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1/02/2007 12:05:00 PM

Boise State-Oklahoma: Best Game Ever?

Oakland Arena
Ian Johnson's post-game proposal was one of the unique moments from last night's Fiesta Bowl. Was it the greatest bowl game ever?
Photo by AP
You couldn't ask for a better start to the new year than last night's Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma. After the Broncos coasted to a 28-10 lead midway through the third quarter, the Sooners came to life and scored 25 unanswered points to go up a touchdown with a minute remaining. But Boise State dug deep into its bag of tricks and completed a 50-yard hook-and-lateral on fourth-and-18 to tie the game and send it into overtime. There, the Broncos came back again and then won the game, 43-42, with a successful two-point conversion on another trick play.

When the dust had cleared the Sooners and the Broncos combined for 22 points in the final 86 seconds of regulation. And then seconds after the improbable result, Boise State star RB Ian Johnson asked his girlfriend, a Boise State cheerleader, to marry him. (She said yes).

Was it the best bowl game ever? Certainly, some Texas fans who watched Vince Young scramble to a national championship last year may say no. As will many Ohio State fans who agonized through three overtimes in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl before celebrating a national title with a victory over Miami. What do you think?

Furthermore, where does the game rank in the big picture of major college sporting events? Was the win bigger than George Mason's run to the Final Four last year or even Villanova's improbable run to the national championship in 1985?

Lastly, what happens if Florida beats Ohio State on Monday? A Gators victory would make Boise State the only undefeated team this season. Yes, the competition in the WAC isn't at the same level as the SEC or Big Ten, but the Broncos did soundly defeat Oregon State (42-14) in September -- the same Oregon State who knocked off the mighty USC Trojans earlier this season. In our minds, they deserve consideration.

What do you think?
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Posted: 1:34 PM   by Anonymous
This was the greatest I've ever seen. Given the storyline, the drama, the emotion, the trick plays; it beats Texas-USC or any other game.


David kills Goliath with flair. What a game!
Posted: 1:36 PM   by Randy Morris
The BCS must allow for the existence of excellent teams in, what some would consider, lesser conferences. Boise State certainly deserves consideration for that number one spot.
Posted: 1:39 PM   by Anonymous
Boise State's schedule was harder than Ohio State's...

Look at USC who spanked Michigan(OSU's signature win) then think back a few weeks... USC lost to Oregon St, who lost to... You got it... Boise State.

Take a peek at #4-11 of the Big 10 conference... not much betetr than the WAC. Throw in Cincy and BG or whoever OSU's non-conference games were. I'd say their schedules don't vary much.

The look at who BSU just beat... an Oklahoma team that should have been playing for a national championship if the replay official wasn't legally blind during the Oregon game.
Posted: 1:40 PM   by Anonymous
Ian Johnson for President!!
Posted: 1:40 PM   by Anonymous
The fickleness of the college football masses, including the supposed experts, is mind numbing. Does anyone else see the lunacy in asking this question 2 to 3 times a year, every year?

Oh and the answer to the question, NO!
Posted: 1:40 PM   by Anonymous
The overtime drama wasn't necessary... if you watch the replay you'll see an OU lineman holding with a handful of jersey on their game tying TD and their winning 2ptConversion.
Posted: 1:41 PM   by Go Bucks
Here's why I don't think it was: It wasn't for a champioinshiip. The best game ever that wasn't for a championship. Absolutely. I'm not saying it wasn't better than some of the championships, I just think even though it had possibly more drama than the OSU-Miami and Texas-USC game, it doesn't really matter for anything. Nobody's going to remember this game 20 years from now. If it had been the champioship, in a playoff, or the regular season to decide who would go to the championship, then I'd say it was the best game. It was still awesome though. Maybe this iwill help a playoff be created. (I do like the BCS, though, because games like OSU-Michigan wouldn't have mattered if there wwas a playoff.)

By the way, did anyone notice halfway through the 4th quarter when Boise was up by eight, the announcers mentioned how usually when a mid-major beat a power, they needed some trick plays, but up to that point Boise hadn't run any and they thought that was great by Boise. They spoke a little prematurely.
Posted: 1:42 PM   by Anonymous
Head and shoulders above the Texas-USC game and the OSU-Miami game.

Speaking of OSU, I wonder if they invited those same refs that gave them that game to come screw another Florida based team out of a championship.
Posted: 1:45 PM   by Anonymous
I hate USC, there is such a media bias for those guys... they are always over rated... But I loved watching them beat the tar out of Meechigan. So much for their claim that they deserved to be playing for the NC... so much for the media's wish to give Michigan a split championship... but the Media does have the chance to give BSU a spilt championship and deservingly so.
Posted: 1:47 PM   by Anonymous
Truly, it was a fabulous game and incredibly entertaining....althought there ought to be a "man law" against proposing after a game like that (LOL); However.... the Texas USC game has to be the best overall .....in terms of talent, stakes and drama. GREAT GAME!
Posted: 1:48 PM   by Anonymous
The BCS is WAC yo...

So Utah and now Boise State post W's in their BCS games. Maybe just maybe if they can get enough noise stirring in their conferences they can get somethign done. Mt West should be able to get some of those Big Wig retired Air Force guys to cause some rukus. The Gov of idaho went to BSU if I recall... maybe if we get some politicians involved, something might happen... Look at MLB, congress wanted to see results and we got drug testing and the 50 game ban
Posted: 1:48 PM   by Anonymous
Wouldn't know. I live on the east coast, where most people were asleep when the game ended.
Posted: 1:49 PM   by Anonymous
Certainly an entertaining game but definitely not "Best Game Ever." To be BGE a championship must be at stake. The ones mentioned in the article, except for George Mason all qualify as well as Miami- Nebraska.
Posted: 1:53 PM   by Anonymous
I live in Boise and I was one of the few in this town that didn't give BSU a pimple's chance at the dermatologist to win that game. Give BSU their props for the best bowl game in recent history if ever. As for a national championship if Ohio loses, ...not a chance. Strength of schedule just wasn't there.
Posted: 1:53 PM   by Anonymous
Not a BSU or OU fan..do not follow either teams. This was not only the best bowl game ever, but, it has to be in the top 3 of best games EVER.
Posted: 1:53 PM   by Anonymous
I stood in amazement watching that game unfold. I love the underdog, always have, always will. I was mad when the refs didn't call the holding on OU during the TD that gave them the tie. I was crushed when they ran that pick back for 6. -Hind sight being 20/20, I bet OU wishes their player would have went down or stepped out rather than score after that pick- I sat in awe at the hook and ladder.

