Auburn vs. Alabama and the Best College Football Games of 2010
Auburn vs. Alabama and the Best College Football Games of 2010
Auburn vs. Alabama was just the latest of a season full of fantastic and dramatic football games.
Where does it stack up with all the other last-second finishes and upsets this season?
See where we rank this year's Iron Bowl and let us know if there are any games you think deserve to be on this list.
10. Illinois vs. Michigan
1 of 10
If you saw Michigan 67, Illinois 65 you might think you were looking at a basketball score.
However, this year, defense was optional in Ann Arbor when Michigan beat Illinois 67 to 65 in a triple overtime thriller where the Illini couldn't convert on a tow-point conversion that would send the game into a fourth overtime.
Final Score: Michigan 67, Illinois 65 3OT
9. Arizona State vs. Wisconsin
2 of 10
In a game where Arizona State looked like huge underdogs, the visiting Sun Devils looked like they were ready to shock the Badgers when they scored a touchdown with about four minutes left in the game.
All that stood in the way from the Devils tying the game was an extra point attempt by former Lou Groza winner Thomas Webber. Wisconsin's Jay Valai had other intentions when he blocked the extra point to secure the win for the Badgers.
Final Score: Wisconsin 20, Arizona 19
8. Oregon vs. California
3 of 10
In the battle of the ugly uniforms, Cal took the win going with all yellow against the top ranked Ducks and nearly ended their run to a perfect season at the same time. However, a missed field goal at the start of the fourth quarter led to the Ducks staying unbeaten.
While the win didn't have the last second excitement of some of the other games, it was the closest the Ducks have come to falling all season, and it is by far the lowest point total this season.
Final Score: Oregon 15, Cal 13
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Alabama vs. Arkansas
4 of 10
Coming into this game, Arkansas was getting a lot of publicity as a team that could upend the reigning champs, Alabama. At halftime, many people were believing the hype as the Razorbacks took a 17-7 lead to the locker rooms at halftime.
However, behind 17 second half points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, the Crimson Tide made a roaring comeback to drop the Razorbacks. The final score came with just 3:18 left and really broke the backs of the home Hogs.
Final Score: Alabama 24, Arkansas 20
6. Boise State vs. Virginia Tech
5 of 10
In what could be considered a stumbling block game for both teams, became an instant classic when Virginia Tech overcame a 17-0 hole in the first quarter to take the lead on the Broncos 30-26. However, the Broncos had the final say when they scored with just over a minute to play to take the lead for good 33-30.
The reason this game isn't higher on the list is that the Hokies went out a week after this loss and were beat by FBS school James Madison. That loss took a little bit of the luster off a Boise State win.
Final Score: Boise State 33, Virginia Tech 30
5. LSU vs. Florida
6 of 10
Any game that features a fake field goal in a tight game belongs on this list. The fake called by the Mad Hatter Les Miles in this one was just about as gutsy a call as he has made in his career at LSU.
The fake came on a 4th-and-3 play where the field goal would have tied the game. Instead, the Tigers were in the end zone against Florida just four plays later with only six seconds left on the clock.
Final Score: LSU 33, Florida 29
4. Alabama vs. LSU
7 of 10
A 4th-and-1 reverse was the call this time for the Mad Hatter against LSU's former coach Nick Saban and reigning champs Alabama. That play, along with 14 fourth quarter points put this game high on the list.
But the real treat from this game was learning about Les Miles' affinity for eating grass. "I have a little tradition that humbles me as a man, that lets me know that I'm a part of the field and part of the game," Miles said after the win. "You should have seen some games before this. I can tell you one thing: The grass in Tiger Stadium tastes best."
Final Score: LSU 24, Alabama 21
3. Tennessee vs. LSU
8 of 10There are not enough words to describe the ending of this gem. Bad coaching, followed by worse coaching, followed by mayhem, followed by more mayhem, followed by a wild ending.
How LSU only has one loss after watching the end of this game is beyond me.
Final Score: LSU 16, Tennessee 14
2. Auburn vs. Alabama
9 of 10
After watching Alabama jump out to a 24-0 lead, I turned this game off thinking that Auburn's run to the national title was over. However, the Tigers outscored their bitter rivals 28-3 to finish the 2010 edition of the Iron Bowl.
The only reasons this surpasses LSU vs. Tennessee are two reasons. First, the stakes of the game. Auburn needs the win to continue it's road to the BCS Championship. Second, Auburn vs. Alabama is one of the most bitter rivalries in college sports.
Final Score: Auburn 28, Alabama 27
1. Notre Dame vs. Michigan State
10 of 10Any game that causes a heart attack deserves to top this list.
Michigan State head coach Mike Dantonio had a heart attack the night after this game.
Throw in the fake field goal call and there is no way this game would be anything but the best game in college football this season.
Final Score: Michigan State 34, Notre Dame 31 OT
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
