What Is 2015-16 NCAA football bowl games

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015–16 NCAA football bowl games included 41 postseason matchups played from December 26, 2015, to January 12, 2016, culminating in the College Football Playoff National Championship where Alabama defeated Clemson 45–40. This season marked the second year of the four-team College Football Playoff format.

Key Facts

41 bowl games were played during the 2015–16 postseason.
Games spanned from December 26, 2015, to January 12, 2016.
The College Football Playoff National Championship was held in Glendale, Arizona.
Alabama won the national title with a 45–40 victory over Clemson.
The semifinals were hosted at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl Classic.

Overview

The 2015–16 NCAA football bowl season featured a record total of 41 postseason games, including the College Football Playoff (CFP) and associated New Year’s Six matchups. These games provided a platform for 82 teams to compete following the regular season, expanding opportunities beyond traditional conference champions.

Marking the second year of the four-team College Football Playoff system, the postseason culminated in a thrilling national championship game between Alabama and Clemson. The schedule began on December 26, 2015, and concluded with the CFP National Championship on January 12, 2016.

41 bowl games were played, a record number for the NCAA at the time, reflecting the growing postseason expansion and inclusion of more teams.
The postseason began on December 26, 2015, with the Miami Beach Bowl and concluded over two weeks later with the national title game.
Alabama defeated Clemson 45–40 in the CFP National Championship, securing their 16th national title in program history.
The semifinal games were hosted by the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl Classic, which rotated as CFP venues that season.
The College Football Playoff maintained its four-team knockout format, with semifinal winners advancing to the championship game.

How It Works

The 2015–16 bowl system combined traditional tie-ins, at-large selections, and the structured College Football Playoff to determine the national champion and reward team performance.

College Football Playoff (CFP): A four-team single-elimination tournament where the top four teams, selected by a committee, competed. The semifinals were hosted by rotating New Year’s Six bowls.
Selection Committee: A 13-member panel ranked teams weekly and chose the final four for the playoff. Their final rankings were released on December 6, 2015.
New Year’s Six Bowls: Six major bowls—Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, Fiesta, and Peach—hosted playoff games or top-ranked teams. Two served as semifinals each year.
Bowl Eligibility: Teams needed at least 6 wins against FBS opponents to qualify for a bowl, though some 5–7 teams were selected due to academic progress rates.
At-Large Bids: Conferences with open slots allowed bowls to select teams based on rankings, geography, and fan appeal, increasing national exposure.
Contractual Tie-Ins: Most bowls had agreements with specific conferences (e.g., the Rose Bowl with Big Ten and Pac-12), though flexibility increased during the playoff era.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key 2015–16 bowl games, highlighting dates, locations, teams, and outcomes:

Bowl Game	Date	Location	Teams	Final Score
Cotton Bowl Classic (CFP Semifinal)	December 31, 2015	Arlington, TX	Alabama vs. Michigan State	Alabama 38–0
Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal)	December 31, 2015	Miami Gardens, FL	Clemson vs. Oklahoma	Clemson 37–17
College Football Playoff National Championship	January 12, 2016	Glendale, AZ	Alabama vs. Clemson	Alabama 45–40
Rose Bowl	January 1, 2016	Pasadena, CA	Stanford vs. Iowa	Stanford 45–16
Sugar Bowl	January 1, 2016	New Orleans, LA	Arkansas vs. Kansas State	Arkansas 45–23

These games illustrate how the playoff structure influenced bowl selections, with top teams prioritized for semifinal matchups while traditional bowls maintained prestige and conference affiliations. The scheduling overlap on December 31 highlighted the postseason’s growing scale.

Why It Matters

The 2015–16 bowl season was significant for cementing the College Football Playoff model and showcasing high-level competition across a broad postseason landscape. It also demonstrated the financial and cultural impact of bowl games on universities and local economies.

Alabama’s national title victory solidified Nick Saban’s legacy, marking his fourth championship at the school.
The 45–40 final score in the championship was one of the most exciting in modern college football history, boosting viewership and fan engagement.
Bowl games generated over $400 million in revenue, with major payouts to conferences and participating schools.
The inclusion of 82 teams helped student-athletes gain postseason experience and increased television exposure.
Games like the Cotton Bowl showcased AT&T Stadium’s role as a premier venue, drawing over 85,000 fans.
The season reinforced the shift from traditional conference supremacy to a national ranking-driven postseason model.

Overall, the 2015–16 bowl season highlighted the evolution of college football into a national spectacle centered around performance-based selection and high-stakes matchups.