The winning play didn't surprise me, I was looking for that. What did surprise me was when Johnson put the ball int he stands. Beign that I had to get up 4 hours later to go to work, I clicked the TV before seeing him propose.

That game beats Flutie, beats Cal-Stanford, beats the wide-rights, beats Kirk Gibson's HR, beats 'the catch', beats the Red Sox come back, beats 'em all baby.
Posted: 1:53 PM   by Anonymous
BSU should have a chance at the National Championship!!! Every season there is some one saying we need a playoff in college football and now we have another undefeated team needing a chance at the championship and deserving but won't get the chance!! This was the best college bowl game ever possibly the best college game ever!!
Posted: 1:54 PM   by Anonymous
BSU might not win the NC, but they'll win the #1 place in every bowl moment count down for the next 50 years.

In 10 years, no one will remember that Florida beat OSU for the NC this year, they will remember the Boise State game.
Posted: 1:55 PM   by Anonymous
2002 National Championship Game between THE Ohio State University and The University of Miami is by far the greatest college football game ever played. I would rank the Boise State/OU game third behind the Penn State/Miami Fiesta Bowl in the late 80's.
Posted: 1:59 PM   by Anonymous
Cinderella...

BSU wins the Fiesta Bowl and Wake Forest wins the ACC adn the Orange Bowl.


BTW, way to choke Virginia Tech... Sure it was a home game for Georgia, but you are suppoed to have the best defense int he world.

Good job Michigan, way to prove everyone that voted Florida #2 wrong... oh wait, you proved them right.

Good job Miami, you froze your butts off and won the 'the field is not painted blu, it's just that cold' bowl game. Too bad you fired your coach that has a Winning % over .800 Good luck with that.

Good Job USC... you paid the right people off as usual and got them to say it 5,356,702 times that you deserve to be pre-season #1 next year. Another year with an over rated USC in the top tier of the polls. WooHoo
Posted: 1:59 PM   by Anonymous
All things being equal you could argue this was the best bowl game ever. However, the Texas and Ohio State wins were for the Nat'l Championship. This makes them better games.
Posted: 2:02 PM   by Frank Manja
I think Vince Young had the best game as an individual but Boise State had the best game as a team. How is that for mincing my words?
Posted: 2:03 PM   by Anonymous
Oklahoma fans are now getting a taste of what Idaho Vandal fans have been feeling for decades. While it was indeed a great game, OU, repeat after me... "Who do we hate? Boise State!"
Posted: 2:05 PM   by Dave
Absolutely, the single most enthralling and entertaining college football game ever played. This game is the new standard for all David and Goliath match-ups. It will go down as one of the single greatest sporting events ever televised and in time, the story in its entirety will find its way to the big screen for everyone to witness all over again. Reality is always more fantastic than fiction.
Posted: 2:06 PM   by Anonymous
I think Woody Allen said sports are the ultimate drama, and nothing ever produced by Hollywood could match the Boise - OK game. In my book, it was the best Bowl Game I have ever seen.
Posted: 2:07 PM   by Anonymous
Yes, Boise State's victory is one for the record and history books, but also one for our hearts and the passion that makes college football what it is today and what it will be tomorrow.
Posted: 2:08 PM   by ThunderBunny, Troy MI
best bowl game ever? quite possibly.

what makes this bowl game better than the Tex/USC matchup last year or the OSU/Miami matchup a few back is that Texas and Ohio State were playing for the title...whereas Boise State was playing for nothing more than dignity and heart. They were playing to prove that they belong.

very rarely do we see a team in a pressure game throw everything on the line to accomplish the near impossible with less than half a minute left...very rarely do we see a team in ANY sport step up and say "we came here as a nobody, we came here with nothing to lose...so there's no reason for us not to do everything humanly or superhumanly possible to win when the odds are dead against us." so, they just did it.

you might see it in a high school game, where embarassment might be contained within a few square mile and within the memories of those who saw it. but this was different. this was in front of the world, on record forever.

if the reciever bounced the lateral off his shoulder pad...if the wide out threw a wounded duck that got smacked into the turf...if the Statue of Liberty play had boinked...we'd all be sitting here saying that Boise State cracked up and went insane right before our eyes, resorting to tom-foolery over traditional football to win.

but Boise took the gamble, when the odds were the worst against them, took it head on and turned sure and imminent defeat into a glory that etched itself into our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives.

Boise State was supposed to get wiped back and forth across the Valley. Boise State wasn't really even supposed to be there. We weren't supposed to stay up until 1:30am watching the last 3 or 4 minutes of the game over and over on Tivo to convince ourseives that we actually saw what we saw. We weren't even supposed to tune in in the first place.

we saw the rarest of the rare last night. that wasn't supposed to happen. heck, it wasn't possible for it to happen.

but it did.

best game ever?

i'll remember it.
Posted: 2:12 PM   by Anonymous
I think it was one of the most exciting games I've ever watched, I can't say that it was the best, but, it definitley adds to the argument for a much needed play off system.

If Florida beats Ohio there'll be a lot of controversy over who is #1 and rightfully so.

