50 Most Thrilling College Football Bowl Games of All Time

We are less than a week away before the 2011 bowl season approaches and we all will be awaiting that next magical moment.

There have been hundreds of thrilling finishes in the history of college football, but only a select few deserve to make the cut. There are many great games to choose from, so feel free to give a shout out to a bowl game that you feel deserves to make the list if it was left out.

So, without further ado, here (in order) are my 50 most thrilling college football bowl games of all time.

2006 Cotton Bowl: Alabama 13, Texas Tech 10

Jamie Christensen's line-drive 45-yard field goal as time expired will forever live as one of the greatest moments in Alabama bowl history (non-title game at least).

The score may not seem like a great bowl game, but this defensive slugfest had a spectacular finish.

Brodie Croyles and DeMeco Ryans were named the offensive and defensive MVPs, but it was a questionable touchdown by Keith Brown right out of the gates that gave the Crimson Tide a quick 7-0 lead.

Many Tech fans claimed Brown's knee hit the turf (replay shows it did), but Alabama dominated a Red Raider offense that was as potent as any team in the nation that season—they averaged 39 points a game (Fourth in nation).

Note: Alabama vacated all nine wins that season due infractions, but it was also the game where Mike Shula famously fell off his chair during the post-game presser.

2005 Sugar Bowl: Auburn 16, Virginia Tech 13

The 2005 Auburn Tigers remain the only undefeated BCS team to be left out of the BCS National Championship, but it was not like they lacked the superstar players.

Carnell (Cadillac) Williams, Ronnie Brown, Marcus McNeil, Carlos Rogers, Jay Ratliff and Jason Campbell all starred on this unbeaten SEC juggernaut.

However, they were hoping for a beatdown in the Sugar Bowl so they would get a split national championship. The Hokies threw a late touchdown pass, which prevented any sort of blowout, but the Tigers were glad to take the three-point victory and an undefeated season in what turned out to be an entertaining, hard-hitting affair.

2004 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State 35, Kansas State 28

Coming off a national title, the Buckeyes were happy to be back in a BCS Bowl under Jim Tressel. However, they entered the Fiesta Bowl as an underdog against Kansas State Wildcats.

KSU was led by Darren Sproles and star quarterback Ell Roberson, but they were getting stomped right out of the gates by Craig Krenzel (Offensive MVP) and the Buckeyes. 

It was 21-7 early on, until the comeback once again started under Roberson (two rushing touchdowns). However, A.J. Hawk and the rest of the defense prevailed for Ohio State after a failed onside kick by Kansas State officially ended the comeback.

2010 Fiesta Bowl: Boise State 17, TCU 10

The Broncos were ranked sixth in the country and the Horned Frogs were ranked fourth. Both teams were undefeated and many blamed the BCS as to why they would match up two non-BCS teams together.

That did not stop the excitement and the closing drama we had in this one. Kellen Moore was a young pup as a sophomore and Andy Dalton was only a junior, so it was the defenses that dominated in this one.

A late touchdown by Doug Martin gave the Broncos the seven-point victory, but it was an early pick-six by Brandyn Thompson that proved to be the difference.

1999 Fiesta Bowl: Tennessee 23, Florida State 16

An early touchdown pass in the fourth quarter from Tee Martin to Peerless Price proved to be the difference in this national championship game.

It was the first ever BCS National Championship, but many questioned this game despite it being year one in the system.

Florida State had lost to Miami earlier in the season, but the 'Noles were chosen over the Hurricanes. Florida State was without its top two quarterbacks. which included their future Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke.

The loss was costly because Dwayne Goodrich took a pick-six to the house to give the Vols an early 14-0 lead.

They never looked back en route to their seven-point national championship victory.

1992 Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame 39, Florida 31

Shane Matthews stormed out to a 13-0 lead, but Lou Holtz's squad never gave up. Rick Mirer had one fine guy in the backfield named Jerome Bettis.

The "Bus" found paydirt three times, but it was the Gators who outgained the Irish 511-433. Matthews was a Heisman finalist, but could not help a Gators offense that turned it over twice.

