2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season

The following rule changes, recommended by the NCAA Football Rules Committee for the 2021 season on March 12 of that year, were approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on April 22.{{cite press release|title=2021 Football Rules Committee recommends tweak to overtime rules |url=https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/football-rules-committee-recommends-tweak-overtime-rules |publisher=NCAA |date=March 12, 2021 |access-date=March 12, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2021-04-22/panel-approves-changes-overtime-rules-football |title=Panel approves changes to overtime rules in football |publisher=NCAA |date=April 22, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021}}

• In overtime, teams scoring a touchdown will be required to attempt a two-point conversion starting with the second overtime period (previously the third overtime period). If the scores are still tied at the expiration of the second overtime, teams will be required to attempt alternating two point conversions starting with the third overtime (previously the fifth overtime period). Teams can still choose to go for the PAT kick or two-point conversion during the first overtime period. The first game using this procedure was on September 18 between Utah and San Diego State, won by SDSU 33–31 in three overtimes. On October 23, the all-time FBS record for most overtimes in a single game was broken when Illinois defeated host Penn State 20–18 in nine overtimes.
• Permanently extending the team area from between the 25-yard lines to between the 20-yard lines. A rule implemented for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic had extended this area to between the 15-yard lines, but it had been scheduled to revert to the 25 for 2021.
• Provide a framework to allow a school or conference to request a postgame video review about questionable actions (i.e. feigning injuries to stop the clock and slow down teams' momentum) through the NCAA secretary-rules editor/national coordinator of officials.
• Explicitly prohibiting video board and lighting system operators from creating "any distraction that obstructs play", with violations being deemed unsportsmanlike conduct.
• If replay overturns a call on the field, the game clock will only be adjusted inside of the last 2:00 of the first half and the last 5:00 of the second half.

Another rule change was made during the season:

• After Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett's fake slide in the 2021 ACC Championship Game against Wake Forest, the NCAA Football Rules Committee changed the interpretation of the "QB Slide Rule" to require officials to interpret a fake slide as "giving himself up" and blow the play dead.

"Points of Emphasis" for the 2021 season included:

• Any taunting action toward an opponent will be penalized.
• Automatic unsportsmanlike conduct penalties will be imposed on a coach who leaves the team area or goes onto the field of play to argue with the officials.
• Officials are to be more alert to players significantly in violation of uniform rules (specifically pants, jerseys, and T-shirts that extend below the torso), and to send violators out of the game to correct the issue.

