by The offseason has been in full swing for two months now, so this is a perfect time to take a look back at another epic season that was and reminisce on the very best games.
The criteria of this list was not solely based on how significant the game was, but rather, how exciting it was from start to finish.
Here’s my list of the 15 best games of the 2023-24 season, beginning with a bunch of noteworthy honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions:
- Alabama 27, Georgia 24 (SEC Championship)
- Toledo 32, Bowling Green 31
- Texas 33, Kansas State 30 F/OT
- Florida State 31, Clemson 24 F/OT
- Missouri 30, Kansas State 27
- Utah 34, USC 32
- Miami (FL) 28, Clemson 20 F/2OT
- USC 43, Arizona 41 F/3OT
- Appalachian State 26, James Madison 23 F/OT
- Western Kentucky 38, Old Dominion 35 F/OT (Famous Toastery Bowl)
- Clemson 38, Kentucky 35 (Gator Bowl)
- North Carolina 47, Duke 45 F/2OT
15. Army 17, Navy 11
The most storied rivalry in college football history was decided by a few inches in Foxborough, MA this season. Trailing 17-9, Navy quarterback Tai Lavatai snuck the ball up the middle at the one-yard line on 4th and goal with three seconds left before being stopped just short of potentially sending the game to overtime.
14. Iowa 13, Nebraska 10
I don’t care what people say, this was the most exciting ugly, low-scoring game of the year — a game that epitomized the Big Ten West in 2023. This was also my “Game of the Year” bet as Iowa ML hit in walk-off fashion behind a Marshall Meeder 38-yard field goal that sent the Hawkeyes to Indy. The box score says everything:
13. Colorado 43, Colorado State 35 F/2OT
The buzz and overall narrative of this game before it even kicked off added to the excitement of this epic “Rocky Mountain Showdown.” The Rams had the win in their back pocket before Shedeur Sanders and the Buffs stormed back to tie the game 28-28 and send it to overtime. This was a gutsy win for Coach Prime and his squad, but it was also their final one of 2023.
12. Notre Dame 21, Duke 14
Entering the game with a 4-0 record, the Blue Devils were looking to capture their biggest win in school history in front of a raucous home crowd. The game was tied 13-13 late in the 4th when Notre Dame running back Audric Estime coasted into the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown with 31 seconds remaining. Following a two-point conversion, the Irish held on thanks to a crucial defensive stop in the final moments.
11. Ole Miss 55, LSU 49
The two best offenses in the SEC clashed in an over bettor’s dream. (no highlight because copyright)
10. Washington 34, Oregon 31 (Pt. 1)
Bo Nix vs Michael Penix Part 1. The eventual Pac-12 Championship game was fireworks for all 60 minutes. Penix threw a go-ahead 18-yard touchdown pass with 1:38 remaining to give UW the 36-33 lead. Oregon looked to be in terrific shape on the ensuing possession, though, as Nix drove the Ducks all the way down to the 25 for the game-tying field goal before kicker Camden Lewis hooked it wide left as time expired.
9. Houston 41, West Virginia 39
Who doesn’t love a good ole’ haily mary ending? After Mountaineer quarterback Garrett Greene threw a go-ahead 50-yard TD pass with 12 seconds remaining, Houston pulled off the unthinkable as Cougars quarterback Donovan Smith launched a 49-yard bomb into the end zone that was initially tipped before it fell into the hands of receiver Stephon Johnson on the last play of the game.
8. Michigan 30, Ohio State 24
Had this list been the “best and most significant” games of the 2023 season, this is easily in the top three. But it’s not, and that’s not a knock on how entertaining this rivalry game really was. “The Game” is never a let down in terms of excitement and this year delivered once again. As Ohio State was driving down the field while trailing 30-24 with less than 30 seconds left, Rod Moore snagged the game-clinching INT to hand the Wolverines an unforgettable W. Jim Harbaugh and Michigan make it three straight as they cement their playoff hopes in a game that practically served as a CFB Playoff “quarterfinal.”
7. Ohio State 17, Notre Dame 14
The stakes for this game seemed enormous in late September compared to the end of the season, but that does not take away from this incredible ending in South Bend. The Irish were playing the game of their lives, leading 14-10 late in the fourth quarter, until Ohio State marched down the field and scored the go-ahead touchdown with one second remaining to march out of Notre Dame Stadium with a victory.
6. Washington 37, Texas 31 (Sugar Bowl)
Texas could not slow the Husky offense down all game long, but quarterback Quinn Ewers and the Horns gave themselves a chance to squeak into the national title game on the final drive of the game. Trailing 37-31 with one second left, Ewers launched a back-shoulder throw to Adonai Mitchell in the end zone before Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson swatted the ball out of bounds to put the Huskies in the natty.
5. Stanford 46, Colorado 43 F/2OT
If you stayed up for this Friday night game on the east coast, you’re a real one. If you live bet Stanford at halftime, you’re probably very rich. Colorado blew a 29-0 lead as the Cardinal clawed their way back to win an epic double overtime thriller, highlighted by this incredible catch by Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomano. R.I.P. the Pac-12 After Dark.
4. Oklahoma 34, Texas 30
Another Red River Rivalry classic went down to the wire following three lead changes and three ties in the game. After a Texas field goal with 1:17 left to put the Horns up 30-27, Dillon Gabriel and the Sooners marched down the field and scored a game-winning touchdown pass with 15 seconds to capture the Golden Hat trophy.
3. Georgia Tech 23, Miami (FL) 20
Maybe a little too high on my list, but this was one of the wildest finishes of the year. Ten years from now, Canes fans will still wonder why in the hell Mario Cristobal never decided to take a knee. The biggest 180 to a game that somehow, someway came down to one final play.
2. Alabama 27, Auburn 24 (Iron Bowl)
The 4th and 31 play will live on forever and ever in Tuscaloosa.
- Michigan 27, Alabama 20 F/OT (Rose Bowl)
One of the greatest CFB Playoff games of all-time took place on New Year’s Day in the 110th version of the “Grandaddy of them All” that sent Michigan to the promise land and the great Nick Saban into retirement. Fairytale endings always go down at the Rose Bowl, and this year’s resulted in a Cinderella finish for Harbaugh and the Wolverines.
