ok next you need to tell us which are the ACTUAL games of the century, and why the real game of the 20th century is Nebraska-OU, and why the actual game of the 21st century is either the 2006 Rose (when the BCS actually worked, for once) or the 2023 The Game (for similar reasons to the 1971 NU-OU except OSU then went and lost the Cotton Bowl)
ok after reading through - is it possible to have a "game of the century" in the CFP-12 era? The 2011 Bama-LSU game got overshadowed by the BCS Title. 2019 Bama-LSU is a good one, as is 2023 M-OSU - both of the winners ended as undefeated champs, and both of the losers gave them one of their 2 closest contests of the season. Doesn't hold a candle to 1971 NU-OU, but does compare well with some of the other 5 "Games of the Century of the Century."
I've come around on the 12-team CFP since now national viewers care about the Mountain West and the American, and even mid-tier Big Ten and SEC programs have stakes. But the idea of two teams in the regular season that are the two best in the sport duking it out, the loser gets nothing but proves they were worthy of the ranking and the winner wins the national title - that's gone now, right?
Just saw the M-OSU last year was "only" a 2vs3 game. But because it's a rivalry I think it should get elevated. But I get how that makes your analysis impossible. So, 2019 LSU-Bama it is for the 21st century!
Do you have a list of number of acceptable claims by school? (I suppose I could count myself)
ok next you need to tell us which are the ACTUAL games of the century, and why the real game of the 20th century is Nebraska-OU, and why the actual game of the 21st century is either the 2006 Rose (when the BCS actually worked, for once) or the 2023 The Game (for similar reasons to the 1971 NU-OU except OSU then went and lost the Cotton Bowl)
https://www.bannersociety.com/2019/11/12/20958486/game-of-the-century-college-football-history
ok after reading through - is it possible to have a "game of the century" in the CFP-12 era? The 2011 Bama-LSU game got overshadowed by the BCS Title. 2019 Bama-LSU is a good one, as is 2023 M-OSU - both of the winners ended as undefeated champs, and both of the losers gave them one of their 2 closest contests of the season. Doesn't hold a candle to 1971 NU-OU, but does compare well with some of the other 5 "Games of the Century of the Century."
I've come around on the 12-team CFP since now national viewers care about the Mountain West and the American, and even mid-tier Big Ten and SEC programs have stakes. But the idea of two teams in the regular season that are the two best in the sport duking it out, the loser gets nothing but proves they were worthy of the ranking and the winner wins the national title - that's gone now, right?
Just saw the M-OSU last year was "only" a 2vs3 game. But because it's a rivalry I think it should get elevated. But I get how that makes your analysis impossible. So, 2019 LSU-Bama it is for the 21st century!
Love it. so happy I found your substack. you're the CFB writer I've always needed