BCS Blowout, Classic or Just Another Game? A Look Back Before Tonight's Game

Tonight is the BCS National Championship.

Most are predicting the Southeastern Conference to continue their dominance. Many will agree this game has the potential to have over 90 points scored. The explosiveness of these offenses may actually lead 110+ points being scored. 

It is nice to see two different teams in the championship. Auburn is trying to become a two-time champion, with the last title coming in 1957. The Ducks are looking for their first title. 

With any luck, the fans will be the winners tonight as this game has the potential to be a classic. With that said, let's take a look at the past 12 games. 

1998: Just Another Game

Set in the Fiesta Bowl, the Tennessee faithful were given a National Championship after a 47-year drought. 

After getting destroyed by Nebraska the previous year in Peyton Mannings last college game, the Vols rebounded with an undefeated campaign and a title game berth against Florida State. 

After a scoreless first quarter, Tennessee appeared set to run away with the game by scoring 14 unanswered in 25 seconds. 

The Seminoles got within five, but after a scoreless third, Martin hit Peerless Price for a 79-yard strike to wrap up the game and the National Title for the Volunteers. 

1999: Something a Bit Special

The 1999 title game featured the Florida State Seminoles and Virginia Tech Hokies. These two now play in the ACC and have played each other in the ACC title game twice.

The Seminoles started the season No. 1 in the polls and never dropped all season. The Hokies started 13th and were able to rise through the rankings as teams above them lost. 

Florida State appeared to have the game well in hand by halftime, up 28-14. The Hokies behind Michael Vick, rallied in the third to take a one-point lead. 

The Seminoles rallied and never looked back in the fourth, winning 46-29. 

Peter Warrick was the MVP of the game, but had VT won, Michael Vick would have been the top performer with 225 passing yards and 97 rushing. 

2000: Just Another Game

The Sooner nation was astatic as the football team, after a 14-year drought, was back on top of the college football mountain. 

Florida State was expected to be there as the Seminoles started the season ranked No. 2. The Sooners were at 19 and looking forward to a rebuilding year and perhaps a return to glory in the next few seasons. 

As the season progressed and teams started falling, OU found themselves the last undefeated team and No. 1 going into the championship game. 

Controversy reared its ugly head when Florida State was picked to face the Sooners for the title even though the Seminoles were No. 3 in both major polls. Washington and Miami had a complaint. Miami had defeated the Seminoles during the season, and Miami had lost to the Huskies. Washington's only loss came to Oregon in Week 6. 

The game was pretty boring if one is a fan of offense. The score remained 3-0 Sooners until OU kicked another field goal to go up 6-0 in the third. 

The Sooners wrapped up their National Championship with a 13-2 win. 

2001: Blowout

It appeared no team wanted to play for the National Championship except for the Hurricanes.

Nebraska, the No. 1 team in the nation, lost to Colorado. This opened up the door for Florida and Oklahoma. Tennessee ended the Gators dream and had hopes of their own until a trip to the SEC championship game against LSU ended those hopes. Oklahoma was beaten by in-state rival Oklahoma State earlier in the season set up for Texas to play in the Rose Bowl for the title. But the Buffaloes had different ideas as they once again played spoiler. 

The debate began who deserved to play against the Canes ensued. Oregon was shut out even though they only had one loss. Colorado, who many felt were the hottest team, was also shut out. In the end, a team who did not even play for their conference title, Nebraska, was chosen.

The 2001 Hurricanes were one of, if not THE, most talented team ever assembled. The Cornhuskers never stood a chance as Miami jumped out to a 34-0 halftime lead. Tropical Storm Larry took the foot off the pedal, and the Hurricanes were back with a National Championship after a 37-14 win. 

2002: Classic

The Hurricanes came into the game huge favorites.

Jim Tressel had a great game plan and easily outcoached the befuddled Coker. The talent Miami had on the field should have provided no match for the Buckeyes. But the underdogs played their best game of the season. 

The game had great defense, great offense, great players, comebacks, great plays, and of course, controversy. Many call it the greatest game in BCS title history. 

The Buckeyes refused to just lay down and won the game in 2OT 31-24.

2003: Nothing Special

Oklahoma was supposed to be there from the beginning.

The Sooners started out No. 1. Controversy resulted in them being there, even though most agree the matchup should have been LSU versus USC. 

USC was No. 1 in both polls but were shut out of the title game, except the one which mattered, the BCS poll. 

