College Football 2011: The Most Iconic Moment in the History of Every BCS Team
Every year, college football sees its up and downs. There are plays that change the tone of a game, season or program.
The BCS system has a lot of top-tiered teams that have seen their share of program-defining games and moments. Some of these moments have happened the past 10 years, some changed the course of programs way before that.
Here is a look at all six BCS conferences and the moment that has either launched a program forward or backward, whether it be the arrival of a player, win or loss of a game, or hiring decision.
Boston College: Doug Flutie's Hail Mary
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Being played at the Orange Bowl, Boston College was taking on defending national champion Miami.
While it may be forgotten, Flutie was having a tremendous game and capped it off by launching a Hail Mary touchdown to Gerard Phelan, giving Boston College a 47-45 win.
Clemson: The Woody Hayes Punch
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In the 1978 Gator Bowl, Clemson went up against Ohio State.
The 1978 season was a good season for Clemson after being mediocre for quite a while. This win and moment marked a huge win in Clemson history and the end of a historic coaching career.
Duke: Wallace Wade Picks Duke
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After winning three national championships at Alabama, Wallace Wade made a choice that had people scratching their heads and wondering. He accepted a position at Duke, stating he wanted to be in a program that delivered a education, as well as athletic program.
At Duke, Wade won seven Southern Conference championships and took Duke to a level they have not seen since.
Florida State: Bobby Bowden Takes Over
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An iconic coach in college football found his way to Florida State in 1976. Bobby Bowden took over the FSU program and had a great deal of success, securing 12 conference championships and two national titles in 1993 and 1999.
Bowden coached his last game at FSU in 2009.
Georgia Tech: Beyond Football
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In 1956, Georgia Tech played Pittsburgh in a game that had social ramifications. African-American star Bobby Grier played for Pittsburgh and was flagged for a questionable call that led to the only score of the game.
After the game was over, laws were passed in Louisiana prohibiting racially mixed teams.
Maryland: Leaving the Southern Conference
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In 1953, Maryland and six other schools made the choice to leave the Southern Conference to form the new Atlantic Coast Conference.
During their first season in the new conference, Maryland was co-conference champions with Duke and was named the national champions due to being the only untied and undefeated team in the nation.
Miami: Game Not Over
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Miami was viewed as unbeatable in 2002. After the regular season wrapped up, Ohio State was matched up against Miami to play for the national title.
This battle moved on to overtime, and on a fourth down in the red zone, Miami believed they had won their second straight title when a pass to the end zone was broken up.
Instead, Miami was flagged for interference and ended up losing in a second overtime.
North Carolina: Butch Davis Comes to Chapel Hill
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While never having periods of great success, North Carolina is pushing their program to hold themselves to the same standard the basketball program does. In doing so, North Carolina hired Butch Davis to take over the program in 2007.
In his three years at North Carolina, Davis is 28-23 and has the Tar Heels recruiting and competing nationally.
NC State: Philip Rivers Joins the Wolfpack
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From the time Philip Rivers stepped on the field for NC State, he was an impact player. He started 51 consecutive games and threw 95 career touchdowns.
During his collegiate career, Rivers led the Wolfpack to four straight bowl games and won three of them, including a Gator Bowl victory over Notre Dame.
Virginia: Thursday Night Football Arrives
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For the first time in their program's history, Thursday night football headed to Virginia when they took on the No. 2 ranked Florida State Seminoles, who were also unbeaten at the time.
The game remained close all the way until the end when Virginia completed a goal-line stand the last play of the game. The win ended FSU's 29-game conference winning streak and was key in Virginia's conference championship season.
Virginia Tech: 2000 Sugar Bowl
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Despite a great career at Virginia Tech, Michael Vick came up empty in his bid for a national championship in 2000.
After a great regular season, the Hokies met up with Florida State in the title game; the Seminoles jumped out early and never looked back, winning 46-29.
Wake Forest: 2006 ACC Title Game
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Looking for their second conference championship, Wake Forest entered the conference championship with a 10-2 record.
Joining Wake Forest in the title game was Georgia Tech. The teams went back and forth in a defensive battle, ending with the Demon Deacons' second conference championship in program history with a 9-6 victory.
Baylor: Back in the Top 25
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On Oct. 24, 2010, Baylor found themselves back in the Top 25 for the first time since 1993.
If Robert Griffin is able to have a good season in 2011, Baylor may be able to build on this moment and create a new moment in program history.
