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25 best bowl games of the last 25 years
NCAA Photos-Getty Images

25 best bowl games of the last 25 years

Bowl season is upon us yet again, which brings to mind the pageantry and history these games bring to college football. Whether it is the majestic setting of the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day or the sheer size of the Louisiana Superdome for the Sugar Bowl, each bowl offers its own style for players and fans to enjoy. Oh, and the games can be great as well. 

Some of the best moments in college football history have come in these battles, whether they are for national championships or just for the thrill of winning the final game of their collegiate careers. 

Over the last 25 years, there have been some great bowl games and great bowl moments. Whether it is a controversial call in a BCS Championship Game or a high-scoring shootout that ends in the final moments, bowl games just grab us like no other sporting events do. 

To celebrate bowl season, let's look back at 25 bowl games from the last 25 years that have left us in awe.

 
1 of 25

1993 Rose Bowl - Michigan vs. Washington

1993 Rose Bowl - Michigan vs. Washington
Mike Powell-Getty Images

The Huskies were looking for their third straight Rose Bowl title while Michigan was looking to avenge its defeat to Washington in the previous year's game. The game went back and forth as Mark Brunell's passing and Tyrone Wheatley's running (235 yards) set the tone. But it was Elvis Grbac's touchdown pass to Tony McGee in the fourth quarter that sealed the 38-31 win for the Wolverines. 

 
2 of 25

1994 Sun Bowl - Texas vs. North Carolina

1994 Sun Bowl - Texas vs. North Carolina
Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

The Longhorns and Tar Heels exchanged blows all game and set up an epic fourth quarter. Carolina's Marcus Wall returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown, and Octavus Barnes caught a 50-yard score to give the Heels a 31-21 lead. That's when Priest Holmes took over. Holmes scored two of his four touchdowns in the final six minutes to give the Horns the 35-31 win. Four years later, North Carolina head coach Mack Brown would leave to take the Texas job.

 
3 of 25

1994 Orange Bowl - Florida State vs. Nebraska

1994 Orange Bowl - Florida State vs. Nebraska
Rick Stewart-Getty Images

Florida State was a 17-point favorite over the unbeaten Cornhuskers and had Heisman winner Charlie Ward. Nebraska was game, though, holding the Seminoles to Scott Bentley field goals instead of giving up touchdowns. Florida State trailed late until Bentley's 22-yard field goal with 21 seconds left put the Noles on top. After a chaotic scene where the teams and fans thought time ran out on the Huskers (one second was placed back on the clock), Nebraska would miss what would have been the championship-winning field goal wide left. Bobby Bowden won his first title while Nebraska would go on to win the next two National Championships.

 
4 of 25

1997 Rose Bowl - Ohio State vs. Arizona State

1997 Rose Bowl - Ohio State vs. Arizona State
Jed Jacobsohn-Getty Images

Remember the Bowl Alliance? Well, the chaos of it was on display after the 1996 season. No. 2 Arizona State faced No. 4  Ohio State in a Rose Bowl that featured two tough defenses (the Sun Devils were led by Pat Tillman; the Buckeyes had Mike Vrabel, Shawn Springs and Antoine Winfield). Late in the game, ASU quarterback Jake Plummer scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown run to give the Sun Devils a 17-14 lead with over a minute remaining. Buckeyes quarterback Joe Germaine got the benefit of a couple of pass interference calls and hit David Boston for a 5-yard TD pass to win the game, 20-17. 

 
5 of 25

1998 Alamo Bowl - Purdue vs. Kansas State

1998 Alamo Bowl - Purdue vs. Kansas State
Stephen Dunn-Getty Images

K-State was smarting from a Big 12 Championship Game loss to Texas A&M that gave the Wildcats their lone defeat and knocked them out of a shot at a National Championship. Needless to say, they were huge favorites over the 8-4 Boilermakers and their young quarterback Drew Brees. Brees, though, looked good by tossing for 230 yards and out-dueling Heisman runner-up Michael Bishop. Down 34-30 late, Brees tossed a 24-yard TD pass with 30 seconds remaining, and Purdue pulled off the huge upset.   . 

