Season by season
The 1986 Season: 1986
Opened the season with Alabama holding the belt; Penn State closed it out. 13 belt games this season: 1 title change and 12 defenses.
| # | Date | Matchup | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,122 | August 27, 1986 | Ohio State at Alabama | 10–16 | Defended · #1 |
| 1,123 | September 6, 1986 | Vanderbilt at Alabama | 10–42 | Defended · #2 |
| 1,124 | September 13, 1986 | Southern Miss at Alabama | 17–31 | Defended · #3 |
| 1,125 | September 20, 1986 | Alabama at Florida | 21–7 | Defended · #4 |
| 1,126 | October 4, 1986 | Notre Dame at Alabama | 10–28 | Defended · #5 |
| 1,127 | October 11, 1986 | Memphis at Alabama | 0–37 | Defended · #6 |
| 1,128 | October 18, 1986 | Alabama at Tennessee | 56–28 | Defended · #7 |
| 1,129 | October 25, 1986 | Penn State at Alabama | 23–3 | New champion: Penn State |
| 1,130 | November 1, 1986 | Penn State at West Virginia | 19–0 | Defended · #1 |
| 1,131 | November 8, 1986 | Maryland at Penn State | 15–17 | Defended · #2 |
| 1,132 | November 15, 1986 | Penn State at Notre Dame | 24–19 | Defended · #3 |
| 1,133 | November 22, 1986 | Pittsburgh at Penn State | 14–34 | Defended · #4 |
| 1,134 | January 2, 1987 | Miami vs. Penn State | 10–14 | Defended · #5 |
Season Detail
Reigns That Started This Season
| Team | Since | How | Held It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State | October 25, 1986 | took it from Alabama | 322 days |