Musings of a Dead Parrot

In honor of the start of the College Football season, a list of the most memorable games that I have seen in person. I do love college football. A fall Saturday afternoon or evening in a raucous stadium? Ethel, it doesn't get any better than this.

1. Stanford (20) at Cal (19 or 25), 1982. Not only The Play, but all the other weird officials calls including Mariet Ford's phantom TD right in front of us.
2. Stanford (27) at Cal (25), November 17, 1990. A great game in its own right and sweet revenge for 1982. Back and forth game. Glyn Milburn vs. Russell White. Stanford scores 9 points in the last 12 seconds. John Belli roughing the passer! Then John Hopkins's heroics. Thank you, Mike Harrison, for talking me into going to that game.
3. Michigan St (37) at Michigan (45) in 3OT, October 30, 2004. The greatest Michigan comeback in Michigan Stadium history. The longest game I have ever seen. The only game ever seen by seven May brothers.
4. Michigan State (31) at Iowa (35), October 5, 1985. Iowa was #1 but MSU was really talented. Michigan St had freshman WR Andre Rison and freshman RB Lorenzo White. Iowa had senior QB Chuck Long who would finish 2nd in the Heisman voting. The game went back and forth, back and forth. Long scored from the 2 yard line on a naked bootleg on 4th and 1 with 30 seconds left in the game. The entire state shook. (http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/football_history/1985.html#)
5. Stanford (9) vs. Wisconsin (17), Rose Bowl, 2000. A game I thought I would never see in my lifetime - Stanford in a Rose Bowl.
6. Michigan (21) vs. Washington State (16), Rose Bowl, 1998. Michigan wins its first national championship in 50 years.
7. Michigan (22) vs. USC (14), Rose Bowl, 1989; My first Rose Bowl. January 1 football feels much different from Fall ball in Pasadena. I felt like I was in a magical world. Bo finally beats USC in a bowl game.
8. UCLA (24) at Stanford (27), October 6, 1979; Ken Naber kicks a 54 yard FG on the last play of the game. My 2nd week at Stanford. I was hooked.
9. Stanford (31) at Oklahoma (14), September 27, 1980. Beat the #3 team in the country. Victory over the home town team was and still is sweet. One of the best games I saw Elway play.
10. Washington (31) at Stanford (43), October 30, 1982. The last time Stanford beat a #1 ranked team.
11. Stanford (28) at UCLA (23). November 8, 1986. Brad Muster vs. Gaston Green. I think each may have gained over 200 yards rushing that day. Was this my first game in the Rose Bowl or was I there in 1984 before I flew to London?
12. Stanford (24) at USC (21). October 19, 1991. First Stanford win vs. USC in 16 years. We outplayed them at their own game - smashmouth football. Denny Green and Bob Whitfield and Tommy Vardell - we sure need that attitude again.
13. USC (30) at Stanford (32). October 21, 2000. Chris Lewis to Jamien McCullum, 20 yards, TD on the last play of the game. Watched it with Tigger who was there for his reunion.
14. Kansas (23) at OU (3), November 8, 1975. KU broke OU's 37 game unbeaten streak. F irst loss since 1972. Did the Mays curse the Sooners?
15. Army (14) vs. East Carolina (33), October 2, 1999. Michie Stadium with the cadets overlooking the Hudson River. A classic, very underrated setting. The last time I saw my friend Tom Mangan.
16. Wisconsin (21) vs. UCLA (16), Rose Bowl, January 1, 1994. My first experience with the Wisconsin fans who are more fun than a keg of beer. Roll out the barrel, Bucky.