What Is 2016-17 NCAA football bowl games

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016-17 NCAA football bowl season featured 40 postseason games, starting December 17, 2016, and culminating with the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 9, 2017, where Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 in a rematch of the previous year's title game.

Key Facts

40 bowl games were played during the 2016-17 postseason
Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 in the 2017 National Championship
The College Football Playoff semifinals were the 2016 Orange Bowl and 2016 Cotton Bowl
January 9, 2017, was the date of the National Championship game
Ohio State set a bowl record with 72 points in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl against Clemson

Overview

The 2016-17 NCAA football bowl season marked the culmination of the college football season, featuring 40 officially sanctioned bowl games. These games spanned five weeks, beginning on December 17, 2016, and ending with the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 9, 2017.

Teams qualified for bowl games based on conference standings, final rankings, and at-large selections. The College Football Playoff (CFP) system continued to determine the national champion, with the semifinals hosted at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl.

40 bowl games were played, a record number at the time, reflecting the expansion of postseason opportunities across Division I FBS teams.
The College Football Playoff National Championship took place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, drawing over 70,000 fans in attendance.
Clemson and Alabama met in the title game for the second consecutive year, with Clemson winning 35-31 in a dramatic comeback.
The 2016 Fiesta Bowl saw Ohio State defeat Michigan 30-27 in a heated rivalry game, while also setting a record for most points in a CFP semifinal.
Ohio State later scored 72 points in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl against Clemson, setting a new bowl game scoring record in a non-championship game.

How It Works

The NCAA bowl system operates through a combination of conference tie-ins, team rankings, and at-large bids, with the College Football Playoff selecting the top four teams for national title contention.

College Football Playoff (CFP): The CFP selects the top four teams based on a selection committee's rankings. These teams compete in semifinal games hosted by rotating major bowls.
Semifinal Rotation: For 2016-17, the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl hosted the semifinals, with matchups determined by the final CFP rankings released in December.
Bowl Eligibility: Teams needed at least 6 wins against FBS opponents to qualify for a bowl, though teams with 5-7 records could be selected if not enough eligible teams existed.
Conference Tie-Ins: Major conferences like the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC have contractual agreements with specific bowls, ensuring representation even if teams aren't highly ranked.
At-Large Bids: Bowls without automatic qualifiers can select at-large teams based on national appeal, fan travel potential, and TV ratings considerations.
New Year’s Six: The six most prestigious bowls—Orange, Cotton, Fiesta, Peach, Rose, and Sugar—include the CFP semifinals and host top-ranked teams annually.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2016-17 bowl season's key games highlights the structure and competitiveness of the postseason.

Bowl Game	Date	Location	Result	Significance
2016 Orange Bowl	December 31, 2016	Miami Gardens, FL	Clemson 33, Oklahoma 14	CFP Semifinal
2016 Cotton Bowl	December 31, 2016	Arlington, TX	Alabama 38, Washington 24	CFP Semifinal
2017 Rose Bowl	January 2, 2017	Pasadena, CA	USC 52, Penn State 49	Historic high-scoring game
2016 Fiesta Bowl	January 2, 2017	Glendale, AZ	Ohio State 41, Notre Dame 21	Non-CFP major bowl
National Championship	January 9, 2017	Tampa, FL	Clemson 35, Alabama 31	Decided national title

This table illustrates how the postseason balanced competitive matchups with tradition and television appeal. The CFP games determined the finalists, while other marquee bowls like the Rose and Fiesta featured top-10 teams, drawing significant viewership and media attention.

Why It Matters

The 2016-17 bowl season had lasting implications for college football, from player legacies to playoff structure debates.

Clemson's 2017 victory marked their first national title since 1981, cementing quarterback Deshaun Watson as a Heisman contender and boosting program prestige.
The high-scoring Rose Bowl between USC and Penn State, ending 52-49, became one of the most-watched non-CFP games in history.
Ohio State's dominant 72-point performance showcased offensive evolution in college football, influencing future recruiting and strategy trends.
The season intensified debates over playoff expansion, with growing support for an eight-team format to include more at-large teams.
Bowl payouts increased significantly, with the CFP National Champion earning approximately $6 million for their conference.
Several underclassmen declared for the 2017 NFL Draft after standout bowl performances, including stars from Alabama and Clemson.

The 2016-17 bowl season not only delivered thrilling finishes but also influenced the future of college football's postseason structure, fan engagement, and national championship debates.