Matthews did throw for 370 yards and 2 TDs, but the Irish ran for 279 yards compared to Florida's 141. 

2004 Sugar Bowl: LSU 21, Oklahoma 14

The Bayou Bengals had the chance to play in their own backyard for the BCS National Championship and they took advantage of their opportunity against the top ranked Oklahoma Sooners. 

The defense was stifling and it completely bottled up the Heisman Trophy winner Jason White. Justin Vincent was a freshman, but ended up winning the MVP by rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown.

The atmosphere was electric and it gave Nick Saban his first ever national championship, although it was a split with the USC Trojans.

1990 Sugar Bowl: Miami 33, Alabama 25

The Alabama Crimson Tide were undefeated going into their annual Iron Bowl against the Auburn Tigers, but they fell 30-20.

They were still invited to the Sugar Bowl to take on the second-ranked Miami Hurricanes, who had only one loss on the season (24-10 to FSU 10/28/89).

Miami came in as the slight favorites and they stormed out a 20-10 lead. However, just 40 seconds before halftime, the Tide scored on a touchdown to cut the deficit to three points.

Craig Erickson then threw two touchdown passes in the second half to put them ahead for good as they would go on to win the national championship in the process of defeating Alabama 33-25.

This was a de facto national championship with an electric atmosphere in the Louisiana Superdome. The Superdome is the home for SEC country and the Hurricanes were rewarded in this entertaining matchup.

Notre Dame had defeated previously top-ranked Colorado, which gave the Canes the top ranking and the national championship in the 1989 season.

1982 Cotton Bowl: Texas 14, Alabama 12

Robert Brewer got the Longhorns on the board after being dominated for most of the game. Alabama's defense had given some issues to Texas, but it was an interception at the goal line (1-yard line) by William Graham that had secured the victory for Fred Akers' squad.

Leading 14-10 after the interception, the Longhorns took a safety and hung on for the 14-12 victory.

2003 Fort Worth Bowl: Boise State 34, TCU 31

The Broncos were ranked No. 17 in the BCS and TCU was ranked No. 18 and the game was the first of eventually many matchups between the two programs.

The Fort Worth Bowl had never seen to legit ranked teams square off before, but Ryan Dinwiddie was the stud in this game throwing 325 yards and three touchdowns.

With the win, Boise State had won 24 of its last 25 games and they took the best shot that TCU gave them in essentially their own backyard.

The scoreboard was lit on fire that night, but Dan Hawkins was glad to just get out with a victory over fourth-year coach Gary Patterson.

1999 Rose Bowl: Wisconsin 38, UCLA 31

Ron Dayne was coming off winning the Heisman, but his Badgers were still playing the underdog role in the UCLA Bruins' home stadium.

UCLA was expected to play in the national championship but lost to the Miami Hurricanes. Instead, the Badgers gave them another grueling loss as Ron Dayne won the MVP by setting the modern-day record for rushing touchdowns in the prestigious bowl (4).

Southpaw Cade McNown went bonkers for the Bruins as the team totaled for 538 total yards. However, it couldn't match Dayne's four rushing touchdowns or a crucial pick-six in favor of the Badgers (Jamar Fletcher).

1986 Fiesta Bowl: Michigan 27, Nebraska 23

It was Bo's best season of his coaching career for the Michigan Wolverines as their four-point victory in the Fiesta Bowl allowed them to climb all the way up to second in the polls.

They came into their game against Tom Osborne and Nebraska ranked fifth and the Huskers were sixth (Coaches).

The Wolverines held a commanding 27-14 lead through three quarters, but Nebraska fought back on quarterback Steve Taylor's one-yard plunge.

Nebraska had one last chance in what was an exciting game, but they threw an interception in the end zone, putting a damper on their comeback.

2000 Fiesta Bowl: Nebraska 31, Tennessee 21

The Huskers dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for 321 yards on 56 attempts, but Eric Crouch was preparing for his Heisman run the following season.

The Volunteers cut the lead to 17-14 early in the third quarter, but the Huskers offense was unstoppable throughout the night. Donte Stallworth hauled in eight passes for 108 yards, which included two touchdowns.

