Saturday’s LSU vs. Alabama game is a rare treat. No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the regular season has happened only twice since 1997. What are the best No. 1 vs. No. ?2 regular-season matchups in history? 5. No. 2 Miami 17, No. 1 Florida State 16 (1991) » This was the first of four excruciating “Wide Right” games for FSU over a span of 13 years, in which Seminoles kickers missed late field goals in losses to Miami. (There also was a “Wide Left” game.)
4. No. 1 Notre Dame 10, No. ?2 Michigan State 10 (1966) » Coley O’Brien rallied the Irish from a 10-0 deficit, but with Notre Dame at its own 30 with 1:15 left, coach Ara Parseghian ordered O’Brien to run out the clock against a loaded Spartans defense.
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3. No. 1 Ohio State 42, No. 2 Michigan 39 (2006) » There was plenty of pregame drama after Michigan coaching icon Bo Schembechler died the day before. With four touchdown passes, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith wrapped up the Heisman Trophy.
2. No. 2 Notre Dame 31, No. 1 Florida State 24 (1993) » NBC dubbed it the “Game of the Century,” and it lived up to the hype as Lou Holtz’s Irish stopped Seminoles quarterback Charlie Ward at the Notre Dame 14 on the final play.
1. No. 1 Nebraska 35, No. 2 Oklahoma 31 (1971) » On Thanksgiving Day, Johnny Rodgers electrified a national TV audience with a 72-yard punt return TD on his way to the Heisman Trophy. Then in the final minutes, the Cornhuskers drove for the winning score.
– Kevin Dunleavy
