10. Oregon 52, Stanford 31, October 2
The Cardinal jumped out to a huge lead behind Andrew Luck but got run over by one of Oregon's patented second half deluges. The game changed on one of the best coaching calls and plays of the year, the Oregon onside kick after scoring a touchdown to get within 21-10. The onside kick allowed Oregon's defense that had been getting gashed to get more rest and the team to get within 21-17 and later head to halftime in range of the Cardinal with only a 31-24 deficit.
9. Auburn 27, Clemson 24 (OT), September 18
At the time, nobody thought we were watching a future national title game participant. What we saw that night was an Auburn offense that was growing and the hardest-hitting game of the entire season between two teams that normally aren't associated with that type of physical game. The hitting was intense that both teams had players carted off the field because of the impacts and numerous others injured. Auburn staged a furious 3rd quarter rally to overcome a 17-3 halftime deficit and Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker was never the same the entire season after a huge hit to hit back in the middle of the 3rd quarter.
8. Oklahoma 23, Nebraska 20, Big 12 Championship, December 4
A fun game between two old rivals to close out the Big 12 at we know it. Nebraska jumped all over the Sooners early despite no real offensive production. Oklahoma responded and the game became a battle between the front runner with no ability to pull away and the chaser trying to catch up. The Sooners caught up with plenty of time left and then took the lead. After they took the lead, the roles reversed, but Nebraska never caught up despite its best attempts in part because of the injury to Taylor Martinez that took his mobility away and in part because of Martinez's inexperience that allowed Oklahoma's middling defense to turn the pressure up and stall the Cornhusker attack.
7. Arkansas 38, Mississippi St. 31 (2OT), November 20
The Bulldogs were coming off of a blowout defeat at Alabama and the tragic death of defensive lineman Nick Bell. This was the final home game of the season and the first at home since his death. It also seemed completely meaningless at the time. Arkansas was still ranked in the teens with no real shot at the BCS (or so we thought) and Mississippi St. was playing only for bowl position. What ensued was a great game that changed in overtime with a fumble by Mississippi St. through the end zone after kicking the tying field goal with no time left. Arkansas scored in the second overtime to get the win.
6. Michigan 67, Illinois 65 (3OT), November 6
Defense optional. There is one of these games somewhere in the country every year and it was evident early on that Michigan was going to be involved whenever it happened. This game had everything. Blown coverages. Turnovers. Huge plays in the passing game. Overtime. An odd tipped pass thrown by the backup quarterback for a touchdown to keep his team in the game. Finally, a defensive play made at the very end to seal the victory. Would be higher except for the quality of play on defense was so much lower. There were many times where it wasn't great offense but awful defense.
5. Wisconsin 31, Iowa 30, October 23
This game was before Iowa collapsed and at the time, home teams had been dominating in high profile games. The Badgers went to Iowa City and used a huge fake punt call and a clock killing drive at the end to put Iowa away after playing a tight close game all the way through.
4. LSU 24, Alabama 21, November 6
At the time, it appeared Alabama was in position to win out and cruise to the national championship game despite the earlier loss to South Carolina. Not so fast my friend to quote Lee Corso. For some reason, LSU was an overwhelming home underdog despite being ranked in the top ten and only having one loss on the road to Auburn. The Tigers defense stood on its head all game long and the offense roared to life for the only time all season in the second half as Jordan Jefferson and passing game finally did something and a patented Les Miles trick play on the TE End Around got LSU the winning points.
3. Boise St. 33, Virginia Tech 30, September 6
Many may have forgotten how good this game was in the wake of the Boise St. debate and later loss to Nevada and the Virginia Tech loss to James Madison the next week. At the time, it looked like two heavyweights slugging it out the very end, especially during the 2nd half when Virginia Tech rallied to take the lead after getting smoked early in the game and having the trademark special teams and defense get abused early. Ultimately, Kellen Moore made the big plays needed to get the win for the Broncos.
2. Auburn 28, Alabama 27, November 26
When this game ended, who would've thunk that not only would it be topped for the number one spot, but that it would be topped later that day. Despite that, the Auburn comeback will go down as a comeback for the ages after the Tigers were obliterated in the 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter, Auburn awakened, but didn't really seem to be back in the game despite outscoring Alabama 7-3 in the quarter (it should have be 21-7 the other way but for Alabama mistakes). Then came the 2nd half rally, again. Just as Auburn did in the Clemson game, they exploded in the 3rd quarter with an early big play and used the momentum to ride to victory behind a great offensive performance and a defense that played very well after getting roasted in the 1st half.
1. Nevada 34, Boise St. 31 (OT), November 26
In the first half of this game, Boise St. dominated. Then everything fell apart. Boise St. wilted in the face of the Nevada running game and gave up a huge comeback only to stem the tide with a long touchdown by Doug Martin and then a long pass at the very end. Then the kicker missed. Twice. No matter the result of the kicks, this was the most competitive, best game played all season.
No comments:
Post a Comment