Has there ever been a better season of college football? The final game of the Bowl Championship Series, which ranks among the finest ever played, further confirms what has been clear for some time: This is the golden age of college football. 

On Monday night, before 94,000 people in the glorious Rose Bowl Stadium, Auburn took a 21-3 2nd-quarter lead over undefeated Florida State, a team that had beaten every previous foe by at least two touchdowns. The Seminoles fans in attendance were dumbfounded, openly asking how this could be happening and feeling powerless to provide the answer. But Florida State’s defense dug in, Auburn’s eventually started to tire, and the Seminoles roared all the way back to take a 27-24 lead deep in the 4th quarter.  Auburn then responded with a remarkable clutch drive, capped by a splendid touchdown run by All-American Tre Mason, to go up 31-27 with just over a minute to play.  But the Seminoles quickly drove into Auburn territory, toward the end zone that was surrounded by those wearing navy and orange, and, with just 13 seconds on the scoreboard’s game clock, they snatched the national championship from the Tigers’ worthy grasp.