 
6 of 25

2000 Orange Bowl - Michigan vs. Alabama

2000 Orange Bowl - Michigan vs. Alabama
Eliot J. Schechter-Getty Images

Two of the most historic programs faced off in the Orange Bowl with what turned out to be one of the best quarterbacks of all time notching the win. Alabama went up 14-0 early on the Wolverines after two Shaun Alexander TD runs. Tom Brady led Michigan back with two touchdown passes to tie the game. The two would trade scores in a high-scoring third quarter to tie the game at 28. After a scoreless fourth quarter, both teams would score in the first overtime game in BCS bowl history. After a Brady TD pass gave the Wolverines a 35-28 lead, the Tide scored. However, Bama kicker Ryan Pflugner missed the PAT, and Michigan escaped with the one-point win. 

 
7 of 25

2000 Sugar Bowl - Florida State vs. Virginia Tech

2000 Sugar Bowl - Florida State vs. Virginia Tech
Brian Bahr-Getty Images

You may look back and see the Seminoles' 46-29 victory over the surprising Hokies as an unlikely choice to make this list, but anyone who watched that game certainly remembers it. Peter Warrick and Florida State ran out to a 28-7 lead, and it looked as if the 'Noles were ready for their championship coronation. However, Michael Vick got to work, making some electric runs, while running back Andre Kendrick's two TD runs actually gave Virginia Tech a two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. However, Heisman winner Chris Weinke would own the final quarter, tossing two scoring passes including a 43-yard bomb to Warrick. The wild swings and the great individual performances make this a memorable game. 

 
8 of 25

2001 GMAC Bowl - Marshall vs. East Carolina

2001 GMAC Bowl - Marshall vs. East Carolina
Eliot J. Schechter-Getty Images

East Carolina jumped all over Marshall early and held a 38-8 halftime lead. Sadly, many fans left the stadium (or turned the channel) and missed one of the greatest comebacks in college football history. The Herd returned two David Garrard interceptions for touchdowns in the third quarter, and the Pirates' lead would be cut to 41-36. Byron Leftwich threw a TD pass with seven seconds left to tie the game in regulation, but the missed extra point sent the game into overtime. In the second overtime, Leftwich hit Josh Davis for a touchdown an a 64-61 win. This GMAC Bowl is still the highest-scoring bowl ever and at the time was the biggest bowl comeback.

 
9 of 25

2003 Insight Bowl - California vs. Virginia Tech

2003 Insight Bowl - California vs. Virginia Tech
Steve Grayson-Getty Images

How about this young Cal quarterback named Aaron Rodgers, eh? Rodgers was 27-of-35 for 394 yards and 2 touchdowns — plus Rodgers ran in another two scores. Not to be outdone was Hokies signal caller Bryan Randall, who threw for 398 yards and 4 TDs. All that scoring led to huge momentum changes as Va Tech at one point led 21-7 before Cal went on a 35-7 scoring run. The Bears watched a 14-point lead vanish before kicker Tyler Fredrickson hit a 35-yarder as time expired to give Cal the 52-49 win. 

 
10 of 25

2003 Fiesta Bowl - Ohio State vs. Miami

2003 Fiesta Bowl - Ohio State vs. Miami
NCAA Photos-Getty Images

This game had everything. Both teams were undefeated and loaded with future NFL players. It was for the National Championship and went into double overtime. Add in a touch of controversy on a pass interference call that extended the drive that allowed Ohio State to win the game. Of the 43 different players who started this game, 37 went on to play in the NFL, as Ohio State won 31-24.

 
11 of 25

2005 Alamo Bowl - Nebraska vs. Michigan

2005 Alamo Bowl - Nebraska vs. Michigan
Darren Abate-Getty Images

Both the Huskers and Wolverines traded jabs through the first three quarters, as Michigan took a 21-17 lead. Chad Henne's touchdown run extended the Wolverines' lead to 28-17 early in the fourth quarter. Nebraska would strike back with two touchdowns to take a 32-28 lead with under five minutes left. Michigan would attempt a desperate attempt of laterals as time expired, but Tyler Ecker was knocked out of bounds at the Nebraska 15-yard line. Controversy loomed as Nebraska's sideline and cameramen came onto the field after one of Michigan's laterals hit the ground, which should have resulted in a penalty. Nothing was called, and Nebraska hung on to the 32-28 win.

