The 50 Greatest College Football Rivalry Games of All Time

No other sport can match the rivalries which college football produces. While professional sports may have a long-standing tradition or rivalry between two cities, college football puts region, state, city and familial allegiances to battle.

We hear stories of babies in Alabama leaving the hospital dressed in crimson or navy as opposed to pink or blue, the color switch indicating family allegiances to one of the universities. Stories of Woody Hayes refusing to purchase gas in the state of Michigan emphasize the hatred of an opponent in a rivalry setting. Other schools battle for a trophy where they can forever etch their year, their score into the record books as a reminder to all who follow that they accomplished something meaningful.

Teams, players and coaches are often measured by how they perform against a rival. Win all your games and lose to your rival, and you’ll still find yourself out of favor with the fanbase.

Rarely is a rivalry game a “dud.” If both teams are playing good football, then odds are that the rivalry will determine the champion of a division, conference or of the entire nation. When one team may be playing poorly, they will focus all of their energy into upsetting their rival and ruining their season.

With the additional emotion and pageantry that goes into a rivalry game, it is no surprise that rivalry games have produced many of the most memorable moments in college football history. Everyone is watching, everyone cares and everyone is hanging on the outcome of the game.

Here are the 50 greatest rivalry games.

Kansas vs Missouri 2007

The "Border War" is the second longest rivalry in the nation, with the teams having played 119 times. It took until the 116th edition of the Border War for both teams to enter with a top five ranking; Missouri was ranked No. 3, Kansas No. 2.

The previous day, No. 1 LSU lost to Arkansas, meaning this game was for the No. 1 ranking and the Big 12 North Title. Throw in a neutral field in Arrowhead Stadium, and the primetime game of the day, and you have all the makings for a great one.

Missouri dominated early, taking a 14-0 halftime lead.  Their cause was aided by two missed field goals from Kansas.

Missouri added to their lead in the third with a Jimmy Jackson TD. Just when Kansas was on the verge of being blown-out, QB Todd Reesing responded. A long pass set Kansas up at the one-yard line, which they subsequently scored from.

Kansas scored with two minutes left to trim the lead to six. They quickly got the ball back, setting them up for a dramatic finish, but it was not to be. Reesing was sacked in the end-zone, giving Mizzou a safety, and a 36-28 win.

Unfortunately, the game ended up meaning close to nothing. Mizzou lost the next week in the Big12 Championship game. 

Despite having lost to Mizzou, the Orange Bowl decided to take Kansas to face Virginia Tech. Mizzou, who had two losses on the season, both to Oklahoma, went to the Cotton Bowl, where they destroyed Arkansas, 38-7.  Mizzou had also beaten Illinois, who had three losses, but the Illini were selected for the Rose Bowl regardless.

Michigan vs Minnesota 2003

The Battle for the Little Brown Jug experienced its greatest stretch in the mid-2000s when Minnesota was playing good football.

The best game of the series came in 2003. The game was played in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on a Friday night, an odd timeslot for a Big Ten football game.

Michigan came in ranked No. 19, Minnesota No. 13. It was one of the most highly-anticipated games between the two in years.  Minnesota had only beaten Michigan twice in the previous 26 years.

Despite being historical underdogs, Minnesota came out and dominated the Wolverines.

Down 28-7 entering the fourth, the Wolverines scored a quick 14 points in 55 seconds.

The Wolverines tightened the screws on defense in the final 10 minutes, and a long Braylon Edwards touchdown reception helped fuel the comeback.

You can see extensive highlights in the attached video (no, that isn't me narrating).

Michigan started 4-2, but was able to salvage their season following this game. The win over Minnesota propelled them to five more victories, including their finale against OSU. They were sole Big Ten champions and lost to USC in the Rose Bowl.

It was Minnesota's first loss of the season. They would lose twice more before beating Oregon in the Sun Bowl.

The next two editions of the contest were three point margins as well, with Minnesota finally winning in 2005.

Washington vs Washington State 1997

The "Apple Cup" is truly a series where we can throw out the records and the rankings and get down to playing football.

The 1997 version saw both teams ranked for the first time in five years and just the second time in the last 16 years.

Washington State was 9-1 and ranked No. 11 in the nation. A win would give them their first Rose Bowl berth since 1931.

Washington entered the season ranked No. 4 and reached No. 2 at one point, but back-to-back losses the previous two weeks knocked them out of Pac-10 title contention. Still, they could ruin their rival's season.

Wazzu fell behind 7-0 early, but a suffocating defense and Heisman-hopeful Ryan Leaf led the Cougars' charge.

Wazzu put up 17 points in the second quarter on the strength of Leaf's arm. In the third, a fumble was recovered for a touchdown, giving them a 24-7 lead.

Washington stormed back, cutting the lead to 24-21, but Leaf was too much. Leaf found WR Chris Jackson for a 50-yard TD, his second of the day.  Wazzu went on to win 41-34.

Wazzu played in their first Rose Bowl in 66 years. They lost a controversial game to eventual champion Michigan.  A late drive was cut short as time expired. Reviews found that Wazzu should have had one second left and one last attempt to upset the Wolverines. Instead, they fell 21-16.

Washington would beat Michigan State in the Aloha Bowl.

Oklahoma vs Texas 1976

The intensity of the Red River Rivalry was ratcheted up (if that's possible) in 1976, when Texas coach Darrel K. Royal accused Barry Switzer of spying on his practices. This claim was later verified, but for the time, it created intense amounts of animosity.

In a comment that Royal thought was off the record, Royal called Oklahoma's coaches a bunch "sorry bastards." The quote was printed, and Royal became much more un-popular with the Sooner faithful.

President Gerald Ford was in attendance for the game. Royal was asked to walk out on the Oklahoma side of the field with the president. He told Ford: "This is the Oklahoma end of the stadium, and they've already booed me once out there. They may start booing and raising hell again," to which Ford replied: "I'm big enough to handle it."

Both coaches met with the president at mid-field, shook his hand and spoke to him, but neither spoke to the other.

Oklahoma entered as the No. 3 team in the nation, undefeated at 4-0. Texas was ranked 16th in the nation.

The game was almost an afterthought at this point, but it finished in a brutal 6-6 tie.

Texas would struggle the rest of the season, finishing 5-5-1. Oklahoma would finish 9-2-1 and beat Wyoming in the Fiesta Bowl.

It would be the final Red River Rivalry for Royal. Switzer would coach until 1988, compiling a 6-6 record in the rivalry over the next 12 years.

Texas vs Texas Tech 2008

Not sure where Texas Tech and Texas rank on the "rivalry scale." After all, Texas' main rivals are Oklahoma and Texas A&M. That said, a game as good as this between two intra-state teams can't be ignored.

Texas came into the game ranked No. 1 in the nation, Texas Tech, No. 7. Tech was enjoying their best season of all-time, while Texas was looking to get back to the National Championship game for the first time in three years.

Tech built a huge 22-6 lead entering halftime, but the Longhorns came out firing in the second half.

First, Jordan Shipley had a punt return for a touchdown to cut the lead to nine.  Then, two Colt McCoy touchdown passes cut the lead to 29-26.

A Vondrell McGee touchdown run gave Texas its first lead of the night, 33-32, with just 90 seconds left to play. It seemed that Tech's upset bid would fall short.

Then, QB Graham Harrell led the Red Raiders on a 62 yard drive in 1:28, which culminated in the Michael Crabtree catch seen here.

Texas Tech later lost to Oklahoma, which meant Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Texas all finished 7-1 in the Big 12 South, with each team having a 1-1 record against the other. The tiebreaker went to Oklahoma.

Texas, despite losing to Tech, was taken by the Fiesta Bowl. There, they beat Ohio State 24-21.

