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Each year, the college football season ends with annual bowl games. While some hold more weight than others, all provide players with one final opportunity to close the year with a win.
For seniors, it presents a chance to end your career on a strong note with a fun experience. In today’s day and age of the transfer portal, these postseason contests often represent the last time teammates will play alongside one another before having to make decisions on their futures.
In all, 82 teams compete in the bowl season. There are 41 games including the College Football Playoff. Exciting finishes occur early and often, no matter the stage.
The 15 Best College Football Bowl Games
Here, we’ll look at some of the best games from the last 25 years. Since the turn of the century, 15 games stand out above the rest.
Some had national championships implications. Others saw teams simply battling for bragging rights. All provided incredible entertainment for viewers.
We’ll start in the year 2001 with the highest scoring bowl game of all-time.
2001 GMAC Bowl
The East Carolina Pirates led Marshall 38-8 at the halftime break in this 2001 matchup. At the time, most did not anticipate an exciting finish.
The Thundering Herd, led by future NFL QB Byron Leftwich, battled back to erase the 30-point deficit and force overtime. Marshall had a chance to win in regulation after scoring with seven seconds left on the clock. A missed extra point kept the game tied at 51-51.
After trading scores in the first overtime session, Marshall won the game on a touchdown pass to Josh Davis. The 64-61 final result is the highest combined total in bowl game history.
2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl
Pitt and Toledo went back and forth in the 2024 postseason in what is the longest game in bowl history. The Panthers and Rockets battled across six overtimes.
The game had it all, from a pair of 50+ yard field goals, to a blocked extra point returned for a score, to a defensive touchdown to force overtime.
Eventually, Toledo won on two-point plays in the sixth extra period.
2024 Hawaii Bowl
Just 48 hours before that Pitt-Toledo matchup, San Jose State and USF set a bowl game overtime record. The two sides traded blows up through five extra sessions.
The Bulls grabbed a quick two-score lead, which later evaporated amid a 20-3 Spartans run. South Florida stopped the bleeding by forcing overtime with a last second kick.
The teams then went back and forth for four extra possessions before USF won in the fifth overtime, 41-39.
2023 Cotton Bowl
Tulane shocked Caleb Williams and USC in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The Green Wave erased a 28-14 halftime deficit over the final 30 minutes.
A late run created an improbable finish. USC was up 45-30 with less than five minutes to play. Tulane scored a touchdown, recorded a safety the next defensive possession, then took its first lead with nine ticks remaining on the clock.
The 46-45 win not only ended with excitement, but it provided one of the most unexpected upsets of the bowl season.
2016 Alamo Bowl
This game highlights the largest bowl comeback in college football history. Oregon and TCU faced off in San Antonio to end the 2015-16 season.
The first half was all Ducks. They jumped out to a 31-0 lead across the first 30 minutes. They would not score again in regulation.
With Oregon’s starting quarterback injured, TCU took advantage. They ripped off 31 consecutive points to force overtime. The Horned Frogs then survived three overtimes to win the game, 47-41.
2017 Rose Bowl
USC and Penn State faced off in Pasadena for rights to a Rose Bowl championship. The Trojans would emerge victorious in an all-time finish.
Multiple Rose Bowl records were set, including Sam Darnold’s five-touchdown performance.
This game was one of incredible runs. USC scored the first 13 points and led 27-14 midway through the second quarter. The Nittany Lions then scored the next 28 points to take a two-score lead of their own.
The Trojans finished on a 25-7 run with Matt Boermeester’s game-winning field goal sailing through the uprights as time expired.
2000 Orange Bowl
The 2000 Orange Bowl was Tom Brady’s final college game. It was also one of his most remembered. The future Hall of Famer racked up 369 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 35-34 overtime win over Alabama.
No one scored in the first quarter. It would not be a sign of things to come. The offenses erupted after the first 15 minutes, with each side scoring 28 points over the next two periods.
A scoreless fourth quarter sent the game to overtime where the Wolverines struck first to take a 35-28 lead. Alabama responded with a score but missed the game-tying extra point.
Michigan receiver David Terrell earned MVP honors with a 150-yard performance. Crimson Tide running back Shaun Alexander shined, too, with 161 yards and three touchdowns.
2024 Peach Bowl
Texas and Arizona State battled for a shot at the Round of Four in the 2024 College Football Playoff. The Longhorns would advance, but they needed overtime to do so.
Texas appeared on its way to an easy win, taking a 17-3 lead into the locker room at halftime. Arizona State would not lay down.