-Larry from Texas
Posted: 2:15 PM   by Anonymous
Honestly, this is the best bowl game I've ever seen from a play-calling standpoint. The 4th and 18/2-pt conversion calls were outstanding calls, executed perfectly in extreme circumstances. Hard to say if Boise could play with OSU or UF, it's all circumstance but it would definitely be fun to watch. I still think, though, Mason's win over UCONN trumps this one. 4 first round draft picks/1 second rounder...that's truly the first time I think NO ONE (outside of a Mason alum) expected that one. Nova '85 with Pinkney has nostalgic value but Boise's win is up there for the way they won the game. Confident, with reckless abandon. USC/Texas was an unbelievable game - and for the title - but this game's finish might be unmatched for a long time to come.
Posted: 2:17 PM   by Anonymous
Best game ever?? Certainly a memorable one. If Florida beats OSU, Boise should be considered for co-champs.
Posted: 2:18 PM   by Anonymous
This was by far one of the most entertaining bowl games of all time. Even my wife stayed up to see the finish. Classic David & Goliath with a surpising (play) and sweet (engagement) finish. Boise State deserves recognition of the highest order. And, WE ALL DESERVE a playoff system that will make a true National Championship accessible.
Posted: 2:19 PM   by Anonymous
Who cares?
They should have a shot in a playoff system and it is a travesty that their season ends undefeated and they don't get a chance at championship.
Foolish and I will never watch college until they have a playoff (why not 8 teams?)
Posted: 2:20 PM   by Todd
This was the greatest final to a football game that I have seen in years! Even my wife liked it!
Posted: 2:25 PM   by Anonymous
I think it was one of the best games I have ever seen. The intensity, drama, and excitement made the game the memorable. The outcome was "Rocky Balboa" on the football field.
Posted: 2:25 PM   by james
Any team in division 1 that wins all the games on their schedule should be given a chance at a national title the only way to ever say you are the best is to beat everyone you play no matter home big or small your school is. We will never know if Utah 2005 and Bosie 2007 are the best team that year in college football untill there is a play-off end the 4 weeks or lay off and install a playoff to cumulate on January 8th with a true championship. Heres to you mid majors. at a boy and who will do it next year lets bust this thing wide open!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 2:26 PM   by A Fan
How quickly we forget last years Natl Championship. People have such short memories.

its all good. This game will go down as "the best bowl game ever"...at least, until next years "best bowl game ever"...
Posted: 2:29 PM   by Anonymous
it is definitely one of the best games ever, or at least the last 5 minutes plus overtime. once florida wins, boise state should get half the national championship
Posted: 2:30 PM   by WBNQ Losing It
Best Game Ever? I can not answer that because I am not a huge College Football fan (but after a game like this I definitely see the appeal more). I will say though that while flipping channels I saw that the BSU lead had shrunk to 8 late in the fourth quarter so I stayed tuned. Now, I could care less about either of these schools personally but I was cheering loudly at every play that was made as the lead went back and forth. I love games like this because I was literally laughing and cheering out loud as the next "miracle" play happened. I wondered what was going to happen next and loved every minute of the end when BSU went for two and converted on the "trick" play. Wonderful 4th quarter and overtime (great proposal at the end too). Best ending (like two prize fighters trading furious punches but neither giving in) to a game I have seen in a long time.
Posted: 2:31 PM   by Anonymous
How will we ever know how good Boise State is without letting them play for it all?
Posted: 2:31 PM   by Anonymous
If the WAC and MAC get to be part of the BCS then by all means, the undefeated BSU Broncos - should Florida knock off Ohio - deserve the number one spot. They beat everyone they played. They did the unthinkable and led the whole first half against OU and then by sheer desire outplayed them to the last second. What more can you ask?
Posted: 2:34 PM   by bleed_green_and_white
I watched every one of the games mentioned - the Miami-Ohio State game was great, but too controversial to go down as the best ever. I LOVED watching Vince Young run all over USC last year, too. But this game was BY FAR the best, for a number of reasons:

1. To everyone but the Boise State team and fans, the result was completely unexpected.

2. The Broncos succeeded in making Adrian Peterson, a future first-rounder, a non-factor in this game. Though he made some great plays, Boise State neutralized each one of them by answering with their own offense.

3. The character that the entire team showed, especially Jared Zabransky, who threw an interception with about 1:30 left in the game, and which was run back for a touchdown to put the Sooners ahead by 7. Most quarterbacks would have collapsed or given up; Zabransky led his team to the victory with a series of astonishing plays.

4. They managed to prefectly execute three trick plays on the three most important plays of the game: the hook-and-ladder play on 4th and 18 with under a minute to play, which resulted in a 50 yard touchdown, the direct snap to a wide receiver with the quarterback split out wide on 4th and 2 in overtime, which also resulted in a TD, and the statue of liberty play, which resulted in the game-winning two point conversion.

5. Ian Johnson's proposal to his girlfriend: after that game, this proposal was just the icing on the cake.
Posted: 2:35 PM   by Bob
A GREAT game, one of the best ever. I'm tired of Boise State getting labeled as "Cinderella" though. This is a major college football program that beat every team it played, including one of the legendary programs of all time. Let's stop calling the Broncos a miracle. They played great, inspired football -- something Michigan could only aspire to. Arkansas and Wisconsin were boring in their bowl game. When the rankings come out after Ohio State rolls to the National Championship, they should be: 1) Ohio State. 2) USC. 3) Boise State. And right now, let's schedule Ohio State and Boise State at the Meadowlands for next year's Kickoff Classic.
Posted: 2:36 PM   by Tim Kistle
I think their is no doubt about it! This was the best bowl game ever! what an unbelivable comeback in the last minute of the game for BSU after an awsome miricle drive by OU! With BSU's defense staring to hurt in the end and letting Oklahoma come back, It was no surprise to this bronco that they went for the two point conversion! I remember seeing that play earlier this year against idaho, i was so happy to see it again! GO, FIGHT, BSU!!!