Tech, ranked No. 8 at 11-1, was chosen to face Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl.  They lost 47-34.

Ohio State Michigan 2002

Just listen to Brent Musburger, and he'll tell you. "It's Michigan against Ohio State...that's all you have to say."

This edition was special, given Ohio State's No. 2 ranking. A win would put the Buckeyes in the National Championship game. A loss, however, would mean that they would finish third in the Big Ten (Iowa was 8-0, and Michigan would have the same 7-1 record).

Michigan struck first with a field goal, but OSU and freshman Maurice Clarett responded with a long TD drive. 

Michigan had a controversial TD called back for offensive pass interference. As a result, they had to settle for a field goal and led 9-7 at the half.

It remained 9-7 until the middle of the fourth quarter. QB Craig Krenzel put together a long drive that culminated in a Maurice Hall touchdown with five minutes left.

OSU forced the game's first turnover on the ensuing drive. All seemed lost, but Michigan was able to hold.

Down five with less than one minute left, Michigan QB John Navarre led the Wolverines on an improbable long drive down the field. The comeback was spoiled, however, when he was intercepted in the end-zone as time expired.

Ohio State would upset Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, giving them their first title since 1968.  Michigan would go on to beat Florida in the Outback Bowl.

Auburn vs Florida 1994

It seems as if everyone in the SEC is rivals with each other. So even if Florida may have stronger rivalries with FSU and UGA, and Auburn stronger ones with Alabama, this remains a highly contested series.

The two produced one of their best games in 1994.  Florida came in ranked No. 1 in the nation. Auburn was ranked No. 6 and sported a 16 game winning streak. Florida had not suffered an SEC loss under coach Steve Spurrier.

It was one of Auburn's first games back on television, as probation banned them from being on TV and attending a bowl game in 1993 (a season in which they went undefeated).

Auburn forced six turnovers in the Swamp. The last one came as Florida was inexplicably throwing the ball while leading 33-29. A Wuerffel interception set up an Auburn touchdown with seconds left (I love how in the clip, Musburger yells "middle!" when the ball is in the corner of the end-zone.).

Florida would go on to tie FSU and then lose a re-match to the Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl.

Auburn would tie Georgia and then lose to Alabama. As a result of their loss in the Iron Bowl, Auburn did not win the SEC West and finished with a 9-1-1 record.

Auburn was still under a postseason ban, and thus, did not attend one. In the first two seasons under Terry Bowden, the Tigers were 20-1-1 with no bowl games.

Army vs Navy 1926

Many consider the Army-Navy game to be the greatest rivalry in all of sports. They will argue that the tradition, spectacle and pageantry of the game (not to mention our servicemen performing) cannot be equaled.

Those who feel this way would most likely be quick to bring up the 1926 contest between the two.

Around this time, Army and Navy were two of the best football teams in the national annually. Navy came in at 9-0-0, while Army was 7-1-0.

The game was played at Solider Field and attracted over 100,000 spectators. It was the only time the game was held in Chicago, and acted as a dedication of Soldier Field, which was built as a memorial to those who served in World War I. 

Amongst those in the crowd was Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne. Rockne infamously attended the game in lieu of coaching his own Notre Dame team...a game the Irish were upset in against Carnegie Tech.

The game was was to decide the National Championship, and the two fought to a 21-21 tie. As a result, Navy won the National Championship (There are other accounts that say that Alabama and Stanford also won titles this year. Back then, multiple teams won the title every year.).

Oklahoma Oklahoma State 2004

With all the competitive games in the "Bedlam Series" in recent history, it may come as a surprise that Oklahoma was won eight straight.

The second in that current streak came in 2004, Les Miles' final year as coach of the Cowboys.

Oklahoma came in as the No. 2 in the nation, undefeated. OSU was ranked No. 20 and enjoying one of their most successful seasons since the Barry Sanders era.

It was a defensive struggle early, as Oklahoma led most of the first half, 7-0. A blocked punt for a touchdown by OSU was retailiated with 14 quick points by the Sooners, as they went into the half up 21-14.

Oklahoma built their lead to 35-21 behind the efforts of Freshman Adrian Peterson.

OSU wouldn't quit, however, as they held Oklahoma to a field goal on a deep drive, and then cut the lead to 38-35.

On the final drive, OSU missed an opportunity to steal one from the Sooners when an open receiver was overthrown by half-a-yard.

Still, the Cowboys got into field goal range, but a 49-yard attempt missed wide left.

Oklahoma State would finish 7-5 and lose to Ohio State in the Alamo Bowl. After the season, Miles took the job at LSU (and it's worked out well for both programs).

Oklahoma would go undefeated before losing in the National Championship to USC, 55-19.

Georgia Tech vs Georgia 2008

Unless you've ever been to the state of Georgia, the division of fandom between Tech and UGA cannot be fully understood and appreciated.

The two schools fight for recruits, bragging rights and state recognition. Their annual contest has earned the name "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate."

While GT has more national titles than UGA, they've only beaten their rivals once since 2001. Sorry to say, Dawgs fans, but that is the game represented here.

Both teams came in ranked, UGA No. 11, GT No. 22. UGA was 9-2 and looking to sneak into a BCS game. Both teams had already been eliminated from their conference title games, but that didn't stop them from producing one of the best games in the history of the rivalry.

The game was so high scoring with so many changes that it would be best if one just watched the SportsCenter review provided, rather than me trying to reiterate the scoring drives.

Georgia would fall to 9-3 after the game and go on to beat Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl.  Georgia Tech would go on to lose to LSU in the Peach Bowl.

Texas vs Texas A&M 1998

Everyone remembers this Lone Star Showdown for being the game where Ricky Williams broke the career-rushing record.  That's true...but it was also a great game.

Texas A&M came in ranked No. 6, not having lost since the opening week to FSU. Texas came in with six straight wins of their own after losing two early contests to Kansas State and UCLA (brutal schedule).

A win for the Aggies would keep their slim chances of playing for a national title alive. A win for the Horns would spoil that.

Williams broke the record early in the game. Needing 11 yards to pass Dorsett, he rushed for 60 and a touchdown, giving Texas the 10-0 lead.

Texas led 16-7 entering the fourth quarter, when both sides exploded offensively. The Aggies put up 17, but fell just short to the Longhorns, 26-24.

Texas A&M was still Big 12 south champions. Undeterred by the loss, they would shock No. 1 Kansas State in the Big 12 Title game and then lose to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

Texas would beat Mississippi State in the Cotton Bowl.

Washington vs Washington State 1992

Another edition of the Apple Cup, this one under some blistery conditions.

Washington was the defending National Champion and was ranked No. 5 entering the game. Their lone loss was to Arizona, ruining their chances of repeat.

Washington State was ranked No. 25, and were coming off a blowout loss to Bill Walsh's Stanford team.

The game would feature star-power at the quarterback position. Mark Brunnell for Washington, future No. 1 pick Drew Bledsoe for the Cougars.

The snow was a factor early, as the Huskies led a defensive battle 7-6 at the half.

Then, Wazzu exploded for four touchdowns in the third quarter.  The Cougars ended up coming out on top, 42-23.

Washington would tie with Stanford for the Pac-10 title, but beat the Cardinal. As a result, they headed to the Rose Bowl to face Michigan for the second straight year.  This time, Michigan won a classic, 38-31.

Wazzu would defeat Utah in the Copper Bowl (now the Insight).

The attached video is 50 minutes-plus.  I'm pretty sure it is every single play of the game, edited. For die-hards, enjoy. 

Michigan vs Michigan State 2001

The game known infamously as "Clockgate." (Why does everything controversial get "gate" added to it? Watergate was known as Watergate because the hotel name was Watergate. In today's lexicon it would be Watergate-gate,)

Anyway, Michigan came into the game ranked No. 6, while MSU was unranked.

