College football in December and January has changed considerably over the last 20 years I’ve been watching, with New Year’s Day bowl games losing some steam and the addition and tweaking of the playoff system, shifting the landscape considerably. Whether it was in the early 2000s, or now, I love watching these bowl and playoff games. As I was handicapping the matchups for this week’s column, I was reflecting on some of the best games I can remember watching over the years, which of course led to this week’s Top 5 List. Here below, I outline the five best college football games I’ve ever seen. There could well have been better games played the last 23 years, but this list below are ones that I was able to sit down and watch as they happened.
I also have three plays on the other side of the Top 5. These follow a 1-1-1 ATS week last issue, as I lost on the Chargers, won with the Bengals and I ended up pushing the college game, although for most that tailed the play, I’m guessing you would have won. When I wrote it up, the line was West Virginia +4, but by the time the issue went live, a day and a half later, the number had hit +5, and then moved again to 5.5, and kept going, to 6 and even 6.5s were available. So with +5 being the line pretty much across the board when the issue was first out there, we’ll go with that and the push. That takes my season record to 26-11-2 ATS.
Have a great week everyone.
5. Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Oklahoma (2007)
A Boise State program, always chippy about not getting enough respect by the power conferences, just like this year, got a shot at a feature bowl, and feature program. Few gave the Broncos a chance. Boise State came out on fire, jumped to a 14-0 lead, then battled head-to-head, firing away with trick plays (Statue of Liberty and hook-and-ladder plays) to beat Oklahoma 43-42, going for a two-point conversion instead of playing for overtime. Huge upset and a thrill ride.
4. USC vs. Texas National Championship (2006)
Vince Young’s Longhorns versus Matt Leinart’s Trojans going round for round in the Rose Bowl. Everyone, it seemed, was talking about this matchup leading to kickoff, and tuned in for it. Young’s legendary fourth-quarter drive, capped by an 8-yard touchdown run with 19 seconds remaining, toppled USC’s 34-game winning streak and secured Texas a 41-38 victory. This was more than just a game, but an event that transcended into a moment in time where the hype delivered.
3. LSU vs. Clemson National Championship (2020)
This game didn’t feature the drama of what you might link to a “Best Game Ever”, but it did deliver one of the best performances of all time. Joe Burrow was flawless, leading the LSU Tigers to a 42-25 win over Clemson. It was a display of offensive brilliance that stands out to me today when I reflect on elevated performances. Burrow set a bunch of records, and displayed a mastery in the pocket unlike I can remember from any other college QB.
2. Clemson vs. Alabama – National Championship (2017)
The Clemson Tigers, led by Deshaun Watson, were down 24-14 in the third quarter to yet another absolutely dominant Alabama team, delivering a performance for the ages, in a game that felt like a heavyweight boxing match. Clemson started their comeback, turning this game into one in which every single down was wrapped in tension. Watson threw his final touchdown pass with one second remaining to complete the upset (defeating Alabama 35-31), ending Alabama’s championship reign.
1. Alabama vs. Georgia – National Championship (2018)
Oh the drama in Atlanta…and hello Tua. Down 13-0 at halftime, Alabama turned to freshman QB Tua Tagovailoa. It was electrifying. Fast forward to a 2nd and 26 in overtime, Tua launches a 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith, delivering a 26-23 victory that completed an incredible and improbable comeback to win the Natty.
Last Week: 1-1-1 ATS
Season Record: 26-11-2 ATS
Tulane vs. Florida
This matchup still looks a little weird to me, seeing Tulane matched up vs. the Gators. Traditionally, Tulane have never put themselves in a position to be playing one of the big college football brands in late December, but credit to their program as they changed that the past few years. The Green Wave did stumble down the stretch, and now head into bowl season without QB Mensah, who hit the transfer portal. If Florida shows up to play, and I can’t see why they wouldn’t, they should be able to close this one out in convincing fashion.
Play: I’m on the Gators -10.
Indiana vs. Notre Dame
This magical run for Indiana lands them in one of the highest profile matchups of this CFP first round bracket. Led by QB Rourke, the offense ranks right near the top nationally, and the defense is right there as well (#2 in total defense). This isn’t the type of success this program is used to, having spent most of the past 30 years as basically irrelevant. The opposite of Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish were stunned in a sloppy early season loss to NIU that could have torpedoed their season, but they brushed that off and went on an impressive run. An impressive run that I think continues here as it strikes midnight on the Hoosiers. Look for the Irish D to have a day.
Play: I’m on Notre Dame -6.5
NFL
Tennessee vs. Indianapolis
Do I trust Anthony Richardson? No. not really. Will I back him in this spot? Sort of. It’s more backing the Colts team as a whole unit in this spot, rather than putting my faith solely in Richardson. Last week they actually had the Broncos in a tough spot, on the road, before letting them off the hook. That Jonathan Taylor ball-drop before the end zone was crushing for them. The Titans, meanwhile, were a mess, and have now pivoted away from QB Levis. The Titans struggle on the road, and should run smack into a home team ready to fire off, erasing the bad taste in their mouth from that mess at Mile High. I like the matchups for the Colts and will back them. The lien is currently -3, -105…pay the extra and bring it down to 3.
Play: I’m on the Colts -3 (-120)