Tennessee was fifth in the nation and some said they could give Nebraska a great game. Though it wasn't exactly a thriller, the Huskers took some punches and continued to find ways to win with a 60-yard punt return touchdown by Bobby Newcombe. 

2010 Rose Bowl: TCU 21, Wisconsin 19

It was the 97th Rose Bowl and the Badgers and Horned Frogs gave us a tremendous game. Wisconsin squandered a few opportunities that proved to be the difference.

Andy Dalton carved apart the Badger secondary just enough (219 yards, two total TDs) as Jeremy Kerley and Jimmy Young proved to be too quick for the Big Ten champions.

Wisconsin could not be stopped on the ground, rushing for 226 yards, but a missed field goal by Philip Welch in the first half was vital. 

Montee Ball scored a late touchdown, but Scott Tolzien's pass was knocked down by Tank Carder, which secured TCU and the on-AQ's their very first Rose Bowl.

2009 BCS NC: Florida 24, Oklahoma 14

Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators went on to win their second title in three seasons. Sam Bradford and the mighty Boomer Sooners record-setting offense was held to 363 yards.

Bradford and the Sooners had the ball inside the Gators 10-yard line three times in the first half and were held to seven points (turning it over on downs on top of a tipped interception).

The Gators put up 480 yards of their own, as Percy Harvin (ankle), Tim Tebow and the rest of the Gators combined to rush for 249 yards in their 24-14 national championship victory. 

Note: This was the season where the legacy of Tim Tebow grew, whether it was his pledge or his second half speech that lifted the Gators to their second BCS National Championship. 

2002 Sugar Bowl: LSU 47, Illinois 34

Nick Saban was just in second season, but had already led the Bayou Bengals to a BCS Bowl thanks to an explosive offense and a relentless, aggressive defense. 

Rohan Davey went off in the Louisiana Superdome, throwing for 444 yards and three TDs, but his star target was Josh Reed.

Reed was wide open all night as he hauled in 14 passes for a Sugar Bowl record 239 yards (two TDs). Michael Clayton also had a legit game, bringing in eight passes for 120 yards.

LSU led 34-7 at the half, but the Illini made it respectable in the second half by outscoring the Tigers by 14 points.

Kurt Kittner put together a solid game by throwing for 262 yards and four TDs, but the electric atmosphere made it a much better game than the halftime score. Combining for over 900 yards, this Sugar Bowl was a memorable one.

1988 Rose Bowl: Michigan State 20, USC 17

This was a rematch from a matchup earlier in the season which Sparty took care of on Labor Day Night by winning 27-13.

Wide receiver Andre Rison of Michigan State was known for his dazzling receptions, but it was linebacker Percy Snow who was the Rose Bowl MVP with his staggering 17 unassisted tackles.

Rodney Peete of USC battled back to give some hope for Fight On nation, but USC fell short after he fumbled a snap in the closing moments. The Spartans sat on the ball and came away with a fortunate three-point Rose Bowl victory.

2000 Orange Bowl: Michigan 35, Alabama 34 (OT)

Tom Brady came through when it mattered most, but this Orange Bowl classic went back and forth.

Alabama had what seemed to be a touchdown that would give us a second overtime, but they missed the extra point and lost by one measly point in a memorable (unless you're a Tide fan) Orange Bowl.

2006 Orange Bowl: Penn State 26, Florida State (3 OT)

Poor Florida State lost yet another game on a missed field goal. Penn State could have been playing in the BCS National Championship had it not been for a last-second loss to Michigan where Mario Manningham caught the game-winner from Chad Henne as time expired.

Instead, the Nittany Lions had to play in the state of Florida against the Seminoles, who were ranked just No. 22.

FSU had won the ACC by defeating Virginia Tech, thanks in large part to a darn good defense and an explosive special teams led by Willie Reid.

However, redshirt freshman Drew Weatherford took an ill-advised sack in the end zone for a safety earlier in the game or else the game would have never of given us a magical finish in triple overtime.