The game was tied at 17 after the third quarter, setting up one of the more memorable fourth quarters in the history of college football.

MSU took a 20-17 lead, but a Jeff Smoker fumble set up a Michigan touchdown with just five minutes left.

MSU later took over with 2:28 left, down four. They drove the length of the field, aided by penalties from Michigan's defense, to set up a first-and-goal from the 3-yard line. They had no timeouts left.

You can see the rest here. Smoker scrambles out, is stopped short and MSU is forced to clock the football. It appears as if the clock stops at :01, giving MSU one final play. On the third down, Smoker found T.J. Duckett in the end-zone for the win. 

Just to prove to you that Musburger did this game as well, here is that version.

Michigan went on to lose the Citrus Bowl to Tennessee, while MSU beat Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Classic.

Mississippi vs Mississippi State 1992

The "Egg Bowl" is the 10th longest uninterrupted rivalry in the nation, and it has produced all the shootouts, defensive struggles and scuffles one would expect from intra-state rivals.

Miss. State came in ranked No. 16, having just suffered a heartbreaking defeat from eventual national champion Alabama. Ole Miss was ranked No. 23, and both teams were enjoying 7-3 seasons.

It was a defensive struggle the entire game, and would be to the end.

Ole Miss found itself up 17-10 with less than four minutes to go, but, Mississippi State had the ball on the Ole Miss 10-yard line.

An interception in the endzone gave Ole Miss the ball. Needing to run out the clock, they fumbled, giving the ball back to Mississippi State at the eight-yard line.

A pass interference call in the end-zone gave Mississippi State a first down on the two-yard line. Miss State ran option on first down, and it was stuffed. On second, they ran toss, stuffed. On third, they threw for a two-yard loss, and then on fourth, they threw incomplete in the end-zone.

Ole Miss' "red death" defense held. The collective series would come to be known as "the stand."

Mississippi State would lose to UNC in the Peach Bowl, while Ole Miss would defeat Air Force in the Liberty Bowl.

Michigan vs Ohio State 2006

In all the years of the game, never did the two square off as No. 1 and No. 2. Ohio State had the top ranking, while many felt Michigan was as good as the Buckeyes.

To add to the hype of the game, Bo Schembechler passed away the day before the game, but not before he could give one last pep talk to the Michigan players on Thursday night.

A berth in the BCS championship was on the line at the Horseshoe, and the game developed into a shoot-out.

Ohio State held a 28-14 lead at the half, but a quick 10 points cut the deficit to four.

Overall, Ohio State could not be stopped. They quickly regained momentum from an Antonio Pittman touchdown to make the score 35-24.

The teams continued to trade scores, but Michigan never re-gained the lead. Eventually, OSU was able to run out the clock (thanks to a questionable roughing call) and win 42-39.

Many speculated prior to the game if there could be a re-match in the National Championship game. After all, these were the only two undefeated teams in the nation (other than Boise State).

Despite the close final margin of victory, it wasn't meant to be. Ohio State would lose to Florida in the National Championship, and Michigan would lose to USC in the Rose Bowl.

LSU vs Arkansas 2002

The "Battle for the Golden Boot" has quietly emerged as one of the better-played, more competitive rivalries over the past decade. Since 2001, only two games have been decided by more than one score.

The 2002 game helped develop this strong rivalry. Both teams entered at 8-3, and the winner would claim the SEC West title (Alabama was on probation).

LSU dominated the Hogs early, building a 10-0 halftime lead.

Arkansas fought back, but still found themselves down 20-14 on their own 11-yard line, with only 34 seconds left.

On the first play, QB Matt Jones found Richard Smith for a 50-yard catch. A few incompletions followed, and then the "Miracle on Markham" happened.

Matt Jones told coach Houston Nutt "I got it." He scrambled to the left and found Decori Birmingham in the back of the end-zone for a 31-yard touchdown. Arkansas pulled one out, winning 21-20 at War Memorial Stadium.

Arkansas would lose in the SEC title game to UGA, and then to Minnesota in the Music City Bowl. LSU would lose to Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

Purdue vs Notre Dame 1981

Notre Dame was ranked No. 1 pre-season, but fell to Michigan in Gerry Faust's first season. Purdue was also 1-1, having beaten Stanford before falling to Minnesota.

The two Indiana rivals thus squared off the intentions of maintaining a winning season.

A defensive battle ensued, as the game was tied 7-7 through most of the fourth quarter. Notre Dame had opportunities to pull away, but drives would stall, and Harry Oliver missed two long field goals.

Still, ND found themselves in a comfortable position after a Phil Carter rushing touchdown put the Irish ahead 14-7 with just under three minutes remaining.

Purdue and QB Scott Campbell took over at their own 20, having to drive 80 yards to tie the game. Purdue avoided a dropped interception, converted a fourth-and-long and had another long pass to Steve Bryant to set the Boilermakers up in the red-zone with time winding down.

Faced with a 4th-and-goal from the seven, Campbell hooked up with Bryant once again for a touchdown. Deciding to go for two, Purdue ran the same exact play, and it worked again. They pulled off a miracle, winning 15-14.

Neither team went on to be successful this season. Purdue finished on a four-game losing streak to go 5-6. Notre Dame finished 5-6 as well.

Clemson vs South Carolina 1977

Clemson was an achieving team at 7-2-1, having lost the previous week to Notre Dame. South Carolina had lost five in a row and needed a win to become bowl eligible.

On paper, it shouldn't have been close. That's why rivalries are rivalries.

Clemson easily secured a 24-0 lead halfway through the third quarter. Then, South Carolina scored on a long run from Spencer Clark. The two-point conversion was no good, but USC was able to add two more quick touchdowns to cut the lead to 24-20.

With the momentum shifted, USC took full advantage. A 40-yard TD reception by Phillip Logan put the Gamecocks up 27-24 with just over one minute to play.

Steve Fuller (who runs like lightning and passes like thunder) and the Tigers got the ball back and went on a long drive. On the deciding play, Fuller broke free to the outside and threw up a pass that seemed out of reach for WR Jerry Butler, but he soared and incredibly caught the ball, giving Clemson a 30-27 win. It has gone down simply as "The Catch."

South Carolina would not go to a bowl.

Clemson would lose to Pitt in the Gator Bowl.

Michigan vs Ohio State 1969

The first game in the "10-year war" between Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler ended up being one of the biggest upsets in college football history.

The previous year, Michigan was trailing OSU, 48-14. Hayes infamously went for two to make it a 50-14 game. When later asked why he went for two, he replied "because I couldn't go for three."

As a result, Schembechler had everything that could possibly cross the Michigan players' attention enscribed with "50-14." Lockers, carpets, benches, urinals, nothing was off limits.  The players got the message.

Ohio State was No. 1 in the nation and owned a 22-game winning streak. Michigan was a surprising 7-2 in Schembechler's first year.

OSU entered as 17-point favorites. Additionally, since OSU would not be going to a bowl (thanks to a rule that the Big Ten enforced that did not allow teams to go to bowls in consecutive years), OSU knew a win would give them the National Title.

Michigan was able to stop OSU early and then utilize TE Jim Mandich to move the ball down field.  An early 7-6 score put OSU behind for the first time all season.

OSU responded with another touchdown (and missed two-point), and Michigan was then able to run the ball on OSU. A touchdown put Michigan ahead 14-12.

The Wolverines wouldn't look back, as they added 10 more points in the half. The second half was scoreless, giving Michigan the big 24-12 upset.

The game kicked off the historic 10-year-war series between Woody and Bo, and re-catapulted the rivalry into the nation's consciousness.

Ohio State would finish 8-1.  Michigan went on to the Rose Bowl, where they lost to USC.

