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 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 #5.

This years 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.

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 (FL)
 * 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

 * 1) Oklahoma
 * 2) Michigan
 * 3) Penn St.
 * 4) Tennessee
 * 5) Air Force
 * 6) UCLA
 * 7) Texas A&M
 * 8) Miami (FL)
 * 9) Iowa
 * 10) Nebraska
 * 11) Ohio St.
 * 12) Arkansas
 * 13) Florida St.
 * 14) Alabama
 * 15) Baylor
 * 16) Fresno St.
 * 17) Brigham Young
 * 18) Georgia Tech
 * 19) Maryland
 * 20) Louisiana St.

Notable rivalry games

 * Alabama 25, Auburn 23
 * Arizona 16, Arizona State 13
 * Florida 38, Florida State 14
 * Georgia 24, Florida 3
 * Georgia Tech 20, Georgia 16
 * Iowa 57, Iowa State 3
 * LSU 31, Tulane 19
 * Michigan 31, Michigan State 0
 * Michigan 27, Ohio State 17
 * Minnesota 27, Wisconsin 18
 * Navy 17, Army 7
 * Notre Dame 37, USC 3
 * Oklahoma 27, Nebraska 7
 * Oklahoma 13, Oklahoma State 0
 * Oklahoma 14, Texas 7
 * Oregon 34, Oregon State 13
 * Texas A&M 42, Texas 10
 * USC 17, UCLA 13
 * Washington State 21, Washington 20

Bowl games

 * Rose Bowl: #13 UCLA 45, #3 Iowa 28
 * Fiesta Bowl: #5 Michigan 27, #7 Nebraska 23
 * Sugar Bowl: #8 Tennessee 35, #2 Miami (Fl) 7
 * Cotton Bowl Classic: #11 Texas A&M 36, #16 Auburn 16
 * Orange Bowl: #3 Oklahoma 25, #1 Penn State 10
 * Florida Citrus Bowl: #17 Ohio State 10, #9 Brigham Young 7
 * Gator Bowl: #18 Florida State 34, #19 Oklahoma State 23
 * Holiday Bowl: #14 Arkansas 18, Arizona State 17
 * Peach Bowl: Army 31, Illinois 29
 * Sun Bowl: #20 Arizona 13, Georgia 13
 * Independence Bowl: Minnesota 20, Clemson 13
 * Liberty Bowl: Baylor 21, #12 LSU 7
 * Aloha Bowl: USC 3, #15 Alabama 24
 * Bluebonnet Bowl: #11 Air Force 24, Texas 16
 * California Bowl: Fresno State 51, #20 Bowling Green 7
 * All-American Bowl: #18 Georgia Tech 17, Michigan State 14

Heisman Trophy voting
''The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award is given to the

Most Outstanding Player of the year'' Winner: Bo Jackson, Auburn, RB (1,509 points)
 * 2. Chuck Long, Iowa, QB (1,464 points)
 * 3. Robbie Bosco, Brigham Young, QB (459 points)
 * 4. Lorenzo White, Michigan State, RB (391 points)
 * 5. Vinny Testaverde, Miami-Fl, QB (249 points)

Other annual awards

 * Maxwell Award (College Player of the Year) - Chuck Long, Iowa
 * Walter Camp Award (Back) - Bo Jackson, Auburn
 * Davey O'Brien Award (Quarterback) - Chuck Long, Iowa
 * Dick Butkus Award (Linebacker) - Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma
 * Lombardi Award (Lineman or Linebacker) - Tony Casillas, Oklahoma
 * Outland Trophy (Interior Lineman) - Mike Ruth, Boston College, 0T
 * Paul "Bear" Bryant Award - Fisher DeBerry, Air Force