There were some thrillers, some heart-breakers and some surprises during the 2011-2012 bowl season. Here's a look back at what I feel were the top 10 bowl games from this bowl season.
10. Discover Orange Bowl. Orange you glad you didn't pick the Tigers? What a beat down. There are no other words to describe this game. The Mountaineers had complete control of this game en route to 70 points on the night, the most ever in a bowl game. Of course one of the biggest plays, or at least most memorable, was the 99-yard fumble recovery for a Mountaineers touchdown. One of several record-setting bowl games this season.
9.5. Chick-fil-A Bowl. Tigers end season with convincing win in Chick-fil-A Bowl. I would be lying to myself if I didn't include the Auburn game somewhere in my top 10. So, I created a spot for it even if it really doesn't belong, or wouldn't be included in someone else's list. This was one of the most intriguing Auburn games of the season. If the Tigers had managed to play like that more often, could've been a different season, but the same could be said for all 118 teams not playing in the championship game this year (but Les Miles and Nick Saban might say all 120 could be in the mix).
9. Little Caesars Bowl. Purdue wins turnover filled game 37-32, 11 total turnovers. This might be a questionable pick, but this game was crazy to watch. It was sloppy, there's no question, but that added to the excitement of it. When you can have seven turnovers and lose by five, you're hanging tough. That's exactly what Western Michigan did. Despite all the turnovers, they had their opportunities to win the game.
8. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Last second kick gives La.-Lafayette first bowl win as FBS team. The Ragin Cajuns looked like they had this one under control, but the Aztecs fought back to tie the game after being down as many as 16. The lead San Diego State took was with 35 seconds to go. Seems like that's the only time it'd really matter if you had a lead, right? Too bad no one told La.-Lafayette to lay down. They got down the field with the chance to try a 50-yard field goal as the clock ran out. Up and good.
7. Military Bowl. Failed 2-point conversion ends Air Force's season, Toledo wins 42-41. This was one of those games that I really had no interest in, but when it came down to game time, that changed. This was an entertaining match-up and were it not for a failed 2-point conversion, this could've been another overtime game this bowl season. One interesting note about this game was that Air Force scored three fourth down touchdowns. That's taking a risk right there. Wish the risk had been rewarded though.
6. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Cowboys are Sharp, field goal in OT gives them their 12th win. I picked Oklahoma State, but I'll admit I was doubting at first. It seemed like the Cardinal had the game in their control, but Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon kept the Cowboys alive and it doesn't matter whether you take the lead in regulation or not (which they failed to do). As long as you can tie and take it to overtime, that's the only time you really need to take the lead. The Cowboys did just that on a Quinn Sharp field goal.
5. Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. Late score by the Cougars seals victory. Hurry up already! The hurry up offense is what saved the day for the Cougars. A fake spike with less than 20 seconds left on the clock gave quarterback Riley Nelson just enough time to convert a 2nd and goal into a touchdown to give them the game-winning score. My favorite offensive line moment was in this game. The crucial block Matt Reynolds laid out after already having lost his helmet. Props to that guy.
4. BCS National Championship. Tide roll over Tigers, first shutout in a BCS bowl. Oh, Alabama. Is it 9 or 14 championships now? Whatever the number, it's certain they had the Tigers number all night long. LSU couldn't do anything against this Bama defense. Congratulations to Nick Saban and the Bama boys. They got it done against the team that no one thought could be beaten, even if Alabama was favored in the game, you get my point. What a way to end bowl season, though the game wasn't the most entertaining to watch.
3. Outback Bowl. Late rally by MSU proves to be enough, game ends on blocked FG in 3OT. I hate that I didn't get to see a snap of this game. What a game. The Bulldogs seemed to have this one under control, but Michigan State made a comeback and sent the game to overtime. And not just one overtime. Not just two. Three OT's and a blocked field goal was all it took for the Spartans to win. No big deal right? It was another exciting game that kept you on the edge of your seat, at least in the fourth quarter and beyond.
2. Rose Bowl. Ducks score 10 unanswered in the fourth to win highest-scoring Rose Bowl. One of the few times when I changed my pick the day of the game and still ended up on the winning side. It looked like the Ducks could have the game secured late in the fourth but a quick drive by Wisconsin ended up leaving them two seconds on the clock. However, that's not enough time to spike the ball. It's a shame. The game could've ended differently, but I'm happy with the winner, and the fact that it came down to the wire put it near the top of my list.
1. Alamo Bowl. Bears shred Huskies for 777 yards in record-shattering Alamo Bowl. The best for last. My favorite. RG3. So maybe it wasn't the most well-played game. Maybe it didn't have any defense at all, but you know what? I loved it. I watched every minute and I was so drawn in by the competitiveness. Sure, the defenses couldn't seem to stop anything, but it was exciting. I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed even more getting to watch RG3 go out with a win. There were a combined 1,397 yards racked up in the game, 17 touchdowns scored and 123 points scored. Remember the Alamo Bowl.
Don't like my picks? Think they should've been different? Comment and let me know!
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