On Monday, the University of Michigan and the University of Washington will face off in the final showdown of the 2023/24 season. The College Football Playoff games are known for the drama and last-minute comebacks. Here are some of the best College Football Playoff games in history.
1. 2022: #1 Georgia vs #4 Ohio State
The 2022 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl was insane. The University of Georgia was the number one seed, but you can never count out the Ohio State Buckeyes. Both teams were back and forth for the entire game. At the half, the Buckeyes were ahead 28-24. By the end of the third quarter, Ohio State extended their lead to 38-24 and the Bulldogs' hopes of a perfect season seemed to be long gone. However, after a field goal, a 76-yard touchdown pass, and a 2-point conversion, Georgia was back within 3. Ohio State seemed to possibly secure the win with a field goal, but with less than a minute on the clock, Georgia caught a pass in the endzone to win the game by one point, 42-41.
2. 2017: #1 Clemson vs #2 Alabama
The 2017 College Football Playoff Championship has gone down as one of the best college football games ever. This game was another high-scoring game where both teams led at different points.
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide had been ahead for the first three quarters and looked very strong. At the end of the third quarter, Alabama was ahead 24-14. They seemed to look in control, but the fourth quarter of this game was one of the most exciting of all time, as there were four touchdowns. Alabama pulled ahead with two minutes to go, 31-28. After a hard-fought final run, the Clemson Tigers pulled off the impossible. With one second left on the clock, Hunter Renfrow caught a pass from Deshaun Watson to win the game 35-31.
3. 2018: #3 Georgia vs #4 Alabama
The 2018 College Football Playoff Championship featured the classic SEC showdown between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Bulldogs were ahead 13-0 at the half. To start the second half, Alabama made the huge decision to put in their true freshman quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. The Bulldogs were still up 20-10 at the end of the third. With one field goal and a touchdown, Alabama forced the game into overtime.
In overtime, Georgia pulled ahead by three with an impressive 51-yard field goal. All seemed lost when freshman Tagovailoa was sacked and set the Crimson Tide back to 2nd and 26. When all hope seemed lost, Tagovailoa threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith to win the championship 26-23.
4. 2018: #2 Oklahoma vs #3 Georgia
2018 was full of drama. The University of Oklahoma Sooners played the Georgia Bulldogs in the Rose Bowl. At halftime, Oklahoma was ahead by an impressive score of 31-17. Georgia tied it 31-31 at the end of the third. 4 more touchdowns later, the score was still tied 45-45 after the fourth quarter.
The first overtime was less exciting, with both teams scoring a field goal and sending the game to a second overtime. In the second overtime, blocked a field goal to give the offense momentum. Running back Sony Mitchell scored a 27-yard touchdown to defeat the Sooners 54-48.
We can only hope that the Michigan vs Washington game will be anywhere near as exciting as these games.