• On April 15, 2021, the NCAA Division I Council adopted legislation that extended the so-called "one-time transfer exception" to all D-I sports, with the Division I Board of Directors ratifying this on April 28. This allows student-athletes in baseball, men's and women's basketball, football, and men's ice hockey to transfer one time without having to sit out a year, placing them under the same transfer regulations that previously applied to all other D-I sports.{{cite press release|url=https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/di-council-adopts-new-transfer-legislation |title=DI Council adopts new transfer legislation |publisher=NCAA |date=April 15, 2021 |access-date=April 19, 2021}}{{cite press release|url=https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/division-i-board-directors-presidential-forum-discuss-sustainability |title=Division I Board of Directors, Presidential Forum discuss sustainability |publisher=NCAA |date=April 28, 2021 |access-date=May 4, 2021}}
• On June 10, the College Football Playoff announced that it had begun work on a proposal to expand the playoff to 12 teams in the indefinite future. Under the proposed format:{{cite press release|url=https://collegefootballplayoff.com/news/2021/6/10/12-team-playoff-proposal.aspx |title=12-Team Playoff Proposed By College Football Playoff Working Group |publisher=College Football Playoff |date=June 10, 2021 |access-date=June 23, 2021}}
• The six conference champions ranked highest by the CFP selection committee would receive automatic berths. The field would be filled out by the committee's six highest-ranked remaining teams, with no restrictions on conference affiliation.
• The four highest-ranked conference champions would receive first-round byes.
• The remaining 8 teams would play first-round games hosted by the higher seeds.
• The quarterfinals and semifinals would be hosted by existing bowl games, with the final continuing to be held at a separately determined neutral site.
• On June 21, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Alston that the NCAA had no authority to limit education-related non-cash compensation for athletes, but stopped short of addressing direct cash payments to college athletes.
• On July 21, the Houston Chronicle reported that Oklahoma and Texas had approached the Southeastern Conference about the possibility of joining that league, and that an announcement could come in early August. The SEC and both schools refused comment on this report, but did not issue definitive denials.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31862221/texas-ad-ross-bjork-speaks-report-texas-oklahoma-want-join-sec |title=Sources: Texas, Oklahoma reached out to SEC about joining conference |first=Alex |last=Scarborough |website=ESPN.com |date=July 21, 2021 |access-date=July 22, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/texas-and-oklahoma-to-sec-live-news-updates-as-big-12-powers-may-kick-start-conference-realignment/live/ |title=Texas and Oklahoma to SEC? Live news updates as Big 12 powers may kick start conference realignment |first=Barrett |last=Sallee |website=CBSSports.com |date=July 22, 2021 |access-date=July 22, 2021}}
• On July 26, Oklahoma and Texas notified the Big 12 Conference that the two schools do not wish to extend its grant of television rights beyond the 2024–25 athletic year and intend to leave the conference.{{cite web|url=https://www.kvue.com/article/sports/ncaa/longhorns/ut-big12-austin-sec-letter/269-14947b34-ec4c-48a4-b2d8-2f48c74c7153|first=Paul|last=Livengood|title=Texas sends critical letter to Big 12, showing intent to leave for SEC|work=KVUE|date=July 26, 2021|access-date=July 26, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2021/07/26/big-12-texas-oklahoma-leaving-conference-football/8070337002/|first=Paul|last=Myerberg|title=Texas, Oklahoma leaving Big 12 Conference as college football shake-up begins|work=USA Today|date=July 26, 2021|access-date=July 26, 2021}}
• On July 27, Oklahoma and Texas reached out to the SEC about acceptance into the conference in 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31897367/oklahoma-sooners-texas-longhorns-formally-notify-sec-membership-request|first=Heather|last=Dinich|title=Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns formally notify SEC of membership request for 2025|work=ESPN|date=July 27, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/college/big-12-texas-ou-officially-request-sec-membership-2025-season/287-74b6d9a3-b113-49b4-9747-88c07fbcb7b2|first=Ryan|last=Osborne|title=Texas, OU officially request SEC membership for 2025 season|work=WFAA|date=July 27, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2021}}
• July 28 – The Big 12 sent a cease-and-desist letter to ESPN, accusing the network of tortious interference by working with other conferences attempting to lure Big 12 members in a bid to ease Oklahoma's and Texas' exits for the SEC. The network denied the allegations.{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/sports/big-12-accuses-espn-cease-and-desist-letter-realignment-000611125.html |title=Big 12 accuses ESPN of encouraging its schools to leave conference in cease-and-desist letter |first=Jack |last=Baer |website=Yahoo Sports |date=July 28, 2021 |access-date=July 28, 2021}}
• July 29 – The presidents and chancellors of the 14 current SEC members voted unanimously to extend invitations to Oklahoma and Texas, effective in 2025.{{cite press release|url=https://www.secsports.com/article/31913897/sec-extends-membership-invitations-university-oklahoma-university-texas |title=SEC Extends Membership Invitations to University of Oklahoma and University of Texas |publisher=Southeastern Conference |date=July 29, 2021 |access-date=July 29, 2021}}
• July 30 – The boards of regents of both Oklahoma and Texas unanimously accepted the SEC's invitations.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31920686/texas-longhorns-oklahoma-sooners-unanimously-accept-invitation-sec |title=Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma Sooners unanimously accept invitation to SEC |first1=Heather |last1=Dinich |first2=Mark |last2=Schlabach |website=ESPN.com |date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=July 30, 2021}}
• August 16 – The Associated Press released its preseason rankings, with Alabama as the overwhelming choice for #1. Other ranking highlights:{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32034000/alabama-crimson-tide-again-no-1-ap-preseason-top-25-oklahoma-sooners-no-2 |title=Alabama football again No. 1 in AP preseason Top 25; Oklahoma Sooners No. 2, Clemson Tigers No. 3 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=August 16, 2021 |access-date=August 16, 2021}}
• Iowa State received its highest AP ranking in school history at #7.
• Coastal Carolina and Louisiana, respectively #22 and #23, became the first Sun Belt Conference teams to be ranked in the preseason.
• August 24 – The Pac-12 Conference, Big Ten Conference, and Atlantic Coast Conference announced an alliance designed to "stabilize the current environment" by collaborating on a number of issues, including scheduling for football, men's and women's basketball.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32078895/big-ten-acc-pac-12-officially-announce-alliance-stabilize-current-environment|title=Big Ten, ACC, Pac-12 officially announce alliance to 'stabilize' current environment|work=ESPN.com |date=August 16, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2021}}
• September 3 – Multiple media outlets reported that the Big 12 was on the verge of inviting four schools—American Athletic Conference members Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, plus BYU, an FBS independent and otherwise a member of the non-football West Coast Conference. All four schools were reportedly preparing membership applications, and reports were that their future entrance could be approved as early as the next scheduled meeting of Big 12 presidents on September 10. The entry timeline was uncertain at the time of the report, but 2024 was seen as the likeliest date.{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/09/03/big-12-expansion-byu-houston-ucf-cincinnati |title=Sources: Big 12 Could Add Four New Members By End of Next Week |first1=Ross |last1=Dellenger |first2=Pat |last2=Forde |author-link2=Pat Forde |work=Sports Illustrated |date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 4, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32141325/byu-houston-ucf-cincinnati-planning-submit-applications-big-12-sources-confirm |title=BYU, Houston, UCF, Cincinnati planning to submit applications to Big 12 next week, sources confirm |first1=Heather |last1=Dinich |first2=Adam |last2=Rittenberg |author-link2=Adam Rittenberg |website=ESPN.com |date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 4, 2021}}
• September 10 – BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF were officially announced as incoming Big 12 members no later than 2024–25.{{cite press release|url=https://big12sports.com/news/2021/9/10/big-12-conference-adds-four-new-members.aspx |title=Big 12 Conference Adds Four New Members |publisher=Big 12 Conference |date=September 10, 2021 |access-date=September 10, 2021}}
