The Miami Hurricanes won the BCS National Championship Game over the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 37–14.

A total of 25 team-competitive games were played—starting on December 18, 2001, and ending on January 3, 2002—with participation by 50 bowl-eligible teams.

North Texas entered the New Orleans Bowl with a losing record of 5–6; they were able to play in a bowl game by being co-champions of the Sun Belt Conference, having compiled a 5–1 conference record.

[1] An additional five all-star games were played, ending with the Hula Bowl on February 2, 2002.

The below table lists top teams (per polls taken after the completion of the regular season and any conference championship games), their win–loss records (prior to bowl games), and the bowls they later played in.