College Football's Most Memorable Moments of the 2011 Season

From the incredible games, upsets and the downright incredible statistics, the 2011 college football season gave fans nothing short of the dramatic.

Programs rocked by scandals, teams moving conferences practically every week—2011 was quite a year in the college football world. Every week this season gave us all something to talk about.

Here now is a look back on the crazy year that was college football.

Week 1: Boise State vs. Georgia

New uniforms, high expectations—no better way college football could start off Week 1. 

Boise State, with high expectations of crashing the BCS National Championship party, headed down to the Georgia Dome to face the all-red-uniformed Georgia Bulldogs.

The game was great; Boise State came out with the win, and they passed what seemed to be their only test on the season.

Week 2: Michigan vs. Notre Dame

In the first game under the lights at the Big House, both teams did not disappoint.

One of the best college football games of the year and one of the best games in the rivalry of Michigan vs. Notre Dame, Denard Robinson's 35-yard pass with 16 seconds left propelled Michigan to national prominence—and Notre Dame into a spiral of losses.

Week 3: Oklahoma vs. Florida State

Two of the most hyped teams in the nation squared off against each other on a Saturday night in Tallahassee.

Florida State, who was expected to be in the National Championship picture, got blown out by the mighty Oklahoma Sooners. From there, Florida State became the team that didn't live up to high expectations.

Week 4: Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M

In one of the more memorable games of the year, Texas A&M again blew a halftime lead against Oklahoma State and went on to lose the game.

Week 5: Arkansas vs. Texas A&M

A picture says a thousand words and, yet again, the Aggies of Texas A&M blew another halftime lead to the Razorbacks of Arkansas.

Propelling the Aggies to their second straight loss after having a halftime lead, Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson threw for a school-record 530 passing yards in the win.

Week 5: Wisconsin vs. Nebraska

And the Heisman campaign for Russell Wilson began, as Wisconsin gave Nebraska a prime-time beating and Nebraska's first loss in the Big Ten.

Week 6: Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State

In one of Oklahoma State's closest games this season, it wasn't the offense that kept them in the game against Kansas State.

The Pokes' defense had to stop Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein in the red zone late in the fourth quarter to secure the close win.

Week 6: Nebraska vs. Ohio State

Nebraska got its first win in the Big Ten in dramatic fashion.

Against the powerhouse of the Big Ten the last couple of years, Ohio State, Nebraska capped its biggest comeback in school history after being down 27-6 late in the third quarter. The Huskers went on to win the game 34-27 and sent shockwaves throughout the Big Ten.

Week 7: Michigan State vs. Michigan

Michigan State pulled out its new, sleek-looking uniforms against rival Michigan, and the Spartans put the new uni's to good use.

Michigan State beat Michigan again for the fourth year in a row and gave Michigan their first loss of the season.

Week 8: Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech

This was the biggest WOW moment of the year, as Texas Tech dominated Oklahoma from beginning to end.

Texas Tech threw all over the Oklahoma defense and ended Oklahoma's 42-game winning streak at home. The Sooners lost more than the game that night; they also lost All-American wide receiver Ryan Broyles for the season.

Week 8: Michigan State vs. Wisconsin

The best game of the season was undoubtedly in East Lansing.

With just four seconds left, the undefeated season of Wisconsin went down in smoke as a Hail Mary caught by wide receiver Keith Nichol sent Sparty Nation into eruption.

This game took Wisconsin out of the National Championship picture and quarterback Russell Wilson out of Heisman contention.

Week 9: Stanford vs. USC

A defining moment in the career and season of Andrew Luck was the overtime win against USC.

After throwing an interception late in the fourth quarter for a touchdown, Luck drove the Cardinal down the field to tie the game and sent it into overtime. Stanford then forced a fumble in overtime and recovered it, ending the game and giving Luck his Heisman moment.

Week 9: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin

In the two losses Wisconsin suffered this season, both were on miraculous Hail Mary plays.

This Hail Mary, thrown by Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, gave Wisconsin back-to-back weeks in which they lost by a Hail Mary. If not for those plays, the Badgers could probably be playing for a National Championship.

Week 10: Northern Illinois vs. Toledo

The MAC showcased their talents on Tuesday nights on ESPN this season—and they started it off by having Northern Illinois and Toledo accumulate for 123 combined points and a MAC record 1,121 yards combined as well.

Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish threw for six touchdowns, and both teams proved they simply just don't play defense in the MAC.

Week 10: Nebraska vs. Northwestern

In a Big Ten stunner, Pat Fitzgerald and the Northwestern Wildcats made the trip down to Lincoln and beat Nebraska convincingly.