• October 18 – Yahoo Sports reported that The American, which had been rocked by the impending departure of three of its most prominent schools, was preparing to receive applications from six of the 14 members of Conference USA—Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA. Should all six schools join, The American would become a 14-team conference in all sports. (Navy is a football-only member, while Wichita State is a full member but does not sponsor football.){{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/sports/sources-the-aac-close-to-massive-6-school-expansion-to-reshape-conference-014015069.html |title=Sources: The AAC is close to massive 6-school expansion to reshape conference |first=Pete |last=Thamel |author-link=Pete Thamel |website=Yahoo Sports |date=October 18, 2021 |access-date=October 19, 2021}}
• October 19 – ESPN reported that all six C-USA members named in Yahoo Sports' report had submitted applications to The American, and that each would receive a formal letter by the end of that week (October 22) detailing the terms of expansion.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32432496/six-schools-officially-apply-join-american-athletic-conference |title=Source: Six schools officially apply to join American Athletic Conference |first=Heather |last=Dinich |website=ESPN.com |date=October 19, 2021 |access-date=October 19, 2021}}
• October 21 – The six aforementioned C-USA members were announced as incoming members of The American at a date to be determined.{{cite press release|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/10/21/general-american-athletic-conference-announces-the-addition-of-six-universities.aspx |title=American Athletic Conference Announces the Addition of Six Universities |publisher=American Athletic Conference |date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=October 21, 2021}}
• October 22 – The Action Network reported that C-USA member Southern Miss had accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference in 2023, though no formal announcement had then been made. The report added that the Sun Belt was preparing to add two other C-USA members, Marshall and Old Dominion, as well as FCS program James Madison. At the time, formal announcements of new members were expected on October 25, but an announcement regarding Marshall was likely to wait until after the school announced its new president on October 28.{{cite news|url=https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/southern-miss-joins-sun-belt-other-conference-usa-schools-expected-to-join-soon |title=Sources: Southern Miss Joins Sun Belt; Marshall, Old Dominion, JMU Will Join in Coming Days |first=Brett |last=McMurphy |website=The Action Network |date=October 22, 2021 |access-date=October 22, 2021}}
• October 26 – Southern Miss was officially announced as a Sun Belt member, effective no later than July 2023.{{cite press release|url=https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021/10/26/football-southern-miss-joins-sun-belt-conference.aspx |title=Southern Miss Joins Sun Belt Conference |publisher=Sun Belt Conference |date=October 26, 2021 |access-date=October 26, 2021}} In other Sun Belt realignment news, it was reported that Old Dominion's arrival would be announced later that week, and that James Madison's board had scheduled an emergency meeting on October 29 (presumably to discuss a Sun Belt invitation).{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32480819/southern-miss-officially-joins-sun-belt-enter-league-no-later-july-2023 |title=Southern Miss officially joins Sun Belt, will enter league no later than July 2023 |first=Adam |last=Rittenberg |website=ESPN.com |date=October 26, 2021 |access-date=October 26, 2021}}
• October 27 – Old Dominion was officially announced as a Sun Belt member, also effective no later than July 2023. This marked ODU's return to that conference after an absence of more than 30 years.{{cite press release|url=https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021/10/27/general-old-dominion-joins-sun-belt-conference.aspx |title=Old Dominion Joins Sun Belt Conference |publisher=Sun Belt Conference |date=October 27, 2021 |access-date=October 27, 2021}}
• October 30 – The day after both the Sun Belt Conference and Marshall issued tweets indicating that the Thundering Herd had accepted a Sun Belt invitation,{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32503651/marshall-set-join-sun-belt-conference-usa-exodus-continues-sources-confirm |title=Marshall joining Sun Belt as Conference USA exodus continues |website=ESPN.com |date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2021}} this move was officially announced.{{cite press release|url=https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021/10/30/general-marshall-joins-sun-belt-conference.aspx |title=Marshall Joins Sun Belt Conference |publisher=Sun Belt Conference |date=October 30, 2021 |access-date=November 1, 2021}}
• November 5 – Multiple media outlets reported that Conference USA, which had nine of their schools depart to other separate conferences, handed out invitations to four schools: FBS independents Liberty and New Mexico State as well as FCS programs Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State, which were all accepted.{{cite news |url=http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/ap-sources-conference-usa-adding-liberty-jsu-nmsu-smsu |title=AP sources: Conference USA Adding Liberty, JSU, NMSU, SMSU |website=APNews.org |date=November 5, 2021 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107124431/https://collegefootball.ap.org/article/ap-sources-conference-usa-adding-liberty-jsu-nmsu-smsu }}
• November 6 – James Madison made their move to the Sun Belt official, effective no later than July 2023.{{cite news|url= https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021/11/5/general-james-madison-joins-sun-belt-conference.aspx |title= James Madison Joins Sun Belt Conference |publisher= Sun Belt Conference |date= November 6, 2021 |access-date=November 6, 2021}}
• November 23 – Cincinnati became the first Group of Five team ever to receive a top-four College Football Playoff ranking, coming in at fourth in this week's rankings.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32701446/unbeaten-cincinnati-joins-georgia-ohio-state-alabama-cfp-coveted-top-four-oregon-slips |title=Unbeaten Cincinnati joins Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama in CFP's coveted top four as Oregon slips |first=Mark |last=Schlabach |website=ESPN.com |date=November 23, 2021 |access-date=November 24, 2021}}
• December 5 – The College Football Playoff field was revealed, featuring (in order of seeding) Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, and Cincinnati. This marked the first time a Group of Five team received a CFP berth.{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/12/05/college-football-playoff-field-revealed-alabama-michigan-georgia-cincinnati |title=CFP Field Revealed: Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and Cincinnati Receive Bids |first=Nick |last=Selbe |work=Sports Illustrated |date=December 5, 2021 |access-date=December 18, 2021}}
• December 17 – After Coastal Carolina's 47–41 win over Northern Illinois in the Cure Bowl, Coastal quarterback Grayson McCall finished the season with a 207.6 passer rating, breaking the FBS record of 203.1 set last season by Alabama's Mac Jones.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/leaders/pass-rating-player-season.html |title=Passing Efficiency Rating Single Season Leaders and Records |website=Sports-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |access-date=December 22, 2021}}
• December 18 – During Western Kentucky's 59–38 win over Appalachian State in the Boca Raton Bowl, WKU quarterback Bailey Zappe broke two major single-season FBS passing records and equaled a single-season FBS total offense record:
• 5,967 passing yards (surpassing the 5,833 yards of Texas Tech's B. J. Symons in 2003){{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=401331166 |title=Zappe gets records, WKU rolls past App St 59-38 in Boca Bowl |agency=Associated Press |website=ESPN |date=December 18, 2021 |access-date=December 22, 2021}}
• 62 passing touchdowns (surpassing the 60 TDs of LSU's Joe Burrow in 2019)
• 65 touchdowns responsible for (combined passing and rushing; equals Burrow's 2019 mark){{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/leaders/tot-td-player-season.html |title=TD Responsible For Single Season Leaders and Records |website=Sports-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=December 22, 2021}}
• December 22 – After San Diego State's 38–24 win over UTSA in the Frisco Bowl, SDSU punter and placekicker Matt Araiza ended the season with a 51.19-yard punting average, breaking the FBS single-season record of 50.98 yards set by Braden Mann of Texas A&M in 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=401331214 |title=Johnson leads San Diego State past UTSA 38-24 in Frisco Bowl |agency=Associated Press |website=ESPN |date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=December 22, 2021}}
• January 1 - Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba set an all-time FBS bowl game record with 347 receiving yards on 15 catches in the Rose Bowl game against Utah. He also broke the Ohio State team record for receiving yards in a game and in a single season.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32975388/ohio-state-buckeyes-jaxon-smith-njigba-smashes-receiving-records-rose-bowl|title=Ohio State Buckeyes' Jaxon Smith-Njigba, C.J. Stroud smash records in Rose Bowl win|website=ESPN |date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 3, 2022}}