After being tied at 13 apiece in regulation, both teams shared a field goal and a touchdown in the first two overtimes. Then, Gary Cismesia missed a field goal and lastly Kevin Kelly drilled the game-winner after a back-and-forth, heart-throbbing affair.

1981 Holiday Bowl: Brigham Young 38, Washington State 36

The Cougars were up big after Tom Holmoe brought back a pick-six from 36 yards to give BYU a commanding 31-7 lead.

However, Washington State fought back to cut it within 38-36. However, Jim McMahon and Kyle Wittingham's offensive and defensive performances were too much for Wazzu to overcome.

They attempted a late onside kick, but it was recovered by BYU and they escaped with the two-point victory despite allowing 29 second-half points.

1983 Sugar Bowl: Penn State 27, Georgia 23

Despite Hershel Walker winning the Heisman, it was not nearly enough to dethrone the Penn State Nittany Lions.

After suffering a devastating loss to Alabama (1979) in which they were stuck at the goal line, Joe Paterno won his very first national championship behind the golden arm of Davey O'Brien winner Todd Blackledge.

1987 Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 14, Miami 10

Despite winning the Heisman, Vinny Testaverde had a tough time against the Penn State defense, throwing four interceptions. Nittany Lions running back D.J. Dozier scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.

However, Miami had a chance under a minute to go, as they were all the way down to the Nittany Lion 13-yard line. It came down to a fourth down with 18 seconds to go. On the final Miami offensive play of the game, Testaverde threw a pick at the goal line, and Joe Paterno had won his second national championship.

2011 Sugar Bowl: Ohio State 31, Arkansas 26

This Sugar Bowl victory for the Buckeyes was forfeited due to the Ohio State scandal with many players receiving improper benefits, but that shouldn't take the away what occurred on the field.

Terrelle Pryor played a solid game for Ohio State, but the Razorbacks battled back from a 28-7 halftime deficit and they had the game wrapped up in a bow late in the fourth quarter.

Ryan Mallett caught fire in the second half and the defense had forced a Daniel Herron fumble and blocked a punt with a minute to go, which led to what many believed was a magical comeback.

Arkansas had the ball inside the Buckeyes' 20, but Mallett never saw Solomon Thomas drop back in coverage, as he plucked the ill-advised pass to secure the exhilarating victory. 

1985 Rose Bowl: USC 20, Ohio State 17

The Trojans were not even ranked in the top 10 and they had to battle a fierce and talented top-five squad in the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Trojans had a fairly commanding 17-6 lead at halftime, but defensive MVP Jack Del Rio was helped out by three interceptions thrown by Mike Tomczak.

USC quarterback Tim Green won the offensive MVP and his two passing touchdowns were just enough as the Trojans hung on and squeaked out a three-point win.

2006 Sugar Bowl: West Virginia 38, Georgia 35

Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers pulled off the upset in the Atlanta Georgia Dome over the SEC champion Georgia Bulldogs. 

It was a game filled with a boatload of yards, touchdowns and entertainment.

After rushing for nearly 400 yards, the Mountaineers were eventually forced to punt back to the Bulldogs at the end of the game.

Rich Rod pulled off a gutsy call by faking the punt. Phil Brady needed five yards from midfield, but he ended up getting 10 to secure the shocking victory.

1988 Fiesta Bowl: Florida State 31, Nebraska 28

All-American corrner/punt returner Deion Sanders was the popular name from the Florida State squad, but it was starting quarterback Danny McManus who threw for a Fiesta Bowl record 385 yards on 51 attempts.

Nebraska actually had the lead and command of the game as they led 14-0, but FSU's offense picked it up in the second half.

Trailing 28-24 in the fourth quarter, Florida State was faced with a 4th-and-goal situation at the 15-yard line. McManus found Danny Lewis in the end zone with just 3:07 remaining.

Nebraska had a few chances and had 58-yard touchdown pass to Morgan Gregory called back, which eventually ended all hopes for a Huskers victory.

1991 Sugar Bowl: Tennessee 23, Virginia 22

Despite trailing 19-10 late in the fourth quarter, Volunteers quarterback Andy Kelly carried the team to the finish line.