Iowa State: Missed Opportunity
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With an opportunity to win the Big 12 North, Iowa State fell short.
At the end of the season, the Cyclones went up against Missouri. Coming down the stretch, they had an opportunity to take the division, but Bret Meyer was intercepted in the end zone.
Kansas: Mark Mangino Delivers Orange Bowl Victory
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In his time at Kansas, Mark Mangino led the Kansas Jayhawks to four bowl games, and none were bigger then the FedEx Orange Bowl he got them to in 2007.
After a great season, Kansas went head-to-head with Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. The two teams played a great game, but Kansas came out on top 24-21, earning their only BCS victory.
Kansas State: 2003 Big 12 Championship
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Bill Snyder was able to put his mark on the Kansas State program, and one of his biggest wins was in the 2003 Big 12 Championship.
After having a perfect season broken up in 1998 in the conference championship, Kansas State got some redemption by pounding Oklahoma, 35-7.
Missouri: 10-2 Conference Snub
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In 2010, the Missouri Tigers went 10-2, but due to a conference tiebreaker, they were left out of the Big 12 Championship.
The Tigers ended up in the Insight Bowl against Iowa and were not able to prove the doubters wrong, losing 27-24.
Oklahoma: Tricks Cost Sooners
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Oklahoma is one of the most historic programs in the nation. They have been successful throughout their history and have had some huge wins.
One of the biggest moments in recent history was the 2007 Fiesta Bowl against Boise State.
Oklahoma came into the game as a huge favorite, but after Boise forced overtime on a late-game hook and ladder, they finished the job on a two-point conversion in overtime.
Reinforced by this loss, people across the nation still believe Bob Stoops cannot have consistent success in big games.
Oklahoma State: "I'm a Man!"
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Make no mistake, Barry Sanders had an amazing season in 1988 that turned heads around the nation, but in a time when media surrounds you, nobody was able to escape the tirade that Mike Gundy went on in 2007.
Following a game against Texas Tech, Gundy stepped to the mic and proceeded to rip into the media over an article that had been written about one of his players. Gundy gave the nation a soundbite that was heard all over college football.
Texas: Performance for the Ages
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On the first day of 2006, the nation was treated to perhaps one of the best National Championship games in history.
Texas and USC went head-to-head, and both teams took turns going back and forth. Late in the fourth quarter, USC had the lead, but were stuffed on a fourth down, giving Texas and Vince Young the ball back.
With time running down, Young called his own number and ran one into the end zone to give Texas a 38-33 victory.
Texas A&M: 1939 National Title
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Texas A&M first kicked off in 1894. With their long history, the Aggies earned a national title in 1939, going 11-0 and ranking No. 1 in the AP Poll.
The Aggies have also seen recent success with a 22-20 Alamo Bowl victory over Michigan in 1995.
Texas Tech: He Dreamed It Up
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In 2008, No. 1 ranked Texas went on the road to take on Texas Tech. With a 29-13 lead in the third quarter, things were looking good for the Red Raiders.
Late in the fourth quarter though, Texas regained the lead. But Michael Crabtree pulled in a 28-yard touchdown with :01 remaining to seal a 39-33 victory.
Cincinnati: 2009 Pittsburgh Game
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With Brian Kelly as their head coach, Cincinnati was having a dream season in 2009. They found themselves at 11-0 and heading to Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati would fall behind early, but rallied late to beat the Panthers 45-44. Even at 12-0 though, the Bearcats would be left out of the National Championship.
Connecticut: Jasper Howard's Death
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After Connecticut's homecoming game in 2009, junior Jasper Howard was murdered. This was a moment that unified not only the program, but also the nation as prayers and well wishes went out to Connecticut and their players.
The Huskies lost their next four games, but finally got a win for Jasper by defeating Notre Dame, a game that is believed to be the best win in program history.
Louisville: 1991 Fiesta Bowl
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Coming into the Fiesta Bowl at 8-1-1, Louisville was an Independent and not in the Big East. The Cardinals were going up against SEC champion Alabama, which was 7-3.
Louisville jumped out to a 25-0 lead and never looked back. The game ended with the Cardinals winning 34-7 and Browning Nagle named as the game MVP, throwing three touchdowns.
Pittsburgh: Dan Marino Arrives in the Sugar Bowl
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In 1982, the Pittsburgh Panthers and Dan Marino went to the Sugar Bowl to face Georgia.