UCLA vs USC 1982

The Bruins were coming off of a devastating loss to Washington, and their Rose Bowl dreams seemed gone. UCLA entered 8-1-1, USC 7-2. A win for USC would put them in the Rose Bowl, while UCLA would need help.

The two top-15 teams squared off for the last time as co-occupants of the Coliseum (UCLA moved to the Rose Bowl the next season).

UCLA jumped out to a quick 14-3 lead behind QB Tom Ramsey. They controlled the game entirely until the fourth quarter.

Down 20-10, USC was stopped short of the goal line and had to settle for a 21-yard field goal. USC then stopped the Bruins and got the ball back with just over five minutes remaining.

QB Scott Tinsley moved the ball down field before hitting a wall at the one-yard line. Three incompletions set up a do-or-die for the Trojans.

Facing a fourth-and-goal from the one with three seconds left, Tinsley found Mark Boyer for a touchdown. USC needed the win for a trip to the Rose Bowl, however, so they lined up for two.

The attempt was no good, as Karl Morgan came up the middle and sacked Tinsley.

USC beat Notre Dame the next week, but did not go to a bowl, as they were under probation.

UCLA needed Washington to lose to Wazzu and Arizona to beat Arizona State. Miraculously, both occurred, and UCLA advanced to the Rose Bowl. They went on to beat Michigan and finish 10-1-1.

Notre Dame vs Michigan State 2002

Notre Dame was enjoying great success under first-year head coach Ty Willingham. The Irish went from un-ranked to ranked No. 12 in just three weeks, defeating Purdue, Maryland and Michigan along the way.  MSU was ranked No. 15 in the nation the previous week, but a slip-up against Cal saw the Spartans enter this rivalry un-ranked.

QB Carlyle Holiday was knocked out early with a shoulder injury. As a result, ND struggled under backup Pat Dillingham.

Still, the defense continued its stellar play and held the Spartans down for most of the game. That is, until Charlie Rogers went off to carve up the Irish defense.

Down 14-10 with just under two minutes left, Jeff Smoker found Rogers in the back of the end-zone for a spectacular catch to go ahead 17-14. With ND's offense struggling, coming back on the road seemed impossible.

Yet, the impossible happened. Dillingham found Arnaz Battle over the middle, and Battle got to the outside and beat all the Spartans down the sideline.  ND escaped with a 21-17 win.

MSU would continue to struggle all season. They finished with a losing record, and coach Bobby Williams was fired.

ND started 8-0 before losing to Boston College. They eventually lost to N.C. State in the Gator Bowl.

LSU vs Arkansas 2007

LSU was ranked No. 1 in the nation. Arkansas was un-ranked and only 7-4. They entered Death Valley as 13.5 point underdogs.

The game was a defensive struggle early, as Arkansas led 7-6 at halftime.

In the second half, they used their three-headed monster of McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hills to run all over LSU. They finished with 385 yards on the ground.

Neither team led by more than eight the entire game, and the teams were tied five times. Combined, they totaled 926 yards.

Arkansas went on to the Cotton Bowl, where they lost to Missouri.

As luck would have it, LSU found themselves in the BCS National Championship despite losing after Thanksgiving. They would beat Ohio State and become the first two-loss team to win a national title.

Michigan vs Ohio State 1972

Michigan came into the game undefeated and ranked No. 3 in the nation.  Ohio State had one loss, an upset to Michigan State, and was ranked No. 9 in the nation.  A trip to the Rose Bowl was on the line.

OSU punted every possession in the first, and Michigan missed a field goal, leading to a 0-0 tie after the first quarter.

The first touchdown was set-up by a long Archie Griffin run in the second quarter. Michigan drove back down the field. Facing a 4th-and-goal from the three, Schembechler decided to go for it. The snap was fumbled, and OSU went into the half up 7-3.

OSU took the ball down the field to start the second half, capped off with a 30-yard TD run by Griffin. On the ensuing drive, Michigan went right down the field and added the two, cutting the lead to 14-11.

Down three with a few minutes left in the game, Michigan faced a fourth down from the 20 yard line. Consistent with his gameplan, Schembechler once again went for it. Once again, he was denied.

All was not lost, however. A quick interception from OSU gave Michigan a first down at the Buckeyes' 25. A few plays later, and Michigan was looking at a 1st-and-goal from the five.

Three straight runs got the ball down to the one foot line. Again, Schembechler decided to go for the win. Again, Michigan was stuffed.

OSU held on to win 14-11.

OSU would go on to the Rose Bowl, where they lost to USC.

Mississippi State vs Mississippi 1999

The game that would go down as "the pick and the kick."

Mississippi State was trailing 20-13 late in the fourth quarter before tying it with 30 seconds left.

Ole Miss got the ball back, and instead of kneeling and advancing to OT, they tried to get something going. QB Romero Miller threw up a lofty pass that was intercepted and returned into Ole Miss territory.

The next play, Miss State kicked a field goal to win. Miss State had scored 10 points in 30 seconds.

MSU went on to beat Clemson in the Peach Bowl, while Ole Miss beat Oklahoma in the Independence Bowl.

West Virginia vs Pittsburgh 1975

Pitt was one year away from winning the National Championship. Still, they had Tony Dorsett and were an impressive 6-2.

West Virginia struggled to get to 6-2, and head coach Bobby Bowden was facing criticism as a result.

The Backyard Brawl was just that. A low-scoring game saw Pitt tie it at 14 late in the game on a Tony Dorsett touchdown reception.

West Virginia was able to drive the ball into Pitt territory, but fumbled it away with just a couple of minutes left.

The game seemed headed for a tie when Pitt ran the ball twice to start their drive. Then, on third down, Pitt threw the ball short of the markers to set up a fourth down.

Only Pitt QB Matt Cavanaugh thought it was third down still. He lined up to run a play and could not hear instructions from his coaches over the Mountaineer fans. As a result, Pitt coaches ran onto the field to interfere. It cost them 15 yards from an unsportsmanlike penalty, but Pitt had the chance to punt.

As a result of the change in field position, WV got the ball back at the Pitt 48 with seconds to go. QB Dan Kendra completed a 26-yard pass on the sidelines, stopping the clock with just four seconds to go. Then, Bill McKenzie hit a 38-yard field goal as time expired to win. He was just 2-for-5 on his career.

Pitt went on to beat Kansas in the Sun Bowl. WV went on to beat Lou Holtz's N.C. State team in the Peach Bowl.

The next season, Pitt won the National Championship, Dorsett won the Heisman. The next year, Bowden started his first season at FSU.

Texas vs Arkansas 1987

Before Arkansas moved to the SEC, they were a member of the now-defunct Southwest Conference. With them in the conference was Texas, and pretty much every other school in Texas. As a result, the Hogs and the Horns had a long-standing, intense rivalry.

Arkansas was 4-1 entering the game, with their only loss to eventual champion Miami. Texas was struggling, starting 2-3.

Arkansas came out passing, and Derek Russell dropped a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. After two more passes, Arkansas ran the ball every play for the rest of the game.

The option strategy worked for the most part. The Hogs built a 14-7 lead heading into the fourth.

Down 14-10, Texas took over at their own 44 with 1:48 left.  They gained some yardage and avoided disaster by recovering a fumble. Now, they were faced with a fourth-and-10 from the Hogs' 32, and just 14 seconds left.

QB Brett Stafford, who had a 1-10 TD-INT ratio coming into the game, found Eric Metcalf for a first down with just four seconds left.

An illegal procedure penalty backed the Horns back to the 18-yard line.

On the final play, Stafford hooked up with Tony Jones, who was nailed by Steve Atwater. Jones somehow hung on to the football, and Texas pulled out a 16-14 win.

Arkansas went on to the Liberty Bowl, where they lost to Georgia. Texas turned their season around, culminating in a win against Pitt in the Bluebonnet Bowl.

