Shortly after, the postseason began on December 21, 2020, and culminated in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship on January 11, 2021, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

In August, the Big Ten, Pac-12, Mid-American Conference (MAC), Mountain West, and several independents announced they would delay their football seasons until further notice due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, targeting the possibility of playing in the spring of 2021 instead.

The following playing rule changes were approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel for 2020:[3] The following headlines are relevant to the 2020 NCAA Division 1 FBS football season: Multiple universities and conferences had already canceled their spring football games as part of the wider, nationwide suspension of organized sports and athletics due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[8] In regards to its impact on the regular season, NCAA president Mark Emmert stated on May 8 that individual decisions on fall semester sports would likely begin to appear as early as June or around July 4.

President Emmert noted, however, that the guidelines presumed that the infection rate would be "manageable", and that "If there is to be college sports in the fall, we need to get a much better handle on the pandemic.

"[16] On July 18, the SEC announced that it would still honor scholarships for players who opt out of the fall season due to safety concerns.

[19] All of the Power Five conferences initially announced that they would go on with their season as scheduled, but with cuts to non-conference games in order to overcome logistical concerns and reduce interstate travel.

[19] Notre Dame and Navy had also canceled a planned international game in Dublin, Ireland, and tentatively rescheduled it for Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

[23] Some FCS conferences (such as the Patriot League)[24] canceled or postponed the football season outright, affecting games against FBS opponents.

[25][26] The next day, however, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced the postponement of all fall sports for the 2020 season, including football.

Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher stated that "there are simply too many unknowns to put our student-athletes into situations that are not clearly understood."

The Nebraska Cornhuskers of the Big Ten disclosed an intent to attempt non-conference play in the fall, although the logistical aspects of such a move (including scheduling) and possible repercussions within the conference were unknown.

[34] A major factor in the Big Ten's decision was cardiovascular complications from the virus,[35] while the Pac-12 cited that rapid testing capabilities would be needed to resume play.

[39][40] After the decision to postpone the season, the Big Ten formed a taskforce to investigate options for a return to play.

[49] The voting deadline for the Heisman Trophy was similarly pushed back to December 21, with the presentation likewise scheduled for January 5, 2021.

On November 14, the in-person presentation was canceled (its previous site, the PlayStation Theater in New York City, had also closed at the beginning of the year).

[50] The presentation was moved to ESPN's studio in Bristol, Connecticut, scheduled as a television-only event with finalists and past winners appearing via remote interviews.

[52] On December 19, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association announced that the Rose Bowl would be re-located to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (typically the host of the Cotton Bowl Classic), citing rising cases in the state of California, and state health officials denying a request to allow at least the family members of players to attend.

[54][55] Several players from the Pac-12 announced a unity group titled #WeAreUnited to negotiate with the conference and league with specific demands in regards to the 2020 football season.

[60] Donald Trump shared Lawrence's tweet, stating "The student-athletes have been working too hard for their season to be cancelled."

[64][65] Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh and Ryan Day joined the movement, stating that players would be safer from the virus together as a team than at home.

[66][67] Eight Nebraska players sued the Big Ten in late August 2020, claiming that the conference's council did not actually vote on postponing the football season.

On October 23, it was announced that the Army–Navy Game would be re-located from Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field to Michie Stadium—the Black Knights' home stadium at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point—citing Pennsylvania state restrictions on gatherings that would prevent the cadets and midshipmen from attending.

[95] Additionally, the Emerald Isle Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland was scheduled to occur during Week 0, featuring Navy versus Notre Dame.

CFP College Football Playoff participant The top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls.

In December 2020, the College Football Playoff selection committee will announce its final team rankings for the year.

On December 20, after final CFP standings were released, an additional four games were left without teams available to play, leaving the count at 29.

[106] The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player Quarterback Running back Wide receiver Tight end Lineman: Defensive front Defensive back This is restricted to coaching changes taking place on or after May 1, 2020, and will also include any changes announced after a team's last regularly scheduled game but before its bowl game.