{{notelist|group=conference}}

• James Madison will leave the Colonial Athletic Association and join the Sun Belt Conference in 2022.
• Marshall will leave the Conference USA and join the Sun Belt in 2022.
• Old Dominion will leave the Conference USA and join the Sun Belt in 2022.
• Southern Miss will leave the Conference USA and join the Sun Belt in 2022.

• This was the first season for UAB at Protective Stadium, replacing its old stadium, Legion Field. The first game was a 36–12 UAB loss to Liberty on October 2.{{cite news|url=https://www.al.com/uab/2021/10/uab-succumbs-to-malik-willis-in-36-12-loss-to-liberty.html |title=UAB succumbs to Malik Willis in 36-12 loss to Liberty |first=Evan |last=Dudley |website=AL.com |date=October 2, 2021 |access-date=October 3, 2021}}
• With the closure of Aloha Stadium to future events and plans to build a new stadium on the site, Hawaii is playing through at least the 2023 season at the on-campus Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex, home to the university's track and field program. A project expanded the stadium to at least 10,000 in time for the 2021 season, and was completed in just over four months.{{cite news |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/01/11/uh-play-home-games-campus-following-aloha-stadium-fallout/ |title='Bows to play football home games on campus after Aloha Stadium fallout |first=Kyle |last=Chinen |website=hawaiinewsnow.com |date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 23, 2021}}{{cite press release|url=https://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2021/4/16/football-8-3m-retrofit-of-ching-athletics-complex-advancing.aspx |title=$8.3M Retrofit of Ching Athletics Complex Advancing |publisher=Hawai{{okina}}i Athletics |date=April 16, 2021 |access-date=April 24, 2021}} However, due to city and state COVID-19 public health orders restricting gatherings, and taking into consideration the isolated nature of the state from the mainland in receiving aid to deal with the pandemic, all games were to be played behind closed doors until further notice. It is the only team in Division I FBS that is restricting attendance.{{Cite web|last=Reardon|first=Dave|date=2021-09-14|title=Gov. David Ige stands firm on no-spectators policy for University of Hawaii sports|url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/09/14/sports/sports-breaking/gov-david-ige-stands-firm-on-no-spectators-policy-for-university-of-hawaii-sports/|access-date=2021-10-03|website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser|language=en-US}} On October 8, 2021, Mayor of Honolulu Rick Blangiardi gave permission for the stadium to host 1,000 spectators. All spectators must wear masks and be fully-vaccinated (if capable of being so).{{Cite web|title=Athletes, fans rejoice as mayor lifts ban on spectators at UH football games|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/10/09/athletes-fans-rejoice-mayor-lifts-ban-spectators-uh-football-games/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Hawaii News Now|publisher=Gray Television|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009025948/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/10/09/athletes-fans-rejoice-mayor-lifts-ban-spectators-uh-football-games/ |archive-date=2021-10-09 }} In November 2021, capacity limitations were lifted, but all other restrictions remained in force.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-06|title=UH welcomes fans to first game without capacity limits; what fans need to know before the game|url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/uh-welcomes-fans-to-first-game-without-capacity-limits-what-fans-need-to-know-before-the-game/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=KHON2|language=en-US}}
• This was the last of two seasons that San Diego State spent at its temporary home of Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. SDSU will move to the new Snapdragon Stadium, nearing completion on part of the property formerly occupied by the team's since-demolished San Diego Stadium, next season.