After getting dominated for nearly the entire game at the line of scrimmage, Kelly went 14-of-18 for 143 yards and a touchdown as Tennessee pulled off the comeback, 23-22.

Tennessee did it by scoring 20 points in the final quarter, which at the time was a Sugar Bowl record.

2000 Sugar Bowl: Florida State 46, Virginia Tech 29

The score may seem like the game was not that great, but it was one of the greatest in BCS history thanks to superstars such as Michael Vick, Peter Warrick and 2000 Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke.

Peter Warrick put on a show when it mattered most and he ran circles around the Hokies secondary thanks to Chris Weinke, who seemed to put the ball on the money all night long.

Virginia Tech led 29-28 going into the fourth quarter, but that was where Weinke found Warrick for the second time that night (Warrick also had a PR TD, so make it three TDs).

Michael Vick played exceptionally as he totaled over 300 yards and two TDs (one rushing). The Hokies outrushed FSU 278-30, but the 'Noles were able to torch them for 329 yards through the air.

The atmosphere was electric as Bobby Bowden won his second and final national championship.

1995 Orange Bowl: Nebraska 24, Miami 17

Tom Osborne won his first national championship in Lincoln, but it was not an easy victory against the talented Miami Hurricanes.

Cory Schlesinger scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and boy were they crucial. The Huskers were struggling to muster much of an offense after they were down 17-9 through three quarters.

Tommie Frazier helped lead this offense to a national championship, but it was the defense that shut out the Canes in the fourth quarter.

Miami's quarterback Frank Costa was swarmed by Dwayne Harris for a safety in the third quarter which arguably completely turned the game around. The "blackshirts" defense lifted Tom Osborne to his first national championship, though he would eventually end up with three before the legend retired.

1981 Sugar Bowl: Georgia 17, Notre Dame 10

Herschel Walker was just a freshman, but he had his Bulldogs one victory away from a national championship against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Some had pegged the Irish as clear-cut favorites, though it was Georgia that was ranked atop all the polls and they were playing in SEC country.

Walker had dislocated his shoulder earlier in the game, but popped it back in place and was later named Sugar Bowl MVP with his valiant two touchdown effort.

However, the Irish were stifling on defense in the second half and gave their offense a few chances to tie the game up.

When push came to shove, the Dawgs defense rose to the occasion as it was Scott Woerner who had the key interception. The pick sealed the thrilling Sugar Bowl and national championship victory for Vince Dooley and Georgia.

2008 Capital One Bowl: Michigan 41, Florida 35

Had this game been played later in January, I would bank on this being higher in my rankings. This was like watching a video game on a plasma screen television because both offenses went back-and-forth at each other.

Michigan was getting smashed in the media because they couldn't hang with speedsters from the SEC and for one day the Gators and the SEC were taken to the woodshed.

Chad Henne absolutely went insane, throwing for 373 yards and three TDs. Mike Hart ran for 129 yards and two TDs. Adrian Arrington made a few ridiculous catches that helped give the Wolverines the victory.

Michigan combined for 524 yards offense as the Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow led the Gators to 399 total yards of offense.

Despite four turnovers, Lloyd Carr ended his career at Michigan with a shocking upset over the heavily favored Gators in what is one of the most explosive, entertaining non-BCS bowls of all-time.

1993 Rose Bowl: Michigan 38, Washington 31

This ended up being one of the most entertaining Rose Bowls of all time as there were six lead changes between Michigan and Washington.

After a missed field goal late in the third quarter, Washington coughed it up on the next play. Talk about an all-time momentum switch, because Tyrone Wheatley scored on the very next play from 24 yards out.

Wheatley was the Rose Bowl MVP, toting the rock 15 times for 235 yards and two touchdowns. The thrilling victory gave the Wolverines a top-five finish, but Mark Brunell and the Huskies gave everything in what is still remembered as one of the best bowl games.

1980 Rose Bowl: USC 17, Ohio State 16

Charles White was coming off his Heisman Trophy victory, but he wanted his Trojans to find a way to knock off the top ranked Buckeyes (AP Poll).