Also i stepped outside at my home across from the university, You could hear car horns from a mile away cheering for the broncos! I, herd in the distance a "BOISE!" and in response, the whole nieghborhood from every direction erupted in a "STATE!" This went on for several minutes before all you herd agian were cheers and car horns
Posted: 2:37 PM   by Anonymous
Undoubtedly the best game ever, at least to those of us who live in Boise.
Posted: 2:41 PM   by Anonymous
Last nights game was a great game and kept us on the edge of our seats. Boise State deserves a shot at Ohio State and a national championship. I wish the Utah utes would have gotten a shot at a team like oklahoma, texas, or USC two years ago in the fiesta bowl. I'd like to know how far they could have gone. That was a great utah team with a great coach, but we'll never know because of the current system that we have. All men are created equal, but that's not the case for college football teams. only the "elite" schools get a chance at a national championship.
Posted: 2:41 PM   by Anonymous
Absolutely the Broncos deserve consideration for the title if florida beats OSU. Oklahoma (if you factor out the Oregon travesty) was every bit as good as USC, Florida, and Michigan. Therefore, by beating Oklahoma, BSU completely legitimized their undefeated season. In other words, USC, Michigan and Oklahoma all had their shots and blew it. BSU didn't blow anything. If it were 15 years ago and Florida beats OSU, would there be any question that BSU gets consideration for the title? The answer: NO
Posted: 2:44 PM   by Brian
Best game ever? Let's not go that far. HOne of the best games I have ever seen? No doubt.

Look at the NCAA basketball tournament. It is wildly popular because of all the upsets and Cinderella stories. Can you imagine the interest if Boise State was playing USC next week in the next round of the playoffs? The NCAA is missing the boat by not having a playoff.
Posted: 2:44 PM   by Anonymous
Not THE greatest bowl game ever, certainly one of the best. Definitely one of the best and most exciting finishes ever. I was a little disappointed that some TV analysts blamed the loss on OU. The TOs were even and points off TOs were even (14). BSU got knocked for using gimmick plays. I felt that the last OU drive for a TD in regulation was a gimmick also. They lucked out with an injury to the BSU secondary and got a couple of favorable interference calls. OU maybe the better team. OU is bigger, faster, and stronger. But OU was outcoached. BSU wanted it more and never gave up. BSU deserved the win.
I doubt Ohio State will lose. Even if they do, I doubt BSU will be the national champs. I think BSU should finish the season ranked #2 if OSU wins, and ranked #3 if Florida wins.
Posted: 2:46 PM   by Anonymous
It was an amazing and fantastic game, but it did not carry the importance of a National Championship. I think that I have to go with the person that said the greatest bowl game that did not have championship implications.

I don't know how people can say it was better than the Texas/USC game last year. Considering how much hype that game had, if that hadn't been an incredible game then people would have been disappointed. This game had no expectations and thus makes people think that it was greater than it was.
Posted: 2:46 PM   by Anonymous
I thought football players weren't suppose to fool around with the cheerleaders?
Posted: 2:47 PM   by Jody
Even to those of us who don't live in Boise (anymore) it was The Best Game Ever.
Posted: 2:50 PM   by Anonymous
Boise deserves it!!!! I live in Boise, ans they are an amazing team!!!!!!!!

And to all the broadcasters that were talking smack about BSU at the begining of the game... IN YOUR FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You don't mess around with the Broncos!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 2:50 PM   by Anonymous
BSU and the WAC conference have shown that they belong. NO QUESTION this was the best game of the year. Until college football comes up with a true championship formula matching the best against the best we will forever ponder the question of who deserves the national championship. BSU beat some very good WAC teams including Hawaii and Nevada who represented their conferences proudly during this football season. College basketall has it right! The Gonzaga's, George Mason's, and maybe Nevada this year have the chance to win it all. This just makes sense!
Posted: 2:52 PM   by Anonymous
Best Game ever was the USC-Notre Dame Game which finished with the "Bush Push". I will forever remember watching that game with my (then 4 year old) son. We were so excited that we cried.
Posted: 2:52 PM   by Mike from Omaha
While I think, this was an excellent game, and definitely the bowl game to watch thus far in the bowl season.....it was not the best ever. In fact, I think this question is ridiculous. For a BSU fan, it definitely was the best ever; for an OU fan, I think they would probably say countless games vs. Nebraska, or possibly the 2001 Orange Bowl vs. FSU, was the best game they ever saw.

Media hype is killing this sport, and all sports in general. Can we just enjoy the game for what it was:

An excellent bowl game, with tough, gritty gamers that refused to lose.........it just happens that someone has to.
Posted: 2:56 PM   by Jacob Butler
Ian is a pimp, only a real man would do that. Way to go Ian.
Posted: 2:56 PM   by Anonymous
i turned the tv on right as boise state made the two point conversion and i was like that was the coolest play i have ever seen. Then i watched sportcenter to see what else happened in the game and i saw that crazy play on 4th and 18, and thought that that was the coolest play i have ever seen! boise state deserves a shot at the national championship, no matter what happens in the florida ohio state game, any one who goes undefeated deserves a chance, this was the most exciting game i havhe ever seen!
Posted: 2:57 PM   by Anonymous
Simply one of the best ever. Me and the kids stayed up until 1:15 am watching it. The game had it all......bring on the playoff system please!!!
Posted: 3:02 PM   by Anonymous
Ohio State is undefeated and beat all but 2 teams by 17 points or more. OSU other non-conference win, Texas at Texas!
Posted: 3:03 PM   by Anonymous
Having watched Boise State's undefeated 2006 season - and witnessed a few other "close calls" along the way - I'd say that this one was pretty damn good. Whether it proves out to be among the 'Greatest Games Ever' or changes the BCS' approach to determining a national champ is something for time and the history books... But it certainly does give us another great story about a great group of players with tons of heart and hunger, and that, ultimately, seems to be what's most memorable about any sport.
Posted: 3:03 PM   by Anonymous
This was the best game ever, and for reasons other then the unbelievable ending, the "upset", and all that other stuff.

The reason that this is the best game I can remember is that this game was well played by both teams, well coached by both teams, well officiated for the most part, and just an all around good football experience. It is how the game should be played, guys making big plays all over the field. OU has nothing to be ashamed about, they played a good game.
Posted: 3:05 PM   by Anonymous
Still doesn't beat Texas-USC for me. For one thing, OU wasn't the great team everyone believed they were this year. If Boise State had beaten Michigan, Florida, USC, or the likes of them, then I'd agree. This might have been the wildest game I've ever seen but it doesn't compare to Texas' win over SC.
Posted: 3:10 PM   by Anonymous
great game but n.c. state's run to the 1983 national championship in basketball has to be THE Cinderella moment.
Posted: 3:14 PM   by Anonymous
Whether this was the greatest game ever is irrelevant. What IS relevant is that Boise State is here to stay and the BCS needs to find ways to recognize and accomodate that.
Posted: 3:14 PM   by Anonymous
bosie state- Congrats on a big win, BUT, let's not get carried away with the schedule crap!

