1950 college football season

The 1950 college football season was the 82nd season of intercollegiate football in the United States. It concluded with four teams having a claim to the national championship:

• Oklahoma finished the regular season undefeated (9–0) and was recognized as the national champion in the final Associated Press (AP) poll and the final United Press (UP) coaches poll. However, the Sooners lost in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day. The final polls were issued prior to the bowl games, leaving intact Oklahoma's claim as AP and UP national champion.
• Tennessee compiled an 11–1 record including a victory over No. 3 Texas in the Cotton Bowl. The Volunteers were ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll but have been recognized as the 1950 national champion by the Billingsley Report, DeVold System, Dunkel System, College Football Researchers Association, and National Championship Foundation.
• Princeton compiled a perfect 9–0 record and was ranked No. 6 in the final AP Poll. The Tigers have been recognized as the national champions by the Poling System and Boand System. Princeton coach Charlie Caldwell won the AFCA Coach of the Year Award.
• Kentucky, coached by Bear Bryant, compiled an 11–1 record and defeated Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. Kentucky claims the 1950 national championship based on its No. 1 ranking in computer rankings released in 1990 by Jeff Sagarin. Kentucky quarterback Babe Parilli tallied 1,627 passing yards and finished fourth in voting for the 1950 Heisman Trophy.

Florida A&M (8–1–1) and Southern (10–0–1) were each recognized as black college national champions by at least one selector. In addition to Princeton, 16 other teams finished the season undefeated and untied, including Abilene Christian (11–0, Texas Conference and Refrigerator Bowl champion), Wyoming (10–0, AP No. 12 and Gator Bowl champion), Morris Harvey (10–0, Tangerine Bowl champion), Lehigh (9–0, Middle Three champion), Florida State (8–0, Dixie Conference champion), New Hampshire (8–0, Yankee Conference champion), and Maryland State (8–0 Furniture Bowl champion).

Ohio State halfback Vic Janowicz won the Heisman Trophy, and Penn halfback Reds Bagnell won the Maxwell Award. Individual statistical leaders in major college football included Johnny Bright of Drake (2,400 yards of total offense), Don Heinrich of Washington (1,846 passing yards), Wilford White of Arizona State (1,501 rushing yards), and Bobby Reynolds of Nebraska (157 points scored).