The game was not as close as the final score. The Tigers went up 21-7 going into the fourth. LSU held on for a 21-14 win in front of basically a home crowd at the Superdome. 

2004: Beatdown

USC left nothing to the computers this year as they dominated the schedule to set up a match against also undefeated Oklahoma Sooners. 

The only controversy was a total of five teams ended the season undefeated. Auburn, Boise and Utah were also unblemished. The Tigers, Broncos or Utes probably would have put up a better fight than "Big Game" Stoops group. 

The game was over at halftime as the Trojans built a 38-10 halftime lead en route to a 55-19 drubbing. 

2005: Greatness

The Vince Young Show stole the game from the "mighty" Trojans. Both teams were at the top of the poll all season. Even though Vince Young had an excellent season, no one outside of Texas gave the Longhorns a shot against Pete Carroll, Leinhart, Bush, etc.

The Longhorns came into the game and a few times looked like they were about to let the game slip away. But some questionable coaching calls and bonehead on-field decisions allowed the Longhorns to keep it close. 

On 4th-and-5 from the nine, Vince Young took the shotgun snap, seen his receivers covered, then bolted for the end zone for a one-point lead. After a two-point conversion, Texas had its first title since 1969. 

2006: Blowout

Ohio State came into the game huge favorites. Florida had different ideas. 

Many thought it should have been a rematch between Michigan and the Buckeyes. The OSU faithful definitely wanted a rematch since it owns Michigan but could never beat an SEC team until this year. 

After Ted Guinn took the opening kickoff for a touchdown, fans thought this was going to be a Buckeye rout. But the Gators, behind Chris Leak, stayed calm and took their opening possession down the field to tie the game. 

The Gators had the game won at halftime, up 34-14. They cruised in the second half to a 41-14 win. 

2007: A Bit Closer

The curse of No. 2 and the huge Appalachian State win against Michigan were the huge highlights of the season. 

It appeared no one wanted to play for the title. The last weekend Mizzou and West Virginia looked to the title game, but both were beaten, opening up the door for LSU and OSU.

OSU jumped out to a first quarter lead, 10-3. But a disastrous second quarter doomed the Buckeyes and the final score was in favor of LSU, 38-14. 

2008: Another Game for Tebow and Myers

The Tebow-Myers Partnership, positive and negative, was all over the television, radio and internet all through the season. A loss to the Ackbars, er Rebels of Ole Miss, Tebow cried and promised it would not happen again. He delivered the rest of the season as the Gator won their third title. 

The fans expected a high-scoring game, as the Gators averaged 45 points and Sooners 54 points. The defenses stepped up as it only 48 total points were scored. 

Tebow and Percy Harvin led the team to a 24-14 win in Miami. 

2009: Blowout

Lot of history in this game.

Quite a few story lines coming into this game. Nick Saban trying to win his second title with another SEC team. SEC trying to win a fourth straight title and fifth overall in the BCS era. The Longhorns trying to win a second BCS title and once again being a huge underdog. 

Texas was actually up 6-0 after the first quarter. Alabama's Marcell Dareus knocked out Colt McCoy, and Alabama started to roll. The Tide ran off 24 points to build a 24-6 lead going into the half. 

Backup QB Garrett Gilbert put up a valiant fight, but it was not enough. The Longhorns were close as they grabbed momentum and were only trailing by three, but then, the Tide turned. Alabama scored 13 unanswered on the way to the title, 37-21

2010: Hopefully a Good Game

For the third year in a row, I will be in class and will have to record the game to watch as soon as I get home. Hopefully, it will be worth the time.

This has all the makings of a classic. 

Who am I picking? It is hard to go against the SEC at this point. But I never count out an underdog with something to prove. 

Who am I going for? I usually favor southern teams, but this is a case I am fairly neutral. In some cases for big games, I go with who has the better mascot. Both mascots are pretty cool. This is a matchup of teams who are traditionally under the radar. Oregon is overshadowed by USC in the Pac-10 while Auburn is overshadowed by Bama, LSU and Florida.

I am happy this is a non-traditional matchup. It's nice to see someone else other than a traditional powerhouse in the title game. 

Though Cam Newton has been getting most of the press, positive and negative, neither team is really a media darling, so there is no reason to hate. I just hope in a few years, Auburn is not put on probation and has to rescind wins from this season. Not only would Auburn be hurt by this action, TCU would really be hurt. 

So good luck to both teams and let's have a classic.