Using your logic ("Look at USC who spanked Michigan(OSU's signature win) then think back a few weeks... USC lost to Oregon St, who lost to... You got it... Boise State. ")

OSU killed a Texas team that easily defeated OU, the team that took you 2 overtimes to beat...
Posted: 3:20 PM   by Anonymous
Beyond the amazing play calling and execution, beyond the Hollywood coda of the marriage proposal afterward, beyond the high drama to the very end of regulation and beyond, here is why it ranks higher than USC-TX and OSU-MIA:

While those two games were for just another national championship, of which there is one every year, this game could very well cause a complete restructuring of the I-A championship process. The Broncos weren't just playing for their own pride, or even for the pride of all "mid-majors", but for a playoff system to finally replace the BCS sham. There is no greater evidence that fundamental reform is needed than this game. It's hard to imagine the stakes being any higher for any other college football game.

Well done, Boise State!
Posted: 3:21 PM   by Anonymous
If you watch any BSU football at all you expect the kind of focus and determination that you saw last night. It was an incredible game and I admit that sitting here in Boise last night, I almost gave up when Zabransky threw his big interception. Then I remembered, this is BSU and they never give up!
I hung on and almost had 4 heart attacks till the finish. Yes, it is ranks as one of the greatest games ever. The NFL and NBA should try to playing with their hearts like BSU did. I might start watching again.
Posted: 3:23 PM   by Go State
My Vote:

One of the greatest contests in the history of the earth's existence.

Absolutely totally awesome. This should rank in the college football annals as one of the greatest games ever.

Nice to see the WAC-style play calling come up huge. Nice to see a former 1-AA school beat one of the greatest footbal universities around. And nice to see the wedding proposal at the end.

Johnson's game-winning catch and proposal to his would-be wife on the same field moments later has got to be one of the best moments anyone could ever script for themselves. And he got to live it.
Posted: 3:24 PM   by vince
Boise State and OU showed what college athletics is all about; 18-22 year old young adults playing a game they love, universities beaming with pride showcasing their academic histories, their school bands and cheerleaders, and communities in love with their football team. The marriage proposal between the star football player and the head cheerleader just kept you asking for more.
Posted: 3:26 PM   by Anonymous
Good game for two sorry defensive teams. What do you expect from lower tier teams.
Posted: 3:28 PM   by The Egyptian Adventist
This is by far the greatest non-national championship game ever and personally (i am a boise state fan) I think this was the best football game ever played either pro or college. By far this was the best game I've ever seen.
Posted: 3:30 PM   by moto
No way.

Last year's Rose Bowl is still head and shoulders the best because 1.) the stakes 2.) it was a close game from beginning to end 3.) there was no ridiculous 'inning-style' overtime to settle it 4.) it involved 3 (and maybe more) future SUPERSTARS of the game, and 5.) Vince Young.