This loss was a shock to Nebraska fans everywhere, and it costed Nebraska the shot of playing in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Week 10: Houston vs. UAB

Houston quarterback Case Keenum broke the NCAA career passing record against UAB. Keenum threw for 407 yards and two touchdowns in the blowout win.

Week 10: LSU vs. Alabama

The "Game of the Century" featured defense and nothing but that.

We found out that Alabama cannot kick field goals in pressure situations, and LSU took full advantage of that, winning in overtime, 9-6.

But don't worry—the "Game of the Century" Part II is on for the National Championship.

Week 11: Western Michigan vs. Toledo

In another Tuesday night matchup of MAC teams, neither team seemed to disappoint.

Western Michigan and Toledo broke the combined yardage total in the MAC with 1,439 yards. This game also broke the combined point total in the MAC with 129 points.

In the loss, Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder threw for seven touchdowns, and in back-to-back weeks, the MAC proved that no defense is played in the conference.

Week 11: Nebraska vs. Penn State

Though Penn State came away with the loss, this was one game that the Penn State football program will never forget—their first game without Joe Paterno on the sidelines.

The Jerry Sandusky scandal and the sexual abuse charges against him left the Penn State program rocked. The ultimate decision was to let go of a legend in college football in Joe Paterno.

This game was one sad day in Happy Valley that will never be forgotten.

Week 11: Boise State vs. TCU

It happened—AGAIN?!?!

Boise State was well on its way to busting up the National championship picture, but they missed wide right. Boise State again missed a field goal at the end of a game, and their BCS title dreams went down the drain.

Week 11: Stanford vs. Oregon

The game for the Pac-12 North title was also a game in which another National Championship contender was dropped.

Oregon came into Palo Alto against undefeated Stanford and ran their well-oiled offensive machine up and down the field. This game sent the Ducks back into the National Championship picture, and Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck took a huge hit in his Heisman campaign with his worst game of the season.

Week 12: Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State

Down goes Oklahoma State!

The undefeated season of the Cowboys went down at Iowa State on a Friday night in Week 12, and this loss would later play a huge part in the BCS picture for the Cowboys.

Week 12: Oregon vs. USC

The USC Trojans went in to the toughest place to play in the Pac-12 and took out the Oregon Ducks.

Matt Barkley had a terrific game and placed himself amongst the best quarterbacks in the nation. With the loss, Oregon became a two-loss team out of contention for the National Championship.

Week 12: Baylor vs. Oklahoma

Robert Griffin III's shining moment.

The Baylor quarterback led his team to their first win ever over Oklahoma. RGIII passed for a school-record 479 yards and tacked on four touchdowns. The win ultimately propelled RGIII to become Baylor's first Heisman Trophy winner.

Week 13: Michigan vs. Ohio State

Michigan ended the seven-game losing streak against Ohio State on the final week of the regular season, beating the Buckeyes 40-34.

With the win, Michigan won its 10th game and clinched a berth in a BCS bowl under first-year head coach Brady Hoke.

With the win and clinching of a BCS bowl, it only proves that Michigan football is back!

Week 14: Houston vs. Southern Miss

In what was supposed to be a magical day for both the Houston Cougars and Conference USA was rudely interrupted by the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

Houston was undefeated and looking to go to their first-ever BCS bowl game in school history when they were upset by the Golden Eagles, furthermore shocking the college football world and shaking up the BCS.

Week 14: LSU vs. Georgia

In what looked like it was going to be an intriguing game in the first quarter, the LSU Tigers finally got it going in the SEC championship.

The Georgia Bulldogs put up a good fight, but they couldn't get past the dominating defense and Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu of LSU. The undefeated SEC champs played their way into the BCS National Championship Game.

Week 14: Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma

In a last-ditch effort to persuade BCS voters, Oklahoma State put on an offensive show against Oklahoma.

The fans rushed the field as Oklahoma State dominated Oklahoma and gave experts a good argument for why they should be playing for the National Championship.

Week 14: Michigan State vs. Wisconsin

The inaugural Big Ten Championship Game pitted two teams that were in possibly the best game of the season: Wisconsin vs. Michigan State Part II.

Again, both of these teams did not disappoint, as it came down to the last second once again.

Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson led the Badgers down the field and scored with little time left in the fourth. The penalty on Michigan State in the final seconds for roughing the kicker gave the Badgers some revenge and sent them to the Rose Bowl as the Big Ten champs.

Week 15: Army vs. Navy

It's the Game of Honor.

Though both teams were out of bowl contention and had losing records, there is no better tradition than watching Navy vs. Army.