After falling behind 24-8, the Sun Devils erupted with 16 fourth-quarter points to tie the game. They took a brief lead with an overtime score, which was quickly matched by Texas.
The Longhorns were able to seal the game with a touchdown in overtime No. 2 before holding the Sun Devils out of the endzone.
2014 National Championship
The final BCS Championship, it was a memorable one. Auburn and Florida State provided fireworks with a dramatic finish.
The matchup consisted of two different runs. The Tigers scored 21 of the first 24 points to take a 21-3 lead deep into the second quarter. The Seminoles found the endzone before halftime to cut the lead to 11.
They’d then score three fourth-quarter touchdowns to dig out of the double-digit hole. The final moments could not have been more exciting.
Florida State took a 27-24 lead with less than five minutes left to play. Auburn responded with a three-minute scoring drive to retake the lead. With 13 seconds left, Jameis Winston found Kelvin Benjamin for the game-winning touchdown.
2018 National Championship
This game features one of the most recognized plays in college football history. Just the mention of “2nd and 26” makes Georgia Bulldogs wince.
The title bout featured UGA and Alabama in an all-SEC championship. The Dawgs appeared on their way to securing their first ring since 1980. The Crimson Tide had other plans.
Georgia jumped out to a 13-0 first half lead. They led 20-7 before watching Alabama rip off the final 13 points of regulation.
The Bulldogs looked to be in complete control in overtime, forcing the Tide into a 2nd and 26 while holding a three-point lead. Tua Tagovailoa’s touchdown strike to DeVonta Smith would dash Georgia’s title hopes.
2018 Rose Bowl
A week before losing to Alabama, the Bulldogs won in dramatic fashion at the Rose Bowl. They booked their ticket to the national championship by beating Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma.
Georgia fell behind early, 31-14 with just six seconds left in the first half. They’d add an important field goal before the break, thanks to a botched squib kick, before outscoring the Sooners by 14 points in the final 30 minutes.
In overtime, the two sides traded field goals in the first session. Georgia won in the second period by blocking an Oklahoma field goal then scoring a game-winning touchdown. The 54-48 final score is the highest total in CFP history.
2017 National Championship
Alabama beat Clemson in the 2016 national championship game. The Tigers got revenge the very next season.
Jalen Hurts and Deshaun Watson went back and forth throughout the night while racking up 66 total points. The Crimson Tide controlled the first half, taking a 24-14 lead into the fourth quarter. Clemson then got the offense clicking.
The Tigers scored three touchdowns in the final 14 minutes, with the last coming with just one second left on the clock. Watson connected with Hunter Renfrow for a go-ahead score. The Tigers won the game, 35-31.
2007 Fiesta Bowl
One of the greatest upsets in college football history, Boise State beat Oklahoma in overtime in the ’07 Fiesta Bowl. That game featured incredible performances, clutch play calling, and a little deception.
The Broncos entered as heavy underdogs. They quickly proved to viewers that they belonged. Boise State took a 28-10 lead into the third quarter. It then watched Oklahoma score 25 straight points to take a late lead.
The Sooners tied the game with 1:26 left in regulation. It took a lead 24 seconds later on a pick-six.
Boise rebounded to force overtime on a perfectly executed hook and ladder play. The Broncos then won on Ian Johnson’s “The Statue of Liberty” touchdown.
2003 National Championship
Ohio State beat Miami in one of the most exciting and controversial finishes in national championship history. Both teams entered undefeated. The Buckeyes left with a title.
The game saw endless twists with neither team leading by more than 10 points. Miami struck first with a touchdown. Ohio State answered with 17 points. The Hurricanes forced overtime by scoring the final 10 points of regulation.
In the first extra session, each side traded touchdowns. Ohio State’s game-tying drive was extended by a questionable pass interference call on fourth down.
The Buckeyes took full advantage, later taking the lead in the second session. The win was secured with an epic goal line stand.
2006 National Championship
This game is always near the top of the list when considering best bowl games. The 2006 national championship featured Texas and USC. Both entered as conference champions with spotless records.
The Trojans were defending their belt from the year prior, led by Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. They flexed their muscles early with the game’s first touchdown but quickly found themselves in a dogfight.
Texas would score the next 16 points before taking a 16-10 lead into the halftime break. USC regained its advantage at 17-16 on its first possession of the second half. The teams then traded touchdown after touchdown before an exciting finish.
The Trojans held a 38-26 lead with less than seven minutes to play. Vince Young willed the Longhorns back with two late scores. His final touchdown run came on fourth down with 19 seconds remaining in regulation. Texas took home a 41-38 title win.