1979 NCAA Division I-A football season

The 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season saw the Alabama Crimson Tide bring home a national title with a perfect 12-0 season. The title was Alabama's 11th claimed, though the number is disputed. It was their 6th Associated Press awarded title.

This was an extremely dominant Alabama team, only giving up 67 points the entire season and shutting out five opponents. The team won a tight one against LSU 3-0 and beat Auburn by a touchdown before beating Arkansas 24-9 in the Sugar Bowl.

The Ohio State Buckeyes came within one point of a national title under first year coach Earle Bruce, who replaced legendary coach Woody Hayes, falling to USC 17-16 in the Rose Bowl after an undefeated season. USC was the pre season top ranked team, and held the number one ranking until a 21-21 tie with Stanford, a game USC led at halftime 21-0. A fumbled hold on the snap from center cost the Trojans a chance at a last second field goal. Stanford was led by quarterback Turk Schonert, while a freshman named John Elway served as his backup. USC ended up finishing second in the country, but running back Charles White did bring home the Heisman Trophy.

Final AP Poll

 * 1) Alabama
 * 2) Southern California
 * 3) Oklahoma
 * 4) Ohio State
 * 5) Houston
 * 6) Florida State
 * 7) Pittsburgh
 * 8) Arkansas
 * 9) Nebraska
 * 10) Purdue
 * 11) Washington
 * 12) Texas
 * 13) Brigham Young
 * 14) Baylor
 * 15) North Carolina
 * 16) Auburn
 * 17) Temple
 * 18) Michigan
 * 19) Indiana
 * 20) Penn State

Final Coaches Poll

 * 1) Alabama
 * 2) Southern California
 * 3) Oklahoma
 * 4) Ohio St.
 * 5) Houston
 * 6) Pittsburgh
 * 7) Nebraska
 * 8) Florida St.
 * 9) Arkansas
 * 10) Purdue
 * 11) Washington
 * 12) Brigham Young
 * 13) Texas
 * 14) North Carolina
 * 15) Baylor
 * 16) Indiana
 * 17) Temple
 * 18) Penn St.
 * 19) Michigan
 * 20) Missouri

Heisman Trophy voting

 * 1) Charles White, Southern California TB
 * 2) Billy Sims, Oklahoma HB
 * 3) Marc Wilson, Brigham Young QB
 * 4) Art Schlichter, Ohio State QB
 * 5) Vagas Ferguson, Notre Dame TB

Other major awards

 * Maxwell (outstanding player) - Charles White, USC TB
 * Outland - Jim Ritcher, North Carolina State C
 * Camp - Charles White, Southern California TB
 * Lombardi - Brad Budde, Southern California G