Just sayin'.
Posted: 3:31 PM   by Anonymous
As an upset by an underdog team playing their heart out, this ranks with the US Olympic hockey team beating the Russians in 1980. Also, it proves the national ranking system is slanted towards the traditional powers and should be changed to let smaller schools in other conferences have a chance to show what they can do. This game should change the dynamics of choosing the national champion. Whomever wins the national championship is going to have to live with, "Yeah, but how would they do against BSU?"
Posted: 3:33 PM   by Anonymous
It's not about the holding calls that weren't made on OU's final 8 pts. It's about how you respond and how you perform after the missed calls and the possibly devastating interception. It's about everyone - the coaches and ALL the players - and their indomitable spirit. Believing against the unbelievable and persevering against the challenges, and then, then choosing to win or lose rather than tie, those are the things that define excellence and beg admiration.
Posted: 3:34 PM   by Anonymous
There is no way Boise State should be ranked no. 2 at the end of the season. They would get their ass kicked by a team like Rutgers. This game definitely doesn't beat last year's Texas-USC.
Posted: 3:37 PM   by Anonymous
There should be a playoff system for college football....everyone knows this...why not have Top 8 teams duke it out!
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Chris
The game wasn't the greatest game ever player, but it was one of the most entertaining games to watch. Great job by the Boise State coaching staff. They came up with the plays when they needed them. Nice to see a team that is up against all odds come up with something to give themselves a chance to win. I am an NIU alum and wish our coaching staff could have come up with some plays that would have made our bowl game more interesting than running Garret Wolfe up the middle every play.
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Anonymous
Great game, nice story but best ever needs two quality teams and Oklahoma was very good but certainly no USC, Florida or Ohio State.Boise should be a top five team in the final polls.
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Anonymous
omg... no way does boise state deserve the national championships game. usc sucked when they played oregon (fumbles and stuff), people who say boise states schedule is harder than osu's are just stupid. bs is an awesome team, but there not on par with the other top teams (osu, florida, michigan, usc) oaklahoma hasnt been great for 2 years now, good, but not great, and boise barely beat them. bsu played crap teams all season (oregon included) and barely beat a dying oaklahoma team in overtime with trick plays.
Posted: 3:45 PM   by Anonymous
I've never been a Boise State fan, and I can't stand Oklahoma so I was thrilled to see the Broncos give it to them. Definitely THE best Bowl game I've EVER seen...amazing. Boise State, you put Idaho on the map in my book...
Posted: 3:47 PM   by Anonymous
Right up there. But a very close second to BYU-SMU in the Holiday Bowl.
Posted: 3:48 PM   by Anonymous
To discount this game since no NC at stake is a mistake. This is the greatest game as BSU knew they were playing strictly for the W and for love of the game. "Trick plays" are imaginative offense if done by some teams but not by others. Announcers were marveling at the fake by Stocco and David Greene ran that same play for years at UGA. Stafford used it to beat Va Tech so is it great offensive play calling or "trickeration" depending on who is running the play? It's legal, it worked, BSU won the game. Great job Broncos.
Posted: 3:49 PM   by Anonymous
Hollywood wouldn't write a story like this because it would be too unbelievable for them. Hollywood would get rid of 3 tries for 2 points and the star of the game marrying the head cheerleader. He would be marrying the girl who was just a friend of his that he never noticed.
Posted: 3:49 PM   by Anonymous
I started watching the game with very little voice due to a case of bronchitis. I ended the game with NO voice and a severe case of BRONCOitis!! Boise State deserves consideration for the #1 spot if for no other reason than it has more heart and soul than any other team playing right now. They epitomize what all college teams should aspire to be: great competitors and a real class act. GO ORANGE, GO BIG BLUE, FIGHT, FIGHT, BSU!!
Posted: 3:50 PM   by Anonymous
For those of you who are not die hard Boise fans, you might not know that Zabransky has not been the most liked quarterback we have had. Two years in a row he had thrown game ending interceptions in our bowl games, first against Louisville and then against B.C so when he threw that interception with a minute to play he instantly became the most hated man in Idaho, for 45 seconds anyway. Then he pulled out the impossible. Best bowl game ever? Maybe, at least top 3. Boise deserve a shot at the national champion? Sure, it would be a fun game to watch to say the least. Unfortunaly it wont happen but that doesnt take away from what Boise did.
Posted: 3:50 PM   by Anonymous
We *could* have beaten Boise State and we did *beat* Oklahoma, so we should have a shot at the NC. -Mike Bellotti
Posted: 3:53 PM   by fdg96750
Boise St.'s win was significant. I agree that this should help bring about a real championship tournament. Boise St.'s schedule was tough--thry beat San Jose St., which won its bowl game, it beat our Hawai"i team, which won its bowl game, and early in the season it beat Oregon St., which won its bowl game in addition to beating USC, which crushed a MIchigan team that had fought Ohio St. to the bitter end. With the exception of Michigan, which now doesn't look that good,did Ohio St. play any teams that were much better than those on Boise St."s schedule? Remember, Ohio St. did not play Wisconsin, which was just about the only other Big Ten team that was above mediocre. Penn St. had a decent record and won a bowl game, but was it a better team than Oregon St.? Until there is a real tournament, like those in the other NCAA football divisions, where all post season games matter, "national championships" will be the the subject of argument and conjecture. This morning on TV, Skip Bayless, who had predicted that Boise St. would be crushed, downplayed the win by saying that that Oklahoma would have won if it had been a real playoff game and not just a bowl game with nothing at stake, thus proving the point.
Posted: 3:54 PM   by Anonymous
Undoubtedly the greatest game ever not played for a national championship. More importantly, it's a reflection of the broken BCS system. Mid-majors are now 2 for 2 in BCS appearances, but they will never get a shot a national championship (i.e., Utah 2004). It's an abomination for Boise State to beat a perennial powerhouse like Oklahoma and not have the same opportunity given to a 1 loss Florida team. I'm not saying that Boise State could pull it off - it's just too bad that we'll never know.
Posted: 3:55 PM   by Anonymous
Great game, great heart. But let's be realistic, they beat a two-loss team with a wide receiver playing QB... And they needed every trick play in the book to do it. Give them a spot near the top but don't declare them co-champs.
Posted: 3:58 PM   by P. David Armour
I played against Boise St. the first year they moved to Div. I-A 11 years ago, and to see them beat OU in a BCS Bowl thrilled me to no end. It was like watching a child grow up and graduate college.
Is it me, or did this game mirror EVERY sports movie ever made (complete with the hero getting the girl in the end)?
Posted: 3:58 PM   by Cheryl Wray
Absolutely amazing game!! I was on pins-and-needles for the entire last 5 minutes or so (although the first, second, and third quarters were great too!). As a Texas fan, I loved last year's. But that game last night--WOW!!! might be the best ever!!!
Posted: 3:59 PM   by Go Bucks
To anonymous at 1:42, if there was instant replay, it wouldn't have even gone to overtime, because they would have called a completed pass by Ohio State that would of had the clock ran out. Miami wouldn't have gotten the ball back.