White and USC were trailing towards the end of regulation, but they capped off a game-winning drive which resulted in a one-yard plunge by White. The victory gave John Robinson and the Trojans the No. 2 ranking in the final poll behind only Alabama.

Note: White had 39 carries for 247 yards

2009 Fiesta Bowl: Texas 24, Ohio State 21

Colt McCoy was a junior and many thought he deserved the Heisman that season. He led an amazing drive which resulted in the game-winning touchdown to Quan Cosby with just 16 seconds left.

Both teams were ranked in the top 10 and the Longhorns needed a dominating victory to claim any chance of having a split national championship, since they beat Oklahoma, who was playing Florida.

However, it was Ohio State that outplayed Texas for the entire game previous to that final drive, but it just goes to show you how vital it is to close out games or else your worst nightmare can come true.

2005 Capital One Bowl: Iowa 30, LSU 25

The Hawkeyes came in as slight underdogs, but they were ahead 24-12 early in the fourth quarter before JaMarcus Russell came in in relief of Marcus Randall.

Russell threw threw a pair of touchdown passes to Skyler Green to give the Bayou Bengals the one-point lead with just 46 ticks left.

It came down to one final play and the Hawkeyes were out of field-goal range. Drew Tate let it rip Hail Mary style and found a wide open Warren Holloway for the 56-yard game-winning touchdown as the Hawkeyes pulled off the miracle ending.

1987 Rose Bowl: Arizona State 22, Michigan 15

Bo's Michigan Wolverines were ranked fourth in the country, but they were no match for Arizona State's quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst.

He was the Rose Bowl MVP thanks to his two passing touchdowns, though Michigan signal-caller Jim Harbaugh played valiant in the losing effort.

The Sun Devils rose to the occasion and shut out the Wolverines for the entire second half when everything was on the line. After the loss, Bo Schembechler would coach for just three more seasons, though he returned to the Rose Bowl two more times (1-1).

1997 Rose Bowl: Ohio State 20, Arizona State 17

Jake "The Snake" Plummer and the Sun Devils were ranked No. 2 in all three polls (Bowl Alliance, AP, Coaches), but they could not bury the Buckeyes when they had the chance.

Arizona State had an early drive turn into just three points in third quarter and those four points left off the board ended up proving the difference.

The blown coverage with 17 seconds to go by redshirt freshman Courtney Jackson left freshman David Boston wide open for the game-winning touchdown.

It was just your typical Rose Bowl thriller, but the loss by the Sun Devils enabled third-ranked Florida to capture the national championship after they dismantled the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl.

1965 Orange Bowl: Texas 21, Alabama 17

The Crimson Tide won the national title in 1965 in the AP Poll despite losing to Texas because they did not decide to use the final poll rankings until after the bowl games until 1968.

However, that did not take anything away from the amazing game in which Alabama quarterback Joe Namath was stopped short at the goal line as Texas hung on to the thrilling four-point victory.

Namath did throw for 255 and two TDs despite coming off the bench from a knee injury and was named the MVP despite losing to Darrell Royal's fine squad.

2001 GMAC Bowl: Marshall 64, ECU 61 (2 OT)

Maybe this game was irrelevant on the national scene (that is why it doesn't crack my top 10), but the excitement and shock was one of the best we had ever seen.

Byron Leftwich and the Marshall Thundering Herd trailed by 30 points in the first half, but for some reason I had doubted the ECU Pirates defense could avoid a meltdown. David Garrard was spinning it for the Pirates as both teams combined for 1,141 yards and 125 points.

However, Leftwich battled back as the game shockingly went into overtime.

In the second overtime, Leftwich threw the game-winning touchdown which officially made the comeback complete and more importantly ended one of the greatest bowl games that many never watched live.

1963 Rose Bowl: USC 42, Wisconsin 37

Recalled by many as one of the "greatest bowl games of all time," this game was played in Pasadena, where the Trojans jumped out to 42-14 fourth quarter lead.

Badgers signal caller Ron Vander Kelen put together 23 unanswered points, though his rally fell just short, 42-37.

