Last nights Ohio State vs. Wisconsin game was amazing. They blew a lead in the last few minutes only to take it back on a Hail Mary in the last minute of the game. (Ironically, it was the second Hail Mary in as many weeks to take down what had been the previously undefeated Badgers, who lost to Michigan State the previous week.) It was definitely a lot of fun to watch and a great gift for my birthday (which was today - a friend told me that's what they got me this year). After the game I saw a few posts from my friends saying it was the greatest game they have witnessed/seen/experienced. While I think this was a great game, I'm not ready to declare it 'the greatest'. Here is a short list of some of the greatest OSU games I've seen in my lifetime (in order):
1. 2002 National Championship Game vs. Miami University. Double overtime, hardcore defense highlighted by the final drive of the game. Miami, thanks to a penalty, had 1st and goal at the 2. OSU stuffed them on three straight plays. The fourth was an attempted pass that was rushed thanks to the pass rush game of the OSU defense. I was literally on my knees the entire OT. Final score: 31-24.
2. 2006 Ohio State (#1) vs. Michigan (#2). The rivalry is known as "The Game", this was clearly The Game of Games and was dubbed "The Game of the Century" (kinda silly given we were only 6 years into the new century, but whatever). This match-up went against expectations and became a high scoring back and forth exchange (both teams had incredible defenses going into the game). While Michigan only had the lead once (at the beginning of the game) they were never really out of it. Final score: 42-39
3. 1995 Ohio State vs. Notre Dame. At the time this game set the record attendance for 'The Shoe' at 95,537. One of those fans in attendance - yours truly! Our seats were right above the tunnel that OSU ran out of. They all came out and were bunched just outside of the tunnel. Right there in front of me was Eddie George. My brother and I started screaming "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie". He turned around, gave us a smile and a wave and then with those freakishly large calves ran out onto the field. Goosebumps just thinking about it. This team was stacked: the aforementioned Eddie George, Bobby Hoying, Terry Glenn, Mike Vrable, Shawn Springs, Orlando Pace and many others. On the opposing side - The Legendary Lou Holtz. Notre Dame jumped up early and then the Bucks poured it on to a crushing 45-26 victory. Hands down the loudest 'anything' I've ever experienced and will hopefully never forget!
4. 2002 Ohio State vs. Purdue. Back to the National Championship season. This game stands out also because the entire season and any hope at a chance of a shot at the championship looked lost. Ohio State's offense was dismal in this game mustering only 3 points. Fortunately The Boilermakers had only managed 6. With less than 3 minutes on the clock OSU was facing a 3rd and 14 at midfield, given the lack of offense the chances of a win looked bleak. Craig Krenzel, the genius (seriously, he has a degree in molecular genetics!) completed a pass that was 1 yard short of a first down. Completely deflated because Tressel Ball was in full effect I thought for sure he would go for a near impossible 54-yard field goal. I mean, it was Nugent kicking and everything but still... Instead Tress shocked us all and went for it on 4th and 1 and 37 yards out. Instead of Krenzel throwing a safe short crossing pass he went for it all and connected with Michael Jenkins to put the Bucks up 10-6. The staunch defense wrapped up the win with a Gamble interception. Whew!
5. 2011 Ohio State vs. Wisconsin - maybe. Right now I can't think of another big game off the top of my head. This one was great because lets face it, The Buckeyes are down this season. Amid all of the turmoil with scandals, the loss of Jim Tressel and a seemingly inept offense being called by Jim Bollman, there wasn't a lot of hope for a win last night against what seemed like an incredible Badger team. The fact that the Buckeyes had the lead through most of the game, only to lose it in the last minutes of the fourth quarter and all seemed lost. We hadn't seen any 'big' moments at any time earlier this season. There was no reason to hope for a comeback, yet comeback they did. Braxton Miller, who has been known to move the ball more with his feet, had an open lane to run yet pulled up at the very last moment and heaved a Hail Mary. Devin Smith (who?) caught the ball in the end zone. 'The Shoe' erupted again in what I can only imagine was a near ear splitting roar. After the final seconds ticked off the clock the crowd rushed the field. An improbable victory on Home Coming weekend was clinched from the jaws of defeat. Final score: 33-29
What do you think about this list? Do you have a game that deserves to be here in place of one of these? If so, tell me about it in the comments below.
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