Also the Big 12 said the official made the right call.
Posted: 4:00 PM   by Curt Woodcock
I graduated from the University of Georgia and have been a Bulldog fan for over thirty years, but I must admit this Boise State win over Oklahoma is probably the best and most dramatic college football game I've ever seen. Boise State had every reason to give up twice and they refused to do so. Yes, I think Boise State should be considered as a legitimate #1.
Posted: 4:04 PM   by Anonymous
Boise Fans, Puhlease...Oklahoma was not even a good team. Man, I wish you all played a OSU or USC team. They would of put you guys in your place. I'll admit the play was pretty cool, but any Junior College could of pull off that play. You want to be a big shot...put better teams on your schedule. Stop cheating your way to a BCS team...we all know San Jose State can whip your booty any day!!
Posted: 4:07 PM   by Anonymous
Fun game to watch to say the least. However, to make the statement that it is the best bowl game ever is an overstatement. I love college football, though I could not make myself stay up any later to watch overtime. Something I would have done if the game meant anything. That is what makes the other games stick out-- the pressure to perform when expected and when something big was on the line. Now to say it was the most exciting bowl game finish? That I could see.
Posted: 4:07 PM   by The Rowlands
My wife and I both watched the game. She is a true SEC fan, I'm a Big 12 fan. We both agreed this win legitimized Boise State as a football school, and maybe showed that 12-0 is 12-0, regardless of the conference. The only true way to settle this is with a play-off, just like in Div. II.
Posted: 4:11 PM   by Yogi H.
Everyone has such a short term memory. Was this game better than the 2005 Rose Bowl when Vince Young basically carried Texas to the victory or the game last year when he did the same act against USC? All this "instant classic" status of games is ridiculous. They beat a very good Oklahoma team. However would you take Oklahoma over USC or even Florida? Boise State is a good team, but in order for the game to be the best ever it has to stand for something grand. Grand meaning championship. People wake up...
Posted: 4:18 PM   by Anonymous
It was the greatest since USC/Wisc. in '62 Rose Bowl. I'm rooting for Fla. Go Boise State!! The sixth game of the '75 WS wasn't the championship game either but it is still considered the best ever, "Go Bucks"
Posted: 4:21 PM   by Anonymous
Greatest game ever? Hardly. Most exciting finish ever? Probably. Nothing about the first 3 and half quarters of this game make it worthy of the greatest game moniker. Paul Thompson turned the ball over 4 times (3 INTs and 1 fumble). No game that included that type of performance can be considered the greatest ever.
Posted: 4:22 PM   by Alex
Those calls didn't take as much guts as given credit for. What did Boise have to lose? They weren't expected to win the game, or even be competitive, so the playoff wanting media (ESPN) would be glorifying them even if they didn't make the two point conversion. A 2 point conversion is converted like, two-thirds of the time, so the odds were with Boise. This is not the best game ever, not even close. USC-Texas, OSU-Miami, NU-Miami (1983), NU-OU (Game of the Century), Cal-Stanford..the list goes on. It was a good game, but a fluke. If Boise wants to play with the big boys, then do it during the regular season and prove you belong. How bad was that shalacking they got vs. Georgia last year? Ohh yea..
Posted: 4:24 PM   by Anonymous
This was one of the greatest bowl games ever. It strongly supports the need for some type of playoff system. For now, with the system that in place, second guessing is always going to be prevalent when things don't go as scripted or planned. Notwithstanding Boise State undefeated season, if Florida beats Ohio State, they are the rightful champions...nobody else. That's the current BCS system (one of judgement based on several factors). If you don't like it (like most fans), we should push for a playoff system.
Posted: 4:24 PM   by Anonymous
It was a great win for BSU and I can understand the fans of BSU being excited but as noted its not even the first time a "Non-BCS" school won a BCS bowl game. It was exciting but the only way I can see thinking its the best ever is if you are a BSU fan. Best of the 2006 bowl season so far absolutely but not best ever.
Posted: 4:25 PM   by Anonymous
I am pissed because I am soft and went to bed early (at halftime). I was still a bit hungover from new year's eve and had to work this morning. When I read about the game's events this morning I was ashamed by my display of manhood. I still havent even seen the highlights yet but I can only imagine...
Posted: 4:26 PM   by Anonymous
It can definitely be mentioned in the top ten games or so but lets not kid ourselves. There is a reason they keep scores in games and why there are winners and losers.

In reality this game meant nothing so it cannot compare to Texas/USC, Ohio State/Miami, Miami/Nebraska from the 80's, Notre Dame/Michigan St from 1966 because nothing was on the line. All the above games were championship games and that is what is all about.
Posted: 4:26 PM   by Anonymous
I have been a BSU fan for years, I am so proud of them! They do not care what the odds say, they just go and play with their whole hearts! They deserve to play Ohio state. Maybe now the BCS will play fair! And I live in SEC territory!
Posted: 4:26 PM   by Anonymous
Sounds like an amazing game. Does anyone know if/when it is going to be rebroadcast for us east coasters?
Posted: 4:28 PM   by Anonymous
Why was this a great game? An underdog playing a "superpower" stuck to their game plan, maintained their offensive composure and their confidence and perseverance in the face of crushing bad events. I have spent 30 years coaching high school football here in Idaho and although a former Vandal, have sent many players to Boise State. The maturity and execution of those Broncos was unsurpassed.
They have great players, but that also was great coaching.
Posted: 4:28 PM   by Anonymous
This is better then a championship game, because there was a true underdog here, a team by all stats should have lost. Lets take a look at the amount of talent that a school like OU can recruite compared to BSU. This was a game of sure will and execute by a true team. The meaning of the word team has more meaning in this victory then any other. This shows everyone that you don't need 20 highly recruited talented players to win in football, you just need Heart, desire, and execution. Hats off to BSU, one of the greatest games I have every seen in my life.
Posted: 4:28 PM   by Anonymous
Sounds like a great game. Does anyone know if/when it is going to be rebroadcast for us east coasters?
Posted: 4:30 PM   by Anonymous
I always thought the most exciting game I would ever see was BC vs Miami (Flutie's Hail Mary pass). This one may have topped it for pure drama and outrageous comebacks. Glad to see Boise lived up to its BCS bid. However, to the one message left about about #4-11 Big 10 teams being "not much better than the WAC", that's just simply off the mark. #4 (Penn State) just beat Tennesee soundly. Even perennial celler-dwellers Indiana and Illinois were playing well in the 2nd half of the season. When your #8 (Iowa) loses to Texas by 2 points after leading in the 4th quarter, that's a sign to me that the bottom of the conference is pretty strong. The BCS team that really doesn't belong is Notre Dame. I'm sick of this exception for them that if they're ranked high enough, they're guaranteed a BCS game. Nobody else gets that. Ask Wisconsin how they feel about that exception. They're going to finish somewhere between 3rd and 5th in the nation and didn't get to play in a BCS game!
Posted: 4:32 PM   by Chris E
Boise State came into the New Years with one thing on their mind, a BCS victory. The victory shows the College Football Nation that a small non BCS school can run with the big boys of division one A. As a George Mason basketball team shocked many teams as well as the NCAA in 2006 in the final four, Boise State is the first team to show they can play in 2007 with an undefeated season. The victory came at maybe one of the best BCS games of all time. Personally for me I thought last year Vince Young showed everyone he can dish it out, and a few years back watching Ohio State beat Miami were great BCS upset but NOTHING tops this prestigious win and upset like how Boise State beat Oklahoma. Regardless of what people say about Boise State and playing in the WAC, any division one conference is good enough to roll with any team and they showed for it. This is a great victory for the state of Idaho and the city of Boise and their fans. At least ¾ of the stadium were all Boise State fans. Believe it or not people take great pride in their teams up in west. Show some love to a great Bronco season and the great game that was played!