Michigan vs Ohio State 1973

OSU came in ranked No. 1 in the nation, Michigan No. 4. Both teams were undefeated, and a Rose Bowl was on the line.

While those types of stakes are not uncommon to the rivalry, this particular ending and circumstances were. The game would go down as one of the most controversial in the history of football.

Heavy rain couldn't stop a then-record crowd of 105,233 packing Michigan Stadium. Before the game started, there was controversy.  Taking the field first, OSU decided it was in their best interest to try and destroy the famous "M-Club" Banner of Michigan's. As you can imagine, this did not go over well with anyone in Ann Arbor.

As a result of the elements, the game was a low-scoring, grind-it-out battle early.  Ohio State led 10-0 at the half.

Michigan came out and made a crucial fourth-down stop against OSU. The stop turned into momentum for the Wolverines, as they moved the ball down the field and cut the deficit to 10-3.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Michigan was faced with a fourth-and-goal from the 10-yard line. Sensing they had to go for it, they did. Despite a loaded front from the Buckeyes, Michigan ran the ball on a bootleg for a 10-yard score.

Michigan got the ball back, but QB Dennis Franklin suffered a broken collarbone. Fearing an interception, Schembechler went for three straight runs, setting up a 58-yard field goal. The kick was no good.

Ohio State got the ball back with around one minute to go, and good field position, but they immediately threw an interception. Michigan was able to move the ball down to the 28 in the waning moments, but again missed the field goal.

The game ended in a 10-10 tie.

As a result of the tie, the two ended with tied records as well. It was therefore up to Big Ten Athletic directors to determine who went to the game. Many thought it would be Michigan with their stronger second half.

But it is rumored that ADs feared Michigan's performance would suffer with an injured Franklin. Therefore, they voted OSU to the Rose Bowl.

Rumors as to which ADs voted for whom remain to this day. Clearly, it was a controversial decision embedded with politics. A more thorough listing of the rumors can be read here.

OSU had fallen from No. 1 to No. 4 in the polls between the Michigan game and the Rose Bowl. They defeated USC, but came away with no share of the National Title despite finishing 10-0-1.

Michigan did not go to a bowl, as it was a longstanding rule that the Big Ten teams would only accept one bowl invite, and it was to be the Rose Bowl.

Just like in 2011, when eight teams can go from a conference......

Alabama vs Auburn 1982

Our first entry from the "Iron Bowl," a rivalry that has produced some of the greatest players and moments over the history of college football.

Pat Dye was coaching just his second Iron Bowl, and Bear Bryant was coaching his last. Dye was a former assistant under Bryant, adding fuel to the already heated-rivalry.

Alabama was a disappointing 7-3, as was Auburn. Neither team was ranked. The game may not have gotten the national attention it did in other years, but it produced on the field.

Alabama's nine-game win streak was snapped on a fourth-down play, where Bo Jackson famously decided to jump over 14 players and find himself in the end-zone. Auburn won 23-22.

Alabama would win the Liberty Bowl against Illinois, Bear Bryant's final game. Auburn would win the Tangerine Bowl against Boston College.

Miami vs FSU 2002

The 2002 version between these rivals is probably the last time the game carried major national implications (although they did play in an Orange Bowl a few years later). If that is the case, they went out with a bang.

Miami was No. 1 in the nation and building on what many thought was the best college team of all-time. Stars such as Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee, Kellen Winslow II, Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams and Sean Taylor are all household names today.  The Canes had won 28 in a row entering the contest.

FSU, meanwhile, was 5-1 with an upset loss to Louisville. Still, they were ranked No. 9 in the nation, and a win against their rival would go a long way in restoring confidence.

The Noles jumped out to a 27-14 lead with just nine minutes to go.  Ken Dorsey then led the Hurricanes on a long drive to cut the lead to 27-21.

After stopping FSU, Miami only needed two plays to take the lead for the first time all day.

Dorsey found McGahee on a screen pass that went for 70 yards down the sidelines. The next play, Miami rushed it in.

Still, FSU put themselves in a position to win. They spiked the ball with one second left (barely) to set up a 43-yard field goal attempt.

With all the histories of Wide Right in the series, he missed.....Wide Left.

Georgia vs Georgia Tech 1999

Earlier, we saw a 45-42 contest between UGA and GT. Wouldn't you know it, that wasn't even the highest scoring contest the series ever produced?

That honor went to the 1999 tilt between the two schools. GT came in ranked No. 20, UGA, No. 21.

As Musburger points out here, the teams combined to average over 900 yards of offense on the season. Therefore, many expected a high-scoring game, and they got it.

The game went into overtime tied at 48. UGA's first possession saw Quincy Carter throw an interception in the end-zone. This set-up GT to kick a field goal and win the game.

You know how they always say you should kick a field goal on an early down?  This allows you to re-kick it if there's a bad snap or a block or something. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it ends up being irrelevant. This is the one percent.

GT elected to kick the field goal on third down, and the attempt was blocked. However, GT recovered the ball behind the line-of-scrimmage. Therefore, they were now faced with a fourth down. They kicked it again, making it this time.

Georgia went on to beat Purdue in the Outback Bowl, while GT lost to Miami in the Gator Bowl. Senior QB for Tech, Joe Hamilton, finished second in Heisman voting behind Ron Dayne.

Georgia vs Florida 1980

The series that was formerly known as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" (and still is referred to as that by anyone who isn't a school administrator) has produced a plethora of great moments.  None have been greater than "Run Lindsay Run."

In the 1980 game, UGA trailed the Gators by one point with 90 seconds left.  The Bulldogs had the ball, but were backed up inside their own 10-yard-line.

Looking for magic, Buck Belue scrambled out from his own end-zone and found a crossing Lindsey Scott.  Scott took it from there, beating everyone to the sideline and getting to the end-zone for a 92 yard touchdown.

The play is remembered for legendary UGA announcer Larry Munson's call. It is where "Run Lindsey Run" gets its name, and Munson was so excited that he broke through a "steel chair with about five inches of cushion."

Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State 1988

OSU had their best season in 1988. At QB was current head coach Mike Gundy. At wide receiver was the explosive Hart Lee Dykes. At running back was someone named Barry Sanders.

OSU was explosive that year, putting the fear in every team they faced. Still, they couldn't get past "big brother."

OSU came in with a 6-1 record, while OU was experiencing off-the-field problems.

OU was placed on three-year probation and a two-year bowl ban for several issues. Additonally, Switzer's house was broken in to, and a player was arrested for trying to sell drugs to an undercover agent. Despite the tumult, they came with a 7-1 record.

Both teams put on an offensive display, totaling over 1,000 yards and 59 points.

OU led 24-14 at the half, but the Cowboys stormed back behind the efforts of Sanders. The eventual Heisman winner would rush for 215 yards and two touchdowns.

Here, we start with Oklahoma State down 31-28 and trying to execute their two-minute drill. As you will see, a last-ditch, 4th down play seemed destined to work, but the ball was dropped by Brent Parker, allowing OU to escape.

Oklahoma State would go on to beat Wyoming in the Holiday Bowl. Barry Sanders would win the Heisman.

Not facing their sanctions quite yet, Oklahoma would lose to Clemson in the Citrus Bowl. Following the season, Switzer retired.

UCLA vs USC 1990

This game is on PrimeTicket so often that they should re-name the channel "The 1990 UCLA vs USC Channel"  (inside joke for any west coasters out there).

The game is on frequently, though, because it is a good one.

Todd Marinovich led the 6-2-1 Trojans across town to face a 5-5 UCLA team with Tommy Maddox.  UCLA had just upset No. 2 Washington, in Seattle, the previous week.

While it may not have been the best the teams have ever been, they produced one of the best games.