 
12 of 25

2005 Capital One Bowl - Iowa vs. LSU

2005 Capital One Bowl - Iowa vs. LSU
Matt Stroshane-Getty Images

This game had a lot of attention as LSU's Nick Saban had announced he was leaving the defending champions to coach the Miami Dolphins. Saban would insert backup quarterback JaMarcus Russell in the fourth quarter, and Russell would lead the Tigers back with two TD passes to Skyler Green to give LSU a 25-24 lead. On the final play of the game, Iowa's Drew Tate lofted a Hail Mary that landed in Warren Holloway's hands for a 56-yard score and the win as time expired. 

 
13 of 25

2005 Rose Bowl - Texas vs. Michigan

2005 Rose Bowl - Texas vs. Michigan
Rob Gauthier-Getty Images

Every remembers Vince Young's great performance in the 2006 BCS Championship Game, but he was awesome in the game a year earlier as well. He ran in four touchdowns (of 20, 60, 10 and 23 yards) and tossed another TD. The lead changed hands three times in the fourth quarter with Young driving the Longhorns down for a game-winning field goal as time expired. 

 
14 of 25

2006 Orange Bowl - Penn State vs. Florida State

2006 Orange Bowl - Penn State vs. Florida State
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The final meeting between Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno came down to three overtimes and a plethora of mistakes. Both kickers missed two field goals, Florida State's kicker Gary Cismesia missed an extra point, the Seminoles were whistled for 13 penalties (Penn State had eight) and FSU's quarterback Drew Weatherford took an ill-advised safety late. The Nittany Lions would kick a game-winning field goal in the third overtime to give Paterno's team the 26-23 win.

 
15 of 25

2006 Sugar Bowl - West Virginia vs. Georgia

2006 Sugar Bowl - West Virginia vs. Georgia
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The Sugar Bowl was moved to Atlanta due to the Superdome's unsuitability after damage sustained from Hurricane Katrina. The young Mountaineers shot to a 28-0 lead before Georgia got going. The Dawgs would start rolling before halftime and trailed 31-21 heading into the break. The two teams exchanged scores in the second half on long scoring drives. Up 38-35 with 86 seconds left in the game, West Virginia ran a gutsy fake punt to pick up a first down at midfield to seal the win. Mountaineers back Steve Slaton ran for 204 yards and three scores (including two 52-yard jaunts). 

 
16 of 25

2006 Rose Bowl - Texas vs. USC

2006 Rose Bowl - Texas vs. USC
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This was one of the best college football games ever played, let alone one of the best bowl games or championship games ever. The game went back and forth with USC holding a 12-point lead with six minutes remaining. Texas quarterback Vince Young threw for 267 yards, rushed for 200 more and ran in 3 TDs — the last two to win the game — in one of the best individual performances in championship history as Texas won 41-38.

 
17 of 25

2007 Fiesta Bowl - Boise State vs. Oklahoma

2007 Fiesta Bowl - Boise State vs. Oklahoma
Steve Grayson-Getty Images

Oklahoma had title dreams dashed due to injuries while Boise State finished undefeated and got to play in a big boy bowl. It was the underdog versus the established power, and the underdog brought the fun in the game, running gadget plays to own the lead most of the game. A Sooners' pick-six would give Oklahoma the lead late, but the Broncos completed a successful hook-and-lateral play on fourth down for a TD that tied the game. After tying it up in overtime, Boise State went for two and the win using the Statue of Liberty play. It was successful as the Broncos made history, winning 43-42.

 
18 of 25

2008 Capital One Bowl - Michigan vs. Florida

2008 Capital One Bowl - Michigan vs. Florida
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Florida was highly favored as the defending national champions and had Heisman winner Tim Tebow running the offense. This game was fast-paced as both teams scored early and often. Guys like Tebow, Percy Harvin, Mario Manningham and Andre Caldwell scored, and the lead went back and forth. Trailing 35-31 late in the game, Chad Henne found Adrian Arrington for an 18-yard touchdown and gave the Wolverines a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Michigan won this game despite turning the ball over four times and Tebow's four total touchdowns. 