Rankings reflect the AP Poll entering each week.

The regular season began on Saturday, August 28 with five games in Week 0.

• Nebraska 22 at Illinois 30{{efn|group=schedule|Illinois and Nebraska were originally scheduled to play at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The game was moved back to the United States due to travel concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.}}
• UConn 0 at Fresno State 45
• Hawaii 10 at UCLA 44
• UTEP 30 at New Mexico State 3
• Southern Utah 14 at San Jose State 45

The majority of FBS teams opened the season on Labor Day weekend. Eight neutral-site "kickoff" games were held.

• Wednesday, September 1
• Montgomery Kickoff (Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama): Jacksonville State 0 vs. UAB 31
• Thursday, September 2
• Duke's Mayo Classic (Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte): Appalachian State 33 vs. East Carolina 19
• Saturday, September 4
• Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta): No. 1 Alabama 44 vs. No. 14 Miami (FL) 13
• Duke's Mayo Classic (Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte): No. 3 Clemson 3 vs. No. 5 Georgia 10
• Allstate Kickoff Classic (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas): Kansas State 24 vs. Stanford 7
• Texas Kickoff (NRG Stadium, Houston): Houston 21 vs. Texas Tech 38
• Vegas Kickoff Classic (Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada): Arizona 16 vs. BYU 24
• Monday, September 6
• Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta): Louisville 24 vs. Ole Miss 43

{{notelist|group=schedule}}

Rankings reflect the AP Poll. Rankings for Week 10 and beyond will list College Football Playoff Rankings first and AP Poll second. Teams that failed to be a top 10 team for one poll or the other will be noted.

• Week 1
• No. 5 Georgia defeated No. 3 Clemson, 10–3 (Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina)
• Week 2
• No. 10 Iowa defeated No. 9 Iowa State, 27–17 (Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa)
• Week 5
• No. 2 Georgia defeated No. 8 Arkansas, 37–0 (Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia)
• No. 7 Cincinnati defeated No. 9 Notre Dame, 24–13 (Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana)
• Week 6
• No. 3 Iowa defeated No. 4 Penn State, 23–20 (Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa)
• Week 9
• No. 8 Michigan State defeated No. 6 Michigan, 37–33 (Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan)
• Week 12
• No. 4/5 Ohio State defeated No. 7/7 Michigan State, 56–7 (Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio)
• Week 13
• No. 5/6 Michigan defeated No. 2/2 Ohio State, 42–27 (Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan)
• No. 7/7 Oklahoma State defeated No. 10/10 Oklahoma, 37–33 (Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma)
• Week 14
• No. 3/4 Alabama defeated No 1/1 Georgia 41–24 (2021 SEC Championship Game, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia)
• No. 9/9 Baylor defeated No. 5/5 Oklahoma State, 21–16 (2021 Big 12 Championship Game, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas)

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|September 2|Thursday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 23

| visiting_team = (FCS) UC Davis

| home_team = Tulsa

| site_stadium = Chapman Stadium

| site_cityst = Tulsa, OK

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 19–17

| overtime =

| attend = 15,085

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401300994]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = {{tooltip|September 2|Thursday}}

| time = 10:00 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 11

| visiting_team = (FCS) Eastern Washington

| home_team = UNLV

| site_stadium = Allegiant Stadium

| site_cityst = Paradise, NV

| tv = Stadium

| score = 35–33

| overtime = OT

| attend = 21,970

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401310694]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = {{tooltip|September 3|Friday}}

| time = 9:00 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 3

| visiting_team = (FCS) South Dakota State

| home_team = Colorado State

| site_stadium = Canvas Stadium

| site_cityst = Fort Collins, CO

| tv = FS1

| score = 42–23

| overtime =

| attend = 32,327

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401310695]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = September 4

| time = 12:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = (FCS) Holy Cross

| home_team = UConn

| site_stadium = Rentschler Field

| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT

| tv = CBSSN

| score = 38–28

| attend = 18,782

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401286188]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = September 4

| time = 8:00 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 9

| visiting_team = (FCS) Montana

| home_rank = 20

| home_team = Washington

| site_stadium = Husky Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| tv = P12N

| score = 13–7

| attend = 64,053

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401309839]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = September 4