Each team scored 21 points in the fourth quarter.  UCLA scored to take a lead with 1:19 left.  Problem is, he left too much time (Maddox himself would admit this later on).

Marinovich marched down the field and hooked up with Johnnie Morton with 16 seconds left to put the Trojans up for good.

The loss knocked UCLA out of a bowl game. USC would lose to MSU in the John Hancock Bowl.

It is hard to imagine now, but the USC win was rare at this point. They had only won three times from 1982-1990, and then did not win again until 1999.

Oklahoma vs Texas 1984

Oklahoma was ranked No. 3 in the nation, Texas, No. 1. Both teams were undefeated. Oklahoma's offensive coordinator under Barry Switzer: Mack Brown.

Rain poured down all day on the astroturf field in Dallas. Texas' finesse game was stalled, but still led 10-0 at the half.

Turnovers in the second half led to 15 points for the Sooners.

Leading by five with just under three minutes left, Switzer elected to take a safety. His theory was instead of punting and giving the Longhorns a short field to win, he could pin them deep and make them go a longer distance to tie the game.

Oklahoma moved up in the polls to No. 2. Despite losing to Kansas, the Sooners were No. 2 upon entering the Orange Bowl, where they lost to Washington.

Texas would lose four times that season, including a loss to Iowa in the Freedom Bowl.

The move backfired (maybe). Texas moved the ball down the field and avoided potential turnovers from the Sooners (it looks like an interception at 9:00). Texas kicked a field goal as time expired, and happily escaped with a 15-15 tie.

Alabama vs Auburn 1972

Alabama was ranked No. 2 in the nation and were gunning for a National Championship. Auburn was 8-1 and ranked No. 9.  Despite the prowess of both teams, Auburn came in as 16-point underdogs.

After three quarters, it was 16-0 Alabama.

With 5:30 left in the game, it was 16-3 Alabama.  There was no way they could lose. They had given up more than 16 points just twice all season, and Auburn had three points in the first 55 minutes!

Alabama lined up at midfield to punt the ball.  A good punt would pin the Tigers deep, decreasing their chances of a comeback. Instead, Auburn shred through the line and blocked the punt, returning it for a touchdown.

Alabama only got one first down the next drive, and was forced to punt again with 90 seconds left. Again, a good punt would pin Auburn deep and make them go the entire field.

But again...a block and a return for a touchdown.  In fact, the same duo contributed to both touchdowns; Bill Newton blocked both, and Greg Langer returned both.

The Tide were shocked. They had allowed 17 points in the final 10 minutes, 14 coming off punt blocks for TDs.

Alabama would lose in the Cotton Bowl to Texas.  Auburn would beat Colorado in the Gator Bowl.

The game has become to be known as "Punt Bama Punt."

Florida vs Florida State 1994

The game has come to be known as "Choke at Doak."

Why? Because Florida led the Seminoles, on the road, 31-3 entering the fourth quarter. The lopsided score was surprising and prompted Albert Gator to mock the Seminoles and Brent Musburger to remind folks that the "score was right."

FSU then executed one of the most improbable comebacks in college football history, scoring 28 points in 13 minutes.

FSU scored with 1:45 left in the game, cutting the lead to 31-30. The fans and assistant coaches urged Coach Bowden to go for two, but he elected to go for one and the tie. The extra point was good, and the game ended at 31-31.

The 28-point comeback tied the NCAA record for largest fourth quarter comeback. While Florida didn't technically lose, their tie is considered one of the biggest chokes in college football history.

FSU entered the game No. 7 in the nation, UF No. 4.  The Gators tie dropped them to No. 6, and they defeated Alabama in the SEC title game.  FSU moved up to No. 5 prior to their bowl game.

The opponents for these teams in the bowl game?  Each other, in the Sugar Bowl. Playing off the un-resolved nature of the "Choke at Doak," the Sugar Bowl came to be known as "The Fifth Quarter in the French Quarter."  FSU won, 23-17.

The teams played once in 1995, and then twice again in 1996, the second time for the National Championship in the Sugar Bowl.

USC vs Notre Dame 1978

The Irish rolled into the Coliseum ranked No. 8, while the Trojans were ranked No. 3.

USC used the home field to build an early lead, 24-6. But ND had the comeback king, Joe Montana, at quarterback.

Montana led the Irish back throughout the game. Penultimately, he found Pete Holohan for a touchdown, giving the Irish their first lead of the day, 25-24, with just 46 seconds left.

Undeterred, USC took over and went 50 yards in just four plays. Frank Jordan booted a 37-yard field goal to reclaim the victory for USC, 27-25.

Notre Dame would finish 9-3 (with a thrilling win over Houston in the Cotton Bowl).

USC would beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl and win the National Championship. Charles White would have to wait one more year, and win one more National Title, before he would claim his Heisman Trophy.

Boston College vs Notre Dame 1993

Notre Dame was ranked No. 1 in the nation at 10-0. They had beaten No. 1 Florida State the previous week in a "Game of the Century." With the win, all they had to do was beat BC to advance to the national championship.

BC had won seven in a row after starting 0-2.

The undermatched Eagles came out and dominated the Irish. They built a 38-17 lead with just 11:13 left, but blew the large deficit. Notre Dame scored 22 points in just 10 minutes.

The Irish were up 39-38 with 70 seconds left and allowed BC to get into field goal range. There, David Gordon hit an improbable 41-yard field goal to win 41-39.

Boston College would go on to beat Virginia in the Carquest Bowl.

Despite having beaten the Seminoles just a few weeks prior, the Bowl Coalition decided to take FSU to play in the National Championship against Nebraska.

ND would go on to beat Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. They finished 11-1 and ranked No. 2 in all the polls, behind 11-1 FSU.

Michigan vs Notre Dame 1980

The two rivals squared off early in the season, Notre Dame ranked No. 8, Michigan No. 16. Despite being relatively low-ranked, the game would carry national title implications, as it usually did during this era.

Notre Dame got off to an early 14-0 lead, but Michigan crawled back, ending the first half with a fake field goal to tie the game at 14.

ND forced a pick-six in the second half, but missed the extra point. As a result, they trailed 21-20. Another late touchdown and a failed two-point conversion gave the Irish a 26-21 lead.

Michigan TE Craig Dunaway caught a deflected pass with 47 seconds left to take a 27-26 lead. The two-point conversion was no good, but the Wolverines led by one with less than a minute to go.

Coach Dan Devine sent in QB Blair Kiel (uncle of current Indiana QB, Dusty) to orchestrate the final drive. After avoiding disaster a few times, Kiel got the Irish to the 35-yard line.

Improbably, Harry Oliver boomed a 52-yard field goal as time expired to give the Irish the win, 29-27.

ND would finish 9-2-1 and lose to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Michigan would go on to win the Rose Bowl and finish 10-2.

Alabama vs Auburn 1985

Another Iron Bowl entry. Another totally classic game.

Alabama entered 7-2-1, and was mysteriously un-ranked.  Auburn was 8-2 and ranked No. 7 nationally. 

Auburn jumped out to a 13-0 lead thanks in part to eventual Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson. Alabama forced two turnovers deep in Auburn territory, but had to settle for two field goals.

Alabama entered the fourth quarter up 16-10. Alabama threw an interception in the end-zone, and Jackson went through the Bama defense on the ensuing drive to make it 17-16.

Just 66 seconds later, Bama RB Gene Jelks rushed for a 74-yard touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good, and Bama led 22-17.

Auburn got the ball back and methodically moved down the field. They punctuated a five-minute plus drive with a touchdown.  The two-point conversion was no good, but they led 23-22 with just 57 seconds left.

The rest you can see here....

This marked the fourth straight Iron Bowl that was decided by three points or less.

