Greatest games of the college football playoff ERA

[Freak]

Good choice.

1. Hendon Hooker Hysteria​

Tennessee 52, Alabama 49 — Oct. 15, 2022; 2022 regular season

Where were you when Hendon Hooker shredded Nick Saban’s defense, 100,000 Tennessee fans partied on the field inside Neyland Stadium, and Dixieland Delight rained down over a 52-49 Volunteer victory? Alabama was an 8.5-point favorite against a team that hadn’t beaten it in 15 years. But in just the second season under Josh Heupel, Tennessee put more points on the Crimson Tide than any team had since 1907. Hooker threw for 385 yards and 5 touchdowns. A less-than-100% Bryce Young threw for 455 yards and 2 scores. Jalin Hyatt had 207 receiving yards and was on the receiving end of all of Hooker’s touchdown tosses. Tennessee had a 28-10 second-quarter lead. Alabama had a 35-34 lead going into the fourth quarter. The final period saw 3 lead changes, the last of which came when Chase McGrath booted through a 40-yard field goal at the buzzer. If not for an injury to Hooker later in the year, this might have been the moment that catapulted Tennessee to the Playoff. Instead, the 2022 Vols became one of the greatest “what if?” teams of the CFP era.

Ranking the 12 greatest games of the College Football Playoff era

We rank the 12 greatest non-Playoff games to take place in college football during the College Football Playoff era.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

 

[dduncan4163]

It was the most exciting game I've ever watched. If you were going to introduce a person to the game of football that's the game you'd put on. I've lost count on the times I've rewatched it. It had the highest of highs and lowest of lows and one of the wildest endings ever. A knuckle ball that just made it in causing one of the wildest celebrations you'll ever see. You couldn't script a better movie and I won't lie I cried like a baby while I was hooting and hollering all through my house. A generation of Tennessee fans were created that day

It literally has become one of my happiest memories. I cherish it

 

[volsfan24018]

Playing Dixieland Delight at the end of the game was icing on the cake!

 

[dduncan4163]

Playing Dixieland Delight at the end of the game was icing on the cake!

I want a cigar now

 

[VOLdo Raine]

There was a picture posted of a guy lighting Peyton Manning's cigar on the field after the storming. I'm sure he has it up beside his wedding picture or blown up into a poster in his mancave.

How great is that?

 

[HeuperDrive]

It was the most exciting game I've ever watched. If you were going to introduce a person to the game of football that's the game you'd put on. I've lost count on the times I've rewatched it. It had the highest of highs and lowest of lows and one of the wildest endings ever. A knuckle ball that just made it in causing one of the wildest celebrations you'll ever see. You couldn't script a better movie and I won't lie I cried like a baby while I was hooting and hollering all through my house. A generation of Tennessee fans were created that day

It literally has become one of my happiest memories. I cherish it

I’ve shown the highlights to friends who have zero interest in sports in the past. And they’ve all loved it and are blown away by the insanity they’re seeing. Us coming back from the late fumble six to win it against all the odds is the part that always gets them.

It’s without a doubt the best football game I’ve ever seen, even better than Super Bowl XLII. Even better than the kick six. Not even Baker Mayfield vs Patrick Mahomes back in 2016 was as exciting as that game.

What a damn night. One of those games where I remember literally every play.

 

[OffTackleVol]

I’ve shown the highlights to friends who have zero interest in sports in the past. And they’ve all loved it and are blown away by the insanity they’re seeing. Us coming back from the late fumble six to win it against all the odds is the part that always gets them.

It’s without a doubt the best football game I’ve ever seen, even better than Super Bowl XLII. Even better than the kick six. Not even Baker Mayfield vs Patrick Mahomes back in 2016 was as exciting as that game.

What a damn night. One of those games where I remember literally every play.

Wife and I were at the game. The atmosphere before the game (bars, restaurants, tailgates) were all so positive of a Vol victory; it was an amazing feeling. Short side story: my youngest daughter and her husband were at Saloon 16 for some pregame festivities. Peyton was there and Ashley (my daughter) asked for a picture, and Peyton graciously did so (she was wearing a Tennessee jersey). Right after the picture, a Bama girl (wearing a Bama jersey) walked up and asked for a pic. He bluntly said no and walked away. I LMAO when she told the story.

 

[Orangesmokey]

I was at a friends house with my two sons watching the game and I just remember sitting on the edge of my seat the whole game. I remember thinking that I did NOT want the game to go to overtime. When the kick went in I just froze for a second to make sure it was real. Something I will never forget and glad I got to share that game with my two sons.

 

[james_govols]

Amazing game. Worst hangover the next day but worth it.

 

[OffTackleVol]

I was at a friends house with my two sons watching the game and I just remember sitting on the edge of my seat the whole game. I remember thinking that I did NOT want the game to go to overtime. When the kick went in I just froze for a second to make sure it was real. Something I will never forget and glad I got to share that game with my two sons.

Our seats are in Y10, so we had a close up view of Bama's missed field goal with 13 seconds to play. Overtime looked inevitable and I told my wife "let's leave, don't know if my heart and nerves can tolerate overtime." Wife said "hell no, we're getting ready to win." She often reminds me of that.........

 

[Orangesmokey]

Our seats are in Y10, so we had a close up view of Bama's missed field goal with 13 seconds to play. Overtime looked inevitable and I told my wife "let's leave, don't know if my heart and nerves can tolerate overtime." Wife said "hell no, we're getting ready win." She often reminds me of that.........

Yeah... you won't get to live that one down for a long time.

