looking back at 2014
2014 College Football Season Summary
The 2014 college football season was a turning point for the sport, ushering in the first-ever College Football Playoff and delivering high drama, upsets, and breakout performances across the country.
The New Playoff Era
The inaugural four-team playoff replaced the BCS, with Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, and Ohio State making the cut. Left on the outside were Big 12 co-champions TCU and Baylor, sparking controversy over the selection process.
SEC West Takes Center Stage
For much of the season, the SEC West looked like the dominant force in college football. Mississippi State, led by dual-threat QB Dak Prescott, rose to No. 1 in the nation in October after wins over LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn. Meanwhile, rival Ole Miss knocked off Alabama in a raucous win in Oxford, sparking a Rebels rise into the top five.
Both Mississippi schools were in the playoff conversation through the fall, but late-season losses derailed their runs. Mississippi State lost to Alabama and Ole Miss, while the Rebels suffered a stunning defeat to Arkansas. Still, both programs enjoyed their best seasons in decades and helped make the 2014 SEC race one of the most exciting ever.
Regular Season Storylines
Florida State went undefeated in the regular season but narrowly escaped multiple upsets, raising questions about their dominance.
Oregon, powered by Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, rebounded from a mid-season loss to Arizona and captured the Pac-12 title.
Ohio State overcame a preseason injury to QB Braxton Miller and an early loss to Virginia Tech. After J.T. Barrett’s season-ending injury, third-stringer Cardale Jones stepped in and led the Buckeyes on a stunning late run.
Alabama, behind QB Blake Sims and All-American WR Amari Cooper, won the SEC title and secured the No. 1 seed.
The Playoff Games
In the Rose Bowl, Oregon crushed Florida State 59–20, forcing five turnovers in a lopsided win.
In the Sugar Bowl, Ohio State upset Alabama 42–35, highlighted by Ezekiel Elliott’s 85-yard touchdown run.
National Championship
Ohio State completed its Cinderella story on January 12, 2015, beating Oregon 42–20 in the title game. Elliott rushed for 246 yards and 4 TDs, and the Buckeyes became the first national champions of the playoff era. Urban Meyer claimed his third national title, and Ohio State reminded the country of its powerhouse pedigree.
Lasting Impact
The 2014 season changed college football forever. The playoff brought new life and controversy to the postseason. Programs like Mississippi State and Ole Miss briefly crashed the elite conversation. And a deep, resilient Ohio State team proved that even a third-string quarterback could lead a team to a national championship in the sport’s new era.