Auburn would lose the Cotton Bowl to Texas A&M.  Alabama would defeat USC in the Aloha Bowl. The two teams made their major waves this season by contributing the best Iron Bowl of all-time.

Miami vs FSU 1987

Before FSU joined and subsequently took over the ACC, and before all the "Wide Rights" of the series, we have a forgotten classic between the two.

Miami came in No. 3, FSU No. 4. Miami featured Michael Irvin and Benny Blades, while FSU had LeRoy Butler and Deion Sanders in the same secondary.

A Primetime punt return set-up a FSU field goal to go up 19-3 late in the third quarter. Battling back, the Canes were able to cash in on two touchdowns and two two-point conversions to tie the game at 19. When trying to take the lead back, FSU missed a field goal (Wide Right).

Miami took over deep in their own territory with the game tied and just three minutes remaining. QB Steve Walsh hooked up with Irvin for a 73-yard touchdown to put the Canes up 26-19.

FSU came right back, however, converting a fourth-down and then completing miraculous passes in double coverage. Eventually, FSU found the end-zone with an incredible Ronald Lewis catch.

Bowden, who before said he would go for one and the tie, relented. The Noles attempted a two-point conversion and failed.

The game ended up being a de facto National Championship. Neither team would lose again for the rest of the season. Miami would defeat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl to win the National Championship.  Florida State would beat Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl.

The two finished No. 1 and No. 2 in the polls with a combined 23-1 record.  It would set off the FSU-Miami rivalry that is so well known and well-represented in this countdown.

Cal vs Stanford 1982

Neither team was highly ranked, but it didn't stop them from producing one of the more exciting college football games, and certainly the most exciting finish of all-time.

Stanford was just 5-5 behind Senior QB John Elway. Despite their mediocre record, they showed flashes of greatness; beating Washington and Ohio State.

Cal had a winning record, but were not invited to a bowl.

Down 19-17, Elway handled a 4th-and-17 on his own 13-yard line by completing a 29-yard pass.  He then got the Cardinal into field goal range and called timeout with eight seconds left.

Kicker Mark Harmon made a 30-yard field goal to put Stanford up 20-19. 

*Interesting note. This Mark Harmon is no relation to Mark Harmon of Summer School fame. Yet that Harmon, the actor, did play QB at UCLA in the early 1970s. There, he ran the wishbone, compiled a 17-5 record and upset the two-time defending champion Nebraska Cornhuskers in 1975.  His father is Tom Harmon, Heisman trophy winner and widely-considered to be one of the best players in the history of Michigan.

Back to the 1982 contest. The Harmon kick put Stanford up 20-19, and then "the play" ensued.  Stanford maintains that Cal was down and still writes the final score as 20-19 in their record books. Everyone else credits Cal with a 25-20 win.

A few days later, Stanford made a fake Daily California newspaper (Berkley's student paper), which featured a headline that stated the NCAA had overturned the final score. The papers were distributed throughout Berkley and caused an uproar amongst the student body.

Elway later stated that the final play was a "joke" to college football,and that the officials had "ruined his final college game."  He could have taken the time-out with less than eight seconds, and none of this would have happened.

Neither team went to a bowl. Stanford did not go to a bowl game with Elway as a Quarterback.

Michigan vs Michigan State 1990

The game was dubbed "No. One vs No One."  MSU ended up not just being no-ones, but went on to shock the No. 1 Wolverines in Ann Arbor.

MSU was 1-2-1, but had given Notre Dame a strong test.

Michigan was ranked No. 4 coming into the season and lost their opening game against Notre Dame. Nevertheless, the Wolverines somehow managed to be ranked No. 1 just four weeks later.

The game was back-and-forth all game, but saw MSU up 28-21 in the waning moments. 

Michigan QB Elvis Grbac led the Wolverines on a spirited charge back down the field. A touchdown to Derrick Alexander with six seconds left cut the lead to one.

In the spirit of college football during this time period, Michigan decided to go for the win. A quick slant to Howard was dropped (or he was interfered with, depending which you prefer), and MSU escaped with the win.

Rarely do you hear Keith Jackson raise his voice in excitement. He is partially known for his unusually calm, monotone calls despite the magnificence and significance of the play. The fact that he is yelling at the end of this game really speaks volumes of the quality of the game.

The Big Ten saw a four-way tie for first place at the end of the season between MSU, UM, Iowa, and Illinois.  Iowa was 3-0 against the three other tied teams, and therefore went to the Rose Bowl.

Michigan went to the Gator Bowl, where they defeated Ole Miss 35-3.  MSU defeated USC in the John Hancock Bowl (now Sun Bowl).

Florida vs FSU 1997

This game has earned the moniker: "The Greatest Game Ever Played in the Swamp," so....it has to be pretty good, right?

Florida was a "disappointing" 8-2, but had their eyes set on ruining FSU's No. 1 ranking.

This was the third time these two had played in 12 months, as the two hooked up in the Sugar Bowl the previous season for the National Championship. It was the sixth time in four years (see Choke at Doak slide).

FSU entered as heavy favorites and extended a late lead to four with Sebastian Janikowski's field goal (and his subsequent mocking chomp towards UF).

UF responded, however, going 80 yards in three plays. They took the lead back and sealed the victory when Dwayne Thomas intercepted a Thad Busby pass.

UF would go on to beat Penn State in the Citrus Bowl and finish with a No. 4 ranking. 

FSU beat Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, but had to settle for a No. 3 ranking behind co-national champs Nebraska and Michigan. Had FSU won, they would have faced Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

Miami vs FSU 1991: Wide Right I

Florida State was ranked No. 1 in the nation, Miami No. 2.  FSU had won 16 in a row, Miami, 14.

FSU was averaging 48 points a game, while Miami was allowing only 7.25 per game. As is usually the case, defense won out in this one.

Miami took the opening drive down the field for a touchdown.  FSU nearly answered, but had to settle for a field goal after having a first-and-goal from the Miami 1.

In the second quarter, FSU faced another goal-line opportunity and elected to go for it. On 4th-and-goal from the one-yard line, backup fullback Paul Moore crashed to the left side of the line for a touchdown.

FSU dominated the third quarter, outgaining the Canes 158-38.  Despite such a large discrepancy, the Noles were only able to add three points, building their lead to 13-7. They went on another long drive to end the third, which culiminated in another field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Trailing 16-7, Miami drove the field and settled for a long Carlos Huerta field goal.  They got the ball back once again with seven minutes left and marched down the field.

Faced with a 4th-and-six in the red-zone, QB Gino Toretta found Horace Copeland for a first down at the 3-yard line. It was Copelands only reception of the game.  Three plays later, Larry Jones scored to give Miami a one-point lead with three minutes remaining.

FSU drove down to the Miami 17-yard line, and Bowden elected to kick the potentially game winning field goal on third down.  Despite making three field goals earlier in the game, Gerry Thomas pushed this one wide right.

The miss has become an iconic image in college football history, and Keith Jackson's legendary call is ubiquitous with the play.

Miami would go on to split the National Championship with Washington.  Florida State later lost to Florida and finished 10-2 after a win against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.

USC vs Notre Dame 2005

Perhaps the most hyped regular season football game of the past decade, this one delivered on its expectations.

USC was the nearly-infallible team from the West Coast that had won 27 straight games and back-to-back AP National Championships (just one BCS trophy, however). Notre Dame was in their "return to glory" phase under first year coach Charlie Weis.

For the extra motivation, ND pulled the last-second switch-a-roo and exchanged their blue jerseys for green ones. The idea almost worked.

USC built a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, but after a long-Brady Quinn led drive and a Tom Zbikowski punt return, the Irish led 21-14 at the half.

Bush would score his second touchdown of the game in the third, tying it at 21.  A long ND drive was stalled when tight end Anthony Fasano fumbled in the red zone.