Along with USC quarterback Pete Beathard, the two were named co-MVPs in the Rose Bowl. With the victory for USC, they were declared national champions.

2005 Rose Bowl: Texas 38, Michigan 37

Vince Young and Braylon Edwards see-sawed back-and-forth to amaze us. Young contributed five TDs and nearly 400 yards of total offense.

Edwards hauled in 10 passes for 109 yards and three TDs, but it was an inability to run against a Longhorns defense and inability to turn their three field goals into touchdowns that cost them the victory.

The pace was perfect to watch on the national stage and it seemed that the Wolverines had the game in the bag when Garrett Rivas hit the go-ahead field-goal with just three minutes to go.

However, Young marched the Longhorns right back down into field-goal range for Dusty Magnum to boot home the game-winning 37-yarder, 38-37.

It proved to be one hell of a Rose Bowl as it was exactly one year later where Vince Young and the young Longhorns performed in the exact same stadium against a USC Trojans squad that was chasing history.

1973 Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame 24, Alabama 23

This national championship had six lead changes, but no play was bigger or gutsier than the final drive of the Irish.

Ara Parseghian allowed his quarterback Tom Clements to throw out of his own end zone, which was completed all the way out near the 35-yard line to Robin Weber.

If the pass was not completed, it would have given the Tide great field position and more than likely the national championship.

Instead, the pass was completed and the Golden Domers were able to run out the clock as they were on their way to yet another national championship.

1994 Orange Bowl: Florida State 18, Nebraska 16

This game was beyond epic, as Florida State was ranked atop the polls in the Associated Press and Nebraska was ranked first in the Coaches Poll.

This Orange Bowl and national championship classic will forever go down as one of the greatest games in the history of the sport. Charlie Ward, Tommy Frazier, Bobby Bowden and Tom Osborne made the game a true battle of legends.

It was a bit of good karma for Florida State after having two missed field goals decide their national title aspirations the previous few seasons. This time around, it was Scott Bentley's 21-yarder that was the game-winner, with Nebraska's Byron Bennett missing one from 45 yards out as time expired.

Note: Florida State proclaimed its first ever national championship finishing first in both polls, though No. 2 ranked Notre Dame had beat them earlier in the season. The Irish, of course, played in the Cotton Bowl and defeated Texas A&M 24-21.

1979 Sugar Bowl: Alabama 14, Penn State 7

Joe Paterno and Paul "Bear" Bryant in Louisiana for the Sugar Bowl, as well as for the national championship, was quite the game.

Penn State had won 19 games in a row and had a chance to either tie or perhaps win the ball game. However, one of the greatest goal-line stands in the closing moments decided the outcome.

Alabama had won a share of the national championship with their tremendous 14-7 win, whereas Penn State dropped to fourth in both the AP and UPI Polls. USC was voted No. 1 in the UPI Poll ahead of Penn State, who was ranked ahead of the Trojans in the final AP Poll.

1979 Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame 35, Houston 34

It was known as the Chicken Soup Game. Joe Montana pulled off another comeback. His Notre Dame Fighting Irish were trailing big to the Houston Cougars.

Trailing 34-12, the one with the golden arm was back in the locker room wrapped in blankets and having some chicken soup.

However, he came back out for the fourth quarter and put the team on his back. It was Montana’s game-tying touchdown pass to receiver Kris Haines that set the nation on fire.

Notre Dame had originally made the extra point and won the game, but they did have to re-kick after a five-yard penalty (false start).

The comeback is historic still to this day and the bowl game ranks high on the list for the greatest ever to be played.

1980 Holiday Bowl: Brigham Young 46, SMU 45

After losing the past two Holiday Bowls, there was even more motivation for the Cougars to pull off a victory over a talented Mustangs squad.

There was less than three minutes remaining in the entire game and BYU had trailed 45-25 as they were dominated on the ground. Craig James ran for 225 yards with three TDs and Eric Dickerson was just decent, rushing for 110 yards and two TDs.