In his third year in college, Marino was able to cap off the game by connecting with tight end John Brown for a last-minute, game-winning score.
Rutgers: Hiring Greg Schiano
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While always finding a way to field a competitive team, Rutgers has gone to new heights after hiring coach Greg Schiano in 2001.
Before his arrival at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights had only been to one bowl game. Since taking over, Schiano has led Rutgers to five bowls games, winning four of them.
South Florida: 2007 Rutgers Game
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The South Florida Bulls began playing in 1997 and reached a No. 2 ranking in 2007. They were making huge jumps through the polls until heading on the road to Rutgers.
After getting up to their highest ranking in school history, the wheels came off for the Bulls, and it began with a road loss at Rutgers. South Florida would finish the season at 9-4.
Syracuse: Jim Brown Puts No. 44 on the Map
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Syracuse has a history of awarding No. 44 to its most electric players. It was never more true than when the number was given to Jim Brown.
Brown was a playmaking All-American who dominated both at the collegiate and pro levels.
The legend of the number went to the next level when Ernie Davis took over the jersey.
West Virginia: 2007 Backyard Brawl
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West Virginia has a rich football history, but one thing that will not be forgotten is the 2007 Backyard Brawl.
West Virgina had an opportunity to get into the BCS National Championship, but Rich Rodriguez and his high-powered offense came out flat, losing 13-9 to Pittsburgh.
Illinois: Red Runs Wild
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Back in 1924, Illinois junior Red Grange went wild on the Michigan defense, scoring through the passing game, running game and also returning a kick for a touchdown.
Later on, Grange was named to an All-American Team put together in 1951 and received more votes than any other player.
Indiana: Bill Mallory's Hiring
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The University of Indiana is known for their basketball program. Their football program has seen very limited success, making only nine bowl games in their history.
After being hired in 1984, Mallory led the Hoosiers to more wins than any other coach in the program's history and six bowl appearances.
Iowa: Capital One Bowl Magic
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With then-coach Nick Saban on his way out of LSU, the Tigers scored to put themselves ahead 25-24 with 0:46 left in the game.
Waiting until almost the last moment, Drew Tate connected with Warren Holloway for a 56-yard touchdown, giving Iowa the 2005 Capital One Bowl victory.
Michigan: Strike the Pose
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In a game against Ohio State in 1991, Michigan star Desmond Howard gave something to the college football world that will never be forgotten.
After breaking loose and returning a punt for a touchdown, Howard got to the end zone and struck the Heisman pose. This is a play and move that's still copied by kids in backyards across the nation and is a photo that will never be forgotten.
Michigan State: The Tie Heard 'Round the World
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In 1966, Notre Dame found themselves on the road in a hostile Spartan Stadium. Michigan State played an outstanding game and had the game tied at 10 with under two minutes to go.
Notre Dame had the ball at their own 30, and instead of risking a turnover or punt, they ran out the clock, took the tie and headed home.
Minnesota: The Minnesota Shift
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Bernie Bierman took over the Minnesota football program in 1932 and had them starting a dynasty. Bierman was an innovator for his time, starting line shifts that would later be known as the "Minnesota Shift."
From 1934-1941, the Golden Gophers won five national championships, including three consecutive.
Nebraska: Origin of "Game of the Century"
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So often in today's sports world, big games are referred to as the "Game of the Century." Media and fans see a matchup between top teams and are ready to hype the game up.
In 1971, Oklahoma and Nebraska faced off in the first game of the century.
No. 1 Nebraska took on No. 2 Oklahoma. In the end, Nebraska found a way to edge out the Sooners, 35-31.
Northwestern: 1996 Michigan Game
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Throughout the 1996 season, Northwestern was known for their late-game comebacks and earned their nickname, "Cardiac Cats." They were able to repeat as Big Ten champions because of it, and no late-game heroics were better than their game against Michigan.
Down 16-0 entering the fourth quarter, the Wildcats clawed their way to a victory, including picking up a late-game fourth down conversion and a last-second field goal.
Ohio State: 2001 Coaching Vacancy
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Ohio State let go of coach John Cooper in 2001 because he ultimately could not consistently beat bitter rival Michigan.
With the firing came an opportunity for Jim Tressel.
Since arriving at Ohio State, Tressel has led the Buckeyes to a national title and seven conference championships.
All that work and effort may be for nothing though, as Tressel has Ohio State's program in hot water over NCAA violations.
