Game of the Century: The five greatest Games of the Century

Alabama-LSU will try to follow in these contests' path

No. 1 Notre Dame 10, No. 2 Michigan State 10 in 1966
As the legendary Dan Jenkins wrote in Sports Illustrated after the game, the Fighting Irish "tied one for the Gipper."

After tying the game at 10 early in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame had the ball on its own 30 with just over a minute remaining in regulation. Instead of trying to drive for a game-winning field goal, Irish coach Ara Parseghian opted to run the clock down and not risk a turnover that could've opened the door for the Spartans. Both undefeated teams left with a tie, and Notre Dame remained No. 1. Both teams finished the season 9-0-1 and remained Nos. 1 and 2.

The decision has been criticized for decades since. But Parseghian has said repeatedly he feels he did the right thing, as he did not want his team to make a valiant comeback from an early 10-0 deficit only to lose late.

No. 1 Texas 15, No. 2 Arkansas 14 in 1969
The game was originally scheduled for mid-October but was moved to Dec. 6 on ABC's request in order to be televised nationally as part of collegiate football's centennial celebration. When top-ranked Ohio State was stunned by Michigan the week before, the network lucked into a watershed moment not only in college football history but America's as well.

With Vietnam War protestors all around Razorback Stadium and President Richard Nixon in attendance, Texas trailed 14-0 in the fourth quarter before rallying for a 15-14 victory over Arkansas. After the game, Nixon awarded a plaque to Texas coach Darrell Royal, declaring the Longhorns the national champions — a designation they later legitimized by defeating Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl in the new year. Arkansas lost the Sugar Bowl to Ole Miss.

The game is often called "Dixie's Last Stand," as it was the last major American sporting event between two all-white teams.

No. 1 Nebraska 35, No. 2 Oklahoma 31 in 1971
If any game most deserves to be called its century's best, it is this one. The defending national champion, Nebraska brought the nation's top-ranked defense to Norman, Okla., to face the Sooners' nation-leading offense in a game that had 17 of the 22 eventual first team All-Big Eight honorees on the field.

The matchup took place on Thanksgiving and was broadcast on national television, and while both teams had already announced their bowl destinations, the conference title and a chance at No. 1 were at stake. Trailing 28-17 to begin the fourth quarter, Oklahoma scored two touchdowns for a 31-28 lead with about seven minutes left in the game. But the Cornhuskers came back, scoring a game-winning touchdown with 1:38 remaining in regulation.

Nebraska went on to repeat as national champion after defeating Alabama in the Orange Bowl, while Oklahoma won the Sugar Bowl.

No. 2 Miami 17, No. 1 Florida State 16 in 1991
Wide. Right.

Headed into its season finale against Florida, top-ranked Florida State, 10-0, faced No. 2 Miami needing a win to remain in the national championship race.

But for the fourth time in five seasons, the Hurricanes dashed those hopes.
FSU kicker Gerry Thomas missed what would have been a game-winning 34-yard field goal with 29 seconds left, pushing the kick to the right. It was the start of five separate instances over the next 12 seasons that would see the Seminoles lose to Miami on missed kicks.

After the win, Miami moved up to No. 1 and eventually won the national championship after defeating Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Florida State was again upset by Steve Spurrier's Gators the next week but recovered to knock off Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.

No. 1 Ohio State 42, No. 2 Michigan 39 in 2006
Perhaps the most hyped game in recent memory, both the Buckeyes and Wolverines were 11-0 overall and 7-0 in Big Ten play approaching their annual season-ending rivalry game.

Ohio State won at home in a sloppily played game, advancing to the BCS National Championship Game, where it fell to Florida 41-14. Some thought Michigan would earn a title game rematch with the Buckeyes, but the 12-1 Gators were elevated over the Wolverines after winning the SEC championship. Michigan went to the Rose Bowl, falling to Southern Cal 32-18.

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