GO ORANGE
GO BIG BLUE
FIGHT
FIGHT
B-S-U!!!
Posted: 4:34 PM   by Anonymous
Best Bowl Game of my time: Sugar Bowl 1979. 'Bama 14 - PSU 7. Game known as 'The Stand'. Legend Bear Bryant's 'Tide stops Legend-to-Be JoPa's Nittany Lions four times from inside the 8. Final plunge from the 1-foot line resulted in a memorable picture that made the cover of SI).
Posted: 4:37 PM   by Anonymous
The only real issue I have with Boise St. is that their schedule was not very difficult, thus their 12-0 record was largely a record over quite weak teams. A true test would have been if they had played more teams like Texas during the regular season and not simply in a bowl games. In fact, their weak schedule is precisely what kept them out of BCS title contention.
Posted: 4:37 PM   by Anonymous
It was a great game but I have to say the 2002 Fiesta Bowl with OSU and Miami was the best.
Posted: 4:37 PM   by Anonymous
Some day the conferences that want a playoff and they don't have a conference championship game, better find one. The ACC showed how to work it among college Presidents, fixing a balanced conference to have a Championship football game.

Then some day in the future when BCS bowl winners stand proud, the playoff can start among 8 teams as the process begins.

The efforts have to be on the field and not in the polls. Teams that risk a Championship game are "punished" by losing when teams not playing stay in their place.

Michigan is the example this season. They can't get Norte Dame in the Big 11, so they should find someone else. Take Iowa State from the Big 12. Rename the Conference Great Lakes 12.

Big 12 can add Colorado State as example. The Pac 10 becomes 12.

Something good should come from Boise St. winning. A playoff. But the conferences have to fix themselves first.

Among the great games ever, let it be that. The Texas Tech comeback against Minnnesota wasn't a BCS game but what a game that should never be forgotten.
Posted: 4:39 PM   by Anonymous
Boise State's schedule was harder than Ohio State's??????
The Buckeyes have already beaten two teams this year which were ranked #2 in the country at the time. No team has EVER beat three teams ranked #2 in a season. It has NEVER happened. However, it will happen in a week. How is that a week schedule? Should they play the #2 ranked team every week of the year? Boise State has NEVER beaten a team ranked that highly (let alone two in the same year)

Best bowl game ever??? It meant NOTHING. Remember Jan. 4, 2003, remember that Fiesta Bowl?? It was between 2 undefeated teams for the national title, and it went two overtimes. Those teams won around 50 games in a row combined going into that game.
Boise State?? Give me a break.
Posted: 4:40 PM   by AC15heismaND8
I was glad to see Boise State win this game as I was in 2004 when Alex Smith and Utah stomped Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl. I also sympathized for Oklahoma, who has lost its last 3 BCS games. That lateral play was amazing.
Posted: 4:41 PM   by Anonymous
No, Boise State-Oklahoma was not the best game ever. If you take the quality of the game times the stakes that the teams are playing for, then both Texas-USC and Miami-OSU were better games. But BS-Okla was a great game!
Posted: 4:41 PM   by hesrdc
The best thing about the game is that we're having this discussion at all about a mid-major team with only eleven years of 1A experience from the outskirts of football civilization. The BCS isn't the answer, playoffs of 4-8-16 games aren't the answer... the best part about college football is the ability for all of us aficianoados to debate this very topic.
Should Boise be national champions? I bleed orange and blue, but no, hell, no, they aren't the best team in the country. Should they be allowed to compete for the right to be called national champions? Of course! Is that likely to happen? Not in my lifetime -- the bowls are too important historically and financially. Was this the best bowl game ever? Not outside of Idaho, but it's got to be on the short list (VY last year, Clarett four years ago, Nebraska going for two two decades ago...). The point is, isn't it fun to be able to debate about it?
Posted: 4:52 PM   by Anonymous
Without a doubt.

collegefootblog.blogspot.com
Posted: 4:53 PM   by Matt D
Last year's Texas-USC was a better game than Boise St.-OU (albeit it was amazing).

The Texas-USC game had been hyped for weeks; USC was considered by many (i.e ESPN) the greatest football team ever assembled; Vince Young/Texas had been questioned as being untested and it was the National Championship game. The stakes were larger last year.

To be sure, this year's Oklahoma team was not Goliath. Although OU won the Big XII they don't conjure up notions of dominance the way they did five years ago. The Big XII was mediocre at best this season. Had Boise St. beat either Michigan or USC this year then a more compelling argument could have been made.

I was excited for Boise St. I am happy they won what should be called, "the best game ever by a mid-major"; however, it was not as exciting as the Texas-USC last January.
Posted: 4:57 PM   by Anonymous
Best bowl game ever ... no. Best 2 minutes in a bowl game ... dam straight. From absolutely crushed by a pick in the last minute-thirty to winning on the two point conversion ... no game I've ever seen has had that kind of up and down emotion. Add to that it was BSU pulling it off against power house Oklahoma ... that makes it the best.
Posted: 4:59 PM   by Anonymous
what made last year's Rose Bowl great was the number of great players on both teams. In 10 years will anyone be able to name more than 1 player that played in the Fiesta Bowl?
Posted: 5:00 PM   by Anonymous
Boise gets thumbs up from me!! The game was great!!! Go Boise! Ian, he's got Texas blood in him...he came in like a cowboy, took out the bad guys(okie)& rode off with his lady into the sunset...a real hero...
Posted: 5:03 PM   by Anonymous
Boise gets thumbs up from me!! The game was great!!! Go Boise! Ian, he's got Texas blood in him...he came in like a cowboy, took out the bad guys(okie)& rode off with his lady into the sunset...a real hero...
Posted: 5:13 PM   by Anonymous
Boise State has a weak conference. Well basically everybody, but the SEC has a weak conference.


Go Florida!!!
Posted: 5:16 PM   by Anonymous
I thought I was watching a popwarner game last night.

Boise State has a weak conference. Well everybody but the SEC has a weak conference.


Go Florida!!!
Posted: 5:17 PM   by Anonymous
The stunning ending makes this game one of the best ever. In the final seconds AND in overtime, Boise State (the underdog) faced three do-or-die downs. They succeeded (to the Max) on eac