Penn State: Assistant Made Head Coach
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In 1950, Penn State brought Joe Paterno on as an assistant coach. After spending a long time with the program, Penn State gave Paterno the head coaching position in 1966.
Since that date in history, Paterno has won 401 games and two national championships, and has been a historic figure in football history.
Purdue: Brees Blows Through 1998
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In 1998, quarterback Drew Brees officially took over as starting quarterback at Purdue and never looked back.
Once his time was through at Purdue, Brees left as the Big Ten's record-holder in passing yards, passing touchdowns, offensive yards, completions and attempts.
Wisconsin: Barry Alvarez Heads North
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Barry Alvarez was hired as Wisconsin head coach in 1990, and it was a decision Wisconsin and their fans will always be thankful for.
Alvarez accumulated 118 wins, three Big Ten championships and three Rose Bowl victories.
Arizona: Desert Swarm Defense
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In 1993, Dick Tomey had one of the best defenses Arizona had ever seen and rode that defense to the school's first 10-win season.
The Wildcats capped off the season with a shutout victory in the Fiesta Bowl over Miami.
Arizona State: 1997 Rose Bowl
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With 17 conference championships, Arizona State is not a stranger to success, but recent successes have been few and far between.
Back in 1997, the Sun Devils had a tremendous team that found themselves playing Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Despite a great performance by Jake Plummer, ASU fell 20-17.
California: The Play
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A moment that goes down in college football history as "The Play."
Cal and Stanford were locked in a tremendous game. After Stanford took a late lead, they kicked off and watched Cal lateral the ball five times to finally score with no time left.
The Golden Bears gave us a highlight for years to come in their 25-20 win.
Colorado: The Big House Falls Silent
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Colorado made a visit to Michigan in 1994, and it appeared they were going to leave without a victory.
Sitting at their own 36-yard line, Colorado needed a miracle, and that is exactly what they got.
Kordell Stewart reached back and launched a 64-yard touchdown that gave them a 27-26 victory as time expired.
Oregon: The Pick
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Oregon played host to one of the best teams in the nation in 1994 and watched a freshman make one of the biggest plays in school history.
With Washington driving and looking for the go-ahead score, Kenny Wheaton stepped in front of a Damon Huard pass and returned it for a touchdown, putting the game away.
Oregon State: Back-to-Back War for the Roses Losses
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In 2008 and 2009, Oregon State reached an elite level in the Pac-10, but the Beavers fell short of winning the conference both years because of consecutive losses to rival Oregon.
In 2008, the Beavers had a home game against the Ducks that could have landed them in Pasadena. Once the game was over though, Oregon left with a 65-38 victory.
Oregon State again had an opportunity to go to the Rose Bowl in 2009, but lost again on the road, 37-33.
Stanford: "The Band Is on the Field"
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One team looks back to 1982 with fond memories; on the other side of that fence is Stanford. Whenever a college football highlight package is put together, you always see the band on the field.
After a late-game score by Stanford, they became the victim of a last-second rugby play by Cal.
UCLA: Slick Rick Rolls into Town
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While UCLA has history that goes all the way back to 1919, the most recent moment that will not be forgotten by fans across the nation is the hiring of Rick Neuheisel.
Neuheisel came to UCLA with the promise of becoming the dominant team in town, but the Bruins have instead gone 15-22 since Neuheisel took over. He faces a make-or-break season in 2011.
USC: Sept. 12, 1970
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In another game that transcended sports, USC headed down to Alabama to take on Bear Bryant and brought the first fully integrated team to the state of Alabama.
USC would continue their era of dominance with a convincing 42-21 win over the Crimson Tide.
During a stretch from 1960-1975, USC won four national championships, along with fielding two Heisman winners.
Utah: 2004 Season
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Urban Meyer led the Utah Utes to their best season in program history in 2004. Utah went 12-0 and won every game by two scores, but was still denied a shot at the national title.
They ended the year with a 35-7 Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh to finish off a perfect season.
Washington: NCAA Ends Investigation
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A dominant program for much of the 1980's and early 1990's, Washington suffered a huge blow in 1993.
After the NCAA ended an eight-month investigation, they came down on the Huskies with penalties for violations that still have them rebuilding today.
The NCAA ruled they would have a two-year bowl ban, 10 less scholarships, a one-year TV ban, no revenue from televised games for a year and two years of additional probation.