| time = 8:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = (FCS) East Tennessee State

| home_team = Vanderbilt

| site_stadium = Vanderbilt Stadium

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| tv = ESPN+/SECN+

| score = 23–3

| attend = 22,029

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401282054]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = September 11

| time = 2:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = (FCS) Duquesne

| home_team = Ohio

| site_stadium = Peden Stadium

| site_cityst = Athens, OH

| tv = ESPN3

| score = 28–26

| attend = 19,411

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401309753]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = September 11

| time = 8:00 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 16

| visiting_team = (FCS) Jacksonville State

| home_team = Florida State

| site_stadium = Doak Campbell Stadium

| site_cityst = Tallahassee, FL

| tv = ACCN

| score = 20–17

| attend = 60,198

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401282617]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = September 18

| time = 8:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = (FCS) Incarnate Word

| home_team = Texas State

| site_stadium = Bobcat Stadium

| site_cityst = San Marcos, TX

| tv = ESPN3

| score = 42–34

| attend = 16,107

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401309609]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = September 18

| time = 10:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = (FCS) Northern Arizona

| home_team = Arizona

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| tv = P12N

| score = 21–19

| attend = 33,481

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401309853]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = November 6

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = (FCS) Rhode Island

| home_team = UMass

| site_stadium = Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium

| site_cityst = Hadley, MA

| tv = NESN

| score = 35–22

| attend = 7,284

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401286303]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| date = November 13

| time = 12:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = (FCS) Maine

| home_team = UMass

| site_stadium = Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium

| site_cityst = Hadley, MA

| tv = NESN

| score = 35–10

| attend = 5,331

| source = [https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401286304]

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

This section lists instances of unranked teams defeating AP Poll-ranked teams during the season.

During the regular season, 48 unranked FBS teams, plus 1 FCS team, defeated ranked FBS teams.

{{see also|2021 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings#AP Poll}}

• September 3, 2021
• Virginia Tech 17, No. 10 North Carolina 10
• September 4, 2021:
• UCLA 38, No. 16 LSU 27
• (No. 9 FCS) Montana 13, No. 20 Washington 7
• September 11, 2021:
• Stanford 42, No. 14 USC 28
• Arkansas 40, No. 15 Texas 21
• BYU 26, No. 21 Utah 17
• September 18, 2021:
• Fresno State 40, No. 13 UCLA 37
• West Virginia 27, No. 15 Virginia Tech 21
• Michigan State 38, No. 24 Miami (FL) 17
• September 25, 2021:
• NC State 27, No. 9 Clemson 21 ^2OT
• Baylor 31, No. 14 Iowa State 29
• Georgia Tech 45, No. 21 North Carolina 22
• Oklahoma State 31, No. 25 Kansas State 20
• October 2, 2021
• Stanford 31, No. 3 Oregon 24 ^OT
• Kentucky 20, No. 10 Florida 13
• Mississippi State 26, No. 15 Texas A&M 22
• Hawaii 27, No. 18 Fresno State 24
• Arizona State 42, No. 20 UCLA 23
• October 9, 2021:
• Texas A&M 41, No. 1 Alabama 38
• Boise State 26, No. 10 BYU 17
• October 16, 2021:
• Purdue 24, No. 2 Iowa 7
• Auburn 38, No. 17 Arkansas 23
• Utah 35, No. 18 Arizona State 21
• Baylor 38, No. 19 BYU 24
• LSU 49, No. 20 Florida 42
• October 20, 2021
• Appalachian State 30, No. 14 Coastal Carolina 27
• October 23, 2021
• Illinois 20, No. 7 Penn State 18 ^9OT
• Iowa State 24, No. 8 Oklahoma State 21
• Miami (FL) 31, No. 18 NC State 30
• Wisconsin 30, No. 25 Purdue 13
• October 30, 2021
• Wisconsin 27, No. 9 Iowa 7
• Mississippi State 31, No. 12 Kentucky 17
• Miami (FL) 38, No. 17 Pittsburgh 34
• Houston 44, No. 19 SMU 37
• Fresno State 30, No. 21 San Diego State 20
• West Virginia 38, No. 22 Iowa State 31
• November 6, 2021
• Purdue 40, No. 5 Michigan State 29
• North Carolina 58, No. 10 Wake Forest 55
• TCU 30, No. 14 Baylor 28
• Tennessee 45, No. 18 Kentucky 42
• Memphis 28, No. 23 SMU 25
• Boise State 40, No. 25 Fresno State 14
• November 13, 2021
• Mississippi State 43, No. 16 Auburn 34
• Georgia State 42, No. 22 Coastal Carolina 40
• November 20, 2021
• Clemson 48, No. 13 Wake Forest 27
• November 27, 2021
• North Texas 45, No. 15 UTSA 27
• Minnesota 23, No. 18 Wisconsin 13
• LSU 27, No. 14 Texas A&M 24
• December 4, 2021
• Utah State 46, No. 19 San Diego State 13

{{see also|2021 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings#CFP Rankings}}

Rankings in this section are based on the final CFP rankings released on December 5, 2021.

