When Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt unveiled his personal ranking of the five greatest college football games played since the turn of the millennium, he didn’t just list scores; he highlighted moments that still spark debate in dorm rooms and sports bars across the country.
Topping the list is the 2005 showdown between USC and Notre Dame, famously dubbed the ‘Bush Push’ after running back Reggie Bush’s controversial touchdown that seemed to defy the laws of physics. The 34‑31 finish not only swung the momentum of the season but also cemented the game as a cultural touchstone, with the phrase ‘Bush Push’ entering the lexicon of college‑football lore.
Not far behind is the 2013 Iron Bowl clash between Alabama and Auburn, a game that will forever be remembered for Chris Davis’s 109‑yard return of a missed field goal for a touchdown. Auburn’s 34‑28 victory not only denied the Crimson Tide a perfect season but also delivered one of the most electrifying finishes in rivalry history.
The 2005 BCS National Championship, pitting Texas against USC, rounds out the top three. In a contest that many still call an instant classic, Texas quarterback Vince Young delivered two decisive touchdowns in the final six minutes, steering his team to a 41‑38 triumph that underscored the unpredictable drama of the postseason.
The Legacy of Those Games
The list also shines a light on more recent, high‑octane affairs such as the 2016 duel between Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes, where the two quarterbacks combined for over 1,300 passing yards and a staggering 66‑59 final score.
Another memorable moment comes from the 2008 Michael Crabtree catch, a sideline grab that secured a 39‑33 win for Texas Tech over Texas and epitomized the clutch performances that define the sport.
Klatt’s countdown reveals a pattern: only one postseason game makes the cut, and the most recent entry is now a decade old, underscoring how the early 2000s produced a disproportionate share of the sport’s most iconic narratives.
Beyond the scores, each of these contests reflects broader themes — rivalry, redemption, and the sheer unpredictability that keeps fans returning each fall. As the sport evolves, the memories forged in those stadiums remain benchmarks for what a great game can be.