In NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football, there is no official NCAA-hosted national championship, leading it to be known as a "mythical national championship." Historically, various independent organizations and individuals, called "selectors," have declared champions, often leading to controversy; for example, President Richard Nixon made a notable selection in 1969. The most widely recognized historical selectors are the Associated Press (AP) poll and the Coaches Poll.

To address this, consortia of major bowl games began attempts in 1992 to stage a de facto championship game. The current system, the College Football Playoff, now selects twelve teams to participate in a tournament that culminates in the College Football Playoff National Championship. This practice of determining a national champion dates back to the late 19th century, reflecting the sport's long-standing tradition.