The Best College Football Game Ever Played!

 Ian Johnson, No. 41 had two victories Monday night in the Fiesta Bowl. 

Last night my Oklahoma Sooners faced a tough WAC opponent in Boise State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.  Being the Big 12 champion and having their All World running back Adrian Peterson back, everybody and their brother picked the Sooners to run over the WAC champion from Idaho.

The Bronco's were rolling along until late in the fourth quarter.  Down 28-20, Oklahoma got the ball back with two minutes to go.  They drove straight down the field and scored on a tipped pass.  Needed a two-point conversion with a minute to go, they needed three tries to complete it; two pass interference calls then Oklahoma QB Paul Thompson hit Juaquin Iglesias to tie the game up, 28-28.  Then, after the kickoff, on the first play, Bronco quarterback Jared Zabransky threw an out pass that Oklahoma cornerback Marcus Walker intercepted and took 33-yards for a seven point lead, 35-28.

On the next possession, with the clock running down, Boise State had a fourth-and-18 at the 50 yard line.  It looked like the WAC champion would finally run out of time until Zabransky threw a hook-and-ladder stunning the Sooners and tying the game up at 35-35.  Zabransky, from the 50, through a pass to wide receiver Drisan James at the OU 35, then pitched the ball to Jerard Rabb who ran into the endzone with seven seconds left.

Next came overtime.  The Sooners started with the ball and scored with a 25-yard run on it's first play.  The Bronco's got the ball and needed a touchdown to tie it up.  They came down to the 3-yard line with a fourth-and-2.  With a walk-on receiver, Vinny Perretta, throwing a pass to tight end Derek Schouman.  They needed an extra point to tie the game up and go to double overtime.  The Bronco's decided to go for two and the win.  Zabransky had three receivers out wide and star running back, Ian Johnson, was in the backfield.  Zabransky took the snap, faked a pass to thewide receivers with his right hand, gave the ball behind his back with his left hand to Johnson who took the ball and ran the opposite way for the two-point conversion and a win for Boise State.

It is being called the best college football game ever played.  Boise State, 13-0 from the WAC Conference, will get no chance to win the national title.  This is just another reason a playoff is needed in college football.  Could Boise State beat Ohio State?  Who knows.  I do know that after USC's whipping of Michigan in the Rose Bowl, I would like to see them given a chance. 

"We went 13-0 and beat everyone on our schedule," said quarterback Jared Zabransky, selected the offensive MVP after completing 19 of 29 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns. "We deserve a chance at the national title."

"They should be up there playing for a national championship -- 12-0, finish the season 13-0 -- and hopefully they get some more looks in the future," Oklahoma linebacker Zach Latimer said. "At least a chance. That's all you ask for is a chance. You never know what can happen."

After the game, Ian Johnson ran over to the Bronco faithful where he had 56 family members cheering Boise State on.  Johnson was being interviewed by a Fox commentator with his girlfriend, Bronco cheerleader Chrissy Popadics, watching when he got down on one knee and asked Popadics to marry him.  She was stunned and had no idea it was coming.  With a Fox microphone stuffed in her face (see below), she said yes. 

 Johnson gets a yes from his girlfriend.

Three gimmick plays, two teams and one proposal.  A fantastic game, an amazing ending and no playoff.  We will never know who the best team in college football is this year, even after next Monday night's BCS Championship game in that same stadium between Florida and Ohio State.  Boise State deserves a chance and will not get it.