Ranking the BCS Championship Games

SI Staff | Jan 5, 2007

Ranking the BCS Championship Games

2005 Orange Bowl

Bob Rosato/SI

The matchup that everyone anticipated all season long didn't quite live up to the billing. USC's Heisman Trophy QB Matt Leinart threw for 332 yards and five touchdowns.

2002 Rose Bowl

John Biever/SI

An absolutely loaded Miami team scored 27 second-half points and annihilated Nebraska, which was led by Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch.

2001 Orange Bowl

Peter Read Miller/SI

Led by All-America linebacker Rocky Calmus (20), Oklahoma's defense completely shut down a Florida State offense that entered the Orange Bowl averaging 42 points per game and leading the nation in total offense.

1999 Fiesta Bowl

Peter Read Miller/SI

Star receiver Peerless Price set a Tennessee bowl record with 199 receiving yards, including a 79-yard touchdown. Steve Johnson picked off a pass late in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

2000 Sugar Bowl

Al Tielemans/SI

Behind dynamic freshman quarterback Michael Vick, Virginia Tech rallied from a 21-point, first-half deficit and took the lead entering the fourth quarter. But Florida State outscored the Hokies 18-0 in the final 15 minutes.

2004 Sugar Bowl

Bob Rosato/SI

Although USC finished the regular season at No. 1 in the AP poll and Oklahoma lost in the Big 12 title game, the Sooners met LSU for the BCS title. Nick Saban's speedy defense harassed Jason White all night, as the Heisman Trophy winner went just 13-of-37 for 102 yards and two interceptions.

2006 Rose Bowl

Richard Mackson/SI

For the second straight year, Texas QB Vince Young put on a show in Pasadena. Young ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns and threw for an additional 267 yards. With just over two minutes left, Young guided Texas on a 10-play, 56-yard scoring drive. He capped off the drive by running for an eight-yard touchdown on fourth-and-five. Young and the 'Horns ended a 34-game winning streak for USC.

2003 Fiesta Bowl

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

In one of the most memorable (and controversial) bowl games ever, heavy underdog Ohio State outlasted Miami in double-overtime, ending the 'Canes 34-game winning streak. In the first overtime, Craig Krenzel was unable to complete a pass to Chris Gamble on fourth-and-three, but Miami CB Glenn Sharpe was called for pass interference, giving Ohio State second life.