Washington State: 1998 Rose Bowl
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One of the last bright spots in Washington State football history was the 1998 Rose Bowl.
The Cougars did battle with the Michigan Wolverines. Ryan Leaf came off a terrific season in the Pac-10, but was unable to handle the Michigan defense, coming up short on a late-game drive.
Michigan won 21-16. This game also marked the end of Leaf's football career, as he went into a downward spiral in the NFL.
Alabama: Hiring Bear Bryant
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While Alabama has many historic moments in their program's history, none is more important than the hiring of coach Bear Bryant.
During his time at Bama, Bryant won six national championships and 13 conference championships.
Not only will Bryant go down in Alabama history, but also in college football history.
Arkansas: 1965 Cotton Bowl Classic
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In the 1965 season, the Arkansas Razorbacks went 11-0 and found themselves in the Cotton Bowl facing Nebraska. The Razorbacks were able to win a defensive battle 10-7 and received good news when Alabama lost the Orange Bowl to Texas.
This series of events led to the school's first and only national championship.
Auburn: The 2011 Season
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While Auburn has had many historic moments themselves, none may be more impressive than the 2011 season that was capped off with a Heisman for Cam Newton and a national championship for the Tigers.
Auburn navigated through a tough SEC schedule, including a come-from-behind victory on the road against Alabama. The final touches were put on the season when a field goal was put through the uprights with no time left, securing a national title.
Florida: Tim Tebow Starts in 2007
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Another team rich in history out of the SEC is Florida. Florida has seen success throughout the years, but they reached an all-time high during Tim Tebow's time at school.
Tebow saw limited action in 2006 as Chris Leak led the Gators, but he laid the groundwork for a great college career.
Tebow stayed all four years at Florida, winning two national titles and a Heisman.
Georgia: Herschel Starts
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In 1980, Georgia found themselves in trouble against Tennessee. Despite not wanting to start a freshman, Vince Dooley put Herschel Walker in after they feel behind.
Walker scored in the game and helped lead Georgia to a 16-15 win, sparking the start of a great career.
Kentucky: The Bluegrass Miracle
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With a 30-27 lead and LSU on their own 26-yard line, Kentucky figured they had the game wrapped up. There was only 0:02 remaining, and the Wildcats had given their coach a Gatorade victory bath.
With no time left, Marcus Randall unleashed a deep pass downfield that was tipped and caught in stride by Michael Clayton, who took it the distance, proving that the game isn't over until it's over.
LSU: The "Last Play"
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In 1972, LSU had Ole Miss come to town. At the time, LSU was ranked No. 6 in the nation and was running out of time in a tight game. Trailing by six points with only 0:04 remaining, LSU threw a deep pass that landed incomplete, but still had 0:01 remaining.
With the extra second it appeared they received, LSU scored a touchdown with no time left to escape with a 17-16 victory.
Ole Miss: Hiring Johnny Vaught
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After spending a year as an assistant coach, Ole Miss made Johnny Vaught their new head coach in 1947.
In his 23 years as head coach, Vaught won 190 games, six SEC titles and three national titles.
Mississippi State: 1998 SEC Championship
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After one of their best runs in the SEC, Mississippi State won their division after a head-to-head victory over Arkansas.
Once the SEC Championship Game kicked off, the Bulldogs competed all the way through, but ultimately were not able to hang on to their lead over Tennessee.
South Carolina: Steve Spurrier, Come on Down
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In 2005, South Carolina brought Steve Spurrier to the program in hopes of taking the next step.
Spurrier is 44-33 at South Carolina and led the Gamecocks to their first SEC East title, but ended up losing the SEC Championship to Auburn.
Tennessee: Jerry Colquitt Suffers an Injury
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In 1994, Jerry Colquitt suffered a knee injury, and back-up quarterback Todd Helton had his season end four games later. These series of injuries created an opening for freshman Peyton Manning.
Manning went on to have an outstanding college career, but could not find a way to get past Florida in the SEC.
Vanderbilt: Jay Cutler Almost Takes Down Florida
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While the Cutler era at Vanderbilt was a relative success by their standards, it almost reached a peak in 2005 when they took on the Florida Gators.
Playing at home, Vanderbilt and Florida went back and forth. Vanderbilt scored near the end of regulation, but a penalty for excessive celebration forced them to play for the tie and go to overtime.
Cutler and the Commodores lost in double overtime 49-42.
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