a voting coach that season.

TeamFinal RecordPoints
1. LSU (60)13–11,572
2. USC (3)12–11,514
3. Oklahoma12–21,429
4. Ohio State11–21,370
5. Miami (FL)11–21,306
6. Georgia11–31,183
7. Michigan10–31,140
8. Iowa10–31,119
9. Washington State10–3983
10. Florida State10–3929
11. Texas10–3894
12. Miami (OH)13–1800
13. Kansas State11–4746
14. Mississippi10–3730
15. Boise State13–1704
16. Tennessee10–3684
17. Minnesota10–3553
18. Nebraska10–3532
19. Purdue9–4510
20. Maryland10–3462
21. Utah10–2327
22. Clemson9–4219
23. Bowling Green11–3170
24. TCU11–2145
25. Florida8–5124

Also receiving votes

Northern Illinois (10–2) 80; Arkansas (9–4) 74; Oklahoma State (9–4) 63; Auburn (8–5) 20; North Carolina State (8–5) 17; Oregon State (8–5) 15; West Virginia (8–5) 14; Southern Mississippi (9–4) 12; Fresno State (9–5) 6; Hawaii (9–5) 6; Pittsburgh (8–5) 5; Texas Tech (8–5) 4; Marshall (8–4) 3; Virginia (8-5) 3; Boston College (8–5) 2; California (8–6) 1; Connecticut (9–3) 1; Memphis (9–4) 1; Michigan State Spartans (8–5) 1; Missouri (8–5) 1; North Texas (9–4) 1.

Heisman Trophy voting

The Heisman Trophy is given to the most outstanding player of the year

  • Winner: Jason White (Jr.), QB, Oklahoma (1,481 points)
  • 2. Larry Fitzgerald (So.), WR, Pittsburgh (1,353 points)
  • 3. Eli Manning (Sr.), QB, Mississippi (710 points)
  • 4. Chris Perry (Sr.), RB, Michigan (341 points)

Other major awards
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References
  1. "2003 Bowl Championship Series Standings" (PDF). Fox Sports. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2007-09-28.
  2. "2003 NCAA Football Rankings". ESPN. Retrieved 2007-09-28.
  3. "Ted Waitt's $31 million football offer kicks off controversy". Sioux City Journal. 2004-01-16. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
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