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A 2007 Look Back:
5 Years Ago (2002) – “This season wasn’t so much about the games that were played – but the one that went unplayed. Ohio State and Iowa matched victories all through the Big Ten season, but Iowa’s 36-31 loss to Iowa State helped to settle things. OSU was unbeaten, so the second-ranked Buckeyes and precocious freshman RB Maurice Clarett advanced to the BCS Championship Game in the Fiesta Bowl. There, they met heavily favored Miami, which had gone 12-0, thanks in part to a “wide left” in a 28-27 win over Florida State. Ohio State (14-0) shocked top-ranked Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, winning 31-24 in double overtime after getting a controversial pass interference penalty to go its way at the end of the first overtime.”
Heisman Trophy: QB Carson Palmer, USC
Preseason #1: Miami
10 Years Ago (1997) – “Before the various incarnations that led to the BCS, No. 1 wasn’t often decided on the field. Michigan used a sensational defense, led by do-everything Charles Woodson and a whatever-it-takes offense directed by unheralded senior QB Brian Griese, to go undefeated. Meanwhile, Nebraska was perfect, too, walloping South champion Texas A&M in the Big 12 title game, 52-15. The Huskers were so convincing in an Orange Bowl rout of third-ranked Tennessee, voters in the coaches poll moved them from No. 2 past Michigan to share the national title. Michigan (12-0, AP Poll) beat Washington State in the Rose Bowl, 21-16. Nebraska (13-0 coaches poll) beat Tennessee in the Orange, 42-17.”
Heisman Trophy: CB Charles Woodson, Michigan
Preseason #1: Penn State. The Nittany Lions went 9-3, ending at #16.
15 Years Ago (1992) – “The Crimson Tide of coach Gene Stallings had been wholly overlooked all season in favor of 1991 national co-champions Washington and Miami. But all Alabama did was win. And once the Tide faced Florida in the first SEC Championship Game, it didn’t miss a trick. Alabama was even better in the national championship showdown with #1 Miami in the Sugar Bowl. Alabama did it mostly with defense, with bookend defensive ends John Copeland and Eric Curry, and a secondary stocked with stars like Antonio Langham, Sam Shade and George Teague.”
Heisman Trophy: QB Gino Torretta, Miami
Preseason #1: Miami
20 Years Ago (1987) – “The Big Eight race was decided when #2 Oklahoma scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to upend #1 Nebraska, 17-7, in Lincoln in the regular-season finale. Earlier in the season, Miami and Florida State played an epic game in Tallahassee. Miami, with lots of help from Michael Irvin, had roared back from a 19-3 deficit to take a 26-19 lead, but the Seminoles scored with less than a minute left, leaving Bobby Bowden with the decision: Go for the win or the tie. Players helped convince him to go for it…no good. Miami won 26-25. #2 Miami went on to beat #1 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, as Jimmy Johnson beat Barry Switzer.”
Heisman Trophy: WR Tim Brown, Notre Dame
Preseason #1: Oklahoma
25 Years Ago (1982) – “The Georgia Bulldogs had everything in ’82, and appeared on their way to their second national championship in three years. Just as in 1980, Vince Dooley’s squad was led by the great Herschel Walker. Georgia took over the top spot of the polls in the first week of November and swept through the rest of the regular season. This time, however, the Sugar Bowl showdown wen the wrong way as the Dawgs ran into Todd Blackledge and Penn State, which has recovered from an October loss to Alabama in Birmingham. #2 Penn State upended top-ranked Georgia, 27-23, in the Sugar Bowl.”
Heisman Trophy: RB Herschel Walker, Georgia
Preseason #1: Pittsburgh. The Dan Marino-led Panthers went 9-3.
30 Years Ago (1977) – “In the second game of the season, Nebraska bumped off Alabama, which eventually cost the Tide the national title. It was a bitter defeat for Alabama, which would then rattle off 11 consecutive victories and thrash Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl – a long-awaited Bear Bryant vs. Woody Hayes matchup. The Tide won 35-6, leaving Hayes to say, “If Alabama isn’t #1, then nobody ever has been” …except that Notre Dame and Joe Montana impressively won their bowl, finished with the same 11-1 record – and got the votes. In a wild finish to the season #5 Notre Dame beat #1 and unbeaten Texas in the Cotton Bowl, and #2 Oklahoma and #4 Michigan lost. The Irish leapfrogged #3 Alabama, which had beaten #8 Ohio State in the Sugar.”
Heisman Trophy: RB Earl Campbell, Texas
Preseason #1: Oklahoma. The Sooners went 10-2 and finished #7.
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