• December 18, 2021
• UAB 31, No. 13 BYU 28 (Independence Bowl)

{{main|2021 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings}}

The top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls.

|

|}

On December 5, 2021, the College Football Playoff selection committee announced its final team rankings for the year.

Rankings in this section are based on CFP rankings released prior to the games.

{{notelist|group=CSumm}}

Ranks are per the final CFP rankings, released on December 5, with win–loss records at that time.

^CFP College Football Playoff participant

{{main|2021–22 NCAA football bowl games}}

There are 42 team-competitive FBS post-season bowl games, with two teams advancing to a 43rd – the CFP National Championship game. Normally, a team is required to have a .500 minimum winning percentage during the regular season to become bowl-eligible (six wins for an 11- or 12-game schedule, and seven wins for a 13-game schedule). If there are not enough winning teams to fulfill all open bowl slots, teams with losing records may be chosen to fill all 84 bowl slots. Additionally, on the rare occasion in which a conference champion does not meet eligibility requirements, they are usually still chosen for bowl games via tie-ins for their conference.

• ACC (10): Boston College, Clemson, Louisville, Miami (FL), NC State, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
• American (7): Cincinnati, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, SMU, Tulsa, UCF
• Big Ten (9): Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin
• Big 12 (7): Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, West Virginia
• C-USA (8): Marshall, Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Old Dominion, UAB, UTEP, UTSA, Western Kentucky
• MAC (8): Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami (OH), Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan
• Mountain West (8): Air Force, Boise State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, San Diego State, Utah State, Wyoming
• Pac-12 (6): Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, Utah, Washington State
• SEC (13): Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M
• Sun Belt (4): Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Louisiana
• Independent (4): Army, BYU, Liberty, Notre Dame

Number of bowl berths available: 84
Number of bowl-eligible teams: 84

On December 2, NCAA announced the 42nd bowl game, thus guaranteeing all teams with six wins (83 bowl-eligible teams plus Hawaii with a 6–7 record) could play in a bowl game.{{cite web |last1=McMurphy |first1=Brett |title=Sources: NCAA to Add New Bowl Game in Texas |url=https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/ncaa-to-add-new-bowl-game-in-texas-postseason |website=Action Network |access-date=December 2, 2021 |date=December 2, 2021}} The added bowl game, later named the 2021 Frisco Football Classic, essentially served as a replacement of the canceled San Francisco Bowl.{{cite news |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/college-football-bowl-game-Texas-addition-42-16671484.php |title=NCAA approves late addition to bowl lineup, 42nd game |first=Ralh D. |last=Russo |agency=AP |website=Houston Chronicle |date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021}}

• ACC (4): Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Syracuse
• American (4): Navy, South Florida, Temple, Tulane
• Big Ten (5): Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Northwestern, Rutgers{{asterisk}}
• Big 12 (3): Kansas, TCU, Texas
• C-USA (6): Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, FIU, Louisiana Tech, Rice, Southern Miss
• MAC (4): Akron, Buffalo, Bowling Green, Ohio
• Mountain West (4): Colorado State, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV
• Pac-12 (6): Arizona, California, Colorado, Stanford, USC, Washington
• SEC (1): Vanderbilt
• Sun Belt (6): Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, Louisiana–Monroe, South Alabama, Texas State, Troy
• Independent (3): New Mexico State, UConn, UMass

Number of bowl-ineligible teams: 46

{{asterisk}}Rutgers had the highest Academic Progress Rate (APR) of five-win teams. The NCAA announced on December 23 that Rutgers was the first eligible team, under APR regulations, to replace Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl. Rutgers accepted the bid.{{cite web |first=Dave |last=Wilson |date=November 23, 2021 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32930171/rutgers-accepts-invite-replacement-team-gator-bowl-play-wake-forest-sources-say |title=Rutgers Accepts Invite as Replacement Team for Gator Bowl, to Play Wake Forest |work=ESPN |access-date=December 23, 2021}}

{{2022 College Football Playoff}}

The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player

• AP Player of the Year: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32830223/alabama-crimson-tide-qb-bryce-young-voted-ap-college-football-player-year |title=Alabama Crimson Tide QB Bryce Young voted AP Player of the Year in college football |agency=Associated Press |website=ESPN.com |date=December 9, 2021 |access-date=December 19, 2021}}
• Lombardi Award (top player): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
• Maxwell Award (top player): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-awards-complete-list-of-all-winners-for-2021-22-season/ |title=College football awards: Complete list of all winners for 2021-22 season |first=David |last=Cobb |website=CBSSports.com |date=December 9, 2021 |access-date=December 19, 2021}}
• SN Player of the Year: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama{{cite news|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/bryce-young-sporting-news-2021-player-of-the-year/18gzllry2muyr184vweaaesbv4 |title=Alabama's Bryce Young is Sporting News' 2021 Player of the Year |first=Bill |last=Bender |work=Sporting News |date=December 14, 2021 |access-date=December 19, 2021}}
• Walter Camp Award (top player): Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State