 
19 of 25

2009 Fiesta Bowl - Texas vs. Ohio State

2009 Fiesta Bowl - Texas vs. Ohio State
Icon Sports Wire-Getty Images

Two storied programs faced off in the desert as the Longhorns (unhappy after missing out on a championship opportunity) took on a very talented Buckeyes squad. The first half was a bit of a snoozer with Ohio State holding 6-3 lead at the half, but the second half saw some fireworks. Colt McCoy ran and threw for touchdowns to give Texas a 17-6 lead going into the final quarter. Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes scored 15 unanswered points to take a 21-17 lead with two minutes remaining. McCoy would march the Horns down the field and hit Quan Cosby for a 16-yard score with 16 seconds left to win the game, 24-21.

 
20 of 25

2011 Rose Bowl - TCU vs. Wisconsin

2011 Rose Bowl - TCU vs. Wisconsin
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TCU was at the time a Mountain West school that got into a BCS game due to its undefeated record. Going up against the 11-1 Badgers, the Horned Frogs matched Wisconsin as the two got going in the first quarter, taking a 14-10 lead. Late in the game, Wisconsin's Montee Ball scored a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-19, but Scott Tolzien's two-point conversion pass was knocked down by Tank Carder giving TCU the game. 

 
21 of 25

2012 Rose Bowl - Oregon vs. Wisconsin

2012 Rose Bowl - Oregon vs. Wisconsin
Jeff Gross-Getty Images

Two of the nation's best offenses didn't disappoint as the Badgers and Ducks traded scores throughout the game and were tied 28-28 at the half. Oregon would use big plays to eventually retake the lead and hold a 45-38 advantage with 16 seconds remaining. Wisconsin quickly drove the ball to the Ducks' 25-yard line, but Russell Wilson's attempt to spike the ball happened just as time expired. 

 
22 of 25

2014 BCS Championship - Florida State vs. Auburn

2014 BCS Championship - Florida State vs. Auburn
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State and Heisman winner Jameis Winston dominated all season long, so trailing Auburn 21-3 was stunning. To their credit, the Seminoles slowly crawled their way back and got to within 21-20. After an Auburn field goal with just over four minutes left in the game, the Noles took the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and, finally, the lead. Auburn would strike back with a Tre Mason 37-yard touchdown run with just over a minute left, but Winston marched down the field and tossed a 2-yard score to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds remaining, giving Florida State a 34-31 and a National Championship. 

 
23 of 25

2015 Independence Bowl - Virginia Tech vs. Tulsa

2015 Independence Bowl - Virginia Tech vs. Tulsa
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

This was just an entertaining game. Both teams put up huge plays (there were TD scores of 75, 67, 51, 48, 36 and 21 yards), and they combined for 45 points in the first quarter. The fireworks continued in the second quarter as the Hokies held a 45-31 halftime lead. Tulsa would whittle away at Tech's lead but couldn't finish the comeback. Frank Beamer's final game ended with a wild 55-52 win.

 
24 of 25

2017 Rose Bowl - USC vs. Penn State

2017 Rose Bowl - USC vs. Penn State
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This Rose Bowl was filled with wild momentum swings as USC jumped to an early 13-point lead before Penn State scored 28 unanswered points to take its own 15-point lead. The Nittany Lions would take a 49-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter but wouldn't score again. USC's Matt Boermeester hit a 46-yard field goal as time expired to give the Trojans the 52-49 win. This game set all kinds of Rose Bowl records and reminded everyone how any bowl — not just the College Football Playoff games — can be a blast.

 
25 of 25

2017 CFP National Championship - Clemson vs. Alabama

2017 CFP National Championship - Clemson vs. Alabama
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

In a rematch of the previous year's National Championship Game, it looked early on as if Alabama was primed to repeat. The Crimson Tide held a lead during most of the game until a Wayne Gallman touchdown plunge gave Clemson a 28-24 lead with 4:38 left in the game. Bama's Jalen Hurts scrambled for an amazing 30-yard touchdown run to give the Tide the lead with just over two minutes remaining. Deshaun Watson quickly led the Tigers down the field. With the ball at the 1-yard line with six seconds left in the title game, Watson found Hunter Renfrow in the end zone to give Clemson the win and the National Championship. 

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