1985 NCAA Division I-A football season


The 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season saw the Oklahoma Sooners, led by head coach Barry Switzer, win the national championship.
Oklahoma finished the season 11-1, with their only loss to Miami at home, in a game in which future NFL star Troy Aikman was lost for the season. The Sooners regrouped and went undefeated the rest of the way, finishing the season with a win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
Michigan would finish #2, the highest finish of a Bo Schembechler led team. The team shined on defense, led by All-Americans Mike Hammerstein and Mark Messner.
Tennessee finished the season with a victory over #2 Miami in the Sugar Bowl. This team won the school's first SEC championship in 16 years and was nicknamed the "Sugar Vols". The SEC title was the first of three for coach Johnny Majors.
Air Force Falcons, under Fisher DeBerry had what is considered their best season ever, defeating Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl and finishing #8 in the AP Poll.
This year's edition of the Iron Bowl is widely considered to be one of the greatest ever. Despite Auburn having Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson on its side, Alabama won this game with a last second field goal.
This would be the last year for the 1-A/1-AA hybrid Missouri Valley Conference in football. 5 of the 7 teams in the conference had been playing Division 1-AA football since the 1982 season, while Tulsa and Wichita State would remain 1-A, becoming independents the following season.

Rule changes

AP Final Poll

  1. Oklahoma
  2. Michigan
  3. Penn State
  4. Tennessee
  5. Florida
  6. Texas A&M
  7. UCLA
  8. Air Force
  9. Miami
  10. Iowa
  11. Nebraska
  12. Arkansas
  13. Alabama
  14. Ohio State
  15. Florida State
  16. BYU
  17. Baylor
  18. Maryland
  19. Georgia Tech
  20. LSU

    Final Coaches Poll

  21. Oklahoma
  22. Michigan
  23. Penn St.
  24. Tennessee
  25. Air Force
  26. UCLA
  27. Texas A&M
  28. Miami
  29. Iowa
  30. Nebraska
  31. Ohio St.
  32. Arkansas
  33. Florida St.
  34. Alabama
  35. Baylor
  36. Fresno St.
  37. Brigham Young
  38. Georgia Tech
  39. Maryland
  40. LSU

    Notable rivalry games

Bowl games

The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award is given to the
Most Outstanding Player of the year
Winner:
Bo Jackson, Auburn, RB