College Football Controversies
College football fans love to complain about the Bowl Championship Series, but controversy is nothing new to this game. In this category, we take a look at the long history of controversy in college football: Disputed championships, questionable calls, shady recruiting and more.
The Lane Kiffin Saga
Lane Kiffin arrived at the University of Tennessee with great fanfare. He's been making headlines—and generating controversy—ever since.
Lane Kiffin arrived at the University of Tennessee with great fanfare. He's been making headlines—and generating controversy—ever since.
The Fifth Down Game: Colorado vs. Missouri, 1990
In their 1990 national championship season, the Colorado Buffaloes caught a huge break: They got five chances, not four, to score a winning touchdown against Missouri.
In their 1990 national championship season, the Colorado Buffaloes caught a huge break: They got five chances, not four, to score a winning touchdown against Missouri.
The Mugging of Johnny Bright
In 1951, an African-American tailback at Drake University named Johnny Bright was literally mugged, on the field, by a defender from Oklahoma A&M University. The racially motivated incident changed college football forever.
In 1951, an African-American tailback at Drake University named Johnny Bright was literally mugged, on the field, by a defender from Oklahoma A&M University. The racially motivated incident changed college football forever.
The South Carolina-Clemson Brawl
South Carolina and Clemson had always been bitter rivals. But in 2004, a bench-clearing brawl took tainted this great game -- and sent one legendary coach out on a sour note.
South Carolina and Clemson had always been bitter rivals. But in 2004, a bench-clearing brawl took tainted this great game -- and sent one legendary coach out on a sour note.
SMU Gets the 'Death Penalty'
SMU football was once one of college football's glamor programs. That all came to a crashing halt in 1987, when the NCAA suspended the Mustang program for an entire season because of its "legacy of wrongdoing, deceit and rule violations."
SMU football was once one of college football's glamor programs. That all came to a crashing halt in 1987, when the NCAA suspended the Mustang program for an entire season because of its "legacy of wrongdoing, deceit and rule violations."
Mike Price Scandal at Alabama
Alabama coach Mike Price was fired, after just four months on the job, over an evening at a strip club -- and a hefty room-service bill at his hotel. The embarrassing incident capped a turbulent decade for the Alabama program.
Alabama coach Mike Price was fired, after just four months on the job, over an evening at a strip club -- and a hefty room-service bill at his hotel. The embarrassing incident capped a turbulent decade for the Alabama program.