When Fox Sports’ lead analyst Joel Klatt sat down to rank the most memorable college football contests of the past two decades, he didn’t just tally wins and scores. He searched for games that captured the imagination of fans, sparked debate and left an indelible mark on the sport’s narrative.
The Bush Push – a controversy that still reverberates
The 2005 showdown between USC and Notre Dame, famously dubbed the Bush Push, turned a routine drive into a flashpoint when illegal assistance was alleged, igniting a debate that still echoes in college‑football lore.
Kick 6 – the kickoff that turned a rivalry upside down
A decade later, the 2013 Iron Bowl delivered a finish that seemed ripped from a Hollywood script: Chris Davis returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a game‑winning touchdown, flipping the outcome of Alabama’s clash with Auburn and cementing the play as one of the most dramatic moments in college‑football history.
A shoot‑out for the ages
The 2016 encounter between Oklahoma and Texas Tech featured a passing duel between Baker Mayfield and a young Patrick Mahomes, producing a staggering 1,791 combined yards and setting an NCAA record that still stands as a benchmark for offensive explosiveness.
The Michael Crabtree miracle
In 2008, a sideline catch by Michael Crabtree in the Texas Tech versus Texas game swung momentum dramatically, delivering a winning score that highlighted the razor‑thin margins that decide top‑tier contests.
The Game of the Century revisited
The 2005 BCS National Championship between Texas and USC is still celebrated as the Game of the Century. Vince Young’s late‑game heroics forced a dramatic comeback, while the broadcast marked ABC legend Keith Jackson’s final play‑by‑play appearance, adding a poignant footnote to a historic night.
What makes Klatt’s list stand out is not just the caliber of play but the context surrounding each contest. Only one of the five games was a postseason affair, and the most recent of the selections is now a decade old, reminding fans that the sport’s most iconic moments often belong to a bygone era.