 

[HeuperDrive]

I was at a friends house with my two sons watching the game and I just remember sitting on the edge of my seat the whole game. I remember thinking that I did NOT want the game to go to overtime. When the kick went in I just froze for a second to make sure it was real. Something I will never forget and glad I got to share that game with my two sons.

I got to see it with my mom and dad. My dad and I watch every UT game together, but my mom usually didn’t watch games with us before she retired-she worked late on Sundays and usually missed them. But a game like this, she was there with us.

Getting to experience such a moment with the people you care about the most….. not much is better than that.

 

[SpookyAction]

It was the most exciting game I've ever watched. If you were going to introduce a person to the game of football that's the game you'd put on. I've lost count on the times I've rewatched it. It had the highest of highs and lowest of lows and one of the wildest endings ever. A knuckle ball that just made it in causing one of the wildest celebrations you'll ever see. You couldn't script a better movie and I won't lie I cried like a baby while I was hooting and hollering all through my house. A generation of Tennessee fans were created that day

It literally has become one of my happiest memories. I cherish it

My father had just broken his hip, so I missed most of the first half. My first glimpse was the 28-10 scoreboard. There was definitely A LOT of football left to play. I really wish I could have felt the rush of those 4 TDs, but it would have made Bama's comeback more wrenching. I had zero doubt McGrath was making that FG.

 

[SpookyAction]

I’ve shown the highlights to friends who have zero interest in sports in the past. And they’ve all loved it and are blown away by the insanity they’re seeing. Us coming back from the late fumble six to win it against all the odds is the part that always gets them.

It’s without a doubt the best football game I’ve ever seen, even better than Super Bowl XLII. Even better than the kick six. Not even Baker Mayfield vs Patrick Mahomes back in 2016 was as exciting as that game.

What a damn night. One of those games where I remember literally every play.

I always figured our 1982 victory over Bear Bryant was like that for fans in attendance.
I saw it on the radio, through the eyes of John Ward and Bill Anderson.

 

[VolsFan-TX]

That was the best game I have ever attended. I was also confident enough to bring cigars.

 

[utvols74]

This is definitely UT’s signature win of the era. Before then? UT vs Miami 85; UT vs Notre Dame at South Bend.

 

[MemphisVolFan1978]

It was the most exciting game I've ever watched. If you were going to introduce a person to the game of football that's the game you'd put on. I've lost count on the times I've rewatched it. It had the highest of highs and lowest of lows and one of the wildest endings ever. A knuckle ball that just made it in causing one of the wildest celebrations you'll ever see. You couldn't script a better movie and I won't lie I cried like a baby while I was hooting and hollering all through my house. A generation of Tennessee fans were created that day

It literally has become one of my happiest memories. I cherish it

This was the first game my son ever sat down and watched in its entirety. He’s been hooked ever since.

 

[#1fulmerite]

I don’t see how either of the Ole Miss Bama games, especially the ‘15 game is not on there. They actually beat Bama during their prime.

 

[Hacksaw]

I got to see it with my mom and dad. My dad and I watch every UT game together, but my mom usually didn’t watch games with us before she retired-she worked late on Sundays and usually missed them. But a game like this, she was there with us.

Getting to experience such a moment with the people you care about the most….. not much is better than that.

I was overwhelmed and surprised when I felt the tears welling in my eyes. I immediately thought of my Mom, who had passed a couple of years earlier. Memories of celebrating wins with her and my family came flooding back to me. The national championship game was instantly recalled. I felt her presence. Suddenly, I felt the presence of generations of my family. I know they were looking down.

I know "it's just a game." But it's also more than that. I don't think it can be explained.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

This is definitely UT’s signature win of the era. Before then? UT vs Miami 85; UT vs Notre Dame at South Bend.

Why do so many Vol fans sleep on that time we won a national championship?

The 22 Bama game was the best of the century for Tennessee though. It’s hard to write up a script for a more exciting game. Even people with no rooting interest thought it was incredible

 

[VOLdo Raine]

I have never actually watched the entire game straight through.

Internet went down the night of the game, so I had to schedule to record it online. (Yes, I was going nuts. I Fing hate Telekom) I planned for it to run long, and it did. My recording, which I watched Sunday morning in Germany, ended as Alabama missed its FG. I frantically tried to find a YouTube video of the ending that wouldn’t spoil it. I found the ending of us kicking a FG, but of course already knew the outcome at that point. Then I had to go back to see how we got within FG range.
I’ll probably go back and watch the entire game this summer, but of all the games to have internet problems….

 

[Carl Pickens]

I always figured our 1982 victory over Bear Bryant was like that for fans in attendance.
I saw it on the radio, through the eyes of John Ward and Bill Anderson.

Me too. Me and a buddy were walking the neighborhood carrying a portable radio. I was 14 at the time and still remember the day very well.

 

[Carl Pickens]

This is definitely UT’s signature win of the era. Before then? UT vs Miami 85; UT vs Notre Dame at South Bend.

Nobody saw that ass whipping the Vols gave Miami coming. Miami was freaking loaded

 

[GameTime]

There was what seemed like a long time out as we were about to kick the winning field goal against Bama...Unfortunately, my two dogs had to go outside to take care of their business....I took them out hoping they would be quick, but they weren't...."Suddenly my neighborhood exploded" with people yelling and running around their houses screaming and celebrating...It was easy to tell the kick was good!!!

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I truly never thought at anytime we were winning that game until the winning field goal was kicked! And even then it took a few seconds for it to sink in for me. Then I went completely nuts in my living room!