The Irish led 24-21 and were looking for more halfway through the fourth. They had a chance to put the Trojans away with a touchdown, but could not convert, and then subsequently missed a 34-yard field goal.

Leinart led the Trojans right down the field for an 80-yard drive to give the Trojans the lead, 28-24.  Quinn answered, leading the Irish down the field. He called his own number and scrambled into the endzone to take a 31-28 lead with just over two minutes to go.

The ensuing Trojans possession looked doomed to fail, as Leinart was sacked on 2nd  down.  (seen here).  On 3rd down, Leinart got the yardage back with a pass to Bush, and on 4th down, one of the more memorable plays in the series occurred. 

4th-and-nine with the game on the line, Leinart made a perfect pass to Dwayne Jarrett for 61 yards.

A few plays later, Leinart would sneak the ball in on a play now known as "Bush Push."

USC would go on to lose in the BCS National Championship game that year, another thriller, to Texas.

Notre Dame would lose to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Texas vs Arkansas 1969: Game of the Century

This rivalry hit its apex in 1969. The teams had won or shared eight of the previous 10 SWC championships.  Each had won a National Championship in the 1960s. In 1968, Texas handed Arkansas the Hogs' only loss.

Texas came into the game ranked No. 1, while Arkansas was No. 2. A berth in the Cotton Bowl was on the line, as well as the No. 1 ranking. In attendance in Fayetteville, Ark. that week would be President Richard M. Nixon, just three short months after the President was in South Vietnam and secretly implemented a strategy of "Vietnamization."

Arkansas built a 14-0 lead through three quarters. Early in the fourth, Texas scored a touchdown, and interestingly, head coach Darrel K. Royal decided to go for two on this touchdown. It was good, and the Horns trailed 14-8.

Arkansas drove the length of the field, down to the Texas 7-yard line. The Hogs looked as if they were going to put the game away when QB Bill Montgomery threw an interception in the end-zone.

Facing a fourth-and-three with 4:47 left, Royal opted to go for it. He called a play that wasn't in the gameplan, Right 53 Veer Pass, and the gamble worked. QB James Street found TE Randy Paschel for a 44-yard gain, down to the Hogs' 13.

Two plays later, Jim Bertelsen rushed the ball in for a touchdown, and an extra point made it 15-14.

An Arkansas rebuttal was short-lived, as Montgomery was once again intercepted.

Texas went on to defeat Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, winning the National Championship.  Arkansas went on to lose to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

The game has since earned the nickname "Dixie's Last Stand," as this was the final American sporting event played between two all-White teams.

The game earned a 52.1 share from the Nielsen Ratings corporation, meaning that 52.1 percent of all televisions in the nation were watching this game. That's only eight percent less than the amount of TVs that watched The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Michigan State vs Notre Dame 1966: Game of the Century

Michigan State was No. 2 in the nation, led by All-World player Bubba Smith.  Notre Dame was No. 1 and looking for their first title since 1953.  The game would be remembered for its quality of play and lingering controversy.

Interestingly, these two teams were not even supposed to square off initially. MSU had scheduled only nine games, while ND was set to face Iowa in the final week of the season.  Iowa dropped out at the last second (during the off-season), and MSU and ND were able to schedule a game.

It was the first game in 20 years dubbed "game of the century," yet was not to be shown on live TV.  Back then, every team got one national TV appearance, and two regional appearances (it works slightly differently today).  Notre Dame had used their national appearance earlier in the season in a game against Purdue.  ABC had not wanted to show the game outside the region, but fans from the south and west wrote ABC, demanding the game be on.  ABC caved and put the game on, only in tape delay.

80,011 (which was 111 percent of the capacity of the stadium at the time) saw Bubba Smith knock out Notre Dame QB Terry Hanratty early in the first quarter. They then saw barefooted kicker Dick Kenney kick a field goal to give the Spartans a 10-7 halftime lead.

The game was tied at 10 when Notre Dame took over on their own 30-yard line with 70 seconds to play. Rather than attempt to move the ball into scoring position, head coach Ara Parseghian decided to run the ball and essentially accept a tie game. The tie preserved ND's No. 1 ranking.

Detractors of ND and/or Parseghian called him a coward. Sport's Illustrated's Dan Jenkins stated that Parseghian "tied one for the Gipper." Parseghian defended his strategy for the rest of his life.

Both teams finished 9-0-1, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the polls. Notre Dame did not go to bowl games back then, and therefore finished ranked No. 1 after they defeated USC the next week.  MSU was victim to a Big Ten rule that said teams could not go to the Rose Bowl two consecutive years. Therefore, MSU, despite being undefeated and ranked No. 2, did not go to a bowl!

Meanwhile, No. 3 Alabama was the defending champion, and finished 11-0-0, beating Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl.  Despite being the only undefeated, untied team in the nation, and despite being the defending champs, Alabama finished third in the polls.

All this makes the BCS sound ingenious, no?

Oklahoma vs Nebraska 1971: Game of the Century

Nebraska came in with the No. 1 ranking, having won 20 straight games. Oklahoma was undefeated, and ranked No. 2.

The Big 8 title was on the line, as well as the top spot in the nation. Oddly enough, the teams had already determined where they were going for bowl games; Nebraska to the Orange, and Oklahoma to the Sugar.

Fearful that his players would be victims of poisoning or tampering in the Norman area, Nebraska coach Bob Devaney had food flown in to Norman for his players during the week.

Twice the Sooners came back from double-digits. Down 14-3 in the first half, QB Jack Mildren connected for two touchdown passes, giving OU a 17-14 halftime lead. It was the first time all season that Nebraska trailed.

Once again Nebraska took an 11 point lead, but once again Mildren led the Sooners back.

Nebraska trailed 31-28 with 7:05 to play.  QB Jerry Tagge led the Huskers down the field, which was highlighted by a pass to Rodgers.  Nebraska scored with two minutes left to take the lead.  They wouldn't relinquish it.

Nebraska would easily defeat Alabama in the Orange Bowl, and as a result, win their second straight National Championship.  Oklahoma would defeat Auburn in the Sugar Bowl.  They finished No. 1 and No. 2 in the polls.

Johnny Rodgers would have to wait one more year to win his Heisman Trophy. The 1971 Heisman went to Auburn QB, Pat Sullivan.

Rodgers' touchdown (seen here) remains the iconic image of the game. It was the first points of the game.

There's also a full length video of the game on YouTube, if you're so inclined.

UCLA vs USC 1967: Game of the Century

It's fitting that in the week where we will see the latest "game of the century," that we re-visit four straight "games of the century" from the past. It's a friendly reminder that we shouldn't take this moniker too seriously, or that "century" means something different than what we all have been taught it means.

This one comes from 1967.  Top ranked UCLA "visited" No. 2 USC (they both played in the Coliseum at this point) near the end of the 1967 season.

The Athletic Association of Western Universities (now Pac-12) conference title was on the line. A berth in the Rose Bowl was on the line. The No. 1 ranking was on the line.

UCLA was led by Heisman-hopeful QB Gary Beban, while USC countered with their own Heisman-hopeful, O.J. Simpson.

Early in the fourth quarter, tied at 14, Beban found wide receiver Dave Nuttal. The ensuing extra point was blocked, giving UCLA a 20-14 lead.

Down six with around 10 minutes to go, USC faced a 3rd-and-7 from their own 36. A pass play was originally called, but QB Toby Page audibled to get Simpson the ball.  The result is the play seen here.

USC went on to 21-20. Beban would still win the Heisman trophy that year, with Simpson winning it the next year.

UCLA lost the next week to a Larry Csonka Syracuse team. As a result, UCLA did not go to any bowl.

USC beat Indiana in the Rose Bowl, and won the National Championship.