• Burlsworth Trophy (top player who began as walk-on): Grant Morgan, LB, Arkansas
• Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player): Marcus Jones, CB, Houston{{cite press release|url=https://www.louisvillesports.org/ph-article/houstons-marcus-jones-named-2021-paul-hornung-award-winner/ |title=Houston's Marcus Jones Named 2021 Paul Hornung Award Winner |publisher=Louisville Sports Commission |date=December 8, 2021 |access-date=January 11, 2022}}
• Jon Cornish Trophy (top Canadian player): John Metchie III, WR, Alabama{{cite press release|url=https://footballcanada.com/news/metchie-repeats-as-cornish-trophy-winner/ |title=Metchie Repeats as Cornish Trophy Winner |publisher=Football Canada |date=April 19, 2022 |access-date=April 19, 2022}}
• Campbell Trophy ("academic Heisman"): Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
• Academic All-American of the Year: Charlie Kolar, Iowa State{{cite press release|url=https://academicallamerica.com/news/2021/12/14/2021-academic-all-america-ncaa-division-i-football-team-announced.aspx |title=2021 Academic All-America® NCAA Division I Football Team Announced |publisher=College Sports Information Directors of America |date=December 14, 2021 |access-date=January 15, 2022}}
• Wuerffel Trophy (humanitarian-athlete): Isaiah Sanders, QB, Stanford
• Senior CLASS Award (senior student-athlete): Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh{{cite press release|url=https://www.seniorclassaward.com/news/view/pittsburghs_kenny_pickett_wins_2021_senior_class_award_for_fbs_football |title=Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett Wins 2021 Senior CLASS Award for FBS Football |publisher=Premier Sports Management |date=December 29, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

Quarterback

• Davey O'Brien Award: Bryce Young, Alabama
• Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (senior/4th year quarterback): Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
• Manning Award: Bryce Young, Alabama{{cite press release|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/other-events/manning-award/manning-award-winner-2021-young/ |title=Bryce Young – 2021 Manning Award Winner |publisher=Allstate Sugar Bowl |date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=January 18, 2022}}

Running back

• Doak Walker Award: Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State

Wide receiver

• Fred Biletnikoff Award: Jordan Addison, Pittsburgh

Tight end

• John Mackey Award: Trey McBride, Colorado State

Lineman:

• Rimington Trophy (center): Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
• Outland Trophy (interior lineman on either offense or defense): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
• Joe Moore Award (offensive line): Michigan

• Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player): Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama
• Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
• Lott Trophy (defensive impact): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Defensive front

• Dick Butkus Award (linebacker): Nakobe Dean, Georgia
• Ted Hendricks Award (defensive end): Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

Defensive back

• Jim Thorpe Award: Coby Bryant, Cincinnati

• Lou Groza Award (placekicker): Jake Moody, Michigan
• Ray Guy Award (punter): Matt Araiza, San Diego State
• Jet Award (return specialist): Marcus Jones, Houston
• Patrick Mannelly Award (long snapper): Cal Adomitis, Pittsburgh
• Peter Mortell Holder of the Year Award: Reid Bauer, Arkansas

• AFCA Coach of the Year Award: Luke Fickell, Cincinnati{{cite press release|url=https://www.afca.com/cincinnatis-luke-fickell-named-2021-werner-ladder-afca-fbs-national-coach-of-the-year/ |title=Cincinnati's Luke Fickell Named 2021 Werner Ladder AFCA FBS National Coach of the Year |publisher=American Football Coaches Association |date=January 9, 2022 |access-date=January 11, 2022}}
• AP Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
• Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year: Luke Fickell, Cincinnati
• Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year: Luke Fickell, Cincinnati
• George Munger Award: Dave Aranda, Baylor
• Home Depot Coach of the Year: Luke Fickell, Cincinnati
• Paul "Bear" Bryant Award: Luke Fickell, Cincinnati{{cite press release|url=https://newsroom.heart.org/news/luke-fickell-named-2021-paul-bear-bryant-coach-of-the-year |title=Luke Fickell named 2021 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year |publisher=American Heart Association |date=January 12, 2022 |access-date=January 15, 2022}}
• Walter Camp Coach of the Year: Luke Fickell, Cincinnati

• AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year: Newland Isaac, Coastal Carolina{{cite press release|url=https://www.afca.com/afca-announces-2021-assistant-coach-of-the-year-award-winners/ |title=AFCA Announces 2021 Assistant Coach of the Year Winners |publisher=American Football Coaches Association |date=December 1, 2021 |access-date=December 14, 2021}}
• Broyles Award: Josh Gattis, Michigan

{{Main|2021 College Football All-America Team}}

This is restricted to coaching changes taking place on or after May 1, 2021, and will include any changes announced after a team's last regularly scheduled game but before its bowl game. For coaching changes that occurred earlier in 2021, see 2020 NCAA Division I FBS end-of-season coaching changes.

This list includes coaching changes announced during the season that did not take effect until the end of the season.

{{small|All times Eastern.}}

{{small|Rankings are from the AP Poll (before 11/2) and CFP Rankings (thereafter).}}

{{small|All times Eastern.}} {{small|Rankings are from the CFP Rankings.}}

{{small|All times Eastern.}} {{small|Rankings are from the CFP Rankings.}}

{{small|All times Eastern.}} {{small|Rankings are from the CFP Rankings.}}

• 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season
• 2021 NCAA Division II football season
• 2021 NCAA Division III football season
• 2021 NAIA football season
• 2021 U Sports football season

{{Reflist}}

{{2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season navbox}}

{{NCAA football season navbox}}