As high expectations come with the start of a new season, many fans still can't seem to shake the bad memories from the past few years. These memories cause many of our buddies to become eternal pessimists when it comes to their team.
The list below shows games over the past 10 years—since the start of the BCS era— that scarred our minds and occasionally still wake us up at night.
Looking back, the games that hurt the most are the ones that kept teams from achieving what they never had (SEC Championship for some, BCS bowl for others), as opposed to the those when teams gave up the biggest lead, lost to the weak opponent, or lost to the most hated opponent.
The games can become even more upsetting after the fact, when other teams end up losing games they shouldn’t have and the season is viewed as a whole. These are the games that make us utter the phrase most commonly used by college football fans: “If we would have only…”
The Tide gave up numerous chances to win their only BCS bowl appearance. A missed extra point in overtime finally did them in. Its also noted there are a few games against the boys on the plains they would like back.
Arkansas: 2006 SEC Championship Game
The Hogs' second half comeback ended quickly with a special teams meltdown. Heels on the 10, Fish!
- B/R Ticket Guide
This one was tough to call. It wasn't like they did anything on the field in 2004 to keep them from getting a crack at the BCS title.
Nebraska gave the Gators a shot at the BCS title, and the Gators immediately gave it to the Vols.
There was only one blemish on their schedule that year, and it came at the hands of the coach 11 teams would love to see back in Gainesville.
Another tough call, because they didn't have one single game that kept them out of Atlanta, this overtime loss was chosen based purely on principal.
This ultimately kept them out of the hunt for the SEC Championship and the BCS title. Its still baffling that they only scored three points.
Mississippi State: 1998 SEC Championship Game
The Bulldogs had a fourth quarter lead over the undefeated Vols at their only date in Atlanta.
The Rebels went 7-1 in the SEC that year. Unfortunately for them, so did LSU.
South Carolina: 2005 vs Georgia
Spurrier's first SEC game as a Gamecock ended up keeping them out of Atlanta. A botched extra point and a disallowed touchdown were a big part of the blame.
Tennessee: 2001 SEC Championship Game
The Vols lost to LSU and second-year head coach Nick Saban to keep them out of the Rose Bowl and deny them a chance at their second BCS title in four years.
Vanderbilt: 2005 vs Middle Tennessee State
What? Out of all the games over the last 10 years, MTSU kept them out of a bowl game? Well, they are Vanderbilt...
Links to complete articles are above for those interested. I didn't want to post 12 articles so the comments could all be kept on one page.
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2 months ago
Good read. I enjoyed this one. As a Gator, I wish we had that '01 game with Tennessee back! Well done!
from 2 months ago
Thanks Joseph. Losing a shot at a title is one thing. Losing a shot at a title and giving it to Fulmer is much worse.
2 months ago
Great read dude. I think you nailed it. Heartbreaking as it was to choke to the gators in the sec championship, another phrase comes to mind going back a few years- "Stoerner, watch out for that banana peel!"
from 2 months ago
Ha! I literally didn't sleep that night. Thanks for the comment.
2 months ago
This is great stuff, every single one of these are good picks.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the nice comments. Appreciate the Pick too. Go Vols on Monday night! Defend the honor of the SEC!
2 months ago
Nice. Creative. It does seem to feel like the ones that hurt only get worse with time.
from 2 months ago
Yeah, seems that way. Big losses are easier to remember than the big wins Or maybe that's just because I grew up pulling for the Hogs.
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