What Is 2014 BCS National Championship Game

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 BCS National Championship Game was played on January 6, 2014, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where the Florida State Seminoles defeated the Auburn Tigers 34–31 to win their first national title since 1999.

Key Facts

Game date: January 6, 2014
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Final score: Florida State 34, Auburn 31
Florida State completed a perfect 14–0 season
Jameis Winston won the Heisman Trophy in 2013 and led FSU to victory

Overview

The 2014 BCS National Championship Game marked the culmination of the 2013 college football season, serving as the final game under the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) format before the College Football Playoff (CFP) era began in 2014. It featured the Florida State Seminoles and the Auburn Tigers, both of whom finished the regular season undefeated and ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the final BCS standings.

This game was historically significant as the last BCS title game, ending a 16-year era of computer-influenced rankings and major-bowl tie-ins. The matchup was notable for its dramatic finish and high-stakes narrative, with both teams vying for their first national title in over a decade.

Teams: The Florida State Seminoles (13–0) entered as ACC champions, while the Auburn Tigers (12–1) represented the SEC after a thrilling Iron Bowl comeback.
Final score: Florida State won 34–31, securing their first national championship since 1999 and completing a perfect 14–0 season.
Date and venue: The game was played on January 6, 2014, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, a neutral site with a capacity of over 90,000.
Heisman winner:Jameis Winston, Florida State’s redshirt freshman quarterback, threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns despite battling a shoulder injury late in the season.
Game-winning play: With 13 seconds remaining, Winston connected with Kelvin Benjamin on a 2-yard touchdown pass to give FSU the lead for good.

How It Works

The BCS National Championship Game was determined by a combination of human polls and computer rankings to select the top two teams in the nation. This system, active from 1998 to 2013, used the BCS formula to rank teams and place the top two in a designated bowl game.

BCS Formula:Computer rankings and poll data from the Harris and Coaches Polls were averaged to determine the final standings each week.
Qualification: Only teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the final BCS standings after conference championships were eligible to play in the title game.
Bowl Rotation: The championship rotated among the Sugar, Orange, Fiesta, and Rose Bowls, with the 2014 game hosted by the Rose Bowl.
Team Selection: Automatic bids were given to conference champions from BCS-affiliated leagues, while at-large spots were filled based on BCS rankings.
End of an Era: The 2014 game was the last under the BCS system, replaced in 2014 by the four-team College Football Playoff format.
Financial Impact: Each participating team received approximately $18 million in payouts from the BCS, shared among their conference and schools.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2014 BCS National Championship Game with the inaugural 2014 College Football Playoff National Championship:

Feature	2014 BCS Title Game	2015 CFP Title Game
Teams	Florida State vs. Auburn	Oregon vs. Ohio State
Score	Florida State 34–31	Ohio State 42–20
Date	January 6, 2014	January 12, 2015
Venue	Rose Bowl, CA	AT&T Stadium, TX
System	BCS Rankings	4-Team Playoff Committee

This comparison highlights the transition from a formula-driven selection to a committee-based playoff. The BCS relied heavily on algorithms, while the CFP introduced human evaluation and semifinal games, increasing competitiveness and viewer engagement.

Why It Matters

The 2014 BCS National Championship Game was a pivotal moment in college football history, symbolizing both the end of one era and the dawn of another. Its close finish and national spotlight underscored the need for a more inclusive playoff system.

The game was the final BCS title contest after 16 seasons, marking a shift toward the College Football Playoff format.
Florida State’s victory gave them their third national title in program history and cemented Jameis Winston as a top NFL prospect.
Auburn’s appearance highlighted the SEC’s dominance, having won seven of the previous eight BCS titles before this game.
The 34–31 final score made it one of the most dramatic BCS title games, with the winning TD coming in the final 30 seconds.
It drew over 25 million viewers on ESPN, one of the highest-rated non-NFL broadcasts of the year.
The game’s legacy includes debates over BCS fairness, especially regarding access for non-power conference teams.

As the last of its kind, the 2014 BCS National Championship Game remains a landmark event in college football, remembered for its thrilling finish and historical significance in the sport’s evolution.