Jim McMahon then threw a quick touchdown to Matt Braga with 2:35 left. After recovering the onside kick, McMahon led another improbable drive as Scott Phillips found paydirt to cut the lead down to 45-37.

BYU converted the two-point conversion to Phillips to cut the lead to just six points with 1:58 left on the clock. After failing to recover the onside kick, it seemed that the game was over.

However, BYU forced a punt and they blocked it, which all of a sudden gave the Cougars a puncher's chance to heave it up for some sort of miracle.

Well, the miracle was answered as McMahon connected on a third attempted pass to Clay Brown as he was surrounded by four different Mustang defenders.

They tacked on the extra point and pulled off the comeback, 46-45, in arguably the most dramatic finish to any bowl game in the history of the sport.

Note: McMahon threw for 446 yards and four TDs.

1984 Orange Bowl: Miami 31, Nebraska 30

Tom Osborne and the Huskers attempted to go for the win on a two-point conversion against the Howard Schnellenberger-led Hurricanes.

Remember, there were no overtimes and Nebraska did not want to put their season in the hands of the voters. So they refused to tie and instead went for the win.

Miami's Kenny Calhoun batted down the attempted pass from signal-caller Turner Gill to running back Jeff Smith. The underdog Hurricanes prevailed with a 31-30 upset victory over the then-top-ranked 'Huskers.

It remains as one of the greatest finishes in college football history and will forever rank among the most thrilling bowl games ever.

2007 Fiesta Bowl: Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42 (1 OT)

This was a finish for the ages in what has been arguably the craziest and most thrilling finish in college football history.

Although it was not a BCS National Championship, this was an all-time gutsy call on Chris Petersen's part.

To go for two in a game where nobody would have the guts to even ponder the thought is beyond crazy. Any coach would play for a second overtime and hence live to play another down.

Plus, remember that you are forced to go for a two-point conversion in the third overtime.

So, for the Broncos to be able to pull off the miracle play and upset the Sooners on the Statue of Liberty will, at the moment, remain as the gutsiest call in college football history and arguably the greatest bowl game of all time.

2003 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State 31, Miami 24 (2 OT)

This "Game of the Century" is referred by many as the greatest bowl game and national championship of all time as it was a double-overtime thriller.

Miami was favored by 11.5 points and appeared as if they were by far the better team on paper. The Buckeyes defense stifled Ken Dorsey, and had Willis McGahee never gotten injured, we could have had a different outcome. 

Give kudos to the Buckeyes, whose defense limited the extremely potent Hurricanes offense: Andre Johnson, Kellen Winslow, Willis McGahee, Sean Taylor, Ed Reed—the list of superstars was endless. If the game would have been played 100 more times, who knows if Ohio State would have won many, if any.

The talent the Hurricanes had on the field may go down as the greatest and most talented team to never win a BCS National Championship. However, this game will certainly forever remain as arguably the greatest bowl game of all time.

2006 Rose Bowl: Texas 41, USC 38

For the rest of eternity, this game may stand as not only the greatest BCS Championship of all time (Canes-Buckeyes is close), but perhaps the best bowl game to ever be played regardless of the era.

On a crucial 4th-and-5, the Trojans defense needed to make just one more play to secure their three-peat into college football's immortality (They led 38-33).

Instead, Vince Young escaped from very little pressure, and he cruised to paydirt from eight yards out to secure the 41-38 thriller.

The two teams combined for over 1,000 yards, with Young rushing for 200 (three TDs) and passing for 267. 

Matt Leinart was not too shabby, throwing for 365 yards and a touchdown on top of one key interception.

The Heisman winner was Reggie Bush (gave trophy back but had 177 total yards and one TD), and he will forever be remembered by being left on the sidelines (and his bonehead lateral) for a crucial 4th-and-2 on the Longhorns 45.

USC figured if they picked up the first down that the game would be over.

LenDale White was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, and Young took things over from there. Texas went on to win in what in my eyes is without a shadow of a doubt the most exciting and thrilling games in all of college football history.

Note: This was also broadcast legend Keith Jackson's final game which only adds to the memories of this all-time thriller. Whoa, Nellie.